A/N Yes, I know I haven't finished my other story, but I enjoyed so much Ellie Versus the Bridesmaids by HollywoodDramaQueen, that I have to explore the plot of Ellie being into the spy world… and who better to guide her than her own brother, the human Intersect? Enjoy!
And review me, please!
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Chapter 1. Who is Charles Carmichael?
"Oh, come on, Devon! How you can say that? There is no way Jack Bauer can beat Jason Bourne!" exclaimed Morgan.
"Bro! That guy can do anything!" replied Captain Awesome.
Ellie watched the scene: her husband and Morgan were discussing fictional spies characters in front of three well known and REAL spies… This is my weird family, smiling at the thought, looking around the table at them: Sarah and Mary seemed to be enjoying the absurd conversation, sharing a few looks, while Casey just silently ate his food… "Which side Chuck would take part of?" she pondered, missing her little brother. Morgan had said he had an off-site installation to perform. The conversation was heating up when Morgan, doing what he normally does when he wants to end a conversation: he asks the resident experts.
"What do you think, Sarah? Jason Bourne or Jack Bauer?"
Sarah raised her eyes. Three years ago she wouldn't have idea who they were. Still, she doesn't know how to answer Morgan.
"Well, if I have to pick… I guess I would choose, Charles Carmichael"
Everybody at the table laughed, even Casey gave a happy grunt. Charles Carmichael? Wow, Chuck must be working on Sarah's knowledge of Sci-Fi, Ellie thought. She honestly has no idea who Charles Carmichael is.
"Come on Sarah! We're talking about fictional spies, not real ones!" pressed Morgan.
"I think that's the point, moron!" Casey declared, taking part in the conversation for first time.
"Casey!"
"Please Walker, you know what I mean… he's a clown sometimes"
"Yeah? You didn't say that about Carmichael when he jumped from the Buy More roof to save our asses, or when he took down all those guards in the Intersect room… And last week, he proved he was worth more than your GRETA's" exclaimed Sarah, clearly on the defensive.
Casey grunted, annoyed "I get it, Walker. I know he's not a bad spy… but you have to admit he has an… unorthodox style."
"Sure he does!" interrupted Morgan. "He disarmed a bomb using internet porn! How cool is that?"
"Last week he did the same thing but with apple juice…" provided a smiling Sarah.
"You have to be kidding me!" blurted Devon.
"I read that he once piloted a helicopter while having no training. Is that true?" asked Mary.
"Yes he did" said Sarah, proudly.
"Man! I saw him once in action! He extracted a bullet from Casey's leg with the ability of a pro! You should have seen that, honey!" Devon turned to his wife, smiling "I told you, he has the hands of a surgeon." Ellie returned the smile, trying to hide the fact that she doesn't understand what was happening.
"It's true he saved all California from a nuclear bomb?"
Sarah nodded and Mary couldn't help but feel proud…
"Ok, I'm missing something." Ellie looked at the faces of her family, she could see the pride and joy in every one of them… even Casey.
Ellie cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry, but who is Charles Carmichael?"
Immediately, everybody looked at Ellie with surprise.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" asked Ellie just before hearing Clara start crying. "Umm… Excuse me, I'll be right back…"
When Ellie exited the room, everybody look at each other.
"She doesn't know?" asked Devon in a whisper.
"It's obvious that she doesn't!"
"What we should do?" hissed Morgan.
"Tell her the truth, of course!" said Awesome.
"Yeah, maybe Chuck just forgot to tell her…"
"No" said Mary silencing everybody. "Chuck had the right to protect his spy identity from Ellie. She doesn't know my codename, or their father's."
"I agree. It is Chuck's choice" grunted Casey.
"So… what do we say?" insisted Morgan.
"Just play along, guys" answered Mary, hearing Ellie returning from the bedroom.
"Everything fine, babe?"
"Yes, she just dropped her pacifier… so" Ellie looked around and asked casually, "who's Charles Carmichael?"
"He's John and Sarah's partner," answered Mary. The other two spies understood the plot and played along, nodding. Ellie turned to Sarah, questioning her with her eyes.
"He works with us, Ellie", lied Sarah. She had started to hate lying to Ellie: she was her friend, and above all else, she would be soon her sister in law. Sarah wanted no secrets between them.
"Oh! Chuck knows him?"
"Better than anyone…" pronounced Morgan, nervously. Everybody knew he was about to spill the beans.
"Chuck's his handler", explained Casey, glaring menacingly to the little man.
"Really? Wow! Why hasn't he ever introduced him to me?"
"Chuck… kind of… prohibited him to be near of you", said Sarah. That wasn't a complete lie: Chuck always tried to avoid mingling his spy life with his normal life, namely Ellie.
"Why? Is he dangerous?" Ellie asked, worried about her little brother having to handle a psycho.
"No, of course not! But he has a lot of enemies" provided Devon "Believe me, I know…"
"So what? If I understand correctly, most of those who are sitting at this table have a lot of dangerous enemies and still, you're here, aren't you?" Everybody kept quiet. It was true, of course. "I think Chuck is being unfair with the man. And you too! From what I heard, he saved all of you numerous times and you treat him like that? Shame on you!"
"Babe!" started his husband.
"No Devon, that's not how I raised my brother. I'm going to talk with Chuck, and Carmichael will be here next Friday. Everyone will show him the respect he deserves!"
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Chuck Bartowski dropped on his couch.
"Chuck?" asked Sarah, coming in the door. She was returning from dinner at the Woodcomb's.
"Hello, dear" Sarah barely heard him. Chuck was face down on the sofa.
"Chuck, I think we should talk about something…"
"Honey, you know I love to do that, but right know is not the moment, ok? I have a headache the size of the world. Beckman kept me flashing over and over about the reports…"
"Yeah, well, I understand… but we really need to talk right now!" said Sarah, watching Ellie approaching their door.
"It can't wait until tomorrow?"
Knock, knock. Too late.
Sarah sighed. "It's for you."
Chuck groaned and went to open the door.
"Oh! Hi Ellie! Sorry I missed dinner, but I have this off-site…"
"Stop right there, Charles Irving Bartowski."
Oh no! I'm in trouble… but why?
"Can you explain to me why you haven't asked to dinner the man who has periodically saved our lives?"
"Uh?" exclaimed a bewildered Chuck.
"Look Chuck, I know you prohibited him to be near me, but…I mean, I understand that you are worried about my well being, but I think it's a little bit ungrateful to keep him away, don't you think? So, I want you to bring him to dinner next Friday, no excuses. Understood?"
"Umm… Ellie… who exactly are you talking about?"
"Charles Carmichael, little brother. I want to know him", Ellie stated simply. And just like that, she kissed him on the cheek and went to her apartment.
Chuck blinked and turned to Sarah.
"Ok, I guess we really need to talk…"
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x