A/N: So, there I was, comp book open, pen flying when it happened…another idea and BAM…back again. Swimmer would have to wait just a little bit longer…hey, six pages ready with more coming soon…probably by the weekend along with some more return from…this little bugger just begged me and , being the weak-willed, two-fingered typist that I am…I caved…so, here it is…more of my stuff. Haven't changed the title yet but I've had a couple of good suggestions…and one truly horrible one…Prince Boo Boo 2- Electric Buggaloo just ain't gonna fly…sorry.
I have to admit that I don't, in fact, own Chuck. No matter what someone may have said, I never tried to use the old 'yeah, I own Chuck' pick up line.(I stick to the classics…'excuse me miss, does this rag smell like chloroform). I also have been operating without a beta…I know, hard to believe, right(yes, I've come to realize that I may have let myself over use ellipsis but, I swear, I'm trying to cut down).
Jim, thanks for the nudge. Still having fun(and learning, thanks Frea). JT
Bryce Larkin - Douche Bag At Large - Chapter 3
Agent Sarah Walker wasn't sure what to do. She stood just outside of the open doorway, wondering just what awaited her inside. The smell of food seemed to curl its way into her nose and plant hooks that were attempting to pull her into the apartment. She was sure that if she gave in, the delicious aroma would envelope her and she'd simply float through the door. Just as she was about to see if her theory would actually work, the glare that Ellie Bartowski had been wearing since opening the door cut through the food fog and brought her crashing back down to earth, leaving her feeling something she hadn't felt in years…fear.
Not knowing what to do, she tried to offer a friendly smile which she was sure probably looked like a grimace. "Hi…um…my name is …"
"Yeah, I know. Agent Sarah Walker. I thought I'd already gone over that. Well, don't just stand there, come in." Ellie said as she turned her back and walked back into the apartment.
Sarah knew she needed to move her feet in order to follow the brunette's less than cordial invitation but she was seriously considering just turning tale and running, telling herself that she could always talk to Chuck and his sister the next day and ,spy craft be damned, make sure they were in a public place with lots of witnesses. She had almost convinced herself of the wisdom of her plan when the reason for her visit appeared in the doorway, a smile on his face and an apron hanging from his neck. She smiled and almost laughed out loud when she read the apron's message. DON'T KISS THE CHEF…HE MIGHT FAINT!
Seeing the smile on her face and guessing at the cause, Chuck cut loose with a huge smile of his own. "Yeah, my sister the comedian. She seems to take great pleasure in teasing me about my near terminal shyness."
Sarah couldn't stop it and a giggle escaped her mouth followed by a snort. She clamped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to prevent any more sounds of mirth from escaping just as Chuck started laughing. She could feel the smile behind her hands as the man in front of her continued to laugh, his eyes clearly showing just how funny he seemed to find her amusement and subsequent attempt to hide it. She wanted to drop her hands and join him in the laughter but just couldn't bring herself to let go, knowing that she had to somehow regain her practiced cool and detached demeanor. Feeling that she'd regained her self control, she dropped her hands and slowly stepped into the apartment while Chuck just stepped back and continued to laugh.
"It wasn't that funny, Mr. Bartowski" she said, trying to sound like a professional. She immediately regretted her choice of words when the smile seemed to vanish from Chuck's face and , if she was honest with herself, she really liked that smile.
"My mistake, Agent Walker, it won't happen again" he said, the suddenly serious look on his face leaving her confused and before she could figure out what to say that would make things light again, Chuck had turned and wandered back into the apartment. "Please, close the door behind you, Agent Walker. Oh, and make sure you wipe your shoes off before you come in…Ellie will yell at you if you track anything into Casa Bartowski." he called back over his shoulder before disappearing from sight around a corner.
Sarah, after making sure that she wiped her shoes thoroughly, stepped into the apartment and briefly considered following Chuck into the kitchen but then realized that she didn't want to willingly put herself into a small area with both of the Bartowskis, especially when at least one of them wouldn't mind if she simply disappeared. Closing the door, she unconsciously engaged both of the locks and then turned to survey the room. Before taking another step, her training told her where every piece of furniture sat in relation to every other piece. She could've closed her eyes and made her way around the entire room without bumping into anything.
Making her way over to the entertainment center, she was looking at the framed photographs when she felt the sudden presence of another person in the room. Turning around, she found herself exchanging looks with a tall, blonde haired man who stood across the room, his shirtless chest in the process of being covered with a blue scrub shirt. A few days before, Sarah would have enjoyed the view but for some reason that she hadn't been able to put her finger on, the only man in the apartment who held any interest for her was currently out of sight.
"Hi, I'm Devon" the man announced as he extended a hand towards Sarah. She took the hand and gave a firm shake before letting go and stepping back a couple of paces. "You must be Agent Walker. Sorry that I have to work tonight and can't stay for dinner. The food smells awesome but Ellie found me an extra shift and I'm pretty good at taking one of her hints."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Devon. My name is Sarah. Do you work at the same hospital as Ellie?" she asked, trying to make the conversation seem as normal as possible.
"Please, Agent Walker. If you're as good as Chuckles says you are, don't insult my intelligence by pretending that you don't know where I work." he replied, becoming the third person that night who'd taken a sudden frosty tone with her. Not giving her a chance to answer, Devon turned and moments later he was heading out the front door.
Sarah was still staring at the front door, wondering if the night could possibly get any worse when Chuck's voice called her, asking if she'd like something to drink. Agreeing to the offer of a beer, she cautiously made her way towards where she was sure she'd find the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway and found herself watching as Chuck bent over and seemed to search around in the refrigerator for a few moments before straightening back up with two beers in his hand. Catching herself staring at his ass, she looked up and found Ellie staring at her, a knowing look on her face. She felt the blush start and then something really unexpected happened…Ellie Bartowski smiled at her. It was a small smile and it seemed to vanish as quickly as it appeared, but it was a smile.
"Agent Walker" Chuck said as he held a beer towards her, "I hope that Sam Adams is ok. We don't have any of that imported stuff."
Taking the beer, Sarah offered a smile. "Please, Chuck, call me Sarah…and you too, Ellie. If you're going to share such delicious smelling food with me, I really wish you'd drop the 'Agent' thing. At least for tonight, if that's ok."
"Ok, Sarah" Chuck answered before taking a pull from his beer.
"So, Sarah, since we're dropping the whole 'agent' thing, does that mean we don't have to worry about you killing us…tonight?" Ellie asked, still busy at the stove.
"Sarah, I'm sorry for the way my sister's acting"
"No you don't , Charles Bartowski. You will not apologize for me." Ellie said as she turned and stared at the blonde woman who was standing in her kitchen. "Have you forgotten what you told me last night? About all of the things that she's done for the greater good? About all of the people she's killed…for the greater good? About the people she's tortured and the families she's ripped apart…for the greater good? About all of the guys she's fucked…for the greater good?"
"ELLIE!" Chuck yelled in disapproval at the same time as the beer bottle in Sarah Walker's hand slipped from her suddenly numb fingers and fell towards the kitchen floor. Moving with unbelievable speed, Chuck's whole body twisted and his hand shot out, snagging the bottle before it could shatter against the floor. Finishing what looked like a well choreographed and practiced series of moves, he was left standing very close to blonde who'd just dropped the beer, the bottle balanced on the back of his hand.
Sarah shook her head in disbelief, the speed and fluid grace that had just been displayed reminding her of an ancient master she'd studied under, years before. As she tried to name the different styles she'd seen used, she remembered what Ellie had said about her and, before he could see the stricken look on her face, she mumbled a quick apology and turned towards the front door. She had the door knob in her hand and was ready to pull the door open when she felt an unexpected grip on her shoulder. Whirling, she'd already launched her punch before it's destination registered on her.
Chuck knew he'd made a mistake as soon as his hand landed on her shoulder and he could only watch as her fist flew towards his face. He could've used the programs he'd pulled up but the block also ran the risk of harming his opponent so he simply allowed the punch through, hoping that somehow he'd be able to roll with it. He also hoped that Sarah might realize who she was facing and pull her punch. He was sure he'd managed to succeed when the lights suddenly went out.
Sarah couldn't believe what had just happened. Chuck had grabbed her shoulder and she spun, instinctively, and knocked him out. Despite trying to pull the punch, she still felt her fist as it connected with Chuck's mouth and she'd watched as he fell, seemingly in slow motion. She taken a step towards him and then caught sight of the split lip and the blood that was already beginning to drip down the side of his cheek. She noted the steady rise and fall of his chest and was about to kneel down next to him when she remembered what Ellie had said about her. She couldn't argue the truthfulness of what had been said, she could even understand Chuck telling his sister about some of her history but what shocked her had been the way Ellie had thrown her past actions back into her face. Ellie had driven it all home when she'd all but called her whore. She felt the bottle slip through her fingers and Chuck had suddenly moved to catch it and, in doing so, distracted her from the shock that Ellie had caused. She'd shaken off the distraction and bolted for the door, not wanting to have to look into Chuck's eyes. Chuck had caught up to her and that had lead to her current situation.
She heard Ellie call for Chuck and she panicked because she just wasn't ready to deal with Ellie who was sure to be royally pissed that she'd dare lay her hand on Chuck. She'd turned and practically run out the door. Once outside, she'd slowed and then stopped when she reached the fountain. She sat on the fountain's edge and let everything catch up. Thinking back to the final thing Ellie had said about her, she found her eyesight was suddenly blurred with unshed tears and she felt something about her job she'd never felt before…she felt dirty.
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The first thing that Chuck realized once he'd struggled back to consciousness was that he was no longer vertical. Opening his eyes, his first sight was his sister's face hovering above his own, the look of concern plain to see. The pain was the next thing he noticed and that, along with the coppery taste in his mouth, told him that he'd been unsuccessful in rolling with the punch that he'd seen coming his way. As he moved to sit up, his sister backed away but stayed close enough, just in case she felt he needed any help. Once he was sitting up, he raised a hand to his mouth to survey the damage. The split in his lip was very tender and when he drew his hand away, the sight of blood told him that the injury was still fresh so he knew he hadn't been out for very long.
"Sarah?" he managed to mumble out.
"She's gone, Chuck. She hauled ass as soon as she made sure you weren't dead. By the time I got out here from the kitchen, she was gone. I told you we couldn't trust her. Good riddance, I say."
"Ellie, this was my fault" he said as he pointed towards his split lip. "I could have blocked the blow but I refused to take the risk of injuring her. I used the intersect and had the options but I just let her punch through, hoping I'd be able to roll with it…I wasn't able to. I saw the look on her face after you said what you said. She was crushed, Ellie. Told you all of that hoping that you'd understand that Sarah sees things a lot differently than you or I and now I regret it. You really crushed her.
"Chuck, she's a spy. She came here looking for that piece of shit, Bryce Larkin and what he stole but she didn't come here unprepared. You said it yourself, you, and by extension, I have been under observation ever since you aced that image retention test at Stanford. If Bryce hadn't gotten you kicked out, who knows where you'd be today. That's one thing I'm actually willing to thank that douche bag for, if I ever see him again. Now, come with me to the bathroom so I can clean that lip up for you."
Knowing that he would never win an argument with Ellie about Bryce, he decided to just let it go. As he got to his feet he happened to glance out the front window and caught sight of Sarah sitting on the fountains edge, looking lost. He paused and Ellie noticed what had captured his attention.
"You know that she's probably just playing you, don't you?"
"Yeah, El, there is that possibility…"
"But you're gonna go out there and talk to her anyway, aren't you?"
"El, you didn't see her eyes when you said that last thing. If she was acting, she really is an amazing actress."
"At least let me get you some ice for that lip before you go out there and stick your head in that noose." Ellie said as she walked back to the kitchen. Returning a couple of minutes later, she sat down next to her brother and softly put the moist rag to his lip. "Chuck, just so you know, I took that image retention test you downloaded a few days ago and I scored a 96, just like you baby brother. If she hurts you, I'll upload that garbage and use it to tear her world down. I just thought you should know that."
"Ellie, where would you get a copy of the Intersect program?" Chuck asked, afraid of the answer.
"That first night? When you were passed out? I backed up whatever it was you had been working on with your computer. I've got it stashed away, someplace safe. We're all that we have left of our family and if you think I'll let anybody hurt you…well, you should know me better than that." Ellie could see the wheels turning in her brother's head. "Don't bother, Chuck. I'm not going to tell you where I hid it so don't even bother asking."
"Ellie, do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to…" Chuck ground to a stop when he realized that he wasn't telling his sister anything that she didn't already know. "Ok, El, I'm not going to ask. Please, just be careful. I'm not going to say anything to Sarah and I think that you might want to avoid doing that as well…Ok?"
"Ok…for now. Just remember, if she hurts you, I'm going to stop acting as nice as I've been acting." getting to her feet, she grabbed her brother's arm and aimed him towards the front door. "Go talk to 'actress'. I'll leave some food in the oven for you, just in case you want to invite her back in. I'm going to wrap up a plate and take it to Devon so you'll have the apartment to yourself…just be careful."
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Sarah looked up at the sound of the apartment door opening. She watched as Chuck walked towards her, his hand holding a cloth to his lip. She didn't say a word when he motioned to the spot next to her, just nodded her head and watched as he took a seat next to her.
"I'm so sorry, Chuck" she whispered, "I didn't mean to hit you…you just surprised me. I was trying to get out of there and when you grabbed my shoulder, I just reacted on instinct."
"I know, Sarah. It's alright. It was my fault. I know all about your training, I just forgot and when you swung, I let it go. I do wish you pulled back a little, though."
"I did" she answered in a soft voice.
"Ok, well, remind me to never piss you off. Also, I'm sorry for what Ellie said. I want you to know that I only told her about your past missions to try and make her understand what you've had to go through. I never meant for her to use that information to hurt you."
"Chuck, just how much do you know about me and how did you make that bottle save in the kitchen and how…"
"Sarah? Slow down. If you'll come back inside with me and have some dinner, I'll answer any question that I can. Sound good?"
"But Ellie…"
"Is leaving to take some dinner to Devon, we'll have the apartment to ourselves, at least for a little while. So, what do you say…dinner and then some answers?"
Sarah looked into his eyes and then looked at the split on his lip. "Ok…if you'll let me clean up that cut for you…and if you promise that your sister hasn't left booby traps for me all over the apartment."
Getting to his feet, he held out his hand and waited until Sarah had taken it and pulled herself to her feet. He offered his arm and she took it, allowing him to lead her towards the apartment. He paused after opening the door and turned to look into the blue eyes that he was fast becoming attached to. "First, I'll let you play nurse, after that, we'll have some really great dinner." He paused before giving her a wink, " Sorry…I can't promise anything about booby traps. Maybe you'll just have to follow me very closely." he added before turning around and heading towards the kitchen. Sarah caught herself glancing at his ass before giving her head a soft shake and moving to follow him.
"I'll be happy to follow you" she said with a smile, realizing that she meant it…and not just because Chuck Bartowski had great ass. That was just an added bonus.
A/N2(Electric Buggaloo) : Because I avoided begging for reviews above, I've decided to do it here. Please review…and I'm still accepting title suggestions. JT