A/N: Serious AU. Take everything you think you know from the show and throw it out the window. This was supposed to be a single parent fic, but it's turned into something else. In fact, I don't even know if you can call it a single parent fic. I hope I can do this justice.
This fic was originally going to be called Godparents, but between writing this first AN and completing Ch 4, it became clear what I thought I was going to write was not going to happen. Chuck and Sarah refused to let it, and frankly, I think this is better.
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck
Chuck stood in the empty building, looking around. It was his, and he really wasn't sure what to think about that. He had created a revolutionary security program while at Stanford, a program the CIA had paid millions for. And now here he was, six months out of college, and he was the CEO of Barsoft. He shook his head, still in shock and disbelief.
"Buddddddy!" Bryce said, opening the door and walking in, a smile on his face. The two embraced. Somewhere at Stanford – probably when Bryce had come to him about the CIA's plans to recruit Chuck, and Bryce had helped Chuck show the CIA how Chuck was more beneficial as a civilian contractor – they had become like brothers. "This is amazing, your dream come true!"
"Mine?" Chuck asked, his hand on Bryce's shoulder. The two looked at the empty building, smiles on their faces, envisioning how it would look one day. "This is our dream, Bryce."
"Yeah, but we're missing someone," Bryce began.
"Did I feel someone talking about me?" Morgan said, walking in, holding a bag of sizzling shrimp. He laid the bag down on the only desk in the place, near the front door. Turning, he found himself lifted by Bryce in a hug, and spun around. "Easy Bryce, don't let Chuck's and my life-partner thing fool you."
Bryce laughed as he put the smaller man down. "You don't get it, I'm here, I'm stationed here. I have a base of operations and a cover job."
"Must be hell to go on those James Bond-like missions and get all those Bond girls," Morgan said, grinning.
"I wish, buddy," Bryce said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Those women… first, seduction isn't sex; second, most of them aren't that attractive, and third; well… would you want to sleep with someone evil?"
"So, you're not into bad girls?" Morgan asked.
"Morgs, there's a difference between a bad girl and people that are lacking a soul," Bryce pointed out.
"So, there's no one you've met?" Morgan asked. Bryce looked away, a grin on his face. "Ahhhh, ya dog," he said, shoulder bumping him. "It's your partner, isn't it?"
"Who, Sarah?" Bryce asked. He shook his head. "No… I mean, she's hot as hell, but feelings, for her? Just, no."
"But there is someone?" Chuck asked, grinning. Bryce smirked, and looked away again. "Have you fallen for one of those soul-less women you mentioned?"
"No," Bryce said, his demeanor changing. He wasn't mad, but he was serious. "She's not like that… her dad, though… her dad is a pretty bad guy. I wish you could meet her, though. She's… amazing."
"What's her name?" Morgan asked.
"Can't say, buddy," Bryce said. "With her father part of a crime family, and him wanting her to take over… it's a bad situation. Millions… maybe billions of dollars, that could destroy a crime syndicate if we play this right."
"Bryce," Chuck began, studying his friend.
"Don't start, Chuck," Bryce said, a sad smile on his face. "Some of us don't get that perfect ending with who we want."
"Why not?" Chuck asked. "I get that right now, things are bleak. But you know what Ellie says: 'You can't go far enough for love.'"
"So the question is, Mr. Larkin," Morgan said, continuing Chuck's line of thought. "Do you love her?"
Bryce stood there, unable to answer, but the tears in his eyes gave his answer away.
}o{
6 months later
"Your coffee, dear," Bryce said, handing Sarah a cup of coffee as he sat down across from her. He held his own cup in his hand.
"Thank you, dear," Sarah replied, smirking at Bryce. "Anyone come in?" she asked in a low voice. They were sitting in a coffee shop, Sarah watching their target. Bryce watched the entrance.
"We're good," Bryce replied. His phone went off with a notification of a text, and he ignored it.
"Is it your demanding boss?" Sarah asked, chuckling, taking a sip of coffee.
"Who, Chuck?" Bryce asked. Sarah nodded. "No, I mean, I don't think it's him. Regardless, he's not demanding, and you know it."
"He can't be as good a guy as you make him out to be," Sarah insisted.
"I'm telling you, he's better than what I've made him out to be," Bryce said, grinning over the coffee. "Last week, Nedra, the accountant in sales… he found out she was having car trouble, found her a new car at one of those auctions, and bought it for her. Told her it was hers as a thank you for all the hard work she put in."
"And weren't others jealous?" Sarah asked. "Didn't that hurt morale?"
"Nedra is a single mom, having to pay for her mom's operation," Bryce began.
"You did a background check on her," she accused. Bryce looked away, a smirk on his face. He turned back to her, but the smirk fell. "Possible incoming." The man in question walked past Sarah.
"Got him," she said softly. He walked past the table, no drop-off, and went to the counter. Bryce saw her relax. "You know, today is Valentines Day. You should answer her text."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Bryce replied.
"Bryce, come on… even I can see you're in love, and it's okay," Sarah insisted. "Maybe you're not made for this life."
"And you are?" Bryce asked. Sarah looked away. "Come on, we both know you want more."
"Maybe a long time ago," Sarah said shrugging, not looking at Bryce. "Maybe I missed my chance."
"You should go out with him," Bryce said. Sarah's mouth dropped as she turned to look at him. "What? Date someone nice, that knows who you are, and what you do?"
"He's too good for me," Sarah replied with a shrug.
"First, you didn't say no," Bryce pointed out. Sarah twisted her lips, and glanced away. Bryce chuckled. "And second, that's why I can't date Vivian."
"No, you can't date Vivian because you're scared," Sarah said. "And not of her father, or the crime family, or any of that. It's because you and I both know you two would grow old together, and make beautiful babies."
"They would be pretty," Bryce admitted, making her laugh. "But wouldn't that put a target on her back, if something did happen with us? What am I supposed to do, live in Russia, knowing that her father is constantly watching us?" His phone went off again.
"I think I'm the wrong woman to be having this conversation with," Sarah replied. Bryce didn't say anything. "You know I'm right."
"You're always right," he groused. "But, maybe this time I'm also right… about him?"
"Nah," Sarah replied with a grin.
}o{
6 months later
"Mr. Bartowski," said a blond woman in glasses, sticking her head in the office.
"Come in, we're not that formal around here," he said, typing away at his computer. He spun his chair to face her, and stood as she entered. His jaw tried to drop, but he managed to stop it. "Oh! Hello… Miss Walker… it is 'Miss', isn't it?"
"It is," she replied, a smirk on her face. She thought she was dressed down, but Bryce kept telling her that Chuck would blow his top seeing her in what Bryce referred to as her 'sexy librarian' outfit. Sarah insisted there was nothing sexy about it, but Chuck's eyes glazed over, and he seemed to force himself not to look at her body. Instead, he held her gaze. "Sorry I haven't stopped by lately."
"Oh… well, that's why you're the head of quality control, so you can go and do those quality control… things… that you do… in other places… ahem… is Bryce with you?"
Sarah took off the glasses, and pulled her hair out of the bun, shaking it. She kept her face neutral, but inside she was smirking. He looked as though he was about to faint. "I haven't seen Mr. Larkin in three days," she admitted.
Chuck's face grew worried, and then a smile crossed his lips. "Russia," they said at the same time.
"Please, have a seat," he said, offering her a chair. She did, and was shocked when he came around to sit in the one beside her. "That feels… too formal." His eyes widened. "Because we're talking about our friend, Bryce, and…"
"Don't try to fish for her name from me," Sarah replied, enjoying herself immensely. "He said if he didn't say, it would keep her safe."
"She is real, right?" Chuck asked, making Sarah snort. She noticed he looked a little proud of himself. "You know, if you ever want to slow down, I'm sure we can find another title for you to go with your director of quality control, or whatever we're calling you."
"Who says I haven't slowed down, and spent the past few days at some beach, ogling men in speedos?"
Chuck grinned at her. "Well, that would be a neat trick, since the logs of your apartment show you went in two days ago and only left today." He reached over and grabbed a folder. "This time of your door opening seems like the time it takes to deliver food." She stared at him. "That is by Graham's orders," he said, his hands in the air, in a defensive position. "He said, and I quote, 'When Walker gets done with a mission and doesn't go right back into the field, she holes up.'"
"I do," she said, the joy out of her face.
"Well, how about next time, you let me take you and show you beautiful Burbank? It's not a date," he added quickly. "Bryce worries about you, and you take care of him, so I was hoping I could help you… well… deal, with everything you have to deal with."
"What if I want it to be a date?" she said giving him a look, and grinning.
"Well," he replied with his own grin, and then he sobered up. "Why do I think you think it's easier to go out on a date, than go out and talk with a friend?"
She sat there silently for a moment. "So, you don't look good in a speedo?" she replied, glancing at him, smirking.
"Gurrrl… no," he said, shaking his head, as she laughed out loud. "No, I look terrible. I'm not saying no to a date, just so we're clear; I'm just saying that I'm a good listener, if you want to talk. And I am aware of your situation, and am cleared to listen to some of the stuff you might need to talk about."
"You're sweet," she said, smiling at him. "And please, take that in its best possible meaning. You don't find many men that are sweet anymore, that care."
The door opened. "My two favorite people!" Bryce said, a smile on his face.
"Someone got laid," Sarah said to Chuck.
"Are we sure she's real?" Chuck asked, making Sarah laugh out loud again.
}o{
The next day, Chuck watched as Sarah showed Vivian MacArthur around the office. Sarah grinned at Chuck, and continued talking to Vivian, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh, so you're hot for your boss," Vivian said, with a grin on her face.
"Listen, it's not like that," Sarah replied, but a bit of a blush showed on her face. "He's a good guy, a really good guy, and I do… some really bad things."
"So, you're not worthy of him?" Vivian asked, making Sarah look away. "Let me ask you this: Doesn't Bryce do the same things you do?"
"Bryce had a stable family life, a life before the CIA. My life before the CIA… while there was no murder, there were… things… a lot of things," Sarah replied, shrugging. "Chuck's too good for someone like me. Besides, what am I going to do? Quit spying, have kids, and join the PTA, all because curls over there has cute animal shapes in his hair?"
"I did think you might date him a little first," Vivian said with a smirk, and a shrug. "I think someone told Bryce that he ought to have conversations with the girl he was falling for."
"I don't think those exact words were used," Sarah replied. "But…" She glanced over to Chuck's office. "Maybe one day." She looked back at Vivian, who was giving her a look. "I kinda tried to ask him out, and he said maybe I needed a friend more."
"You do," Vivian said with a shrug. "I get the feeling being a friend with Chuck Bartowski is a lot better for you as a whole. Someone who could make you see how special you are."
"I thought you and Bryce were together. You hitting on me?" Sarah asked, laughing. Vivian gave her a shove. "I mean… it wouldn't be the worst thing," she admitted.
"Did Chuck say he wouldn't go out with you?" Vivian asked. Sarah looked away, trying to hide the smile. "Ahhh ha. You like him."
"God, Vivian, it doesn't matter if I do or not," Sarah replied. "He's a settle-down-for-the-future kind of guy, and my business…" she trailed off, realizing who she was talking to, and who her boyfriend was.
"The future can be tomorrow," Vivian replied. "We both live dangerous lives, so…" Vivian looked around, reached into her shirt, and pulled out a necklace. There was a diamond ring hanging there.
"Oh my God!" Sarah said, trying to keep her voice down. "You're getting married!?" Vivian nodded, as Sarah crushed her with a hug. "Wait," Sarah said, pulling away. "You've got to tell Chuck. Tonight. You have to tell him tonight."
"Do you have a…?" Vivian trailed off, grinning.
"This is so much more important," Sarah insisted
"I don't think it is, but…" Vivian began.
"No, he needs to know," Sarah said. "You're marrying his best friend, he needs to know."
"Okay," Vivian said. "But think about what I said."
"I will," Sarah replied. She looked back to Chuck's office. "I will."
}o{
They sat at a nearby bar, in a booth in the back. Chuck and Sarah were on one side, to let the couple be together, although Chuck didn't know it at the time. Bryce told Chuck that Vivian was the woman he was in love with, and had asked to marry him.
"That's great!" Chuck replied. He turned to Sarah. "I told you she was real."
"Uh, no, you asked if she was real. I knew she was, because she's my best friend," Sarah replied.
"Good," Chuck said, nodding his head. "Because that's what you need."
She stared at him for a second, and shook her head. She grabbed her bottle of beer and took a swig that finished it, and decided what the hell. She turned back to him. "Okay, funny guy, but this is not the date you owe me."
Chuck's mouth dropped, and Bryce burst out laughing at the two of them. Vivian winked at Sarah. "Guess I've been told," Chuck replied. "We need more drinks," he said to Bryce, trying not to blush. Sarah was laughing at him, enjoying tormenting the guy. Another round was served, and that was when Sarah noticed Vivian was not drinking.
"Tell me that's not why you're getting married," Sarah said, making Chuck and Bryce stop, mid-drink.
"Told you she would figure it out," Bryce said, grinning.
"Uh, what am I missing?" Chuck asked.
"She's pregnant," Sarah told him. "They're getting married because she's pregnant. You have to tell them not to."
"How many have you had?" Chuck asked. She gave him a look. "Fine, don't tell me, but again, their choice. Our two, very intelligent friends, wouldn't make a problem worse, exponentially…" Chuck continued.
"That's a very big word," Sarah told him.
"That's what she said," Bryce cut in. Sarah laughed, and Vivian shook her head.
"…By getting married, just because they're having a baby," Chuck finished, ignoring all of the remarks.
"We're getting married because we love each other," Vivian told Sarah.
"It's a con, you know," Sarah said, looking at Bryce and Vivian. "It's the biggest con of all."
"Who hurt you?" Bryce asked.
Chuck placed his hand over hers, and she turned to him, her eyes a little unfocused. Damn it, she was drunk, and he was cute.
"Sarah, it's obvious, you've had some bad dealings with love in the past."
"You could say that," she said, watching Chuck.
"Do you think Bryce or Vivian would lie to you?" Chuck asked her. She looked over at Vivian and Bryce. She looked back at Chuck, and shook her head.
"I love him, Sarah," Vivian said. "I'm marrying him because I love him."
"I love her, Sarah," Bryce said. "But there's more. I'm just not sure you're gonna remember it in the morning."
"I'll remember," she told them. She turned to Chuck. "If I don't, will you remind me?"
"I will," Chuck replied, grinning at her.
"We want you two to be the Godparents to our baby. You know, if something should go wrong," Bryce said.
"You want… us?" Sarah asked, pointing from her to Chuck. "You want us to raise your kid? But we aren't together." She turned to Chuck. "I mean, no offense, but we're not."
"I'm aware," Chuck replied. "I'd be honored, but I really think you should ask her in the morning, when she's functioning."
"You're right," Vivian said. "However, I have to get home. I have to find a job in the morning-"
"You're hired," Chuck cut in.
"Chuck, you can't just-"
"You're. Hired." Chuck insisted. "Listen I need help from someone that can help me cover up what these two are doing. This isn't charity."
"You swear?" she asked.
Chuck held up three fingers. "Scout's honor," he promised.
"I don't think that's how that works," Bryce said, sliding out of the booth with Vivian. "Can you get her home?"
"I can get myself home, thankyouverymuch," Sarah said, glaring at Bryce.
"Yeah, but you might run over a few people, and when you sober up, you'd feel really bad about it," Chuck said. Sarah sighed, reached into her bag, and handed Chuck her keys. He turned to Bryce. "I got her."
"Or maybe I got you," she said, waggling her eyebrows.
"Oh boy!" Chuck said. Vivian and Bryce laughed as they left.
}o{
Chuck pulled her car into her assigned parking spot, and came around to help Sarah out. He found her already out of the car. If you didn't know what to look for, you'd have no idea Sarah Walker was drunk. "Walk me to my door?" she asked with a grin.
"Absolutely," he replied, coming beside her and offering his arm.
"How gallant," she said, looping her arm through his as they started toward her door.
"Where'd you go to college, Sarah?" Chuck asked. She gave him a look. "Come on, you are smart as a whip, and I know the CIA; they like their agents to be able to think on their feet."
"Nothing as nice as Stanford," she began.
"Well, there's nothing wrong with other schools," Chuck replied.
"Yeah, some of us go to the Harvard of the West, and some of us go to Harvard," she replied with a shrug. Chuck stopped walking, making her giggle as he turned slowly toward her. "What, too smart for you?"
"I mean, you combine that with beautiful, badass, a loyalty to your friends like I've never seen, and that's just what I've noticed in the few times you've graced me with your presence," Chuck began.
She studied him a minute, and then shoved him against the wall, her lips capturing his. She slipped an arm around his neck, and wrapped one of her legs over his. He moaned into her mouth as her tongue invaded his mouth. His hands found her back and pulled her even closer. Her mouth left his and went for an earlobe.
"How about you come upstairs?" she breathed. He stopped, and pulled away. She saw conflict in his eyes, and for a second, she swore she saw pain.
"God, I hate me," he began.
"Do not tell me you're married."
"Oh, God, no!"
"Girlfriend?"
"No, Sarah, no. Nothing like that, it's just…" He dropped his head backwards, and it hit the wall, the thud reminding him of what he had said earlier that day. He looked down into her eyes. "First, this is not a no."
"Feels like one, and buster, I don't do well with 'no'," she warned.
"God that's ridiculously hot," he muttered, making her giggle. He grinned at her. "What kind of guy would I be, after everything I said, to take you upstairs in your condition-"
"You have yet to see my condition," she cut in.
"I really need you not to do that… I am only flesh and blood, after all, and it's taking all of my willpower to ask you for a rain-check."
"A rain-check?" she replied, surprise in her voice.
"Sarah, you are drunk," he began. He held up a finger before she could disagree, surprising them both. She grinned at him, and nodded for him to continue. "Listen, I wanted to take you out, have a good time-"
"I promise if you come upstairs, we will have a good time," Sarah said placing a light kiss on his lips.
Chuck emitted a low growling noise, making her smirk. "Sarah, please… not like this."
She shook her head. "Damn, I didn't know you really existed."
"Who, a damn idiot?" Chuck asked. "I really hate me right now, for the record."
"I really like you right now, for the record," Sarah replied. "Here's the thing, Chuck: I could be gone on a mission tomorrow for weeks, months."
"I know, I know," Chuck replied, nodding.
"There could be no chance to redeem that rain-check," she continued.
"I am welllllll aware," Chuck said, sighing heavily. "But you deserve to be treated the right way."
"Even if I wasn't drunk, you wouldn't tonight, would you? Not that I'm admitting I'm drunk."
"No, Sarah," Chuck said, shaking his head. "I wouldn't."
"You're too good. You deserve better than me," she began.
"How about you let me decide who and what I deserve, hmmm?" Chuck asked. "So, can I take you out on that date?"
"Oh, you can, and buster… you better be prepared to redeem that rain-check." With that, she boop-ed him on the nose. She turned, opened her apartment door, stepped inside, and turned back to him. She crooked a finger at him, and he walked up to her. She pulled him down into a brain-searing kiss. When she pulled away almost a minute later, her eyes were locked on his. "You sure?"
"No," he croaked. "But…"
"You're a good guy, Chuck Bartowski," she said. "I really hope I don't have a mission any time soon. Goodnight." With that, she shut the door.
Chuck stood there, sighing deeply. "My luck, she'll fly out tomorrow."
And that's exactly what she did.
A/N: We're just getting started. Hope you like it. Reviews are appreciated.