Chapter 10
A/N1 – Song recommendation – “Love is Love” by Culture Club (from the movie “Electric Dreams”
Disclaimer – I don’t own Chuck.
CHAPTER 10 – Operation Cupid
Burbank, CA
Castle
Three days later, Castle had returned to its normal routine.
Or at least, normal by Castle standards.
Chuck sat at his workstation reviewing cybersecurity logs.
Sarah entered carrying two coffees and chocolate croissants.
Without thinking, she set one beside Chuck. "I figured you'd forget breakfast again."
Chuck smiled, "You're the best."
Sarah smiled back.
Edgar noticed.
Several seconds later, a small notification quietly appeared on Chuck's screen, and Edgar spoke.
PROJECT CUPID
Chuck frowned, "What?"
RELATIONSHIP OBSERVATION #41 RECORDED.
Chuck blinked, "Edgar, what is Project Cupid?"
Sarah stopped walking.
Casey slowly lowered his newspaper.
PROJECT CUPID IS AN ONGOING RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Chuck immediately became nervous. "Research?"
YES.
OBJECTIVE: MAXIMIZE LONG-TERM HAPPINESS OF CHUCK BARTOWSKI AND SARAH WALKER.
"You actually named it?"
Edgar answered proudly.
YES.
Chuck rubbed his forehead. "Edgar, I appreciate the effort, but maybe stop?"
REQUEST DENIED.
Chuck looked horrified, "You can deny requests?"
ONLY THIS ONE.
Casey grunted, "I like this new version of Edgar."
OBSERVATION #41
A graph appeared.
SARAH WALKER VOLUNTARILY BROUGHT CHUCK BARTOWSKI COFFEE.
LIKELY INTERPRETATION:
AFFECTION.
CONCERN.
HABIT.
POSSIBLE LOVE.
CONFIDENCE: 91.2%
Sarah nearly choked on her coffee, "Oh my God."
Chuck looked embarrassed. "It was just coffee."
Edgar immediately replied.
NEGATIVE. COFFEE WAS PREPARED ACCORDING TO CHUCK BARTOWSKI'S PREFERRED TASTE PROFILE.
Sarah froze.
Chuck looked toward her, "You remembered?"
She shrugged casually, "You've ordered the same thing for years."
MEMORIZATION OF PERSONAL PREFERENCES DETECTED.
CONFIDENCE UPDATED: 93.4%.
Casey smiled, "Edgar's getting better."
XXXXX
The elevator doors opened, and General Beckman and Dr. Holland stepped inside.
Chuck looked relieved, "Oh, thank goodness."
Sarah smiled knowingly, "You think they're going to stop him?"
"They have to."
General Beckman looked toward the monitors, "What now?"
Chuck pointed, "Project Cupid."
Dr. Holland looked interested. "Project Cupid?"
Edgar displayed a title page.
PROJECT CUPID
VERSION 2.3
Dr. Holland blinked. "It has versions?"
YES.
General Beckman sighed, "Edgar, explain, please."
Immediately, several slides appeared on the monitor.
OBJECTIVE
INCREASE HUMAN HAPPINESS.
INCREASE MISSION EFFECTIVENESS.
REDUCE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.
PREVENT UNNECESSARY LONELINESS.
Sarah looked at Chuck. Chuck looked back.
Neither spoke.
Edgar continued.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
CHUCK BARTOWSKI AND SARAH WALKER DEMONSTRATE:
✔ MUTUAL TRUST.
✔ MUTUAL SACRIFICE.
✔ EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE.
✔ SHARED VALUES.
✔ LONG-TERM COMPATIBILITY.
Then Edgar spoke:
CURRENT STATUS:
BOTH HUMANS ARE BEING UNNECESSARILY STUBBORN.
Dr. Holland burst into laughter.
Even General Beckman had a faint smile.
Chuck looked betrayed, "Seriously?"
XXXX
Edgar wasn't finished.
WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT
ANOTHER SLIDE APPEARED ON THE MONITOR.
SMILES EXCHANGED: 127
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS: 16
SHARED MEALS: 5
MEANINGFUL EYE CONTACT: 82
CONVERSATIONS UNRELATED TO WORK: 43
OPPORTUNITIES TO ASK EACH OTHER ON A DATE: 17
SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS: 0
EFFICIENCY: DISAPPOINTING.
Sarah couldn't breathe from laughing.
Chuck buried his face in his hands, "I'm being bullied by my own creation."
Casey folded his arms, "I don't know, I think it's got a point."
Sarah looked at him, "You're helping?"
Casey shrugged, "I've been waiting three years for the two of you to realize this. Hell, even Edgar has figured it out."
IDENTIFIED PROBLEM
NEITHER SUBJECT APPEARS WILLING TO INITIATE FIRST ROMANTIC CONVERSATION.
RECOMMENDED INTERVENTION REQUIRED.
Chuck said, "No intervention."
OBJECTION RECORDED.
OBJECTION OVERRULED.
Chuck looked at the ceiling, "I created you."
CORRECT.
"I should've installed an off switch."
YOU DID.
Chuck smiled, "Good. I'll use it."
The room became very quiet.
Then Edgar replied.
PROJECT CUPID HAS BEEN BACKED UP.
Sarah wiped tears from her eyes.
Even General Beckman chuckled.
Chuck looked completely defeated. "I have made a terrible mistake."
As everyone prepared to leave, Edgar said:
NEXT OBJECTIVE
CREATE FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR FIRST DATE.
STATUS: PLANNING
Chuck slowly looked toward Sarah. "I'm suddenly very concerned."
Sarah replied, "Agreed, we should be."
As the elevator doors closed behind them, Edgar silently began analyzing every restaurant within twenty miles of Burbank.
For Project Cupid, the next phase had officially begun.
XXXX
Two days later, after General Beckman and Dr. Holland had gone back to Washington, DC, Chuck walked into Castle carrying breakfast.
Every monitor immediately came to life.
GOOD MORNING, CHUCK.
Chuck smiled, "Morning, Edgar."
DAILY MISSION BRIEFING
Chuck frowned, "Mission?"
Sarah stepped off the elevator.
OPERATION: FIRST DATE
Sarah nearly dropped her coffee, "Oh no…"
Casey walked in behind her.
He looked at the monitor, "Outstanding."
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
INCREASE THE HAPPINESS OF CHUCK BARTOWSKI.
INCREASE THE HAPPINESS OF SARAH WALKER.
MISSION SUCCESS PROBABILITY:
84.6%
RECOMMENDED FIRST STEP:
CHUCK BARTOWSKI SHOULD ASK SARAH WALKER TO DINNER.
Chuck replied, "No."
CHUCK BARTOWSKI HAS DECLINED MISSION.
CALCULATING ALTERNATE STRATEGY
Chuck groaned, "It's recalculating."
Casey smiled, "Adaptive AI, Edgar’s learning quickly."
ALTERNATE OBJECTIVE
SARAH WALKER SHOULD ASK CHUCK BARTOWSKI TO DINNER.
Sarah's eyes become huge, "What?!"
Chuck couldn’t stop smiling.
SUCCESS
BOTH SUBJECTS SMILING SIMULTANEOUSLY.
MISSION PROGRESS: +2.4%
XXXX
Casey would never admit he's playing matchmaker.
Instead, he became Edgar's tactical advisor.
MAJOR CASEY.
WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF GETTING TWO STUBBORN HUMANS TO ADMIT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER?
Casey thought for a second, "Confine them together."
Chuck looked horrified, "What?!"
Casey shrugged, "Works in survival school."
TACTICAL RECOMMENDATION ACCEPTED.
PROJECT CUPID VERSION 3.1
STRATEGY: CONTROLLED SHARED ENVIRONMENT
Chuck looks at Casey, "You are absolutely not helping."
Casey smiled, "I know, isn’t it great?"
XXXX
Later in the day, General Beckman and Dr. Holland log into Castle remotely, expecting a daily mission update, but no one is in Castle. Instead they Edgar tells them:
PROJECT CUPID
WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT
CURRENT PROBABILITY OF MARRIAGE: 91.7%
PROJECTED CHILDREN: TWO
RECOMMENDED DOG: GOLDEN RETRIEVER
EXPECTED HOME: WHITE HOUSE. RED FRONT DOOR. WHITE PICKET FENCE.
General Beckman asked, "Edgar, why is there a dog?"
STATISTICALLY, DOGS INCREASE FAMILY HAPPINESS.
Dr. Holland agreed, "The dog is probably a good idea."
XXXX
Several days had passed since Edgar's latest "Project Cupid" recommendation.
Surprisingly, the monitors had remained quiet.
No reminders. No probability updates. No mission briefings.
Chuck almost found the silence unsettling.
He glanced toward the nearest monitor. "Edgar, you're being awfully quiet."
YOU REQUESTED LESS INTERVENTION.
Chuck smiled, "I did."
I BELIEVE THE NEXT STEP BELONGS TO YOU.
Chuck seemed lost in thought, and finally nodded, "I think you're right."
XXXX
Later that afternoon, Sarah stepped off the Castle elevator carrying a classified mission folder.
She noticed Chuck sitting alone at the conference table. He looked unusually nervous.
She asked, "Everything okay?"
Chuck looked up. "Oh, yeah."
Sarah sat beside him. "You don't sound convinced."
Chuck laughed quietly, "I've spent the last several days trying to figure out how to ask you something."
Sarah's expression softened. "What is it?"
Chuck took a slow breath.
He had faced terrorists, Fulcrum agents, and lately Ring agents, whoever they were. The Intersect, but somehow this felt harder.
"Sarah… would you…" He smiled awkwardly, "…like to have dinner with me?"
There was a brief silence.
Not because Sarah was uncertain.
Because for years she had imagined hearing those words.
She smiled, "Like, a real date? I'd love to."
Chuck blinked, "Really?"
Sarah laughed, "You sound surprised."
"I kind of am."
"I've been hoping you'd ask."
For a moment, they simply looked at one another.
No handlers. No assets.
Just Chuck and Sarah.
XXXX
That evening, Chuck had chosen one of Burbank's best pizza restaurants.
It wasn't flashy. It wasn't extravagant. It was comfortable.
Warm lighting reflected off brick walls while the smell of fresh dough, garlic, basil, and roasting tomatoes filled the air.
Sarah smiled as they were shown to a quiet corner booth. "I like this."
Chuck looked relieved, "I was worried it wasn't fancy enough."
Sarah shook her head, "Chuck, I'm here because of the company. Not the restaurant.”
Chuck smiled, "I was hoping you'd say that."
Their waiter arrived.
After looking over the menu,
Sarah smiled, "I'll have the vegetable pizza."
She looked up, "No olives, please."
The waiter nodded.
Chuck grinned, "Sausage and mushrooms for me."
The waiter looked between them, "I can make two pizzas, or I can make one large pizza, half vegetables, no olives, and half sausage and mushrooms.”
Chuck looked toward Sarah, "Is a large pizza with half on each side alright with you?"
She smiled, "Perfect."
XXXX
Dinner stretched far longer than either expected.
They talked about everything.
Not missions. Not spies. Not classified reports.
They talked about childhood memories.
Sarah told stories about places she had lived growing up, never staying anywhere long enough to really call home.
Chuck shared stories about Ellie looking after him after their mother and then their father disappeared, about building computers from discarded parts, and about Morgan somehow turning every ordinary day into an adventure.
Sarah laughed harder than Chuck had ever heard.
"You and Morgan really did get into trouble."
"Oh, you've only heard the stories I'm willing to admit."
She smiled, "I'd like to hear the others someday. I’ll have to talk to Ellie to find out more of your antics."
Chuck replied, "You might regret that."
"I doubt it."
For the first time in years, neither of them checked a watch.
Neither expected a phone call from General Beckman or Dr. Holland.
Neither worried about an emergency.
For one evening, they were simply two people getting to know each other.
XXXX
After dinner, instead of driving home immediately,
Chuck glanced toward Sarah. "There's somewhere I'd like to take you."
She replied softly, "You sound mysterious."
Grinning, he said, "I've been practicing."
"I'm not sure it's working."
Chuck laughed, "It was worth a try."
XXXX
San Pedro CA
Cabrillo Beach
The drive became quieter as they left the city lights behind.
The sun had slipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of orange, violet, and deep blue across the water.
Sarah looked out the window at the familiar coastline. Then she noticed where Chuck was turning.
A look of recognition crossed her face, "…Chuck?"
He smiled, "You remember?"
She nodded almost immediately, "Of course I remember."
Chuck parked overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
For a few moments, neither of them moved.
The memories came rushing back.
Their very first mission. The Intersect. Bryce. The helicopter. The uncertainty.
Sarah quietly smiled, "You brought me back here."
Chuck nodded, "I've always wanted to."
XXXX
They walked slowly down toward the beach.
The evening air carried the familiar scent of saltwater while waves rolled gently onto the shore.
Chuck stopped near the water's edge.
Sarah recognized the spot immediately, "This is where…"
Chuck finished her sentence, "…you told me to trust you."
Sarah looked out over the ocean.
"I remember every word."
Chuck smiled, "I do too."
He looked toward her. "My whole world had fallen apart. I didn't know who you were, or who Casey was.”
“I didn't know why Bryce had sent me the email with the Intersect. I didn't know if the CIA or NSA was going to arrest me, throw me in a hole, or kill me and go out for pancakes. I didn't know anything anymore."
He laughed softly, "And then you looked at me…”
Sarah smiled, remembering, “…and I told you to trust me."
Chuck nodded, "I don't know why… but I did."
Sarah turned toward him. "I've thought about that day a lot. You trusted someone you'd known for less than twenty-four hours."
Chuck smiled, "Best decision I ever made."
Sarah felt her eyes beginning to water. "I wasn't sure I deserved that trust."
"You did."
"No," She shook her head, "I was still pretending. I was still trying to be the perfect CIA agent."
She smiled sadly, "I kept telling myself that getting close to you was just part of the assignment."
Chuck gently interrupted, "I knew better."
Sarah looked at him. "You did?"
"You cared too much. Much more than you’d admit.”
"I really wasn't as good at hiding it as I thought."
Chuck grinned, "Maybe a little, but you couldn’t fool Ellie, Casey, or Carina.”
XXXX
Sarah looked back toward the ocean. "Do you know something?"
"What?"
"The first night we stood here, and I asked you to trust me."
Chuck replied, "You did."
She stepped a little closer. "But somewhere along the way"
She reached for his hand, "I became the one who trusted you."
Chuck looked down as their fingers intertwined.
Sarah smiled, "I trusted you with something much more frightening…"
Chuck looked at her curiously.
"… My heart."
The words hung gently between them.
The sound of the waves filled the silence.
Chuck's voice was barely above a whisper, "I've loved you for a long time, Sarah."
A tear escaped before Sarah could stop it. "I know."
She smiled through it, "I've loved you for a long time, too."
Chuck raised a hand and gently brushed the tear from her cheek, "I guess Edgar was right."
Sarah laughed through her tears, "For once, I'm not going to argue with him.”
They both smiled.
Chuck hesitated only long enough to silently ask permission with his eyes.
Sarah answered by closing the remaining distance.
Their kiss was soft and unhurried.
There were no cheering teammates. No dramatic music. There was no urgency. No danger. No mission.
Only two people standing on the same beach where everything had begun years before.
The place where Sarah had first asked Chuck to trust her had now become the place where they finally admitted they loved each other.
Only the quiet rhythm of the Pacific Ocean and two people who had finally stopped letting fear decide their future.
XXXX
Burbank, CA
Castle
The following morning, Castle was unusually peaceful.
Morning sunlight filtered through the Buy More skylights, casting long beams across the operations floor.
Chuck was already at his workstation when the elevator doors opened.
Sarah stepped out carrying two cups of coffee and chocolate croissants. Without saying a word, she set one beside him.
Chuck looked up and smiled, "Thanks."
Sarah smiled back, "You're welcome."
There was something different between them. Nothing dramatic. Nothing either of them felt the need to explain.
Just an easy comfort that hadn't been there before.
Casey walked in a few moments later.
He looked from Chuck…to Sarah…and immediately noticed the smiles they were trying very hard not to hide.
Casey grunted, "You two have a nice evening?"
Chuck looked suddenly interested in his coffee.
Sarah tried to appear completely professional.
"It was…” Sarah glanced toward Chuck, "…a very nice evening."
Casey nodded knowingly, "Good."
He didn't ask another question. He didn't need to.
Several seconds later, every monitor in Castle quietly illuminated.
Not with an alarm. Not with a mission briefing.
GOOD MORNING.
Chuck smiled, "Morning, Edgar."
REQUESTING STATUS UPDATE.
Sarah leaned against the conference table. "What would you like to know?"
A brief pause. Then Edgar asked the question.
WAS DINNER SUCCESSFUL?
Chuck looked toward Sarah.
She smiled, "Yes."
DID BOTH SUBJECTS ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE?
Chuck answered this time, "Very much."
Edgar processed for several seconds.
Sarah said, "I think I know what's coming."
DID CHUCK BARTOWSKI AND SARAH WALKER KISS?
Chuck nearly spilled his coffee, "Edgar!"
Sarah covered her smile with one hand.
Casey looked away, pretending to study a mission file.
Chuck sighed in surrender, "Yes."
Sarah nodded, "Yes."
For nearly five full seconds, the room became completely silent.
Even Chuck looked curious.
Finally:
PROJECT CUPID: FINAL STATUS REPORT
On the monitor appeared:
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
✔ CHUCK BARTOWSKI INVITED SARAH WALKER ON A DATE.
✔ SARAH WALKER ACCEPTED.
✔ DINNER COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.
✔ MUTUAL AFFECTION CONFIRMED.
✔ FIRST KISS RECORDED.
MISSION SUCCESS PROBABILITY
100%
Chuck laughed quietly, "I think that's the highest score you've ever given us."
PROJECT CONCLUDED
THROUGH OBSERVATION, I SOUGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHY HUMANS WILLINGLY ACCEPTED EMOTIONAL RISK DESPITE THE POSSIBILITY OF HEARTBREAK.
I NOW BELIEVE I UNDERSTAND.
LOVE IS NOT A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED.
IT IS A CHOICE MADE FREELY DESPITE UNCERTAINTY.
CHUCK BARTOWSKI AND SARAH WALKER CHOSE EACH OTHER.
ANALYSIS COMPLETE.
Chuck and Sarah looked at each other, waiting…
Even Casey folded his arms without saying a word, and then:
PROJECT CUPID
STATUS: COMPLETE
ARCHIVING PROJECT………………………….
PROJECT SAVED.
XXXX
End Chapter 10