Chapter 6

A/N: Sorry for the delay. Life. It’s been awful.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck

Chuck watched the two walk out of the store, his head spinning. “DUDE!” he heard behind him. His eyes went wide. He realized where he had the previous conversation at with Sarah and her father, and who all heard him. He hadn’t said the best things about the Buy More. Chuck turned to see the entire crew behind him, including Big Mike, being led by Morgan Grimes.

“Uh, look, I’m sorry, I-”

“I’m assuming this is your two weeks notice?” Big Mike asked.

“You’re firing me?” Chuck asked. “I mean, I know what I said wasn’t the nicest.”

“Where was the lie?” Lester asked.

“Wasn’t one,” Big Mike agreed. “No, I’m not firing you, son. Well, not yet.” Chuck gulped. “If you turn down that job I will.”“She’s not offered me anything, yet,” Chuck began.

“You sly dog,” Lester said, grinning. “I knew you had it in you.” Everyone turned to Lester, glaring. He swallowed, and the grin fell off of his face. “And by had it in you, I meant you had the ability to do so much more than just work here.”

“No,” Anna said, glaring at him. “You were trying to make a sex joke about not being offered anything yet.” Lester started to protest, but the glare intensified from Anna. “You’re right.”

“Look,” Chuck said, trying to keep from witnessing a homicide. “I don’t know if there is a job for me, but what I do know is there are computers in the back that need fixing unless someone…” he trailed off, because everyone but Big Mike had fled.

“That was well done,” Big Mike said. “Take off early to make sure you’re ready.”

“Sir,” Chuck began.

“If you aren’t dressed respectably your sister will kill me,” Big Mike told him. “She scares me.”

“Me too,” Chuck agreed as Big Mike walked away.

}o{

He was in the back, by himself, thinking about the USB that Bryce had sent him that was now attached to his keys. After getting over the shock of Bryce’s admission, he had looked deeper into the USB, and had found multiple files and videos. He couldn’t help but think of one he had watched a few nights ago at this moment.

“Glad you looked deeper,” Bryce said to the camera. “I knew you would.” There was a grin on his face, and a look of sadness at the same time. “Man, what a team we would have made.” He sighed, the sigh of a man who knew he had made a terrible mistake. “So, I need to tell you about Sarah…that was the name she was using in the CIA.”

He found it interesting she had kept that name. He also wondered how Bryce hadn’t found Sarah. He didn’t have the skills Chuck did, but he did have skills.

“You know how you loved James Bond? Well, that’s kinda how her life is.”

Chuck grinned.

“And I’m not saying she had men all the time the way Bond had women. I’m saying, her life was always in danger.”

The grin had fell from Chuck’s face.

“You know the song by Johnny Rivers, Secret Agent Man?”

Chuck couldn’t help but nod, even though he knew Bryce couldn’t see him.

Bryce grinned and began to sing

There’s a woman who leads a life of danger

To everyone she meets she stays a stranger

With every move she makes another chance she takes

Odds are she won’t live to see tomorrow

He stopped singing. “She was recruited by Graham, and made his personal weapon. She has many names in the agency. She’s talked about like someone you both admire, and are scared shitless of.”

Chuck was quiet, processing all of this.

“She’s know as The Ice Queen, and The Wildcard Enforcer.” Bryce paused. “I’ve seen enemies go to pieces just mentioning that she was on their trail. She’s the absolute best, and instead of being used sparingly, Graham used her like a club. He used her constantly. She was constantly on assignments. She never had any downtime, and when she did…” he trailed off and shook his head.

Chuck hit pause, and thought about the woman he had met and spent time with. Joking with him about her eighty plus year old neighbor, and the look of thankfulness on her face as Chuck had helped her. “She didn’t deserve that,” he muttered, referring to what Graham had done to her. He hit play.

Bryce resumed singing.

Secret agent woman, secret agent woman

They’ve given you a number and taken away your name

“That’s what they did Chuck,” Bryce said softly. “Well, not the number, that’s a James Bond thing, but they took away her name. First her father had her use different names to protect him and her in their cons, and then the agency made her someone different each mission.”

Chuck thought about the remorse in Jack’s voice when they had talked the day they met about his past.

“She never sees anyone in a mental health capacity,” Bryce told him. “She has to get close to people, not sex,” he added quickly. “She has this ability to get close to people without needing that. She’s…she’s the best.”

It was clear to Chuck that Bryce both respected her as a person and an agent. “Then why the hell did you sleep with all those women?” Chuck muttered, shaking his head at what his friend had done.

Bryce resumed singing.

Beware of pretty faces that you find

A pretty face can hide an evil mind

Ah, be careful what you say or you’ll give yourself away

Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow

“Now to be fair, most of our marks are not pretty,” Bryce began.

Chuck couldn’t help but snort.

“But, to get our target to open up, you have to establish a relationship,” Bryce said, the smile gone from his face. “You have to promise things…you have to do things to gain trust. You have to give up a small part of you…”

“Did you really love your job?” Chuck asked softly.

“It’s one thing to do this…on a limited basis,” Bryce continued, his voice soft, regret on his face. “But, Sarah…Sarah was doing this stuff constantly, and…and she was losing her. Hell, she once said she wasn’t even sure who she was.” He shook his head. “I’m going to skip to the third verse.

He began to sing again.

Swingin’ on the Riviera one day

And then layin’ in the Bombay alley next day

Oh no, you let the wrong word slip while kissing persuasive lips

The odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow

There was no grin this time, there was no humor. There was only a man who was tired. Who was clearly worn down.

“One minute, we’re at these ritzy places, having the time of our lives, and then next, we’re in the worst place in the world. It makes Mos Eisley look like a kid’s playground.”

Chuck blinked at that.

“It’s why I have to do this,” Bryce said softly. “It’s why I have to end him.” Bryce looked away and then back to the camera. “I got her out, but how many more are there? How many more have been done like her? Hell, I’m feeling the burnout, and I’ve not been through half of what she has.” He was quiet again. “And, if you’re seeing this, I got reckless because this had to end, and….” Bryce shook his head. “Help her, Chuck. You’re her only hope.”

“You’re not Leia,” Chuck muttered, reaching over and turning off the video, but he understood exactly what Bryce was saying.

}o{

Morgan made his way through Westside Medical, on a mission. He felt like he was in the Blues Brothers. This wasn’t a mission from God…no, this was from Big Mike, who wasn’t a God, but did control if Morgan got fired or not. It was also…it was also a mission that he felt Ellie would appreciate.

Ellie had to know. She had to have seen it the past few days. Chuck was changing. He was changing and for the better. Back to who he was before….before…. “And I quote,” Morgan said softly to himself. “Per Ellie, that Snollygoster, fopdoodle Zounderkite!” Morgan shook his head. He had to look those words up and he found Ellie was pretty much right on this…as she often was.

“What are you doing here?” He heard the hiss behind him. Morgan winced. He wasn’t supposed to come to her place of work unless it was an absolute emergency, and sandwich emergencies didn’t count…regardless of how much he protested they should.

“He’s got a date,” Morgan blurted out, as he spun toward Ellie.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Morgan, for the last time, Devon loves me, he doesn’t have anyone else, and even if he did, I wouldn’t date you if you were the last man on earth.”

“Okay, those words, were hurtful, and unnecessary,” Morgan began.

“Were they?” Ellie asked.“But I’m not here about Devon,” Morgan told her, pressing on, not having time to win her over at that moment. “I respect the rules too much.” The look on her face said she did NOT believe him. “HE has a date.”

Ellie stood there, confusion on her face. Who else would Morgan care about having a date? There was only one person he would, AND would satisfy him being at her place of work, per the rules.

“Chuck?” she asked in the most shocked, wishful voice that there ever was.

“And she’s beautiful,” Morgan continued. “Her name is Sarah.”

“Sarah?” Ellie asked, recognizing the name but not from where.

“And apparently her father wants him to work on their farm,” Morgan continued. He stepped back as Ellie’s eyes went wide.

“Wait,” Ellie said, reaching out to steady herself with one hand, and her other hand going to her chest. She needed a second. Had he actually…had Chuck actually…met someone while getting avocados? She couldn’t help herself. She began to laugh. Morgan watched, puzzlement on his face as his dream woman belly laughed and looked happier than he had seen her look in a long time.

}o{

What did you wear to dinner with your potential employer who also was the ex-girlfriend of your college best friend slash nemesis? Chuck looked at himself in the mirror. Button up, nice jeans, and his Chucks. He shook his head. He really wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he had to go do this. He had to see if there was more…more to life.

What had started as a computer hunt for a woman and her father had turned into flipping his life upside down. Chuck had been thinking all afternoon. IF he were truly offered a job, he’d probably have to live on the farm, and that would be considered part of his pay. He wasn’t making that much at the Buy More, so as long as he had a little money, there wasn’t anything he owed. His biggest concern moving there…internet…or lack thereof.

“Looking good, little brother,” Ellie said from the doorway. He turned to her, not expecting her to be there. “Really, you’re surprised? Morgan told me.”

“How did you get out of your shift?” Chuck asked.

“I’m the one always taking other people’s shifts,” Ellie told him. “When my little brother is finally going on a date after all this time…you call in a few favors.”

“El, not a date,” Chuck told her. “It’s literally a business dinner.”

He watched her for a moment, and he saw her assessing him. She finally nodded, walked over, sat on the bed, patted the spot beside her, and spoke. “Tell me about it,” she said softly.

“They are trying to change people’s lives,” Chuck said, sitting down beside his sister. “They are trying to turn the farm into a halfway house for those that get out of prison.”

“So the farm doesn’t necessarily need to turn a profit,” Ellie said, nodding. “There’s money from the state.”

Chuck nodded. “I think that’s how it works,” he admitted. “I’ve studied it a bit, but without knowing their plans…” he trailed off. “But what we’re doing is giving people a second chance in life. A chance to build a resume. Yeah, it’s manual labor, and hard work but there’s something about growing something and being proud of it.”

“Yeah, there is,” Ellie said. Chuck rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Listen, I know, you’re my brother, but I did kinda raise you.”

“I know,” Chuck kidded, with a grin on his face. “God, don’t I knooooooow.” She shoulder bumped him. “And…” he sobered as he gathered his thoughts. “Since I got kicked out of Stanford, I’ve been adjacent to my skills at the Buy More. I mean, I haven’t done any work on programs and stuff, but…I’ve been right there next to it with all the things I do with the Nerd Herd.”“And getting away from it completely might not be a bad idea,” Ellie said. “For a while at least.”

“Yeah,” Chuck said nodding.“Anything else I should know?” Ellie asked. Chuck gave her a look. “Chuck, something changed that night when you got that package from Bryce.”

“He’s dead, Ellie,” Chuck told her. “It was time for me to move on.”“Uh-huh,” she said, nodding. Chuck started to protest and she held up her hand. “Nope, you don’t want to, or don’t feel you should share it, and I’m not going to push.” He gave her a grateful smile. “Now, do me a favor, don’t go charming the pants off of your business dinner date tonight, because that might be an HR violation,” she said, getting up, heading to the door grinning.

“ELLIE!” he said, a shocked smile on his face.

“Chuck…you like her,” Ellie said, a soft smile on her face.

“That doesn’t matter,” Chuck replied. He saw the happy look on her face. “What?”

“You didn’t disagree with me.” He groaned. “Just remember, Jill…don’t make other people pay for her sins.”

“I won’t,” Chuck promised. “But Ellie…this is about changing lives.”

Her smile grew. “I know,” she replied. Chuck shook his head, but couldn’t stop the grin on his face. “Be yourself.”

}o{

Sarah walked out of her room, ready for dinner, and rolled her eyes at the look her father gave her. “You trying to offer the boy a job or give him a heart attack?” Jack asked, grinning.

“Is there something wrong with my dress?” Sarah asked.

“Darlin’ you know damn good and well there is nothing wrong with that dress, and going forward when I ask him what his favorite color is, I’m gonna bet if he doesn’t say purple, he’s going to think it,” Jack replied, grinning at her.

“Look, I said we were going to dinner, and I thought I should dress nice and be appropriate,” Sarah replied, ignoring what Jack was implying, but filed it away inside, and suppressing a grin.

“He’s not going to turn you down,” Jack said softly.

“He does seem to want to work here,” Sarah agreed, checking her hair in the mirror.

“Wasn’t talking about the job,” Jack replied. Sarah turned to him, and he held up his hands. “Just sayin’ darlin’.”

“Dad, I’m not trying to date anyone,” Sarah insisted. Jack gave her a look. “I’m not.”

“Did you tell that dress that?” Jack asked.

“Okay, fine, I’ll change,” Sarah huffed, and started back to her room.

“I bet your mom wishes she could see you right now, just like this,” Jack said softly. She stopped in her tracks and turned toward him. “Her beautiful little girl, trying to act like she doesn’t care what some guy thinks about her, wanting him to come work with her, but wanting…more.”

“Dad,” Sarah tried to begin.

“He’s a good guy,” Jack went on. “The kind of guy a father would want his daughter to have in her life.” The look on Sarah’s face softened. “The kind of guy you know that would make sure she knew she was special. The kind of guy that would put her first.” Jack was quiet for a second. “The kind of guy that wouldn’t do the stupid stuff I did.”

“How about, I agree, I wouldn’t hate it if he noticed me in this dress,” Sarah began. “And YOU try and stay out of whatever love life I do or do not have.”

“So if you bring him home tonight, I shouldn’t be cleaning my shotgun?” Jack asked, grinning. Sarah laughed out loud.

“Do you really think he’d like the dress?” Sarah asked. Jack had never seen her like this.

“I don’t think he cares about what you wear, darlin’,” Jack told her. “He’s met you, and seen the beautiful woman you are inside.”

“He doesn’t know who I am,” Sarah rebutted.

“Didn’t you tell me my past didn’t define me?” Jack asked, reminding her what she had said to him when she found him after his release from prison. “Didn’t you tell me it mattered what I was doing now, trying to do?”

“Well, that’s not fair,” Sarah huffed, grinning at him. “You throwing my own words at me.”

“The joys of parenting,” Jack replied. “Come ‘ere,” he said, holding out his arms. She hugged him. “Now go on, knock his socks off, get him to take the job, and if you do bring him home, make sure he knows that has nothing to do with his employment.”

She pushed him away good-naturedly, grinning at him. “I’m not planning on mixing business with….that.”

“Did you tell that dress that?” Jack asked. She shook her head as she turned and left. Jack stood there. “What the hell does she think is gonna happen when he takes the job and lives here?” He laughed, knowing what was about to happen to the two of them.A/N: How does he know? Does he know I’m writing this?