Thanks everyone for all the reviews and support of this fic. Much appreciated. :)

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

Epilog

Juggling two food trays one full of ham and cheese sandwiches the other mini subs layered with every meat imaginable Devon maneuvered through the living room. He paused in the open front door and shook his head with an amused smile.

What had started out as a small welcome home party for Chuck had multiplied to small tables covering every inch of the boundary of the courtyard. A brightly colored banner strung across and above their doorway. Balloons of every kind buoyed either side of the entrance way to the courtyard. The tables had light green tablecloths with matching white paper plates with green trim. White plasticware and dark green cups and napkins completed the set.

Devon moved out into the courtyard and headed toward one of the longer tables by the stairs. It was midday on a Saturday. The weather was perfect sunny, low eighties. A light breeze filtered through ruffling the welcome home banner.

Technically Chuck had been home for almost two weeks but this was the first time that everybody's work schedule could mesh. Devon hummed softly as he placed the trays on the table and moved back towards the apartment to get more. Everybody was supposed to arrive in less than half an hour.

"I'm forgetting something."Ellie stated as she stepped out the door a bowl of cut fruit in one hand and a tray of chocolate cupcakes in the other. "I know I am."

Devon chuckled as he crossed over to his fiancé and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Babe, its fine. We have enough food here to feed the Lakers."

"I'll say."Morgan commented as he bounced in to the courtyard. "Looks great, Ellie. Ooh are those chocolate?"

Ellie laughed as she tried to dodge Morgan's outstretched hand. Morgan was quicker and snagged a cupcake.

"Morgan! They're for the party!"

"O…n…ly….ne."Grimes replied through a mouthful.

Devon watched the exchange relishing in Ellie's laughter. It'd been far too long since he'd heard it.
Far too long since he'd seen her eyes sparkle.

"I'm going to go get the rest."Devon stated as he walked past them.

"Thanks,hon."Ellie replied with a wide smile as she moved towards the food table.

"What smells so good?"Chuck asked as he stepped outside. His body was still a little weak and he couldn't walk or stand for long periods of time. Otherwise except for his arm still being in a sling and an occasional twinge from his ribs he was a hundred percent.

"Only your favs."Ellie replied with a grin as she placed the food down and turned towards her brother. Even though she saw him every day she still couldn't believe how fast of a recovery Chuck had made. She still couldn't believe they had him back.

Chuck met her half way and gave his sister a hug. "It looks wonderful, El, thanks."

"Least I could do."

"Cupcakes are awesome."Morgan commented with a wide grin as he wiped icing off his face with a napkin.

Chuck laughed and shook his head. Some things didn't change. "Anna coming?"

Morgan nodded. "Yeah."

"How are things…."

Morgan smiled. "Still talking but looking promising."His smile faltered." Who knows…I'm not sure if I can trust her again."

Chuck clasped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Everybody makes mistakes, Morgan. Give her a chance…she's trying."

"I know."

Ellie glanced over at her brother worriedly. "Chuck, you need to be sitting."

"I'm good."

"Where's Sarah?"Morgan asked as he took a handful of chips from a bowl.

"On her way…said she had to stop and get something."

Ellie shook her head. "I told her she didn't have to."

"She wanted to."

Ellie nodded. "Chuck, you rest….Morgan give me a hand I have another banner that has to go up."

Suddenly tired Chuck eased himself down onto a chair near the living room window. He smiled as he watched Morgan and Ellie trying to maneuver a banner to hang from the bottom of the landing to Casey's apartment.

Whatever pain he was in or had been through it was all worth it to see his best friend still with them.
A shiver went through Chuck as the memories came back. Memories of just how close it had been.
Casey,Sarah, Morgan…..too many people that he cared about could've been killed that day.

He thought he'd gotten used to the life or death stuff but that had hit way too close to home.

"Here."Ellie offered as she handed her brother a glass of lemonade

"Thanks."Chuck replied as he took a sip.

Ellie placed a hand on his good shoulder and smiled before returning to her apartment.

Morgan sat down next to Chuck a plate of food in one hand. "Whatcha say….you me video game marathon next week?"

Chuck grinned just as his cell phone beeped. "You're on."

As he lifted the phone Chuck saw it was a text message from Sarah. He pulled up the message.

'On my way and dragging Casey with.'

"Sarah?"Morgan asked after a bite of sandwich.

"Yeah, she's on her way."

"Things with you two…."

Chuck smiled. "Better than ever."

"Happy for you."

"Thanks, buddy."

********

"Walker, I think one cake would've been sufficient."Casey grumbled as he took two medium sized sheet cakes out of the back seat.

Sarah grinned as she shut the driver's side door as they parked a block away from Chuck and Ellie's. She moved to the back door and opened it so she was opposite of her partner looking straight at him as she gathered the rest of the supplies.

"You've seen Morgan eat."Sarah replied as she gathered a tub of frozen vanilla yogurt from the Orange Orange and a couple bags of chips.

"Point."John acknowledged as he shut the door with his foot and placed the cakes on the roof of the vehicle.

Sarah walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger side to grab her purse.

"Walker?"

"Yeah?"Sarah replied as she backed out of the car juggling the plastic grocery bags, purse and keys.

"Santa Monica…..that can't happen again."

Sarah froze one hand on the open door. She'd been waiting for the preverbal shoe to drop. John hadn't brought up her going off the grid and she knew he'd covered for her with the General.

"I know you covered for me….thank you."Walker replied quietly as she shut the door and faced her partner.

John nodded. "If you don't trust me this won't work."

"I'm sorry….I should've told you….but at the time I didn't know Chuck was alive. I guess I was trying to protect you if things went bad I didn't want to drag you down with me."

"Been doing this a long time….I don't need protecting."Casey stated quietly as he took the cakes off the roof of the car.

"I'm sorry."Sarah apologized again not knowing what else to say. "I just…."

"Apology accepted."Casey replied grudgingly as they moved away from the car.

Sarah stopped. "Are we good?"

Casey slowly turned to face her. "We're good."

Sarah nodded and started walking once more.

"Walker."John called as he caught up to her.

Sarah paused and shifted the food items she was carrying. "Yes?"

"You and Bartowski…..just…this can get very complicated very fast."

Somehow Sarah wasn't surprised that he knew that her and Chuck's relationship had gone to the next level. Another thing she'd been meaning to talk to him about but didn't know how.

"Casey….."

"If Fulcrum finds out…."

Sarah shook her head. "They won't."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."Casey warned

"We know the risks…it won't become an issue."

"It can't."John affirmed. "Or this whole operation will be over. As long as we're on the same page."

"We are."Sarah replied quietly.

Casey smiled briefly. "Good. Let's go before things start to melt."

******

By mid-afternoon the party was in full swing. Music blared from a portable stereo Lester had brought. The food was half gone.
People were either dancing by the fountain or sitting in pairs; laughter filled the area.

Devon snagged Ellie's right arm as she passed and gently pulled her down into the chair he was sitting in.

"Everything's fine, babe."

Ellie relaxed and nestled against her fiancé as she looked at the group gathered. "People are having fun, aren't they?"

"Yeah."Devon agreed as he linked his arms around her. "Especially those two."

Ellie smiled as she followed Devon's gaze to where Sarah and Chuck were. The pair were currently dancing in a quiet spot on the far side of the fountain…away from the others.

"It's nice to see."Ellie commented softly. "They deserve some happiness."

"Yes they do."Devon acknowledged as he stood and tugged Ellie up with him. "Come on, you owe me a dance."

Ellie laughed as she and Devon joined the others.

*******

"You getting tired?"Sarah asked as Chuck moved them in a slow circle.

Chuck grinned. "Ellie's doing enough mothering for both of you."

Sarah returned his smile. "You didn't answer my question."

Chuck kissed her quickly. "I'm fine….well a few twinges here and there…but I'm okay…honest."

"Okay."Sarah relented as she rested her head on his chest being careful of his injured arm. "The General did say to take as much recuperation time as you need."

Chuck rested his head on top of hers. "That was nice of her….think I can get a month off out of this? We can go to New York….see some plays….you can shop…."

"Sounds wonderful."Sarah murmured. "Unfortunately I don't think it's possible."

"Anything's possible."

"Not in our world."

"I like our world."Chuck commented as he stepped back and raised Sarah's arm to pull her into a twirl.

Sarah grinned. "Romance, intrigue, danger around every turn."

"Keeps things interesting."

Sarah laughed. "I don't think we have to worry about things being dull."

Chuck smiled hearing Sarah's laughter. He loved seeing the sparkle back in her eyes. He pulled her close and kissed her once more.

"This is really happening with us, isn't it?"Chuck asked as he tenderly brushed a stray hair away from her face.

Sarah nodded. "I love you….and I need you to promise me that no matter what happens you'll do whatever Casey and I say."

"Sarah…."

"I mean it….I can't go through this again."

Chuck shook his head. "I'm not going to sit in the car while you guys are in trouble."

Sarah lightly touched his face. "It's our job to protect you. So please promise me no more heroics."

"I can't promise, Sarah, but I'll try."

"Best I'm going to get isn't it?"

Chuck nodded as he kissed her letting the kiss linger this time.

"I love you."Chuck whispered as they broke apart.

"I love you too."Sarah replied as she savored the moment.

Chuck thought back on the craziness that had brought Sarah into his life. Despite everything he wouldn't change any of it.
His family and friends were safe and he had a beautiful woman that loved him.
No matter what happened, no matter what sacrifices he had to make in the future it'd be worth it.

end