A/N: First of all, thank you all for your reviews and a huge, huge thank you for your pm's. I love when you guys do that. Thank you so much.
Thanks to my beta Gladius Grim who just so happens to me nominated for best Beta Editor in the Third annual Awesome awards, hint hint. Also, I noticed one of my favorite Authors is nominated, Mia2009 and the one story that started it all for me supesfan18's Chuck vs. The Coma. I have made so many great friends on this site, but these three people will always hold a very special place in my heart for the influence they have been for me.
I don't own Chuck.
I know this jumps around a bit but this takes place about two to three days leading up to Ellie's wedding following the removal of the Intersect. Also, my advice to you is keep reading ;)
Chapter 18 – Back Together Again
{1 Day after Intersect Removal}
"Oh my God Sarah, it's been so long." Chuck was finally back in his own bed, making out with the woman he loved. Sarah was all over him, she was driven by a passion that he had never seen before. She had already removed her shirt and was now on top of him straddling his waist. He could see the lust in her eyes and it was driving him crazy.
"Chuck baby. You know what would really turn me on right now? What I want so badly from you?" Sarah had Chuck's hands in hers as she was massaging her breasts. She ran her tongue seductively over her lips as she longed for Chuck right now.
Chuck squealed a bit as he replied. "Anything, yes anything you want."
Sarah gave him a seductive grin. "Chuck. I want you to flash."
Chuck stopped instantly, a look of confusion on his face. "Uh Sarah, you know I can't flash. I don't have the Intersect anymore." A strange feeling of worry came over him.
"You what?" Sarah removed his hands from her breasts. "Why would you remove the Intersect Chuck?"
Chuck looked at her quizzically. "You wanted me to remember? You said we could be together without anything interfering now."
Sarah was stunned. "I can't believe you Bartowski." Sarah quickly got off him and retrieved her shirt, putting it back on. "Did you really think a girl like me could ever fall for a guy like you without a super computer in your head?" Sarah was practically spitting the words out, disgust evident on her face.
"But you said you love me? Remember our promises?" Chuck tried to reach for her but she refused.
"If you love me, if you ever want to be with me again, you better flash now." Sarah stood near the door with her hands on her hips.
"Sarah I can't. I can't flash anymore. The Intersect is gone." Chuck was freaking out as emotion overcame him. "Why are you doing this to me Sarah? I love you and you said you love me."
"Really Bartowski? Why would you think I could ever love you without the Intersect?" Sarah then reached for her phone. "Bryce honey, this is Sarah. It's official, the geek no longer has the Intersect. It's going to be all you now baby."
"Sarah please, why are you doing this to me?" Chuck was crying now. Everything, everything he had worked so hard for was gone. The emptiness over took him as the hurt and sadness washed over him like a tidal wave.
"Yeah he's ready, send in the team." Sarah just shook her head as she looked upon Chuck with pure disgust. "I can't believe I had to put up with you for so long. Thank God it's finally over."
The hurt was too much for Chuck as he began to sob uncontrollably. He never even paid attention as a group of men that looked to be doctors stormed into his room. The last thing he remembered hearing was one of the doctors say with pity in his voice, "Don't worry kid, you won't remember a thing from the past two years." Then he blacked out.
. . .
Chuck awoke barely containing his scream. He was sweating profusely as he shot straight up in bed. He looked around and realized he was still in his own room… alone. He instinctively reached for his heart as a feeling of emptiness filled him. He frantically looked around and she was not there. He couldn't control himself as he began to cry.
He sat on the side of the bed with his head in his hands, his feet on the cold floor. Everything was a lie. The hurt consumed him as he realized that he remembered everything. Those doctors were wrong. They had failed at removing his memories. He looked at his computer through his tears. It all started with that stupid email.
"Why did this happen?" Chuck had never felt this way before. His mom leaving, his dad's abandonment of he and Ellie, losing Jill, nothing came close to the hurt he was feeling now. His heart was bursting at the loss of Sarah, his one true love. How could he be so wrong?
Chuck very rarely ever cried. Maybe only a few times in the last twenty years. His body was definitely making up for it now as he kept seeing the vision of Sarah leaving him. "Why Sarah? Why would you do this…"
"Hey honey, I made you break…" Sarah never finished as she dropped the tray of food and ran to Chuck. "Oh my god Chuck, what is happening?" Sarah had never seen Chuck so broken before.
Chuck was in complete shock. What the hell was happening to him? "Sarah? Is that really you?"
Sarah was kneeling in front of him holding him as tight as she could. Her heart broke seeing Chuck in this current state. "Chuck it's me. Please tell me what's wrong." She knew he had been having some trouble since the Intersect removal. He was feeling a little more down than usual, but she was not expecting this.
"You. You left me Sarah. You told me you didn't want me without the Intersect. You were leaving with Bryce and then these men were going to wipe my memory of the last two years."
"Oh my God Chuck. Please don't ever think that. I will never leave you." Sarah was trying to console him as she continued to rub the back of Chuck's head.
"It seemed so real Sarah. I thought you left me." Chuck finally reached his arms around her. He had to know this was real. The pain was just too much for him to bear.
Sarah had to do something. She could not bear to see Chuck like this. She did not dare leave so she picked up her phone with her free hand and texted Orion.
Within seconds Stephen Bartowski was in the room with Chuck.
Sarah got up to sit next to Chuck. It was a miracle she could move because Chuck held onto her so tightly. Once she was on the bed next to him, she held him closer to her. Chuck laid his head on her shoulder as she quickly explained to Orion what was happening.
Stephen was standing in front of Chuck, checking him over. "Charles I want you to look at me." Chuck reluctantly turned to look at his dad. "Charles this is a result of the Intersect being removed. You have to think of it like your brain is going through a detox right now. Your brain is trying to over compensate for the Intersects absence."
Sarah looked at Orion. "Did you know this could happen?" She was starting to get a tad angry.
"Actually, I was more worried about it staying in. The prolonged use of the Intersect would have eventually over heated his brain. What Charles is going through now is just temporary as his brain readjusts. "
"What can we do to help him?" Sarah kissed Chuck on the top of his head as he was still having a hard time controlling his emotions. A part of her loved being able to care for him like this, but the other part hated seeing him so… so broken.
"He needs to get back in the proverbial saddle so to speak. He needs to do things that will challenge his brain and his thinking patterns. His brain needs to once again realize it doesn't need the Intersect. The sooner it can do this, the sooner Chuck will be back to normal." Orion felt Chuck's head to make sure there was no fever. Fortunately, he was cool to the touch.
"I am going to diagnose some data to make sure the removal didn't cause any other hidden problems. I am pretty confident it didn't, but I want to make sure." Orion then turned to Sarah. "You need to get him out of this house and get his mind off things." With that, Orion stopped to clean up the mess on the floor, and then left the room.
Sarah got into bed pulling Chuck close to her. She wasn't going to let him sleep but she darn well was going to comfort him until he calmed down. His head was buried in her neck as she continued to do what she could to calm him down.
"Sarah I am sorry for acting like this." Chuck was still trying to gain some semblance of control. He felt like such an idiot for breaking down like this.
"Chuck don't you dare apologize. Although I wish it was different circumstances, I love taking care of you." She kissed his forehead again. "You have always been the one to comfort me emotionally, now it is my turn."
"Sarah?" Chuck looked up so he could see in her eyes.
"Yes honey?"
Chuck smiled hearing her use that word. "Promise me that if this ever gets too much for you, that we talk about it. I don't want to lose you."
Sarah sighed. This was the time to pull out the big guns. She was taking a huge leap here but Chuck needed to know where she stood. He needed to know what she wanted from him. "Chuck, I promise but you have to promise me something too." Sarah was looking directly into his dark brown eyes. "You have to promise me in ten years when I am walking around barefoot and pregnant with our children, that you will still love me."
Chuck's eyes practically bugged out of his head. The thought of his nightmare completely forgotten.
Sarah smiled as she kissed him tenderly on the lips. She hated lying to him but it was all she could give him right now. She knew it worked as the Bartowski smile lit up the room. Yeah, she felt somewhat bad about the lie. Ten years was a stretch. She was thinking more like five.
{* * *}
{Meeting at Castle Next Day}
"Excuse me Agent Walker, is everything okay?" General Beckman could see Agent Walker was very agitated, almost anxious for something.
"I am fine ma'am. Just would like to go check on how Chuck is doing." Sarah didn't like opening herself up like this to the General but she could not hide the fact she wanted to make sure Chuck was doing good. The nightmare really shook him and she wanted to be there every second of every minute to reassure him that everything would be okay. Not to mention, they still had stuff to do for Ellie's wedding which she had totally been neglecting lately.
"Actually Agent Walker, the subject of Chuck Bartowski is why I called this meeting today." As if on cue, the door to castle opened and in walked Bryce Larkin.
Casey instinctively reached for his gun as the pompous ass strolled his way down the stairs. Sure he would eventually have to work with the dumb ass but what would another bullet hurt. Three times the charm.
You have got to be kidding me, Sarah thought. This is all Chuck needs right now is to see Bryce. "General, what is this about?"
The General nodded to Agent Larkin.
"Good morning everyone." Bryce joyously said as he strutted over to stand next to Sarah.
Casey wanted to put a cap in him right then and there. Maybe a punch to that smug face of his.
"Team, as you know due to recent developments, a new Intersect project is in the works. We will need to put a new team together. Agent Larkin will be the newest recipient of the Intersect and he has specifically requested you Agent Walker to lead the team."
Sarah stepped forward giving Bryce a dirty look. "General Beckman, I will not be…"
"Don't interrupt me again Agent Walker." Beckman gave Sarah a stern look. "Agent Larkin has also requested that Charles Bartowski be brought aboard as a field analyst for the new Intersect Team." Beckman tried to hold back a smile as she saw the look of shock on Sarah's face. "Due to recent events. Namely the fall of fulcrum, the overwhelming amount of vital information recently obtained at the hands of Charles Bartowski, the fact that there has never been anyone in all the government agencies that has ever been able to analyze and process data like Chuck can, with or without using the Intersect, and finally because of his hands on knowledge of the Intersect. The NSA and CIA top brass, along with a strong recommendation from the President himself, believe having Mr. Bartowski part of the new Intersect team will be absolutely vital to the future success of this project."
Sarah was speechless. She had always been proud of Chuck. She always saw what others couldn't. But now her man was being recognized for the hero he was and by the President no less. She actually felt like she might be glowing with the pride she was feeling.
The General continued on. "Major Casey also has received the rank of Colonel due to his exemplary performance as part of the former Intersect project. He has requested to remain on the team after he follows up on some Intel that Chuck was able to recover concerning his old unit."
"WHAT?" Bryce yelled stepping forward. "Is this a joke General? I specifically requested Casey be kept off this team."
The General was obviously perturbed by Larkin's outburst. "First thing, you will address him as Colonel Casey and secondly, you are not in charge of putting this team together. You may have recommended Chuck and Agent Walker to be part of the team, but that was just a recommendation. We have decided to put together the best team possible and Colonel Casey will be the main part of that. Matter of fact, meet your new field partner Agent Larkin."
Bryce was having a fit. "But he shot me... Twice. And now you want me to partner up with him? This is ludicrous."
"I'm sure you two will get along fine." Beckman looked to Sarah. "So Agent Walker, the question is can you work closely with soon to be Agent Bartowski as members of the new Intersect Team?" Okay the General was just joking now, well as most as she could.
Sarah was still in shock. She knew how teams were set up. The most effective teams were those where the team lead and the analyst could work in tandem. It was vital that the analyst always work closely with the lead. Of all the possibilities she never thought the one option would be doing what she loved with the man she loved. Was she truly just offered her dream job?
"Sarah, you might want to answer the General." Casey whispered to Sarah.
"Yes of course ma'am. I will accept this position based on the details you have just provided." Sarah was smiling now. She couldn't wait to tell Chuck.
"Good. There are still a few things we need to finalize to bring Chuck aboard so I need you wait to tell him till those things are complete." Okay that was a little lie on the Generals part. She was actually the one that wanted to tell Chuck herself.
Sarah was a little disappointed at having to wait to tell Chuck the news. It didn't matter though; she just wanted to go see Chuck even if she couldn't tell him yet. This was some of the best news she could have ever been told. This might be exactly what Orion was saying Chuck needed. Orion couldn't be to upset because it's not like Chuck would be a Clandestine Agent. But as a field analyst, he would be with them on every mission. He would be with her.
Beckman gave some final orders and then disconnected.
Sarah turned to Bryce with a serious look on her face. "Bryce before we do this. You have to tell Chuck the truth. I do not want him worrying about anything right now. Do you understand me?" She grabbed Bryce's shirt to make sure he knew how serious she was. "And you have to tell him why he is supposed to be part of this team. He has to hear from you how important he is do you understand me?" Sarah knew Chuck would never believe that he earned this on his own merits. If Casey or she told him, he would just think it was favoritism. It had to come from Bryce and hopefully this would start repairing their fractured relationship since Stanford.
Bryce knew this would come up. "I understand. I promise I will tell him before Ellie's wedding."
Sarah gave him a stern look. Once Chuck knew the truth, a sudden realization hit her. With the possibility of Chuck and Bryce best friends again, she may lose some quality time with Chuck. Oh well she thought. It was definitely worth it. Chuck was going to finally know the truth about Bryce and her and hopefully Chuck will realize how much both of them always loved him.
She still needed to run some errands for Ellie and then she needed to follow through on the assignments that Beckman gave her for the new team. That part would suck, but in the end it would be worth it. For now she would quickly check on Chuck and then get started on her new mission objectives.
{* * *}
Chuck was feeling so much better since his nightmare the other morning. After the talk with Sarah, and the things she said, he literally had forgotten about everything from the dream. The talk, and the fact that today was Ellie's wedding had definitely kept his mind busy. He was a little down at not being able to spend more time with Sarah but for whatever reason she seemed preoccupied since her meeting at Castle.
That of course made him wonder about something else. It was a small thing but Chuck had noticed just how uncomfortable Sarah was acting in his bed. They still hadn't made love yet, which was wearing on them both. Then to add to that, Sarah definitely acted different when she was in his own bed with him. Sure it was actually the first time they had been together in his bed since becoming official. Most nights were spent at Sarah's which of course before he just always assumed was because of surveillance. But now, he was no longer under surveillance but he could tell something was bothering her. Matter of fact, Chuck realized that his bed had a whole new sheet and comforter set since he got back. Now was not the time, but he had to remember to ask her about it later.
Chuck had spent most of the day with his dad which was great. Ellie had them both running around with last minute errands but it gave some time for Chuck to talk to his dad about how he was feeling. Chuck was definitely getting back to his old self and he was happy. He still wanted to talk to Beckman about what his options were, but that could wait until after the wedding. For now, he wanted it to be all about his amazing sister.
. . .
Chuck was now walking through the halls of the Chapel, the wedding just an hour away. He really wanted to see Sarah, just tell her he loved her. He also wanted to ask her if she wanted to take a vacation after the wedding. Now that he was no longer the Intersect, he was free to go wherever he wanted. Now may be the only chance they get before he figures out what his options were. He already turned in his resignation at the Buy More, his sister loved that. Now it was time to find his girl and figure out what their future held.
He peeked his head into the room where Ellie and the bride's maids were getting ready. He saw Sarah and although there was no doubt she was the absolute most beautiful woman in the world, he could tell something was bothering her. She was acting very distracted today and he was starting to get worried about her. This wasn't like her. He made eye contact with Sarah and mouthed "You okay?"
She shook her head no and that is when he knew something was wrong. She gave him the give me a minute sign and so Chuck said his hello's to Ellie and everyone and then waited outside the door.
When Sarah came out the door, Chuck could see there was something wrong.
"Hey, what's the matter Sarah?" Chuck reached a gentle hand to her face to calm her.
Sarah quickly grabbed his hand and she led him to the reception area. This would give them some privacy.
"Sarah, before you say anything I wanted to ask you something important." Chuck held both her hands in his. He became really serious for a second.
Sarah could see something in his eyes. She could tell whatever he was going to ask was going to be big. She could feel his hands sweating… Oh my god! Sarah almost gasped out loud as the thought of what Chuck might be asking her hit her. Could her dream really be coming true?
Sarah held her breath everything else forgotten for the moment.
"Sarah Walker, will you do me the honor…" Chuck took a deep breath.
Sarah almost started crying, her emotions over coming her.
"Of taking a vacation with me?"
What the hell? Sarah couldn't believe she just heard that.
Oh man she looks disappointed Chuck thought. He thought she would be happy to get away, maybe her issues were bigger than he… His thoughts were interrupted as his heart sunk at the sight of his nemesis approaching from behind Sarah.
Even though Sarah was disappointed, she knew now probably wasn't the time for that anyway. She had to pull it together. She would just hide her disappointment for now. "Chuck I wanted to wait until after the wedding, but I have to tell you now. I am leaving in the morning."
Chuck wanted to vomit as he could not believe what was happening. Seeing Bryce, hearing Sarah say she was leaving. How could she have chosen Bryce? "So you're going to be with Bryce." More a deflated statement then a question.
Sarah became suddenly worried at his demeanor. Why did he suddenly change so quickly? "Well yeah Chuck. I am leading the new Intersect Team. But you knew…"
Chuck took a deep breath. He had to pull himself together. "I am going to miss you Sarah. Thanks for coming to the wedding though. You know, good for the cov… OUCH! Why the hell did you hit me?"
"Chuck I swear to freaking Zeus if I did not love you so much I would have shot you myself by now. I am leaving tomorrow to go back to Washington to secure our new headquarters... Wait a minute; didn't Bryce talk to you already?"
"Uh hey Guys. Yeah about that…" Bryce approached cautiously.
Sarah looked at Bryce then at the look of anger on Chuck's face. "Bryce Larkin tell me you have already talked to Chuck. So help me God you better have told him already or I swear I will shoot you myself."
"Chuck buddy. We need to talk." Bryce avoided Sarah as he tentatively walked around the angered assassin.
Chuck did a double take, what the hell was going on?
If Sarah had her gun, she would have shot Bryce herself right then and there. She could not believe she had just put Chuck through this again. "Bryce you need to give us a minute. NOW!"
Bryce quickly left the room, once again avoiding Sarah.
Sarah could not let this go as she turned to Chuck grabbing his face in her hands. Chuck tried to push her away but she would have nothing to do with it. She knew words were futile right now because Chuck's mind was probably going off in a thousand different directions. She had to regain control and there was one thing Chuck could never withstand. She grabbed his curls in her hands and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
Chuck was trying to withstand her; seeing Bryce was bad enough, not to mention the confusion at what was happening. He could not let Sarah cloud his… What was he thinking again?
Sarah demanded entrance as she quickly escalated the urgency of their kiss. She had to make sure Chuck knew there was nothing to worry about. He had to know… She quickly forgot what she was thinking as Chuck finally eagerly responded.
Just before Bryce closed the door to the kitchen, he turned back to his friends. Bryce looked on in awe. He had seen passion. He had seen love. What he was seeing now was like an explosion of the two coming together. Seeing these two in a very heated embrace made him realize something. He truly had made the right decision in bringing these two together. These were the two people he loved most in the world, the two people he cared for most. Sure he probably could have handled things differently in the beginning, but there was never a time he didn't want the best for his two friends. He was actually quite proud of himself for his unbelievable match making… Okay, now that is just inappropriate as he quickly closed the door.
Chuck and Sarah were in their own world right now. Just like their first kiss on the dock in front of what they thought was a bomb. The world was not allowed entrance as the two lovers attacked each other with a passion and love that could only be imagined in the greatest of love stories. It had been way to long for both of them and whether their minds wanted them to be more cautious, their bodies would not allow it. Sarah already had Chuck's pants unzipped as he picked her up and placed her on a nearby table. Her legs were wrapped securely around him as she could care less about her bridesmaid dress. It was already hiked up past her thighs as Chuck was grabbing for her panties. She was completely his as he attacked her neck, causing her to completely lose control. It was time as she reached into his pants to pull him into her…
"CHARLES IRVING BARTOWSKI! "
Chuck froze in place at the sound of his father's voice. Sarah however was not stopping.
Bryce at hearing Orion's voice quickly came back in the room. To his surprise, although Chuck had stopped his advances, apparently Sarah had different ideas. "Umm Sarah, you might want to get some control, Chuck's dad is not looking to happy. Hey Orion." Bryce waved nervously at Orion.
Chuck could only imagine what this must look like to his dad. He and Sarah putting on a show in the middle of the reception area. And in a church no less. Oh he was going to hell alright. "Sarah, we have to stop." With a slight hesitation, remembering what happened last time his Sarah was interrupted. In his most loving way, he slowly and extremely cautiously moved away from Sarah, making sure to help Sarah off the table and block the view while she got dressed.
"Hey Dad. We were just… We were just making sure the reception area was in order." Chuck really did not know what else to say. Thank goodness Sarah wasn't as pissed as he'd seen her before, at least at his dad. Luckily it was his dad that interrupted. Anyone else and they might have been dead. Of course the way Sarah was now angrily eying Bryce; he was worried that maybe that death would be coming.
Orion was shaking his head in disgust. "Could you two control yourself for at least another couple hours? This is Ellie's big day after all." Orion turned to Bryce. "You better have a good reason for being here Bryce."
Bryce looked over to Chuck. "Well I actually need to talk privately with Chuck for a few minutes."
Sarah was still so turned on right now and it wasn't even in the lustful sense. She couldn't explain it but she just loved Chuck that much. She honestly didn't even care about the sex. Okay, that was a lie, but if she had to be truthful, it was the connection she cared and loved the most. Sure Chuck was incredible when it came to sex, but that was just a bonus. Making true love to Chuck could be as simple as holding hands. She knew lately it seemed like she was some sex craved psycho but that wasn't the case at all. She just wanted Chuck. In its simplest form, that was all she needed. But even that was denied her because of the whirlwind of events that had transpired. And now this. Oh Bryce better make this right with Chuck.
"Hey." Sarah looked to Chuck, finally able to speak again. "I love you! You got that. Listen to Bryce with an open mind and I will talk to you afterward." Sarah could tell Chuck was starting to freak out a bit as he was looking over at Bryce.
"Excuse me Chuck. I said I love you. Did you not hear me?" Sarah had her hands on her hips.
Chuck let out a sigh. "I love you to. Come here." Chuck pulled Sarah into a big hug gathering the strength he would need for the conversation with his nemesis.
Sarah held him tightly not wanting to break this connection, but knowing the sooner Bryce had his talk, the better everything would be. She kissed Chuck one more time and then walked over to Orion. "Sir, we need to talk." Then she and Orion left Bryce and Chuck alone in the room.
. . .
Bryce walked over to Chuck. "She's quite the…" Bryce never finished as he was knocked off his feet by a very hard punch to the jaw by Chuck.
Bryce was dazed to say the least as he lay on the floor rubbing his jaw. He couldn't remember the last time he was hit that hard; and he had been hit quite a bit. His eyes were watering a bit at the force of the punch as it rattled his brain. Bryce was trying to shake the cobwebs out when a hand was offered to him. "Does this make us even now?" Bryce tentatively grabbed the hand as Chuck helped him back up.
"Not even close Bryce. You don't know how much pain you have caused in my life."
"Chuck that is enough okay." Bryce was dusting himself off. It was time to come clean. "I am through putting on the 'act'. You need to know the truth, the truth about everything."
Bryce proceeded to tell Chuck everything. He told him about how he was recruited early on to join the CIA. How he had been working with Orion since before Stanford. Bryce explained to Chuck the reason he had him kicked out of Stanford. He told him about how he was always looking out for him. How Jill had made up those lies. He even told Chuck the reason he sent him the Intersect.
Chuck was trying to take this all in. On one hand he wanted to believe everything Bryce was saying but on the other hand, this had to be a lie right? "So you sent me the Intersect to keep me safe? Am I really supposed to believe that?"
"Chuck you don't understand. Orion wasn't always Orion, he was Stephen Bartowski and not to mention your mom was a CIA agent and one of the best at that. Didn't take a genius to eventually put two and two together that maybe the Bartowski Bloodline was worth tapping in to. I kept you out of the CIA in Stanford, but I knew it would be just a matter of time before Fulcrum got you. I needed to tilt the balance back in our favor. Your father and I felt like there may have been a leak in the CIA, and although Orion did not agree with my method, I didn't have a whole lot of choice when I was caught stealing the Intersect. I felt at that moment if I sent you the Intersect, the Government would do everything in their power to protect you and Ellie. Where I had failed, hopefully the Government would succeed. They would have no choice but to send the best, this was Sarah."
Chuck could only stare at Bryce. To believe the words Bryce was saying would change everything he ever thought about his nemesis. To believe would mean that Bryce had given up his life to protect he and Ellie. Why would he have done that?
Bryce could see the confusion on Chuck's face. It was time to tell Chuck the whole truth, something not even Sarah knew. "Chuck, did you ever wonder why I never talked much about my parents?"
Chuck shook his head. Bryce was right, he knew very little about Bryce's family.
"When I was five years old, my parents and younger sister were killed in a house fire. I was saved and placed in something called the Artemis Project. It was a secret Government run facility for orphaned kids. They would take kids with no ties to family, and that had shown above average skills, and train them from a young age to be top spies. It was like a boot camp from hell for kids."
Chuck couldn't help but shiver. There was something about the Artemis Project that just made his skin crawl.
"Your Father, although not directly involved with the Artemis Project, came in contact with me at the start of the development of the Intersect Project. I was still very young but your father always treated me with kindness that I never forgot. Years later, when I was older, he convinced the powers that be to let me work with him. It got me out of that place and a chance to be free so to speak.
"I never forgot what your dad did for me and that is why I did what I did. I couldn't live with myself knowing something could happen to you and Ellie."
Chuck's anger softened especially after hearing what Bryce had to go through. But he still couldn't understand if Bryce cared so much for him why he would try to hurt him by coming between him and Sarah. "Okay buddy. Say I believe you. You have to know how much I love Sarah. Why would you continually try and come between us?"
"Chuck, I need you to know that I do love Sarah but there is something else." Bryce could see Chuck tensing up.
"Bryce, see this is what I'm talking about. You say you care for me but…"
"Chuck I'm gay."
"But then you go off and do this to… Excuse me?" Chuck was taken back. It felt like a truck had just run into him.
Bryce placed a hand on Chuck's shoulder and with as much honesty as he could muster, he said again, "I'm gay Chuck."
Chuck could not speak. He had heard and seen some crazy things in his life. This could possibly rank up there with the most unbelievable of them all. "How… how could that be? Your Bryce Larkin."
"Well it's not like I planned this you know. I didn't wake up one morning and say, gee, I would like to be gay. It is what it is." Bryce was waiting for the rude comments. This was why he didn't want to tell Chuck in the first place.
Chuck could see the sincerity in Bryce's eyes. Once again Chuck began processing data from past events since he met Bryce. Seconds later when he was done, his eyes shot wide open. "So that incident back in Stanford with that football player was true?"
"Yep, Jill introduced us." This was it Bryce thought. Now the demeaning jokes.
"Why didn't you tell me man? Why would you keep it bottled up like that? I saw the burden you were carrying after that incident, but I thought it was because of something else. Damn it Bryce, I could have been there for you. Well not been there like that, but you were my best friend Bryce. You should have told me."
Okay that was unexpected. I guess Sarah was right Bryce thought. "None of that matters now Chuck. Sarah loves you man, she always has. When we were partners I talked about you all the time. If you ask me, I think she fell for you before I even sent you the Intersect. Before I sent her to you."
"But how Bryce.? That time in my bedroom when you first came back."
Bryce laughed but quickly schooled his expression as he saw the questioning look on Chuck's face. "I bet Sarah that you had feelings for her. She had made you into such a hero status from all the things I used to tell her about you that she could never accept the fact a guy like you would fall for a girl like her. So I bet her that you would get all jealous. Got twenty bucks that day."
It all started to make sense, but how could years of thinking one way just be erased by a ten minute conversation. Sure the signs were all there and Chuck as he always was able to do had analyzed every single detail of Bryce from the past seven years. His analysis, along with the new data, came to one conclusion. Bryce was telling the truth.
"Chuck you're the best friend I have ever had. I want us to be like that again. You and I were unstoppable in college and I want that again. This time as partners."
Chuck held up both hands. "Bryce I love you man, but my heart belongs to Sarah. I swear though if I my gate swung the other way, you would be at the top of the list."
Bryce could barely control his laughter as he gave Chuck a punch in the arm. "You truly are a moron aren't you? I meant partners on the new Intersect team."
"Wait what?" Chuck was even more confused now.
"A new Intersect team being led by Sarah is being put together. That is why she was leaving man, she had to run to Washington tomorrow to take care of some Team details. Casey, you, me, and Sarah will be the new Team Intersect. You will be the team's Field Analyst."
It's a good thing Chuck had a strong ticker because all this recent influx of information would have surely caused a heart attack by now. "Are you saying you want me on your team?"
"No I'm saying I need you on our team. I can't do this without you man."
"But why me? You know me; I am just a computer nerd that worked at the Buy More."
"That's bull shit and you know it. You're right, I do know you, which means I know you're the best out there. You're the only one with experience as a field Intersect, you're the top at Data Recognition, and your ability with electronics is unmatched. I need you to help me transition to the new Intersect. You're the only one I can trust to be there for me."
Chuck still could not believe what he was hearing. His thoughts were interrupted as Sarah came back in the room.
"So what do you say Chuck?" Bryce was reaching out a hand for him.
Chuck turned to Sarah who now had her arm securely in his. "What do you think I should do?"
"Chuck I want you to do whatever will make you happy. Just know that whatever you decide, I will be right by your side no matter what."
Well that made the decision for him. He had wanted to do this for so long but thought he was only needed because of the Intersect in his head. It was obvious there were others that thought more of him than that. "Is Beckman okay with this?"
Both Sarah and Bryce laughed. "Are you kidding? If she finds out I told you first she will kill me. She wanted to tell you herself." Bryce got really serious. "So seriously, act surprised when she tells you okay."
Chuck smiled as he kissed Sarah. "I will do it." He then reached out and pulled both Sarah and Bryce in for a big hug. "You know Bryce, you could have saved us a lot of trouble if you would have been honest with me from the beginning."
Bryce looked over at Sarah, "Yeah, someone else kept telling me the same thing. I guess next time I should listen to you know who."
Sarah punched Bryce in the arm. "You both better listen to me from now on. And I swear if you two start acting up, I will beat the snot out of both of you."
Bryce and Chuck just looked at each other with innocence. "Who us?"
Oh boy, this is going to be so much fun. Sarah mused as she was so happy to finally see Bryce and Chuck back together as friends.
A/N: Hopefully this is not going to AU for everyone or maybe thats a good thing haha. Sorry if the first part was rough but I tried to emphasis more what it must of been like for Chuck when the Intersect was removed. Thank you for reading and let me know how you felt about this chapter.
A/N: Anyone recognize the Leather Clad shout out :)