Chapter 8

A/N: I bring you more…well, whatever this is.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck

She was staring at the folder in front of her. He could see her mind moving a million miles a second. He thought about everything Bryce had told him about her, and he knew she was a planner. He knew she had a plan, a plan b, a plan c, and all the way to the end of the alphabet. Her mind was making plans. Chuck couldn’t help but be a little amused. He was getting to watch one of the brightest minds that used to be in the CIA do her thing.

After hearing so much from Bryce, Chuck began to wonder if Bryce hadn’t oversold who Sarah was, and not because he was intentionally trying to deceive but because Bryce was in love with Sarah…at least as much as Bryce was able to love. The things Chuck had discovered about both Bryce and Sarah were shocking. Bryce had never talked about his past life, but there was so much in his file that made Chuck understand that Bryce truly thought he was doing the right thing for both Chuck and Sarah. Reading those files made him appreciate Ellie even more.

Bryce had a terrible childhood, and it became apparent that he developed the mindset of, “If I don’t watch out for me, no one else will.” Bryce was protecting Chuck and Sarah in his mind. But the thing was, it wasn’t because Bryce saw the two of them as breathing human beings, but friends of his, partners of his. Possessions. It was obviously a side-effect of his terrible childhood, one Chuck could have experienced as well if it wasn’t for Ellie.

Ellie constantly reminded Chuck that people sometimes made choices that didn’t make sense, that hurt, but he alone was responsible for the decisions he made about actions toward him. And Ellie practiced that love. When he was bullied, Ellie reminded him it was the jealousy. It was the misunderstanding. It was all other people knew.

In his life he had been called weak, a pushover, and other names, but Chuck did his best to remind himself in every situation his response truly affected one person. Himself. Ellie had taught him that. If he reacted in a revengeful way the person most affected was him, as he lost a little of who he was.

He had been left. He had been forgotten about, and Chuck Bartowski promised himself that he would never let anyone else have to go through that if he could do anything about it. As he looked at Sarah, and her mind spinning, he thought about her and her father, and how she still loved him. He understood that. He loved his parents, even thought…they had left.

She did everything she could in her missions to protect innocents. To minimize collateral damage. As he studied report after report, he became to understand who Sarah Walker was. Bryce had been wrong about her. He had undersold her. Because Bryce could not comprehend why she did the things she did, but Chuck quickly understood.

She was like him in a way. The con was more important to Jack than Sarah was. At least that’s what she thought. Chuck figured at the time Jack was conning, he didn’t believe that to be true, but now…he thought Jack might have realized it. Chuck also found it strange the timing of Emma’s visit to Jack and how it synced up right after Sarah’s last mission that was completely redacted.

He didn’t know what it all meant, and frankly it wasn’t his business, but he found it all strange. He watched her blink, her mind finally happy with all the scenarios she had run in her head, and she turned to him. It was in that moment she realized how quiet she had been.

“I’m really sorry,” Sarah said. As she said it, she had placed her hand across the table toward him. He wasn’t sure if she did it unconsciously or not, but it seemed like a gesture to go with the apology. To let him know these weren’t just words. “This was supposed to be about figuring out if you could work with us.” There was something on her face. He didn’t know if it was sorrow, sadness, or what, but he needed to comfort her. He would later tell himself what he did next he would have done with anyone in this position. He would tell himself he needed her not to take the blame for something that was not her fault. He would tell himself so many things…and for a bit, he even tried to believe it.

He didn’t even realized he had reached across the table to lay his hand on hers to comfort her. “Hey, this wasn’t your fault,” he said, locking eyes with her. “I get the feeling that guy doesn’t take no for an answer.” She shook her head as she smiled, and then, almost as one, they looked down at their hands. Chuck swallowed, and began to pull his away as she flipped hers, locked her hand with his, and squeezed.

“Well, I’m still sorry,” Sarah said. “And now…” she glanced at the folder.

“It is none of my business what is in there, but it obviously is a big deal, so why don’t we just enjoy dinner, talk, and not worry about the farm right now,” Chuck offered. “I don’t think waiting a bit on the farm is going to be a big deal in the grand scheme of things.”

“No, I supposed not,” she agreed softly, the soft smile on her face. She squeezed his hand and pulled it back as the waiter brought their food.

}o{

“So,” she began, laughing. “How does one brush their teeth…awesomely?”

Chuck shook his head, grinning. “I mean, you just have to see it to understand it.” Sarah snorted. “You know what, since you snorted, I’m now going to have to film it and show it to you.”

“And won’t he think that’s a bit weird?” Sarah asked. “You filming him?”

“I’ll just tell him it’s YouTube content for the It’s Awesome channel I keep kidding that I’m going to make one day,” Chuck told her. She snorted harder. “And you’d think he’d be ridiculously egotistical, but he’s not. He’s…he’s like a big brother to me in a way.”

“I’m glad,” Sarah said nodding. “I’m glad you have someone to talk to, in him and your sister.”

“You know, earlier, you mentioned being a baggage handler,” Chuck began. She shook her head. “I hope you know, that if you need one-”

“Awesome would do it?” she teased.

“You know what, you kid, but yes, yes he would,” Chuck told her, setting off another round of laughter. When she sobered a little, he continued in a much softer voice. “But also, I would, if you need someone to talk to.” He paused. “And-and I get it. Some things you can’t talk about, obviously, but…”

“Thank you,” she said, a soft smile on her face. “I just need a quiet place to think,” she said, and then she realized what she said, and she looked a bit upset. “I don’t mean away from you, just-”

“Hard to think in the middle of a Mexican restaurant?” Chuck offered. Sarah nodded. “I do know a place, if you’re interested.” The smile on her face told him that she was.

}o{

The two were sitting on a blanket on the beach, some time later. “You know, I now realize getting the blanket out of the car may have looked like a move,” Chuck began. Sarah chuckled. “But I promise you, it was all because I did not want you get sand on that dress.”

“You like the dress?” She asked.

He gave her a look. “How could anyone not like that dress?” he asked, seemingly stunned she could question it. She loved the way this man complimented her with seemingly his whole soul.

She looked out over the water. “You’re very brave,” she said softly. He looked over at her, and she continued to stare out at the water. “Wanting to work with an ex-CIA agent and former con man.”

“Are you saying I’ll be in physical danger of people wanting to get even or something like that?” Chuck asked. She shook her head. “Then how am I brave?”

“How can you trust anything my father and I say?” Sarah asked. She looked over at him. “For all you know we’re both conning you, or on a mission.”

“Exactly what would be the purpose of the con or mission?” Chuck asked, shrugging. “Getting me to set up your farmer’s market stand?” Sarah shut her eyes as she laughed. “And honestly, what’s the difference between being conned by you two or anyone I might meet in a given day?”She looked at him, really looked at him. “I was recruited into the CIA at sixteen,” she began.

“Sarah wait, need to know,” Chuck began.

“I know,” Sarah said, and let the weight of those words hit him right in his chest. “I know exactly who needs to know.” She wasn’t pulling punches with this. “If you are going to be around the two of us, on that farm, by ourselves as we try to build it, and then bring people in, then there HAS to be trust between the three of us.”

“Why do you trust me?” Chuck asked.

“I don’t know,” Sarah said. “I just do.”

“Okay,” Chuck replied. He looked out at the water.

Sarah took a deep breath. “That’s a lie,” she said softly. He turned back to her. “Something, deep inside of me, that I haven’t really listened to in years…it tells me to. It tells me that you are a good person and that you are deserving of trust.”

“And you believe it?” Chuck asked gently.

“I have to, it’s all I have left of being a normal person,” Sarah told him.

“Then I guess I best live up to that belief in me,” he told her. “Also, normal…overrated.”

“So, can I tell you my story?” Sarah asked.

“Anytime, I just didn’t want to cause you any problems,” Chuck told her.

“Chuck, you are not a problem,” she said. But she knew that was a lie. She knew he was a problem. The worst problem and the best problem. He was touching a part of her she thought long past dead. He was worming her way into her heart and she thought she had blocked all roads that led in.

}o{

“So that folder he showed you?” Chuck asked after she told him about her past. “Is everything okay?”

“You don’t want to know what it is?” Sarah asked. “You don’t want to know what it was he needed to show me?”

“It’s none of my business,” Chuck told her.

“Come work with us,” she blurted out. “And, it’s gonna be messy. Dad and I know next to nothing.”

“That puts you in better shape than me, because I know nothing,” Chuck told her. She shook her head, grinning at him. “But, if you’re serious, yes.”

“Wait, you don’t understand, we’ll need you to live on property,” Sarah told him.

“Do you have internet?” Chuck asked. She gave him a look. “I mean it’s not a deal breaker if you don’t.”“We do,” Sarah said. “But…you’ll have to live in the main house with me and dad.”

“Okay,” Chuck said.“He snores,” Sarah said, a look of seriousness on her face. “The first thing I want to do is fix the foreman’s house. There’s two bedrooms there. We could live there.”

“Uh, you want me to live in a house, with just you?”

“Trust me, he snores,” Sarah said.

“Sarah,” Chuck began.

“Chuck, I have done many things in my life I’m not proud of, but I would do them all again in a heartbeat to be away from that man’s snoring,” Sarah told him.

“Does he have sleep apnea?” Chuck asked.

“NO!” she said, frustration on her face. “I’ve had him checked.”

“When’s the last night you’ve had a decent night’s sleep?” Chuck asked her. She looked away. “Look, my sister and brother-in-law work tonight and won’t be home. How about you stay at my apartment and I sleep on the couch.” She raised an eyebrow. “You’re right, your dad would think-”

“I don’t give a damn what my dad think’s,” Sarah said. “He can sleep though the night, I cannot.” Chuck began to giggle. “But you barely know me, and what you do know…you’re asking me to stay with you so I can get a good night’s rest?”

“You’re wanting me to move into the foreman’s house with you so I will get a good night’s rest,” Chuck countered. Sarah stared at him, and he saw her make a decision.

“That folder was a check for me to keep my mouth shut,” Sarah told him. Chuck’s eyes widened. “I was going to any way, keep my mouth shut. But now I can use that money for some good. Please, come work with me.”

“Are you sure?” Chuck asked.“As sure as you are that I need to stay at your apartment tonight,” Sarah said. “Besides, I need to go sign some papers in the morning.”

“That’s not a good idea,” Chuck said. Sarah looked confused. “You’d be wearing the same dress.”

“I have a go bag in my truck,” Sarah told him. “Old habit.”

“Oh, good,” Chuck said. “That’s the last thing you need.” Sarah tilted her head, wanting to hear this logic train. “If Mr. Pancakes were there, and saw you in that dress, he might think…” he trailed off and shrugged.

“Screw it, I’ll wear the dress,” she said. She burst out laughing at the shock on Chuck’s face.

}o{

He was sitting outside, in the courtyard, on the side of the fountain, looking around. He didn’t know how many more days he had here, but…he knew his days were numbered in his sister’s and her boyfriend’s apartment. Chuck looked up at the sky, and wished he could see the stars.

“You can see them at the farm,” the soft voice came from his side. “The stars,” she added. He turned and Sarah was standing there, wearing one of his old tee shirts and a pair of his shorts. He had now seen her in work clothes from the farm, a purple dress, and this outfit, and he wasn’t sure he had seen a more beautiful person in his entire life.

Chuck scooted over and made room for her to sit down beside him. “Plus we build a bon fire some nights and just sit outside and talk,” she told him as she sat down.

“What’s it like?” Chuck asked. She looked over at him. “To get back the parent you thought you had lost?”

“Still don’t know,” Sarah said softly. He looked at her. “My mom…I’ve seen her a time or two, but…we don’t have contact. Can’t.”

“Oh,” Chuck said.

“I…I can’t talk about it,” Sarah told him.

“I get it,” Chuck began.

“No, no you don’t because I barely do, but I can’t have contact with her,” Sarah told him. “And…and I’ve been thinking…about something you said earlier about old enemies showing up-”

“Hey, I work in a Buy More, and there is more of a chance of someone there losing their mind and shooting the place up than one of your old enemies returning like something out of a James Bond movie,” Chuck told her. She chuckled at him. “I know everything I need to know, and yes, I’d like to come work with you. I think you and I can rebuild some of this stuff by ourselves, and as we get people to work with us, they can help us.”

“There’s things we have to complete before the state will sign off on us, but the money I was offered…it will go a long way to fixing a lot of things,” Sarah said. “Also, it will cover your salary.”

“I don’t need much,” Chuck began, but stopped at the amused, but firm look she was giving him. “Okay,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender. “Okay.” He looked up at the sky, and then back to her. “Thank you.”

“For what?” Sarah asked.

“For giving me a chance,” Chuck told her. She bumped her shoulder against his and smiled.

}o{

He tried to open his eyes as he heard the front door open. He was trying to figure out why he was hearing the front door open since he was in his bedroom. “Chuck?” he heard his sister say. He started to sit up, and that’s when he remembered, he had slept on the couch, and Sarah had slept in his bedroom. “Hi,” Ellie said. He saw her looking past him, and turned, and there stood Sarah. “I’m Ellie.”

“I’m Sarah,” Sarah replied.

“The avocados?” Ellie asked.

“Ellie, it’s a long story,” Chuck told her.

“Good, I’ll make breakfast and you can tell me all about it,” Ellie said, beaming. “Bro,” Devon said, grinning with a thumbs up. “Awesome!” Chuck groaned and leaned forward, his head in his hands. But what surprised him the most was the sound of Sarah laughing behind him.

A/N: Devon really should have a YouTube channel.