A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, faves and follows. I really appreciate all of them.

To some reviewers, Sarah seemed out of character, more emotional and more open than she was in canon. I think that the separation hurt them both. She'd spent years thinking that Chuck would have hated her for leaving like that, and berating herself for not admitting her feelings for him before being banished. Of course, Chuck was his usual insecure self. Good job he pushed himself.

Anyway, this is the final chapter in this little story…


Just a Memory?

Chapter 3


The next morning, Chuck woke up first. He'd hoped to gaze as his beautiful girlfriend in peaceful sleep, but that was not to be.

Chuck had been tired after the long journey and then the reunion had been emotionally draining. Sarah had felt that too, so they both needed sleep. They had climbed into bed in t-shirts and shorts. They chuckled over that. The barrier to continuing their activity from earlier wouldn't last long, but it was more symbolic. Holding each other as they drifted off had been all they needed.

She was now partly lying on him. Her right hand on his upper chest and the rest of her arm against his ribs. Her right leg was across him, too, so her foot was nestling between his calves. Her face was pressed into his neck. Nothing had ever felt so good before. It seemed to sum up their lives now. Both needing close contact with the one they loved.

He breathed out a sigh of contentment. He was where he belonged. With Sarah Walker.

"My pillow's awake?" she whispered. "Please don't move."

He chuckled. "I will have to eventually. When nature calls."

"But not yet?"

"No, I'm very happy lying here with the woman I love sprawled all over me."

"Sprawled? Doesn't sound very ladylike," she muttered.

"Only you could carry it off," he honestly replied.

She lifted off of him, and looked at him. Her hair was messy, her eyes still a bit droopy and the left side of her face slightly red from being pressed against him. In his eyes, she looked perfect. "God, you're so beautiful!"

She looked dubious. "I doubt it, but thank you."

"How did you sleep?"

She smiled. "Best night's sleep ever. I didn't wake in tears or upset. The cure for that was with me."

He hated that she'd been that upset for so very long. "I slept better than I have for a long time, too."

She hummed happily and rested back down on him.


They had a late breakfast, but Sarah had no qualms about that. It turned out that showering together did not speed up the process, because of the other activity involved.

Once they'd washed up what they'd used for breakfast, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. Chuck said he'd do anything, as long as they were together.

Sarah held his hand as she led him down onto the beach. Chuck was quiet, taking in the view as they crossed the sand.

As they sat down, in her usual spot, they both looked at the surf washing up onto the beach in front of them, and the waves further out.

"It's like a certain spot on a beach back in California," he finally said.

She looked down at their hands, still entwined. "There are some differences, though. At least now."

He squeezed her hand and that made it feel even better.

"I sit here often. It reminds me of sitting with you on that beach. Like the photo, it brings a memory I cherish, even though we weren't a couple back then."

He chuckled. "That first time was pretty traumatic, but it was made better by you joining me. I'd already fallen for you and having you sitting by me eased the pain."

"If it hadn't been for my roll then, I think I would've held your hand. I wanted to comfort you, while at the same time, I was a bit scared of you."

He looked at her in surprise. "Really?"

She smiled. "Not of you physically hurting me, but you already made me feel differently to normal." She looked at him. "I'd never been an emotional person, but you stirred things in me, right from the start. That scared me."

"That Bartowski charm, huh?" he joked.

It was. "I didn't know how to handle it. It made my job quite difficult. When you started pushing for a real relationship, it became even harder still. I found I wanted the same, but couldn't, or I'd be seen as compromised." She looked away and out to sea. "I must've slipped up eventually, though."

He said nothing and she sensed him also looking out.

She didn't want to upset him, but felt he ought to know more about her beach visits. "It wasn't just that time. We visited that spot more before I left. Even though we weren't together, I always felt connected to you there."

"I did, too, Sarah. It felt like our spot."

She nodded. "Sitting here was always an emotional thing for me. The fond memories helped me, but it was also a reminder of not being together, at all. I cried a lot here."

Chuck brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. "Hopefully, not anymore."

She looked at him. "I want this to be our spot now, not that one back there. I certainly don't want to think of this as just mine anymore."

His smile made her heart flutter. "Our spot," he intoned.

They both had the same thought and their lips met for a tender kiss… on their spot.

As they pulled apart, she could see the love in his eyes and was sure hers shared the same look.

Movement caused both of them to look out. A gull flew across the water.

"You've not painted this view," he said.

She smiled. "It's lovely and peaceful here, but it's only when something else, like that gull, appears that it is worth painting, and then hard to capture quickly."

"I guess just the sky, water and sand are pretty uniform."

"I have taken photos, though, and could've painted those in the studio," She said no more.

Chuck guessed why, of course. "Capturing my absence?"

She nodded, but then looked his way. "I might try painting one now."

He smiled. "Because it's now a happy place?"

"Mmhm."

Once again, it felt like his eyes were looking deep into her soul. It no longer frightened her. "I love you, Chuck Bartowski." She said it with no hesitation. The words just felt right.

"And I love you, too, Sarah Walker."

"You once asked about my real name," she started.

"That was when I just wanted to know more about you."

She squeezed his hand. "I know. I never told anyone that name." She smiled. "A spy's most heavily guarded secret."

"I heard you whisper your middle name," he said.

That was a surprise. "I didn't think you heard." She smiled. "It was as close as I could get to saying it out loud."

"I realized that," he murmured.

"My birth name, which is what you were asking about, is only relevant to the first seven years of my life. You know about me and my dad's escapades, at least in outline. We changed names regularly. The same happened in the CIA for missions, but I was recorded as Sarah Walker. LA was the first time I used that name, and because it was what you knew me as, it became special to me."

He smiled. "You'll always be my Sarah."

It felt so special to be called his Sarah. It made her want to tell him more. "My birth name was Samantha Lisa Richards." She watched him as he took that in.

"So, your dad had a different name back then?" Then he smacked his head. "Of course he did. You've already told me that."

She laughed. "Thank you for making that easier for me." She shook her head. "It was such a big deal before."

"Thank you for sharing that… Sarah."

Chuck deliberately using that name filled her with joy. His Sarah.

She dived across to him and he fell back into the sand as her lips crashed onto his. The kiss lasted until they both needed to catch their breath. She pulled back and was going to kiss him again, but he chuckled, so she had to ask, "What?"

"You never did that back on the other beach."

She smiled sadly. "I so wanted to, though."

His crooked smile appeared. "There's still a danger of being spotted, but for a different reason."

She didn't ask, just raised an eyebrow, which prompted him to continue. "We're at risk of making out and shocking people."

She grinned. "I can solve that." She got off of him. stood, and reached her hand down. He took it, letting her pull him up, with understanding in his eyes.

As best they could on the sand, they ran up the beach, holding hands, trying not to stumble. Both were giggling.


Sarah had decided to take Chuck down into the town for lunch. She'd not been there very often. It had been a reminder of being alone.

They wandered in, hand-in-hand. That raised eyebrows and smiles. "I'm probably known as the sad, lonely woman who lives out by the beach," she said.

"D'you think they recognize you with that smile on your face?" he teased.

She laughed. "It's definitely a change."

When they stepped into the dinner, jaws dropped. Sarah grinned and asked for a table for two. It felt wonderful saying that.

"The one you've taken before?" Angela, the hostess asked, having recognized her.

Sarah shook her head. She no longer wanted to hide at the back. "One by the window?"

The smile on Angela's face was rewarding. She led them to a table and leaned close to Sarah to quietly say, "It's so wonderful to see you smile."

Sarah's smile grew as she thanked her.

As Angela walked off, Chuck asked Sarah, "Do people normally stare at you."

She snorted, very unladylike. "Hardly. They always used to avoid looking at the sad one at the back." She cast her eye around the diner, smiling. Her smiles were returned, along with some nods. It felt weird, but very pleasing.

She'd always wanted to be hidden. Something she had learned from her dad, and had been encouraged by the CIA. A shadow in the shadows. She'd had to come out into the light when on some missions, and definitely when she was with Chuck. After leaving him, she'd faded into the shadows again. Here, it had been for a different reason. She didn't want their pity.

She felt like she'd shed her cloak of darkness now and wanted to be seen, with the man she loved. That was even reflected in what she was wearing. She'd brought this bright yellow sundress with her to the island, but never worn it. She'd often thought of throwing it out, along with the other bright clothes, but never had. Maybe she held onto a hope of Chuck finding her, as he had.

"Well, I suspect the dress and your smile are both lighting up their lives today," Chuck said.

She turned back to him. "Thanks to you," she replied. They shared a loving look before looking down at the menus to decide what to have.


When they returned to their home. Chuck was eager to phone his sister. The time difference was only two hours, so it would be lunchtime in Chicago.

Sarah wondered whether the two doctors would get lunch breaks; they often hadn't in LA. He brushed that off and called anyway, putting the phone on speaker.

"Chuck?" Ellie answered.

"Hi, sis," he replied.

"Oh god! You found her!" Ellie cried.

Chuck frowned. "What makes you think that?"

"I can hear the happiness in your voice," she replied.

"Yes, he found me," Sarah said as she grinned at him.

Chuck was sure that those around her in the hospital wouldn't have appreciated the squeal of delight Ellie released. It was loud through the phone.

"Sarah sounds just as happy," Ellie said. "I take it you're now a real couple."

Sarah looked at him, eyebrows raised. He needed to explain what his sister now knew. "Yes, El. We're both very happy."

Ellie suppressed the squeal this time. She must've put her hand over her mouth, probably due to the reactions she'd gotten with the first one. Then, he heard her sniff. "Are you crying?" he asked.

"What d'you expect? I'm so happy for you."

Sarah chuckled. "He brought me to tears of joy, too."

"Oh god, I'm having to get away from everyone. I'm getting such strange looks!"

Both of them had to put their hands over their mouths to hide their laughter.

Ellie proceeded to ask lots of questions which one or the other happily answered.

As they finished the conversation, Sarah said, "Ellie, I don't know what Chuck has told you about me, but I want you to know that I always felt you were my best friend in the time I was with you. And I'm so sorry I missed your wedding."

Ellie was silent for a moment, then said, "I was upset about the lies when he first told me. I could see the love you had for my brother and was very upset when you disappeared, especially with how it affected him, even though he assured me that you had no choice. But when he told me he was going to find the woman he loved, I made no attempt to stop him, especially when he told me that you'd left the CIA. I'm so glad he found you, Sarah."

"I still love him, Ellie, very, very much," Sarah replied, wiping a tear away.

"I want to just hug you both!" Ellie gasped out.

"You have to come and visit us," Sarah said.

"You'll love it here, El. She lives on a beach."

Sarah chuckled. "In a house by the beach."

Ellie laughed. "So you haven't just hollowed out as space in the sand to sleep in?"

"I'd forgotten how you two gang up on me," Chuck grumbled.

"When can you visit?" Sarah said.

Elle laughed again. "We'll have to book time off, but I want to come as soon as possible."

"I'm desperate to see Clara," Sarah said.

"She'll love you, Sarah. Is your hair still long?"

Sarah frowned. "Yes. Why?"

"She'll love pulling that!" Ellie said.

"I can't wait to see you all," Chuck said. "And for you to see this place and the most beautiful woman in the world again.

Sarah grinned. "Devon might disagree with you on that, Chuck."

Ellie chuckled, but then said, "I better go back in and get some work done. I love you both."

"Love you, too," Chuck replied, and was happy that Sarah said the same.

When he ended the call, Sarah said, in a serious voice, "Tell me what she knows."

He gulped. "I'll just get some water first," as he headed into the kitchen.


Three months later

As they settled into their new life together, both found that they had to make changes. Each had been single for a long time and some habits weren't conducive to cohabitation. However, both wanted this to work, so they adapted. Sarah silently chuckled as she thought about that. They hadn't just wanted it to work, they were desperate for it.

They'd had a few difficult days, when Sarah decided she needed to tell Chuck more about the woman he was now with. He really didn't know her that well.

Chuck already knew her dad was a conman, and that she'd been involved to some extent. Consequently, broadening that understanding hadn't been too painful, although she hated what their actions would have done to the victims.

Her time as an assassin was harder to talk about. Chuck knew that she killed. He'd even seen her do it, but going on missions where that was her only goal was something else. That had taken some telling on her part, but Chuck had been wonderful, stating that she wasn't a bad person, just following orders. The fact that she'd hated every one of them, and was so glad it was behind her helped, too. All that was behind them now and hadn't ruined their relationship in any way, as she'd feared.

In her first coverage of the deaths to her name, she'd not mentioned her last assignment before Burbank. That wasn't because of the amount of bodies she left behind, but what she did next. However, the following day, she berated herself for keeping it secret from him. She knew he'd never tell anyone. He could keep secrets, but also no one could get to him now that he lived on this island with her.

Chuck quietly listened to her account of that assignment and how she reacted to it.

"You see, that's that type of person you really are. Kind, caring and probably the greatest protector ever."

She loved that he thought that. "Thank you. Anyway, that's why I can never see my mom again."

"I could set something up for you to contact her with no one knowing." That idea frightened her, but he finally convinced her.

Two days later, Sarah sat at her laptop talking to her mom for the first time since she'd left the baby with her just over four-and-a-half years before. It was an emotional video call. Seeing the little blonde-haired girl sitting beside her mom was wonderful. Molly, her name now, had grown up to look just like Sarah remembered herself at that age. She was excited to see her big sister. Sarah remembered how she'd felt so sad to leave her as a baby, and knew that if they ever did meet, it would be wonderful. For now, she just had to be happy that they were both safe and healthy, and that she could contact them this way.

Chuck tried to persuade her to invite them to visit, too, but she thought that was going too far.

This morning, she'd woken first and was lying facing Chuck. He'd been restless and they'd separated some time in the night. At least he was facing her, so she could gaze at his sleeping face.

She'd like to trace his features with a finger, but didn't want to wake him up, so she just took pleasure in looking at him, as she reflected on everything.

Chuck's arrival had changed her life, her feelings about living, even. Every day, she woke up happy, looking forward to another day with him.

They weren't together all the time, though. Although he denied it, he needed more to occupy his mind. He found that many in the town appreciated his help with their IT problems. Most had online support, but having an expert in the town made a huge difference.

When Chuck went for long consultations, or to set equipment up, Sarah headed inland to paint. That was becoming a more significant source of revenue, too. She now had paintings on display in the library, and she frequently got commissions. She even did occasional portraits.

Of course, their time together became more precious. Their love for each other seemed to grow, much to their surprise.

The Woodcomb visit had gone well, although her stress beforehand had been severe. Chuck had to calm her down as she panicked about getting the place ready for them.

Little Clara was an inquisitive child, but old enough to not be a problem. She'd absolutely loved the beach, dragging her dad down there every morning. Devon happily went with her, and, although not immediately, everyone followed eventually.

Seeing the happy family made Sarah wonder about her and Chuck having kids at some time. Seeing Molly had started that. The thought of having children didn't frighten her, as she once thought it would. She was sure that Chuck would be an amazing father. Seeing him with his niece confirmed that. She'd been less sure of herself, but found that she and little Clara bonded, too.

However, she didn't want kids just yet. I want him exclusively mine for a while. They had time for a family later. Her life now felt like there were no real constraints. Most of that was because of the man she loved and who loved her back.

Chuck slowly opened his eyes and looked into hers. His Sarah-only smile appeared on his face. "Morning, Gorgeous."

She closed the distance between them. So, another day started with them tangled up, kissing, and everything that followed.

Life was definitely good now.


A/N: I found this to be quite emotional to write, but satisfying with the happy reunion. Anyway, that's it for this story. I hope you liked it. You could always leave a review to let me know, one way or another.