A/N 1: So, for those of you that don't know in the last 72 hours my mom was hospitalized and we found out she has cancer. It has since been removed. I tell you all that to say, I wonder if I'm even doing the right thing posting this. I have five chapters completed. I don't know what will happen after that. I don't know when or if I can write or if I'll go nuts and write a ton. So, please know if this fic seems to drag with updates, or any of mine, that's why.

A/N 2: I keep thinking how would this show do if there had been no Intersect? If it had just been Chuck and Sarah doing what they do? I think about how every story I write, one of these two comes from a broken family. I think about a lot of things, and that's why I have 80+ fics if we're honest. *shrugs* If the title to this fic sounds familiar and you have ever watched the BBC Comedy As Time Goes By, it's what Lionel calls the pitch for the TV show based off of his and Gene's tale. No spying. No Intersect…Just Two People.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

"You should wear the glasses," her father said to her, as they pulled up in the parking lot. "It gives you an air of…."

"Superiority?" she offered, raising an eyebrow and grinning. Her father shrugged, a knowing grin on his face. He didn't say anything, but she knew that look. Couldn't hurt, is what it said. "Dad, I don't need an air of superiority. I know my stuff. Also, I don't need glasses; they're fake."

"I know that, and you know that, but sometimes things can be perceived a certain way," Jack began. His voice shifted into the tone he took when he was about to teach her yet another trick of the trade.

"Didn't you once tell me that if you know your stuff well enough… that if you knew your material, that you could wear a blinking Vegas tie and still get your point across?" She gave him a pointed look.

"I did," he conceded, shaking his head with a rueful smile as he got out of the car. He looked over at her, and saw the look on her face. At this point, arguing with a mule would have a better chance of accomplishing something. "Fine, I surrender."

"I don't believe that for a minute," she told him as she shut her door, shooting him a smile. "I do believe you're going to drop it for now, and harass me about it later." The tone she used let him know she was kidding, and Jack did what he did best; he played along.

"Harass?" he asked, mock-offended, as he put his hand to his chest with a, who, me? look.

"Harassed," she replied, giving him a toothy grin. They both turned, and looked at the huge sprawling sea of buildings in front of them. Orion Industries. She was pretty sure the amount of buildings and people might warrant its own zip code. That might be an exaggeration, but not by much. Orion Industries was the tech company of the 2020s.

They made TVs, Blu-ray players, computers, gaming systems, phones, and many other electronic devices. Sarah could feel the nerves radiating off her father. To get this consulting gig… huge wasn't an accurate description of what it would do for them.

Life-changing was probably a better term.

Burton Consultants had been around for over fifty years, started by her grandfather. While they did well for themselves, to be a consulting firm working with one of the, if not the biggest electronics conglomerate in the world… Sarah shook her head.

Life-changing.

"No pressure," her dad muttered, and she burst into laughter, looking over at him. The self-assured smile on his face made her feel better.

"Are you sure I'm the right person?" Sarah asked him. Sarah had confidence in herself, but the truth was she had only been with the company, doing many different jobs, for a few years, officially. She had been around as a child, worked in the office as a teen, and when home from college during the summer. As soon as she received her doctorate in psychology, she had gone right to work with her family.

Sarah was fascinated by people from an early age. She was one to sit back, study, analyze, and watch their patterns, movements, and reactions. She became obsessed with Carl Jung and the Myers-Briggs personality types. Her father encouraged her, and Sarah began to look at personality types and careers. She had graduated high school early, at seventeen, and went straight to college. It had taken her nine years (a relatively short time to get a doctorate in psychology), and she had been with her father's company in her current position for less than a year.

"Darlin', there's no one else I trust more," Jack told her. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing at the security checkpoint. "You did leave your gun at home, right?"

She shot him a wry look. "Yep, and my knives," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Did you leave you nunchakus at home?"

"Drat," he said, snapping his fingers. "They're in the inner lining of my suit," he joked. She laughed at their banter. The thought of the two of them using weapons of any sort was ludicrous. She looked back up at the front building. The laughter left, and she felt her chest squeeze as a bit of terror and a lot of panic set in.

Life-changing.

"Come on, Dr. Walker, let's go wow 'em," Jack said, smiling at her. She returned the smile, but felt the worry in the pit of her stomach.

Life-changing.

}o{

The two got past security, and were led through a labyrinth of hallways until they came to a waiting area. Sarah looked around at the paintings on the walls. They were of different Arctic-like locations. It wasn't cold in the room, but Sarah couldn't help but shiver. She wondered what would possess someone to decorate a reception room in this style.

"Hi, I'm Hannah," a woman said, walking up to meet them. "Welcome to Orion Industries. I'm the senior project manager, and apparently, the welcome wagon." The last part was said with a trace of bitterness. The smile she gave only reached her face.

"Have we come at a bad time, or caused an issue?" Sarah asked. Hannah's lips twitched, and the amusement Sarah saw was genuine.

"I'm not sure there is a good time," Hannah admitted. "Burton Consulting… you may be our only hope." She smiled at them, as both stood there, stoic, wondering what they had walked into. The smile fell from Hannah's face when neither laughed at her attempt at a joke. "Sorry," she said, letting out a breath. "I work with a bunch of nerds here, and I've sort of been… assimilated."

"You shouldn't mix Star Wars and Star Trek," Jack told her, a serious tone, but amusement on his face. "Some people will stroke out."

Hannah gave him a warm smile. "This," she said, glancing around and gesturing toward the artwork on the wall. "Was decorated by Mrs. Bartowski." Sarah looked around, still feeling a bit cold. "We sometimes call her the Frost Queen." Sarah's eyes went wide. "It's not a jab… she loves winter, snow, and everything that goes with it. She may come off a bit steely, or stern, but underneath, she has a heart of gold."

"Will we be meeting with her today?" Jack asked.

"Her, Mr. Bartowski, and their daughter Ellie, the head of the Neuroscience division. Her husband, Devon, the head of the Cardiology division, is actually filling in for our on-staff doctor," Hannah explained, gesturing for them to follow her as she led them to an office.

"I'm sorry, staff doctor?" Jack asked.

"We have a medical team here to treat employees, free daycare, a gym, electronic stations to relax and play games, mental health therapists…" She turned toward Jack. "If we don't have it, it's because it's highly specialized, or no one has asked for it yet."

"Not to be blunt, an idiot, or cutting my own throat," Jack began. "But why in the hell do you need us?"

Hannah twisted her lips. "Because some still aren't happy, and it's bothering Mr. and Mrs. Bartowski."

"Again," Jack began, glancing at Sarah, who shrugged. "Could it be this person or persons that are unhappy are malcontents, and just don't fit the culture at Orion Industries?"

Hannah was silent for a second, considering her words. "It's one person, mostly," she admitted. There was a smile on her face as she thought. "Malcontent? No. Not fit the culture? Yes." She sighed. "But that's just it, Mr. Burton-"

"Jack," he corrected. "Please, call me Jack."

"And Dr. Burton?" Hannah asked.

"It's actually Walker," Sarah replied. She saw Hannah glance down at her left hand and back at her. Sarah twisted her lips. "And it's Sarah."

"I'm actually Jack Walker," Jack told Hannah. Hannah blinked, confused. "Long story… maybe I can tell it to you and your boss at the same time."

"Sure," Hannah said, trying to regain her composure. "So," and they began to walk again, "the employee in question is the furthest thing from a malcontent. He was the heart and soul of some of the innovative things we did here, but he became… well…"

"Depressed?" Sarah asked. Hannah nodded. "What did he do here? His job," she quickly clarified.

"Everything," Hannah replied. "And that's not hyperbole. He created designs, coded, was the heart and soul of this place."

"You've said that twice," Sarah pointed out. "Him being the heart and soul." Hannah grinned. "I need to ask you something and please, don't take this personally, but for us to effectively do our job there are things I need to know."

"We were dating at one time," Hannah said with a smile on her face. "But, we just weren't… right." Sarah nodded with a knowing smile. "He's the first guy ever that I'm friends with afterwards."

"I don't know that I've ever seen someone talk in such glowing terms of their ex before," Sarah admitted. "So, this great guy, wasn't happy?"

"Yeah," Hannah said. "Look, we're coming to a point where it's not my place to tell the rest, but I assure you, you will find out, if you'll take the job."

"Take the job?" Jack asked, looking at Hannah. "Don't we have to be offered first?"

"Pretty sure they will," Hannah said, knocking on the door in front of them. They heard "Come in," and Hannah opened the door. "Jack, Sarah, please meet Mr. and Mrs. Bartowski, and their daughter, Dr Awesome." She shook her head. "Sorry Ellie, I meant Dr Woodcomb."

"You spent… spend, too much time with my brother," she said to Hannah in a low tone, but gave her a warm smile. She turned to Jack and Sarah. "Hi, I'm Ellie Woodcomb, but please, just call me Ellie."

"Stephen," Mr. Bartowski said, offering his hand. Both Jack and Sarah shook it.

"Mary," Mrs. Bartowski said. She gave Hannah an amused look. "Or, The Frost Queen."

"I didn't start it," Hannah said, holding up her hands. Everyone chuckled, as Stephen and Mary insisted everyone sit.

"How do you like our little operation?" Stephen asked, grinning.

"Good lord, it's always about size with you men," Mary muttered, making Jack bark with laughter as Sarah looked away. Ellie rolled her eyes, and Hannah nearly choked trying not to laugh. Stephen turned red. Mary winked at Stephen, who shook his head at her.

"What can we do for you?" Jack asked, trying to bring the meeting on task. Stephen and Mary shared a look, and they both turned to Ellie. Ellie sighed and turned to Sarah.

"I was told about your work from a friend and colleague, and after reading your dissertation, I think I've found the reason some of our employees are not happy here," Ellie began.

"Some," Stephen muttered. Jack glanced at Stephen, who was being glared at by Mary and Ellie.

"Stephen?" Jack asked, a grin on his face.

"One," Stephen said. "And I'll admit, I miss him, but we're doing this over one employee?"

"And how have things gone since he's left?" Mary asked.

"Production has dropped," Stephen admitted.

"And?" Mary prodded.

"Morale seems lower," Stephen said, slightly pouting.

"And?" Mary pushed.

"You two just are not happy," Stephen grumbled.

"We're not happy!?" Ellie asked. "You are moping like a lost child!"

"Excuse me," Sarah said, cutting in. "Am I here for family counseling for you, or I am here for the entire corporation?"

"Here, it's both," Ellie told her. "This corporation, while huge, is a family, and right now, it's having an issue."

"I see," Sarah said, leaning back in her chair. "That can be an issue when the whole family works together." Stephen glanced away, Ellie and Mary both glanced at Stephen and it clicked for Sarah. She turned to Hannah. "So, what's it like dating the boss's son?"

"Hannah is not the reason Charles quit," Stephen said, coming to Hannah's defense.

"And you wonder why I bring you with me?" Jack asked softly, a grin on his face. Pride bloomed in Sarah's chest. She knew she was good at what she did, and her family knew she was, too. She wondered what it would feel like to be at odds with her family, the family she worked with, the way this family seemed to be at odds.

"Did you say Charles?" Sarah asked.

"As you can see, my parents are sadists," Ellie said with a straight face, making Mary and Stephen chuckle. "He goes by Chuck."

"Nicest guy you'll ever meet," Hannah added in. Stephen gave her an amused look. She shrugged. "He is," she said defensively.

"He is," Ellie agreed, nodding, reaching over and squeezing Hannah's hand. Ellie turned to Sarah and Jack. "You have to understand, he was becoming stagnant, moody, depressed, and he told us it was the work. It was weighing on him. Dad offered to give him time off, and Chuck had a counter proposal."

"You have to understand something, Dr. Burton," Stephen began.

"It's Sarah," Sarah cut in.

"Actually, let me tell you something, because I think we understand what you're going through more than you would realize," Jack said, taking charge for a second. Sarah grinned. Jack wanted this job. She didn't know why, but the only time he told their story was when he wanted a job.

"My name is actually Jack Walker," he began. "Over thirty years ago, I met the most lovely woman in the whole world – no offense ladies – my dear wife, Emma Burton."

"None taken," Ellie said, a big smile on her face. The other two women concurred.

"I was… not a good person," he said, struggling a little with the admission. "I was a con artist, but… I was, and still am, a hell of a dancer." Everyone chuckled. "I met Emma's father, and within fifteen minutes he had me figured out. I could read people, situations, and saw ways to make them better, or to profit from them."

He paused, and glanced over at Sarah. "I could have turned out to be a very bad man," he admitted. Sarah reached over, and squeezed his hand.

"Spoiler alert," she said, looking back to everyone. "He didn't." Everyone laughed.

"John, Emma's dad, had started a company, to help people, and he wanted me to work with him. He wanted me to come on board, and change the name to Burton and Walker Consultants. I told him no." He paused a second, a sad smile on his face. He looked up at Stephen. "I told him it was time to change my life. It would remain Burton Consultants, and I would work with him. I became a new man that day. I put family first, I put others first, I put the well-being and mental health of people I didn't know first. I still use some of the skills that a con man would. Sometimes people don't want to tell you the truth, and you can't help fix a problem without knowing that truth." Ellie, Mary, Stephen, and Hannah all nodded.

"So, when John died, I just continued to go by Jack Burton when people called me that. Only when I am interested in a project do I tell them who I am, and how it came to be." He looked over at Sarah. "Sarah decided, at a young age, that she wanted to show me that the name Walker wasn't damaged, and she has always gone by it."

"This is where he also tells you that his checks are made out to Jack Walker," Sarah added. Everyone laughed.

"So legally, you are Jack Walker?" Ellie asked. Jack nodded.

"I want people to know exactly who they are dealing with, if they hire me," Jack said, spreading his hands. "For this partnership to work – and that's what it would be if we were to work together – we need to know all the dirty little secrets, in order to fix the problems."

"This is like counseling," Sarah said. "And in counseling, you have to dig out the root of the issue. Think of getting a splinter, and how it hurts. Now, when you go to dig it out, it hurts worse."

"But only when the splinter is pulled out, can the healing begin," Ellie said.

"And sometimes there are setbacks," Sarah said, nodding.

"A piece left in, infection," Ellie filled in for her, her eyes sparkling.

"And we have to deal with that," Sarah finished. "No one method works one hundred percent of the time."

"Okay," Stephen said. "You obviously have my daughter's blessing, but I don't understand how what you study can help us."

"By knowing who you are, you know your strengths and weaknesses," Sarah began. "My work with personality types is integral in the workplace. Take me, an introvert."

"See, I don't see you as an introvert," Stephen said. "You don't seem shy at all." Jack grinned and leaned back. Stephen looked at Jack, and then over at Sarah, who had a grin on her face like she had heard this before. "I've said something wrong?"

"You've said what society has done to a word, and mangled it's meaning," Sarah explained. "An introvert and extrovert, in this setting, only deals with how someone draws their energy. I love talking about this, but it is exhausting to me, especially with a group this big, or larger. I do better when studying, researching, working one on one. When I'm with a group of people I don't know, I am quiet, observing."

"Okay," Ellie said, glancing at her father, with a bit of a scowl on her face. "Let's say you were an extrovert, a social butterfly if you will." Sarah noticed Stephen rub his forehead and shrink down in the chair. "Let's say you were the biggest extrovert the world has ever seen."

"Well, he'd hate my job, because I built it for the exact opposite of what he would flourish in," Sarah began.

"But could he do it, at all?" Ellie asked.

"Oh, he could, but he would be absolutely miserable. And his production would be greatly affected," Sarah replied.

"See," Stephen said, sitting up. "It can't be that."

Sarah turned to Stephen. "Stephen," she said gently. "You know, as a business professional, the difference between production and optimal production." Stephen glanced at Mary.

"You're saying he could have had more ideas?" Stephen asked.

"I don't know. But was he doing the job he was best suited for, or was he doing a job that you needed?" Sarah paused. "I don't mean for this to seem accusatory, but you have to step back and look at the whole. Did you take the best step for your employee, or the easier step for you?"

"What if it was the best for the company?" Stephen asked.

"Again, I don't mean this as accusatory," Sarah began. Stephen nodded. "Is him leaving best for the company?"

"She's got you there," Ellie said, giving her father a look.

"Mary?" he asked, turning to her.

"You screwed up, hon," Mary said. "You just have scientific proof now."

"What happened?" Jack asked.

"He wanted to present his ideas, he wanted to be the spokesman for some of our products. He wanted to be involved more with people," Ellie said.

Sarah grinned. "He knew what was wrong." Ellie nodded.

"You're hired," Mary said. Stephen turned to her. "Unless you think that's a bad idea?" Mary asked, not looking at him.

"Well, Dad, do you?" Ellie asked, not hiding her glare.

"Can you fix this?" Stephen asked.

"Stephen, I think one thing you need to think about is, fixing it may not be the outcome you want. There is no guarantee your son will ever want to come back to work here," Jack explained. "I don't want you having some false hope. The best thing for your son might be for him to not be here. I understand you wanting him with you, I do, but…"

"Thank you for your honesty," Mary said. "I just want my son to be happy, and right now, he's not."

"Okay," Jack said. "I do have one question though. And it's sort of embarrassing, but given we're about to work with you… our computer… one of yours…" he trailed off. Mary closed her eyes and sighed.

"Another one," Ellie muttered. "Call the Burbank Buy More, ask for the Nerd Herd Supervisor." Jack and Sarah gave her a look. "Tell them Ellie sent you." Ellie handed Sarah a card. She looked down at it, and saw the name. She looked back up at Ellie, who had a smile on her face. "Maybe you can watch him in action, like Jane Goodall."

Jack burst out laughing

A/N: Do we like? Take care of yourself guys, seriously. Be good. Hope to see you soon. Drop me a review if you would. DC