Title: Sacrifice
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: C/S
Category: angst, AU
Timeline: Alternate ending for Chuck vs the best friend
Notes: This hasn't been beta'd but I've done my best to catch any errors
Sarah swung by Morgan's only to find him sitting outside with Anna. The two seemed deep in conversation and Sarah could only hope that a reconciliation was in the not so distant future.
Not wanting to interrupt Sarah moved on making her way to the place that held the most painful memories.
Along with the most cherished ones.
Ellie's.
As she made a right turn Sarah fished in her purse for her cell phone. She pulled it out to check for messages.
Seeing none she placed the device back.
Hover as she did Sarah's hand brushed against the volume control accidentally turning it down.
Completing the turn Sarah pulled onto the familiar street. She parked the car, turned the engine off and got out. The early afternoon sun played across the courtyard dancing across the water in the fountain.
Walking by Sarah trailed a hand along the fountain's surface. The weight of the past few days catching up with her Sarah sat down so she was facing the street. She felt the tears form once more and she blinked them back.
Watching the cars go by Sarah knew she couldn't sit here for long. There was too much to do.
Her thoughts drifted, betraying her.
Bringing up memories.
Memories of a warm spring night.
One where after they got back from a mission Chuck talked her into a dance.
The dance turned into several as he led her around the courtyard.
Another night where Sarah had almost given in.
She'd looked into Chuck's eyes and seen the depth of what he felt for her.
The promise that he'd always be there.
Sarah smiled sadly as the memory faded. She'd come so close that night to telling Chuck that her heart was his.
That no matter what happened with the CIA that they'd figure it out.
A sigh escaped along with a stray tear and Sarah raised a hand to wipe it away.
After Bryce….Sarah hadn't wanted to mix love with work again.
Too many things that could go wrong.
So she'd opted for protecting Chuck and hoping that she'd protect both of them from themselves.
Once again she'd been wrong.
Devon watched Sarah from the living room window. He'd been about to leave for a run when he heard a car approach. He'd looked out to see who it was. Devon had almost stepped out the door to talk to Sarah as she walked through the courtyard. Both he and Ellie had been worried after her abrupt departure from the memorial.
His hand had frozen on the door handle when Sarah had sat down on the fountain lost in thought.
A movement behind caught Devon's attention and he looked back to see Ellie. Her gaze fixed on Sarah as well.
"How long has she been here?"Ellie asked softly.
"Few minutes."Devon replied. "I was just about to…."
Ellie placed a gentle hand on his right shoulder as she shook her head. "She'll come to us when she's ready,hon. We know she's okay….give her time."
Devon nodded and released the door handle. With a last glance at the courtyard he and Ellie turned away from the window and walked back toward the kitchen.
***********
"Amazing."General Beckman commented from the view screen as John Casey stood among a flurry of activity. "DNA confirms that it is Mr. Bartowski. Are we aware yet of the extent of his injuries?"
Casey glanced back at the medical team that was milling around Chuck in one of the side rooms. "They say he's lucky. Several bruised and broken ribs, broken right arm, dislocated right shoulder, sprained right ankle. Obvious cuts and abrasions. He's unconscious but from their scans brain function appears normal."
"That is good news on all fronts. Any word on Agent Walker?"
John shook his head. "I tried her cell once and got voicemail. I'll contact her again in a few minutes it's unlike her not to respond."
Beckman nodded. "It is. There's no reason not to proceed as we have before with our operation here. Is a cover story in place for Chuck's return?"
"Yes."Casey affirmed. "Working out the details now."
"Good work."Beckman complimented. "Let us know if you need further assistance."
"Thankyou, General."John acknowledged as the screen went to black.
Casey pulled out his phone once more and activated the text message screen. He typed in one of their preset urgent codes and code words and hit send. John could only hope that the text would get his partner's attention away from whatever she felt was more important.
John put the phone away not being able to shake the nagging thought that if Walker had really gone incommunicado that it was to get revenge.
Casey moved back to the glass walled room where Chuck lay and he leaned back against the staircase.
The next step would be to move Bartowski to a normal hospital and notify his family.
Their contacts in the police department would confirm the cover story that Chuck was found semi-conscious after wandering the Hollywood Hills after the accident.
John folded his arms across his chest as he watched the medical team. He knew Fulcrum would make a move once Chuck resurfaced. Protection would have to be doubled.
But they'd be ready.
He'd failed once with Bartowski that wasn't going to happen again under his watch.
*******
Sarah stood and glanced back at Ellie's apartment. She'd come to check on Chuck's sister but Sarah knew she was in good hands with Devon.
Sarah would come back later.
There was one thing she could do for Ellie and that was get justice for her brother.
The blonde woman quietly left the courtyard and returned to her car.
Half an hour later Sarah was negotiating her way through traffic almost to her destination.
Going through the CIA files she'd narrowed her target down to what seemed to be a major headquarters for the Triads.
An automobile repair shop in Santa Monica was being used as a front for trafficking parts and drugs.
Taking down this operation would be a severe blow to the Triads operations in the greater Los Angeles area and possibly the west coast.
Sarah parked the car five blocks up and turned the engine off.
The supplies she'd brought with were tucked in the back seat in a black backpack. Sarah grabbed the bag and exited the car.
Sarah crossed the street and headed back toward the garage. She knew she wouldn't have much time to get in and get out.
But that was nothing new
Whether it was a con taught by her father or a CIA op timing was the same.
Sarah could only pray that hers was good enough to accomplish her goal and get out alive.
*********
Ellie Bartowski clung tight to her fiancée's waist as they walked toward the third floor hospital room.
She still couldn't believe the news they'd received an hour before.
Her brother was by some miracle alive.
He'd been thrown free of the car and had been wandering delirious and semi-conscious. A motorist had spotted him by the side of the road and called for help.
They'd already visited Chuck once before being asked to leave so the medical staff could run more tests.
So far all the data was coming back positive.
And Ellie had never been more thankful for a miracle.
As they neared the room a familiar voice called out and Ellie and Devon turned to see Morgan coming from the elevators.
Once Morgan saw the pair he knew what he'd heard during the phone call from Devon earlier was true.
He had his best friend back….his brother…..
"Ellie?"Morgan greeted his voice hoarse. He couldn't form the words…..couldn't get his numb brain to ask the question he desperately needed the answer to.
Ellie smiled and nodded her tears starting once more. "Yes. He's not conscious yet…all tests are coming back good."
"Thank God."Morgan whispered.
Ellie placed a gentle hand on his arm just as the elevator dinged once more revealing the Buy More group.
"Is he?"Lester inquired as the group came together.
"He's holding his own."Ellie replied softly.
"How?"Anna asked quietly as she stepped closer to Morgan with Lester and Jeff behind her.
"Motorist found him."Devon explained as Ellie drifted away from the group and to the doorway of her brother's room. "Police said he'd been thrown clear but delirious. Must of been unconscious for most of the past couple days but did find his way up to the road some how."
Morgan glanced around at the people gathered and realized one important one wasn't there. "Does Sarah know?"
Devon shook his head. "Nobody's been able to reach her."
Anna placed a gentle hand on Morgan's right shoulder. She pulled her phone out of her purse. "I'll keep trying."
"Thanks."Devon acknowledged as she walked towards a cell phone safe area.
Morgan moved to where Ellie stood and stepped slowly into the small room. He wasn't trusting his eyes.
They'd said goodbye to Chuck yet here he was.
His best friend looked like hell but he was hanging on.
Despite everything Chuck had found his way home.
Morgan suddenly found himself standing by the left side of Chuck's bed. He didn't remember walking there.
He looked at the monitors surrounding his friend and the IV lines and swallowed the lump of tears that had formed.
Gently Morgan placed a hand on Chuck's shoulder. "We're here, buddy…..we're here…..y-you just rest and get better."
After a beat Morgan's vision blurred and he blinked his eyes to clear it. "Missed you."he whispered before turning and leaving the room.
Ellie watched Morgan leave for a moment before walking to the chair by the left side of her brother's bed and sitting down. She pulled the chair closer and took Chuck's hand in hers.
The tears flowed freely as she watched her sibling's chest rise and fall and took in the gentle beep of the heart monitor.
All reassuring her that Chuck really was back with them.
That she had her family back.
After a moment Ellie raised a shaky hand to touch her brother's face. "We love you, Chuck. We're here…..and I promise we'll find Sarah."
