F/N1 from AC: Sarah and Carina have decided to accept the offer to lay low at Casa Bartowski until the time for their hand-off of the mysterious device. We continue with the first evening of their stay.
I continue to have a decided lack of ownership in Chuck.
Chuck and Sarah vs The Makeover
Chapter 9: Connecting
April 28, 2004
Monday evening: Day 1 of the Los Angeles Mission
The chairs were carried back in place, and Ellie followed with the now-empty wine glasses. She stood before them, and behind her, the door opened. Ellie turned, and Carina looked past her to see an angel walking in the door.
Tall, blonde, fit, and chiseled, it entered the room with a smile radiating from its face. It spoke, "Babe!" and the three ladies' hearts melted.
Ellie returned the smile and stepped forward to hug the Angel. "Devon," she said, speaking its name.
Devon looked over her shoulder, finally taking note of the others in the room. His blonde hair was mussed, his strong chin was dusted with a 5 o'clock shadow, and his eyes had slight bags reflecting his exhaustion. He was perfect. Carina couldn't tear her eyes away.
It wasn't Sarah's place to fight off this new intruder. Considering how handsome he was, she didn't necessarily want to fight him off, but still, that was her default response. Instead, she curled herself into a corner of the couch, the closest to flight that she could achieve, and she sat back to observe.
Chuck just whispers, with a grin, "Captain Awesome."
Ellie greets her boyfriend with the simple joy that he brings being part of her world.
"You have guests." He noted, his pleasure pushing aside his exhaustion for the moment. "Awesome."
Ellie turned to introduce everyone, her arm still lovingly around his waist. "Devon, these are some new friends of mine. Maybe Chuck's too," she teased. "Sarah, Carina, this is my boyfriend, Devon," she explained by way of introduction.
Carina and Sarah shyly waved back. "Nice to meet you," they said, almost in unison.
Ellie lightly slapped Devon on the chest, "And we will need to take over the bathroom later, so get your business done. I have to go to the store and pick some things up. I will drop Chuck at In and Out to pick up burgers for dinner." Boss Ellie was in charge.
Chuck looked at Ellie and raised his eyebrows, "I am?" he silently questioned.
Ellie just smiled and nodded.
Chuck looked over at the girls with a bemused grin and a shrug. "I am." He silently confirmed.
Ellie checked in with them. "You guys okay with Cheeseburgers? They are so good here."
"Sure," they replied in unison. Sarah and Carina surprised themselves by giggling. Chuck could be so cute, and Ellie is so cool, were their shared thoughts.
"That works. Just get me a double, single, protein-style, and I'll mix up a veggie shake," Devon requested as he walked to the bathroom door. All of their eyes followed him. "I'm just going to jump in the shower and get these surgeries washed off of me." With that, he pulled off his scrub tops, revealing his broad chest and six-pack abs.
Ellie rolled her eyes, "Devon…" she groaned.
Chuck, used to Devon's obliviousness about his looks, just looked down and shook his head.
Sarah gasped, responding to something primal, and melted back into the couch.
Carina fainted.
Devon had already finished entering the bathroom and closing the door behind him, so the other three were left to tend to Carina.
Ellie laughed as she kneeled next to Carina, repositioning her. "He just doesn't understand the effect he can have. His body should have a warning label." Chuck laughed along with her.
Sarah gasped at the directness of her statement. Ellie just puts it out there. Sarah couldn't help blushing as well.
They helped a disoriented Carina to her feet. "Chuck, could you grab one of Devon's robes from our room and toss that in the bathroom with him?"
Sarah spoke up, "Let's get Carina into the guest room. We can close the door, and I will start getting us unpacked."
Chuck rejoined them as they led a dazed Carina to one of the bedrooms. "Hey Chuck, please move their suitcases into the guest bedroom."
Chuck looked at her, puzzled. "The guest bedroom?"
Ellie grinned at him. "Yeah. Your bedroom. You are moving to the couch."
Chuck and Sarah's jaws dropped at the same time. "No. No. That's not right," Sarah interjected. We can't kick him out of his room."
Ellie laughed as she reassured her, "Don't worry about it. Half the time, he falls asleep out here watching TV anyway. And it is only for a few days. He will survive, he won't mind."
Chuck turned to Ellie so Sarah couldn't see, and he sarcastically mouthed her words, "He will survive. He won't mind."
Ellie could not help but snort out a laugh as they continued to move Carina and everything into the newly designated guest room.
Chuck just shook his head. I am such a sucker.
Chuck attached Morgan's bike to the car's bike rack to be dropped off during their errand run. As soon as he got in the car, he started apologizing. "Hey, El, I am sorry that I got us involved in some kind of mess here."
Ellie laughed, "You might do it more often, but we both seem to get ourselves into messes. I think it comes from actually caring about people."
"Yeah, Ellie, I know. We are supposed to help people. But after Bryce and Jill, I have seen how people can take advantage of you. People you trusted just blindside you with betrayal." Chuck said with frustration and anger.
"I know, I know. I hope they suffer some kind of awful fate together. But you can't let that put you off from all people and relationships. I think we can help these two. I have some things in mind, so let me focus on what I need from the store. Hold your thoughts for the drive home." Ellie smiled at him reassuringly. "You are doing fine, Chuck. I think everything will be okay."
After dropping off the bike and Chuck making the burger run while Ellie went shopping at the drugstore, they were finally returning home.
Ellie couldn't help stealing a few hot fries from the bag, mumbling, "So good," as she gingerly ate the salty treat. "I think they are going to love these burgers."
Chuck was a bit flabbergasted. "We have two strange women back at the apartment with Awesome. I would remind you, who are in who knows what kind of trouble, and are you thinking about whether they will like the hamburgers? I mean, aren't you worried about them being alone with Devon?"
Ellie laughed heartily, "I trust Devon completely, and if they did try something, he would be telling me about it so fast. I guess it is a kind of test. If they do something shady while we are gone, it will let us know something's up. But I think they are trustworthy and won't hurt us. And I just feel drawn to help them. They seem lost on so many levels."
Chuck still had his blood up, and his concerns ran high. "Yeah, but even if they are trustworthy, what about the people who are after them? You didn't see the gun, Ellie. I saw the gun he had." Chuck's voice caught as tears sprang to his eyes. "I could never forgive myself if you got hurt."
Ellie reached out and rubbed his shoulder to comfort and reassure him. "Oh, Chuck, I appreciate your concern. I am going into this with open eyes as an adult. Nothing that happens from here on out is your fault. But you need to relax. I have a plan. I bought some hair dye, and we will change how they look. We will hide them in plain sight, so if anyone does come looking, they won't find a nervous, young blond girl. They will just find a group of long-time friends hanging out together. I kind of think it is going to be fun. Like I have some younger sisters." She laughed and poked him in the arm. "As great as you are as a younger brother, there just aren't some things I couldn't do with you."
"Well, you did try to frost my hair that time in junior high. And I get the feeling we played dress up together when I was a baby. But yeah, point taken." Chuck joined her in laughing at the situation.
"You know, when this whole thing started, I thought they were girls you met online or something. You know, girls you might be dating. And, so I was looking at them from that perspective, and I must say, they seem like they might be interested in you." Ellie pointed out that she was always concerned about her brother's relationships, especially after Jill.
Chuck's mouth opened and closed. After several tries, he managed to form words: "No, no. They are probably just shaken up about the situation. I told you I don't know that I trust them. I don't know if I am ready to trust anyone." He shook his head and looked out the window in thought.
After a moment, he added. "I have to admit, El. There is something about Sarah. It's like when I look into her eyes, we are looking into each other's core. It's like she is looking into me, and I am completely open to her, and she is open to me." He turned his head to look at Ellie. "I have never felt a connection like that with anyone. Not even Jill."
Chuck looked back out the window. "I know that sounds crazy. We just met them, and we don't know them. I need to just keep an eye on things and make sure that we can trust them. I have to make sure we make it through this okay."
That doesn't sound crazy. That sounds wonderful. Ellie thought, hearing about her brother's feelings. This is a messed up situation, but if he found someone that he connects with like that, it would be so worth it. She snagged a couple more fries and had a small smile on her face for the rest of the drive home. So good.
Devon continued to shower while Ellie and Chuck went off on their errand. Carina and Sarah shut themselves in the newly renamed Guest bedroom.
As she regained her wits, Carina moved off the bed to sit in Chuck's desk chair. Sarah hoisted her suitcase onto the bed so she could rummage through it. "What the heck, Carina?" Sarah asked incredulously. What was that all about? Passing out and everything?"
Carina flushed across her face and neck. "Umm, I guess I haven't eaten enough, and with all of the excitement, it got to be too much. And the wine. Yeah, the wine must have knocked me out for a moment," she added energetically as she thought of another excuse.
Sarah didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Here we are, in grave danger, hiding out while, at the same time, we're meeting these amazing, cool people. I don't know what to make of it yet. And I've never seen Carina so flustered before. So, she feels off-center, too. "Yeah, it's been a while since we ate. Maybe after we get our burgers, we will start feeling better."
"Yeah, a burger will be good," Carina absentmindedly repeated as she looked off into space. Then she looked over at Sarah and, with a sly smile, asked, "Can you believe he is her boyfriend? I mean, my Gosh, he is perfect. He looks like an Angel."
Sarah paused and stared at Carina. But as she thought about it, she blushed, remembering her own body's response to Devon's appearance.
"Yeah, he is good-looking." Sarah agreed. "But look at Ellie. She is amazing. She is a doctor. She is definitely a take-charge kind of person. She is smart, funny, and beautiful. No wonder he is her boyfriend."
"Yeah, Ellie is amazing. She seems like she has it together. She is somehow successful both professionally and romantically. We need to find out how she does it!" Carina enthusiastically agreed.
Sarah finished with her suitcase and stuck the video player device in the bottom of her bag to keep it out of sight. Then, she sat on the edge of the bed and took a moment to gather her thoughts. "You know my first instinct is to go alone, and I don't like to depend on others. But I have to admit that I kind of like hanging out here. You are right. Ellie is incredible, and we can learn a lot from her. I was going to not stay beyond tonight, but I think this may work, with us hiding amongst them." She turned her head and looked directly at Carina. "I am not a believer in luck. I believe in planning." She wryly grinned, "Maybe because my dad always blamed things on bad luck and never on his bad plans. But, I don't know, I feel like we are kind of lucky to have met Ellie and Chuck, and I don't want to lose that luck."
Carina scooted forward in her seat, excited by this turn of events. "Yeah, I agree. Considering the mess we seem to be in, we were very lucky with how things have worked out. I have told you that good people are out in the world. Maybe this is your chance to meet some of them. I feel like we can trust them." Then Carina got a bit of a mischievous look on her face. "And maybe Ellie can show me how to use makeup. She looks so pretty and natural. Not all overdone like the girls in some of those music videos."
Sarah nodded in agreement. Makeup? Yeah, I guess? Do I want to try to attract guys? A certain kind, curly-haired brunette popped into her mind. Do I want to attract Chuck? A small smile spread across her face.
Carina noticed and couldn't resist saying something." It looks like you kind of like that idea, too," she teased. "Are you actually thinking about boys?" She paused as she contemplated this turn of events. Then her eyes widened in realization. "It's Chuck. You are interested in Chuck, aren't you!" she excitedly exclaimed.
Sarah stiffened, flustered by Carina's bold statement. Eyes wide, mouth agape, she awkwardly and instantly denied the suggestion. "No! Shush! Keep your voice down!" She tried to calm herself down. 'No. No. I just appreciate his help. And I was worried about him getting hurt. But, no, no, definitely not interested," she insisted. But she couldn't meet Carina's eyes as she said it.
Carina smiled and moved to the bed to sit by Sarah's side. "Now, Sarah, I am getting to know you a little. And I have never seen you look at any guy the way that I have seen you look at him. Shucks, I am attracted to him. He is nice and good-looking. And he is our hero! I mean, Sarah, he protected us from dangerous men. I mean, how sexy and heroic is that? It makes me want to walk up and give him a big kiss." Carina had to blush at herself at that admission.
Sarah, too, was taken aback at Carina's bold confession. She also had a twinge of another feeling. A feeling she was unfamiliar with. She just knew the thought of Carina kissing Chuck didn't sit well with her. Her eyes narrowed at the thought.
"Wow, Sarah! It looks like you don't like that idea. Maybe you want to kiss him yourself?" Carina pressed Sarah, giving her a shoulder bump to lighten the mood.
Sarah was looking at her hands as she wrung her fingers and tried to understand thoughts and feelings that weren't familiar to her. After all, she had never had a serious relationship with a boy before. She hadn't even really kissed a boy yet. But Carina was pulling her out of her shell and helping her face parts of life that she had hidden from. So, with a deep breath, Sarah accepted and admitted, "Yes. There seems to be something about him that I am drawn to. He seems kind. Safe. Not creepy. I don't know. It's different," she softly trailed off speaking, as she withdrew into her mind.
Carina smiled. "I'm guessing that it is a good kind of different," she prompted, delighted by her friends' tentative exploration of a life with romantic feelings.
Sarah shyly smiled, "Yeah, I think it's a good thing. We have a few days to figure things out." Sarah sat up straighter, remembering the seriousness of their situation. "But, I can't get too caught up with that. We do have a mission and a drop to make. Who knows what will happen then. And we have to go back to Washington," she reminded Carina. "So, yeah, there is something I like about Chuck. But we're here only for this week. I don't think I should make a big deal out of it."
Carina was disappointed in Sarah's retraction and downplaying of having feelings for Chuck, so she leaned into her mischievous side and teased Sarah. "Well, he deserves a kiss for all he has done, and if you aren't going to kiss him, I will before we leave." And, with that pronouncement, she busied herself to unpack her suitcase.
Unsure how to reply to that and even more unsure of what to make of her feelings for Chuck, Sarah just fell back into Chuck's desk chair and watched Carina unpack.
As she was unpacking, Carina paused and mentioned, "You know, as intense and scary this has been, it's also been kind of exciting. It really gets your blood going. And I kind of like it," she admitted, smiling.
When Ellie and Chuck returned, they found the girls and Devon sequestered in their own rooms.
"Food's on," Chuck called out, while Ellie dropped off her purchases in the bathroom. She called out to Devon, then knocked on the guest bedroom to alert the two young ladies that they were back.
As everyone gathered around the table, Chuck laid out the food. The fries trays were set in the middle of the table for everyone to share, and Chuck dispersed the burgers. A lettuce-wrapped single for Ellie and a double for Devon gave them their "protein style" orders. Sarah and Carina were given their regular bun-covered cheeseburgers. Then Chuck unwrapped his burger, a triple, double, animal style. It was 3 mustard grilled hamburger patties, 2 slices of cheese, grilled onions, extra sauce, and extra pickles. It was a glorious monstrosity.
And it caught Sarah's eye. She loved extra pickles. "Ohhh, what is that?" she exclaimed. There was a hunger in her eyes that seemed almost inappropriate for food.
Chuck looked up from unwrapping the burger, "Huh? What? Oh, this?" With a flourish, he waved his hands and, with mock formality, explained, "This. This, my lady, is an animal-style burger. Mustard-grilled patties, grilled onions, pickles, and special sauce. This. This is why In and Out was put on earth."
The girls couldn't help but laugh at his antics, and Sarah continued to obsess over the burger. "That looks so good! I love extra pickles."
Well, heck. Chuck thought. He looked at Sarah's face and realized he couldn't deny her. Ellie, who had been grinning, watching the scene play out, stepped up and handed him a knife. Chuck looked at her and shook his head, trying to not react to her smirk. I am such a sucker. "Well. Um. Would you like half?" he offered Sarah.
Sarah snapped out of her little hamburger reverie and immediately declined. "Oh, no, no. I couldn't take that. That is yours. I'll try one another time."
Chuck just laughed and proceeded to cut the burger in half. "Since you have been exposed to its gloriousness, I don't think it's possible to turn it down now."
Sarah laughed at his silliness. He is just too sweet. And he is fun to be around. How did I manage to find him? I don't think I can turn it, or him down, now. And do I want to? Sarah surprised herself with these thoughts, so she kept them to herself and shyly nodded. "Okay, I will take half, but you have to take half of mine," she insisted.
Chuck accepted and cut her cheeseburger in half, too. As they traded, their eyes were shy but shared with warmth.
Carina was somewhat amazed, watching the two of them interact. Wow, Sarah, I have never seen you respond to anyone, let alone a guy like that. I knew she needed to meet more people—nicer people. And wow, her first time out, she meets a heroic dreamboat like Chuck. I can't believe this is happening. This is so great!
Ellie is excited, seeing her brother open up again and leave his moping behind. This is such a crazy situation. Chuck is smitten, but he is resisting it so hard. I guess it's understandable, considering the bizarre and possibly dangerous circumstances of their meeting. Who knows what's going to happen after this week. But he has to appreciate that you can't just let someone go when you find someone special. Sarah, you seem to be a bit of a mess, but are you Miss Right for him?
Devon looked around the table, watching his family and new friends interact, and he shook his head. They need to get more vegetables in their lives. The burgers are tasty but not great for the heart. How can I get them to share my Veggie smoothie?
F/N2 from AC: All the kind and thoughtful reviews are very much appreciated.