F/N1 from AC: A few readers noted that this story's last chapter included a section with Sarah working in Washington, DC in September 2001. And the question came up as to how Sarah could be in the FBI, located in Washington DC, and not have any mention of the tragic events of 9-11? Well, the short answer is that is because Wade didn't write anything about that. He was focused on Sarah's backstory and character development, and my guess is that it didn't really occur to him that those events would have impacted everyone in the intelligence and law enforcement agencies. So since I am presenting this story as Wade wrote it, I am not at liberty to add or significantly modify content. However, I will say that Wade and I traded a lot of emails about topics such as these, and I am happy to share his thoughts and rationale on such topics if I feel that he was clear to me. I am not comfortable changing the content of Wade's story based on review feedback, other than to correct typos or other errata. But I will explain his thoughts on anything we discussed as this story goes along.

I don't own Chuck or any of the characters.

Chuck and Sarah vs The Makeover

Chapter 3: Noticed

June 2002

Washington, DC

Mr. Pesci was locking the Analyst briefcase, when he spoke up, "So Miss Walker, Executive Assistant Director Ross of the National Security Branch, has asked that you spend some time in her Department today. She is the Director over the Analysts Department, among others. I guess there is some additional training on their end that they want you to have. This is a unique responsibility you have, and you seem to be handling it well."

Sarah was taken aback. Mr. Pesci was usually too busy to talk, and not one to be overly supportive. It felt good to be acknowledged, so she wanted to be sure that he understood her commitment to her job. "Well sir, I do take this seriously. I know it is secured to keep it from prying eyes, but be aware, if I was attacked for it, I would fight to defend it."

Mr. Pesci started to laugh, but then restrained himself. "Miss Walker, I don't doubt your commitment to your duties. I just hope you aren't ever attacked as you walk between the Departments of our facility."

Sarah blushed at herself. OK, Sarah, maybe that was a little overexuberant. It is nice that they appreciate what I am doing. I wonder what I need to be trained on with the Analysts? Her curiosity grew, as she made her trek between the departments.

Her drop off went as normal, but instead of an immediate turn around, she left the briefcase and was led to a chair outside the Security Branch Director's office. The assistant acknowledged her, and after a short wait, she was led into the office and sat at a small table in the corner, which had stacks of paper on it.

Director Ross rose from her desk and greeted Sarah as she moved to join her at the table. "Miss Walker, it is good to meet you. I am happy you are able to be with us this afternoon."

Sarah stood and shook the Director's hand. "Yes. Of course ma'am. I am happy to do whatever is required for me to do my job properly. I am very happy for the opportunity to be working here." It was outside of Sarah's comfort zone to be so expressive, so it was testament to her desire to fit in here that she spoke so freely.

Director Ross invited Sarah to sit, and while they both relaxed into their chairs, the intensity of Ross's stare increased. "I've watched you over the past year or so, as you hurry back and forth with your briefcase. And do you know what's the main thing I noticed about you?" she asked.

Sarah was perplexed by this line of questioning. Are they suspicious of me about something? She shook her head. "No, ma'am, I don't."

Ross smiled. "I noticed that you notice everything. Your head may be down, but your eyes take in everything. You may be doing something mundane, but I can see that you are always thinking. And I like thinkers. That's what our Analysts do here, is think about the data." She tilted her head slightly as she inquired, "Do you like puzzles, problems and mysteries?"

Sarah nodded her head, enthusiastically. "Yes ma'am. I do enjoy figuring things out."

"Well good," Ross happily replied. "Now I don't want you to get the wrong idea. You are staying at your current job. I am not here to give you a new job. What I am here to do is to give you some tests."

Ross grabbed the stack of paperwork and forms, and handed them to Sarah. "These are a variety of puzzles, problems, and aptitude tests. I want you to relax. This isn't a pass or fail situation. It is simply an exploration of your abilities and proclivities. Take your time and just enjoy the process." With that explanation, Director Ross stood and returned to her desk. Sarah spent the next several hours working through all of it. When she was finished the Director thanked her and sent her on her way. She was tired but excited, wondering what that was all about and how it might change her future.

Sophia Ross grew up in a blue collar neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Her mom worked part time at the grocer, while her dad was a machinist. Her dad was smart, but not as smart as he thought he was. He thought he was smarter than the oddsmakers and bookies. He was always certain he had figured out a sure thing angle, but it seems like they were always short money at the end of the month.

Being short of money led to household fights, which created a disruptive environment that she wanted to escape from. The TV was always in hock, and there was no budget for toys. Her salvation was the local library that her parents would take her to. She would stay there for hours, reading anything and everything. It provided her escape, but also sharpened her intelligent mind. In high school she had grown to be 5'9" and caught the eye of the basketball coach. While she was a decent player, she wasn't good enough to get a scholarship or play in college. But her coaches' interest in her, along with her English teachers' support, motivated her to go to college. Which led her to where she was today, Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch. Her lofty position in the FBI had responsibility for the areas of Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate and the Directorate of Intelligence.

She appreciated the value of a mentor, to making a difference in a young person's life as her high school coach had done in hers. She felt drawn to make a difference in Sarah Walker's life. There was something about Sarah that reminded her of herself. Scrappy and streetwise. On one level Sarah presented herself well, always professionally dressed and well mannered. On the other hand, it seemed that Sarah tried to be invisible. She wore no makeup and seemed to be making an effort to look plain. She stayed to the back of any gathering and didn't speak unless spoken to. But she also was watching, always watching, and that is what caught the Director's attention. She recognized herself in Sarah.

So she watched Miss Walker, uncovered that she was part of witness protection, and figured that Sarah must have had a rough childhood. She recognized herself in Sarah. So she decided she wanted to learn more, and arranged for all of this testing. Perhaps Sarah could make a good analyst, after she learns about information management. Who knows what the future might hold for Sarah Walker, but she hoped it would be a good one.

August 2002

Washington, DC

Sarah logged on to her college's new student portal, with trepidation. Her past experience with on-line activities found that guys could be even creepier on-line, once they knew you were female. The school's system required that you log on with your full name, so there was no hiding that you are female. But the second year University classes were getting more difficult, so she needed to find some study partners, and she decided to try on-line.

There were study groups on campus which she could join with, but she just didn't feel comfortable in groups. Not even a group of two. She felt like she had to always be on guard, her Dad's distrust of people deeply ingrained. She wasn't going to play the fool for anyone, so she closely guarded her answers, to make sure that other students didn't take more than they were giving. Her standoffishness didn't endear her to the study groups that she did reach out to. No one really noticed when she drifted away. Being unnoticed was an ability that she cultivated in settings like these. Being the last one to class, and the first to leave, had been her primary strategy to avoid her classmates, her first year of college. One of the things she liked about College, over High School, was that it was easier to avoid any classroom drama.

So now she found herself logging on as user SarahWalker to the school's Chat Room. There was one other student CarinaMiller logged on. They quickly messaged with each other.

CarinaMiller:: Hi. How are you? Are you here looking for a study partner?

SarahWalker: Hi. I'm OK. Yes, I'm looking for study partners for my second year classes.

CarinaMiller: Great! Me Too. I'm also in my second year. I am so glad they set this up, so I can finally connect with other students. Are you in D.C.?

SarahWalker: Yes, I'm in D.C.. Aren't you?

CarinaMiller: No, I'm not in D.C.. I wish I was. I'm on my parent's farm near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. I have two older brothers, two younger brothers and a sister, who is the youngest. I'm here as part of a test group who are taking all of the classes on-line, using our home computers. I'm used to using computers for school, because all my family was home schooled. My parents are pretty religious and keep us close to home. They want me to find a nice neighbor boy, settle down and raise a family. But I want more than that. I want to see more of the world and explore all life has to offer. So, I decided to become a librarian. Every town has a library, so I figured that I could move anywhere I wanted. My parents weren't comfortable with me going off to college, so I got lucky and found this study-from-home trial group. So far, so good. If things go well this year, I am going to ask them to let me move into the city, and take classes there. So, what is your story?

Well hello, Miss Carina "I-am-an-open-book" Miller. I think Dad would be going for her Social Security number by now. Is this normal, on-line? They had better not expect me to be spilling my guts. I may need help with some of my classes, but my secrets are staying my secrets.

SarahWalker: Hi. So, like I said, I think I need a study partner to help keep my grades up.

Sarah then led Carina into a discussion about their second year classes, but couldn't avoid some gossip about the instructors. Carina then steered the conversation back over to their first year classes and instructors. Carina was eager to hear what they were like, in person, as well as any other information about what it is like to be on campus.

After a couple of hours they said their goodbyes and logged off.

Whew! Thought Sarah. Carina is something else. I have never met someone wanting so much to experience life. She just puts herself out there and ravenously consumes whatever comes back. She really makes you open your eyes and take a fresh look at things. Sarah softly laughed to herself. And she definitely has nothing to hide. I don't have to wonder what she is up to, she will tell me. Maybe she could be a friend. She doesn't push me for personal information and she shares herself with me openly. Maybe I should take a chance and partner up with her. Although I think I will need to also protect her. I won't take advantage of her openness, but others will. Well, Carina Miller, it looks like you are getting a study buddy and protector. And I am getting a front seat view of your discovery of life. This could actually be entertaining.

Wow! Thought Carina. Sarah is so cool. She lives by herself in the middle of Washington, getting to go out and have fun, go dancing, do whatever she wants to do. She must be so fun to hang around with. She is successful and has some kind of good government job. So, life must be good for her. Although getting any information out of her is a challenge. It makes her kind of mysterious. She is so cool. Sarah Walker, you are not just getting a study buddy, you are getting a sidekick and supporter. This is going to be so much fun!

F/N2 from AC: Yes, it seem that this is a different Carina than we met in canon. Keep in mind that Sarah and Carina are only 19 years old, not old enough to drink! So it's not so much a different Carina as it is a younger, inexperienced Carina.