A/N: I apologize for the last chapter to those that may not have liked it. Personally, I didn't like most of it myself but I needed it to spring board in to a string of Chapters that I really loved to write and hopefully you will love to read.
Thanks to those of you that took the time to review even if you didn't like it. Believe it or not I do take a lot of direction from the reviews whether good or bad. An example is the first couple paragraphs. This was inspired by many reviews and I think you will be able to figure out quickly which ones they were.
I feel I never give enough credit to my beta, Gladius. To say thank you to him just doesn't seem enough. I wish you guys could see the back and forth between us to know just how serious we take this story and how much effort we are putting in to making this worth reading.
Of course as always, I don't own Chuck or anything in this story that may cause problems.
Chapter 7 - Dream Job
{Two Days After Kiss}
If anything Chuck had learned from past experience, it's to not dwell on a Sarah Walker kiss. And by dwell he means hound her down like a love sick dog. The kiss in the supply closet was incredible, but he had to remember, it was just a kiss. The world did not need to end with just that kiss. It was to soon in his plan to think of it as more than it was, although it definitely sent him a different signal than all the other kisses before. This one let him know that maybe, just maybe he wasn't the only one that wanted this to work so bad.
Of course, here he was again meeting Ellie for lunch. She wanted to take some x-rays of his foot to make sure he was okay to return to full physical activity. That just gave him the excuse he needed to get some more advice and he figured this time it might be better to go to Ellie than Morgan.
Ellie came out to get him. "Wow Chuck, this is really become a routine." She kissed her brother on the cheek. "I think I could get used to this." Ellie knew Chuck wanted to talk, they would get the x-rays after. She also could see a change in Chuck from the first time they had their talk here. Ellie could see Chuck seemed happier.
. . .
"Okay little Brother, what did you do this time?" Ellie was smiling at him as they sat down on their bench in the picnic area.
Chuck just raised his hand, "Why does it always have to be me huh?" Chuck playfully feigned hurt.
"That's cause I know you Chuck, and if you're wanting to talk to me only a couple weeks after our last talk, than I am positive you have done something… well something Chuck-like."
"Wow sis, way to lift the spirits." Chuck was looking down at the table now, a seriousness now overcame him.
"Tell me what's wrong sweetie." Ellie knew it was time for motherly mode as she placed a loving hand on Chuck's arm.
"Well sis, everything is going so good. I mean I've never felt closer to Sarah than I do now. But I think I may have messed up my plan a little bit." Chuck looked up to see if the reprimand was coming. Ellie had a stern look but she did not respond yet. "I think by my actions, or lack there of, Sarah feels like I don't care about her or she feels like she has to make an extra effort to show me she cares. I don't know." Chuck lowered his head shaking it back and forth. "Ellie, I can solve the most complex issues in a matter of seconds. There is not a puzzle or riddle that has beat me yet. But when it comes to Sarah Walker, it's like my brain shuts down and common sense leaves me."
Ellie really did not want to laugh and she wouldn't outwardly. But her little brother was so cute and was so right. "Chuck sweetie, please don't take this the wrong way. But as smart as you are, you can be really dense sometimes when it comes to the opposite sex."
Hmmm. Dense, that's a word he has not heard in quite a while to describe him. Dense, meaning slow to understand, dim witted. Wow, I think sis just nailed it right on the head. "So sis, how do I become less dense when it comes to Sarah?"
This time Ellie couldn't keep in her giggle. "I'm sorry Chuck, you just are so funny sometimes. I don't mean to laugh at you."
Chuck narrowed his eyes. "So oh wise one, what advice do you have for the King of Dense?"
"Chuck first of all, stop questioning everything she does for you. Here is a thought, look for the good in every action. I don't know, maybe think that the things Sarah does is actually because she feels the same way about you."
"But sis, how can I do that? I mean I spent the last year and a half trying to get her to open up to me, to let me in."
Ellie interrupted, "But Chuck, that's exactly what she is doing now. Don't you see how it works? Since you stopped pining for her to open up, she opened up to you. Since you stopped craving the physical stuff, she is more physical with you." Ellie grabbed his hands. Didn't they just go over this not to long ago. "But that does not give you a pass to just ignore it or put up your own walls. Sarah in her own way is just begging you to let her in. Does that mean you have to run off and get married? No. Well not yet anyway."
Chuck gave Ellie a stern look.
"Just let Sarah be Sarah. Let her know that it doesn't take a lot of work to be in love with Charles Bartowski. She just needs to strap herself in, sit back, and enjoy the ride. I promise you Chuck, just have fun with her. Don't over think anything, just have fun. The good stuff will always follow."
"So less dense, more fun? I think I can do that sis." Chuck looked over at her, pure love in his eyes. "How do you do it Ellie?"
Ellie looked at Chuck quizzically. "What do you mean Chuck? How do I do what?"
"How can you be such an amazing sister, an amazing motherly figure, and incredible doctor, an awesome relationship adviser, and most of all a great friend? You are my own super hero sis, you know that?"
She loved her brother so much. See this is the side Sarah needs to see all the time. Chuck unplugged. "It's because I love you Chuck. It really is that simple." With that Ellie stood up and gave her brother a big hug.
{* * *}
{One Week Later}
"Chuck, there is no way I am letting you do this. What if you get shot huh?"
Chuck could see the concern in Sarah's eyes even in the dim lighting. "Look Sarah, I know your concern, I do. But please have faith in me. I can do this, I can lead this team. This is what I was born to do."
Sarah was shaking her head. She turned to Casey who was crouched down beside them. "Will you talk some sense into him Casey?"
Casey was contemplating the situation. He and Walker both had been training the kid. Chuck could definitely hold his own with a gun and his endurance had much approved since working out with Walker. Casey had to agree with Chuck, this was the type of thing Chuck was born to do. "Walker, I have to agree with the kid. Its time to take the training wheels off and put on the big boy pants."
Sarah wanted to hit her partner in the back of the head. Was he out of his mind? Chuck was not ready for this. "Chuck please just listen to me."
Chuck turned to Sarah with his assault weapon securely in hand. It was as if he had used the thing countless times before. "Sarah, please let me do this. Let me show you that I can lead this team. Just have some faith in me okay?" Chuck was pleading with her.
Sarah could not believe she was about to do this. "I do have faith in you Chuck. But so help me God, you better stay right by my side the entire time. If you wander off and get shot, I'll never forgive myself."
Seeing the approval from the two people that mattered to him the most, Chuck called the rest of Alpha team over. There were ten members in all. Chuck would be leading the attack on the enemy base. They needed to secure the enemy base and make sure there own location was protected.
Chuck took the lead, "Okay Alpha team here is how we are going to do this. The big guy here…" Chuck pointed to Casey, "will take up sniper position near our location. I want you two to guard the perimeter. Do not and I repeat do not allow anyone to sneak up on our sniper." Chuck then called out the other five members. "I need you five to make an aggressive attack on the east side of the enemy base. Silent Killer and I…" Chuck just smiled at Sarah's code name, "we attack from the west side. Remember team, go hard and fast, take no prisoners."
The team all agreed as they each checked their weapons. When the time was at hand, the team attacked.
Chuck and Sarah quickly ran along the west side. Sarah kept an eye on Chuck's six, making sure no enemies caught them off guard. Chuck and Sarah were weaving in and out of the barricades as if they had been doing this all there lives. They happened to come around one barricade when Sarah yelled, "CHUCK watch out."
Chuck was faster than she expected as he already had his weapon firing into the chest of the combatant. Instant kill shot. Sarah had to admit, she was impressed.
The two worked effortlessly up the west side taking out enemies before they even knew what hit them. Wherever Chuck's gun wasn't aiming, Sarah's was covering and they could not be stopped. "Chuck, this is Casey. Alpha Team has taken severe casualties. The five member team you sent has been taken out. The enemy is preparing an all out assault. You have to hurry."
Chuck turned to Sarah, "This is it Sarah. We go in fast and hot, no prisoners. You with me?"
Sarah quickly gave him a kiss, no big deal just a kiss for luck between two friends, right? "I will always be with you Chuck."
Chuck did a double take, but the adrenaline was flowing too much to let him ponder what she said. "Let's do this."
Chuck and Sarah charged the base, they were deadly assassins on the move. Sarah barely had time to fire her own weapon as Chuck was taking out the enemies with deadly precision. She had never seen him with such determination as he had right now as they advanced on the enemy base.
Casey had already taken out two of the enemy snipers and that left only the enemies in front of Chuck and Sarah which Chuck took out easily. They were right at the base when Chuck raised his gun to shoot the enemy tower. Chuck never saw the gun aimed right at his chest from the hidden combatant. The only thing he saw was a flash of blond hair as Sarah jumped in front of him, taking the shot meant for him. Chuck didn't even think as he fired off a round at the man who shot Sarah and then aimed his gun at the tower and let it rip.
The lights came on and the announcer spoke over the speaker. "Congratulations Alpha Team, you are our new Laser Tag champions. Outstanding work team Alpha. That was one of the best matches we have ever seen."
Chuck put a hand out for Sarah which she accepted gladly. "I am so proud of you Chuck that was amazing. You were right; you were born to play laser tag." She gave him a gentle bump.
"Yeah, well you weren't too bad yourself. And thanks for taking one for the team at the end there. Probably would have lost if not for you." Chuck gave her a high five, which she felt a little uncomfortable doing.
"That wasn't for the team Chuck. That was for you. We were pretty good weren't we?"
Chuck was taking off his laser tag gear as he paused to look deep into Sarah's eyes. "We make an awesome team. The best." Chuck turned just as Casey slapped him hard on the back.
"I knew you had it in you kid. I have to admit, laser tag is a lot more fun than I thought."
Chuck was just smiling, "I know right."
Sarah had removed her gear to and realized just how hungry she was. "You guys wanna grab a bite to eat?"
"You know me, I'm always hungry." Chuck just rubbed his stomach.
"Sorry guys, I have to head to Castle to finish some reports. You guys have fun though." And with that, Casey was off. Neither of his friends seeing the smirk on his face.
"So Chuck, where do you want to eat?" Sarah was kind of giddy, and she just did not do giddy. Working with Chuck and seeing him so confident in leading his team just changed something in her. She really had a lot of fun.
"I suppose Chuck E. Cheese is out of the question?" Chuck was just joking around.
"Sure why not." Sarah was already pulling him to the car.
"Are you serious?" Chuck felt like he had just won the lottery.
"I am in a good mood Chuck. I think it will be fun from what you and Morgan always talk about." She was smiling as she saw the big goofy grin on Chuck's face.
"Wow, not sure this day could get any better." Chuck said as he quickly ran out to Sarah's car.
{Chuck E. Cheese}
"To your left Sarah." Chuck aimed his gun at the terrorist that popped out on Sarah's side.
"I got him Chuck. Will you stop shooting all my guys?" Sarah kicked him in the shin.
"Then step it up Walker. You need to stop looking at me and start concentrating on the game. We have almost reached the airport level."
"I am not looking at you. I am just making sure your stance is correct." Sarah almost stuck out her tongue at Chuck.
"And there is another one. Come on Walker, get it together or next time your staying in the Chuck E. Cheese booth." Chuck was laughing it up now.
"It's on. Most kills has to make breakfast for a week."
"Is that a challenge Sarah? You do realize who you're talking to don't you?" Chuck was completely showing off now. "I am the king of Police 911"
"Yeah I know who I am talking too. Someone that's going to be making me breakfast for a week." She pushed him. "You're such a conceited jerk."
Chuck paused momentarily as he turned to Sarah. "Wait a minute Sarah. If I lose the bet I make you breakfast. But if I win the bet you make it?"
"Didn't you understand the first time Chuck?" Sarah just gave him the duh look.
"I don't see how either way is a loss for me. If I lose, I get to see you every morning. If I win I still get to see you every morning except now I get a wonderful breakfast made by a hot Martha Stewart. Either way, I am still the king." Chuck was smiling thinking of the last time Sarah made breakfast for him. It was one of the greatest mornings of his life.
"Oh it never ends with you does it?" Sarah could not believe he just said that, and in a good way. Of course she remembered that morning in the suburbs and how truly special it was. She had never shared this side of herself with any one, not even Bryce, but cooking was something she loved to do. It had been the one normal hobby she had before Chuck, in this world of espionage. Cooking calmed her, and even though she wasn't the best at it, she could still do a very decent job. Chuck had just reaffirmed it and she knew he enjoyed the last time she made breakfast for him. She was still shocked that she had let Chuck see such an intimate side to her as she thought back on that wonderful morning in the suburbs. It may be only cooking to normal people, but to her, cooking was a lifeline to normalcy. However, she did not want to lose this banter back and forth by bringing up just how special Chuck had just made her feel. She would just file this away as one of the trillion things she loved about Chuck. "I'll show you who the king is."
"Bring it Blondie, bring it." This time it was Chuck who nudged Sarah causing her to almost fall off the game platform.
"Ohhh, you're in so much trouble Chuck. Just try not to cry like a baby when I own you." Sarah gave him the look like bring it on.
"Oh we'll see who will be crying." Chuck was not about to give up his legendary status as Police 911 King.
{* * *}
"So Chuck, did you want me to give you my menu so you know what to prepare for my breakfast or do you think you will remember?" Sarah was driving Chuck to his apartment after Chuck E. Cheeses.
Sarah was in full show-off mode he thought grumbling to himself. "I am not talking to you for the rest of the night, so there." Chuck stuck his tongue out at her. "And don't think I didn't notice you cheating Walker. That was really low."
Sarah just looked at him with the most innocent look. "Chuck I am sorry but it got really hot in there. I was just unbuttoning my blouse to get cooler."
"And the constant stretches? I mean you should be limber enough to not have to worry about it during the game." Chuck was smiling as he looked up into the beautiful Burbank sky.
"What can I say, the game was very taxing on my muscles and I need to stay limber so I could own your ass. Which by the way I did…and I do."
"I really hate you Walker, you know that don't you." Chuck was just shaking his head trying to hide a smile.
"Sure you do Chuck. Sure you do."
{* * *}
Sarah was laying in bed, going over some previous mission reports, which she was having a hard time doing because her mind kept wondering back to how much fun she had today. It was starting to become a pattern with Chuck and she loved it. She tried concentrating once again on her reports when she heard a knock on her door. She looked at the time, almost 9:00 p.m. She got out of bed and secured her gun. She walked up to the door, standing to the side, and looked through the peep hole. Casey?
"Hey Walker, can I talk to you for a sec?" Casey greeted her as she opened the door.
"Sure, come on in." Sarah stepped aside so that Casey could come in. She noticed he had a piece of paper in his hand.
"What's going on Casey?" Sarah shut the door and stood looking at her partner.
Casey handed her the paper. "That is a printout of the statistics of the five laser tag matches we played today."
Sarah quickly scanned the report. Her and Casey were second and third in accuracy, kills, and base captures. She was stunned to see who was first. "Is this for real?" Sarah could see on the report that it contained all the stats from the teams of that day. But it also contained a brief section that reported the top players that the facility had ever recorded. Chuck was the top on each of them.
Casey could see her astonishment. "Can you believe Bartowski only missed twice? Twice out of over one thousand shots. Not to mention his kill ratio makes us look like FBI geeks."
Sarah was still shaking her head. If she wasn't proud of Chuck before, she sure was now. "This is incredible John. I honestly don't know what to say."
Casey became very stoic. "I say we train him to be a real spy."
Sarah was on him quickly. "Absolutely NOT! No way John."
"Walker, listen to me. This kid has got what it takes. You have seen his ability to think on his feet. I mean he had the entire layout of the laser tag area memorized with only one look. Not to mention all he's done in the field and his ability to process and analyze information so quickly on the spot. Imagine what he could do with real training."
"Casey, I'm not letting the government dig its claws even further into Chuck. He's not like us John, and I don't want him to be. He's better than that." Sarah was starting to get really upset.
Casey was trying to remain calm. "Look, I just want you to think about it. I understand what you are saying but maybe it could be different. Maybe we could talk Beckman into a different path for him."
"He doesn't want this life Casey. How many times has he told us that?" Sarah did not like where this was going.
"He doesn't want this life because he thinks he can't have you in it. You have beat into him for the past two years that spies can't fall in love. You make him believe this is such a horrible life. You tell him not to change, but think about it. How happy was he before we came into his life?"
"Casey don't do this."
"Walker just get a grip okay? He thinks he wants normal but he has no idea what normal is. All he knows is it is not the spy life, and he probably thinks it's what you want."
Sarah about slapped him. "Is it so wrong to want to be normal John? Don't you ever think about what it would be like to have a family, a spouse, kids?"
Casey stood right in her face. "But that's the thing Sarah. We will never be normal. So you have to stop making normal seem to be something so great. Start showing the kid that what he has now can be great, with or without the Intersect. We can train him so that normal is the spy life."
Sarah could not believe she was hearing this from Casey's mouth. That is more lady feelings than even she had. "So what do you want me to do John?"
"Just be normal, but be the normal that we are, not the normal molly homemaker is. Show Chuck that he can have normal, just our kind of normal. Show him he can be so much more without losing himself in the process. But most of all, let the kid know that he is not alone in this. We will be there for him. Because damn it Sarah, I'm not going to let Chuck waste his life away again. He is too good for the kind of life he led before this and I will do everything I can to make sure he succeeds."
Sarah could see Casey was starting to get really uncomfortable with this. "You do realize what you're saying don't you John?"
"And if you ever tell him, I will shoot you both. See you tomorrow Walker." And then he was gone.
Sarah was stunned. She could not believe the conversation she had just had and who it was with. Maybe there were miracles out there.
{* * *}
Chuck was lying in his bed, pretty much as happy as he had been in quite a while. It had to be one of the greatest days he had and it was actually with his two handlers. Or now as he liked to think of them, his best friends.
He and Sarah had such a blast at Chuck E. Cheese. He could not believe how much fun Sarah had and to see her smiling and joking around with him, it meant the world. It had only been a few weeks since the Suburbs incident and that was no longer even a bad memory. It was there, but the progress he had made since that low point was just amazing. He could not believe how much fun he had being with Sarah. Ellie was so right. His thoughts were interrupted as the theme from FireFly started playing on his iPhone.
He stretched in bed, then got up to go to the bathroom.
"Chuck secure and feeling good from such a fun day."
"Sarah secure and can't wait for breakfast."
"Oh you know how to ruin a perfectly good night don't you Miss Walker."
"Well what can I say," her warm, sweet laughter filled his consciousness, "I can smell the chocolate chip pancakes already."
"Speaking of which, what time do you want breakfast? I know what a great big ball of sunshine you are in the morning."
"Chuck, are you saying I am grumpy when I don't get my sleep?"
"Grumpy? That is actually putting it mildly."
"Well you know one way I could get a good nights sleep."
"Yeah. I wonder how many tranq darts it would take?"
"Oh that is so not funny."
"You started it."
"Did not Chuck."
"Did too Sarah."
"Oh just grow up Chuck."
"Make me. Okay, okay. I'll stop. But seriously Sarah, did you have a good time today?"
"Chuck I had one of the best times of my life. Casey seemed to have a great time to but I really loved hanging out with you today."
"I did to Sarah. Don't tell Morgan but I think today might have surpassed even the best game nights with Morgan."
"Wow. I actually feel honored. Do I get an award or something to keep at my hotel?"
"No, but you get a shirt that says, 'I'm with a nerd'. Its really popular with the ladies you know."
"Oh I bet it is."
"Hey Sarah, can I ask you something?" Chuck was serious now.
"Sure Chuck, what is it?"
"Have you found anything more on that name Orion?"
"Chuck, Casey and I have tried to look but for whatever reason, all paths that lead to him are beyond our pay grade to access. I found out some information but it was stuff you already knew. Are you still using your search program?"
"Yeah, as you and Casey feed me the information, I enter it in. Still no leads though."
"Just be careful Chuck. Remember it has to look like you are going solo on this search for Orion. You know the government isn't going to want you to remove the Intersect."
"I figured as much. That is why I am so glad that you and Casey are in my corner. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have your support."
"We both want what's best for you Chuck. If removing the Intersect is what you want, then we will make sure it happens. That is still what you want right Chuck?"
"Well of course Sarah, we talked about this."
"But Chuck I thought you were beginning to enjoy going on missions and spy life in general."
"Sarah I just want my life back. I am just not cut out for this spy stuff. I want a normal life." Chuck actually paused as he gave thought to his statement. He had programmed himself to think this way, but now that he can truly see what his life was like before, and what it is now, did he really want normal? Was that the life he wanted? Maybe normal had changed for him.
"Has it really been that bad Chuck?"
Chuck could tell the emotion in her voice. "Sarah you have trained all your life to be a spy. I have trained all my life to play Call of Duty. While I love being with you guys, I am just not cut out for the darker side. You know the side where you or Casey get shot, or thrown out of windows, or get beat up. I can't handle that, at least not yet." There it was again. Why did he add the not yet? Was he really considering the possibility of ever becoming a spy?
"I understand Chuck. I just hope you never wish that this didn't happen. I hope you never wish that you never met me."
"Sarah you are one of the best things to ever happen to me. I would upload the Intersect a million times over because I know that's the only way I would have met you."
"Don't say that Chuck. You don't know for sure."
"Really Sarah? A guy like me just doesn't find a girl like you unless, you know, a government computer is downloaded into their brain."
"I wish you wouldn't think that. Maybe I liked you before we even met. Did that thought ever cross your mind Chuck?"
"Only in my dreams Sarah."
"Well you would be surprised Chuck. Anyway, have you ever thought about maybe becoming an analyst or working for the government in some capacity?"
"No offense, but the government hasn't exactly been kind to myself or my family. Not sure I would want to commit my life to them. I have thought about it but I think mostly because of you and Casey. Not like as if that was my dream job."
"Well what is your dream job Chuck?"
"My dream job would be a self-employed programmer. Living on a beach in Hawaii, programming software on my laptop. And making millions as I sit out looking over the beautiful blue ocean. Sipping on a Mai Tai with one of those fancy umbrellas."
{Silence}
"What would be your dream job Sarah?"
{Silence}
"Sarah?"
"Yes, sorry Chuck. What did you say?"
"I asked what would be your dream job?"
"I am doing it right now."
"Top CIA spy, I hear yah. That has to be a dream come true."
"You're such the nerd you know that. I meant CIA Handler for one Charles Irving Bartowski."
"And I am the nerd right? Well thanks for the nice words but I know better. Anyway, have a good night and I will see you tomorrow morning rise and shine. Good night Sarah."
"Good night Chuck." Sarah hung up and held the phone close to her chest. 'Why doesn't he believe me? I would give up everything to be here because this is the only place I want to be. When will he get it through his thick skull that…' The burn phone rang again. "Walker secure."
"Chuck secure and sorry for being an idiot. I do believe you and it means everything to me to hear you say that. And to be honest, that dream job in Hawaii would only be my dream job if I had a beautiful blond CIA Agent with the initials SW sitting on the beach with me. Good night Sarah. Walker." And the phone disconnected before she could reply.
Sarah looked at the phone. A huge smile crept over her lips as thoughts of lying on a beach in Hawaii, next to a Brown haired nerd, played through her mind. "Good night Chuck."
A/N: Please let me know what you thought about this Chapter. I really enjoyed writing this one and it would be nice to hear how you guys felt. I will never be a review hog so please drop me a pm if you like. Honestly they mean just as much to me.
The next few Chapters are some of my favorites so hopefully you guys will enjoy and look forward to what is coming.