Chapter 2
A/N: The remastering continues…some of the dialog in these…yikes! I think it flows much better now. Little changes have been made, but I think all of it is an improvement. I hope you enjoy Ch 2, Star Wars Day
Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck, or Star Wars…I need to play the lottery….
It was 2 am and Chuck couldn’t sleep. The past few years Chuck’s sleep had been interrupted because of children needing to be fed, changed, bad dreams, or snuggles, all of which made him smile. Chuck had carefully chosen all the jobs they took since he and Sarah had kids to minimize the chance of anyone connecting him to Carmichael Industries. Now, his past might be the reason something was going to happened to them. He was sitting on the couch in the family room, looking out the window at the back yard when he felt a hand slide down from his shoulder to his chest. He reached up and placed his hand over hers.
“Have you decided yet it’s your fault this has all happened, or am I here too early?” Sarah asked a few inches from his ear. It took Chuck a second to put together what she had asked since his brain had rebooted. All these years, and she still affected him like the first day she met him.
“Did you get your memory back and not tell me?” Chuck asked, feeling Sarah’s other arm come around his to hug him from behind.
“Chuck, you spiral. It doesn’t matter what causes it, you just spiral,” she answered, her breath still near his ear. “It’s what you do.”
“You’re saying I’m not allowed to spiral?” He asked. He felt Sarah shrugged against him.
“I mean if you want, or we could go upstairs and talk about it.” Chuck was silent for a second. She leaned down removing those few inches, and whispered in his ear. “There are many forms of communication.” Chuck thought his mind would melt, but it didn’t. He had enough wherewithal to turn toward her, actually wondering.
“Seriously, are you regaining your memory?” He asked. Sarah shrugged, and grinned.
“Some things come back to me now and then that I didn’t know before, but all of it…no.” She didn’t look sad at all by that revelation. “I’m just grateful for what I’m getting back, and a lot of them seem to be very good memories. Like us having talks before we got married, and if I’m not mistaken you using some marriage book?” Chuck smiled. “Now let’s get some sleep so we can fix this problem we have, because here’s what I do know, you and I have made a good team the past 7 years, and all the field reports I read said the whole gang did real well for the 5 before that.”
“Sarah, this is different,” Chuck said, his expression crestfallen. “These are my kids, our kids. I know you don’t remember what happened with my father and I, but I know what my dad was going through now.” She ran a hand slowly down his chest. She looked him directly in the eye the entire time. He swallowed.
“I dare someone to try to take you or my children from me,” she said very quietly and very dangerously. Chuck thought he might drool
“You are so hot when you get all protectory,” he admitted. Sarah laughed.
“Is that a word?” she asked, her eyebrow raised.
“Just made it one,” he said quite smugly. She smirked at him, stepped up, kissed him gently on the lips, and pulled back.
“Come to bed, Webster,” she said softly, as she turned, and walked toward the stairs.
“You just want me to come to bed because your feet are cold,” Chuck replied, trying to gain some control of the situation but failing miserably. Sarah stopped, never looked back, and answered.
“When has that ever stopped you?” she said as sultry as she could. With that, she headed to bed. Chuck’s brain rebooted for a second, decided she was right, and hurried after her.
}o{
“You’ve got a play area in Castle?!” Casey sputtered out, the next morning entering the old structure for the first time in years.
“Now, listen, Casey,” Chuck began. “We have child proofed that area and the kids know not to bother anything not in their room. We don’t always bring them here, but sitters are expensive and sometimes we just like being a family.” Casey stared at Chuck and shook his head. He turned to Sarah.
“It must be hard raising three,” he grunted.
“I had practice with two for a long time,” Sarah responded, shrugging. Casey’s eyes narrowed, confused, and Chuck turned toward her. “You and Morgan,” she said, pointing at Chuck, realizing they thought she was Chuck and Casey she was talking about. Casey grimaced.
“Sorry,” Casey said.
“Casey, we’ve dealt with it. I wish I knew more, but I’m happy. If I never get any of it back, it’s fine,” Sarah said, shrugging and smiling. She meant every word she said, and as Casey studied her he could tell it was true.
“I think you can,” Ellie butted in. Everyone turned to look at Ellie. “I think you can getyou’re your memories back.” Ellie took a deep breath, knowing everyone was watching her. “Here’s the deal, I’ve created Intersect 3.0, but it’s only an upgrade. I currently don’t have the ability to make the base Intersect. If you have the Intersect in your head, this will upgrade it, and should return any memories, including yours, Morgan.”
“That would be great,” Morgan began but went quiet thinking. Ellie looked at him, concerned. When he looked up with a grin, she knew she was about to be the butt of a joke. “Any chance we can remove the prequels from my head?” Casey grunted a laugh and Morgan shot him a look.
“At least you didn’t make me start with episode 1,” Sarah whispered to Chuck. Chuck smiled, thinking about that night 6 years ago.
}o{
6 years ago
“So you’re telling me that because the day, May the fourth, sounds like May the Force, it’s become Star Wars day?” Sarah asked, with a look of speculation on her face. She didn’t think Chuck was lying to her, she just couldn’t believe it. Which was strange, since she had apparently guarded him for the past five years over a computer in his head. Strange was in the eye of the beholder she thought.
“I don’t make nerd rules, Dear, I just live by them,” Chuck said, grinning. Sarah shook her head as Chuck put the key into the lock to let them inside the apartment. Since she had rejoined the team a few weeks ago, things were going much more smoothly at Charmichael Industries. While Sarah may not have the memories of the past five years, she was still an expert on all things Chuck, and many times she knew just what to say, and when to say them. Chuck told her it was like a muscle memory. She didn’t roll her eyes when he said it, but she really wanted to. Today had been a long day, and all she wanted to do was soak in a tub. Some days the not knowing what she was doing and her just doing it wore on her. She so wanted those memories…
On the way home, she tried to talk to Chuck about things he was interested in. She had gone to find Morgan a few days earlier to find out more about the things Chuck enjoyed, but he actually found her, with a list. He said if anyone understood what she was going through it was him. She found herself hugging the bearded man, even though he was a bit strange, but he was her strange bearded friend, and she knew that deep inside.
“I still approve,” Morgan told her.
“And that means a lot,” she told him. The two had become closer over their shared losing memories experience, something Chuck had noticed, and was happy about. If there was a silver lining in all of this, it two of his favorite people coming closer together. As Chuck opened the door for Sarah and she walked in, he found himself thinking about watching the original trilogy, but what came out of Sarah’s mouth next, almost floored him.
“I can’t believe I feel for a nerd…twice.” Chuck dropped his briefcase and his keys, and quickly scrambled to pick them up. Sarah smiled at the noise. She knew several things. There was love in her heart for Chuck, she didn’t know why, and that made her not in control, and one thing Sarah Walker…no, Bartowski, because that’s who she was, Sarah Bartowski. The one thing Sarah Walker was, was in control, and that was the fight, between Sarah Walker, and Sarah Bartowski. She wanted to let him take her in his arms, but part of her fought and struggled, and she hated it, but she knew that she had to be comfortable with all of it. And right now she wasn’t, but she had to give him something, and he deserved this much, because it was true, she had fallen for him twice. How many men, married men, would be this understanding? She wasn’t ready for mad passionate love with him…that was a lie. She was. She so was. But she knew once it started, it wouldn’t stop, so she had to be sure she was ready for that step…she had to be sure all of her was ready for that step. She couldn’t do that to Chuck, but he had to know there were feelings, real feelings, with real emotion.
“You okay?” She asked, with the most flirtatious smile she could muster. Chuck looked up from kneeling to get his things and the smile that covered his face, spoke volumes.
“Baby, I’m doing great,” he replied. The smile left her face, and Chuck realized what he said. He quickly stood. “I’m sorry, it’s just…” she cut him crossing the distance between them taking his hand.
“Shh,” she said, placing her finger on his lip. “I didn’t know I missed that word.” Chuck just nodded, and Sarah smiled. She removed the finger before anything happened. “It’s been a long day,” she began.
“Right, you probably want to soak after a day like today,” he said, and the look on her face told him he nailed it. He wanted to kiss her, her lips, her forehead, anything, but he simply let his hand fall from hers as she backed away and then turned. As she shut the door to “her room” Chuck wondered if they would ever get back to where they were. He sighed, stuck his hands in his pocket, and wondered what to do all night.
“Right,” he said to himself. “Marathon.” He went to his room, changed into comfy clothes, went into the kitchen to pop popcorn, then into the living room with soda and the popcorn, and began to sit down on the couch.
“Yahhh!” he yelled, as he didn’t notice Sarah sitting on the couch, having changed into her own comfy clothes, and nearly sat on her. He only spilled a few kernels.
“Chuck, has anyone ever told you, you don’t have the manliest screams?” Sarah asked, her eyes dancing, and her fighting off laughter.
“Yes, Casey, several times,” Chuck deadpanned, trying to look offended but both of them knowing he wasn’t. Sarah took the soda and the popcorn while Chuck went back to get glasses. “So what do you want to watch?”
“I assumed we were watching the original Star Wars trilogy,” Sarah answered. Chuck stopped mid-stride, right behind the couch. She wasn’t looking at him, but he felt her chuckling.
“You’re not that big a fan, and it’s over 7 hours,” he responded taking his seat beside her. She bounced a shoulder and Chuck couldn’t help but love her more.
“Let’s find out if anything’s changed,” she said, taking some popcorn from the bowl he had just picked up. Chuck grinned, nodded and started the movie. Somewhere towards the end of Empire Strikes Back, Sarah started to lay her head on Chuck’s shoulder. He turned to look at her, wishing he hadn’t for fear he’d stop her. She looked him right in the eye, smiled, and laid her head down on his shoulder. Chuck turned back toward the movie, just in time to see Luke get his hand cut off. Sarah reached down and took his hand in both of hers, and slowly rubbed her thumbs over his hand. Chuck tried not to gulp, but he did. Sarah smiled where he couldn’t see. As Return of the Jedi played, Sarah felt herself drift off, never having felt more loved and secure, and even her insides, which wanted everything to be in control, didn’t fight her. The movie ended, and Chuck never moved, in absolute heaven, that the love of his life was asleep on his shoulder. To some that wouldn’t be enough, but for him, it was everything. He felt regret when she raised her head some 20 minutes later.
“Movie over?” she asked, yawning.
“For you it ended a long time ago,” he said grinning. She gave him a playful swat, and started to get up. “Thanks.” She turned and beamed at him
“I had fun,” she said, giving him his smile. Chuck really thought he might melt into the couch.
“You slept through most of the last movie,” he said, grinning.
“I never said it had anything to do with the movie,” she replied, and leaned down to gently kiss him on the lips, cupped and stroked the side of his face with her right hand. “Good night,” she said softly and headed to bed. Chuck sat there with a goofy grin on his face. He eventually got up, went to his room, and climbed into the bed, lying right in the middle. He would have slept on his side of the bed, but it was too painful. He drifted off to sleep, when he felt a slight nudge from the side where Sarah used to sleep. He opened his eyes to see her standing there. She looked gorgeous as the moonlight spilled into the room. She was half asleep, and not dressed protectively, but Chuck’s heart caught in his throat all the same.
“Hey, what’s wrong,” he asked.
“My feet are cold.” Chuck smiled and moved over to his old side of the bed. He patted the spot beside him. “If it’s feet you need warmed, I am known to be a world class warmer.” Sarah hesitated, struggling. “No strings, m’lady. Just warm feet.” She flashed him a warm smile and slid in. Chuck covered her feet with his slowly and gently. Sarah closed her eyes, looking content. Then a look made it’s way across her face, and she opened her eyes.
“It’s okay, Sarah,” Chuck said before she could.
“No, it’s not,” Sarah replied, trying not to cry, sigh, and/or scream. “You remember everything, and I only remember bits and pieces, but as bad as that is, you know you love me, part of me knows I love you, and part of me is stuck in the past of five years ago, and you’re getting hurt just as bad, or worse than me, and you are being more kind than anyone I ever met. I get why I fell for you back then when you walked away from me to help that little girl. I am so glad I made that personal casefile, otherwise, I might not believe you are as wonderful as you really are. I might think you’re playing some game.”
“But Sarah,” Chuck began. “I am playing a game.” Sarah looked at him, confused. Chuck made his best bedroom eyes face, and spoke in a low but weird voice. “I’m playing the game of luuuvvvvv,” he said, giving her the biggest grin he could. Sarah burst out laughing and rolled into him, hugging him. Chuck held her, thankful for what he had, but was caught off guard when she kissed him, softly. When they parted, the warm smile on her face gave him hope. Real hope.
“I’m going to sleep, and you do the same,” she said shutting her eyes. She grinned, “And get that smile off your face.
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry,” he said.
“Don’t be,” she said softly, nearly asleep with her feet warm and her heart full.
}o{
Now
“Chuck, are you listening to me?” Beckman asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Sorry, General. This is bringing a lot of things back,” Chuck admitted. Sarah slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. Beckman nodded, trying to look irritated, but Chuck saw through it, and smiled at her. That made her look irritated. Chuck straightened up and Sarah found herself having to fight down a giggle.
“We’re bringing in Jason Black, to help watch your children, and assist on any mission you might need,” Beckman said again. “He’s one of the best, and I need Team Bartowski with their heads clear. That means your children have to be safe.”
“Know him?” Chuck asked Casey.
“Redacted files on about everything this guy has done, supposed to be one of the best, no one’s seen him in a while,” Casey answered. Beckman nodded and flashed his picture on the board. He was a good looking guy, a little older than Chuck and Sarah. Chuck thought he reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t figure out who.
“Do they ever hire unattractive people in the CIA?” Chuck asked.
“They hired you for a while,” Casey responded. Chuck made a mock laughing face at him.
“If you two are about done,” Ellie cut in. Both men quit immediately. “As I was saying, I can upgrade the Intersect, but only if you have it in your head. I cannot figure out how to make a new one. General Beckman believes she has found chatter about notes of Dad’s that will help us build it, keep it out of the hands of whoever is trying to get it, bring back the memories of Sarah and Morgan, and remove it afterwards, safely.”
“What about Samantha?” Chuck asked softly. He felt a pull at his pants and there stood the four year old.
“I don’t know,” Ellie admitted. “We could try to remove it, but if it’s already in there naturally…” she stopped and shrugged.
“Would it do any damage?” Sarah asked, concerned.
“No, that’s one thing I’ve fixed,” Ellie said. “Dad was a genius, but insisted on using old technology. That’s why the glasses and computers kept frying. It can be loaded all the time on correctly built machines. Also, you don’t need governors, and there is no pain. When installed properly, to a mind that has been prepared for it, the Intersect will work with no problems.”
“Prepared?” Chuck asked. Ellie looked at him.
“Specifically yours, Chuck,” Ellie said with a sad smile. “The Intersect was always written for you. I believe that was Dad’s internal struggle. When your mind took it at the early age, it was prepared for everything that happened in the future.” She looked at Samantha. “We can try and remove it out of her if you want. It’s safe. You know I would never take any chances with her.”
“Do it,” Sarah said. Chuck looked at her. He knew this was bothering her on the inside. Chuck nodded in agreement. Ellie took Samantha to the computer, showed her what button to push, and walked away. The computer flashed in front of her face for a few minutes. When it was over Ellie walked back over to Samantha.
“Should I feel any adverse reactions to this Aunt Ellie?” Samantha asked. Sarah and Chuck shared a look and shrugged. Ellie walked over to the two.
“I’m so sorry,” Ellie said. “I was afraid it wouldn’t work, and what’s worse is I don’t know that it will ever come out.”
“Cool,” Morgan blurted out without thinking. “We’ve got our own mutant!” Chuck made that Chuck face as he turned toward Morgan.
“Buddy,” Chuck began.
“Sorry. Sorry.” Morgan realized what he had said instantly. “Wasn’t thinking.”
“Aunt Ellie, I know the problem,” Samantha said, as everyone was paying attention to Morgan and no one to her. “You’ve have to properly upgrade the Intersect before you can take it out,” she said touching the screen and then starting the Intersect 3.0 upgrade. Everyone ran towards her as Ellie screamed NO! No one stopped Sarah who tried to grab her. Both of them were stuck staring at the screen. Ellie was holding Chuck back.
“If you see it, it could hurt you, and if you pull them away it could destroy their minds!” Ellie screamed at him, realizing his pain. The flashing stopped, and the two shook their heads. Chuck ran over to them.
“Are you two okay?” Chuck asked.
“Do you know kung-fu?” Morgan blurted, unable to stop himself. Again everyone turned toward him. “My bad. My bad.”
“Uncle Morgan,” came the young voice, and everyone turned to look at Samantha, her eyes gleaming. “I know kung-fu!” Morgan pumped a fist in the air, and instantly brought it back to his mouth trying to keep quiet and not make things worse.
“Are you okay, Sarah?” Chuck asked. She nodded and then whipped around toward him, furious.
“I blame you for this you know!” she yelled, remembering all the times he would put on glasses, and look at the Intersect when it was out of his head.
“Me!? What did I do?” Chuck asked, completely confused.
“This is exactly the sort of thing you used to do, sticking your head in front of computers or putting glasses on your face to see what happens.” Sarah shook her head. She wasn’t really mad at Chuck but it was the kind of thing he used to do, and Samantha…she was so smart, that Sarah worried she wouldn’t be able to keep up with her daughter one day. She started to say more when she realized everyone was looking at her. Maybe she had gone too far.
“Sarah, how do you know that?” Chuck asked. Sarah blinked, and realized she did know all of that. “Sarah are you remembering?” Sarah thought back to all the times she had seen Chuck upload the Intersect, and a huge smile covered her face.
“Chuck, I remember!”