"Chuck vs the Aussie"
AN1: Hi everyone, so here is the back story for Sarah Walker – keep in mind she is Australian (hence the stories title) and thus she and her parents (Jack and Emma) have Aussie accents – so you can have some fun reading it that way. Now, I have done quite a bit of research so the chapter should be accurate – I really hope. I incorporated some Aussie words into the dialogue for authenticity, but I tried not to overdo it – so hopefully none of the Aussie readers will roll their eyes – I have never been to Australia so any feedback on how well (or poorly) I got the Aussie dialogue and details would be much appreciated. One thing I did take from my research was I really, really want to go to Australia now! Take a look on Google of the Whitehaven beach and Whitsunday Islands – spectacular!
I do have to thank myles70mac for taking a look so the Aussie wording was not too embarrassing and overall for taking the time to give me great feedback - he did an amazing job – thanks so much buddy! I also have yet to note that there is no beta (beyond Myles' awesome hand here) for this or any of my stories (only 2 right now) so I am not a jerk for not giving props to a beta - mistakes are my own.
Finally, I have figure out that I miss labeled the rating on this so I have changed the rating to T – hope that does not scare anyone off, it will be light but I figured better safe than sorry. I really decided the change was need based on three stories that I have used as a muse for the tone I want this story to have being a romance – Permutations by uplink2, Sound of Music (I and II) by quistie64 and Chuck vs Hollywood by CostasTT – these are some of my favorite stories and authors and if you even slightly like this story these are must reads!
Disclaimers – I don't own Chuck or the Olympics.
Oh – italics will always denote character thoughts and once again keep an eye on the time shifts and dates.
And thank you to everyone who has provided feedback – you have no idea how much I appreciate it! I planned on waiting till Thursday to Post but with such a great reception I decided to post this early! Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Backgrounds - Sarah
Walker Home
Baulkham Hills, Sydney, NSW, Australia
September 24, 1995
16:40 hrs AEST
A skinny little blonde girl runs carelessly through her family's backyard in the outer-west suburbs of Sydney Australia. She giggles as she chases a neighbor's cat around the lush green lawn. Her parents had been very specific about what she could play with/chase and what she was to leave alone, the later being snakes and reptiles among other local and potentially dangerous species.
The little girl calls out to the little beige spotted Australian mist cat as the two continue to play, "G'day Misty, why 'ya running so fast…hehehe, silly kitty!" Sarah declares in a delighted, giggly voice.
The little girl of seven plays wistfully outside of the nicely adorned white two level family home with a red front door, while inside her parents have a serious discussion as they watch their little blonde ball of energy run around the yard.
"Jack – No, not again, we can't keep doing this to her!" Sarah's mother Emma says.
"I understand Emma, but ya 'know the company needs me and there is another bonus in it, which will help the family and will help pay for Kiwi's Uni," Jack Walker replies to his wife.
"Jack, can you quit it with that silly Kiwi nickname? Just because Sarah's favorite fruit is the kiwi does not mean you should call our daughter that – you got it? Besides it is a confusing nickname, the Kiwis are New Zealanders – it's an affront to our Australian pride to call her that damn it!" Emma said in an increasingly loud tone, until she was nearly yelling at the end of her statement.
Undeterred, Jack gave Emma a wry smile before saying, "Well she was conceived on our wonderful little vacation to Auckland, so I think it is rather apt… don't you?"
As Jack's smile turns sly and teasing, Emma's mouth drops open to form a perfect O as she stood still with shock coloring her face while she stares at her incorrigible husband.
She snapped out of her shock and quickly slaps her husband on the arm, trying to keep a small smile off her face as she blushes slightly at the memory.
"First of all – quiet with that; and second, stop trying to distract me… very nice try though." Emma says with a serious look as she tries in vain to push a small smile from the corner over her mouth.
"OK, OK, but this is move is important – you know Origin Energy needs me and there were problems up north." Jack replied in a serious tone.
"Where," Emma asks.
"Cairns"
"But Jack we have already moved Sarah too many times already, she was born in Maroubra/Sydney and it seems like we just got back to Sydney from our last moves from Perth and before that Adelaide." Emma argues in a pleading tone.
"Ya, but…" Jack tried before being interrupted by his wife.
"And she has a lot of friends here – it will be so hard for her. You know very well this will not be good for her," Emma points out with anger seeping into her voice.
"Emma, I know it will be tough on her, on all of us, but this is for her future," Jacks says pleadingly.
"Humph, why can't they find anyone else it's not like someone else can't handle the sales relationships, marketing and PR for Origin Energy?" Emma asks.
"Like I said there are some really dodgy issues up north and they need the best… and you know I'm not a boastful man, but I am the best," Jack says simply.
"HA! Your mates at the office don't call ya the 'Con Man' for nothing, you and your silver tongue... why did I fall for you again, ya 'silly duffer'?" Emma asks with a playful gleam in her eyes.
"Well because I'm a charmin' bloke of course… and I helped give you that little blonde ball of energy out there, pretty just like her mother." Jack smoothly says with a large grin on his face.
"Charmer," Emma says as she smiles a flattered smile as she looks shyly to the ground.
Emma lets out a frustrated sigh of acceptance before telling Jack, "OK, I understand why, but you're gonna have to go break our little daughters heart… again Jack Walker," as she leveled a hard gaze at her husband.
"Yes Mum," Jack replies, his smile fading as he cringes internally at the pain he was about to cause his little darling.
Jack walks out to the back deck and barbie area toward the greenery of the backyard to find little Sarah, thinking to himself… time to disappoint her one more time. He sigh's again before he reaches his daughter, who is still playing around in the yard without a care in the world.
"Hey darling,' how's my favorite ankle bitter doin' today?" Jack asks smiling at Sarah.
"DADDY! You're home, how was work?" Sarah asks excitedly with a giant smile on her face as she leaps into her father's arms, giggling.
"It was fine… Kiwi, I need to talk to you for a little bit."
"K," Sarah responds with a huge smile, looking up at him intently with big, sparkling blue eyes. The sight damn near broke Jack Walker heart.
Jack swallowed audibly to keep his emotions down, "Listen darling, I know you like it here, but Daddy's work needs some help up north… so it looks like we will be moving," he says gently to Sarah as he watches her face fall.
Tears began to prickle at the edges of young Sarah's eyes as she struggles not to cry or scream.
"Daddy nooooo, I have friends and I really like it here, please don't make me leave," Sarah begs.
"I know Kiwi, but it's gonna be fine – you'll love Cairns… and you will make a ton of new friends!" Jacked added as enthusiastically as possibly as he watched his little one fight back tears.
Sarah dropped her head, completely dejected – she knew that no matter how hard she cried and no matter how angry she got there was no way to stop this move. She heaved a mighty sigh and sniffled as she looked up at her father.
"OK Daddy, but… but will this be the last time?" Sarah asks with a little hope in her voice.
"I don't know darling,' we'll see," Jack answered proud of his little girl taking the bad news so well and honestly feeling very guilty that securing her future kept causing her pain.
Sarah knew by now what her Dad really meant – there would be more moves, more sadness and more friends lost – left behind.
"I'm proud of you Kiwi, your being a big girl… and this may not make up for it but I swung an extended vacation out of the deal, we are going to go up to the Great Barrier Reef. First, we'll go to Brizzie (Brisbane, Queensland) then we will head up the coast all the way to Cairns – it will be a great trip and at the Whitsundays we'll have lots of fun in the water so we'll be sure to bring your bathers (Bathing suits). Trust me Kiwi; you'll love playing in the surf, swimming and the lot and we will forget all our troubles!" Jack tells his little girl, with a hopeful smile.
"I reckon it might be fun Daddy," Sarah replies less than enthusiastically.
"It will be darling, I promise and I always keep my promises," Jack tells Sarah with a wink and a large grin.
Despite her sadness Sarah can't help but smile back at her character of a father as she thought to herself: well at least the vacation will take my mind off losing more friends and having to start over… again…
Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia
October 20, 1995
10:40 hrs AEST
Sarah had to admit, despite her anger and sadness over the impending move to Cairns, her family's vacation to Brisbane and now their stay on the Whitsunday Islands had been heaps of fun. She begrudgingly admitted to herself that despite making her move her father had not, in fact, lied to her… as he promised she was thoroughly enjoying the beach.
Swimming in the beautiful blue ocean, sparkling light blue and turquoise in the shallows near shore had become a daily routine for little Sarah as the hot summer sun beckons overhead.
She laughed and frolicked in the surf before she set out for a long swim along the shore, always sticking close to land – per her parents very specific instructions. On this vacation, Sarah quickly discovered her deep love of the water and swimming.
She was blissful while in the water as she was finally able to put aside the painful thoughts of moving... again and the fact that she would lose touch with her friends. When she was in the water everything was simple, everything was perfect – for that brief time life was good.
Sarah looked over to the beach between swim strokes and saw her parents sunbathing on the beautiful white sand beach, before looking back out to the open ocean. Her parents had been a little worried for Sarah's safety in the water because she had spent basically the entire trip in the ocean swimming. And although unlikely, a parent always worries about sharks and jellyfish and other potential threats their little one might face alone in the sea. She stopped swimming and floated on her back looking up at the blue sky and suddenly Sarah had an epiphany.
As she returned to the beach swimming hard reaching shore and running up the fine, white sand beach towards her parents. With a big smile on her face the soaking wet child leaped onto her parents, who were sitting closely together on a large beach towel.
"Mom, Dad, I reckon you're both still worried about me swimmin' in the ocean, huh?" Sarah asks.
"We love you baby girl, it's our job to worry," Emma tells Sarah.
Jack adds, "Ya Kiwi, we have to look out for you, you're spending so much bloody time out there we thought you might start growing fins!"
Sarah then shyly asks in a hopeful tone, "I know, but I had an idea…"
"What's that darling?"
"Well, I really love swimming, but you're both worried about the ocean… so what if we had a pool at our new home in Cairns? I could swim everyday and you wouldn't have to worry… I really love it… Please?" Sarah asks with a pout and hope sparkling in her big blue eyes.
"Hum," Jack says as he puts a hand to his chin, stroking it slightly. He looks surreptitiously toward his wife sharing a look before nodding ever so slightly to each other.
"I don't know Kiwi," Jack teases Sarah, while winking secretly to Emma.
"What… but…. I thought…" Sarah stuttered out, her face falling in disappointment. Both Jack and Emma failed to keep the mirth from escaping as smiles broke out on their faces.
With a laugh Jack tells Sarah, "Just kidding Kiwi – yes that is a great idea!"
Sarah smiles infectiously as she once again jumps upon her parents giving each a massive bear hug. She giggles and happily thanking her now also soaking wet parents.
True to their word the Jack and Emma found a beautiful new home in the suburbs of Cairns with a rather large rectangular in-ground pool that was perfect for little Kiwi to enjoy. In fact, every subsequent house the Walker's lived in from the day at Whitsunday Islands on had one thing in common – they all had a pool for the young Sarah Walker.
And the rest as they say is history…
Mac. Robertson Girls' High School
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
August 10, 2005
15:29 hrs AEST
Sarah walks quickly through the halls of Mac. Robertson High School in her winter uniform consisting of a tartan green and red skirt, a white long sleeve shirt with a charcoal blazer and a school tie (in the schools three colors, green, red and charcoal) as she tries to remain unseen by her classmates. The uniform is not mandatory now that it is the third term in her final year of high school, yet she wears it in order to blend in… to be left alone.
Despite being an excellent athlete and a top student at one of the best selective schools in Australia, the sheer number of moves across Australia that she had experienced in her short life had taken a very heavy toll. She had been forced to leave behind so many friends that she had finally given up on trying to fit in and make new friends in each new city. Her life experience, despite the support of her parents had left her with deep seated abandonment issues, which by high school led her to distance and isolate herself from her fellow classmates, lest she experience more heartbreak when she finally moves on.
Sarah has always been a very beautiful girl, but after her last two moves (from Brisbane and then from Canberra) she made distinct efforts to hide herself from the school and blend in. She had always been a bit of a tomboy, but now in high school she hid her beauty. In addition to having braces she also let her hair dry out and become slightly frizzy with a less than stylish cut. She also left her face free of make-up, all of which left her looking less than stunning. In addition, the school uniform aided her in getting a sense of anonymity, but for all intents and purposes she had made herself into an ugly duckling in order to hide herself from the world. Away from school she dressed either for sports, or how she felt on the inside – like a nerd as she had no desire to be popular. In her experience the popular kids were cruel and mean spirited unless you fit their own image.
She spent every day trying to keep a low profile, while getting top marks, swimming and playing various sports.
Unfortunately all her attempts to hide herself did not save her from the cruel torments that many face in high school if they are different.
As she quickly rushed preparing to head home from a day full of classes she's confronted outside the doors of the school by her arch nemesis – Heather Chandler. Heather was one of the popular girls with a wealthy family and Heather, ever the vain girl, always made sure she looked as polished as possible, which apparently made up for the fact she had the emotional empathy of a turnip. Sarah always thought Heather kind of looked like Nicole Ritchie…
Heather smiles a conceited smirk at Sarah before saying, "Well G'day Walker, what ya doing polluting our school with your ugliness – you're such a piker (person who does not want to fit in socially)!" Heather spat the words like venom at Sarah.
Sarah smiles a fake smile, "Heather, it's always a pleasure to talk with you."
"You may be good at sports Walker but you will never be popular - like me," Heather shot back tauntingly with a cruel smirk and hate in her eyes.
With a angry scowl on her face and fire burning in her icy blue eyes, Sarah replies in a deathly tone, "I. Would. Never. Want to be like you! Understand you slag, now RACK OFF Heather!"
Slightly fazed Heather shot back, "Well with your Daddy away for work all the time and moving you all over hell it must get lonely for you. And I hear Dick Duffy from over at our sister School, Melbourne High School, offered to spend some time with you. You know out of pity and because he's a total perve, I mean look at you. So you gonna take Dick up on his offer?" Heather says with a cruel grin on her face.
Sarah's face falls at that cheap shot at her family, as tears prickle at the memory of all the pain from the moves that Heather so cruelly brought up. Sarah strengthens her resolve and fights back the tears not wanting to give Heather the satisfaction.
"I don't need anyone and I definitely don't want to be popular or anything like you, ya mongrel! Oh, and you and Dick Duffy were meant for each other," Sarah angrily replied, before smiling at the contorted and angry look on Heather's face as Sarah walks away.
As a parting shot Sarah says over her shoulder while walking to the parking lot, "always nice chatting with you Heather." Sarah smiles a small relieved smile at her little victory as she escapes the school to head home for another day.
As she gets into her car, a small yellow vee dub (Volkswagen) Rabbit, she plays her most recent run in with Heather in her mind. She shakes her head as she promises herself that no matter what she would never turn into Heather Chandler – she would always look for the best in people and judge them by their actions and what was on the inside, not how they look. She cringes internally thinking, ya that is so clichéd but hey – if it's true it's true and it is a good way to live nevertheless.
Sarah had grown into a tough young women and she knew that all the troubles she had experienced so far in life were the reason she was going to be successful.
Sarah smiles slightly turning left at a traffic light, "one day… I'll show her and I'll show everyone what I can do."
Sydney University – Sarah's Apartment
Sydney, NSW, Australia
August 11, 2008
09:00 hrs AEST
High School was obviously a tough time for Sarah, but she worked hard, got excellent grades and excelled in sports. As a result, she earned an academic scholarship to Sydney University due to her excellent grades and talents in the pool.
University was a significantly better time for her – she became a standout on the swim team and for the first time in years she began to open up again and was able to find friendships with her teammates and classmates.
She became particular close to her teammates on the swim team. The swim team was a very interesting group – Zondra was a feisty and sharp witted woman from New York, the team's resident Yank. Carina was from Sweden and was outgoing and had absolutely no shame as she flirted her way through university. Finally, Amy was a fellow Aussie who seemed to be a ditsy, bubbly party girl, yet Sarah always felt that Amy was hiding who she really was… like she was playing a role. Together they made quite a name for themselves on campus as athletes, students and for their social antics. Sarah was always rather reserved, but with such outgoing friends the 'Double S' as they became known had many a fun night and were the life of the party on campus.
These four formed a very strong friendship and became inseparable throughout their early college years. In addition to supporting Sarah emotionally, Zondra and Carina insisted on giving Sarah a makeover. Over one weekend Zondra and Carina completed what they called their masterpiece as they transformed Sarah from an unassuming ugly duckling into a stunningly beautiful woman that would make models jealous. Sarah gained so much confidence and was truly happy, but in spite of all the changes in her appearance she held true to her high school vow – she would not change who she was. And lucky for Sarah, her best friends accepted her and never pushed her to change who she really was, even though they "polished her up a little bit."
Sarah continued to open up and even began dating, coming more and more out of her shell with the help of her best friends. Sadly, before one of her first relationships became too serious in second year, Sarah discovered the boy she was seeing in bed with none other than her friend, well former friend Amy. Sarah was heartbroken and tried to retreat into her shell, putting up emotional walls to avoid further heartache. Zondra and Carina worked tirelessly to support Sarah and were able to keep her from retreating back into herself.
Her true friendships with her real BFF's and her Mom's sage wisdom helped her through this difficult time away at school.
From then on Amy was ostracized from the formerly tight nit group of friends for her unapologetic betrayal of Sarah. Zondra nearly came to blows with Amy as she was very protective of Sarah. Despite being more introverted, Sarah being a native Aussie really helped Zondra and Carina fit in and helped them find their way in a new and exotic country. Frankly, Sarah acted as a bit of translator for her American and Swedish friends for the first couple of years as it took a while to get the slang and lingo down. In the end, Sarah was always there for her friends and was always kind and supportive, which earned her the undying loyalty of both Zondra and Carina.
Amy never offered a good explanation for the betrayal, which truly stung Sarah as she felt she at least had the right to know why her former friend had done something so rotten to her. As a result of the entire sordid affair, Amy became Sarah's nemesis both personally and in the pool. The competition and the support of her real friends helped Sarah improve her skills and advance to new heights, though the heartbreak she experienced was difficult to bear. The new 'Double S' (less Amy) continued to be the life of the university and the top athletes on the Sydney University Swim Team. As the three friends reached third year they were having more fun than ever.
Sarah came home to the apartment that she shared with her two best friends after completing her morning swim and training with another friend, a kinesiology student, who had become a trainer for Sarah, named Alex McHugh. Sarah flopped down on the worn couch with a tired sign... she enjoyed her swims and training, but little Alex had really put her through the ringer. Sarah thought to herself, Ah… little Alex is a good friend so I guess I will forgive her for today's little torture session. Sarah laughed to herself about the ongoing torture joke her and Alex had ever since they began working together 5 months ago as they had become fast friends and Alex became an honorary member of the 'Double S.'
As Zondra made breakfast and Carina texted one of her many boyfriends on her mobile phone, Sarah grabbed the remote and switched on the TV. Flipping through the channels she came to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games swimming coverage, which caused her eyes to light up in delight.
Zondra, seeing Sarah's expression change began smiling at Sarah before asking, "Hey Sarah, what's got you all happy this fine morning," Zondra asks incredulously with a smirk on her face.
"Ah, I was just gonna veg-out and then I found the Olympic swimming coverage so I thought we all would enjoy seeing the competition… we may have missed out this year but I reckon we'll all be fighting for a spot in London!" Sarah says with a giant smile on her face as she sees both Zondra and Carina stop there ministrations to look at the TV with rapt fascination.
The friends had competed in numerous university/college competitions and a few times internationally, but none of the Double S's were able to qualify for the Olympics for their respective country's… yet.
Zondra, now transfixed on the coverage brought over three plates of food and set them on the coffee table as the three friends began eating, their eyes never leaving the screen… there may or may not have been a number of spills and stains caused by their preoccupation with the Games.
As they watched the swimming with impressive concentration Carina broke the silence, "Wow, they are good… really good," commenting on the skills of the swimmers in the men's gold medal 400m freestyle race.
"Ya…" both Zondra and Sarah say at the same time before looking at each other laughing, smiling and calling out jinx.
Carina suddenly had a salacious expression grace her face as she licks her lips as a young male swimmer climbed out of the water on the TV. "Yummy… if the boys at the Olympics all look like that then you can count me in, we seem to be running out of cuties here."
"Carina, there are still plenty of cuties here you just never knew how to pace yourself," Zondra replied with a smile and mocking look.
Carina pouts and tells her friends, "I apologize for nothing… Ok maybe a few… um… missteps at parties, but when it comes to men – I have no apologies!"
Sarah smiles wryly, "Well at least you have the shame and decency to look chagrined at some of your naughty behavior… like that time when you mmmmhheey…" as Carina jumps and covers Sarah's mouth mid sentence
"Hey Sar, I thought we agreed no blabbing about the less proud moments at Uni… ya?"
"I know Carina, just teasing you, ha!" Sarah says as she smiles slyly at her friends.
Zondra watched her friends banter back and forth and began to become lost in her thoughts…hum, its 9 Am here… so that's 6 Pm back home in New York… I wonder what Ma and Dad are doing?"
As Zondra thought of Home and as Sarah and Carina talked while watching the Olympic coverage, half a world away it was 3 Pm in Stanford/Palo Alto, California. As Sarah watched in rapt fascination as a young American was awarded his hard earned gold medal, a curly headed nerd at Stanford was watching the very same coverage.
At the exact same moment, unbeknownst to either Chuck or Sarah, they both declared as the gold was placed around the swimmers neck, "One day that's going to be me."
Australian Olympic Swim Team Qualifying (2012 Energy Australia Swimming Championships)
Adelaide, SA, Australia
March 22, 2012
14:11 hrs ACST
As Sarah reached the end of the pool she looked up anxiously at the large score board to see her fate, praying for a trip to London.
The board flashed – Walker – 1st – Time: 2.06.81 (Female 200m Back)
An enormous smile split her face as she raised her hands to her face to stifle a scream of happiness – she had secured a spot on the Australian Olympic Team.
Sarah Walker was going to the Olympics.
AN2: This chapter has a different take on Sarah – in canon she is basically abandoned by everyone, which creates her issues. Here she is not abandoned, however, her family moves across Australia, which affects her (similar psychology as the show, though not the same story). You may disagree with this characterization – this is a bit of me bleeding through – I have moved a lot and what I go over here are a more extreme version of my feelings and reactions from moving a lot – so I think it is fair – hope you like it… it was cathartic to say the least. This is why I so loved the characters in Chuck – I really can relate to the three main characters (don't say it I know I'm odd). I hope you enjoyed the look at Sarah's life growing up – I know it may have been a little tough at times, but it is meant to show her development and resiliency. I also hope you all liked the Kiwi nickname – I know it is fairly silly but I had fun with it and it just seemed to fit what the Aussie Jack Walker would call his little girl. As I mentioned in the first A/N I did a lot of research so I hope this held up to all the Aussie readers. Also, in case you were confused Dick Duffy went to Melbourne High School because Sarah and Heather's school is all girls, while Dick's goes to the equivalent all boys school (yes I looked all this all up and it was far less fun than looking at the Whitsunday beaches… but a little more fun than researching real-estate in Sydney to find the right neighbor hood for the Walker's). Finally I did not specifically mention all Sarah's moves – Assume she moved at least the 6 times I alluded to, maybe more. Anyway – the Chuck and Sarah meeting is up next, which will be fun I promise!