Previously on Chuck Versus the Outback:
"John, I never thought I would ever say this but I no longer have positive feelings toward Chuck. What he said really stung."
"Sarah, I beat some sense into him. If you suspect things are going south on his end just send him to me and I will gladly put some 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 sure why, but I would soon find out. As I watched her walk in the room, I felt my chest tighten and then my sight went black. Oh god, Not this again.
Chapter 2: Speeding Tickets
Somewhere over Australia
May 1, 2009
Sarah walked into the medical cabin with the biggest smile on her face. Casey had just informed her that she was allowed to have a real relationship with Chuck as long as it didn't interfere with the mission. He also said he wouldn't tell General Beckman unless the relationship began to negatively affect the team.
Sarah looked at Chuck who seemed to have fallen asleep in the hospital bed. She was preparing the machines and monitors to be hooked up to Chuck. When she looked at him, she gasped. She saw Chuck unconscious for the second time and it almost broke her into a million pieces.
"Casey! Get in here now! Chuck isn't breathing!"
Casey ran in as quickly as he could. They both needed to calm down in so they would be able to treat Chuck effectively.
"How long has he been like this?"
"I'm guess from the signs only a minute or so. Get me a uh...scalpel and a straw. We need to get air into his lungs before he goes flat."
Sarah found her calm center and quickly got Chuck breathing again. She wasn't sure why he was choking or how this had happened, but she knew from that moment on she couldn't be without Chuck. The second Chuck woke up she decided she would finally take control of her own life and come clean with her feelings, whether the agent in her liked it or not.
Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean
May 2, 2009
About ten hours later during the team's jet got refueled. It was too big of a security risk for the plane to land to get more fuel. They were forced to receive a midair refuel, which was a dangerous maneuver since they were over the ocean.
Around the time of the midair refuel, Chuck finally woke up from his 'sleep'. He thought about the nightmare he had dreamt of. Sarah was cutting into him. He was bleeding everywhere. Casey was freaking out. The worst part of the nightmare was that Sarah was crying.
"I really hope that wasn't real, just like every other thing in my life." Chuck whispered out-loud to hear his own voice. He sighed dejectedly. He still had blurry sight from the surgery but for some reason his head was no longer throbbing in pain.
Immediately, Sarah's spy skills sensed that he was awake. She walked over to Chuck and put her hand on his chest. "Chuck, thank god you are OK. I had to perform an emergency tracheotomy since there was major inflammation in your upper throat from the surgery. You weren't breathing so I was forced to open your airways." Her eyes started tearing up so she tried blinking them away, "I am just so happy you are alive. I don't know what I would have done if you had...you know...died."
Chuck gave Sarah a perplexed look. Not less than twenty-four hours ago, they both were fighting about the limits of a cover/real relationship. Chuck had lashed out at Sarah and officially broke her. Sarah had reacted the only way she knew, go back into her shell, pure survival mode. Keep yourself safe and away from whatever causes you pain. Unfortunately, her pain wouldn't go away even back in her 'cocoon'.
To Chuck, Sarah was acting as if that had never happened. He had to find out the real reason she was being so kind to him. What was she trying to do? She made it crystal clear she didn't want anything to do with me. Women and their fluctuating emotions! "Sarah, what are you doing? The reason I wanted you in here was because I know you studied premed at Harvard. Did you think there was another reason why I asked for you?"
"Chuck, you need to listen to what I'm about to say. There are some things I need to get off my chest. I need to do this for me so I can maybe make everything mellow again."
"Me too. I have some shit I need to say too. I feel-"
"Oh, ok. You go first-"
"Thanks. I wanted to apologize for the way I acted yesterday at the hospital. I had no right or reason to yell at you. I was frustrated with my life. I never meant to hurt you in any way. I am so sorry that I upset you. I had no right to accuse you. I understand if you never want to see or speak to me again because frankly, I never want to see that person I was in the hospital again either."
"Chuck, I don't know where to begin. You are so humble and modest. You always someway somehow take my breath away."
She took a deep breath and continued with her spiel, "I don't know where to begin. I know being in the hospital, hurt, and away from your family was hard on you."
Chuck butted in, "I wasn't away from all of my family, I had you." He gave her a warm smile urging her to continue.
Her face brightened a little, she continued, "Chuck, I always belittled you for expressing your feelings. What I should have been doing instead was embracing them. I never acknowledge them or confirmed anything for you. I made your life miserable. I'm the reason your hurt right now. I feel so guilty for hurting you again. I am so sorry."
Chuck leaned up and wiped her tears off her cheek, "You never made my life miserable, you are what made is bearable."
"Thank you. There is something else I have to say. Ok, well Chuck you know I'm horrible at relationships. I told you that on our first date in the Mexican restaurant. You may think otherwise, but my time with years has been the best two years of my life. I learned so much about relationships from you. I would have never thought that I could feel this way. Charles Irving Bartowski, I...I...think your...awesome. Damn it. Sorry Chuck, I can't. I just don't know how to say it."
"Sarah, you can tell me. I don't want you to feel pressured. Say it when you are able to. Just take a deep breath. Whatever baggage you have about your past that makes you feel insecure, just let me handle it. I told you that on our first date too. I want to help you along the way. I want to make you happy." He put his hand on her arm and rubbed it to try to make her feel better.
"OK, when I saw you almost die back in LA and on this plane, I knew I couldn't go another day without you. I want to wake up everyday in your arms like the motel in Barstow. I want to be able to care for you. I want to be with you. No CIA, NSA, no US Government involvement. Just you and me. I want to be able to be open with you, share all my secrets with you. Tell you how my day was without thinking twice, without thinking about who is watching or listening to us. I want this-"
Sarah reached toward him, and planted a hungry and passion filled kiss on his lips. She knew he was in no condition to add any more oomph to the kiss so after a brief moment she pulled back. She did not want to further injure him after his minor surgery and his emergency tracheotomy.
"I want that everyday when I come home. I want you to be there. Chuck, will you be my real boyfriend?"
"Yes, Sarah Lisa Walker, I will be your real boyfriend. And as a real boyfriend, I can do this without any hesitations what-so-ever-"
He leaned up, grabbed the back of her head and brought her down to his lips. He put every ounce of energy he had into that kiss. And a kiss is what it was. He opened his mouth and explored Sarah Walker. And what do you know, she did the same.
After a few seconds he lost his breath and had to come up for air, "Wow, even after surgery I still got it!" Chuck gave Sarah a goofy smile, "I have been waiting so long for this, for you, for us. But, I mean won't the General find out? She is the biggest yenta there is. She'll reassign you in a New York minute, and then...Sarah, I don't want to lose you." He looked up at her and saw in her eyes that there was something she wasn't saying. "Sarah, what aren't you telling me? Does the General already know? I'm feeling lost at sea."
"Well, I have a surprise for you. But first, you have to know and believe without a doubt that I will never leave you, no matter what. They'll have to drag me out of LA tied up before I leave you. Trust me, OK?"
Chuck nodded. She continued, "So, I just figured out you're not the only unpredictable member of the team." She had hoped that what she said came across right because she really wanted to take it back.
Chuck wasn't quite sure how to respond. What was so unpredictable about him? Was it that I never stay in the car, yes. Was it that I re-intersected myself, yes. Was it that I completely went crazy on Sarah, yes. I see how I am unpredictable. "Ok, I'm only semi-unpredictable...what's the surprise?"
Sarah started fidgeting. Phew he isn't mad. She finally started again, "Well, I talked with Casey and he said...well that we could be a real couple...um...start a real relationship based on true feelings...and he wouldn't tell the General as long as it doesn't affect missions."
She saw Chuck's jaw drop basically to the floor. "Oh my god! This is great! Sarah, I don't even know what to say right now." Chuck's face was like grand finale of 4th of July fireworks. Every emotion in the book was on his face. Fear, joy, excitement, everything. "What does this mean for us? Do we have to cover anything up? I mean, after my conversation with Casey yesterday and him beating the shit out of me for disrespecting you-"
"What?! Chuck what did Casey do to you? All he said was that he put some sense into you, not beat the shit out of you. Oh my god, are these bruises on your face from him? So help me I will kick his ass."
"No Sarah. Well yes and no. He helped me see the light. He made me find the courage to be brave and take my life into my own hands. Not let anyone else command me. Without his help I probably would have given up on us and wasted another five years of my life. He saved me from hitting rock bottom. I owe him my happiness."
Sarah had to use all her energy to stop the tears from forming. John Casey is the best man I have ever seen. He is a good friend and partner. I never realized how much he has supported Chuck and I's relationship. I always thought be was just a cold-blooded killer. Turns out he is the NSA's best matchmaker. Go figure.
Chuck had been looking at Sarah while she started staring into space, "Sarah, you still here?"
"Yea, sorry Chuck. I was just thinking about how we can repay Casey. He helped me tremendously too. He is why I finally stepped out of my so-called 'cocoon'," Sarah's eyes by now had started to expel tears of joy, "Chuck, have I told you recently how much I care about you?"
"Yea, I don't think so...," he said with a mischievous grin, "I think you will need to remind me every hour. Surgery can do that to a person, you know make them forgetful." Chuck gave Sarah his signature Bartowski smile and time seemed to stop for the young couple in blatantly love.
"Chuck, you need to get some rest. I'll be right here," pointing to the chair, "If you need me."
"Sarah, you can join me up here if you want. A chair isn't the best place to rest."
Sarah gave into Chuck's request and joined him. After a few minutes, the young lovers fell asleep in each others arms. Chuck's big arms were protecting Sarah. Even with his injury's, Sarah Walker, a government assassin, still felt protected by Chuck Bartowski, a simple computer nerd.
Los Angeles, California
May 3, 2009
As the CIA jet touched down at LAX, the team helped Chuck out of the plane and into the black suburban Casey had ordered to pick them up. Casey drove to Sarah's apartment where Chuck would stay the night while he stabilized from his injuries.
Sarah and Chuck sat in the back seat. Their hands never parted. They always had something connecting them. A hand on a knee, a hand in a hand, or a hand brushing through some hair. They both wanted to thank Casey for what he had done for them. He had undoubtedly risked his entire career for the happiness of the pair of star-cross'd lovers.
Chuck finally broke the silence, "Ok, I can't stand the silence. So here I go." He felt Sarah's hand squeeze him in confirmation of what he was about to say, "Casey, you have so much honor and respect for this country. I never realized that you respected me too. I don't know what they taught you in the academy, but I know they didn't teach you to be a hero. You're the best example of an unsung hero. You never take credit for the great things you do. I know that's how you like it. But, I'll always know that you helped me when I was down. Thank you so much. Someday I am going to pay you back for what you have done for Sarah and me. Maybe get Ilsa back, I don't know-"
Casey's angry center, not calm center, started to rumble again, "Bartowski if you keep it up I will make sure you never get the chance to get in the sack with Walker. You get that?"
Chuck's face turned bright red as did Sarah's. He whispered to her, "That's his way of saying 'you're welcome' you know."
"Yea, I figured." Sarah smiled at Chuck. She looked deep into his eyes and saw that he was the one she was meant to be with, for the rest of her life.
The inseparable pair were giggling while Casey floored the suburban through the early morning city traffic.
The ride from LAX took about 45 with the traffic. By the time the team arrived at Sarah's apartment, they all just wanted to sleep. Jet lag from Australia to LA was bad enough but for Chuck he had stitches, aches, and bruises all-over his body to worry about.
Sarah's Hotel Apartment
Around 6 am
After Sarah and Casey got Chuck settled into the bed with the necessary doctor ordered IV in place, Casey decided he had enough with the awkward affectionate atmosphere Chuck and Sarah had created.
He decided he would leave once the nerd-boy fell asleep. He walked over to Sarah, "Walker take care of him. Try to keep it in your pants until his fully functional. Can you do that?"
Sarah pushed Casey to the door and whispered, "Casey, just shut your mouth before I permanently shit it for you. Go get your daily dose of some single malt scotch and a cigar because you are really starting to become an unnecessary pain in my ass."
Casey gave her a dumbstruck face, "How did you-"
"I'm still a spy. Just a spy with real emotions and feelings. That doesn't mean I don't know all you little tricks. Just get out of here you old fart." Sarah pushed him out the door. Casey was glad to be out of that room. He wouldn't have been able to take any more of the awkwardness.
Sarah walked back into the bedroom, and was about to change into her pajamas to take a nap on her couch when Chuck began moaning in his sleep, "Sarah, no. Don't leave me. Sarah no..."
Sarah was a little freaked out to say the least. She wasn't sure if he was dreaming or having a nightmare. She had some medical experience but not enough differentiate his subconscious. She walked over to him, and rubbed his arm trying to calm him, "Chuck. Chuck, I'm right here. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I'm here to keep you safe for good. Just go back to sleep. You are safe. Just listen to my voice and try to sleep."
With that Chuck nestled his head into the pillow. Sarah decided to lay in bed next to him instead of the couch in-case he had another nightmare. She put her head on his chest. "Sweet dreams Chuck. Just remember, I care so much about you, you have no idea how much. Never forget that." She gave him a little peck on his forehead and went to sleep.
The couple inched their way closer to each other during their bit of shut-eye. They slept through the rest of the day and into the next morning. Sarah had never slept so well since her mom left when she was a little girl. Something about the security Chuck provided in her sleep allowed her to crash in the bed next to Chuck even though the agent inside her was screaming to not. Chuck somehow managed to wrap her in his arms even with an IV pumping antibiotics into his ravaged body. Maybe it was biology, maybe it was Mother Nature, or maybe it was both of them unconsciously wanting the other. However, only fate knew how the next few days would span for the two young lovers but for the time being they were both more than content with what they had. Each other.
About a day later...
May 3, 2009
"Bartowski, Walker! Get your lazy asses out of bed!"
Chuck awoke to the friendly voice of John Casey. How did he even get in here? Oh right, Sarah gave him a key. I need him to give that back. I don't want him to walk in on some 'tango-ing'... He had slept for over a day with Sarah. He had his arms around her tightly.
Just as Chuck was out like a log, Sarah was in a deep sleep. Nothing would have woken her up, well maybe Chuck shifting his weight around and the unfortunate voice of Colonel John Casey.
"Sleepy heads, get up! You both have been out stone cold for over 24 hours. How do you think the General reacted when neither of you showed up to last night's briefing?"
Chuck opened his eyes to see to the outline of a big, bulky, scary Agent Casey staring at him, "Ahh! Not pretty!" He turned on his side and saw Sarah's platinum blond hair, "Finally, somet-hing pretty!" He started stroking her hair, "All the non-pretties go-"
He was still half asleep but Sarah had already starting tugging on him to let her go, "Chuck its time to get up. We have a big day ahead. It's OK now. Just turn onto your back and let me take care of anything."
"Hah! I doubt that is the first time that's ever been said to nerd-boy." Casey was getting frustrated and needed to get the duo updated. "Come on, Walker get out of the love sack and get your shit together. We have a briefing in at oh-eight-hundred sharp. Be there or I'll oust you to the General."
Sarah understood exactly what he was saying. Was he actually playing the 'I'll turn you in' card? This soon? Maybe this wasn't a good idea...NO! You love Chuck, this is what you have always wanted. Just make sure that he knows that. Get your head together!
After a moment of deep thought, Sarah got out of the bed to shower off and get some clean clothes. Too bad she had already forgotten that she needed to attend to Chuck's bandages before he could change into some clean clothes.
"A little help here? I'm only just a semi-blind cripple recovering from head surgery. Not a big deal, I can find my way around. I wonder if my clothes are in your underwear drawer? Only one way to find out..."
Sarah ran out of the shower with a towel barely covering. "Chuck, so not funny. Let me help you get into the bathroom and get dressed."
As Sarah walked over to help Chuck over to the bathroom, her towel fell. "Shit! Umm Chuck avert your eyes. I'm not ready for you to see me yet."
Chuck, being to ultimate gentlemen and partly blind closed his eyes. "Oh come on, not like I can see the fine details anyway..."
Chuck whispered to himself so Sarah wouldn't hear. "Even though I wish I could see more of those big-"
"What was that Chuck? Care to share that with me?" Sarah smiled to herself. I knew he wasn't that big of a prude.
Sarah found some stray clothes and quickly got back to helping Chuck. "Is it safe? Can I open?"
"Yes, you can open. Thank you Chuck. I can always count on you to be the noble gentleman can't I?" She smiled at him.
"Why of course you can, but not for long." He gave her a little show of the Bartowski Eyebrow Dance, "Now, how about you help me to the bathroom. I need to take care of some business."
So Sarah helped Chuck get dressed and ready for the day. She attended to his bandages and unhooked his IV. Sarah felt like she was back in school. It felt good. It felt right. Although it was tiring, she felt like she was finally making the world a better place by helping Chuck recover. After getting ready, Sarah helped Chuck downstairs and into the car.
"Sarah, even though I can't see very well, I'm almost 100% sure those police sirens and lights aren't going to go away unless you pull over."
"Can't get anything passed you now can I? Don't worry, I have my CIA badge. It's like a get-out-of-jail-free pass. I can speed as much as I want as long as it is a matter of national security."
"Hmm, is that your big secret. Because I have been trying to figure it out why you're always early to dinners at Ellie's. Now I get it. You're are always early since you just speed! This makes so much more sense!" Chuck was having fun poking at Sarah.
For the first time in her life, Sarah didn't mind allowing him to poke at her. No, I'm early because I want to be with you and I can't live a moment without you. I'm early because I go crazy living alone without anyone to talk to. "Since you are feeling well enough to ask me why I'm never late, do you have one question that you are dying to ask me? One question, about my past, about my life, about my family, about missions?
Chuck was going ask her something, he was just surprised at what she was saying. Was Sarah actually letting me ask her anything? The last time she was open, I said I didn't need to know. Now, after everything with Bryce, the new Intersect, and the Ring, I wonder if she really knows what she is getting into. Only one way to find out.
"OK, I thought hard and long about my one question. I've been trying to figure out the answer for the longest time but I just can't put it together. Here it is, what made you, a beautiful, sexy, drop-dead-gorgeous, highly intelligent, CIA government assassin want to be with me, a quirky nerd-boy with a computer stuck in his brain that works at the Nerd Herd desk at a Buymore? I know guys like me never truly get girls that look like you. I want you to give me a totally honest answer, OK?"
Sarah didn't know what to say. How can I explain this to him without getting in deep shit with the CIA? Well if the shit is going to hit the fan, why not throw it hard? I don't care about them. I only care about Chuck and his family. "Well Chuck, I am going to be totally open with you. At my high school reunion, you remember how they all thought of me as a loner, the girl everyone could tease and make fun of?"
He nodded, "Yea, I remember."
"At heart I am just like you. I was the brainiac that always did her homework, never cheated, and always told the truth. The CIA created Agent Sarah Walker. The Agent Walker that will do anything to complete a mission, that will lie as much as she needs, that will shoot now and explain later. You have been able to bring out the Sarah. The girl that cares about people, the girl that wants to make the world a better place. You have been able to pull out the girl that is able to love. For that Chuck, I am eternally grateful." She reached with one hand and found his. She squeezed his hand to show how much he means to her. She turned and gazed into his eyes only for a quick second because she was driving, but the point got to Chuck loud and clear. I love you Chuck Bartowski.
"Wow. Sarah, this is incredible. I never really pictured you like that. So you were pretty much just like me before the CIA got to you."
"Yep. That night when you said my biggest secret was that I just had a normal high school experience was dead on. I wasn't able to tell you that it was true because I was too insecure with my feelings. You had hit it too close to home. But now, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, the weight of the world is off my shoulders. I can talk freely with you because you know the real me."
Sarah and Chuck were as happy as they could be. They were with each other. Chuck loved Sarah and Sarah loved Chuck. They just needed to admit it to each other consciously. If only they knew that their best times were going to be interrupted by a bunch of ruthless terrorists.
South L.A.
Warehouse
Unknown Address
"What do you mean you can't find them?"
"Boss, I checked all the records. I can't find a 'Carmichael' anywhere."
The 'Boss' was getting annoyed with his team. They had received information about the Intersect over 35 hours ago.
The 'Boss' started speaking to all him men "You find the Intersect or you're dead. That's it. I want him alive in my possession within 48 hours. The Director has some big plans for one Charles Carmichael. You get that?"
"Yes sir." All the men saluted the 'Boss' and left the warehouse to find the Intersect. The team had no idea what they were in store for. Each man had no idea they would have to battle the United States' best agents to get their hands on the Intersect.
End of Chapter 2
A/N: Thank you everyone that review chapter one! Reviews made writing these so much easier. Any recommendations or comments about the story are gladly accepted. Again, I don't own Chuck but if I did I would have Jeffster play at Comic-Con. Thanks for reading, happy reviewing!