Chapter 7 – Chuck Takes a Breath

A.N.: Disclaimers in Chapter 1. So, how is Mission Act II coming along? Let's see, shall we?

Chuck draws a deep breath as he walks away from the receiving line, a new purpose grounding his stride. (I am going to fight for you, Sarah Walker. I'm not letting you just walk away without knowing I tried everything I could.) "Morgan!" he calls, catching his friend chatting with his mother, Anna, and Big Mike. Chuck nods to each in turn. "Hey, little buddy, can we chat?" Morgan nods with a smile to the group and accepts Chuck's arm around his shoulder drawing him away.

"What's up, Chuck?" Morgan asks. He snorts. "Sorry, I just…it's the wedding, man, I'm feeling a little old. That's a lame joke, shouldn't have gone there."

(Ah, the classic of elementary school.) Chuck shakes his head, "No worries, I, uh, I know what you mean. It's been a big day for all of us." (Hopefully it'll just get better from here…) He clears his throat. "And thanks again for the church. I mean, I know it didn't work out exactly as planned, but I really appreciate the assist."

The two stop walking and sit companionably on a rocky dune. Morgan looks up at him. "Of course, dude. It was my honor, as your life partner, to return the favor you've so often done me." He quiets. "And sorry about the pyro. I had no idea."

Chuck's lips lift in a half smile. (Ah, Jeffster!) "Yeah, maybe not their brightest move. But it's cool, dude, I think you can see that." He nods towards the effervescent newlyweds, posing for pictures in the gazebo on the beach. "Don't say anything, but you actually might've saved Ellie's wedding day."

Morgan's eyes dart to Chuck. "Really?"

Chuck nods. "Really." Lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, he continues, "That whole church deal, really was Dr. and Mrs. Awesome's idea. This," and Chuck gestures down to the beach, "is what Ellie wanted." He claps a hand on Morgan's shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. "I wanted you to know." (You deserve to know, after taking a hit for me like that.)

Morgan smiles and lets out a breath. "Thanks, man. I feel better about showing up to the reception now that I know Ellie won't kill me."

(Ah, and right where I want you!) "And that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"What, Ellie killing me? And by the way, I was totally shocked that Awesome stood by me up there. He must've figured out that you forgot the rings when I..." Morgan trails off.

"When you what?" (I'm guessing I probably owe Awesome a thank you...)

Morgan continues in a rush, "When I told him that I was saving you with Jeffster!'s performance."

(Yep, another debt of gratitude. And he didn't even mention it to me…) "It's okay, Morgan, as you can see, neither Ellie nor Awesome killed me," Chuck reassures with a smile. (Thank goodness Devon is proving me right to trust him…) "Now, about that reception...Caterers?"

"Successfully redirected to Casa Bartowski."

"Bar setup?"

"Cleared the kitchen counters and the table, the caterers will do the rest."

"Lighting?"

"Christmas lights are up. Jeff and Lester owed us."

Chuck laughs. "That would be accurate, to say the least. And the music?"

"Speakers are a go. I took yours, Awesome's, and my own and put them all over the courtyard, and grabbed your iPod. By the way, dude, what is up with 23 different Sarah mixes?"

(Oh crap.) Chuck forces a laugh. "What can I say; my lady is a woman of many facets." (Like gunplay, and throwing knives, and inducement of enemy personnel...) "Thanks for all that prep on the reception," Chuck says, standing up and stretching. "I knew I could count on you. It's going to be…"

He and Morgan finish the sentence together. "…awesome." Chuck smiles and reaches a hand down to help Morgan up. "You better get back to your lady, there, bud, she looks like she misses you." He nods down to the shore where Anna stands alone, staring out at the ocean. (And hopefully, I'll have someone who misses me like that too…Well, maybe not misses me, I do want us to be together, so I wouldn't want her to miss me, I'd just-)

"Chuck? Dude, you with me?" Morgan's voice disrupts his rambling train of thought.

"Oh! Sorry, uh, sorry, kind of wandered off there," Chuck replies, focusing on his friend. (Get a grip, Bartowski.) "What was that you said?"

Morgan laughs. "I said I'll see you back at the house." He smiles contentedly. "Glad to know some things haven't changed." He looks down at Anna and gets a far off look in his eye. "Even if some things really have."

Chuck drapes his arm around Morgan's shoulder as they head back towards the beach. "Sometimes, a change is exactly what we need." (I know I do. And hopefully Sarah does too…) He gently pushes Morgan in Anna's direction as he heads back to the limos.

***

(She's coming to the reception. That's a start. I can at least talk to her.) Chuck stands in front of the mirror, trying to unknot his tie. (Why is this so difficult? Exhaustion? Nerves?) He can hear the music from outside, the clinking of glassware and the happy chattering murmur of voices. (We actually pulled it off.) He manages to extract himself from the offending neckwear and unbuttons the top button of his shirt with a sigh of relief. (Okay...now what?)

He examines himself in the full length mirror. (You look as good as you're gonna get, Chuck.) He warms up with the patented Bartowski eyebrow dance, tries on the double guns, and shoots his reflection in the mirror. He shares a self-deprecating smile with his mirrorself. (Yeah, no Bryce Larkin moves, but hopefully I won't need them.) He brushes himself off, straightens his boutonniere and exits the bedroom to enter the joyful chaos that is the reception.

A.N.: Yeah, it's gonna be quite a few semi-fluffy chapters for the reception. :) Enjoy!