Thank you charahkids for being my beta!

Chapter 10

Days went by in a whirl for Sarah as everyone begun to settle. Bryce had left the next day and there had been no word from him, not that they expected it for a while. Casey stayed a little longer, watching over Chuck in the command center endlessly except to take meals and restroom breaks, but like Bryce he had been ordered back to Langley and he couldn't delay for too long or there would be suspicion cast on him.

The only other person beside Sarah to see Chuck was Devon. He went into the room several times a day to check on him. Check his wounds; take blood tests which Orion ran in his lab. The drugs seemed to be leaving Chuck's system and with it he became more lucid for longer periods of time.

He told her the voices he had heard for so long were leaving him. At first it scared him. Sarah had fallen asleep at the console in the command center during the night when his loud cry of pain startled her. She jumped into action, reaching for the gun that was under the chair that she always kept even though she was safe only to realize there was no real danger in the room. Focusing on the screen she only glanced for a moment at Chuck huddled on his knees, his forehead touching the soft floor as he dug his fingers into his hair covering his ears.

She didn't waste any more time as she clicked the commands on the keyboard and ran out of the room and into Chuck's temporary padded cell. Ignoring Chuck's desperation for distance Sarah collapsed on her knees on the floor next to him and placed a comforting hand on his back, rubbing soft circles in a soothing manner.

"They're gone. I can't hear them." He cried out loudly. Sarah had been confused, unsure of what he meant but didn't say anything aside from whispering that everything was ok.

Chuck was distraught over the loss as his body shook and sweat formed soaking slightly through the material of the soft shirt and pajama pants that they had put him in. It had gone on for an indeterminate amount of time, but Sarah was found the next morning by Orion who had noticed the door to Chuck's room partly opened as he walked by to the command room and ran in, tranq gun in hand. Sarah startled awake at his entrance and looked blearily around the room before her eyes met Orion's, narrowing her brow at the small smile that was on his face.

That was when she felt the weight on her legs and the arm around her waist and she looked down seeing Chuck fast asleep wrapped around her, her fingers lightly twirling the hairs around his ear.

That was the beginning of his recovery.

Ellie still couldn't bring herself to go into the room to see him in person, though she did watch him constantly from the command center. Sarah understood but she felt it was a wrong decision. While Chuck was still hesitant to rely on others he was healing at an extraordinary rate. He tolerated the others presence in his small space, though he still frequently kept his distance.

A few days after Sarah was caught in his room sleeping, it was decided by Devon and backed by Ellie that Chuck was of no danger to himself or others and could come leave the padded room now. Sarah couldn't keep the happiness inside as she quickly got up and hugged the life out of both doctors before running into Chuck's bedroom. She spent two hours washing the bedding, straightening the DVDs, hanging up his clothes.

Morgan came upstairs, babbling nervously from watching Chuck, informing her that he was currently freaking out a bit. Sarah gave him a kind smile and put him to work organizing the comic books so they were in the proper order. She listened to him absently as he explained the various comics and their stories as she made the bed and fluffed the pillows with a small smile on her face.

Once she was done in the room she came out to the kitchen where Ellie was cooking up a storm more akin with a Thanksgiving dinner. She stood on the other side of the breakfast bar for a few moments watching as Ellie painstakingly made sure she cooked everything to perfection. Looking at the dishes and food Sarah could tell that she was going out of her way to make every one of Chuck's favorite dishes, causing a lopsided grin to appear on her face and wonder curiously if they were spoiling him just a bit.

The grin disappeared however as Ellie made a frustrated grunt and tossed an entire pot in the sink with all the contents still in it. Frowning she made her way around the counter and into the kitchen, startling Ellie as she stared at the stove, biting her lip.

"Everything ok Ellie?" Sarah asked her quietly, not wanting to startle her friend. It didn't work however as Ellie turned full circle and faced Sarah with wide eyes, breath hitched.

"Damn it Sarah." She cursed, alarming Sarah a little more as she never swore. "Don't sneak up on people. They generally don't like it." She scolded.

Sarah had the proper mind to be contrite at doing so, knowing already not to do that. It was a hard habit to break after a life time of training. "Are you alright?" She asked, ignoring Ellie's comment.

Ellie nodded her head for a second before stopping and shaking it no. Her face scrunched up and she covered her face with her hands as a sob broke through. Immediately Sarah closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around her friend in a comforting manner as Ellie cried into her shoulder.

"It's going to be ok Ellie." She said quietly. Ellie pushed back from Sarah, her face a mask of anger, bright red with wet blazing eyes.

"No Sarah, it's not. It's not going to be ok." She bit out angrily.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and bit her own lip for a second waiting for Ellie to continue, to tell her what wasn't going to be ok so that Sarah could tell her how she was wrong. But no words came forth from Ellie and they just stood in the kitchen for several minutes, staring at each other.

Eventually Ellie gave in, turning her back to Sarah in order to adjust something on the stove. She gave a great sigh and her breath hitched again. "I just feel like I've lost my brother again." She said. "But it feels much worse than the first time."

"I don't understand." Sarah replied. Ellie turned back to Sarah, a sad expression on her face.

"Before…before when Chuck had…" She took a deep breath, holding it in for a moment before she closed her eyes. "When he died, he was gone. It hurt, but I had to be strong."

"He's not dead Ellie."

"I know that! I know. At least, I think I know." Ellie confessed. Sarah narrowed her brow in confusion and leaned against the counter.

"I'm not understanding Ellie. Chuck is alive, he's downstairs. He'll be up here in half an hour." She said.

Ellie bit her lip again nervously, nodding her head. Sarah reached out to her, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"I know. It's just-"

"You don't know if he's really completely Chuck?" Sarah finished for her. Ellie didn't answer, but she didn't have to. "I can't say, with any degree of certainty that he hasn't changed Ellie. What happened to him…I don't even know what to say. But, Chuck has been through so much, not just now but through his life. I know he'll be ok."

"How? How can you be so sure?" Ellie sniffled. "I've raised him, I've seen him through so much and I have doubts."

Sarah smiled up at Ellie, placing a hand on the side of her face, a bright smile on her own. "Because he has us and we're not going to give up on him. Because we love him, because he needs us."

Ellie nodded her head, and brought a hand up to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. "I wish I had your confidence Sarah." She told her, turning away from her again.

Sarah let her go and watched her for a few minutes as she went back to fliting around the kitchen. With a final glance Sarah left the kitchen, and walked to the hidden wall that would lead her to the basement where they had Chuck at the moment.

Walking down the hall her gut fluttered in nerves and happiness. She was glad Chuck was coming back up to the living, to be amongst them. She was also nervous as hell as well. Now would be the full test on the mental damage done to Chuck, the more difficult part of his recovery.

Approaching the door, she looked up at the camera in the corner, but ignored it, noting that the door was slightly ajar. She pulled it open, blinking at the brightness of the room as she stepped inside.

"Sarah." A soft voice said and she looked to her right. Chuck stood in the corner there, his back flat against the side of it. Glancing around the room she noted that they were the only ones in there and she wondered where Devon and Orion was.

"Hi Chuck." She said lightly coming into the room a bit more. She walked up to Chuck leaving a few feet between them as he pressed himself into the soft wall behind him. Though Sarah did take note that he had a look of nerves more than fear now and a small nervous smile on his face, obviously still skittish about personal space. "Where's your dad and Devon?" She asked him.

Chuck looked into the camera in the opposite corner over her head and her gaze followed. "They, uh, didn't want to rush me."

Stepping out of the way as to not block his path Sarah waited for Chuck to exit, but he just stayed where he was. She waited a few moments, seeing if maybe he was testing her, making sure she wasn't going to stop him, but when Chuck showed no signs of moving Sarah tilted her head curiously.

"What's the matter Chuck?" She asked him. Sarah felt a shiver run down her body at the intensity of the gaze that Chuck gave her then but she didn't back away or break eye contact before he did.

Licking his lips, moistening them he broke the gaze with her to stare at the floor and Sarah felt her heart beat a few extra beats.

"I just, don't know what's out there." He admitted, sounding defeated.

Sarah gave a reassuring smile and closed a few more feet closer to him, and held out her hand to him. He stared at it for a moment or two before hesitantly taking it lightly in his own. Sarah closed her own fingers around his, stopping herself from grimacing at the bony feel of his own.

"How about we find out together Chuck?" She asked him, not moving for the door. She wanted the decision for him to leave to be his own.

Chuck stood there for several long minutes, holding her hand and alternating his gaze from their joined fingers to the door before nodding his acquiescence and took a step out of the corner. Sarah gave him an encouraging smile as he stepped up to where she was and they took several small steps together, Chuck stopping every few steps and leaning against the wall until they got to the door.

Once they got there Chuck stood before it for another couple of moments, seemingly frozen in place with wide eyes. Sarah could feel him shake slightly next to her, and knew that he was probably in complete terror at the prospect of leaving the tiny room. Even though it was a different one, Chuck had been locked up in a tiny room for a year and she could barely imagine what the world must look like to him right now.

Feeling him take a couple of steps back she held firm to his hand, not allowing him to go back in. Stepping in front of him, making him focus his entire attention on her and not what lie beyond the room.

"Hey, it's ok Chuck." She said soothingly. Chuck shook his head and took another step back, but she stopped him. "Look, if you want to go back, I won't stop you again. I want you to make the choice. But I'm here for you Chuck, ok? You can do this, we can do this. Together."

She felt Chuck's gaze once more intently on her as he appeared to analyze her words. She didn't know if it made an effect on him as he didn't show any outside change, but with a slight nod of his head, she got the message. They would go on.

They stopped right outside the door for a moment to allow Chuck to look up and down the empty corridor. She told him soothingly that the others felt he would be more comfortable if there were less people around. He smiled and gave a soft light laugh, making a crack about being a frightened deer. She laughed along with him though she knew it wasn't too far from the truth.

The trek down the halls and up the stairs to the kitchen took far longer than it should have, even putting in Chuck's skittishness into consideration. He was easily winded and by the time they had gone up two steps he was heavily leaning against the wall needing to pause before continuing. She suggested that she call someone down to help them, or in the very least Morgan but he would just shake his head no and keep going. Sarah berated herself for not considering how weak Chuck would be from his experience.

But soon enough they got to the other side of the door, and stood there. Chuck stared at the wooden panel, chest heaving in exhaustion, trying to get oxygen into his starved lungs. Sarah waited for him to take the knob and turn it but he turned to her and asked her if she could, his eyes wide.

She turned the knob slowly, and pushed the door opened. The kitchen was empty, and looked cleaner than it did when she went down. Sarah wondered how long she had been away that would allow Ellie enough time to clean the kitchen, but then again it was Ellie. Bartowski's cleaned when stressed and she was efficient.

As they took a few steps into the light from the window Sarah felt Chuck's entire body stiffen as he quickly stepped back into the passageway eyes closed tight. Sarah tugged his hand hard to prevent him from falling down the stairs.

"Chuck? Chuck what is it?" She asked him as his back hit the door, thankfully missing the open space and ripped his hand from Sarah's to cover his ears as he slid down to the floor. "Chuck?" She asked alarmed.

Feet came into the kitchen behind her and she turned slightly to put her hand up to stop them from coming closer, and then focused all her attention on Chuck. She shook slightly as he curled up into himself once more and Sarah berated herself for pushing him so hard to come upstairs.

Closing her eyes and counting to five, she shook the fear from her body and sat on her knees in front of Chuck, ignoring his aversion to touching to gently run her fingers through his short strands that had begun to grow in the past weeks since they rescued him. They stayed like that for a few moments, Sarah continuing to pet his head softly. Noticing the light on her hand Sarah turned her head slightly seeing the opened window, with the sun peeking out in patches and the light breeze coming in.

"Close the windows guys, and the curtains." She instructed. "We'll be out in a few minutes."

Everyone scattered to do as she told them, as she continued her administrations to her Chuck. About ten minutes later Chuck finally peeked out gingerly over his arm, reminding Sarah of that first night she had visited him after they rescued him, and gave him a genuine smile to keep him calm.

"Is it safe?" He asked her softly. Looking around once more, Sarah nodded her head and he lifted it a little higher allowing her to see more of his face.

"Are you alright Chuck?" She asked him concerned. Licking his lips again he nodded, and tried to stand up, leaning heavily against the door, but he couldn't manage. Sarah could only imagine how sore his legs must be with all this exercise.

Standing up herself, Sarah leaned down over him and placed her arms around him and helped him up. Chuck scrambled to get up faster and pushed her away from him slightly as he stood up straighter.

"Thank you." He said quietly.

Sarah held her arm out to allow him to pass from the kitchen into the dining room but Chuck just stood there staring at her for a moment before tentatively holding out his hand. She smiled brightly as she took it, gripping firmly once more before giving a slight tug to move him out again.

Everyone was seated at the table, looking worried as they came into the dining room. The table was laden with foods of different varieties, all Chuck's favorites with little space for actual plates. Sarah directed Chuck to the head of the table, pulling the chair out for him to sit before taking the seat next to him on his right.

Nobody spoke as they all just stared at each other, mostly at Chuck. Chuck however only had eyes on his sister, who had tears falling down her cheek silently next to him on his left. Sarah watched him lift his tired arm up to her face, his fingers slightly brushing at the tears before Ellie crumbled and wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressing him to her as close as possible.

Sarah's eyes widened as her body stiffened, ready to jump in if Chuck freaked out, but to her surprise he just closed his eyes and wrapped his own arms around his sister's. His shoulders shook as his tears mixed with hers and Sarah felt her own tears in the corner of her eyes sting as she watched the display.

Though she was jealous of course that Ellie got the first hug, that Ellie was the first to break down his walls, she was glad for her at the same time. Ellie needed this, this moment of normality in Chuck and Sarah was glad that Ellie got that.

They broke apart eventually, Ellie smiling brightly as she wiped the tears off Chuck's face and then her own, letting her hands linger on Chucks hair, face and shoulder, seemingly unable to let go of her brother.

"I'm glad your back Chuck." Sarah heard Ellie whisper as she grinned.

Dinner after that was a joyous affair. Everyone ate and laughed to their hearts content. Ellie had piled Chuck's plate up high with a little bit of everything though he barely ate. While Morgan was regaling Chuck with a story from the Buy More, which he had stopped working at but remained friends with the employees, Chuck placed his hand on top of hers that lay on the table. She eyed it surprised; looking up at him but his attention was fully on Morgan with his other hand in his lap.

Chuck tired quickly from the dinner. Sarah noticed him leaning back in the chair as his eyes began to droop sleepily. She glanced across the table, meeting Ellies eyes, and tilted her head towards Chuck, before darting her eyes to the hall behind him, indicating she was going to take him to bed. With an approved nod from his sister, Sarah stood up from her spot.

"Come on Chuck. Let's get you to sleep before you fall into your plate." Sarah said, pushing the plate from the edge of the table so he may use it for leverage. He gave her a grateful smile and allowed her to place her arm around his shoulders and help him up.

They walked slowly down the secluded hall, and she opened the door on the right first to a semi private bathroom across from his room and let him go in and get ready for bed.

Entering the room Sarah stood at the entrance for a moment, waiting for Chuck or to hear if he calls out for her while across the hall. Panic seized her for a moment as she thought about what she should do. She had been staying in his room for weeks now but she wasn't sure if she should stay in there now that Chuck was there. Would it be too forward of her to? Would he want his privacy? Or was he even ready to share a bed with someone else, being as he'd been on his own for so long.

She didn't get much time to really contemplate it as the door behind her opened and Chuck stepped out wearing a pair of black plaid pajama pants and a grey t-shirt with some nerd logo on it that she didn't get. She internally berated herself for not thinking to put the night clothes in the bathroom for him but was grateful that someone had thought of it for her, most likely Morgan.

Chuck walked slowly towards her, stopping at the entrance of the door and looked around the room. Sarah watched his face slacken and his eyes moisten as he took in everything around them.

"Is this a dream?" He asked as his brows narrowed. Sarah reached out to him, placing her palm against the side of his face and using her thumb to wipe away a stray tear that had escaped his eyes.

"No Chuck. It's real. It's all real." She told him.

Sarah let her hand drift down to his neck and shoulder, trailing down his arm until finally reaching his hand. She grasped it firmly and gave a gentle tug pulling him further into the room, gently shutting the door behind him. She backed up on the bed, bending her knees as she hit the side of it and kneeling on it, Chuck following suit as his own knees hit the side.

They stared at each other for several moments, Sarah wanting so desperately to lean over the few inches between them and kiss him. To place her lips on his and remember what they were like together before all this happened. But the sad expression on Chuck's face stopped her from doing so and instead she gave him a sidewise smile.

"Come on Chuck. Let's get some sleep." She said softly as she sat herself down from her kneeling position and pulling Chuck with her as she lay down. She didn't know what exactly would happen in the morning when they woke up, but she was exhausted, and she was happy, and she now had her Chuck back.

A/N: I'm back! sorry for the long absence. I'd explain but it terribly boring...but it does involve A LOT of video gaming. In case you're curious I'm replaying Final Fantasy 7 now. Man I forgot how awesome that soundtrack was. Anyways. Here you go. Hopefully next chapter isn't so long away.

zanex9: Thank you!

phathead01: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Just reading your review i've realized that I have a lot to solve or answer *sigh* oh well, means more writing! YAY!.

wilf21: I'm aiming for it.

atcDav: Never trust anyone who has backstabbed you, especially multiple times! So don't feel too bad for them.

sevenre: I would but its kind of difficult to really feel much like that when you've dedicated your life to it. I'll have to think on that.

phnxgrl: thank you. I will.

charahkids: Love doesn't conquer all...therapy does.

Rob M (Guest): There are a lot of ways this story can go. And i've been out of it for so long now I don't even know what i'm doing so here's hoping!

Kaa'rri: Whats a little angst between friends? Thank you for the compliment! I really do appreciate it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Nomadic Nerd: I know you're lurking around even if you don't review. Its all good.