Chapter 11

A/N: Onward

Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck

Five months ago, somewhere in California.

“And remember,” the woman said, talking into the camera. “Take care of your mental health. Love yourself. Give yourself grace, but also, know who you are, and while the attachment style you learned as a child was to protect you, it could be harming you today. The work you are doing is for you.” She smiled. “Now, I hate to say this part, but if you have learned anything and helped yourself, please like, subscribe, and all that stuff. I hate to ask you to, but this channel operates by word of mouth and an algorithm. I never charge anything for what we do here.” Her smile turned sad for just an instant. “Please know, there’s a good chance I was once where you are in relationships, and that’s why I do this work. If I’ve helped you, and you meet someone that could use these videos, please gently tell them about us.” She smiled and nodded. “Good night. Remember, love yourself.”

She reached up and turned off the recording. “I’ll have to edit that later,” she muttered to herself. “I got to rambling again, and not the good kind.” She chuckled and leaned back in her chair. Over the last three years, Dr. Lane had slowly begun building a YouTube audience. It wasn’t for fame, for notoriety, for dopamine, or anything like that. She truly wanted those who had relationship issues to get help. The help she wished she had earlier in her life.

After her life fell apart, she picked herself up, and decided to continue to get her degree in Psychology. Along the way she had found out about attachment styles in relationships. As she learned more and more, she became fascinated by the information, and all she could think was that she might have a family today if she had known what she knew now.

She chuckled. She had confronted her ex some time back and gently, but lovingly told him everything she had learned…not all at once. She had told him, broad strokes, expected it to be the end of their reunion, and was stunned when he asked to know more. But more importantly, how to heal…how to change. She hadn’t seen him in some time, but he had told her that he had another relationship he needed to fix. She understood that. There were other relationships she needed to mend as well.

She looked around the room she recorded in, shook her head and got up. It was then she felt it. She wasn’t alone in her home. She knew she should run, but something in her….she headed down the hall, and was surprised to realize that whoever was in the house, was in the room that was reserved for one person. She took a deep breath, hoping it was her. She opened the door, and reached for a light, but stopped, as a voice spoke.

“Please, don’t turn on that light,” the soft but intense voice said. “Neither of us want that.”

It wasn’t who she hoped for. Dr. Lane had no idea who this was, but she was certain if she touched that light, bad things were going to happen.

}o{

Now, Echo Park

Chuck looked around his room, not sure what all to pack. Sarah had told him it was fine to bring the computer, and whatever he wanted, but part of him saw this as an opportunity for a fresh start. Ellie walked into his room, a knowing smile on her face.

“I am SOOOO glad I asked you to get avocados for me,” she told him, sitting down on his bed. She watched him grin as he packed. “Chuck,” she said, and he turned to her, the look on her face, serious. “The deal still stands.”He groaned. “El, please,” Chuck began.

“We agreed,” Ellie reminded him.

“No, you and Devon, who I may remind you, is a heart doctor, as in a cardiothoracic surgeon. Not a doctor of love,” Chuck began.

“I disagree,” Ellie said, with a grin on his face.

Chuck tried not to throw up in his mouth. “Anyway,” Chuck continued, making her giggle. “You two watched those videos and decided they would help me.”

“Look, it’s science,” Ellie told him.

“It’s a THEORY,” Chuck stressed.

“Tell me Devon’s isn’t dead on?” Ellie asked him.

“Yes, Devon is secure,” Chuck relented. “Good, God, is he secure.”

“This is about him trying to teach you how to dance, isn’t it?” Ellie asked.

“He was in a towel, and was teaching me the woman’s part,” Chuck said in as calm of a voice as he could muster.

“Chuck, what our parents did, and me having to raise you,” Ellie began.

“Hey, it’s not your fault,” Chuck cut in.

“Yes it is,” Ellie said. “And that’s not a negative thing. I know you know I did all I could, but I wasn’t your mom. I wasn’t your dad. I was your sister and that wasn’t normal.”

“Why aren’t you more messed up?” Chuck asked, honestly.

“I guess because I was older when Dad left?” Ellie replied, shrugging. “I mean, yes, I have some issues-”

“Okay, wait,” Chuck said, cutting in. “Maybe I am…fearful avoidant in my relationship style?” Chuck offered. Ellie nodded that he got the term right. “But what happened at Stanford with Jill had nothing to do with that.”

“Right,” Ellie said. “But what about the next five years, Chuck?” Ellie asked. Chuck looked away. “You hid. You have low self-esteem over what happened with mom and dad. You think people will leave you. You have such high anxiety that you push everyone away that tries to get close to you that isn’t already in your circle.” She grinned. “At least…you did.”

“And what does that mean?” Chuck asked.“Sometimes it takes meeting that certain someone to get you out of the slump, and maybe, you watched and processed enough before you met her that you were ready,” Ellie pointed out.

“Are you implying-” Chuck began.

“Hey,” Sarah said, sticking her head in the door. “I am not trying to interfere with goodbyes or packing, but…I am a little hungry,” Sarah said. “Can I take you two out to lunch? My treat.”“We’d love it,” Ellie said, smiling at Sarah, turning to Chuck. She didn’t have to say anything, the smile Chuck was giving Sarah was all Ellie needed.

}o{

Five months ago, somewhere in California.

“There’s no need for violence,” Dr. Lane told the woman sitting in the dark.

“Why would you think there would be violence?” the woman asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“If I turn the light on,” Dr. Lane answered. “If I see your face, you’ll kill me.”“What? No,” the woman replied. “I just don’t want to wake the baby.” Dr. Lane blinked. “If you want, turn on the lamp by the bed. The overhead light might wake her.” Dr. Lane could just make out the child over the shoulder of the woman sitting in the rocking chair. “I think she’s teething. She’s just been unhappy.”

“So, I should turn on the lamp?” Dr. Lane asked.

“Please.” Dr. Lane turned on the lamp, and turned back to the woman who was sitting in the rocker. She was beautiful, and also…she looked like someone you wouldn’t mess with. Dark hair, dark complexion…but while she looked like someone who could strike at a moment’s notice, there was a softness about her…probably strengthened by the fact she was holding a blond baby in her arms.

Dr. Lane heard a buzzing sound, and there was a look of irritation on the woman’s face. “Can you hold her please?” the woman asked, offering the baby to Dr. Lane. Dr. Lane took the child, and the child snuggled against her, making the dark hair woman smile.

“Rizzo, secure,” she said into the phone. “Yes, I have made contact.” She rolled her eyes. “Listen pretty boy, I said I’d do this my way, so let me do this my way.” She shook her head, pointed to the phone, and mouthed, “he’s a tool.” Dr. Lane found herself chuckling, even thought the situation was ridiculous. She also realized she was slighting bouncing, the way she used to comfort her daughter when she was this age. “I got this. Don’t call back.” With that, she hung up. She looked at Dr. Lane. “You know, I love the technology, but there’s something about slamming down the phone I just miss.”

“Well, you wouldn’t want to wake the baby,” Dr. Lane replied. The dark-haired woman smiled at her. “What?”

“I knew you’d be the one,” Rizzo answered. “And thanks, by the way,” she said, looking extremely uncomfortable.

“For holding the baby?” Dr. Lane asked.

“No, your videos,” Rizzo replied. “They helped me with my family.”“Oh?”

“We’ve…we’ve been doing some work,” Rizzo said, uncomfortable.

“Good work is hard work,” Dr. Lane said gently, the nurture in her coming out. The reason she was pursuing the work she was. “If it was easy…well…we wouldn’t be in these messes we’re in, would we?”

“No,” Rizzo said smiling. “No, we wouldn’t.”

}o{

Now

“You know, Ellie, you’re always welcome at the farm,” Sarah told Ellie as they came back into the apartment.” Ellie smiled at her and took Sarah’s hand.

“Ellie, not everyone is as touchy as you are,” Chuck gently reminded her.“Thank you, Chuck, but I’m okay,” Sarah said. She wasn’t, but it was part of the healing she was practicing. The allowing of people in. She hadn’t been around Chuck long, but there was something about him that told her he was okay. That he looked for the best in people. That he was someone who was safe. And safety…that was key in her world.

And Ellie had raised him. Not completely, but when he was alone, she had cared for him.

“I’m going to go finish packing,” Chuck told them. “If she gets to be too much, the safeword is Pineapple.” Ellie turned, grabbed a pillow from the couch, and threw it at him as he retreated to his room. Sarah couldn’t help but laugh as Ellie went to get the pillow and return it to where it belonged.

“He’s a mess,” Ellie said, shaking her head and grinning. She sobered. “He really is.”

“We’re all messes,” Sarah said. “Our childhoods….” She trailed off. This was what she struggled with, but she had been learning to open up. Trust. It was so hard. “What happens to us as kids…what our mind does to protect us…it’s kinda crazy.”“It is,” Ellie said, nodding. Listening. Giving her space. “It does the best it can, but in any environment that hurts…it makes the best decision, but, that decision can lead to years of problems.”Sarah nodded. “My childhood…” she trailed off. “Well, it’s pretty much out there now. Dad going on cons and me going along for cookies.” Ellie gave her a sad smile. “I mean, what kid won’t do something for cookies.”

“Hey, no judgment here,” Ellie told her. “I don’t know what you’ve done to unlock whatever has been locked up in Chuck, but…thank you.”“He’s doing it, Ellie,” Sarah told her.

“Listen, he’s got his own problems he’s been working to overcome,” Ellie told her. “He’s been working on his attachment style…have you heard of it?”“Some,” Sarah said.

“He’s been listening to this psychiatrist on YouTube, and she’s fully licensed, I checked her out,” Ellie told her. Sarah couldn’t help but smile. “She has these free workbooks, and strategies.”

“That’s good,” Sarah said. “So, he’s working on himself.”Ellie nodded, happily. “Yes, and then he met you and your dad, and I just don’t want him to stop working on himself. So, please, I don’t know how you can do it, and I probably shouldn’t ask, but if you can, please encourage him to watch Dr. Lane’s videos.”“Dr…Lane?” Sarah asked, trying to hide the surprise on her face.

“Have you heard of her?” Ellie asked. Sarah nodded, not trusting herself to speak. “She’s incredible.”“That she is,” Sarah agreed, nodding.

}o{

Four months ago at a certain hospital where a certain love doctor works

His training was paying off in ways the CIA could never imagine. Sometimes the best approach to a target was not approaching the target at all, but approaching someone close to the target. Now, the lost of direct contact did lose some control of the operation, but that loss was acceptable given that the approach was made now by someone who was trusted by the target.

Abraham Johnson. Doctor. Head of the cardiac unit, and mentor to one Dr. Devon Woodcomb. Abraham and his wife were having issues…such issues she was living somewhere he was not. Bryce watched the doctor do his job, a forced smile upon his face.

“This may be the first time I’m about to do something a little sneaky and get a good unintended consequence out of it,” Bryce muttered to himself. “Okay, showtime,” he said softly, and walked towards the doctor, bumping into him. “I am so sorry,” he told Dr. Johnson.

“Quite alright,” the doctor said.

“I’m so sorry,” Bryce said, the biggest smile on his face. “See, she texting me again, she’s happy to talk to me again. I thought we were done for, and I was just lost in her message.”

“That’s great,” Dr. Johnson told him. He started to move on, but he loved his wife, and wanted things to work, so he took a deep breath and asked the question. “I take it from what you said, things weren’t going well?”

“She was close to leaving me, divorcing me,” Bryce told the doctor. “We’ve been together five years.”

“What happened?” Dr. Johnson asked, a little too eagerly. He cleared his throat. “What was the thing that changed things for you?”

Bryce smiled. “There’s this psychiatrist online, a Dr. Lane that talks about attachment styles and how they can subconsciously affect how you interact with a loved one, or just anyone.”

“Online?” the doctor asked, skepticism in his voice.

“Yeah, she does it all on YouTube for free,” Bryce told him. “It’s because she lost people earlier in her life. She talks about it, and she wants to help others.” The doctor stood there, looking a little unsure, and Bryce went for the kill. “I mean, I was skeptical as well, but at the point I was at, what did I have to lose?”

“Yeah,” the doctor said, nodding. He pulled out his phone, opened the YouTube app and handed it to Bryce. “Would you-”

“Gladly,” Bryce said, gently taking the phone. He went to her page, subscribed to it, and pulled up the introductory video. “Listen, just watch it, and if you think it’s bunk…don’t watch anymore. But you can look her up, she licensed and for real.”

“Thank you,” the doctor said, taking the phone back.

“You know there are so many people who’s parents left them, or even siblings had to raise them that are affected by this,” Bryce began. “Or something was going on in the home that was out of the norm that just affected us.”

“I know someone like that,” the doctor said, triggered by what Bryce said. Bryce smiled. “His fiancée and her brother.”

“Probably wouldn’t hurt to tell him,” Bryce suggested. “I mean, if you find it helpful.”

“I will,” the doctor said. “Thanks!”

“Look, don’t give up,” Bryce told the doctor. “I gotta go,” and with that he hurried off.

}o{

Now

“Devon was told by his mentor about her, and we watched the videos,” Ellie said. “I learned a lot about myself.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course, Devon is secure.”

“Of course,” Sarah said, smiling.

“There’s a reason Chuck calls him Captain Awesome,” Ellie said.

“Hey, I’m ready to go,” Chuck said, carrying out the last bag. Both women smiled at him.

}o{

Five months ago, somewhere in California, in a house that MIGHT have a red door and a white picket fence (Come ON! You all know who she is.)

“My name is Zondra Rizzo,” the dark haired lady said to Dr. Lane. “And I know you are Doctor Emma Lane.”

“Emma is fine,” Emma told her. “But I would like to know why you are in my house.”

“Because of her,” Zondra said, nodding toward the little girl in Emma’s arms. “I used to work with your daughter.”

“Sam,” she whispered, shocked. She realized what she had done.

“It’s okay, Emma,” Zondra said. “Your daughter…she never said much, but when she talked about you…it was with regret. Regret of making the wrong choice. And of love. She loves you, and you don’t know how much I hate saying this kinda stuff.”

“Oh, I bet I do,” Emma said with a grin. Her eyes went wide as something dawned on her and she looked down at the girl in her arms.

“It’s not Sarah’s,” Zondra told her. Emma looked up, confused. “That-”

“I knew that,” Emma said, shaking her head. “That her name is Sarah now, it just slipped my mind for a second. I don’t write down the name, but…she’s always Sam.”

“I know,” Zondra told her. “She knows,” Zondra added gently. “This…baby, was a mission.” Emma looked down at the little girl again who was snuggled against her. “Her parents were killed, and I rescued her.”

“Is she in danger?” Emma asked.

“All of those involved with her parents death were dealt with,” Zondra said. “With prejudice.”

“Good,” Emma said.

Zondra couldn’t help but chuckle. “There’s a big grumpy guy that worked with us that did some snipping. He doesn’t like lady feelings, but when he shot the lead member of the people who did this, he smiled.”Emma didn’t know what to say to that.

“Anyway, we need somewhere to hide this child, somewhere she would be raised, loved, and grow up and be secure,” Zondra told her.

“To have a secure attachment?” Emma asked, a smile on her face. “Does my daughter know?”

“No, but if….when she sees the paperwork,” Zondra began, giving a smile to the look Zondra had at correcting herself. “She’ll know.”

“What’s her name?” Emma asked.

“Molly,” Zondra told her. “And, there is money to help care for her.” Emma started to protest. “Raising a kid costs,” Zondra reminded her. Emma nodded and looked down at the little one.

“Want to live with me, Molly?” Emma asked. A content sigh and snuggle against Emma was all Molly had to offer.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” Zondra said with a smile. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “For everything. You have no reason to do all of the things you’re doing.”

“Oh, I have reasons,” Emma said, looking down at the little girl and then at the room she had reserved for one person…a reservation that just got changed.

“I guess you do,” Zondra agreed.

A/N: Bryce…what are you doing?