Chapter 2
A/N: So, most of you like it, some of you are a little irritated at Sarah (some of you all are flat mad). So, let’s see what we can do about that. Backstory time. Sit back, get in your car, head up the 5 to Stanford, find your Arvil Lavigne CD (you know you had it), and put on Complicated. (you might need tissues) Ch 2, Complicated
Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck, but I’m hoping someone makes a movie soon.
Stanford, August 2002
“Are you and Jill coming to the party tonight?” Bryce asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Chuck replied. “I’ve got class, Buddy, see you later.”
Bryce headed back across the quad when he was stopped by a man in a dark suit and sunglasses.
“Bryce Larkin,” Langston Graham said. Bryce stopped short.
“Sir, what are you doing here?” Bryce asked.
“This is too important to trust to anyone else,” Graham said. “I have an assignment for you.”
“Sir, I have class,” Bryce said, wanting to do his job, but knowing he couldn’t get behind in his classwork. Graham smiled.
“The assignment is on campus,” Graham said. “We have reason to believe that Fulcrum has infiltrated parts of the CIA and is already recruiting. We fear that one of your classmates may be an agent.”
“Who?”
“Jill Roberts,” Graham said, watching the color drain from Bryce’s face.
“That’s nuts, Sir,” Bryce said. “All due respect,” he added quickly. Graham nodded.
“Let’s be sure,” he said, handing him small electronic devices. “Plant these bugs in her purse, phone, residence, wherever you can. Let’s be safe rather than sorry.” Bryce nodded. “Bryce, above all else, keep Chuck Bartowski safe.”
“Chuck, sir?” Bryce asked. “Why would he be in trouble?”
“I don’t know that he is, but when we recruited you we also checked out Chuck,” Graham explained. “We don’t need him going through any more tragedy.” Bryce nodded. “I don’t want to keep you, Son, but you have to know this is the highest priority.”
“I understand, Sir,” Bryce said. Graham nodded and Bryce left. He watched him walk away, and pulled out a cell phone.
“Orion, it’s done,” Graham said. “You’ll be surveilling as well? Fine, just get me my Intersect.”
Three weeks later
“I can’t believe it,” Chuck said, taking a swig of another beer. “We got through the summer, that’s what I was worried about. I mean I get it, I’m a nerd,” he paused and his brows furrowed. “She’s a nerd too, but a brainy nerd, you know?” he said, turning to Bryce. “I mean she’s kinda outta my league, she’s so smart,” Chuck said, dreamily. “But to tell me she was doing half the football team, that’s just harsh.”
“Hypersexuality is such an unknown in the world of medicine,” Bryce said, nursing his second beer. Bryce had lost count of how many Chuck had drank. The bug had found Jill was indeed a part of Fulcrum, and in an interesting twist, Graham agreed to keep Jill out of a hole if she would break up with Chuck. He said it had to be something that gave him no chance of ever wanting her back. Bryce wasn’t sure her telling Chuck that she was having sex with half of the football team was necessary, but it had done the trick.
“I mean how does she even know some of those guys?” he asked, blowing air out of his cheeks.
“I have no idea, Buddy,” Bryce said. He loved Chuck like a brother, but this was the third night of this, and it was enough. Bryce’s phone rang. “I gotta take this man.” Chuck grinned.
“AHHHH,” Chuck said, grinning sloppily. “I know, is it Heather Jenkins, no, I know, Rebecca Stephens.” He sat up quickly. “I know, I know, it’s Suzie Pfephercorn.”
“I don’t know Suzie Pfephercorn, Chuck,” Bryce said. Chuck thought a second, and then turned back to the bar.
“Yeah, you wouldn’t,” Chuck admitted. “She went to my high school. She had pretty eyes.”
“Eyes, Chuck,” Bryce said chuckling. “You can speak freely here,” he said, as he patted Chuck’s back standing up.
“Thanks, Buddy,” Chuck said. “She had the greenest eyes,” he said, his glossing over thinking back. “It was like looking into a field of grass in the spring after the rain.” Bryce shook his head at his friend, grinning.
“Never change, Buddy, never change,” he said walking outside. He called back the number. “Larkin, secure.”
“Graham, secure,” Graham answered.
“Please for the love of God, Sir, get me out of here,” Bryce begged.
“That bad,” Graham asked.
“Worse,” Bryce answered.
“Hang on tonight, and I’ll get my best agent there to watch him over the weekend,” Graham answered. “I need you to take out that cell, Larkin, they may be targeting Bartowski.”
“Understood, sir,” Bryce answered. “Do I need to hand him off?”
“Negative, Bryce,” Graham answered. “Leave tomorrow like planned. I have other eyes on him, but I need my best on him. She’ll take care of him.” Bryce was uncomfortable.
“Sir, no disrespect, but with everything Chuck’s been through,” Bryce began.
“Larkin, she’s not going to seduce him,” Graham answered. “She’s good enough she doesn’t have to do that.”
“Thank you, sir,” Bryce said. He heard a dial tone. He sighed and walked back in, and Chuck was still talking about Suzie’s green eyes.”
Simi Valley
Sarah stood in front of her mother’s house, and just stared at it. How hard was it to walk up and ring a doorbell, or knock on a door….or better yet, hop in her Porsche and drive off? She sighed, walked up to door and rang the doorbell. The door opened.
“Sa-” Emma began. “What do I call you?”
“It’s probably best to call me Sarah,” she answered. Emma nodded and pulled her into a hug.
“Come in,” Emma said, after they broke the hug. Sarah came in and joined her mom at the kitchen table. “So, what’s your mission?”
“No, mission, Mom,” Sarah answered, shaking her head. “I’m here for the football game, and to see you.”
“Football?” Emma asked grinning. Sarah sighed.
“I mean I do like it, but…Harvard’s not that great,” she said, sighing. “I’ve been gone on the weekends for so many CAT Squad missions that I need to do something with the student body.” She was silent for a second. “I could use the time to study,” she grumbled under her breath.
“How is real school going?”
“Good, I’m going to graduate on time, maybe even early,” she said grinning. Emma returned the grin, and then it left. “Mom, please don’t,” she said softly.
“What did he ever do for you?” Emma spit out. Sarah sighed.
“I have a deal with Graham,” Sarah said. “He lets dad out on parole after five years, he clears his name after ten.”
“Sweetie, your father doesn’t deserve what you’re doing for him,” Emma said.
“He’s my dad,” Sarah said softly, tears in her eyes.
“I know, Sweetie, I know,” she said, putting her arm around her. “I just hate this.”
“I’m getting a college education, dad gets out, and you’re okay,” Sarah said. “I made the best with the hand I was dealt.” Emma held her daughter close, and just looked up at the ceiling.
“I hate this,” Emma said softly. Sarah gave a laugh.
“There’s days I do too,” she admitted. Her phone rang, she groaned, and rolled her eyes. “I’ve got to take this.” Emma nodded, let her go, and Sarah walked to her room.
“Walker, secure,” Sarah said.
“I need you to go to Stanford,” Graham said.
“I’m going for the game Saturday,” she said.
“I need you to go now,” Graham said. “We have a high priority target. He’s a civilian and he may be in danger, I need you to get close to him and keep him in your sight for the next several days.”
“Sir,” Sarah began, bile rising in her mouth.
“Sarah, I’m not suggesting what you’re worried about,” Graham said. “You know me better.”
“I know, Sir, it just sounded…yes, Sir, I understand,” Sarah said.
“I’ll text you the substation address there and the code of the day, they’ll have your dossier ready,” Graham said. “Sarah, this is a good guy. He is a citizen that’s had a terrible hand dealt to him in life, and he needs your protection, that’s why I’m sending you, you’re my best.”
“I’ll protect him, Sir,” she replied. With that, the call ended. Sarah walked back into the kitchen. “I’ve got to go.” Sarah saw her mom’s face. “I’m going to go protect a civilian, it should be little danger.” Emma hugged her.
“If you let him rot, no one would blame you,” she said.
“I would,” Sarah said softly. Emma hugged her tighter.
“You’re a better daughter than he ever was a father,” Emma said. Sarah laughed as she pulled away.
“Mom, that we can agree on,” she said. They said their goodbyes, she climbed into her car, and off she went to Stanford.
The next morning
Chuck was sitting on a bench just looking over the campus. It was Thursday. There would be a lot of parties tonight, and tomorrow night, and Saturday after the game. His plan was to partake of all the free alcohol he could. His brain and stomach wasn’t agreeing with that idea right now. He was watching the blonde walk across the quad. She had a map and she had crossed it twice already. It was possible she was lost. He was going to say something to her the next time she passed, but he hadn’t seen her again, so he didn’t worry about it. He gave a deep, contemplative sigh.
“I mean I passed by twice, you could have said something,” the voice came behind him. “Are all you Stanford guys jerks?”
“I’m sorry,” Chuck said, never turning his head. “I’ve been nursing this amazing hangover all morning, and I’m processing on about one quarter speed.” She came around him, and plopped on the bench, she studied him for a minute. She sniffed the air, and Chuck laughed.
“Nope, no vomit, and I showered,” Chuck said.
“You still smell of alcohol,” she said.
“Probably three straight days of drinking,” he said. She raised an eyebrow. There was silence for a moment.
“Now see, you can’t do that,” she said. He turned slowly towards her and lifted his sunglasses, a curious expression on his face. She grinned at him, and Chuck forgot about why he had been drinking. There sitting in front of him was a real life angel. He thought Suzie whatsherface had amazing eyes, they were nothing compared to the girl in front of him. They were blue…a stormy blue, like they would change with her mood, and the grin….he could get lost there forever.
“Chuck Bartowski,” he said, offering his hand. She raised an eyebrow. “My parents were sadists.” She laughed and shook his hand. Chuck was really wondering why he had been drinking. This amazing woman was laughing at his joke. He just stared at those eyes…and then he realized he might be seen as creepy. “Sorry,” he said, as he quit staring into her eyes. “Hung over, not processing.”
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever had my eyes stared at,” she said, a smirk on her face. Chuck shrugged.
“What can I say, they’re a gateway into the soul,” he said. She studied him for a minute.
“Jenny Burton,” she said. “I’m supposed to be here with a bunch of friends from Harvard to see the game, and they ditched me.” Chuck looked shocked. “Vegas,” she said with a grin. Chuck nodded. “So I have no idea where I’m going. Any chance you could show me around?” He looked at her in surprise. “You intrigue me, Chuck Bartowski, and you can finally tell me why you’ve been drinking for three days.”
“My ex-girlfriend was banging half of the football team,” Chuck said. Sarah didn’t know how to respond. “I’m not sure why just half,” he said, and glanced over at Sarah. She couldn’t help herself, a fit of laughter burst out of her.
“I mean she only did half the job,” Sarah said, giggling.
“Right?” Chuck replied. “She’s probably not worth the drinking.”
“Probably?”
“She’s not,” Chuck said, nodding. Sarah stood up and offered him her arm.
“Take me to breakfast,” she said. “You could probably use some food that’s not liquid form.” Chuck stood and took her arm.
“You’re exactly right,” he said.
}o{
Sarah was trying to not fall out of the chair laughing.
“So, wait,” she said, trying not to snort. “You actually call him, Awesome.”
“Oh, yeah, everything he does is awesome. Climbing mountains, jumping out of planes, flossing,” Chuck said, as Sarah fought off another fit of giggles. “Wait until you meet him.” Chuck realized he was assuming a lot. Sarah just smiled. “So what about your closet and skeletons?”
“I am relatively free,” she said.
“That’s good, I have so much baggage I need my own personal baggage handler,” he said.
“Maybe I could be your baggage handler,” she said. Sarah kept her face neutral but inside, she was losing it. What was she doing? She was part of the CAT squad, this was a just a civilian, true, a civilian that life had taken a dump on, but a civilian. He wasn’t being suave, or trying to get in her pants, and she was caving from honesty? Was she cut out for the CIA life? Chuck was grinning at her.
“You would be the most attractive baggage handler I’ve ever seen,” Chuck said.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” he said, grinning. “Have you seen some of them?” She threw a napkin at him, grinning. “Seriously, you have the perfect life?”
“My dad,” she said shrugging. Chuck nodded. “I mean nothing as bad as you, your sister raised you.”
“But,” Chuck said. Sarah grinned, nodded, and thought why not? She’ll never see him again after this weekend.
“My dad and I have problems, and it’s caused problems between me and my mom,” she said. Chuck looked at her. “What?”
“We both know that’s not the full story, but that’s okay,” he said, his smile on full blast. “I’ve got to earn that story.” She leaned forward resting her chin on the back of her hand.
“And how do you plan on doing that?” she asked.
“By showing you every guy at Stanford isn’t a jerk,” he said. She grinned at him, and then her smile fell. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, my friends and I all had hotel rooms booked, but now…” she said, shrugging.
“You trust me?” he asked. “I know you barely know me, but my roommate is gone for the weekend, and if you can handle me being in the same room with you, you can have his bed,” he said. She began to smile. “Before you do, he’s a bit of a player, so maybe we should find some different sheets.” She laughed out loud.
}o{
For the next two days, the two were inseparable. Sarah retrieved her bag from her beat up car provided by the CIA substation. They went to the party Thursday night, Chuck didn’t drink, and he and Sarah talked all night. They dozed off in Chuck’s bed, on top of the covers, fully clothed, watching a movie, Thursday night. Chuck skipped classes again Friday (he was going to have to kill himself the next few weeks making up all he had blown off) and he and Sarah hung out all day. Friday night was the big fraternity party, and Sarah constantly had someone give her a fresh drink. All the guys were so thankful that someone had pulled Chuck out of his funk. They all were calling her Chuck’s girl, and she was playing along, teasing him, and loving every time she caught a blush on his cheeks. She was feeling all the effects of the alcohol, Chuck, and his friends encouraging her, that when she made her way to their room that night, she didn’t have it in her to deny herself.
“Jenny, what are you doing?” Chuck asked.
“I’m going to show that idiot ex-girlfriend of yours how stupid she was for cheating on you,” Sarah said, slightly swaying, trying to line up his lips for another kiss. How did this nerd kiss so well? Chuck took a deep breath.
“Jenny, you’re drunk and we can’t do this,” Chuck said.
“Why not?” she asked. “I know how, and if you don’t know I can teach you,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.
“Jenny, not like this,” Chuck said, hating his moral code. “Not like this.”
“You’re right, I’ve got too many clothes on,” she said, grinning. Chuck blew out a breath.
“Okay, let’s try this, you go over there, wait for me under the covers,” Chuck said. “I’m going to go brush my teeth and I’ll be right back.” Sarah smiled.
“That’s the spirit,” she said, patting his cheek. “Hurry back,” she said, stumbling into the bed. Her shirt was flying off, as Chuck sprinted out the door. He shut the door and turned and saw one of his fraternity brothers smiling at him and shaking his head.
“She’s drunk, wants to, and you won’t,” he said. Chuck nodded. “Dude, if you ever want to date my sister, I’m cool with it.” Chuck laughed softly.
“For the record, I hate myself,” Chuck said. His fraternity brother laughed, patted him on the arm, and headed downstairs. Chuck wondered how long he should wait, when he heard a sound coming from his room. He grinned and opened the door, and there was Jenny Burton, snoring. She had one leg sticking out from under the covers. He stared at it, and then jerked his eyes away, refusing to follow it to its eventual end. He walked over, and managed to get the leg in bed without seeing anything. He walked over to his bed, thought about changing clothes, but decided against it, just in case. He crawled into bed, and went to sleep.
}o{
Chuck woke up, hearing Sarah tossing and turning. Sunlight was starting to pour into the window. Sarah suddenly sat up with the blanket held tightly against her.
“Oh, God,” she said, looking under the sheet. She turned and looked over at him. “Chuck,” she said, her face frantic.
“For the record, that’s the first time you uttered that phrase in this room today,” Chuck said, shaking his head no. She took a second to process what he was saying, and then the giggles began. They turned into full fledge laughter from both of them.
“Funny,” she said. Chuck shrugged. “About last night,” she began.
“Please don’t apologize,” Chuck said. She looked at him. “You have pulled me out of the biggest funk in the world, and I should have watched out for you better last night, my frat brothers…they were hoping I’d…you know.” She grinned at him.
“Thank you for being a gentleman,” she said, grinning shyly. Chuck nodded.
“I need to take a shower…a cold one,” he said.
“Was that necessary?” she asked.
“You offered to teach me last night,” Chuck said. Sarah hid her face in her hand. “Jenny, it was fine, it happens, but I need to be totally honest with you, if you weren’t drunk last night…” Sarah stared at him, and then she winked. “And Bob’s your uncle!” he yelled shutting the door, Sarah laughed.
}o{
They had spent the day around campus, holding hands, and Sarah found herself finding ways to wrap Chuck’s arm around her where she could. She was falling for him, and she knew she couldn’t, she shouldn’t. She was. During the game she found Chuck’s arms around her from behind, and after it was over they walked to the frat house. The party was in full swing, but they ignored it and went upstairs. She shut the door, and locked it. Chuck looked at her nervously.
“Jill, was an idiot,” she said, grinning.
“Yeah?” he asked. She closed the distance between them quickly and attacked his lips. This was what she wanted to do. A part of her hated herself. They had no chance at a future, and she wanted one. She wanted a life where she could meet Chuck Bartowski, date him, fall in love, marry him, and have 2.5 kids and a white house, red door, and a white picket fence. She hated her dad so much right now, and she loved this man in front of her. A little girl today had lost her balance, fallen, and spilled her drink. After Chuck made sure she was okay, and they found her parents, he had gotten her another one. She hated her dad so much.
“Chuck, I’m not drunk tonight,” Sarah said.
“I’m not either,” Chuck replied, grinning, she returned the grin.
}o{
It was around 4 when she heard her text go off. She unwrapped herself from Chuck and gave him a long look. What had happened last night…magical. She hated what had to happen next. She got her phone, saw that the threat had been neutralized, and she could come home. She had thought about how this would happen for a long time, and while she hated it, it had to happen. She got dressed, wrote a note, kissed Chuck softly on his head, ran her fingers through his curls, and then said the words she needed to say.
“I love you, Chuck Bartowksi,” she said softly. She grabbed her bag, slipped out the door, and headed to the CIA substation.
When Chuck woke in the morning, he knew she was gone, he could feel it. Part of him ached. Ached like he never had before. He saw the note, and picked it up.
Chuck,
I hate leaving, but what I hate more is not letting you know how to contact me. Jill is an idiot, never forget that. Never forget that you are loved. I will always carry a piece of you with me. I know one guy at Stanford who is definitely not a jerk.
Love,
Jenny Burton
Chuck held the letter next to him. He carefully folded it and put it in his wallet.
“I love you too, Jenny,” he said.
}o{
2 week later, Stanford
“Bryce, I’m in,” Chuck said, happy as could be. He was going to find her.
“All right, Buddy, I knew you could do it,” he said. Bryce had a feeling he knew what had happened. Some poor CIA agent came into Chuck’s life, and had got turned upside down. She hadn’t been prepared for the heartwarming that this nerd possessed. Chuck’s fingers stopped typing. “Found her?” he asked with a smile.
“Jenny Burton doesn’t exist,” Chuck said dejectedly. “There is no Jenny Burton at Harvard,” he said, turning to Bryce. “Why would she lie about her name?”
}o{
6 week later, Langley
“Walker, good to see you,” Graham said. “Have a seat.”
“I’m pregnant, sir,” Sarah said.
“How did this happen?” Graham asked. Sarah was in no mood.
“Well, when a woman and a man-” she saw the look on his face and stopped. I blame Chuck for that. I wonder if his kid is messing with my mind. Part of her smiled at that thought. “My assignment at Stanford.”
“Sarah, that was a great sacrifice,” Graham said, struggling to keep his emotions.
“Sir, it was my choice,” she said. “I want to keep this baby.”
“And the father?” he asked. She shook her head.
“I don’t know,” she said softly.
“Why don’t you give it a week and then we’ll talk, but as for now, you are an analyst.” She nodded and left. Graham picked up the phone and made a call. “Orion, you should know, the agent I sent to watch your son, they…she’s pregnant.” He listened for a minute, and his mouth fell open. “You don’t know that she’s like your wife! You’ve never met her.” He sighed and blew out a breath. “I understand Orion, he’ll not be told, but I better have that intersect soon, or I’ll call him personally. Do you understand? Goodbye.” Graham hung up his phone, sat there a second, stood up quickly, and with an arm knocked everything off his desk in a rage. He sat back down with his head in his hands. “They don’t deserve this.”
}o{
A week later
“Sarah, have you decided about Bartowksi?” Graham asked. She shook her head. “Sarah, he’s a civilian. You didn’t tell him your name, you’re a CIA agent, and your family’s past, do you think he’d want to be a part of that?” She shook her head, tears coming out of her eyes. “I think deep down you know.” She nodded.
“I won’t tell Chuck,” she said. She left a few minutes later. Graham pulled out a flask.
“Of all the things I’ve done in this job, this feels like the worst,” he said.
}o{
One year later
Sarah stormed into Graham’s office.
“What the hell!?” she screamed. “He got expelled from Stanford!?”
“Sarah, calm down,” Graham said.
“Calm down!? I have that man’s child, who he can’t know about and you want me to be calm because one of your agents got him expelled!?”
“How do you know about this anyway?” he asked his eyes narrowing. Sarah realized she was caught.
“He’s my child’s father, I can’t not know,” she said. Graham’s face softened.
“Sarah,” he said softly. She was near tears.
“She lives an hour from his sister’s apartment,” she said, crying. “I only get to see Molly a little each month, he could be there with her.”
“You know it’s not for the best,” Graham said, sick to his stomach.
“I know,” she said. “I made a deal with you, one I will honor.” Graham nodded.
“He’s already out,” Graham said. Sarah looked up at him. “We had a deal, I honored it. Now, it’s time for you to go to the Farm and finish your training.
“What about the CAT squad?” she asked.
“Without you, it wasn’t the same,” he said. She nodded and left.
}o{
One year later. Ice Cream shop, New York City
“I’ll have a scoop of Butter Pecan,” the man said.
“And two scoops of Rocky Road in a cup,” Sarah said, behind him. He turned around and grinned at her. He turned back to the cashier.
“You heard my darlin’. Two scoops,” he said. They went and sat. “What are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, Dad,” Sarah said.
“It’s Jack Burton today,” Jack replied, winking.
“Ahh, playing the hits,” she said, grinning.
“Talk,” he said, watching her. She gave him a look. “What? I still know all your tells.” Sarah sighed and told him about the deal she made with Graham, Chuck, and the baby.
“And, now, in two months or so, they’re going to give me a red test. I have to kill someone, Dad, someone very dangerous, but someone,” she said. Tears were in her eyes.
“Sarah, you’re not a murderer,” Jack said. “That’s not you. Cons, protecting people, all the rest, is fine, but killing someone, bad guy or not, that’s not you.” She smiled and he laid his hand on hers. “You know this, so why come ask me?”
“Because a girl needs her dad,” she said. “Even when he is a bad one.” She grinned, but he looked at her seriously.
“Then why haven’t you told that schnook?” Jack asked. “Because we both know he’d be a better one than I am.” Sarah put her hand to her mouth. “Darlin’ tell him. I don’t think he’s gonna care.”
“But she’s sixteen months old,” Sarah said.
“Better late than never.”
}o{
The next day, Langley
“Sarah, what can I do for you?” Graham asked, knowing what was coming.
“I can’t pass the red test,” Sarah said. “Too much has changed in my life.”
“I know,” Graham said. “And I know why you stayed on. I should have done away with our deal then.”
“So, what do we do?” Sarah asked, terrified.
“Stay away from Bartowski for the next four years and your father’s record is expunged.” Sarah’s eyes bugged out of her head. “There’s still some heat on him,” Graham said. “Stay away for four years, your father stays out of prison.” Sarah nodded. “We’ll finish all the paperwork tomorrow.” Sarah got up and left. Graham picked up his phone.
“Orion, I’ve gotten what you wanted, but this is sick,” Graham said. “You are purposely breaking up another family. Why don’t you give them a chance instead of projecting your problems onto them? Fine! Just get me my damn Intersect!”
}o{
A few weeks later, Simi Valley, Christmas
“Look at you, holding your girl,” Emma said to Sarah. “Sarah, your dad wouldn’t want this.” Sarah had tears in her eyes.
“Look, in four years I’ll go see him and explain all of it,” she said. “Then we’ll see.”
“Sarah,” her mom began. Sarah shook her head.
“There’s no chance of an us,” she said softly. “I’ve already messed it up too bad.”
“Is he seeing anyone?” Emma asked. Sarah shook her head. “How do you know?” Sarah wouldn’t look at her, as she looked away sheepishly. “Have you wondered why?” Sarah didn’t want to, but she grinned.
“He’s very into his career right now,” Sarah answered.
“Didn’t you say he worked at the Buy More for $11 an hour?” Emma asked.
“He’s working on other stuff,” Sarah said. Emma shook her head.
“Dada,” Molly said, pointing at the picture of Sarah and Chuck from that weekend.
“He is,” Sarah said. “One day, baby, one day.”
}o{
Four months later, Echo Park
She slowly opened the Morgan door. She had done this a half a dozen times the last six months. She should just tell him, and damn the consequences. She walked quietly right beside him.
“Jenny,” he mumbled, a grin on his face. She felt things move in her. She softly stroked his hair, leaned down, and kissed his head.
“I love you, Chuck. Nothing’s changed,” she said softly and went to the window. “I’ll be back in a few weeks,” and with that she left.
}o{
Three months later
“And you’re telling me the CIA is telling them if my granddaughter doesn’t meet her father, I keep the deal?” Jack asked. Emma nodded. “Screw that.”
“Gwanpa,” Molly said.
“Do you want to see Dada?” Jack asked Molly.
“See Dada!” Molly yelled, and clapped.
“Jack, are you sure?” Jack reached over and put his hand on Emma’s.
“Emma, I’ve screwed this family up enough, isn’t it time I make things right?” Emma smiled at him.
“You were always a schnook, but you’re my schnook,” Emma said. “And I think I have just the idea.”
}o{
This morning
“Ray, Emma Truffaut here. Yes, I know you’re coming in, but my IT guy was looking at it, and he says it’s a big deal. We’re on a time crunch, and I was told about a Chuck Bartowski that is supposed to be the best, do you think there is any way you could get him? Really. Of course I need that for the building. Absolutely we can purchase that. Thanks. Oh, and Ray, don’t let Chuck know we asked for him. Thanks.” Emma smiled as she hung up and looked at Molly.
“It’s time we straighten this mess out, sweetie.”
A/N: Still mad at Sarah? Until next time.
DC