CHAPTER SEVEN Continuum.
- Army compound, March 2006, Ft Bragg, USA
Lifting the duffle bag further over his shoulder and gripping the strap tightly, Chuck stepped off the bus inside the military compound, the security office in front of him. The familiar sight of the desert camo uniforms already donned in preparation for departure, the metallic clinks of ammo belts, and the smell of recently-greased weapons all permeated his senses, reminding him of the other time he'd fought for his country.
"Lt Charles Bartowski," he offered to the man holding the clipboard that appeared to contain a list of names. The other soldier ticked Chuck's name off.
"Head over to the medical bay for your physical," he directed, pointing to the left.
Chuck marched off towards the building the soldier had indicated, there was a line of men outside waiting to be processed. Being an officer, he could if he wanted to, he could queue jump to the front but he was in no hurry. The fact that he didn't really want to be there he opted to wait in line.
He wasn't paying much attention to the conversations beside him, but he thought he heard the faint sound of his name being called. Passing it off as his imagination, he ignored it until he heard it again but much louder.
"Chuck!"
His head jerked up, swivelling to face the voice of someone he wasn't that keen to met again.
"Bryce!"
Bryce Larkin was standing a couple of yards away with his fists clenched like in a boxer's stance. The men waiting outside quickly scattered and then formed a circle enclosing Chuck and Bryce. It's not often that enlisted men get to see two officers having fisticuffs. Chuck knew that he couldn't beat Bryce in a fight; while he had the height and reach advantage he didn't have the coordination. Bryce could simply get under his guard and let a few punches rip.
"What's this about stealing my girlfriend! Prick!"
Chuck raised both hands in a show of mock surrender, he didn't want to get in a fight especially since it wouldn't change anything.
"I, I, I married her!" Chuck managed to stutter out at his angry friend.
"What?" Bryce replied without advancing at his target.
"I married her!"
"When?"
"Last month. I just got back from my honeymoon. I tried to call you but you blocked my number."
It took a few seconds for Bryce to process the information from Chuck's message, he still hadn't advanced but then he hadn't dropped his guard either.
The sudden movement of men caught the eye of the Military Police who stationed nearby, they were overseeing the operation from the comfort of an open top jeep. In order to diffuse the situation two of the MP's quickly ran over to the commotion. The two MP's forced their way into the lose circle in order to investigate what was happening, Chuck and Bryce hadn't moved from their spots.
"Alright break it up. What's going on?" the bigger of the two demanded. The two MPs quickly move between the two officers.
"This LT stole the other Lt's girl. And he's married her." An enlisted man on the edge of the circle said. All eyes suddenly were on Chuck. He could feel a rush of blood filling his cheeks. The female MP asked him if it was true. Had Chuck stole Bryce's girl?
Chuck while still warily eyeing Bryce off nodded with conformation. The female MP now approached Bryce who still hadn't dropped his guard.
"Well Lieutenant, the ball is now in your court, what ya gonna do?"
You could see that Bryce was trying to come to terms with what had conspired, but he still couldn't override his initial desire to knock Chuck into next week. With the female MP continuing to stare him down Bryce finally relented and dropped his guard. He still wasn't happy about it so he turned to walk away only to turn back and raise his arm and point at his fellow officer.
"You're not worth it! And she's not worth it!" he spat out before storming off in the other direction.
"Not so fast, Lieutenant, you're not getting off so easily."
Bryce stopped and turned around, He held both his arms out in a low pleading position. "What ?" he exclaimed.
"You're spending the night in the cells."
"But I haven't checked in yet!" Bryce replied.
"You can do that tomorrow morning. Serves you right for causing a scene."
The MP looking and turning to Chuck, "You too. You're in as well!"
The next morning Lt Larkin and Bartowski were presented to their new commanding Officer. A former marine that crossed over to the army and rose to the rank of Major. He wanted to know why his junior officers spent the night in the stockade and why they where wanting to engage in fisticuffs in front of a group of enlisted men.
When Major Casey found out that the matter was over a girl he told both officers to get over their lady feelings. The major suggested that the two officers have a fight in front of their battalion but Lt Larkin said he has forgiven Lt Bartowski and would like to wish him all the best for his marriage.
Domestic Assignment, March 2007, LAX, Arrivals Terminal, California
Making their way that by-passed the usual route for civilians, the men and women of Company C made their way to the arrivals lounge at LAX. Being LA, the place was full of tall blonde ladies, Chuck looked around hoping to see a particular tall attractive blonde but he couldn't see her. It was only after the lounge had started to empty that he saw his welcome home party.
Morgan Grimes was there to welcome him home. Just Morgan. Forever the friend.
He spent the first night at Morgan's place, the one in which he shared with his mother, Chuck didn't have a front door key as Sarah had signed the lease after he got deployed. Both Ellie and her now fiancé, Devon, had been on nightshift and he wanted to wait until after they rose in the afternoon to collect his keys.
Chuck was in his civvies when he knocked on his sister's door. Awesome opened the door and gave him a big warm Californian welcome. His sister came rushing in from somewhere else in the apartment to nearly deafen both Chuck and Devon with her welcoming squeal. He was amazed that his ribs didn't break from her notorious death hugs.
Of course he would stay for dinner, Ellie's cooking reputation was well known amongst Westside Hospital medicos. Bryce did his best to spread it in Iraq by always praising her efforts during conversations. It didn't take Ellie long to whip a meal fit for a king or maybe an "Awesome." The conversation after dinner was kind of forced. Chuck didn't want to go into much detail about his experiences in Iraq, unlike last time when he wouldn't shut up about what he did and saw. All he really wanted to say he was happy to be home.
Ellie had stated that Sarah had been gone for some time and she didn't know when she would be back. Sarah had left a set of apartment keys for her husband for when he returned from the war.
Duffel bag on his back, Chuck approached his new home, one that he hadn't seen before because he was overseas, jiggling his keys he had two attempts before managing to open the door. Sarah had rented a fully furnished apartment because she knew they wouldn't be home much, not that Chuck knew that. The furniture had neutral tones and the main thing he noticed was the lack of a television. There was no television in the apartment. Looked like he was going to have to rely on the internet.
Walking around the apartment he noticed that all the electronic clocks were flashing the wrong time, sometime after Sarah left there must have been a blackout. The other thing he noticed was how incredibly still the air seemed to be. It was like no one had been there for a very long time. He took his time as he took in the view from his eighth floor windows. There wasn't any other tall building within the neighbourhood, so there was no chance someone could pry in on them.
He wandered into the kitchen and out of habit he looked in the fridge to see if the was anything suitable to eat. The fridge was bare so to speak so Chuck pulled the six pack out of his duffel bag and placed it inside.
As he progressed around the apartment, he found the boxes of his stuff that Ellie had packed for him. Most of the boxes contained comic books or computer magazines.
He found his computer sitting in two boxes on a table in the spare room, it was not assembled and not plugged in to the internet. Things like the mouse and keypad were sitting in a box waiting for him to pull them out and plug them in to the computer. This was a task he could do. Assembling his personal computer system. It wasn't long before he was hooked up to the internet so he could catch up with all the stuff he missed while on deployment. He later scanned the daily news. Satisfied he turned his machine off.
Chuck was no longer the gamer he was before his second deployment. The reality of what actual warfare was too much for him to bear. It would bring on flashbacks and nightmares. He hoped that by now the beer was chilled in the fridge.
Taking out a beer he spent a great deal of time staring out the window taking in the view. After finishing the beer he made himself comfy on the couch and took an afternoon nap.
Domestic Assignment, April 2007, LAX, Arrivals Terminal, California
Looking in anticipation, Chuck's natural height meant that he could see over the crowds as he waited at the Arrivals gate looking for the most important person in his life.
This was the 10:35am flight; he was in the right airport, at the right gate, he was getting anxious as maybe he couldn't recognized her, it had been a long twelve months. Maybe she had been sitting at the back of the plane.
"Chuck!"
A touch on his shoulder turned him around, as his eyes widened in delight, drinking in the beautiful form of one Sarah Bartowski.
"Sarah!" He exclaimed happily, catching her around the waist and embracing her tightly, "I've missed you so much!"
She kissed his cheeks and his lips again and again as they stood in the midst of all the bustle like young couples were wont to do.
His wife laughed throatily as she smoothed her hand over his hair, he hadn't bothered to have it cut since he returned, now it was long enough to make funny animal shapes. Looking at him affectionately before threading her hand securely in his.
"I have too, Chuck."
Chuck grinned at her uncontrollably, his heart practically floating as he noticed the light glint in her eyes, excitement still present in her face, absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
Sarah's workplace party, June 2007, Parker's Lighthouse, Long Beach California
Shortly after arrival, in which Sarah had insisted that Chuck wore a well fitted suit, they as a couple were beckoned over to were a group of important looking gentlemen were standing holding onto a variety of mixed drinks. As the couple approached the men moved into a crescent positions.
"This is Sarah Walker," the tall, well-dressed man said, even thought everybody except Chuck was C.I.A, the man made formal introduction for Chuck's benefit and to set up the ruse."This is my top consultant.
Sarah, you know Langston Graham, Langston is the head of our North America division, Iko Tanaka, Iko is the head of our South East Asia division and Nicholas Maduro, Nick is the head of our South America division."
"Nice to meet you," Sarah said demurely, as she shook the hands of three older executives of the company. "Mr. Sullivan, my boss, simply gives me the best opportunities to excel."
She pulled Chuck forward gently, smiling happily at him. "I'd like to introduce you to my husband," she said, looking at each person.
"This is Chuck. Charles Bartowski," she amended quickly, watching him exchange polite greetings and shaking hands with the four men.
The introductions were complete until Chuck spoke up and he felt he was out of line but he pressed on anyway.
"You have introduced everybody else but you haven't said who you are?"
"Oh, sorry, Justin Sullivan!"
Justin looked at Sarah, alternating his gaze to Chuck for the briefest moment he let an indignation expression flash past his face. His hair was balding, slowly but surely, and his dark hair had streaks of grey in it, he was broad shouldered and narrow waist line, he was still in great shape, that he would have been the epitome of masculinity back in his day.
Chuck just smiled, standing quietly, a little behind Sarah as he let her take charge of their end of the conversation. It was a common Chuck trait. His military training had taught him to keep your mouth shut because otherwise it might get you killed.
After a few more pleasantries, Justin dove quickly into a business like demeanor.
"The main reason why I have invited you to this dinner this evening," Justin said, "and why these corporate people have stopped by unobtrusively is because I have a preposition for you."
Sarah looked sharply at her boss, clutching Chuck's hand tightly.
Justin continued, "Mr. Graham," his oily smile widened a little when she fixed her stare at him, "has given me the opportunity to present you with a promotion."
Chuck beamed in wonder at her, but Sarah only had a small curve to her lips.
"That's very generous," she said carefully. "What does this job entail?"
Her higher-up motioned to the Chuck, "Can you give us a minute so we can talk privately?"
Chuck let go of her hand, but she hooked her arm around his. "No no," she urged him. "You're a part of this, too."
"Sarah Walker –" Justin started, but she interrupted him boldly.
"Sarah Bartowski," she stated firmly, and the man gave her a disapproving look.
Justin paused, but humoured her. "Mrs. Bartowski, we'd like you to be part of our international team of representatives," he said, getting to the point. "You'd get an incredible raise, and a whole lot of additional benefits and privileges thereof that comes with the position."
Sarah was shocked into silence for a moment, but looking up at Chuck, who had a neutral expression on his face, she replied slowly, "I don't want to leave my husband for extended periods of time," She said, "We're just married, you understand "
The head of the North America division, Langston Graham, who had stayed quiet, finally spoke, in deep baritone, Chuck could feel the hairs on the back of his neck straighten.
"This is not an offer to be taken lightly," he enunciates in a slow voice, "And I see you have a lot of potential…as a marketing individual who can expand our growth through other states and over the border into other countries."
For a very short moment, Sarah looked excited, but wavered in hesitation straight after.
Without looking at Chuck, she lifted her conflicted gaze from the ground, and gritted her teeth as she delivers her final answer, "I'd like to stay within California in my position as a designer, but I appreciate your offer."
Two days later, a pristine white envelope arrived at their door, official logo in the corner and under the "Kreative Graphics Billboards" heading; it was addressed to one Ms. Sarah Walker. Chuck had collected the mail and handed the envelope to her.
"What do they want?" Chuck asked tentatively. Sarah had been walking a thin line ever since the party, her emotions flipping so quickly Chuck was afraid to speak out of turn. She wouldn't talk to him about it, and he was torn between indecision on whether to press her or not. For one thing, he knew it was either her annoyance at the offer, or longing for the job.
He hoped he wasn't the one holding her back from her bright looking future.
Sarah opened the envelope, dropping it to the circular dinner table carelessly as she wandered over to him, letting him curl an arm around her shoulder as she drew the sheet out with a clean shick of crisp paper.
Kreative Graphics Billboards
June twenty-first, 2007
Dear Ms. Sarah Walker,
Your application for a permanent domestic position has been successful. We are pleased to-
"I don't believe this!" Sarah said. Her mouth was agape as she stared at the letter, releasing it a moment later as if burnt, "I said I wanted to stay in California!"
Chuck stroked her hair, closing his eyes as he buried his nose into the golden waterfall as he brought her closer. "I guess you're just too talented to waste here."
Sarah just turned to look at him, clearly reading something in his sentence that he hadn't really implied, "Chuck –"
"Tell me truthfully, Sarah," he said, drawing away reluctantly to look her in the eyes. "Tell me that you don't want this, to succeed."
"I –"
Chuck knew it with that single hesitation, as she struggled to continue, that he was right.
"Sarah Bartowski," he said, "I know you, and I know you want this. You're a competitive woman who does what it takes. You love what you do."
She just looked at him with pained eyes as she also tried to conceal the hope in her expression.
"Go get 'em," he said confidently. "We'll be okay." And with that he gave her a hug.