Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: Before meeting Jack for dinner Sarah and Chuck bond once again over Doctor Who, which makes her that much more awesome in our favorite nerd's eyes. When they arrive at C3, they both find out that Jack is already at a table with Colt no less, which doesn't really surprise Sarah. After an icy greeting all 3 would have dinner. Later, Chuck would be called to the kitchen to fix a problem at Colt's request leaving father and daughter to awkwardly interact. After remembering something from Sarah's past that briefly touches in an emotional way, Jack would excuse himself to go to the bathroom. Once there, he ends up puking his guts out and unbeknownst to him Chuck is in the bathroom as well. He memorizes the labels on the prescription pill bottles then makes a quick and quiet exit knowing what he now knows but doesn't tell Sarah right away. So, what will happen in this chapter? What do Ellie, Hartley and Chuck find out about their dad's work? Who references a popular movie that results that actually relates to the present situation, much to their surprise? Why do Chuck, Hartley, and Ellie get emotional, especially the oldest Bartowski sibling? How big of a risk is Chuck taking in the decision he's made regarding Sarah's father? Read and find out! Anyways, hope you enjoy the read and leave a comment to share your own thoughts on this particular chapters. As always, reviews are awesome.

Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment I truly appreciate it. Please continue to do so as it gives me the incentive to write more chapters.

I don't own Chuck.

Rational To Irrational

XXX

The events of last night involving Sarah's father still lingered within Chuck's mind the following the day in Vali's office. After being requested to take a look at a minor problem of The Chamber's cypher that he helped create, it didn't take that long to fix whatever glitch was happening. Afterwards, he headed straight back to the table, but suddenly had to take a detour to the men's bathroom. Once business was done and about to flush the toilet, he suddenly heard someone entering the bathroom. He didn't know who it was until he heard the man talking to himself leading him to know it was Jack Burton himself. It would immediately lead him to jump on the toilet and carefully position himself where he didn't end up having one or both feet in the toilet knowing the contents within weren't flushed. That and combined with the smell left him in quite a predicament to say the least.

In his mind, it was sort of a similar situation in an episode of Friends where Chandler ends up hiding in a bathroom stall after running into a former classmate named Susie played by Julia Roberts. It was after SuperBowl XXX and he didn't really know who played or the overall score for that matter simply because he didn't pay attention. Devon and his buddies were over to watch the game with Ellie encouraging him to do some male bonding over sports instead of playing video games in his room. In any case, it turned out that Chandler completely embarrassed Susie in elementary school by lifting her skirt in front of all of the kids. She would end up getting revenge by stealing all his clothes on their date with the exception of the ladies panties that she asked him to wear. Hilarious episode to say the least, he recalls.

Fortunately, the situation he found himself in wasn't the same whatsoever. He remembers crouching on the toilet in his stall and making every effort to not make any kind of noise so as to not be found then confronted by him. Fortunately, that didn't happen, but what did happen was seeing something roll into his stall then hearing the sound of a bathroom stall door slammed shut and locked. The sound of vomiting happening next. The next thing he knows is that he memorizes rather than googles the information concerning labeled names of the two prescription bottles before making a quiet albeit quick exit from the men's bathroom before Jack realized he was actually there. He would then make his way back to Colt's private table as if he didn't hear Sarah's father puking his guts out, which worked out for him thankfully as the man in question quickly left thereafter.

After heading back to Sarah's condo and dropping her off knowing she would have a lively discussion with her mother Emma and Molly about Jack, he would find himself calling the one person that night who could potentially help in this particular situation during his drive back to Santa Monica. That man would be Hartley Winterbottom. He would ask for a favor with no questions asked. Fortunately for him, it was granted. That favor came in the form of utilizing a private investigator to follow someone throughout the day today and for the next 3 days after, if need be. In those 4 days any significant pictures will also be helpful for proof, especially after finding out the information he googled pertaining to the 2 bottles. Much to his surprise he provided the name of a man known only as Conway. He was a former LAPD Detective turned Private Investigator who runs Longshore Investigations within the Los Angeles area.

From Chuck's understanding, he's used whenever certain cases that he's on are quite challenging and he knows that Conway is the best when it comes to getting information that's considered to be vitally important. The great thing was that Hartley gave him Conway's contact information and simply told the nerdy young man to let the private investigator know that he owed him a bottle of scotch for the favor. Once he got off the phone with Hartley, he was fortunate enough to contact and luckily enough to speak with Conway on the phone since he's apparently a night owl. Plus, the fact private investigators keep such weird hours. At least that's how it goes in tv and movies, he thought to himself. In any case, he gave him just the basic information but wouldn't go into great detail about it except that he works for Mayor Garretty's re-election campaign and is staying in the penthouse suite of The Westin Bonaventure Hotel. After speaking with Conway on the phone, he learned that once the job was done or anything majorly significant was found he'd contact him for a face to face meet in order to share the results of his investigation.

On paper it sounded like a fool proof plan, but anything and everything could possibly go wrong when it involves the actual investigation, he thinks to himself. Luckily, Hartley reassured Chuck that Conway is an absolute professional whose done countless cases for him and was not spotted once during any of his investigations because of his training. Training not just in police work, but in the military as well as a former Army Ranger. which was information that he considered totally awesome to know about. In other words, he's the best. His thoughts concerning Jack being followed by Hartley's go to private investigator are subsequently interrupted by the feel of a hand on his right shoulder, which snaps him out of his focus. When he peers up Hartley is standing just off to his right side with Ellie sitting a few feet behind the esteemed lawyer on the couch, still experiencing amazed disbelief at the contents of one of the boxes in front of her.

"You okay my boy? You were quiet for a while." questioned Hartley, with deep concern in his voice. A pass like his hanging around his neck.

"Oh...yeah..." responded Chuck, lifting up his right arm. He then reaches behind and rubs the back of his neck. "...ummm, sorry. A lot of my mind I guess." he added shrugging his shoulders, knowing how true his response actually is.

In that instance, Ellie chimes in wearing the same pass around her neck like her brother and Hartley. "When you said you were surprised that boxes were left for you, I'd never imagine in a million years they were from dad." the eldest Bartowski sibling stated in absolute disbelief. A number of papers being held in both in her hands that are from the open box sitting on the living area table in front of her.

Instantly, the youngest Bartowski jumps in to interject his thoughts. "Which is why I didn't want to tell you right away. To have this suddenly dumped on you after what dad put us through. I was trying to protect you. That's what a brother does..." he firmly stated, shooting a somewhat sheepishly embarrassed smile towards his older sister. "...because family looks out for family." Chuck added, briefly tilting his head to the left.

Ellie becomes emotional after what her younger brother said about protecting her. She can certainly feel the tears welling up to the point of crying but restrains herself from actually doing just that. Instead, she does 2 quick sniffs and after clearing her throat takes a deep breath. "Very Chuck Bartowski of you, little brother. I'm sure Sarah already knows how great a guy you are, especially all the support you've given her with her dad appearing out of nowhere. After what you told me about this Jack Burton guy, I wouldn't trust him at his word at all." she retorted back, shaking her head at the thought of Sarah's estranged father. "I know she's sort of been distracted since his arrival. Devon, the Chief, and practically everyone else in the hospital has noticed it. If I were her, I would hire someone to do some digging. Unfortunately, I'm not and the decision to do it solely falls on her if she wants to."

It's that bit of news that strikes at Hartley leading to him to turn his attention from Ellie to Chuck. A somewhat judgmental look on his face knowing he's always been the guy who has the best of intentions behind anything that he does, but it can sometimes backfire, he thinks to himself. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it's not likely that he'll ever change because it's how he was taught growing up by the very woman who is sitting across from him. A simple rational thought in wanting to do the right thing can slowly turn irrational to where it possibly spirals out of control. While peering down at him, Hartley can tell he knows that he knows, but instead of calling him out on it to the point of getting him in trouble with his older sister, he does something else much to Chuck's surprise.

"I'm sure Sarah is a very understanding woman." Hartley firmly stated, eyeing Chuck momentarily. "If the truth comes out that sheds light on why this Jack Burton is here by way of someone getting involved..." His attention then turns back to Ellie. "...it was done purely from the bottom of their heart." he added with a firm, reassuring nod.

In that instance, Chuck stands up and instead of continuing the conversation regarding having Jack Burton followed using the Private Investigator that Hartley recommended, he completely changes the subject. "In the meantime, we have all these boxes to open up, go through, and sort out. Thanks Hartley..." His attention on him is momentary then averts to Ellie."...and sis for coming knowing we're probably going to head into a dead end again."

Hartley stands there for a moment in silence as he stands face to face with Chuck. He's briefly silent then once again reaches up placing his right hand on Chuck's right shoulder. He takes a deep breath then speaks up. "Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, these boxes will hopefully give you..." The distinguished family friend to Chuck and Ellie Bartowski momentarily stops to suddenly correct himself. "...us answers by giving us any sort of clue what Stephen was doing for the last 4 months before he disappeared."

"I hope so. Looking through this stuff so far..." he said, peering down below him and within close proximity of the boxes. Boxes that totaled more than 35 altogether after the last 3 were wheeled out on the cart by Vali. Boxes that have the name Bartowski written on them. "...it looks like he was doing a pretty deep dive into something." Chuck added, shaking his head in disbelief.

A brief pause happens but that quickly is interrupted by Ellie speaking up. "Not something..." responded the experienced and highly skilled Neurologist. "...someone." She then places a number of papers down that she just held and singles out what she finds that causes her to suddenly rise slowly to her feet. Her attention focused on what she has in her hands.

"Who is it El?" wondered Chuck.

In response, Ellie turns around and faces forward what she has in her hand. After seeing it, Chuck and Hartley are rendered somewhat speechless leading the founder of Winterbottom, McArthur, & Associates to breathe out two words.

"Bloody hell."

As for Chuck, it's just one word uttered. "Mom."

XXX

"So, you were helping our dad find our mother, Mary Bartowski?" asked Ellie, directing her attention to Vali.

Speaking of Vali, he's standing with his arms crossed in the open area of the living area with Chuck and Hartley standing as well. As for Ellie, it got a bit overwhelming for her to the point where she needed to sit down. In her mind, finding out that her father Stephen Bartowski had been in an office of Roark Enterprises for the last 4 months before his abrupt disappearance was considered quite a shocking surprise. What was even more of a shocking surprise was that he renewed his search for the whereabouts of their mother, even though they thought he had given up on ever finding here. Boy was she dead wrong, she thought to herself.

Vali nodded. "I was actually in the room when he got the call. He thought it was an odd request but I brought up how your father helped authorities solve some very high profile crimes using his unique mathematical techniques." he vividly shared with Hartley and Stephen Bartowski's 2 grown offspring. "He did show up and then explained to us why he needed help. At first we were a bit skeptical. Not for the reasons you might think."

"What then?" wondered Chuck.

"He wanted Mr. Roark's help in bringing together the greatest mathematical minds to help him. Use whatever pull and resources he has to do that. In turn, he would pay him with all the money that he was paid by LAPD and Federal Authorities in helping them that's in an account that he never touched."

"Wait..." Ellie said with a shocked surprise. "...dad had an account with the money from all those cases. He never told us that. I always thought he consulted for free?" questioned the oldest Bartowski sibling, shaking her head.

"We'll focus on that later, sis." His attention on Ellie is averted back to Vali. "Did he pay Roark?"

"No. He did one better. He told him he had the best mind in his employment..." he answered. "...me." Vali added, pointing to himself. After taking a deep breath and gathering his thoughts, he continues on. "Mr. Roark and I could see the wheels turning his head. Also noticed that he looked like he had all his faculties intact. Nothing to be alarmed about, but looks can be deceiving." He briefly pauses then forges on. "What was your father like during those 4 months at home before suddenly disappearing like dust in the wind?" asked Roark's head IT specialist.

In that instance, Chuck takes the lead and gives his take on what he witnessed in the demeanor of his father. "I was 13 years old. Ellie you were..."

"17." the eldest Bartowski sibling answered.

"Anyways, from what I remember he sort of went back to normal, or close to normal as can be for Stephen Bartowski, after not being able to find our mom. He was a highly unusual man to begin with. I guess he accepted the fact she didn't want to be found. What I also remember though were the times he would go out for hours on end and never really tell where he was going." he recalled, shaking his head.

"Chuck's right. I guess now we know the where and why..." stated Ellie. "...we just need to know the what he was actually doing." she added, briefly turning her attention to the amount boxes situation around the living area of Vail office.

"I guess that's my cue to shed some light on that." responded Vali. After taking a deep breath, he continues on. "According to your father, he apparently was going about the numbers all wrong thinking in a logical way. The way he went out helping the authorities solve crimes, catch the bad guys, and save people. So, he wanted to go about it in a more illogical way."

"I'm confused." said Ellie, shaking her head.

"I concur with Eleanor. I'm quite flummoxed myself." Hartley chimed in. His attention is then directed to Chuck standing to his right. "Charles, do you understand what he's talking about."

Chuck is momentary silent and then suddenly nods his head slowly. "I sort of think I do. The use of irrational numbers." It's at that point, he receives blank looks from Sarah and Hartley who have no idea what he's talking about. So, he tries to explain it in simple terms. "Vali and I are guys who deal in numbers when it comes to creating code and algorithms for writing our own programs. Are you with me so far?" he asked. After getting a simple nod from the both of them, he continues on. "Well, most of the time we both deal in rational numbers or should I say rational data type to code."

Vali interjects taking over the next part. "You see, programming normal numbered language is standard for us and loads of fun." He then takes notices of the white board off to his right and quickly retrieves it rolling to where he was previously standing. He then takes a marker and before writing continues what he was saying. "It's like being able to see and understand an image all based on numbers. "Afterwards, he then begins to write down with a marker the following series of numbers beginning with 00110001. A few moments go by and he's done to where he then steps to the left. "I'm sure you've seen or have been told these numbers in the context of a joke."

"Yes, and usually told by Lazlo..." Ellie responded. "...but never really getting the joke." she added, shrugging her shoulders.

"I never did either." Hartley said, chiming in.

The head IT specialist for Roark Enterprises shakes his head. "Not everybody does, except for those who are in computer science or have their minds geared for programming like Chuck and I. You may see a bunch of 0's and 1's in a group, but for nerds like us we simply see this. It's at the point Vali writes out the following sentence then steps back. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

"He's right." Chucks steps forward maneuvering around the boxes within the living area making his way to the white board where Vali is standing. He then turns around, turning his attention to Hartley and Ellie. "It's just some coded sequence of binary numbers to you, but we've trained our brain and eyes as a sort of translator in order to decode it into either an image or word." Chuck explained, in a way that doesn't sound so confused.

In that moment Ellie's eyes widen after sitting there listening to what her younger brother said. She then blurts out something. "Like the Matrix!? The scene where Neo is talking with Cypher and how he got so used to the codes that he wasn't seeing numbers. Instead, he was seeing a blonde or brunette?" she shared, somewhat unsure of herself.

It's her sudden outburst that catches Chuck, Vali and not mention to Hartley completely off guard. Unfortunately, it causes Ellie to become somewhat embarrassed for blurting a movie that may very well not relate to what Chuck and Vali are actually talking about. Fortunately, a smile is expressed on Chuck's face as he inevitably takes over.

"Actually, you're right El..." the curly headed nerd nodded. "...like The Matrix." the younger sibling added, pointing proudly over to his older sibling. Ellie's embarrassment takes a 180 and is proudly smiling after giving her answer, which was considered a shot in the dark.

"Joey Pants. Highly underrated actor." Vali stated with utmost conviction.

After saying that, Chuck finds himself faintly laughing then turns to Vali. "Oh, by the way, nice touch on the "Gandalf you shall not pass" image that you threw up there in order to keep me from bypassing your firewall."

"You saw that did you." Vali responded with considerable amusement. "Glad you enjoyed it. I'm more impressed by your set of coded algorithms. Gave me a run for my money." he added, sounding genuinely impressed.

"The Bartowski Special." proudly stated Chuck. He then turns towards Vali and goes into nerd mode. "It's something I've worked on and..."

"Lads!" announced Hartley, stepping forward. His sudden interruption quickly breaks up the mutual nerdgasm involving coded algorithms leads Chuck and Vali to refocus. "I'm sure you two would love nothing more than continue chatting up for a yonk about this..." he added raising both eyebrows, then shaking his head. "...but let's not forget why we're here."

"Right. Sorry." acknowledged Chuck, expressing a sincere apology on his face.

"Yeah, our bad." Afterwards, Vali clears his throat and continues on with matters of importance. "Where was I..." A second later he's mentally gets back on track. "...yes. Apparently, your father was going about searching for you mom using numbers in a logical thinking way. When he realized that, he needed to change it up and started thinking illogically and began going about it using irrational numbers." he fully explained. "I figured he was on to something in the last remaining weeks he was here because he ended up not showing up at all. Left all his work and so I just boxed it all up."

"And we thank you for that." Ellie said, shooting an appreciative smile towards her father's mentee.

"So..." Chuck chimed in. "... all we got to do is find his work within the last few weeks he was here. What we know is that our dad was here in April of 1990 and 4 months later he just vanished without a trace, which means..."

"Which means..." interjected Hartley. "...finding the boxes that are marked August of 1990." he added, with a sense of hopeful urgency.

XXX

It took a quite of bit of searching but all 4 individuals would eventually find the boxes marked August of 1990. There were a total of 5 of them out of the 35 boxes so it helped them immensely knowing they didn't need to look at all the boxes to find what they needed. That would have taken hours, which would have wasted most of their time to begin with. Each of them took a box with Ellie taking 2 boxes since it was an uneven number and the fact she wanted answers most of all. One of the reasons being that the last conversation that had wasn't really a conversation. She remembers him just telling her that he's going out for waffles and he never came back. It's something that has stuck with her for years to the point where it gives her a mixture of emotions ranging from confusion to anger just thinking about it.

While looking through the boxes she designated for herself, she found a number of completed sudoku books and one that was nearly completely. In her mind, she believes it helped settled him down mentally knowing the stress of finding the love of his life the first time around overwhelmed him to the point of his reaching his breaking point. While sitting there sifting through those boxes simultaneously, she finds a small tape recorder and a number of individual tapes. It would lead her to check the tape recorder and finds that that there's a tape is in there. So, she rewinds it and as she does the sound of her younger brother's voice causes her to lift her head to acknowledge she did hear him. In doing so, all she does is lift said tape recorder and when she does it suddenly clicks signifying it's done rewinding. Before she clicks play, Vali speaks up.

"Your dad would dictate his thoughts from time to time on that tape recorder. Something he bought himself instead of us providing it." Vali peers down at his watch seeing that it's closing on noon and they haven't eaten lunch yet. I'll go make a lunch run at the cafeteria. Plus, it something that is considered private for them to hear, knowing that he eaves dropped from time to time since they shared his office. "I believe today they're serving chicken sandwich and home style fries. I'll go make order and bring it back here. Is bottled water okay for you guys?"

After head nods are given in response, Vali heads out leaving Hartley, Chuck, and Ellie to prepare themselves for what they're about to hear on one of the tapes that he used in the last few weeks before leaving entirely. The oldest daughter of Mary and Stephen Bartowski takes a deep breath. She then briefly looks at Hartley but then turns to Chuck who simply nods for her go ahead. After clicking play, they hear silence but then the sound of some rustling and suddenly a clearing throat. What they hear next is the unmistakable and somewhat raspy voice of their father.

August 17th 1990. Stephen Bartowski. 11:45 a.m. I've made some tremendous progress in going from rational to irrational numbers. I've been going by the irrational root theorem and it's all been making sense now unlike my previous attempts that have failed. It's all thanks to physicists Richard Duffin and mathematician Albert Shaeffer. In 1941, they proposed a simple quest to approximate various irrational numbers by first deciding how close the approximation should be for the fractions of a particular denominator. Then go on from there. Unfortunately, their quest would end up facing a major roadblock until mathematician Dimitrius KouKoulopoulus and his colleague James Maynard came upon a solution. A solution that they stumbled on purely by accident. Anyways, I credit those 4 great minds for my breakthrough.

Chuck, Ellie, and Harley sit there listening to a voice they haven't heard in years, especially for the kids of Stephen Bartowski. Yet, it's as if he's in the room with them in them with his presence being felt despite the fact he isn't physically there.

Looking back, I...I wasn't thinking clearly because of Mary leaving. I know it was my fault but Chuck thought it was his. I told him that after he broke his mother's necklace. I don't think he really believed me when I told him that. The look on my daughter's face and how disappointed she was of her little brother. I know saying I'm sorry isn't going to make what I did fix what I put both of you through, but you won't be alone in this entirely. Hartley will watch out for the two of you. You can count on him. I trust him.

The impact of his best friend saying his name causes Hartley to be momentarily gutted. To him, he's doubled and even tripled his efforts over the years in trying to locate a man he considers not just a close friend, but a brother as well. He's tapped every resource imaginable, and then some, to find a man who seems to not want to be found unless he wants to be found, he thinks to himself. While doing so, he looked after and took care of Chuck and Ellie as if they were his own kids, along with Vivian. With the loss of his wife Della, they grew closer forming an extended family. Unfortunately, his daughter went overseas for high school and wasn't able to keep in contact with Stephen's kids as much as he liked with him running his law firm. His thoughts concerning the absence of the man who he became friends with when they met overseas in England are broken when his friend's voice is heard again on the tape recorder.

I hope you know I'm doing this for the both you and you'll understand why I'm doing this someday. To bring us back together again as a family. In the meantime, both of you take care of each other. All I can say to you Ellie is that I'm proud of you for being a big sister and watching out for your little brother. He's special. Chuck, all I can really say is I'm proud of you too. I know you'll do great things. Keep working on those sudoku puzzles. You're aces, Charles.

There is a steady silence on the tape after, leading Ellie to click stop on the tape recorder. She didn't know if there was anything else on the tape, but she didn't care right at the moment. She along with Chuck have all the time in the world to go through the tapes, but what was said just now was all that she, and probably her brother, could really take right now, she thinks to herself. In her mind, hearing his voice after all these years of him being gone causes her to experience a mixture of emotions from anger and contempt to disappointment and confusion. She's abruptly taken out of her headspace of deep thoughts by the sound of her brother suddenly saying something.

"Your Aces, Charles." he says out loud.

"What?" questioned Ellie, directing her attention to Chuck.

"What dad said..." answered the youngest Bartowski sibling. "...at the end on the tape. You're Aces, Charles. I totally forgot that he used to say that to me growing up." he retorted, cracking a faint smile towards her older sister.

"I remember." Ellie replied, exchanging a soft smile towards him.

In that instance, Hartley chimes in somewhat apologetic knowing the siblings are sharing a touching moment with each other concerning their father. "Hold on to that happy memory." The sibling's attention is then directed towards him. "We oftentimes forget about the pain no matter how much it hurt to help us move on. However, it's been said that you have to hold on to it in order to survive." He shakes his head and clears his throat before continuing on. "Bollocks. That may be true, but after hearing what we just heard shows that Stephen...your father...was thinking of us and not about himself. If that makes any sense. The pain and sadness in his voice was...is clear. Although it was painful for us to hear, there is the possibility of hope after listening to him. Whatever he considered a breakthrough, it's all within these 5 boxes." he firmly stated, with a sense of positive optimism in his voice. He watches as Chuck gets up and makes his way or to comfort a considerably emotional Ellie, which he can't help but faintly smile at.

XXX

"How is everyone's chicken sandwich and home style fries?" wondered Vali, scanning the faces all 3 individuals chowing down.

"Awesome." mumbled Chuck, with a mouth full of food. He gives Vali quick a thumbs up giving approval of the lunch provided.

After swallowing her food, Ellie takes a swig of her bottle of water. Afterwards, she responds to their polite and not to mention generous host. "It hits the spot. Thank you."

As for Hartley, the veteran law firm founder of Winterbottom, McArthur & Associates simply lifts his open bottle of water signifying his approval for the meal provided to them. The threesome took advantage of the much needed break after listening to the tape of Stephen Bartowski. It was presumably the last thing he said in the sharing of his thoughts because it was left in the tape recorder, which Vali didn't take out. In any case, all four are sitting around in the living area when the sound of a muffled personalized ring tone alerts everyone in the room. It's the Harry Potter theme ring tone so it belongs to one person.

"Hey Sarah, what's up?" answered Chuck, placing his phone up to his right ear.

"Just wanted to see how things are going. Plus, I missed you and wanted to hear your voice."

"Aww. Missed you too." After saying that, he suddenly notices Ellie smiling at him and then making the sign of a heart with her fingers reacting in a proud big sister way. In response, Chuck simply throws his crumpled up napkin over at her but missing by a mile, much to the youngest Bartowski sibling's chagrin. Undaunted, he briefly sticks his tongue out at her leading Vali and Hartley to be considerably amused to witness the sibling interaction. Chuck returns to his phone call with Sarah. "How's everything at the hospital? Has Jack showed up unannounced again?"

"Hospital is still standing. As for Jack, he's hasn't showed up to not give me the real reason he's here."

"About that. I want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Chuck wants to tell Sarah what he knows over the phone. That combined with the guilt he's feeling knowing he asked Hartley a favor in using a private investigator named Conway to follow her father unbeknownst to her. However, he doesn't have any of the information to accurately say if it is what he thinks Jack Burton is dealing with. In his mind, it could very well be all an act in order to manipulate the situation for his and Sarah's benefit. As much as he feels like telling her for the sake of clearing his conscience, he reconsiders in that very moment.

"I wanted to just say..." he pauses for a moment then forges on. "...just that...whatever Jack has in store. You're not alone in this. We'll face it together. Ok?" Chuck added, with utmost reassurance.

"Thank you. My dad can be a handle full and he's considered an even bigger wildcard than I once was. I'm just waiting for the bomb to drop. I knows it's coming and when it does there will be casualties. The casualties mainly being me, Molly, and Mom."

"Hopefully, it won't come to that. I'd jump on the bomb if it meant keeping you, your sister, and Emma safe. I know that sounds corny saying that." Again, Chuck notices Ellie expressing an "awe" face causing the nerd to roll his eyes. Afterwards, his attention returns to the phone call he's currently on with the beautiful blonde woman he's dating.

"No, it doesn't at all. I'd rather prefer corny, especially coming from you. Oh, the reason I actually called was to see how things are progressing on your end. Anything major that you, Ellie, and Hartley stumbled on?"

"Major is an understatement." he retorted, shaking his head in disbelief. "5 boxes that Vali mentioned in which my dad had a sudden breakthrough in the last few weeks in August of 1990. Just a while ago, El found a tape recorder with a bunch of tapes. There was a tape in it and it was him. At first it started off with him just talking about his work and then it was as if he was speaking to us."

"Wow. That must have been like a gut punch to the stomach."

"More like a kick to the nads. Same feeling though." he responded back in a chuckle. "Anyways, we just had lunch so we'll get back to it with the boxes. We just hit the tip of the iceberg with my dad's tapes." Chuck added, with a sense of eagerness in his voice.

"Lunch. Thanks for reminding me. It's been busy here so you know how that is."

"I do. Well, go get something to eat and I'll talk to you later. I'm about to dive back in now." he revealed, noticing Hartley and Ellie sorting through the boxes again.

"Good luck. Calm me when you're done for the day."

"I will."

"Bye."

"Bye." After hanging up and sticks it back in his pocket, Chuck suddenly notices Ellie expressing a goofy older sister smile towards him. "What?"

"You two having cute conversations on the phone. So adorably awesome." she responded, clasping her hands together. A soft smile expressed towards her younger brother. Unfortunately, the soft smile would quickly disappear as she ducks her head just in time to avoid being hit with one of the box's top covers flying over her head and landing behind the couch on the floor. She's about to say something, when Hartley speaks up.

"Do I have to separate you two?" he sternly stated, in a fatherly tone of voice.

Chuck and Sarah look at each then return their attention to Hartley. "No sir." they both answered in unison.

"Excellent. Let's back get to it." he insisted with a firm head nod. Hartley can clearly tell that even though the past is considerably painful to look back on like unboxing memories that haven't been opened for years, his best friend's offspring are actually in good spirits. It's true that it may get more difficult when or if they find more clues that will potentially lead to the actual whereabouts of Stephen Bartowski, but knowing Chuck and Ellie, they have the determination to see it through. As for his unofficial foster son's decision to have Sarah's father followed using his associate Conway, he hopes it works out for not only him, but the woman who has truly changed him for the better.

XXX


NOTE: Duh duh duh! So, do you think Chuck using a private investigator named Conway that Hartley uses from time to time will backfire on him? The answer will come soon sure enough. Next Chapter isa bit of Bash At The Bench and the appearance of Jack...maybe. Who knows. Anyways, leave a comment and share your thoughts on this chapter! Much love to all those who continue to support this story. As always I tip my hat to NEVR for beta-ing this chapter!