Chapter 21
A/N: Guys, what started out as a simple idea turned into something…well, just read it. I apologize. If you wanted something serious, today’s chapter, it isn’t for you. If you want some hilarity, I think I did it pretty well. I hope you enjoy chapter 20 Daddy Issues
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and I’m not a hell of a dancer
“What am I doing here?” Bryce asked, perturbed. It was the Monday after Mother’s Day, and for now, Beckman had stationed Bryce at Carmichael Industries.
“Protecting your cover,” Chuck said, grinning, enjoying this a little more than he probably should.
“How?” Bryce wondered, finding himself in a room with Skip, Monoosh, Morgan, Chuck, and himself.
“I’ll tell you, Mr. Anderson,” Chuck said, enjoying the look on Bryce’s face. “You and your wife, Jill Anderson have just been hired by Carmichael Industries. She, a leader in biohazards will help us make companies safe with protocols and operating procedures of how to deal with possible bio risks, and help us to design early detection devices.”
“And me?” Bryce asked, ready to crawl under the table.
“You’re a nerd,” Chuck said, the grin covering his complete face. “You’re going to help us with our newest game, C.A.T.S. Combat Advanced Tactical Squad.” Bryce made a face.
“You are not seriously going to make that game?” he asked. The grin was gone, and Chuck’s smile was genuine.
“Not only am I, but Sarah and Zondra insisted on it, after we talked with Beckman,” Chuck replied. He turned to Manoosh and Skip. “You two got this, right? Get to work on the game and we’ll go from there.” They nodded, and left. Chuck turned back to Bryce. “Now we three need to talk.”
“We three?” Bryce asked looking at Morgan.
“Well, two of us are with the women of our dreams in here, and one is not,” Morgan said. Bryce looked at him and dropped his head. “You want a relationship with Jill, and we have decided to help you.”
“I don’t know how to have a relationship with anyone,” Bryce admitted.
“We are aware, buddy,” Chuck replied. “You’ve always had feeling for her?” Bryce nodded.
“I tried to push her off on you, thinking it would help,” Bryce said softly, not making eye contact. “It didn’t.” He looked up at Chuck. “We’re going to be cover married and living together?”
“Yep,” Chuck replied, just watching Bryce. Bryce struggled for a minute, and then finally looked up at the two.
“Help me Chuck-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda Morgan, you’re my only hope,” Bryce said, grinning.
“I thought I would be Yoda,” Chuck said.
“I’m more likely to make strange grunting noise and talk nonsensically,” Morgan offered. Chuck could only nod. “What is your goal, Bryce?”
“I want something real,” he said.
“Then knock off the seduction crap,” Chuck said. “Look, you had a revolving door at Stanford, and that’s what you wanted then, according to what you told me, but if you want Jill, in a real relationship, then you need to put her first. Find out things about her, find out if you really want a relationship with her, or if you just want a relationship and thought she was the right one.” Bryce nodded.
“Okay, but what about living with her?” Bryce asked. Chuck leaned back and grinned.
“Bryce, you be a perfect gentleman, put her first in everything,” Chuck replied. “If there’s something there, it will work itself out. Pop quiz, you two have a few too many, and she tells you she wants you right then, and there, what do you do?” Bryce started to answer, and then stopped.
“I say no, because she’s not in control, and I want anything we have to be special and memorable,” Bryce replied. “I respect her.”
“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Chuck asked. Bryce shook his head.
“No, it’s not, because I do care about her, or at least I did, or thought I did,” Bryce answered. Morgan and Chuck shared a look.
“Did he just spiral?” Chuck asked. Morgan put out his thumb and forefinger together, close.
“Just a skosh, just a skoch,” Morgan answered.
}o{
Sarah was in her office thinking about taking her husband out for lunch when her phone went off. In town, lunch? Sarah groaned. She picked up the office phone and made a call.
“Chuck, I need to take care of something at lunch, I could be gone for a bit. No, I need to do this by myself. Love you.” She pulled the cell out and text back 30 minutes? The text came back OK.
}o{
Chuck hung up the phone and Bryce just looked at him.
“That was rather a weird phone call,” Bryce said. Chuck sighed.
“She’s not a spy anymore, Bryce. She has a personal life,” Chuck answered.
“So you have secrets from her?” Bryce asked. Chuck’s eyes got big.
“NO! And for the love of God never let her think I do, because then she wears the thing….the really sexy thing…. and we can’t …. JUST DON’T!” Chuck yelled. Morgan put his hand on Chuck’s shoulder.
“I think was Chuck is trying to say is they both trust each other,” Morgan said. “Why don’t you go by your cover wife some flowers?”“Okay, but just be careful, Chuck,” Bryce said. Chuck nodded and Bryce left.
}o{
Bryce found the flower stand Chuck had told him about. He was looking at all the different flowers when he noticed a reflection behind him. He turned and couldn’t believe his eyes. There was Sarah at lunch with a man…a much, much, much older gentleman…well, gentleman was questionable, and she was acting like she knew him. As Bryce was watching, the older gentleman said something, and Sarah laughed and touched his arm, very familiar. He stood, as did she, and hugged him. It wasn’t a client, it was something more. Bryce hated himself. His friend was going to be crushed, but what could he do about it. What should he do about it? He got his phone out, and pulled up the camera. He zoomed in to take a picture and it happened. Bryce flashed. The man’s name was Jack Burton and he was a con artist.
}o{
Morgan was sitting at his office when his cell phone went off. I need you to meet me at a secure location, urgent DON’T TELL CHUCK! Morgan stared at the phone, shrugged and typed Lou’s? A minute later he got a thumbs up emoji. Morgan got up and told Alex he had to meet Bryce, but not to tell Chuck about it. If Chuck asked, Morgan told Alex to tell Chuck he was craving the Chuck sandwich, but it was too embarrassing to invite him along. Alex asked if she could go with him, and Morgan text Bryce to see if it was okay. A minute later, he got back the thumbs up emoji. The two headed out to lunch, and got to Lou’s. They saw Bryce in the back, and went and sat with him.
“Okay, Bryce, what’s wrong?” Morgan asked. Bryce pulled his phone out, and showed Morgan the picture.
“This!” Bryce said. Morgan looked at it, and looked at Alex. Lou came over and looked at the picture.
“Who is that?” Lou asked.
“Jack Burton, a real bad guy, a con man,” Bryce answered. “I think Sarah’s fallen for him.” Lou looked at Morgan. Morgan shook his head.
“No, no, no, no, no, no,” Morgan said. “No, she passed. She passed the test. She can’t be cheating on Chuck.”
“This doesn’t mean anything,” Alex said.
“She told Chuck she had to meet him by herself,” Bryce said. Alex and Lou gave Bryce a look.
“He’s right,” Morgan said, with a sick look on his face. Alex and Lou shared a look.
“It could be her father,” Alex offered.
“I mean he is a very handsome fellow,” Lou replied. Everyone looked at her. She shrugged. “What, he’s a good looking guy, older, but good looking.”
“We need to talk to Chuck,” Bryce said. Morgan nodded.
“Let me lead,” Morgan said. He took a deep breath. “How I hope we’re wrong,” he said with a catch in his voice.
}o{
“For the last time, my wife is not cheating on me,” Chuck said.
“Dude, she met a guy-” Morgan began. Chuck cut him off.
“Morgan, she had no one for years, then she meets me, and now she’s going to have an affair?” Chuck said. Morgan turned to Bryce.
“He’s got a point,” Morgan said.
“Chuck, he’s a con man,” Bryce insisted.
“I get it, buddy, I do, but Sarah Wa-Bartowski is not going to be conned into some whatever it is you’re thinking,” Chuck answered. He held up his hand, walked over, punched a button on his office phone, activating the speakerphone.
“Hello, Mr. Bartowski,” Sarah’s voice came over the line.
“Dear, you’re on speakerphone,” Chuck said smiling.
“Thank you for the warning,” Sarah replied giggling.
“I need your help,” Chuck replied.
“Anything,” Sarah said.
“I need you to answer with a yes or no, truthfully,” Chuck said.
“Okay,” Sarah said, wondering where this was going.
“Are you having an affair?” Chuck asked.
“What? NAEIOU!” Sarah answered. Chuck turned to the two, and shooed them off, he picked up the receiver.
“Thank you,” he said. “Bryce is worried about me, I think he’s nervous about Jill and he’s just projecting.”
“Do I need to have a talk with him?” Sarah asked. Chuck chuckled.
“No,” he replied.
“Chuck, there is something I’m going to need to talk to you about,” Sarah began.
“Is it the meeting you had today?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said, sighing. “It’s complicated.”
“Whenever you’re ready,” he answered.
“It’s not that I care to tell you, it’s just…”“Sarah, I get it, and I trust you,” Chuck answered.
“Wait, is this what Bryce is going on about?” she asked.
“Yes, he heard the phone call earlier,” Chuck replied.
“Fine, I’ll tell you,” she began.
“No, you’re not,” Chuck replied. “Not until you’re ready, can, or whatever. It will do Bryce some good to see how a real relationship works.
}o{
The next day, Sarah left at lunch again to meet with her father. Four different cars took turns tailing her when she left the office.
“Cobra, you’re up,” Bryce said. After a while, Morgan peeled off.
“Sandwich artist, you’re up,” Morgan said. After a while, she hit her mike.
“Little grunt, the show’s all yours,” Lou said.
“Why am I little grunt?” Alex asked.
“In case we involve Casey,” Morgan answered. After a bit, she pulled off, and let Bryce finish the tail.
“Bond, it’s all you,” Alex said. If Sarah had paid any attention, she’d of caught what was going on, but she was thinking about many different things. She parked at the luxury hotel, and started upstairs. Outside, those tailing her scurried into the van.
“She’s meeting him at a hotel!” Bryce said, when they all got into the van.
“It doesn’t mean anything,” Morgan said. “Many meetings take place in a hotel.” Bryce just looked at him. Alex took his hand and gave him a look. His head dropped, and then it sprung up. “I just remembered, when I interviewed Sarah, she said her dad was a con man!” Bryce closed his eyes.
“It’s worse than I thought,” Bryce said. “She was creating a cover.” Morgan stared at him. “She’s going to pass him off as her dad. Morgan, do you truly believe Harvard educated Sarah Walker is a con artist?” Morgan slumped.
Inside the hotel, Jack Burton was explaining the spot he was in, and it wasn’t pretty. He was two million in the hole to some rich oil men.
“Dad, give them the money back,” Sarah said. Jack just looked at her.
“Darlin’, that money is long gone,” Jack admitted. Sarah slumped.
“I can get maybe half of it, can you get the rest?” Sarah asked.
“Not without a con, and we’ve got a week, tops,” Jack said.
“Dad, I’ve got a family. I’m married, and have two girls,” Sarah told him, tears streaming down her eyes. Jack smiled.
“That’s great, darlin’,” he said. “I never figured you for that life, but if you’re happy…you are happy right?”
“I was until I found out my father owes two mil!” she replied. Jack dropped his head.
“I’ll have to talk to Chuck,” she began.
“No, no way, darlin’,” Jack said. “Keep them out of this.” He walked over and took her hands. “It’s time you started worrying about yours.” Sarah cried again, and hugged her father.
“Can you at least meet them?” she asked.
“I’ll think about it,” he said. She stood and looked in the mirror. “Take a shower, and clean up,” he said. “You don’t want to go back looking like that.” Sarah nodded. She was shot, and thought the shower would make her feel better. She took one, and when she left she realized she had been there nearly two hours.
As she walked by the van, with Bryce taking pictures, he realized something was different about her. He flicked back to when she walked in, and pulled up a current picture.
“Guy, she’s showered,” Bryce said, showing the other three the picture. Morgan sank.
“It’s time for the big guns,” Alex said. Morgan nodded.
“Casey,” they all agreed.
}o{
At the office, Sarah walked into Chuck’s office, and shut the door behind her.
“Well,” he said, grinning. “What did I do to have the pleasure?” Sarah gave a halfhearted smile, and came and sat in his lap. As soon as she put her head in the crook of his shoulder, she started crying. “Sarah?”
“My dad,” she said softly, trying to control the tears. She told Chuck the entire story. They sat there quietly after she had finished.
“Let me help,” he said. Sarah shook her head.
“He won’t take the help, plus what can we really do?” she asked. “No, this is all I need. Well, that, and don’t let anyone know he’s here. No one else knows anything about him.”
“I won’t say a word, even if I get kidnapped and tortured,” Chuck promised. Sarah pulled away and gave him a look. “You can try every seduction move you know and I won’t tell you anything.”
“You wouldn’t last five minutes,” she said, grinning.
“Challenge accepted,” Chuck said. Sarah burst out laughing, and hugged him.
“This, this is what I needed,” she said.
“Have dinner with him, try to get him to at least see his family,” Chuck said. Sarah nodded. “Molly’s staying with Alex and Morgan later, and Emma has Clara, so it works.”
“You’ll be all alone,” Sarah said. Chuck shrugged.
“Guess I’ll be forced to play video games,” he said.
“And, prepare to withstand my seduction technique,” Sarah said. Chuck grinned.
“If I don’t?” he asked.
“We’ll just have to keep trying until you do,” she replied. Chuck’s grin nearly broke his face.
While this conversation was going on, Bryce, Morgan, and Lou found Casey while Alex went to get Molly. They finally cornered him downstairs in the armory.
“Casey, we need help,” Morgan said. He explained the whole thing, while Bryce showed him pictures.
“Oh, hell,” Casey muttered when Morgan was done. “I never thought Walker would do this to the kid. It’s a shame Carina and Zondra are off to Vegas.”
“Wait, Zondra is in Vegas?” Bryce asked.
“Uh, so is Jill,” Morgan said. Bryce looked at Morgan in shock.
“How did I miss this?” he asked.
“Paying attention to the important stuff,” Morgan answered. During all of this Molly showed up at Carmichael. She went into Sarah’s office and found her getting ready for dinner.
“You look pretty,” Molly said to Sarah.
“Thank you, sweetie,” Sarah said.
“Are you going out with Daddy?” she asked.
“No, not tonight,” she said. “I need to see someone else.” Molly didn’t look happy.
“You’re only supposed to go out with Daddy,” she said. Sarah turned to her daughter and smiled.
“We’ll talk later, I have to get going,” she said, gave Molly a kiss on the head, and left. Molly walked out of Sarah’s office down to where Alex was.
“Where is my Mommy going?” she asked Alex. Alex gulped, and did the smart thing, she took her downstairs to Casey. She was not aware of the meeting taking place.
“Her car is on the move, she’s going to go meet this guy,” Bryce said, getting a notification on his phone.
“Where is my Mommy going?” Molly asked, hands on hips. Everyone turned toward her.
“Chuck me,” Casey muttered. Bryce showed Molly a picture of Jack.
“Do you know this man?” Bryce asked. Molly shook her head and gave Bryce a glare. “This isn’t good,” Bryce said.
“Why isn’t Mommy going out with Daddy?” Molly asked. Everyone turned to Casey.
“We’re going to get your Daddy and take him to your Mommy, but it’s going to be a surprise.” Bryce smiled.
“Come on, Casey, you’re always up for a good sneak attack,” Bryce said. A few minutes later, Chuck was shutting down his computer, standing up, and getting ready to leave, when he saw Casey standing in his doorway.
“What’s up, Casey?” Chuck asked. Casey pulled a gun and grunted.
“Sorry, Bartowski…for everything,” and fired. Chuck looked down at the dart.
“S’wasn’t nice,” he slurred as he hit the ground. The group loaded him into the van and followed the tracking device. As Chuck lay there and began to come around, he heard arguing.
“They’re at a fancy restaurant,” Bryce said. “What else do you need?”
“I’m telling you there is nothing going on, she wouldn’t do that,” Morgan insisted.
“Mommy isn’t with Daddy,” Molly insisted.
“Molly?” Chuck asked, groggy. He looked up, and she was furious and near tears. “What’s going on, Pumpkin?”
“You’re not on a date with Mommy, and I want to know why!” she said. Chuck looked around.
“Sweetie, it’s complicated,” Chuck began.
“Daddy, go in there and get her,” Molly said. Chuck put his hands on her shoulders.
“Molly, your mother loves me, and I love her. I want you to know everything is fine with us,” he said, giving everyone a look.
“Then who is he, Chuck?” Bryce asked.
“Chuck, Bryce is right, I looked him up,” Casey said. Chuck sighed.
“What would make you happy?” Chuck asked.
“Get in there,” Bryce said. “Get in there, and get her back, and wear this,” he said, handing Chuck an earwig. Chuck blew out a breath.
“I would like it known for the record I am really against this,” Chuck said. He took the earwig, placed it in, and exited the van. He walked cautiously, and found a table, where he could see Sarah and her father. He took his menu and pulled it up where he thought Sarah couldn’t see his face.
“What’s going on?” Bryce asked.
“Will you cool it?” Chuck replied. Jack heard Chuck, and noticed no one was with him.
“Don’t look now, but there appears to be another LA nutjob at the table behind us,” Jack said. Sarah grinned, found a reflective surface, and saw who it was.
“Will you excuse me for just a moment?” Sarah said. She got up, and walked back toward Chuck, a grin on her face.
“Yes, I-I’d like the linguini with the clam sauce, please,” Chuck said, trying to stay hidden.
“Animal shapes, drop the menu,” she said with a small smile on her face. Chuck pulled the menu down and started to talk when someone made their feelings known.
“WHY AREN’T YOU ON A DATE WITH DADDY!” Molly bellowed over the earwig. Chuck ripped it out, and was shocked blood wasn’t pouring out of his ear.
“You brought Molly?” Sarah asked.
“I was tranqued and kidnapped,” Chuck countered. Sarah stared at him.
“Casey,” she growled. The van sped away.
}o{
“So let me get this straight, they followed me because the guy recognized my rap sheet about my cons?” Jack asked when they got back to Carmichael Industries.
“Yep,” Chuck answered.
“And you weren’t worried?” Jack asked.
“Nope,” Chuck answered. “She told me after your lunch today, I actually told her she should try and get you to meet your granddaughters.”
“I don’t supposed my rap sheet said I was a hell of a dancer?” he asked. Chuck shook his head.
“It’s no surprise, because Sarah’s a great dancer,” Chuck replied.
“Do you think she’s done yelling at them yet?” Jack asked. Chuck shrugged.
“Since Molly was involved she may not have yelled,” Chuck admitted.
“My little girl, raising someone else’s,” Jack said, amazed. “That’s her mother’s doing.” Chuck gave him a look. “That sounded wrong, I’m impressed. Obviously, it’s not my life.”
“It could be,” Chuck answered. Jack looked at him. “You’d have to give up some stuff, but you know who’s the best at security? Those that know how to beat it,” he said, looking at Jack. Jack thought for a second.
“Doesn’t matter,” Jack answered. “We have a two million dollar problem.”
“That we are going to take care of,” Sarah said, entering the conference room. “Are you okay?” she asked Chuck. Chuck grinned and nodded.
“I might need a little TLC later,” he said, smiling, and then he glanced to his side, and remembered who was sitting there. The smile fell quickly. Jack laughed.
“Don’t mind me, Charlie,” Jack said. “You’re the one married to her.”
“I feel kinda bad I didn’t ask your permission,” Chuck said. Jack looked at him. Then he looked at Sarah.
“This schnook’s for real,” Jack said, amazed. Sarah smiled. “Don’t let him go,” he said to her. He turned back to Chuck. “What did Emma say?”
“She gave me her blessing,” Chuck replied. Jack shrugged.
“There you go,” he said. Jack stood to leave.
“No, you’re staying with me tonight,” Sarah said. “And tomorrow, we figure out a way to help you.” Chuck started to grin. “No, Chuck.” Chuck put his finger on the side of his nose and grinned at Sarah.
“He really is a schnook,” Jack said.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it. I had a good laugh writing it. So the con is soon on, and I’m kinda looking forward to it. See you soon.
DC