CHUCK VS. THE GOOD & NORMAL & WONDERFUL LIFE

SUMMARY: Chuck and Sarah have a wonderful marriage and daughter and live the normal life in a good house at a good island community. Or do they?????

DISCLAIMER: I don't own "Chuck."

NOTE: I hope you enjoy this. I don't know about the rest of you, but I sure needed to read some nice and happy Chuck fan fiction after watching the episode "Chuck vs. the Beefcake." I thought it was a downer! Poor Chuck! I hope this brightens your day a little bit if not more. Please review!

-

CHAPTER SEVEN – THAT'S MY SARAH!

"How did you get in here Jill? I locked the door," Chuck asked.

Jill smiled. "Oh come on Chuck. I'm a Fulcrum agent. Do you not think I can pick locks? Do you not think I have all the skills and talents that Sarah does? I'm every bit as good as Sarah. I can do everything she can Chuck – EVERYTHING!" Her expression turned angry. "In fact, I can do everything better than Sarah, Chuck – BETTER. You just can't seem to see that, can you? You just can't get her out of your head, can you?" She looked disgusted.

"What am I going to do with you Chuck?" Jill said, still pointing her gun at him as they stood in the kitchen. "What am I going to do with you?"

Chuck didn't respond. He mentally cursed himself for getting caught again, for failing again to find a way out of this.

"Would you like to know something Chuck?" Jill didn't wait for an answer. "Did you know that you were supposed to be married to me? That we were supposed to be a couple here, that we were supposed to be together? At the last minute they decided that it would be better to pair you with her, with Sarah. They thought that you would make it easier to control Sarah, to convert her over to our side. They thought having someone she knew and trusted and had feelings for would help in that. They had promised me that you would be mine, that you would be with me. But once again, Sarah came between us."

Chuck glanced past Jill's shoulder, down the hallway at the closed bedroom door. He hoped Sarah stayed in there. Who knew what Jill would do if she saw Sarah.

Jill, seeing where Chuck's attention was focused, sighed. "Here I am with a gun pointed at you and you're still thinking of her," she said as she rolled her eyes.

"I thought for a brief moment there that I could convince her that we needed to leave, to get out here," Chuck softly mused. "She didn't act like a robot and mutter "Why we would want to leave the island" and at first I thought I was getting through to her. I thought I could …." He stopped and looked down at the floor.

"You didn't have a chance of breaking the brainwashing Chuck. Even if she didn't say she didn't want to leave the island like everyone is programmed to do. You just said 'leave." The trigger to protesting against leaving the island is when you actually bring up leaving the island. They don't protest if you just talk about leaving like leaving for the grocery story or whatever. It's if you talk about leaving the island. That's one way we can tell if someone is in control or not. We just ask them if they want to leave the island and if they give that standard response, then all is OK."

"So this is all some elaborate conversion, brainwashing operation?" Chuck asked.

"Oh yes. You are correct. It's all Fulcrum's island, one of our headquarters, one of our hideouts, whatever you want to call it. And we have this brainwashing operation going on … facilities all done, all made up to convert agents, citizens, anyone over to our cause. It's been going on for a while. We convert them and then send them out in our mock town here and see how they do. If it goes well, then we put them through another conversion and send them back to where they came, the way they are but just ready, willing, and able to do what we want with no one suspecting, no one noticing that they're completely in our control. It had all been going fine. No problems, no mishaps except for a few failures and anomalies every now and then with some agents, some subjects. It all worked fine, a better than 90 percent success rate. Everything worked well … until you."

Jill gazed intently at Chuck, studying him.

"How did you do it Chuck? Do you know that no one, not even the best and brightest and strongest agent or soldier, all of whom had been trained to resist and withstand extremely violent interrogations and torture, has been able to do what you have done? Not one! But you, YOU CHUCK, have resisted and beat the brainwashing every time, EVERY TIME!"

She stared incredulously at Chuck and shook her head.

"How did you, an ordinary nerd, resist it? We had a few people who managed to resist or break out of it every now and then. But Chuck, no matter how many times we brainwashed you, no matter how high a level we did it at, you always managed to snap out of it, to resist it. How did you do it Chuck?"

Chuck would never know why but for some illogical, strange reason, with Jill raving and pointing a gun at him and describing the happenings on the island, he recalled a classic TV show. This whole Fulcrum operation reminded him of that show and he suddenly remembered some lines of dialogue uttered during some key scenes in the series. And without really thinking, Chuck repeated them to answer Jill's question.

"Well … 'That would be telling,'" he said.

When a puzzled expression formed on Jill's face, he tried another.

"You could say Jill that 'I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own,'" he said.

Then she looked perplexed. So Chuck gave up.

"Well … I guess you didn't see that show, did you? It's from the late 1960s and was before both our times but I saw some episodes at a con and …." Chuck stopped as he realized his explanation went nowhere.

"Maybe it was just my low-stress lifestyle and cutting down on caffeine that did it," he quickly joked.

Jill then actually looked for a second like she might laugh. "I so underestimated you Chuck. Everybody on this island underestimated you. I see you now and I just can't believe that this is you, that goofy guy that I broke up with back at Stanford. You're incredible Chuck. Why did I break up with you back then? And why didn't I do more to hold onto you when we got back together last year?"

"It really … really was for the best, Jill. I didn't know it at the time but it was …." Chuck stopped when Jill frowned and moved her gun a little. He suddenly realized that speaking frankly about how you felt about an ex may not be a very bright idea, especially when the ex had a gun.

"Well, it doesn't really matter now Chuck. The past is past and you know what? Even though we've broken up twice, I want you. So I've got news for you Chuck. You're going back into the brainwashing. You're going back to the way you were. And no matter how many times you resist it, no matter how many times you beat it, you're going back into it again and again and again – until we get it right," Jill said. Her face turned dark and the smile disappeared.

And in that moment, Chuck found himself staring deeply into Jill's eyes and he could see something, something evil, horrible, and scary. Jill was insane, dangerously insane. He could see it and feel it. Why hadn't he ever noticed that before? he wondered. Was this the Jill that he fell in love with so long ago back in college? Was she like this then and had he been too blind to see it? Or had something horrible changed her, turned her into this?

Then another thought struck him: was Jill crazy enough to come here on her own after realizing that he had once again beaten the brainwashing? Was she crazy enough to not tell anyone, to just come here and try to take care of him alone?

Chuck's eyes darted around, looking behind, to the right, to the left, and out any windows in the kitchen. As far as he could tell, it was Jill and only Jill around. He couldn't see or hear anyone else. And he couldn't see any other people or activity outside. If Jill was the only one to know right now that he was himself, that he wasn't brainwashed and was wise to what was taking place on this island -- and by all appearances, that appeared to be the case -- then there may still be time for an escape before any other Fulcrum agents found out, Chuck thought. But first, he had to take care of the Jill problem that stood and talked in front of him.

"This time is going to be different, Chuck. Things are going to change. This time, you're going to be with me, you are going to be my husband. I am going to have you with me. No more Sarah, no more Sarah."

Chuck felt the blood draining from his face. "What are you going to do to Sarah," he gasped.

"As I said, she is out of the picture. You won't be with her, you'll be with me. You're mine now Chuck, all mine, body and eventually your mind and soul. You are coming with me now and I'm going –"

Suddenly, Jill was hit from behind. Chuck wasn't sure what happened. But when he saw a blur of blonde hair and heard a scream of rage and anger, he realized that it was Sarah. Sarah had heard what Jill said and had attacked her.

Chuck stood there in shock as Sarah smashed Jill to the floor, grabbed her gun hand and twisted it quickly and violently. Chuck swore that he heard a pop as Jill screamed in pain and dropped the gun. Sarah then straddled Jill, grabbed her shoulders and slammed her head on the kitchen floor again and again as she screamed at her.

"YOU ARE NOT TAKING CHUCK ANY WHERE! CHUCK IS NOT GOING ANY WHERE WITH YOU! CHUCK IS STAYING WITH ME! CHUCK IS MINE! CHUCK IS MINE! MINE! MINE!"

Jill was unconscious by the second or third hit. But that didn't stop Sarah. She kept bouncing Jill's head onto the floor like a basketball. And then, the beating and screaming suddenly ceased. She released Jill and her head fell down to the floor with thud and she lay there still and unconscious.

Sarah shook her head, looked at her hands and the unconscious Jill. She stood up and clasped her hands to her head. She seemed disoriented and trying to focus or figure out something. She stood there for a while shaking her head and staring at the room and out the windows. She looked lost and confused as she turned all the way around in the kitchen and stared intently at everything. And then her gaze came upon Chuck and she stopped.

"Chuck?" Sarah said as she stared at him with a puzzled look on her face. She looked down at Jill on the floor and then back at Chuck.

"Chuck," she repeated. But this time it was like a gasp. Then she rushed over and embraced him. Unsure of what was going on or what was happening with Sarah, Chuck stood still for a second but then put his arms around her. She grasped him tightly for a while and then looked up at him.

Chuck stared into those blue eyes and instantly knew that something was different – different and definitely good.

"Chuck, you were right," Sarah said with determination. "We need to leave, NOW!"

That's my Sarah! Chuck thought triumphantly. And then he said it out loud. "That's my Sarah!" He leaned down and kissed her in delight. Sarah's arms quickly wrapped around his neck and she returned the kiss. After about five seconds, their lips parted. They smiled at each other.

"Hey you! Welcome back!" Chuck said.

"Thank you. Now what do you say that we get out of here," Sarah replied.

"Sounds great!"

Sarah left his embrace and looked down at the still unconscious Jill.

"God I hate that bitch," she snarled.

"Join the club," Chuck said.

Sarah glanced back at him, grinned, and then leaned down to the floor and grabbed Jill's gun. She checked it over, stuck in the waistband of the back of her pants. Then she checked over Jill.

"I think you've taken care of her and she'll be out for quite a while," Chuck noted.

"I just want to see if she has any more guns or weapons. We'll need every bit of firepower we can get," Sarah said as she checked Jill's pockets. "Did anyone come with her?"

"As far as I can tell, she came by herself. She's just crazy enough to do that and I have a feeling that she didn't tell anyone about this. So we may still have some time."

"Nevertheless, we need to get going and get going now. And Sallie is going with us. Even though she isn't really our daughter, we can't leave her. Go to our bedroom and Sallie's bedroom and get some coats for each one of us. Then get Sallie and get back in here."

"What do we need coats for?"

"If we can't get off the island right now, we're going to have to hide somewhere and try to avoid capture until we can figure out something," Sarah explained. "It has gotten chilly these past few nights and who knows where we may end up while on the run. So we need to be prepared for that possibility. So get those coats, get Sallie, and get back here while I load up some food and other things for us. Move Chuck!"

That's my Sarah! Chuck thought again as he dashed down the hallway. He went into the bedroom where Sarah had locked herself in just a moment ago and found Sallie sitting quietly on the bed. She looked a little frightened. Chuck picked up the little girl.

"Sallie, Sar—mommy, you and I need to go. We all need to go right now. So I want you to go into your room and get your jacket right now, OK?"

The little girl still seemed a little scared. Little wonder with all of the shouting and screaming that has gone on here in the past 10 minutes, Chuck thought. He sat down on the edge of the bed with her in his lap and spoke to her some more, explaining that they were going on a trip and needed to leave as quickly as possible. He also tried to calm and reassure her. Sallie said nothing but nodded. Chuck set her down and she ran to her room. He then grabbed two jackets from the closet and stepped out into the hallway. Sallie came out of her room clutching a jacket. He reached down, grasped her hand and led her to the kitchen.

Sarah was still there going through a drawer and pulling out every sharp knife that she could find. She dropped each one in a plastic grocery sack that was there on the counter, alongside another plastic sack filled with cracker and cookie boxes and water bottles. Some food supplies for the road, he thought. He looked on the floor. No Jill.

"Uhhh … what happened to …" he asked.

"Bound up and stuffed in a closet," Sarah replied without looking up from the collection of knives that she was gathering.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah Sallie?"

"Why is mommy taking all of those knives?"

"Mommy plans to do a lot of carving," he answered.

Sarah turned toward him and looked amused. "Ready?" she asked. Chuck nodded.

"Pick up Sallie and carry her out to the car. Move casually and calmly, like we're going to the grocery store. You get Sallie into that car seat and then get in the passenger side. I'm right behind you. Understand?" Sarah commanded.

Oh, it's so good to have Sarah back, Chuck thought as he picked up Sallie. Sarah gathered up the bags of knives and food and they walked out the door.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Jill's car was parked behind theirs, blocking their exit. Chuck started to say something about that but Sarah noted, "Not a problem, get in the car like I said." She opened the back door on the driver's side, dumped the bag of food in there, then opened the driver's door and dumped her bag of knives in there. Then she walked over to Jill's car while Chuck put Sallie in the car seat.

Sarah rummaged around in Jill's car for a moment and then came back. By then, Chuck was in his seat and buckled up. Sarah got in and deposited a gun in the space between their seats. "I was hoping that she had another gun in there. That will help," Sarah said as she got in the driver's seat, buckled up, and started the car.

She maneuvered the car forward to put some space between their car and Jill's. Then she backed up the car to the left over the grass, past Jill's car and onto the street. Once there, she put the car in drive and off they went.

She drove slowly down the streets. They didn't see any signs of pursuit, so they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. Things seemed normal as they drove. All along every street, they saw people going about like it was a normal, happy, peaceful town. But with the brainwashing erased, both knew what was really going on.

Sarah pulled out her cell phone and started to dial.

"Don't! Hang up!" Chuck warned.

"I was going to try to call Casey," Sarah replied as she gave Chuck a puzzled look.

"Don't! Don't! They can trace it and realize that you're not brainwashed," he warned. "One time when I was normal, not converted, I tried dialing Casey and Ellie and minutes later Fulcrum agents were on me. The phones won't go to anyone or any number off the island. We can't reach anyone off of the island that way," Chuck told her.

She shut her phone. "OK, then we continue with this and go with the second option."

"What's that?" Chuck asked.

"I'm taking us to the ferry to the mainland. We're going to get on and get out of here. If anyone asks, we're going over for a family day on the mainland. If they try to stop us from getting on the ferry or if they try to stop us while we're on the ferry, then we try to get to the pilot's cabin. I'm hoping that there will be a radio in there so that we call for help and get someone out here to get us off this island."

"Well, FYI, the ferry is always out. You will recall that one time when I got free of the brainwashing, I tried getting us on the ferry and off the island and was stopped. They said it wasn't working. I don't think it ever works except for Fulcrum," Chuck said. "And I think they have everyone programmed not to leave the island. Remember every time I suggested it, you said that we shouldn't leave the island, that everything we wanted was on the island."

"Then we'll go for the cabin and the radio," Sarah said.

"There's bound to be a radio on board. Yeah, we could do that," Chuck mused.

"Chuck!" Sarah snapped. "It goes without saying that I still have to protect you. I don't want you getting involved in fighting or anything and getting injured. You leave the fighting to me and you keep your head down. And you're also going to have to watch Sallie." Sarah indicated the little girl in the back seat with a backward wave of her hand.

"Sarah, you may need help. I can't just stand by and—"

"Chuck, it is my responsibility to protect and take care of you. No more discussion. And one other thing …."

Chuck looked at Sarah with concern. He had a feeling that he wouldn't like what she had to say next.

"If it starts going bad or if you have the opportunity or chance to escape, then you—"

"Sarah, I am not going to leave you," Chuck interrupted her.

"Chuck—"

"NO Sarah, I am not going to leave you. You can forget that! For better or for worse, remember?"

Sarah looked angry but said nothing. She turned the car left and the ferry landing was straight ahead. She looked at Chuck. "Ready?" she asked.

"Ready."

END CHAPTER SEVEN

-

NOTE: OK Jill haters! What did you think of the Sarah-Jill confrontation in this chapter? Please review!