Chapter 1: The Cynic comes alive.

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights on anything associated to Chuck, the tv show and the characters and storylines they involve. This is a purely fan-generated story from a different perspective if a few events were changed, and if attitudes were different.

Somehow you have landed in this hole of the internet. If by mistake or by choice, I'm not sure. But, I hope that you stay and go through my take on the TV Series Chuck. The story starts at the beach, the end of the pilot episode. There will be variations and it will probably move way off canon, but this is my take on the together-now, not-together-now relationship between Chuck and Sarah. Enjoy.

Chuck POV:

Hi. My name's Charles Irving Bartowski, Chuck to my family and friends and patsy to Bryce Larkin. There are a few things you need to know about me. I'm a 26-year-old, Stanford "expellee", hiding at a Buy More Nerd Herd in Burbank, California, making a meagre $11 an hour.

My family (besides my lovely sister and her awesome fiancé) sucks with an absentee mom and off-the-rockers dad. My amazing sis stepped up and took care of me making sure I got into Stanford with a full scholarship - a dream successfully accomplished.

Then my best friend and roommate framed me for cheating in an elective for an obscure field of image processing and deduction. However, I decided that I wouldn't let this go without a fight. With the help of numerous professors and friends that vouched for me, and the lynchpin of a retired FBI polygraph specialist I was able to ward off suspension and expulsion.

All that came to naught when the campus authorities suddenly traced back a hack of their servers and security systems to my computer and I was expelled and sentenced to jail for three years for supposedly committing a felony in hacking with malicious intent to cripple the University and infringement of the Stanford whistle-blowers policy. This time around nobody supported me and I went to jail for another frame-job.

I would say my sister was disappointed but that would be an understatement. She was furious with me and with my former assholic roommate. And my then girlfriend, Jill, crushed my heart Stanford and slept with the despicable "unspeakable". Depression and heartache couldn't begin to describe my state. But so it goes.

I guess with the bond I and my sister had developed, the reliance on each other, our need to step-up when our parents gave up, I thought no matter what she would believe me. Reality is a bitch. While she still loved me and supported me, she knew my past as Piranha - an amateur hacker - and shot down any of my cries and pleas of me leaving that behind me. Well. That became a strong thorn in our relationship from then on.

The only one who stood by me no matter what and believed me unconditionally is my eccentric friend Morgan. And I am grateful to have him in my otherwise sorry life.

On the day of my release from prison to my surprise I saw my sister, her fiancé and Morgan had come to pick me up. They helped me settle back into life with Morgan getting me back the store job as Big Mike still had faith in me. I took a few months to find a place I could stay in so that I would be out of my sisters' hair. Prison had changed me irrevocably. Gone was the innocent black and white picture, the belief in the system and all the other crap privileged idiots spout. And no matter how hurt I was that my own sister refused to believe in me, I cannot impose that darkness that infests in me on her bright way of life.

Despite intense protests from her and some from Devon, I left the house. I sold all my collectibles and got 45 grand for it from a collector who was more than happy to take it off my hands. With it I bought a used car for about $3000 and opened a savings account. The harshness of prison conditions had forced me to grow up and realize I can survive in the worst of the dumps if need be. So I rented an apartment in a high-crime neighbourhood and got it dirt cheap at $250 a month because of the conditions - a double homicide left it really cheap.

While I didn't associate with criminals, I did make a few contacts. One such guy had an auto shop and I had taken a knife in prison that was meant for him. Result, I got a completely revamped Toyota Corolla with a sweet engine and completely redone interiors. Normally that would have cost me a pretty penny, but I got it done for just $300.

Next, I went to another contact who hooked me up with a sweet rig for coding and hacking. Hey. I was framed for hacking. Three years for absolutely nothing. Might as well do something with it. I got everything for 70% less - costing just under a grand.

My sister and I meet once or twice a month as no matter what, we are still siblings and we love each other. But, it hadn't been the same as before.

I guess it would be fair to peg me as a wayward bum with huge insecurities and abandonment issues, massive distrust of the government, law enforcement and a paranoid streak that runs a mile long, who wears his emotions on the sleeve but conceals enough to those untrained to recognise it and has massive phobias about most dangerous scenarios.

One would think that the Universe had pummelled me with every possible scenario. Then it threw yet another curveball in what was an exotically miserable tapestry that I call my life and set it to cross with the CIA, NSA and all the other pitfalls that came with them. I should have known that I wouldn't actually score with a woman that pretty. I mean look at her and then look at me. It is pretty evident. But my eternal turmoil-bringer called hope got a fast one over me and made me think I had a chance. Well, I am not sure I even reached my pinnacle, but I was savagely beaten back to my hole when I realized that she was flirting and even laughed at my rather crappy jokes because I was just another job, a mark so to speak and she was an officer of the CIA. At this point, I should not have been surprised at all.

Nothing good ever happens. I think it is a curse. I'm sure that it must be. But I'm unwilling to give it a name. You want to know how I realized she was CIA? The NSA was chasing me. The fucking NSA. I mean, holy mother of Christ. I have two intelligence agencies here to do heaven knows what to me. Well, somehow I made it out of there alive. But as the expression goes, from the frying pan into the fucking furnace. I had to disarm a bomb - a frigging bomb people - with a virus of a porn star from the internet. And then they started fighting over me. CIA is going to get me. NSA is going to get me. I don't know who they think they are, treating me akin to property. So that happened and now I am watching the ocean flow toward the horizon hoping that it would swallow me and cease my rather shameful existence. You, are all caught up now.

On the beach, Dawn.

Third Person POV:

As the sun sets, after what was a pretty incredible, terrifying and yet another soul crushing day, Chuck was seated on the beach sands overlooking the vastness of the blue waters of the Pacific and the orangish hues of the sky, contemplating his misfortune and reliving his anguish of yet another failed attempt - even though it was only a date - at a relationship, dreading the pitying looks of his family and friends and most of all himself. He muttered "I should have known. Well, after everything, I should have known".

He hears soft steps approaching him from behind and Agent Walker stands next to him. After a few moments, he gathers the courage to ask her "How long have you been here?". She replies while sitting down, "All night".

It sounds more like a question, but it does temper his raging emotions by a little bit. Not much, but a little bit. It didn't really change his reception towards her considering she is here because he is the intersect - an invaluable intelligence resource for the CIA and the NSA. He is sure that she has better things to do with her time that stick around him if he didn't have the intersect.

So, he thought of the other options he has - he could try running but he realized that he would probably last a day, two at max. What about his family? He would be abandoning his sister like every other family member had done before him. Not that it would affect her as much as it might if he wasn't officially labelled a convict. Atleast he wishes that his absence might cause something to make her realise how close he considers her. Nah. He loved her too much to let that happen. He couldn't do that to her. He would just have to suffer through it. But he still needs the confirmation. So, he asks despondently, "There's no where I can run. Is there?". To which she replies, "Not from us."

Three words. Enough to pepper the last remnants of his heart. He is on the precipice. A terribly bitter concoction of hatred, envy, confusion, sadness, desperation, and most of all hopelessness takes over his being. And lost in his gloom, he almost misses her request and command - "Talk to me, Chuck".

He is lost completely. Should he pour out his anxiety? What good would that come? Being an agent, she would use it against him. Should he show concern for his family? Again, the same argument and reasoning as above. Maybe he should keep it limited to the objective facts they both know. Maybe sticking to his rather mundane professional life might be the correct approach. With that he replies " Yesterday I was making a pitiful $11 an hour fixing computers as a rehabilitated convict... Today I have one in my brain… I don't know why Bryce did it. Why, he chose me..." After a few seconds, he adds "What are you going to do with me?".

She gives him an inquisitive look with an eyebrow raised. He clarifies, "I am a convict. There is no way Captain America Grouchy there is going to let me stay out of, what was it - the bunker? I mean how will your superiors trust me - a felon - to give you correct information?"

"There are protocols for everything Chuck. We will come up with something. For now, you go back to your life. We will be here to protect the intersect. I am sure they will work out a way to extract that information from you. You will work for us - as an asset. If at any time you cross a line or disregard our instructions, you will be on the fastroad to the bunker hell. You must not tell anybody, Chuck. It will put them in danger not only from the bad guys, but from my bosses as well. Understand?"

Chuck POV:

I can't say anything now. I mean, I think I am getting railroaded all over again. I guess they could have just sent me to Gitmo and tortured the information out of me. They might still do it.

Ugh… I hate my life. Why did I open that email? Why couldn't I just send it to trash? It would have saved me from so much pain, confusion and probably kept these spooks out of my life. Perhaps, this is the last nail in that particular coffin. I have been beaten into submission. To whatever powers that be, I heard your message. No hope. No chance to climb back out of the grave I find myself in. I gotcha.

Onto the other thing. How is it they are going to protect me again? She didn't specify. What could they possibly do? They have to stay close by. So does that mean they will intrude into my life professionally? I could see that happening. I just hope I wouldn't have to lie to my sister outright. No matter what happens, I need to learn to keep them separate from my family. And also let my... associates from prison know not to come around for a while. I should also reduce the hacking-for-hire jobs. Maybe I can take up side jobs to supplement my earning. I need to look into the bug bounty stuff, stock options? Yeah, mental note to check that out later.

Coming back… Now would they intrude into my personal life? I mean, no one would give two shots about that right? Who am I fucking kidding? I am the "single most important piece of US intelligence" in existence today. So I can kill that piece of life. That means, a dry spell. I can live with that. It's only been a year and half since that drunken night. Not like she would be interested anyway. Who would be? A loser from the fucking Buymore. That brings me to…

"How is that going to work? The protection thing? Going to keep me under supervision all the time? Or is it like infiltration of workplace and life?"

Why is she looking at me like that? Oh my God. I asked too many questions. I should have just stopped probing. Stupid me and my big mouth.

Third PoV

"I understand if y-" Chuck started to say but was interrupted.

"We will be continuing this dating thing for now. Not much has been discussed with our bosses and the only thing I can confirm now is I and Major Casey will take up cover jobs to be in your vicinity all the time" came the reply.

And just like that all his fears came crashing back, clearly visible on his face. Musing internally, Sarah thinks, "He would make a great actor if he could get this done on command".

Chuck was having too many strokes to recover from. He couldn't try and live through a fake relationship. It would not only crush his heart, but would be the golden fruit always just beyond his reach. Besides, she could have any man she wanted. A sway of the hips, a few laughs and seduced would be the inevitable result for the poor male in her sights. It worked impeccably on him so far. Better to nip it in the bud.

"I don't think the dating part's a good idea. While I presume you might be able to convince everyone else, I have no such ability, skill or even training to do so. It would be better, if instead we just showcased it as two good friends from a failed date. I mean, anyone would be lucky to be dating you. But if it is to be a pretence, I wouldn't be able to sustain it for more than say a week. Unless, this arrangement will last only a week?"

The last bit of that monologue came a bit too hopeful for it not to hurt Sarah. She had a genuinely good time that night. It felt right and unlike all the previous marks she had entertained and the dates she had been on, she had enjoyed herself beyond just the dinner and company. Sterling her nerves, she thought of what he said. Realizing it to be true, but not wanting to admit that, she spoke in a clipped manner.

"Well, Chuck. I can't say it would last just a week. We all hope it does. Hopefully, you can go back to your life after it is done. However, I don't get a say in the cover jobs or covers in general and that is decided by my superiors. So, you would have to find a way to accommodate."

With that, a painful silence descended on them. Neither spoke for a long time, just awkwardly watching the sun rise, seemingly from the depths of the vast blue waters into the sky. Time came to part when she spoke "I need you to do one final thing for me Chuck, trust me."

Chuck raised an eyebrow to that. Did she just ask her to trust him? She had over the course of the day managed to worm her way into a date and pretend to like him for getting the job done. I mean this is just way too much. "Really? I mean how exactly? We didn't really start off with trust."

No one before had been that direct to her. Everyone always tried to imply their distrust or soften the blow to let her down. Until now. He just said it directly to her face. Although her could have put it in much more damaging terms.

"How about this - I didn't shoot you when you ran even though I was ordered to? Or I trusted you to disarm a bomb even though you are a criminal? Or that I fought with my bosses to make sure you aren't placed in a bunker? Doesn't that garner me some leeway for a little trust?" Sarah furiously spat.

Chuck eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "I should trust you because you didn't shoot me? Allowed me - a hacker - to save our lives? I suppose that's how it works. I am grateful, truly about fighting for me and not having me sent to a bunker. And I am sorry to have obviously hurt you. But I am sure you know that I have a few trust issues owing to the rogue agent who has caused this mess."

They bought sat in silence. It was clear it was uncomfortable. Chuck finally spoke. "I am sorry Sarah. I do trust you. I have throughout the evening. It's just... I just... Today has been a rough day for a lot of reasons. And my frustration leaked into my previous remarks. Thank you for giving me a chance. I will do the same for you."

A tenuous peace had been established. "Despite the chase from G-suits and gun show on the roof, I think this qualifies as the best first date - fake or not - in a long time."

That got her to laugh heartily. And Chuck joined her. After a while, they stopped. "I guess I'll see you around. Oh, and don't take the cover jobs just yet. I had given my notice for quitting a week ago. I will be submitting my paper work today morning. See ya later, Agent Walker."

"Bye Chuck."

Echo Park

When Chuck entered, Ellie and Morgan jumped to their feet and started quickly questioning him, scolding him for keeping them up the whole night. "Shut-up, Morgan." Ellie scolded. Chuck hushed them both by pulling them into a hug and Awesome called a group hug and hugged them all. At that moment, Chuck promised himself - no matter what, his situation will never affect his family ever again. He will forgive himself and Ellie for whatever perceived slights he felt. He would work hard to make his sister happy and get out of the Buymore with his considerable savings which now ballooned to about $60,000, get into shape and somehow endure the government's whims and wishes.

Buymore, the Next Day.

"You are truyly quitting, Bartowski? Leaving me to be eaten by this pack of wolves?". Chuck remained silent and started watching the fish stuck to the plaque in Big Mike's office. "Well, it is about time." Chuck was shocked. "What d'yu mean, Big Mike?"

Big Mike smiled. "You are an incredibly talented kid, Bartowski. I didn't believe it then when they said you wilfully committed felonies, I don't believe it now. I gave you back the job not only because of the cheap expert labour, but because you needed relative stability in life. It's time you get going. No one will be waiting for you to catch up."

Chuck was ecstatic that someone believed him. "Thanks, boss. I appreciate it all."

"Alright. Now don't get sappy on me. It's a good thing that I already drew up all your paperwork and kept it ready last year. For you, I have reduced your notice time to under 1 week. Now, make sure to choose your replacement from the hordes outside. You also have a fresh probie to coach - some John Casey, ex-military dude. Do a good job or fire him. Either way, finish it today. Now go. I need to finish my donuts."

Chuck left happy, conflicted, and terrified for the future. But, he felt exhilarated for the first time in so long that he knew his life just got turned around,

Hey Guys. So this is my first Chuck fic and 2nd fanfic overall. I hope to continually improve my writing and storytelling to the point where when I read my work I can actually enjoy the writing style and etc. My main focus in this story is Chuck growing a spine instead of being terrified all the time. He will be a lot more closed off than in canon, but he will retain the adorable nature and some of the insecurities and issues as in the canon.

While the buymore was a centre of action for most of the show, it will take the backseat here. I will be concentrating on the principal characters only namely Sarah, Chuck, Ellie, Casey, Morgan and Devon. As the story progresses, so will other characters. I hope to work through a lot of insecurities held Chuck and Sarah from the perspective of law breakers even if Chuck isn't truly one. This is and always will be a chuck and Sarah story. Just might take a while to get there, not as long as canon though.

I won't be regularly updating this. But I am not abandoning this either. Give me your thoughts and thank you for reading this. I am open to someone helping me along this story.

On a personal note, while fictional, a lot of Chuck resonated with me and I hope to return that hope I got back to the incredible Chuck fan community as well. Until next time, Good Bye and take care.