A/N: Thank you for the reviews, favorites and follows. This one seems quite popular. Also, thanks for the likes and comments on the Chuck Fanfiction Facebook group. If you've not joined that group, you should. A great place to interact with like-minded people.
I even got a review from a Bryce-hater who will stick with this story! I have to admit that I don't like him in the show. I know he tried to help Chuck, but he always had a hidden agenda, and certainly wanted Sarah for himself. This version isn't like that.
No betas involved, so if you spot anything you feel should be corrected, drop me a PM.
Having introduced the main three characters in the story, let's get going…
Caribbean Retreat
Chapter 2
It had been a long journey, but Sarah had enjoyed it.
When she'd been flying in the CIA, she had never looked out the windows, she'd been reading the dossier provided on the assignment or planning what she would do when she reached the destination.
Over the last twenty-four hours she'd seen more of the United States from above than she'd ever seen before. It was a beautiful country that she'd not spent time in during her time with the Company. She wouldn't really miss it as her only real memories were from her time with her dad.
Flying over the Caribbean had been even more interesting, seeing islands appear and disappear beneath her.
The flight between islands had been in a small plane that offered a sort of taxi service to the people of the islands. That had flown lower which had been quite exciting.
The final part of her journey had been in a small ferry that plied between three islands, one being her destination. She sat on deck with the breeze in her hair. This felt like a vacation should.
The taxi driver, Jake, who took her to the hotel was garrulous to say the least. She found it charming. In the past she would've hated it, but she didn't see herself as a CIA operative anymore, even though she hadn't officially left yet.
"So, what brings you to our little island?" Jake asked.
"A vacation. One that has been a long time coming," she replied.
"Ahh. Not many come here. You're in for a treat," he said.
She grinned. "So, what treats are in store for me?"
"Oh, Ho, Ho. The beaches are the best in the world, for one. You can swim with dolphins and manta rays. Ain't no sharks in the waters. There are sunken galleons, though. Water-skiing is popular, too.
"Then there's the island itself. It's great to cycle around. If you take the coast road, you can cycle around the whole island in a day. A long one, mind you."
"If you like hiking, it's the perfect place to be. You can climb the mountain and even swing in the forest trails."
The beach claim was probably made everywhere, but the other things sounded cool.
"And after all that there's El's Bar to eat and drink the evening away."
"El's Bar? Is that a restaurant?" she asked.
"They call it a café, but as good as a restaurant. Best seafood dishes on the island, and the cakes? Oh my god! They're so good! Coffee's pretty good, too."
"Sounds like I should try it."
"Run by two guys, one rarely seen, but the ladies say the other is pretty fine on the eye. Careful you don't fall for him, girl."
She laughed. "I'll keep that in mind, Jake."
She saw El's Bar just before they reached the hotel. That would be a very short stroll.
After giving Jake a large tip along with her fare, Sarah pulled her case into the hotel.
The man at reception watched her as she walked toward him. This was the sort of thing that she had always hated about her appearance, but had to accept as part of the job. That was no longer the case. However, she didn't want to cause a scene so she said nothing.
As she got closer, she noticed the wedding ring on his finger. That was fairly typical, too.
"Are you here to check in?" he asked.
A rather stupid question. Why else would she arrive with her case? "I am," she replied.
"You must be Sarah Walker, then," he stated.
"No one else checking in today?" she asked, trying to ignore his eyes on her chest.
"No," he replied.
He became more professional as he processed her booking. However, she could feel him watching her walk away. Ugh!
Her room brightened her mood. It faced the sea. The beach looked wonderful and wasn't crowded, so she would enjoy that.
Opening her case, she took out what she'd wear, but first she'd have a shower. It'd been a long time since her last. She was quick. She always was, and soon had her red bikini on underneath a t-shirt and shorts. Putting on a pair of flip flops, she headed to the beach.
Luckily, the receptionist was missing so she didn't have to cope with his stares again.
Once she was on the beach, she found a secluded spot not far from the water, and laid her towel down.
She had to coat her pale skin with sun lotion or she'd quickly burn. She briefly wished that she'd contacted Carina to see if the redhead would like to join her. Then, she'd have someone to do her back, rather than the contortions she had to put herself through. She hadn't done that because Carina would've been full of questions that Sarah just didn't want to face while here, at least not initially when she just wanted to chill.
Maybe she'd call her friend after a month or two. Mind you, this island would seem too boring for the party animal. Carina would want to drink and dance and then bed men that she picked up. Sarah didn't think there was even anywhere to go dancing on this island. Maybe they could get the ferry to one of the other islands and spend the night there. Not that Sarah was after a man, but dancing would be great.
She lay back to catch some of those rays from the single item in the sky. No clouds present.
Sarah had taken a dip in the sea before leaving the beach. The water was so clear that she spent a lot of time underwater looking at the sea-life. She was careful not to swim to where she saw coral, knowing that could lead to cuts, but she vowed to rent a boat and what she needed to see it all at some time.
She swam for long enough to feel she'd both made the most of being in this lovely warm water and gotten enough exercise to counter the long time just sitting on the way here.
She had also built up an appetite, so she toweled herself dry and headed back to the hotel.
She'd try this El's Bar, if it wasn't too busy.
It was early evening by the time Sarah had showered, dried her hair and dressed to go out.
She put on the knee-length blue sundress she'd bought. She'd admired it before and it was her first purchase on her shopping trip. The blue scandals complimented the dress and she knew both complemented her eyes.
She wasn't dressing for anyone but herself, but habits from ten years of wanting to look her best were hard to shake off. She put her hair up in a messy bun, not making any real effort there, but she did put on eye shadow and mascara. Those habits were fully engrained in her, too.
There was someone else on reception when she headed out, a middle-aged woman. She looked at Sarah as she passed. "Don't go breaking hearts out there," she jokingly said.
Sarah grinned at her. "Not my plan."
It was only a short walk to get to the café, which didn't look busy.
Sarah walked in and waited for the man dealing with one of the families at their table. He had his back turned toward her, so didn't notice her arrival.
Eventually, the mother leaned toward him and obviously told him that he had another person to seat.
He turned and Sarah nearly turned as well, to run. It had been years since she'd last seen Bryce Larkin but she had worked with him for four months. He'd not changed much. He'd recognize her, hence the need for flight.
His jaw had dropped much like she knew hers had. "Sarah?" he asked, as if she could be someone else. "What are you doing here?" There was an edge to his tone and she noticed his body tensed, as if she was a threat.
All of his reactions told her that he hadn't been sent to spy on her. In fact, he seemed to be thinking the reverse. That stopped her leaving. "I could ask you the same," she said.
She briefly wondered what would've happened if no one else was in the room. Would he have attacked her? Would she have attacked him? Whatever had happened, she knew she could easily best him. Maybe they'd just end up yelling and threatening each other. Obviously neither could do any of that in their current situation.
He didn't come close, or show any indication of doing so. She then remembered that he was a bit frightened of her when they were together and that seemed to have intensified.
"My friend and I run this place," he said, rather cautiously.
Sarah decided this face off was achieving nothing. She calmed herself and said, "Well, I'm told the food is good here." Hopefully that would be a non-threatening comment.
"Oh, it is dear," said the woman seated behind him.
He was still in a bit of a daze, but he showed her a table and brought a menu. She noticed his limp.
She decided that he was still avoiding closeness, and thought this foolish. So, before sitting, she leaned in and gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek.
As she pulled away to sit, Bryce just stood with fingers to where she had kissed him. "You're not behaving like an off-duty Sarah Walker. She never did that, except when necessary. Are you on a mission?"
She was a bit annoyed at his behavior, but didn't react. "I'm on leave."
That seemed to shock him. "You told me once that you never took leave."
She sighed. "Well, I am now."
He just shook his head.
She looked down at the menu, indicating that she didn't want to talk more. He took the hint. "Can I get you a drink while you choose what to eat?"
She ordered a beer and he limped away. She would ask him about that sometime.
Bryce hadn't seemed to want to talk either when he took her order or when he brought her beer or her food. He still seemed completely shaken by her appearance.
She wasn't a talker and she wasn't going to force him to sit and talk, so she didn't mention his limp. She'd save that for some other time.
And there would definitely be another time. The cobia was delicious, grilled to perfection with a beautiful pineapple salsa. The mashed sweet potato complimented it nicely.
When she finished the meal, she stopped Bryce and asked to thank the chef for the wonderful meal.
He looked embarrassed and sat for a moment. "Sarah, he doesn't show his face very often and I don't want him to meet someone from my past."
She could understand that. The phrasing was a bit odd, but if she had friends outside the spy world, she'd want to keep them away from it too. She certainly wasn't going to push it. Unfortunately, it reminded her that she had no friends outside that world. That she needed to change somehow.
As she left the café, she wanted to know a few things. What had caused Bryce to leave the CIA? Was the limp associated with that? And, particularly, who was his friend that he was clearly hiding away?
When they closed up for the night, Bryce was still feeling disconcerted by their visitor.
His memories of the woman were mostly grim. It was strange for him. He'd always been confident around women, quite the lothario, and she was certainly very attractive, possibly one of the most attractive women he'd ever seen, but her complete lack of a soul just chilled him. That was even before her deadly skills were brought to play.
He'd felt on a knife edge all the time he was with her, especially with her anger that flared up so easily.
He'd been relieved when their partnership ended and she was gone.
Now, she was here, invading his life again. Just seeing her had made him shiver. It was weird. He'd faced death on a number of occasions, but Sarah Walker made him more uncomfortable than that.
How long would she be here? Hopefully her vacation didn't mean she'd eat at El's regularly. And that was just for him.
The idea of a CIA operative being here with Chuck only being separated from her by a single door was terrifying. That it was this killer made it so much worse.
It may well be that, as Chuck's dad had said last time they spoke, the CIA were no longer interested in Chuck, but Bryce was still worried.
Chuck had always been perceptive, but anyone would be able to see how agitated Bryce was when they closed the doors. "What's up, Bryce?"
His friend looked at him, almost warily, as if he didn't want to tell him. Then, he sat and nodded to the chair on the other side of the table. Chuck sat and waited for Bryce to speak.
"Someone from my days in the CIA ate here this evening."
Chuck instantly tensed up. "Looking for me?"
Bryce had been thinking about that and shook his head. "No. She only asked about you because she liked the Cobia salsa dish. She wanted to thank you for it."
"She?" Chuck couldn't stop the smile that broke out on his face. "One of your many conquests?"
That didn't get the reaction Chuck expected. Bryce actually shivered. "No. If I'd tried anything, she'd have gutted me with one of her blades."
Chuck instantly knew who the woman was. "Eva Anderson?"
Bryce nodded. "Yeah. Her real name is Sarah Walker. Well, the name she had at the CIA. The coldest and deadliest person I ever met."
Chuck remembered his friend's stories about the woman. It sent a shiver down his spine. "And she's not here for either of us?"
"She said she was on leave."
"Seems too much of a coincidence, doesn't it?" Chuck asked.
"I can't tell, but had to go along with it in the restaurant, though. She did seem as surprised, and as reluctant to talk as I was."
"You always said she didn't like to talk," chuckle reminded him.
"If she was on a mission, she talked easily, just not off-mission," Bryce replied.
"So, maybe she is just on vacation," Chuck said, relaxing a bit.
"She has a reputation for something other than killing. She never took time off."
Chuck shrugged. "People change. You did."
"Maybe," Bryce replied but didn't look convinced.
Chuck had to admit to himself that if this woman wasn't after him, he was intrigued. A woman that Bryce was scared of was different. He didn't know why, but he found he almost wanted to meet this Sarah Walker.
The following morning, Bryce told Chuck that he didn't want to open the café that day. He didn't feel in the mood to be the cheerful front of house that he usually was. Chuck didn't mind. He normally only got one day off in a week, so this would be nice for a change.
It did mean that he wouldn't get to meet the woman from Bryce's past, though, which was a shame. Thinking about her made Chuck realize why Bryce didn't want to open. This Sarah Walker had really shaken his friend.
Bryce took off in their car. Chuck knew he was going to one of two places. There was a grotto on the other side of the island. Difficult to get to, but amazing for diving. The woman he liked lived over that side of the island too, so that was the other place he might visit.
Chuck put up the closed sign before thinking about his day. He finally decided some time on the beach would be good. He had a secluded spot that reminded him of where he used to go on San Pedro beach when he'd lived with his sister in LA. His place to be alone when he needed to clear his head or just think.
When he got onto the beach, he was surprised to find someone else near his spot. A gorgeous blonde. She was lying on her front and, although her face was pointing in his direction, she had her eyes closed. What he could see of her figure and her face was a sight for sore eyes.
He stood trying to decide what to do. He wanted to occupy his normal spot, being a creature of habit, but didn't want this woman to think he was lying near her for dubious reasons.
He looked along the beach. It was more crowded in either direction.
"Just find a spot, but don't stare at me," the beauty muttered.
He hadn't noticed her eyes open and they were closed when he looked at her.
"I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to stare."
"Good," she replied.
He busied himself with setting up to sunbathe, such a rare occurrence that it felt exciting. After laying down his towel, he took off his t-shirt and sat, making sure to look down at the water rather than glance sideways.
"Want some lotion on your back?"
He turned and looked at the beauty. She was now sitting looking at him. She absolutely took his breath away. Her blue-gray eyes seemed to just draw him in. He tried to speak. "I- I-"
She grinned at his inability to talk. "That's a nicer reaction than I usually get."
He blushed and looked away. "Sorry. I don't get out much."
"Lotion?" she asked again.
"No, thanks. I don't need it with my skin." He still kept his eyes averted.
She huffed. "Lucky."
He glanced back. Her skin was pale. "Make sure you don't burn, then. That would be a shame."
She smiled at the compliment. Then, she obviously decided to tease him. "And why would that be?"
He wasn't going to get drawn in. "Because I hear sunburn can be very painful."
She nodded at his reply. He'd been tempted to gush, saying such beauty shouldn't be marred, but had resisted. From her earlier comment, she must get far more attention than she wanted. So, why provoke any?
It was too much for him, so he just said, "Be careful." Then he lay down and closed his eyes. If he didn't do that, he might make a fool of himself.
Sarah had spent a disturbed night, thinking about her encounter with Bryce Larkin. It had shocked her to find someone from her past here, thinking there was little chance of that on such a remote island.
However, he clearly had a limp that didn't look to be a temporary thing. She suspected that had led to him leaving the Company. She'd like to know the full story, though.
Once she had realized he was telling the truth about why he was there, she had focused on his reaction to her. He was genuinely shaken on seeing her. That made her wonder if he was doing the same as her, hiding from everyone who knew him. Maybe, for stronger reasons than she had?
However, he also seemed to be wary of her as an individual, as well as representing the CIA.
She lay in bed thinking about their time together. He wasn't a bad partner. A bit sloppy at times, needing her to bail them out of difficult situations, but he was respectful, at least after that one incident.
.
Bryce and Sarah had only just met and spent the evening sharing what little they felt the other needed to know. That meant very little for her, whereas he shared about his time at Stanford followed by a successful time as an agent. It wasn't boastful, but he obviously thought he was very good. He also knew he was attractive, and seemed to assume he'd end up in her bed when they got to her room. When she declined he got upset and tried to force himself on her. She'd always been fast with her knives. It must've felt like magic when one appeared at his throat. After that, he kept his hands to himself. Surely he didn't still hold that incident against her. However, he seemed genuinely upset to see her.
The ending of them working together had been fairly sudden. He'd nearly screwed up the mission and she'd had to save the day. Again. It had been a theme of their time together. This was worse, though, with him getting hit because she failed to react quickly enough. She still felt bad about that after all these years.
She hadn't said much to him on their escape. She calmly removed the bullet that she could, though. When they got back to DC, he'd been taken to the CIA hospital.
She'd waited for them to receive another assignment, but was told by Director Graham that she would go out alone rather than wait for him. She never saw Bryce Larkin again, until now.
.
By eight in the morning, she gave up trying to sleep and got up. By ten, she was back on the beach. The sound of the waves was soothing. Maybe she'd get some sleep here.
She had almost dozed off, when she became aware of someone approaching. She'd chosen the same spot as the day before due to the fact that no one came here.
She opened her eyes enough to see a man staring at her. She inwardly groaned, but instead of the usual lecherous stare, this man just briefly admired her form and then looked uncertain.
"Just find a spot, but don't stare at me," she'd muttered, crossing her fingers that he would do as she asked.
His reaction was a surprise, though. He seemed completely flustered, to the point that he struggled to respond. "I- I'm sorry! I didn't mean to stare."
She hoped that was the case. "Good," she replied and relaxed.
However, she found he intrigued her, so she watched as he set himself up to sunbathe. When he took off his t-shirt she admired his physique. He wasn't all muscles like most of the men she'd encountered in her time as an agent, but his shoulders were broad. She suspected he was a swimmer. He sat on his towel facing the sea, much like she had when she first came here.
She sat up, finding herself wanting to talk to him. She had no idea what prompted her to make the offer, but said, "Want some lotion on your back?"
He turned and looked at her, surprise clear on his face, followed by awe. Awe, rather than lust that she sometimes got, but she had already worked out that he wasn't going to be like that. The awe was a refreshing change.
He tried to speak. "I- I-"
He was so adorable. She grinned and said, "That's a nicer reaction than I usually get."
He actually blushed and looked away. "Sorry. I don't get out much."
She asked again about lotion and he declined because of his skin tone. She was jealous. He looked at her body once again, but not salaciously. "Make sure you don't burn, then. That would be a shame."
It was a compliment, but with no expectations. He was just stating a fact. For some reason, that made her react and actually tease him, something she would never normally do. "And why would that be?" Am I fishing for more compliments from him? Do I want him looking at me? It was confusing.
He showed himself to be the perfect gentleman, and avoided saying anything personal. She appreciated that, and squashed the desire for personal compliments.
He muttered, "Be careful." Then he settled down to sunbathe, leaving her feeling disappointed that he didn't want to talk more.
She watched his chest rise and fall as he dozed off. Why did she want to brush her hands over it?
She pushed such thoughts away and settled back to sunbathe herself. She soon drifted off, too.
"You should turn over or you will burn."
Her eyes snapped open and found herself looking into those of her fellow sunbather. Beautiful brown eyes with gold fleck. She could just continue to gaze into these. Then she realized that was exactly what she was doing, and shouldn't.
"Uh, thanks," she replied.
He moved back and she sat up. He'd obviously overcome his awe of her and sat back on his towel and smiled at her. "I'm sorry to disturb you again, but I really didn't want you to burn. It's been a couple of hours."
"Thanks again. I didn't get much sleep last night."
"You looked so peaceful," he commented.
She raised a brow. "Were you eyeing me up?"
That got him flustered again. "No, no, no!"
She laughed at his reaction. "Thanks for looking out for me…" She suddenly wanted to know him and had trailed off for him to tell her his name.
He smiled. "Chuck. Chuck Bartowski."
It was an unusual name to hear, but he was obviously an American. "Sarah Walker," she replied.
The look of horror that washed over his face shocked her.
A/N: Well, parting may be such sweet sorrow, but it seems that meeting and greeting can be like a knife to the throat.
What d'you think so far? Please drop me a review to let me know.
