Chuck versus The Last Wish

Chapter 2 – Back to the Future 

Chuck slowly opened his eyes. The morning sun was already filtering through the curtains.Smiling, he rolled onto his side. The bed was empty. The smile vanished from his face.

"Sarah?"

Silence. He sat up and hurried to the guest room. The pillow looked untouched. The blanket had been folded neatly. Chuck felt his stomach tighten.

She'd left.

Of course she'd left.

She hadn't promised him anything.

He'd been the one hoping again.

Even the doorknob felt heavier than usual as he stepped into the hallway.

The house was quiet. Then he heard it. The soft sizzle of a pan. The gentle clink of dishes.

He stopped.

The sounds were coming from the kitchen. Carefully, he looked around the corner. Sarah stood at the stove with her back to him, making scrambled eggs. Bread was toasting. The coffee maker hummed quietly in the background. As if sensing him, she turned around.

"Good morning."

She smiled softly.

Chuck could only stare.

"I thought…"

The words caught in his throat. Sarah's smile became a little warmer.

"That I'd left?"

He nodded.

"Yeah."

She lowered the heat beneath the pan.

"So did I."

Chuck frowned, confused. Sarah looked back at the eggs.

"When I woke up, I was completely sure I was going to pack my things and leave."

She paused.

"Then I came into the kitchen."

"I saw the eggs. The coffee. The bread."

A small smile found its way back onto her face.

"And before I even realized what I was doing… I started making breakfast."

Chuck let out a quiet laugh.

"Reflex?"

Sarah nodded.

"Maybe."

Then she looked at him. For a long moment.

"I still don't remember us. I don't remember our wedding."

She fell silent.

Chuck didn't interrupt. 

Sarah slowly let out her breath.

"But yesterday after the kiss…"

She searched for the words.

"All day long… everything kept telling me that this is where I belong."

“That’s a start,” said softly Chuck.

Silence filled the kitchen once again. Then, almost in a whisper, she spoke.

"I think…"

Chuck hardly dared breathe.

Sarah smiled at him.

"…I'm staying."

Tears welled in Chuck's eyes. He didn't say a word. He simply walked over to the table.

Sarah slid a plate in front of him.

"I still put too much pepper in the scrambled eggs, don't I?"

Chuck laughed.

"Yeah."

Her smile widened.

"Then at least something really hasn't changed."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

They ate in silence for a few moments, the morning sunlight slowly creeping across the table.

Eventually, Sarah broke the silence.

"So… what happens now?"

Chuck set down his fork.

"That depends… what do you mean?"

"Everything," she said with a sigh.

Chuck smiled.

"That's a pretty big topic for breakfast."

"I think we have time," Sarah said with a faint smile.

Chuck nodded, staring down at his plate for a moment.

"Yeah… For the first time, we really do." He took a breath. "I don't want to dump everything on you. Yesterday, I thought it was going to be our last day together. That I'd never see you again. Today…" He looked up at her. "Today, things are different."

Sarah listened quietly.

"What do you want?"

Chuck let out a slow breath.

"I don't want to rush anything. I don't…" He hesitated, his eyes dropping to the table. "I don't want to mess this up. Not this. I asked you to trust me, and I wished you'd stay. I think I've pretty much used up my miracle allowance for a while."

Sarah's lips twitched with the beginning of a smile.

"So how about we take it one small step at a time?"

She nodded.

"That sounds good."

A beat.

"One mission at a time, Chuck."

Chuck froze.

Sarah immediately realized she had hit something. He looked at her for a moment, almost surprised.

"Did I say something wrong?" she asked, studying his face.

"No. No, not at all," he said, shaking his head. "It's just… I feel like I've heard that before."

"From me?"

"Yeah."

Sarah said nothing. She lowered her eyes and took a sip of orange juice, her thumb slowly tracing the rim of the glass. After a long moment, she spoke again.

"And what's the next step?"

"You stay here and get some rest. No pressure. No obligations."

"No obligations," Sarah repeated.

"Yeah." Chuck shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Although… I'd appreciate it if you told me if you decided to leave. I mean…"

Sarah reached across the table and placed her hand over his, her fingers settling gently against the back of his hand. For a moment, neither of them said anything.

"Chuck…"

"Yeah?" His voice caught slightly.

"Don't panic."

Chuck laughed — a genuine laugh, the sound easing something inside him.

"You've really said that to me a lot, haven't you?"

"I guess I have," Sarah said with a faint smile, her hand still resting on his. It didn't feel strange.

"So," she asked, "what are your plans?"

"I think I'm going down to Castle. Beckman still needs Morgan and me."

"For what?"

Chuck shrugged.

"Research. We're going to try to figure out how quickly we can put together an Intersect that might help you." He paused. "Ellie said it could work. If the Intersect took your memories away, maybe it can give them back."

Sarah slowly nodded.

"Not because we want to force anything on you," Chuck added quickly. "Just… so you have a choice."

Sarah nodded again. Chuck hesitated before continuing.

"I was also hoping maybe Alex could spend some time with you."

Sarah tilted her head slightly. Chuck immediately looked uncomfortable.

"Not because you need someone to look after you. And not because anyone's watching you. I just…" He searched for the right words. "I don't want you sitting here alone all day while we're working."

Sarah watched him quietly, her eyes never leaving his face.

"Alex really liked you," Chuck said. "I think she'd be happy to spend some time with you. Nothing more than that." He paused. "And Ellie wants to talk to you sometime, too."

"As a doctor?"

"No," Chuck shook his head. "As a family member."

A small smile touched Sarah's face.

"You're sisters-in-law, after all. You two were close."

Sarah's expression softened.

"Is everyone really trying this hard to help?"

There was surprise in her voice. And something else — something close to being touched by it.

Chuck gave a small laugh and nodded.

"Yeah. They're a pretty stubborn bunch."

Sarah lowered her eyes.

"But they don't even know me."

Chuck immediately shook his head.

"Of course they do." Sarah looked up. "You just don't remember them right now." He held her gaze. "They're not waiting for you to become the same Sarah you were a month ago."

Sarah was quiet for a moment.

"Then what are they waiting for?"

Chuck smiled.

"They just want to help you be happy again."

Sarah didn't answer right away. She wrapped her fingers around the cold glass, letting the chill settle into her palm. Finally, she spoke softly.

"I think… I want that, too."

Chuck simply smiled at her. For the first time, they weren't talking about their past. They were talking about their future.

Breakfast slowly came to an end, but neither of them was in any hurry to leave the table.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Morgan eased the door open, sticking his head through first as if he didn't want to interrupt them.

“Hey. Is this a bad time?”

Chuck looked up.

“Not at all.”

Sarah smiled at him, tilting her head slightly.

“Hi.”

Morgan stopped in the doorway.

“Okay… that is still really weird to hear.”

Sarah looked at him uncertainly.

“What?”

“You saying hello like we’re meeting for the first time.”

Chuck could see Morgan struggling with it too. He also caught the brief sadness that crossed Sarah’s face.

“Morgan…”

“No, it’s okay.” Morgan waved it off quickly. “It’s just… I miss the old ‘Hey, Morgan!’ And the occasional eye roll that came with it.”

Sarah gave him an apologetic smile and lowered her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

Morgan immediately shook his head, waving his hand.

“Hey. Don’t apologize.”

He walked over to her.

“Look… when Chuck first met me, he didn’t remember that I borrowed the Millennium Falcon and crashed it either.”

Chuck’s head snapped up.

“Morgan!”

“Okay, maybe that’s not the best example.”

Sarah laughed.

Morgan straightened, looking pleased with himself.

“There. That’s much better.”

Chuck got to his feet.

“We should probably get going.”

Morgan nodded.

“Beckman’s already called twice.”

Then he turned toward Sarah.

“Alex was thinking about stopping by later, if that’s okay with you.”

Sarah’s expression softened.

“Thank you.”

Morgan scratched the back of his neck, searching for the right words.

“You know…” He shifted awkwardly. “You once told me that family isn’t about having the same last name.”

Sarah looked at him attentively.

“I really said that?”

“Yeah.”

Morgan shrugged.

“So… until you remember us again…” A small smile appeared on his face. “…we’ll remember for you.”

A tear glistened in Sarah’s eye, and the corner of her mouth trembled.

She didn't say anything.

She simply stood and hugged Morgan.

She didn't really understand why she was doing it. She only knew that, somehow, Morgan needed it.

Morgan froze the instant her arms went around him, as if his brain had suddenly stopped working.

“Uh…”

Chuck watched with a grin.

Slowly, carefully, Morgan hugged her back.

“Okay…” He cleared his throat. “Officially, this is way too many feelings for a Monday morning.”

Sarah laughed.

Chuck and Morgan exchanged a look.

Things weren't fixed yet.

But they both knew Sarah wasn't trying to put herself back together alone anymore.

Chuck stepped toward her and waited until Morgan finally let go. Then he took her hand.

“So, I…”

“You’re coming back tonight?” Sarah asked softly.

Chuck looked at her, momentarily surprised.

“Yeah.”

Sarah nodded.

“Go.”

She slowly released his hand, her thumb brushing gently across the back of his.

“I’ll be okay.”

That was all it took.

Chuck and Morgan headed off to work.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Alex stood outside the door for a few seconds, adjusting the strap of her bag twice before finally knocking.

Soft footsteps approached from inside.

The door opened.

Sarah stood there in a simple pair of jeans and a light blue T-shirt. She looked almost as if she belonged here already.

“Hi.”

Alex’s smile faltered for a moment.

“Hi… Sarah.”

An awkward silence settled between them. Alex suddenly had no idea what to do with her hands. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Um… Chuck said that… I mean, I thought…”

Sarah tilted her head.

“You’re nervous.”

Alex laughed.

“Is it that obvious?”

“I’m pretty good at reading people.” Sarah sounded almost surprised by her own words. “At least… I think I am.”

Alex nodded.

“Yeah. The guys said that about you, too.”

With an instinctively welcoming gesture, Sarah stepped aside.

“Come in?”

“Thanks.”

Alex stepped inside. The familiar scent of the living room hit her, and for a few seconds she simply looked around.

“This is weird.”

Sarah looked at her curiously.

“For you?”

“Yeah.” Alex gave an awkward smile. “I know you’re Sarah. It’s just…” She glanced around again. “The Sarah who opened the door isn’t quite the same Sarah I know.”

Sarah nodded.

“I feel something like that about myself, too.”

The silence was less uncomfortable now.

Alex let out a breath.

“Sorry. Chuck asked me not to treat you like you’re made of porcelain.”

“He was right.”

“I just want to do this right.”

Sarah smiled.

“I think you already are.”

It was as if someone had given Alex permission to breathe again. She laughed with relief.

“Thanks.”

Another brief silence followed.

Sarah finally spoke.

“Chuck said we could spend some time together.”

“Yeah.”

“What do we usually do?”

Alex laughed.

“Well… we haven’t actually spent that much time together. I was usually busy with Morgan or Dad.”

Sarah nodded.

“Then Chuck may have exaggerated a little.”

Alex smiled.

“A little.”

After a brief pause, she added,

“But whenever we did spend time together, I always had a good time.”

Sarah looked at her curiously and leaned slightly closer.

“Why?”

“Because you never treated me like Casey’s daughter.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow.

“Then how did I treat you?”

“Just… like Alex. I’m not saying we spent tons of time together, but you were always nice to me.”

Sarah turned her gaze toward the window for a moment.

“I’m glad I wasn’t a complete idiot.”

Alex laughed.

“No. Not at all.”

Then she looked around the living room.

“Okay… what if we don’t spend the entire morning sitting here?”

Sarah looked back at her.

“Have something in mind?”

“I know a great little coffee shop a few blocks from here.”

Sarah smiled.

“And after that?”

Alex shrugged.

“We could go shopping. Not because you need anything… just because sometimes that’s what girls do.”

Sarah gave a quiet laugh.

“How do you know that?”

“Devon says I watch too many romantic comedies.”

“And?”

Alex grinned and shrugged.

“Morgan’s fault.”

Sarah stood.

The decision came more easily than she expected.

“Give me five minutes.”

Alex nodded.

“Okay.”

Sarah started toward the bedroom, then glanced back halfway there.

“Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for not looking at me like I’m broken.”

Alex didn’t hesitate.

“Sarah… you’re not broken.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

“I just get to know you all over again.”

Sarah stared at her for a few seconds, that same quiet emotion returning to her eyes.

“Then…” She smiled softly. “Let’s start with coffee.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The car rolled quietly through the streets of Burbank. Morning traffic slowly flowed around them, the radio carrying the morning news.

“…authorities are continuing to investigate the explosion at the port of Rotterdam. Police are currently treating it as an industrial accident…”

Morgan turned it off.

“Just nope.”

For the next five minutes, Morgan didn't say a word. That alone was enough to make Chuck start worrying, so he finally broke the silence.

“You think I talked too much, right?”

Morgan didn't even look up from his phone.

“Yes.”

Chuck sighed. His fingers started drumming against the steering wheel.

“I knew it.”

Morgan slipped his phone into his pocket.

“Chuck…”

“Yeah?”

“You always talk too much.”

Chuck smiled.

“Somehow, that’s not very comforting.”

“It was meant to be.”

Morgan would have nudged him in the side, but Chuck was driving.

They continued in silence for a few seconds before Chuck spoke again. It was obvious he had been turning the same thoughts over in his head the entire drive.

“What if I screw this up?”

He didn't look at Morgan.

“What?”

“Everything. What if I push too hard? Or am I too careful? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I come home one day… and Sarah isn’t there anymore?”

Morgan didn't answer for a long moment.

Chuck instinctively glanced at his left hand. His wedding ring caught the light as his fingers rested on the steering wheel. His thumb brushed over it, almost as if he were looking for something to hold on to.

Morgan let Chuck's words settle for a moment.

Then he spoke.

“Chuck.”

“Hmm?”

“She stayed last night.”

“Yeah.”

“She made you breakfast this morning.”

Morgan listed the facts like a prosecutor building a case.

Chuck nodded.

“Yeah.”

“She held your hand.”

Another nod.

“Yeah.”

“She said she wants to get better. She said it, Chuck!” Morgan's voice was equal parts exasperated and gentle. He turned toward him. “I think there’s only one person in this car who hasn't noticed that Sarah is trying.”

Chuck fell silent.

He started adjusting the rearview mirror, even though it didn't need adjusting.

“I know she’s scared.”

“Of course she’s scared!” Morgan smiled as though that were the most obvious thing in the world. “But she stayed.”

Chuck let out a breath.

“For now.”

Morgan laughed.

“See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

Chuck looked at him, confused.

“You’re always waiting for the next disaster.”

“Because it might happen.”

“It might,” Morgan agreed with a nod. “But it might not.”

Chuck looked out the window. A young couple walked down the sidewalk hand in hand.

“It feels like we’re back at the beginning.”

Morgan grinned.

“Dude…”

“Yeah?”

“You two are always at the beginning.”

Chuck raised an eyebrow.

“What does that mean?”

“Think about it.” Morgan started counting on his fingers, getting more animated as he went. “When you first met her, you thought she was just part of your cover. Then you realized you were in love with her. Then you broke up, danced around each other, found out she was in love with you, and got back together.”

“You got married!” Morgan added, sounding much prouder of the achievement than necessary.

“Then she lost her memories,” Chuck interjected.

Morgan looked at him.

“You two somehow always… start over.”

As if that were Chuck and Sarah’s superpower.

Chuck let out a quiet laugh. It was brief, but genuine.

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It is, even just watching it is hard,” Morgan admitted. “But you know what all of those times have in common?”

“What?”

“Every single time, you chose each other. No matter what happened. Every time.”

For the first time, Morgan was completely serious.

Chuck fell silent.

Morgan looked through the windshield.

“I don't see that changing now.”

Chuck didn't answer. His eyes remained on the road, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

Morgan reached over, put a hand on his shoulder, and gave it a brief squeeze.

“Hey.”

Chuck looked at him.

“One thing at a time.”

Chuck smiled.

“I've already heard that from someone today.”

Morgan grinned and nodded.

“Then maybe listen this time!”

He leaned back in his seat, satisfied.

The car slowly pulled into the Buy More parking lot.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The small café’s patio was almost completely full. The smell of freshly ground coffee drifted through the air. People walked along the street, a cyclist sped past, and the bakery across the street filled the air with the scent of fresh bread. Inside, a television was broadcasting the news.

“An unidentified cyberattack temporarily knocked several communications satellites offline for twelve minutes. And now, in sports news, the Miami Dolphins…”

Alex set down her bag.

“What do you want?”

Sarah looked around, her eyes moving over the specials written on the chalkboard.

“Anything.”

“That’s not very specific.”

“I don’t remember what I like.”

Alex smiled.

“Then let’s start with two cappuccinos.”

Sarah nodded.

“Sounds good.”

While Alex went to the counter to order, Sarah was left alone at the table. Without realizing it, she straightened in her chair.

Her eyes instinctively swept across the café.

Quick. Methodical.

The exits.

The windows.

The staff. Who was alone? Who was watching them?

A man reading a newspaper in the corner.

A woman pushing a stroller.

A young barista behind the counter.

Sarah’s eyes automatically caught on the security camera mounted in the corner of the ceiling.

Then on a black SUV parked across the street.

Without thinking, she read the license plate.

She didn't stare at anything for long.

A glance was all she needed.

Then she turned back toward the table.

A few minutes later, Alex returned with two cups.

As she set them down, she noticed that Sarah wasn't looking at the coffee.

She was watching the entrance.

“Sarah?” Alex said gently, not wanting to startle her.

There was no response.

“Sarah.”

This time, Sarah looked up.

“Yes?”

Alex sat down carefully.

“Is something wrong?”

A small crease appeared between Sarah’s brows. She was still half-focused on the entrance.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because while I was standing in line…” Alex hesitated. “You didn't look at me once.”

Sarah thought about that for a moment.

“What was I doing?”

“Watching the exits. The people. The street.”

Sarah was silent for several seconds. Slowly, she exhaled.

“I really did that?”

Alex nodded.

“Yeah.”

Sarah’s fingers instinctively reached for the handle of her cup, even though it was still in front of Alex. She caught herself halfway through the motion and awkwardly pulled her hand back.

“I didn't even notice.”

Alex was quiet for a moment.

“You were really in agent mode.”

It was as if she was only now beginning to understand what the old Sarah must have been like.

A bitter smile crossed her face.

“I guess my body remembers before I do.”

Alex gently wrapped her fingers around her cup.

“And now?”

This time, Sarah deliberately looked around the café. Not out of instinct, but because she was choosing to.

Her eyes paused on the entrance, then the camera, and finally returned to Alex.

A small smile appeared on her face.

For the first time, she felt like an ordinary customer.

“That it’s just a completely normal coffee shop.”

Alex laughed.

“That’s good news.”

Sarah picked up her cup.

“I think we can actually drink that coffee now.”

They drank in silence for a while.

Sarah stared at her coffee for a moment before speaking quietly.

“Alex…”

“Yeah?”

“Did Chuck always worry this much?”

Sarah tried to make the question sound casual.

Alex laughed.

“No. Even more.”

“Really?”

Sarah looked at her in surprise, but Alex added,

“That’s according to Morgan. I didn't know you guys back then, but I believe him.”

She smiled.

“But I did see how much you two loved each other. Dad told me, too. Although, by his standards…” She paused. “You two were almost unbearably in love.”

Alex sighed, and it was obvious Casey had come to mind.

Sarah said nothing.

Casey was still only a handful of hazy feelings to her.

And the memory that they had seen each other again a week ago.

Alex turned her coffee slowly between her hands for a few seconds before speaking quietly.

“There’s one thing I know for sure.”

Sarah looked up.

“Chuck loves you just as much now as he did then.”

Sarah slowly ran her fingers along the rim of the porcelain cup. The motion helped steady her.

Her gaze drifted toward one of the café’s bulletin boards, as though she might find the right words there.

Finally, she spoke softly.

“He’s afraid he’s going to lose me.”

Saying it out loud made it feel much more real.

Alex nodded.

“Yeah.”

Sarah stared at her cup for a long time.

“That’s the worst part.”

Alex waited quietly for her to continue.

“I can see how much he loves me. I kissed him.” It felt strange saying it out loud. “I like being with him. I feel safe with him, and the strangest part is…” She paused. “I don't have to try. It just happens.”

She took a small breath.

“At least I know that much.”

Her voice grew thinner as she fought to hold back her tears.

“But… I don't remember falling in love with him.”

Her voice nearly broke.

“I lost the happiest part of my life… and it…” She swallowed. “It’s horrible.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. A tightness had begun to build in her chest.

When she opened her eyes again, tears glistened in them.

Alex didn't say anything.

She simply let Sarah feel it.

Slowly, she reached across the table and placed her hand gently over Sarah’s.

Sarah flinched for a moment, but she didn't pull away.

“We’ll help you,” Alex said.

Sarah took another deep breath. Her eyes were still wet, but a faint smile had begun to appear.

“Thank you.”

Alex gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then let go.

“Well…” she said, deliberately lightening her tone. “How about some shopping?”

Sarah smiled and wiped the corner of her eye.

“Sounds good.”

“Then come on. Let’s go look around. I’ll show you some of my favorite stores.”

Sarah laughed, and her laughter brought smiles to a few of the other customers.

“I thought this was going to be some kind of spy assignment.”

“Much more dangerous!” Alex grinned.