Chapter 3: Sarah Revealed
A/N: Okay...last chapter for the day. I have officially worn myself out editing and posting this story. My eyes are begging me to stop. Next chapter will be posted tomorrow or Monday. We're almost at the finish line, two chapters and an Epilogue to go!
I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to review the story. My apologies for not responding to some of you yet. I do plan to thank each of you personally.
I got the feeling the anxiety about Sarah is a little high. I think you all have been tortured enough. This chapter will put any anxiety to rest.
Genoa, Italy was Chuck's final destination.
After following Sarah's instructions, Chuck found a small villa on the outskirts of the city. Chuck entered the villa using the key left in the manila envelope.
The view was breathtaking. It wasn't far from Genoa, but secluded enough for a spy to lay low. He smiled thinking of Sarah spending time here. Maybe this was her way of giving him a small vacation.
Chuck looked around for a letter or a clue as to why Sarah sent him here, but found nothing. Chuck wasn't disheartened. Knowing Sarah, she probably had another surprise up her sleeve.
The villa rested at the top of a hill, with trees in the back and a view of the coastline in the front. There were two stories, and ample windows on the second floor to maintain surveillance of the area if needed. Chuck smiled at his knowledge of spy craft. Sarah taught him well.
The view brought a smile to Chuck's face. He closed his eyes and pictured Sarah taking in the same view.
If not for the sad circumstances of Chuck being here, he even found the venue romantic.
Chuck reached for his cell phone and made a call to Ellie. Although Ellie was concerned about his sudden globe-trotting, Chuck assured his prodding sister he was taking care of personal business and would be home in a few days.
Next, Chuck called Morgan. His bearded friend asked for a souvenir.
Chuck's body reminded him when he got off the phone, he hadn't slept much over the last few days. He decided to shower and rest.
Chuck found the upstairs master bedroom and bath to be nothing short of luxurious. The shower seemed to calm his emotions, and the bed promised to cradle him in a restful sleep. Chuck passed out from exhaustion the moment his head hit the pillow.
After Chuck slept for a few hours, he was awakened by a sound downstairs, and the aroma of food. He sat upright in the bed and rubbed his eyes.
Panic set in, as Chuck realized someone was in the villa.
Chuck's growling stomach made a critical decision for him. If he was going to be harmed by an intruder, he would suffer on a full stomach. It was worth the risk.
Chuck made his way to his bag and removed a pair of jeans. He dressed quickly and tip-toed downstairs. He saw a table set with two places and a candle in the center. There were candles positioned all around the small dining area and throughout the villa.
Chuck groaned quietly. "Okay, so maybe this would-be assassin has a sick romantic sense of humor!"
Chuck slowly moved toward the kitchen when he heard humming. Humming? What. The. Hell?
Chuck moved to a small partition and hid behind it. He heard the unmistakable clanging of cookware and a female voice softly hiss, "Dammit!"
Okay, so the intruder is a girl.
Chuck moved quietly around the corner to surprise this Martha Stewart "feed me now and hurt me later" intruder.
As Chuck entered the kitchen, the individual had their back to him, rummaging through the refrigerator. When the figure turned, their eyes met and Chuck froze dead in his tracks.
Chuck forced a breath into his lungs, yet his breath hitched. On reflex, he put a hand to his mouth. His mind went into overdrive as he didn't trust his eyes or his senses. The thumping of his heart pounded in his ears.
One word escaped Chuck's lips. "Sarah."
Chuck wouldn't have recognized Sarah from behind with her shorter hairstyle. Her golden locks were now gone. Her hair was cut just above shoulder length and curled. That didn't matter. Chuck knew her eyes anywhere. Sarah looked more beautiful than ever.
Sarah smiled and laid a bowl on the kitchen island. She slowly walked around the obstruction, never breaking eye contact with Chuck. She licked her lips and took a breath. Sarah paused a few feet from him, her eyes studying Chuck intently.
Chuck glanced at her feet and almost laughed. She wore blue Converse Chuck Taylor's. The shoes accented her jeans and blue blouse.
Sarah imagined many scenarios of this reunion. She prepared herself mentally and emotionally for any reaction from Chuck. It didn't matter. Chuck could be saddened or angry. She would deal with any reaction just to be right here, right now, in this moment. All of her well-calculated planning and preparation didn't stop her heart from pounding in her chest.
As Sarah's mind scrambled to organize words, she felt herself swarmed in a warm embrace. Sarah responded by snaking her arms around Chuck's neck, cradling the back of Chuck's head with her right hand. She breathed in his scent. Sarah closed her eyes and felt a calm rush over her. Chuck always knew what to say or do to calm her.
Sarah felt soft heaves from Chuck's body and tightened her hold. No words were spoken for several moments as she allowed Chuck this moment to express himself. Sarah felt Chuck slowly release the embrace and warm hands gently holding her arms. She opened her eyes and felt her own tears slide down her cheeks. Chuck's face was flush, his eyes reddened. Sarah smiled softly at the broad smile on Chuck's face. A smile she dreamed about for so long.
Sarah took a deep breath and looked in Chuck's eyes. "Thank you for accepting my mission."
Sarah felt Chuck's body shake with soft laughter. She noticed a sparkle in his eyes and knew what was coming. She had seen it many times and it never ceased to amaze her.
"You know, sending me on a wild goose chase half-way around the world for dinner is a bit overkill, don't you think?"
Soft laugher escaped Sarah's lips. "I'm a spy, Chuck. What did you expect?"
Chuck turned solemn, and spoke softly. "I certainly didn't expect you to be alive."
Sarah grabbed Chuck's hands. "You're upset. You have a right to be. I'm sorry for the theatrics, Chuck. Sarah Walker had to die. I'll explain everything, but right now, you look exhausted and I know you must be hungry."
Chuck smiled softly, squeezing Sarah's hands gently. "You misunderstand me. I'm not angry at you." Chuck cast his gaze to his feet and spoke barely above a whisper. "I thought you were gone."
Sarah took Chuck's face in her hands and studied his eyes. He looked worn and sad. Her heart ached for him. Sarah wanted nothing more than to kiss him, but she prepared herself to let Chuck set the pace.
"I didn't want to put you through this, Chuck. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, but I knew you were strong enough to do this." Sarah used her thumbs and wiped away Chuck's tears. "I'm so glad you're here."
Chuck heaved with soft laughter. "Not half as glad as I am that you're here." Chuck took a breath. "For once…I'm at a loss for words. I don't even know what to say, except I am so glad you're safe…and alive."
Sarah smiled and looked deep in Chuck's eyes. "Did you read my letters?"
Chuck nodded with a soft smile. "I did. Can you…can you give me a minute?"
Sarah hesitated. Chuck took Sarah's hands and gave them a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "I'm not going anywhere. I just need to grab something from upstairs. I'll only be a minute."
Sarah smiled. "Okay. I'll finish setting our places for dinner."
Chuck released her hands and turned to leave the kitchen. He paused in the doorway, injecting mirth in his next statement. "Sarah…please don't disappear or anything."
Sarah chuckled softly. "I won't." Sarah studied Chuck's eyes closely. Chuck gave Sarah a reassuring smile and left the kitchen.
Sarah nervously busied herself setting places for dinner. Moments later, Chuck reentered the kitchen. In his hand, he held the manila envelope left in the London drop box.
Sarah paused and studied Chuck carefully. He gave her a smile, and handed her the envelope.
Chuck spoke softly. "Sarah, something tells me you left me your file in the event you…well…" Chuck trailed as he pushed down the sadness of the last few days, thinking Sarah was gone forever.
Knowing Chuck's meaning, Sarah spoke softly. "I wanted you to have it either way."
Chuck understood. Whether Sarah was alive or dead, she wanted Chuck to know the real her. "I get it. But since you're here, long ago, I hinted your past is yours. I know you fear what I see in that folder may change how I feel about you, but you couldn't be more wrong. Nothing that you have done in your past will change how I feel about you. Everything in that file is yours to share…and I want to learn about your past. But I want to hear it from you, on your terms. Not read it in some file. Let me be there for you and help you face those events. You're not alone, Sarah."
Tears streaked down Sarah's cheeks as Chuck once again proves why she loves him. A soft whimper escaped her throat. Sarah tossed the folder on the table and leapt into Chuck's arms. Chuck cradled her gently.
Sarah slowly broke the embrace, taking Chuck's hands. She looked deep into his eyes. "Chuck, I love you."
Chuck blinked heavily, as tears flooded his face. He spoke with unwavering conviction. "I love you too, Sarah."
Sarah barely got out, "Oh, Chuck" as she crashed her lips into his. The two dueled hungrily for several moments before the kiss turned slow and tender. Sarah stepped into Chuck's embrace as he pulled her close, his hands holding her firmly. As the kiss slowly ended, Chuck and Sarah rested their foreheads together.
A toothy smile formed on Sarah's face. "I've waited so long for this moment."
Chuck grinned. "Me too."
Sarah studied Chuck's eyes closely. "I missed you so much."
Chuck caressed Sarah's cheek. "I missed you too."
Sarah smiled and brushed Chuck's hair with her fingertips, then brushing away imaginary lint off his shoulder. Chuck smiled warmly at Sarah's old habit.
Sarah rested her hand on Chuck's chest as she spoke. "I would propose we eat and enjoy our date before I have you take me upstairs. You, Mr. Bartowski, have a very, very long night ahead of you. I, uh, would very much like a repeat of the last time we were together."
Chuck gulped loudly. Sarah saw the glee in his eyes. "Our third first date. But who's keeping score, right?"
"Well, our first real date and our second first date were both crashed by Casey."
"Yeah, but the second first date wasn't entirely Casey's fault, although he did literally 'crash' that date." Chuck made quotation marks with his fingers emphasizing 'crash.'
Sarah chuckled softly. "I see your point. I wanted tonight to be just the two of us. I did plan this, you know?"
Chuck shook his head. "You have a morbid sense of humor. If I knew knocking you off would land me a date with you, I would have suggested this a long time ago."
Sarah slapped Chuck's chest playfully. "I'm glad you think so little of me."
"On the contrary, I have you dead to rights on that one. Literally. By the way, you didn't book any ninja assassins or crazed terrorists for tonight's festivities, did you?"
Sarah laughed hard. "No, not even Casey will crash tonight's festivities, I can assure you."
"Noted." Chuck turned serious. "Sarah, you never cease to amaze me. I don't think you faked your own death just to get me to some remote Italian villa for a date. Don't get me wrong, this is incredibly romantic…in a slightly disturbing sort of way, but still, what's going on?"
Sarah smiled and nodded. "Chuck, this was my exit strategy from the CIA. This plan was put in place by Graham a long time ago. I have made a lot of enemies over the years. The original plan obviously didn't include you, well, that is until I met you. Sarah Walker died in the line of duty. My name is now Sarah Blake. Although you now know my real name, I was Sarah when I met you, and that's who I want to be from now own. Blake is my mother's maiden name."
Chuck grinned. "Then Sarah it will be."
Chuck glanced away in deep thought. "Wait…you're out, you're done…no more missions?"
"And unemployed. When I last saw Casey, he told me you have your own company. I'd like a job if you'll have me." Sarah smiled after saying the last part.
Chuck blurted out. "You're hired. But I think the rest of my employees might get the wrong idea, you know, thinking you're seducing the boss to work your way up the corporate ladder."
Sarah leaned her head back and laughed. "You got me. I'm just an overly ambitious employee looking to sleep her way to the top."
Chuck shook his head in glee. "Okay, let's eat. Then, you can tell me the rest of this bizarre yet incredible story. By the way, does Casey and Beckman know?"
Sarah gave a coy look. "They will when the time is right. After all, I did promise Casey an invite to our wedding."
Chuck did a double take. "Wait, what?"
Sarah rested her hand on Chuck's chest and spoke sweetly. "I thought you were a genius, Chuck. Figure it out. Or better yet, I'll give you a preview of our wedding night after dinner. After all, you do know what happens after the third date, right?" Sarah gave Chuck a quick peck on the lips and returned to the stove to put the finishing touches on her homemade pasta sauce.
Chuck wore a look of shock and awe on his face, and yelped, "Don't freak out."
A/N: I honestly don't think it would be possible to kill Sarah. You don't get to be the CIA's best agent by doing something silly like dying in a firefight. Sorry for the ruse. I'll blame it on Sarah...it was her plan, after all :)
For your useless knowledge, Blake was Sarah's original cover name in the series, but the writer's changed it to Walker before the Pilot.