CHAPTER 1: The Outback
This story takes off where Season 2 ended. Chuck has just re-intersected himself. After, he takes out 7 Ring agents while saving Casey and Sarah from imminent death. Chuck has just admitted to being able to use Kung Fu. The first chapter is from Chuck's Point-of-View.
Happy Reading!
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Random Building
Los Angeles, California
April 27, 2009
"Guys, I think I know Kung-Fu."
That is that last thing I remember before my sight going black. I remember Casey and Sarah rushing toward me. Sarah's voice still rings in my ear.
"Chuck!" she screamed, "Chuck! Listen to me you have to wake up. Chuck! Please wake up you can't be dead. I need you. Chuck, please come back to me. I can't lose you!"
Casey ran to Sarah and started yelling about how they needed to get me out of the room before more Ring agents tried to kill them and take me away.
Sarah and Casey were trying to phone General Beckman to inform her that I uploaded the Intersect, that the cube was destroyed, that Bryce was officially dead, and that I might be dead too.
I felt Casey fling me over his shoulder and the last thing I heard was Sarah crying and trying to say something to me.
"Chuck, you are going to be OK. You can't leave without knowing how much I care for you, how much I…love you. I need you to wake up so we can save the world, together."
I thought to myself, Sarah don't cry. I can't stand seeing you so upset. Don't give-up on me, on the world, on us.
I wanted to respond to her to tell her how much I adored everything about her. How I couldn't live without her. How much I loved her back. But, everything from that point on was black. I didn't know it then, but the next time I opened my eyes I would awake in a foreign country, in a foreign hospital, and abandoned or so I thought.
Royal Darwin Hospital
Darwin, Northern Territory Australia
May 1, 2009
"Mr. Carmichael, please open your eyes. You just underwent minor surgery. We need you to open your eyes to see if the procedure was successful." I didn't know who was saying this, but it came from a man with an amusing Australian accent.
When I finally opened my eyes, I saw the doctor and a team of nurses checking my vitals.
I had start asking questions, that's what got me into trouble in the first place, "Where is Sarah? Where am I? What is wrong with me? Tell me where Sarah is."
"Sir, please you must not overwork yourself. I performed minor surgery on you three days ago. You are healing well. My name is Dr. Carney. You are in the Neurology Ward at Royal Darwin Hospital in the Northern Territory. I do not know who Sarah is. Is she your spouse?" the doctor responded thoughtfully.
I thought I was going to die from not knowing where Sarah, the love of my life, was. Northern Territory, that is in Australia right? How did I get here? Chuck, what have you gotten yourself into?
Suddenly the door to my room opened and there she was. She was just as beautiful as I remembered, maybe even more. Sarah walked in and whispered something to the doctor, "Dr. Carney, may I have a moment with my husband?"
The doctor and his team left the room. It was just Sarah and I. My heart started racing as she walked towards my bed. She took my hand and ran her fingers through my hair. Somehow, that always calmed me and she knew it.
"Chuck. Listen to me carefully." I knew immediately something had happened to Sarah. She was so much colder. She was acting like Agent Walker, CIA agent, and I couldn't figure out why.
"You are in danger we have to get you out of this hospital. Follow my lead on your cover story if the doctor starts asking you questions-"
I stupidly interrupted her, "Sarah, what happened to me? Why am I in Australia?"
"We weren't sure that any hospital in North America was safe enough for you to stay in for more than a night. We, Casey and I, had to move you to somewhat of a safe hospital but don't worry we told Ellie and Devon that we were going on vacation so they wouldn't question us-"
"What happened to me? Sarah, I need some serious answers. I am so confused right now. I lied to Ellie and I didn't even know it. I had surgery and I didn't even know it. The last thing I remember is fighting Miles back in L.A. What has happened to me Sarah?"
"Chuck I don't really know the specifics on your injuries. I think there was pressure on your brain and the surgery relieved it. What I know for sure is that we have to get you out of this room. Is it safe for me to assume that you are in good enough health to fly back to LA tonight?"
I couldn't put my finger on it. Sarah was acting so differently. What was it? She was physically and emotionally exhausted. Her ex-lover died the same night I re-intersected myself. The same night I somehow saved her and Casey from death.
"Sarah what are you not telling me? I can sense that you are uneasy about something. I can't quite put my finger on it. I trust you. Just let me know what is going on-"
Her eyes started flooding like a big storm had just past. Her faced expressed every emotion I could think of, love, anger, fear, distress, and joy. Her mouth began to open as if her life depended on it. "Chuck, I have to ask you something and I need you to respond as honestly as you can."
"Sarah what ever it is, I'll give you my most sincere answer."
"After you blacked out back in the Intersect room, do you remember anything you heard?"
Was she seriously asking me this? Was this just like the time when we both thought we were going to die, our first kiss? Was her admission of her love for me just another thing she would regret? The truth was that I had in fact heard her say it. I so badly wanted to respond but my senses were quickly deteriorating. All I knew is that I wanted her to say it for real not because she thought I was dead. This was the first thing since the wedding I was sure of. I made the mistake of making Sarah Walker mad.
"Sarah, I love you. I love you so much it hurts. I want our relationship whatever it may be categorized as to be real for both of us. I will wait as long as I can for you to finally express yourself. But Sarah I can't wait forever. If I have to spend my entire life getting over you then that is what I have to do because whether you like it or not Sarah Walker, I am in love with you."
I saw Sarah start breathing heavier. I knew something was up. I just didn't know it was this bad.
"Honestly Chuck, how do you expect me to respond to that? I let my feelings get in the way of our mission and it cost Bryce his live and almost cost you yours. Right now, I just need some time to sort everything out. Between the drama caused by you, Bryce, and Casey I am quite surprised I haven't passed out myself."
"Sarah, what are you saying? Do you not want to be with me? Am I just a burden on your otherwise perfect CIA government operative life? Do you regret making our relationship real?" I said as my voice began to get louder, "Do you regret not going with Bryce? Do you regret what almost happened at the motel in Barstow? Just tell me!"
By then I had started sweating from the yelling, but I didn't stop. "I am so sick of your emotional insecurities. I open up and share everything with you while you keep yourself in your own little cocoon making sure you control your asset by any means necessary."
By the end of my little speech, I had finally realized that I was practically screaming at Sarah. I heard a loud thud and then the sound of the love of my life weeping on the floor of my hospital room.
I tried to get out of bed to help her up and hold her in my arms. To Tell her that I was sorry for yelling and that it was the painkillers talking. But just as I was about to get up, my all-time favorite person Colonel John Casey of the NSA, walked into the room.
"Walker, what has been up with you lately? We have to begin writing the report to give Beckman. Can you go get the doctor's signature so we can get Chuck out of this hell hole of a hospital?"
Somehow with all the strength she had left, Sarah picked herself up and whispered something to Casey.
"Casey, I can't handle this anymore. Bryce's death, Chuck's re-intersection, and the new threat of the Ring...all of this is too much for me to handle. Can you brief Chuck of the details of our current situation while I go deal with the doctor?"
"All right Walker, this is the only break I am giving you. I realize that your lady-feelings are probably going haywire right now, so I will give you this one break. Go get Dr. Carney to sign off on Chuck and I will update him on the details of the situation."
Sarah walked out. I saw her talking to the doctors. Her eyes were red and her make-up was running all over her face. I felt so incredibly guilty for yelling at her. I realized I was going to get my ass chewed about my yelling at Sarah by the meanest guy I know, John Casey.
"Bartowski, listen up. Your stunt back in L.A. almost cost us the entire mission. Do you realize how much more danger you are in now? The new Intersect can do much more than the original. That means more people will try to get you. Do you understand that these people will do anything to capture you even to get even the slightest amount of intelligence out of you? Walker made the right move in taking you out here to heal. She in some way, shape, or form saved your self."
Casey took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then continued his lecture; "You have absolutely no right to yell at her like you did. I never thought it was possible to break the CIA's best agent, but you did what ever the best torturer couldn't do which is break Sarah Lisa Walker. Better be proud of what you have done Bartowski."
"First off Casey, I would prefer if you address as Chuck or Charles. I am not your pet bird or some animal you treat like shit. Second of all, what happened to Sarah was her own fault. I gave her a chance to come clean to me. She chose to stay as the queen of her own world-"
I saw Casey's fist coming but I had no time to react. I had never realized how much a punch to the jaw hurts. "What the fuck was that for? Was what I said a lie? Was it somehow not true?"
Casey let out a short laugh and then began his little mockery of me; "This is where you went wrong Chucky boy. You just pissed off one of the few people keeping you out of a government bunker. Not only did you disrespect my partner, you disrespected an armed government assassin. In my current position, there are over ten ways for me to end your life. All of them are painful. One is instantaneous. If I ever hear you talk about Sarah Walker like that again, I will take the most painful and lengthy approach in ending your pathetic existence, do you understand me Bartowski?"
"Yeah but-" I was cut off by another blow to the jaw.
"You really must not Bartowski. People like Walker and I are trained and tested for years to not open up under any circumstances. You broke her shell and then hit her while she was down. You scolded her for trying to help you. You never gave her a chance to explain herself. Chuck, that girl is madly in love with you even if she can't admit it to you." Casey stopped to respond to the expression on my face like 'how do you know?'
"It's the world's worst kept secret Chuck. How could you even doubt that for one-second? I had never seen her cry actual real tears before today. I don't know how you are going to get her back or if you are going to get her back, but I am done with the emotional games you have been playing around here."
I honestly did not know that Casey knew that many words. He has never really talked to me. After this heart to heart, I think I am more scared of his reaction if I don't win Sarah back than his reaction to us being together.
I had just opened my mouth to thank Casey for his advise when Sarah came in. I gazed into her eyes; our eyes locked for what seemed like eternity.
"Walker, I assume you got the doctor's approval on Chuck's transport?"
"Yes, we need to leave now. I think I might have spotted the beginning of what would be major trouble in the hall."
"Agreed. Bartowski, get up and walk with Agent Walker to the helipad that will take us to Darwin International Airport. I will stay back to make sure the coast is clear."
Sarah took me by the arm and helped me get dressed. Before this entire fiasco, the sensation of my skin to Sarah's was electric. As she dressed me, the former electrical sensation was replaced with an ice cold feeling whereever she touched me.
She walked with me to the elevator. I tried to grab her hand to feel somewhat connected to her but she jerked away at every opportunity. How am I going to do this? If only I hadn't been so juvenile…My thoughts were beginning to make me light headed and I almost collapsed onto the elevator floor. If it weren't for Sarah grabbing my waist and catching me I would have had another bruise.
As Sarah helped me up, I couldn't believe how close my face was to hers. I was mere inches away from what seemed to be the center of my life. I leaned in to kiss her now pale lips but she jerked to the side. I barely contacted the side of her face with mine.
"Chuck, what are you doing?" asked a concerned Agent Walker.
"I just thought…well-"
"Chuck you said it yourself, you're done with me. I get it, but you can't try to kiss me and pretend that nothing happened back in your hospital room. You may think I'm in a 'cocoon' but that doesn't make me forgetful."
I had seen the expression once on Sarah's face. When she came back to the Buymore after the Christmas Eve crisis and lied to me about shooting the Lieutenant. Her face showed anger and frustration. What she just had said I knew instantly that it was a lie. Thank god! She still has some feelings for me! I'm so glad I always made a mental note of all her facial expressions. For once I'm glad I have this Intersect.
We met up with Casey on the helipad, "Bartowski you want to fly this thing to the airstrip? Since you did such a great job last time I figure you would want a repeat."
"Casey, if you don't remember the doctor said to go easy on Chuck. He had surgery for Christ's sake, why don't you leave him alone just this once!"
Was this actually happening? Sarah was defending me after I accused her of wanting to be with Bryce instead of me. Maybe this trip home wasn't going to be as bad as I thought.
Back in the Hospital
One of my nurses was making the phone call that would eventually find it's way back to me. "Yes, sir. His name was Charles Carmichael. His injuries look like the ones we have been searching for. Pressure on the brain due to the Intersect upload and body exhaustion due to the flash. How do you wish to pursue this?"
The unknown voice on the other side of the phone started to laugh, "Send all the information you have back to our teams in LA. They will take care of Mr. Carmichael once he gets back stateside. You have done well Agent Glass. Thank you for your work. You will be receiving your compensation soon."
Darwin International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
Darwin, Northern Territory Australia to LA, California United States
May 1, 2009
Once we arrived at the airport, I felt like a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders. I was in excruciating pain due to my surgery. The CIA jet was the nicest plane I had ever seen. It had a medical room where I could be monitored. "Hey guys, I just have one request. Since I am the one who just had surgery, can Sarah stay in the medical cabin during the flight incase something happens?"
I knew she would try to say no. I remembered reading her CIA file that I forced a flash on. It said she had attended Harvard University were she had a premed major. I knew she was the best chance I had in staying alive during our journey from Darwin to LA.
"I agree with you Bartowski, Walker stay with Chuck incase he codes."
"Agent Casey, I think that would be highly unprofessional given the current situation between the asset and me."
Casey and Sarah were having a staring fight. She didn't want to let Chuck know something real about her because she was scared he would leave her like all the other men in her life.
She finally gave up. "All right fine Casey, you win. Chuck just lay down and I will be in there in a moment to hook you up to the monitors." Sarah walked out and I assumed she was yelling at Casey. I couldn't really hear the conversation, but now I assume it went like this:
"Casey, care to explain why you are trying to compromise me with the asset?"
"Walker, you and him need to get your heads on straight. Granted he was a complete jackass back in Darwin he did have a valid point. He can't wait forever."
"Since when have you been concerned with the status our relationship?"
"I care about the mission. If you two fighting hurts the mission then that is when I start caring. When you guys went AWOL, I had never seen such determination in either of you. Chuck was determined to get his father back. He didn't hesitate with you either. He knew what he wanted, and he figured out how to get it. We need that determination all the time for every mission. If you both in a real relationship is the price of success, I will gladly pay it a hundred times over."
"So are you saying that you won't tell Beckman say if I decide I need to get rid of the...um...sexual tension between Chuck and I? Are you saying that you would feel comfortable turning off the video and audio surveillance so we could screw each other's brains out? Casey, I don't think I quite understand what you are saying and with all due respect, I-"
"Walker, I am giving you a huge break. In formal words, so you can finally wrap it around your head, I am allowing probably the only relationship of an agent and her asset. I am permitting the relationship to exist on all terms. I will allow this relationship exist only if it helps our teams success. If the team begins to collapse because of you two, I will inform the General. If anything goes wrong with our team I will make sure that you are reassigned immediately as far away as possible and Chuck is sent to an underground bunker. Am I making myself clear?"
"John, I never thought I would ever say this but I no longer have positive feelings toward Chuck-"
"Sarah, I put some sense into him. I know you have feelings for the kid. I have been in this business for a long time. Trust me when I say, what you two have is real and special. A while back, when I met someone special I let the catch of a lifetime get away. I won't let that happen to you or Chuck. If you suspect things are going south on his end just send him to me and I will gladly put some more sense into that head of his. OK?"
"Thank you, I owe for this one Casey. I better check up on our boy now. See you when we touch down at LAX."
I watched Sarah turn her frown upside down. She began to glow. I wasn't quite sure why, but I would soon find out. As I watched her walk in the room, I felt my breathing stop and my sight went black. Oh god, Not this again.
END OF CHAPTER 1
A/N: This is my first fanfic that I have put on the site. Any recommendations or suggestions are gladly accepted. I have already written chapters 2 & 3, I'm just waiting on feedback from chapter 1. I have no beta or editor, so all mistakes are mine. Also, I, in no way shape or form, own Chuck. If I did, season 2 would have ended on a different note. Read and Review!!