Posted July 5, 2022

A/N: Wanna hear another Casablanca reference? Sorry, something else happened, and from Morgan's point of view, that something was more earth shattering.

"Chuck vs the Undercover Lover" (1x12) Recap

Here's a few things that you might need to know or maybe you just forgot.

In 2004, a photojournalist put on a necklace, getting ready to leave to do her job in Chechnya. Casey, an "energy consultant" who gave the necklace to the woman as a gift, asked her to return to bed. She left and entered a shop right before it exploded. Casey went through the rubble and found the woman's camera.

Years later at Buy More, Casey had a PTSD episode looking at a customer's camera. The customer started yelling at Casey because he wasn't listening, and Chuck intervened to rescue the customer from Casey.

At the back cage, Jeff bragged to Chuck that he got into Grand Seville's main database where it had full guest records. Chuck intervened so they wouldn't get sued. He looked at the list of guests and started flashing on a bunch of names. The last name was "Ilsa Trinchina," AP photographer, rumored lover of undercover NSA agent John Casey. It was the woman who was in the explosion in Chechnya.

In the back hallway of the store, Chuck told Casey about the flashes. They were on the names of Russian criminals, all traveling under aliases and fake passports. He held back Isla's name from the list to report about the flash, but when he told Casey, the NSA agent strangled Chuck up against the wall before letting him go so he collapsed.

Chuck went to Wienerlicious and told Sarah that Casey's ex-girlfriend was in town. He peaked her interest by saying that her name was in a flash and that Casey emotionally reacted to the name of the woman who called him "Sugar Bear."

Ellie and Devon went to Buy More, wanting Chuck's help to pick out one combined anniversary gift for the two of them. He wasn't there, so Morgan stepped to the plate, as "Dr. Morgan," retail therapist. Ellie said she wanted a big screen TV so she and Devon could spend time together, cuddling on the couch. Devon said he wanted a washer and dryer so he and Ellie could spend time together, instead of going to the laundromat to clean jog bras. While still at an impasse, Ellie was called away to the hospital, leaving Devon in charge.

At a briefing with Graham and Beckmen, the Intersect team was assigned to infiltrate a party at the Grand Seville to see why the Russians were in town. After the briefing, Chuck suggested a sub-mission to look for Isla. Casey was hostile to the idea and stormed off. Sarah revealed that Isla was dead and the ID had probably been stolen.

On the mission, they discovered the party at the hotel was for Isla's upcoming wedding to a Russian oligarch, Victor Federov. Ilsa and Casey saw each other for the first time in years, but didn't have a chance to talk.

The next day in the Buy More break room, Chuck tried to talk to Casey about his feelings. After several failed attempts, Chuck admitted he wanted to see if there was something more for a spy. As he was about to give up, Casey let down his walls. He said he met Isla in a flower market in Rome and thought she was the most beautiful thing he had seen.

At the apartment, Devon revealed to Ellie that he had bought the washer and dryer. Ellie was furious because Devon always got what he wanted and didn't consider her. Morgan was there and suggested that maybe Devon always went on extreme adventures because he was afraid of being tied down. Ellie agreed with that theory.

After hearing Casey's tale of Isla, Chuck suggested that since Isla didn't know Casey was an international spy, maybe she didn't know who Federov was either. He planted the seed that Casey needed to fight for her. They went to the hotel together so Casey could talk to Ilsa.

At the hotel, Casey started to have doubts about the plan, but they ran into Sarah who was there to spy on what Federov was doing in LA. Chuck lied and told her he wanted to look at surveillance video. Then he and Casey went to the security room.

Going to plant a bug in Federov and Ilsa's room, Sarah was stopped by one of Federov's goons, and she knocked him out. On comms, she asked Casey to plant the bug while she dealt with the body. Casey had left to talk to Isla, who was alone at the bar, so Chuck covered for him.

Looking for a place to plant the bug, Chuck dug through Isla's hotel room and flashed on her as a French Secret Service agent. Before he could tell anyone, Isla and Casey returned to her room. Chuck hid under the bed while Isla and Casey started making out on the bed. Chuck got a loud cell phone call from Morgan, Casey looked under the bed, and Isla pulled a gun on both of them. Chuck revealed he had flashed on the fact that Ilsa was a spy, but Federov returned before they could all agree they were all on the same team. Casey hid with Chuck under the bed. Federov passed out, giving Chuck and Casey the opportunity to escape.

Because Devon and Ellie were going through a rough patch, he went to the Buy More break room and joined a game of poker with Buy More staff. When Devon learned it was strip poker, he made a quick exit.

The next day in the Buy More home theater room, Chuck approached Casey again. Casey said he was over Ilsa and she was dead to him. Chuck was there to say the dead lady was in the store and wanted to see him. At Casey's request, Chuck made himself scarce. Ilsa apologized to Casey and said after the bomb she didn't even remember her own name for a while. She gave Casey back the necklace gift, and then said goodbye.

Later at Casey's apartment, Chuck checked on how Casey was doing, considering Ilsa was getting married for her mission in an hour. Casey drunk on Scotch and listening to a Neil Diamond ballad. When he tossed the necklace on the table, they saw it had a bug on it, meaning Federov heard Ilsa and Casey in the Buy More home theater room talk about her mission. Her cover had been blown, so Chuck and a drunk Casey went to rescue her.

Sarah went to Chuck's apartment, but he wasn't there. Instead, she was confronted by Ellie, who was drunk and upset that Devon was gone. She dragged Sarah into the apartment because she wanted someone to talk to. She feared Devon was not committed to their relationship.

Chuck called Sarah to tell her about the bug and that he and Casey were going to rescue Ilsa. When Sarah went to go after him, Morgan was at the front door, so she left him to watch Ellie.

Too late to save Ilsa, Chuck and Casey were captured by Federov and his men, and then tied up in a chair, back-to-back. They managed to escape while still tied together with Casey swinging Chuck around like a weapon. In the fight to escape, they were pushed out the balcony and fell into the hotel swimming pool several stories below.

Sarah saw them fall and tried to stop the wedding. She was outgunned by Federov's men and was forced to put hers down. Instead of giving up, she kicked her gun to Ilsa at the altar. The French spy caught it and pointed it at Federov's head, making everyone back down and arresting the leader.

The next morning, Ellie and Morgan woke up in bed together. She was initially panicked until she realized they were fully dressed and nothing had happened. Morgan said she asked him to stay and that he would do anything for her. She was like a sister to him…a sister he wanted to have sex with.

Devon showed up and apologized to Ellie. He knew Morgan hadn't done anything. Because of the horrifying glimpse at the poker game of what his life would be like without Ellie, he traded the washer and dryer for a TV, like what she wanted.

Through the Morgan door, Chuck heard Casey's apartment door open. It was Ilsa and Casey, saying goodbye after she had spent the night at his apartment. After she left, Chuck went out his window to talk to Casey, and asked if the two of them were back together. Casey said that wouldn't happen because she was going on another mission. Chuck tried to console him, but Casey responded to the sentiment by pushing his asset into a bush.

Chapter Characters: Chuck, Sarah, Morgan

Songs (from 1x2))
- "Love on the Rocks" by Neil Diamond
- Mexican Hat dance ("Jarabe Tapatío" - national dance of Mexico) ringtone by Jesús González Rubio

www. imdb. com (8.3/10)
chuckthisblog. wordpress. com (65/91)

Sunday, January 27, 2008
Buy More
Burbank, CA

Morgan was bursting to tell someone, so went to the person that he could always trust, Chuck. "I'm going to tell you something, but you can't tell Anna. You shouldn't talk about it with Ellie either."

Sitting at the Nerd Herder desk, Chuck looked over at Morgan, "If you don't want me to talk with anyone about it, maybe it would be better if you didn't tell me."

"But I want you to talk with me. This is big. I need the wisdom of my best friend." Chuck always provided Morgan with the best advice—at least it was good when he followed it. He didn't know if it would have been good the other times. He hoped for some help this time…but he had already lost Chuck's attention. That was caught by something at the front of the store. What was it?

Morgan followed Chuck's gaze. Oh. It was Sarah. Who could blame him?

Chuck's smoking hot girlfriend had the biggest smile as she walked towards Chuck. Forgetting his conversation with Morgan, Chuck hurried around the desk to meet her. When they met, he kissed her on the cheek.

That was something Morgan didn't understand. Chuck only kissed her on the cheek, and Sarah always was happy when he did. If Chuck really wanted to make Sarah happy, he'd get over his PDA-aversion and lay one on her like she kissed him at the Christmas—no holiday—party. It wasn't like Buy More was some holy place where that wasn't allowed. Anna and Morgan demonstrated that on a regular basis.

"Lunch?" Sarah always knew when Chuck was going to lunch.

Chuck looked flustered. "Um, I'd love to, but Morgan was telling me something very important."

Sarah looked almost devastated. With a look like that, how could Chuck not do everything that woman ever asked? Morgan didn't want to disappoint anyone who looked like that, especially not Chuck's girl. He had an idea. "Anna isn't here today. We could all have lunch together."

Sarah perked up at the suggestion. Chuck didn't immediately take to the idea the same way. "Are you sure? You said I wasn't supposed to talk to anyone."

"I figured you would tell her." Morgan directed his next question at Sarah, "Can you keep a secret?"

Chuck actually let out an abrupt laugh. For some reason, the corners of Sarah's mouth turned up like she thought that was funny. She said, "I wouldn't reveal your secret under tortue, unless it was to save Chuck."

Wow. That was serious. Morgan didn't understand why the idea was funny. "That's exactly what I think. Let's go!"

Chuck held up his keys for a Herder and started to the back exit, where they were parked. Sarah said, "We can go in my car, Sweetie." Morgan was going to get to ride in Sarah's Porsche!

"I think…" Chuck turned to look at Morgan. "You don't want to ride in Sarah's car because she would drive."

Sarah arched an eyebrow. "Are you saying I'm not a good driver?" Oh, no. Even Morgan knew Chuck was going to lose this argument.

Chuck responded quickly. "Of course not. Morgan isn't used to… Let's just say that after lunch, you don't want to have to get you back seat leather detailed or reupholstered, and Morgan, you want to keep your lunch."

Morgan could handle the Mystery Crisper, but that description was about as graphic as Chuck got. The bearded man thought it probably best to follow Chuck's guidance, so they all went through the back to Chuck's car.

At the Herder, Chuck said, "Sarah's got shotgun." Many times, Morgan would be disappointed, but he would never dream of taking away the seat of honor from Chuck's other half. Morgan knew he fit better in the back seat anyway.

Heading out of the plaza, Chuck asked, "Where to, Morgan?"

"You said you and Sarah always go to In-N-Out, but we don't have to go there."

"We don't always go there."

"Where did you go yesterday?"

"Ok. We could go to Del Taco, Chick-fil-A… It's not Wednesday, or we'd get surf and turf at Popeyes. … I know. Shake Shack."

"Sounds good." Morgan noticed that Sarah didn't voice her choice. Chuck knew what she wanted without asking. Considering how often the two of them went to lunch nowadays, of course he knew what she wanted for lunch.

Morgan didn't like any silence and the ride was too quiet, so he found something to say. "Sarah, a few weeks ago, I saw someone who looked like you at the marina, when I met Anna's parents. Did you know you have a doppelganger? Bryce Larkin does too. That double was at Buy More on Black Friday, but disappeared when I evacuated the store because of the gas leak that Chuck had smelled before calling the 'Pineapple.' There's two of everyone in the area, so be careful."

"There's only one of you, Buddy."

Sarah was stuck on the doppelganger theory, "You saw me, at the marina. That's strange. Why would I be there?"

"You and Chuck broke up. I thought you were back together at Thanksgiving, but maybe some had invited you… but Chuck said it wasn't you. If there weren't doubles, I could have introduced you to that Bryce lookalike, since you never had the displeasure of meeting Chuck's nemesis."

Sarah looked over at Chuck with something like that look he always gave her. Those two were so into each other. She broke their mutual gaze and said to Morgan, "You're right. I should know who to keep away from Chuck."

At Shake Shack, Chuck ordered for both Sarah and him. After many years of best friendship, Morgan could have guessed Chuck's order. Chuck had months, not years, but he knew Sarah's: Cheeseburger with extra pickles and a chocolate shake. No fries.

At a four-person booth, Sarah sat first, and Morgan quickly claimed the spot across from her. Chuck stood there a couple seconds, not sure which side to take. With the spot across from her claimed, Sarah patted the place next to her, and Chuck slid in.

Sarah bit into her messy cheeseburger stacked with pickles and made a little noise. Wow. How could Chuck eat around someone making noises like that? It was hot; he was a lucky guy. Morgan started into his burger and saw why Sarah didn't get fries. Chuck's were on the far side, away from Sarah, but that didn't stop her from taking some. He didn't try to stop her.

Sarah looked hard at Morgan. He felt like he had to talk. That's what he was going to do at lunch. It was a big enough deal that he had to make sure. "Sarah, you know this is a secret, right? Please don't mention it to Anna or anyone who might tell Anna?"

"Who would I tell, other than Chuck? And he's right here."

"Everyone knows you are friends with John Casey, and he wouldn't tell Anna because he never talks to her, but just in case, don't tell him. I don't trust him to not reveal a secret. You might say something to Ellie or Awesome, but they already know. It's still not a good idea to say anything to either of them."

Chuck said, "I think I know what you are going to say, Morgan."

"You know the inevitable happened? What do you think about it?"

Sarah said, "I still don't know what you're talking about." She took a drink.

"I slept with Ellie."

Sarah sprayed her drink all over the table in reaction. "Oh, I'm sorry." She took napkins and started wiping the table. Chuck immediately helped. "Did you say you slept with Ellie?"

Chuck calmly said, "He didn't sleep with Ellie."

Morgan had to correct that. "Yes, I did."

Sarah had looked embarrassed by her reaction, but then she looked contrite. "This is my fault, Chuck. I had to go help you, but I was with Ellie. She was upset, mad at Devon, and drunk. Morgan came to the apartment, and you told me he's always looked out for you, so I thought he could be there for your sister."

"Morgan and Ellie did not sleep together," Chuck calmly said.

"But we did!" Morgan protested.

Chuck sighed. "Sarah, Morgan and Ellie did not have sex."

"Are you saying they made love?" Sarah asked.

"No. When I said they didn't 'sleep' together, I meant they didn't sleep together in any euphemistic way. They slept-slept. Ellie was going to pass out, and she asked Morgan to stay. Nothing happened."

Morgan had to correct Chuck again for the second time in a minute. That didn't happen often. "Something happened. I woke up in bed with Ellie. It was the best ever! But I'm not an idiot." Chuck and Sarah both gave him doubtful looks, but Morgan charged on anyway. "I know nothing is going to come of it. Awesome decided to be his awesome self, and he came home with a new big screen TV, like she wanted. She forgave him. Awesome didn't grind me to a pulp, which was good.

"I never had a chance with Ellie. She's like a sister…one that I want to have sex with."

"Morgan—"

"Right. Not saying that again, which is what I need to do because of Anna. You know how she was at Thanksgiving. If she found out where I was last night."

Chuck provided his typical sage wisdom. "Ok, here's what you are going to do, Morgan. You are not going to talk about what you and Ellie did last night. You are not going to say what you did or what you wish you did. Please, do not think about Ellie like that again."

"I'll do my best to try, Chuck. It's just hard. Ellie is the most beautiful woman in the world. No offense, Sarah. You're second, but you're with Chuck, so you're off limits. Bro code."

Chuck looked like he didn't understand. "Wouldn't that apply to Ellie, too?" Morgan was going to explain how Ellie was different, but before he could, Chuck asserted himself again. "That doesn't matter. Ellie is with Devon, so she's off limits. She's also made it clear for years that she's off limits, and she has all of the say."

Morgan looked down and nodded in resignation. "I know. That's why I'm worried about Anna."

Sarah put her two cents in, which was good because Morgan wanted a woman's view on this. "I think I understand now. Morgan, I asked you to look after Ellie, and you did. Chuck knows, and he won't hurt you for looking after his sister and not going too far. Devon knows what happened, and he didn't hurt you. Ellie knows what happened, and she didn't hurt you. You were a good friend and didn't cheat on Anna, so don't say anything."

"But what about the next time Anna and Ellie are in the same room?"

Chuck started, "If that ever happens—"

"Why wouldn't that happen?"

"Fine. The next time that happens, we have to watch out, even if Anna never hears your account of what happened last night."

"Do you really think Anna will be ok with it?"

"Not if you tell her you slept with Ellie the way that you said it to us," Chuck responded. "Nothing happened beyond you acting like a long-time friend of the family should, so you don't need to feel guilty about it. And just because one night Ellie—"

"Yeah, I know. I don't get to be lucky like you. You're the best guy in the world, so you get the second best woman in the world. Anna's the right person for me."

Sarah kissed Chuck on the cheek as she took more of his fries. Those two were so cute together!

On the way back out to the Herder, Chuck said, "I'd let you drive, Sarah, except I remember what happened last time." She gave him a teasing hip-check.

Chuck let Sarah drive a Herder? It was a company car, and Sarah didn't work for Buy More. Considering her car, Morgan supposed it was a step down for her, and she could easily take care of it. What was Chuck worried about, then?

Back at Buy More, Sarah walked through the back of the store to return to Wienerlicious. After Chuck kissed her goodbye on the cheek, Morgan reminded her, "Remember, don't tell anyone."

"Your secret is safe with me. Thanks for letting me go to lunch with you two, Morgan." She waved and left.

Letting her go with them. With someone like Sarah around, Morgan understood why Chuck wasn't around for lunch very often. He felt lucky Chuck didn't ditch him to go alone with her to lunch today.

A/N: Could you imagine what would have happened if Anna found out that Morgan slept with Ellie (or even if she heard the truth that he slept-slept with Ellie)? Anna would attack and either Ellie would have defended herself, or if Chuck got wind of what Anna was going to do, he would have asked Sarah or Casey to defend her. Casey or Sarah would have had to dispose of a Taiwanese body. Sarah, Casey, and Ellie were all more formidable than Mitt.

MyNameIsJeffNImLost AU stories:
- Chuck vs Under the Cover (chapter 5, "They will always have Echo Park")