A/N: Usual disclaimer I don't own any of the characters portrayed.
Chuck closed the door behind his sister and turned expecting to see Sarah. He was caught by surprise when she had disappeared from the room. "Sarah" he yelled. Chuck was worried today had been too much for her that maybe with whatever she had done today without him she just needed to come home and rest.
"I will be out in a minute" Sarah replied. Chuck was able to follow the sound back to their bedroom. He wondered why she had rushed off to so fast upon Ellie leaving. Just as he was about to ask if everything was ok Sarah opened the door and was standing there in a pair of Chuck's boxers and one of his star wars t-shirts. Chuck had never seen a prettier sight. Yes Sarah owned some beautiful undergarments, but there was something about seeing her in his cloths that just felt so right. "I just wanted to get comfortable. I figured we could eat dessert and maybe watch a movie or something." Sarah said with a seductive grin.
"That…..sounds great." Was all Chuck was able to get out. He knew this wasn't the sexiest outfit his wife owned, but in this moment it represented so much more. It showed a level of comfort between them.
"Earth to Chuck…you in there" Sarah said to break Chuck's stare. She found it adorable that she still had that effect on him. She had wanted to do something for Chuck. Something so show him that things were becoming easier. She figured wearing something of his would show him that she was becoming more comfortable in their home. It really felt nice for Sarah to say that. Our home she thought again. Growing up she had never really had a home, but with Chuck she had a home wherever they were together.
"Sorry for starring Sarah it's just you look so beautiful right now." Chuck commented.
"Really in this old thing." Sarah replied.
"It's just seeing you in our home wearing my cloths it's something I didn't know when I would see again. I mean you are always beautiful no matter what you are wearing. Not saying you have to wear my cloths to be comfortable." Chuck was beginning to ramble.
Sarah slowly reached up and planted a quick kiss on Chuck's lips. She wanted to save her husband from rambling himself into a hole he couldn't get out of. "How about I go get dessert ready and you go pick a movie." Sarah smiled at Chuck as she passed him on her way to the kitchen.
"That is a good idea. I am going to change real quick then I will meet you in there." Chuck shouted as he dashed into their room. Chuck quickly put on a t-shit and a pair of pajama pants. It was crazy but right now in the moment he was so excited to watch a movie with Sarah while in their pajamas. It felt like a dream to Chuck. Just a few weeks ago he had thought he had lost her and now they were going to be having a lazy evening in together. Chuck left the bedroom and found Sarah looking through the DVDs. Dessert was sitting on the coffee table and she had brought over a couple glasses of wine. Sarah had also lit a couple of candles and turned most of the lights off. Chuck just starred in amazement. He had to pinch himself to make sure this was all real. "So did you find something you like?" Chuck asked.
Sarah looked up and gazed at Chuck "Yes I did, but I haven't found a movie yet." Sarah said with a sultry smile. Sarah looked at Chuck for another moment then returned to their movie collection. Chuck just sat at watched. He did not want to do anything to upset this moment. Here in front of him was the most amazing woman he had ever known, and she was slowly coming back to him. "Found one." Sarah blurted breaking Chuck's gaze.
"What did you pick?" Chuck asked curiously. Wondering which one of his nerd movies, as she had called them in the past, she had chosen.
"Star Wars I figured I already have the shirt on, so why not watch the movie to complete the ensemble. " Sarah said with a chuckle.
"I think that is a great idea. Hand me the movie my lady and I shall start the show." Chuck said while giving Sarah a slight bow.
As Chuck put the movie in Sarah got comfortable on the couch. Here she was the great Sarah Walker enjoying a night in with an amazing man. She couldn't believe this was really her life. Chuck turned around to join her she saw a look of confusion come across his face. She figured he wasn't sure how close he was supposed to sit. To help alleviate the confusion Sarah reached out her arms inviting Chuck in for a hug and quick kiss. When they broke she ushered Chuck to his seat and promptly placed her head on his shoulder. This just felt right Sarah thought. She couldn't believe the now on two separate occasions she had fought this, tried to run from it. She knew it must have been difficult the first time, and her video log had helped her to confirm this. In this moment she knew there wouldn't be a third time. This is where she was going to stay no matter what. As the movie began Chuck and Sarah both began to succumb to the day and fall asleep in each other's arms. The perfect ending to a pretty amazing day Sarah thought before her eyes finally closed and sleep won out.
Ellie knocked on the door and was surprised to find no answer. I text them last night to let them know I would be here at 9 for Sarah so we could head to the hospital she thought to herself. Ellie pulled out her key and quietly opened the door. She didn't want to startle the couple especially a spy couple. When she walked in the apartment she was pleasantly surprised to find Chuck and Sarah still sleeping on the couch with the menu screen of the movie repeating itself on the TV. Ellie couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Here was her brother and his super spy wife asleep on the couch after a long movie night. Maybe they can get their normal life after all she thought. Ellie made a loud noise clearing her throat hoping to wake the sleeping couple. Sarah was the first to open her eyes. "Good morning Sarah." Ellie said holding back a smile.
"Good morning Ellie. Sorry guess we fell asleep watching the movie last night." Sarah replied with a hint of sleep still in her voice. "Chuck time to wake up." Sarah nudged Chuck and he began to stir.
"5 more minutes babe." Chuck said as he grabbed Sarah and held her tight.
"Get up Chuck we have to get to the hospital to get Sarah's tests in." Ellie shouted with some frustration in her voice. Ellie was reminded of all the times over the past years that she had to wake Chuck up for school, work, or whatever else was going on.
Chuck finally opened his eyes and took in the scene. His sister was staring at him with a look of annoyance. His wife had her head resting on his chest and was wrapped in his arms. He didn't want to let her go, but he knew he better or Ellie was going to kill him. "I 'm up I'm up." Chuck pleaded as he stood up to stretch his frame.
"Good you two hurry up and get ready, and we can grab some breakfast on the way. Chop chop." Ellie commanded. The two got up from the couch and headed down the hall. Neither one wanted to be on Ellie's bad side this morning, so they figured they better get moving.
Chuck sat in the waiting room of the hospital for what seemed like an eternity. He would sit for a while then pace for a while the whole time staring at the two double doors that Sarah and Ellie had disappeared through when they first arrived. He could since things between him and Sarah were slowly getting back to normal. Even though nothing physical had happened last night just the fact that she slept the entire night in his arms told him she was ready for more. He just wanted these tests to be over. To know that no more harm was going to come to his wife. He just wants to know where they stand. If everything comes back normal then he can work with Sarah and start over, and hopefully gain back some of the past while doing so. If there is something more than he knows that he has to be there for Sarah and do whatever it takes to make this right. Finally the double doors swing open and Sarah comes out and begins to look around for Chuck. As their eyes meet across the room neither one can help but allow a smile to creep across their face. Chuck runs over to Sarah and takes both or her hands in his. "How did the tests go?" he asks.
"Ellie is reviewing everything now and comparing it to some old scans of yours and Morgan's. She also said something about comparing it to some of the research scans she did for your dad's laptop." Sarah replied. "She said we could go home since it will take a while to get everything put together, and with the sensitivity of the whole thing it is probably better we get the results there anyways." Chuck just nodded in agreement walked to the car hand in hand with Sarah.
The car ride was rather quiet. Sarah was driving like a woman on a mission. Chuck was unsure of why the hurry, but if he had learned anything over the past five years it was that you didn't question Sarah's driving. As they pulled in front of the apartment complex they saw Morgan and Alex leaving their apartment. The two couples exchanged greetings and went their separate ways. Alex and Morgan were off to have lunch with Kathleen, Alex's mom. As Chuck unlocked the door to their apartment he held it open for Sarah. Sarah wanted to tell Chuck everything she had decided over the last couple of days. She wanted to let him know how she felt. It was just so hard. It wasn't that is was scary, because honestly it wasn't. Chuck loved her and she knew it. He had done nothing but take care of her. In the memories she had regained he was always the same loving, caring, and generous person she saw now. If this was a mission or a con she could blurt out whatever she needed to get the job done. When it came to the real stuff it just wasn't that easy for Sarah. Too many people had hurt her, or let her down in her life. She knew Chuck would never do that, but it didn't change the fact that this was way out of her comfort zone. As they walked further into the apartment Sarah decided she needed to treat this just like pulling off a band aide quick and to the point. Before she knew what was happening it came out." I love you." Sarah quickly sat on the couch looking at Chuck for any sign of what he was thinking.
Chuck stood there in shock. Sarah had just said I love you, and nothing had ever sounded better. He just looked at her in amazement he had managed to do it again. He Chuck Bartowski had won Sarah Walker's heart for a second time. He slowly approached her and sat down next to her never breaking eye contact. He took her hands in his and continued to just gaze into her eyes. He wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. As he continued to look at her he could see a look of concern coming over Sarah. "Sarah. I love you too, and I want you to know that I am here for you always no matter what happens."
Sarah smiled and returned Chuck's gaze. "Yesterday I visited places all around Burbank to see if any memories would come loose. I wanted so bad for everything to come flooding back to me, but it didn't. I got in my car and felt helpless. Then I remembered something. I remembered when the intersect was attacking your brain and something about a tooth. The main part I remembered was sitting right here waiting on you to come home. I thought I was going to lose you and I couldn't do that and I can't do that now. I am saying this now because I want you to know that no matter what Ellie finds, or what memories I do or don't gain back I am not going anywhere." Sarah tried fighting back the tears but just like the beach there was a moment of weakness and a single tear graced her cheek.
Chuck lifted his had to softly wipe away the tear. Then then raised his other hand and took Sarah's face in them. As he stared into her eyes all he could think about was kissing his wife. Yes they had kissed multiple times since the beach, but this kiss would be so much more. This kiss would finally be all his feeling, his hopes his dreams. Everything he wanted was right there in front of him, and now more than ever he knew that she wanted him to. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity. Neither one wanting the moment to end, but finally the need for oxygen won out and they broke the kiss. "Sarah what you just said means more to me than you will ever know. Just knowing that you want this that you want us is all I need. If you never regain another memory it will be ok, because we will be together. What more can a nerd like me ask for."
Their moment was broken up by a knock at the door. "Coming." Chuck said as he straightened his shirt and headed towards the door. When he opened the door he was greeted by his sister. "Hey sis didn't expect to see you so soon. Have the results already?"
"Yes I do." Ellie looked at his brother and then over at Sarah. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked with a little bit of smirk on her face.
"Oh no nothing just catching up on old times." Chuck responded. Ellie noticed both of their faces turning red. "Ok if that is the story we are going with." She said laughing as she walked over and took a seat in the living room. Chuck closed the door and walked over to join them. Sarah and Chuck looked at each other and took each other hands. Ellie looked at her brother and his wife and took a deep breath.
"Well guys I have all the preliminary work done. First thing is all your blood work came back normal so there is nothing to worry about there. As for the intersect it appears to have been removed completely. Your brain scans show no permanent damage and when compared to Morgan's scans from the faulty intersect it all appears to look the same." Ellie paused for a moment to let the couple take it all in.
"If everything looks ok and the scans look to match Morgan's why was the memory loss so drastically different in my case?" Sarah asked.
"That is my next point. I reviewed what I could find of my research from when I worked on our father's lap top. From what I can gather when the intersect activates a flash it pulls the information and the subject pulls it up just like a memory. In Morgan's case he flashed and the intersect pulled up the data and was pulling up random memories with it. In the flash the memory information would get jumbled and lost. What I think happened with you, and I stress think because this is just an educated guess. I think that Quinn used some kind of stimulus to not only force a flash but to force certain memories to come with them. The other difference between you and Morgan was the amount of time everything occurred. Morgan didn't flash often and had large gaps between his flashes so his brain didn't really react to it. You flashed multiple times in a short period of time, so your brain began to protect itself. It kept the information, but with the intersect calling for information it was unable to put it where it goes so to speak. It is like I said earlier your memories are a puzzle. The intersect tried to throw out all the pieces, but your brain kept them it just didn't know where they belonged. That is why I think feelings and emotions are bringing them back. It is allowing them find the right location in the puzzle so to speak. Does this make any sense to you guys, and do you have any questions? Ellie was completely in doctor mode now. She looked over at the two of them on the couch and let them process everything that had been said hoping to be able to answer any questions they might have, but honestly this was all pretty new technology so there was no way to be exact.
"So Sarah should be able to regain all her memories then in time right?" Chuck asked with a glimmer of hope in his voice.
"That is a tough question to answer. There is no way of knowing which memories her brain was able to save and which ones it could not. For all we know she had regained everything that she was able to save or she might have only hit the tip of the iceberg. Only time will tell on that front. In my medical opinion what you guys are doing now is going to be the best medicine. Live your lives and talk about things from your past. Some might bring back memories and some might not, but you guys have each other. Since I am pretty sure I interrupted a make out session when I got here I don't think you guys need much more than each other." Ellie grinned as the last jab came out.
"Oh really funny sis. Just like high school have to embarrass me in front of the girls."
"Did that happen a lot Chuck?" Sarah asked.
"Ah….um….not a lot maybe once or twice. You know I don't really remember much, and none of them were as beautiful as you Sarah." Chuck's ramble was interrupted by the two women breaking out in a huge laugh.
"It is so funny to watch him spiral out of control." Ellie said trying to hold back her laugh.
"Well on that note I think I will return to my room and hide for the rest of the evening." Chuck said as he began to stand up. Sarah quickly grabbed him and pulled him down into a passionate kiss.
"Well I think that is my cue to leave you two love birds alone." Ellie said averting her eyes from the passion occurring in front of her.
"No Ellie you have to stay for dinner. Your flight leaves in the morning and who knows when we will be able to get together again." Sarah said breaking the kiss. Sarah wanted to spend the evening with family and just enjoy their time together. She had gotten good news for the most part. The intersect was gone, and her brain wasn't fried mush. Yes she didn't know if she would ever get everything back, but that didn't matter because right in front of her was everything she needed, a family.
Dinner was a blast. They told stories to Sarah trying to help recall anything they could think off. A few small memories came back, but nothing major. They just enjoyed their wine and each other company. As the evening was winding down Ellie put her doctor hat on one more time. "Sarah, Chuck you guys need to be patient with each other. Memory loss can be very stressful on people. There are going to be times that old habits come out and things might get said that will hurt. You just need to know that you guys clearly love each other and can build on that. Also know that I am just a phone call away. Sarah if you have any questions or anything happens please call me no matter what. You guys will always be family and that is what is most important. With that I think I am going to call it an evening. I don't want to miss my flight, because I miss the rest of my family back in Chicago. Next time you guys get to come to us." Ellie said as she gave both Chuck and Sarah massive hugs. "Chuck can you walk me to the apartment?" Ellie asked.
"Sure Ell." Chuck replied.
Ellie told Sarah goodbye one last time and walked out the door. Chuck followed closely behind and closed the door behind him. "Ok Ellie what do you want to talk to me about that Sarah can't hear?"
"I just want to tell you to take care of her Chuck. She has been through so much, and is going to go through so much more. Her memories might never come back and that is going to be hard. She may never remember your wedding, your first kiss, or any other of the multiple important things you have been through. I know she says she doesn't care, and I know that she really doesn't. But there are going to be times when she will want to remember things, and she won't. Those are the times she is going to need you Chuck. "
"Ellie you know I would do anything for Sarah. I love her and I promise to always be here for her no matter what." Chuck said.
"I know Chuck I just want you guys to be happy and you deserve to be happy. I love you little brother." With that Ellie gave Chuck one last hug and went to get ready to return to her family. Chuck stood in the court yard just looking around. So much had changed over the years, and now it was all changing again. He knew him and Sarah could make it through anything. He pulled out the picture from his wallet one more time. He knew he had to share this with Sarah, but he didn't know how she would react. This picture was everything they had fought for and now more than ever he was going to show Sarah that he was willing to fight for it again no matter what their future held.