"Make a wish. It's yours." She says.

He looks at her profile. Tracing the curvature of her face with his eyes. He recalls how it felt to touch her skin. The only time where he was not inhibited to do so.. The only time he felt her soft lips press down on his. The only time he was allowed to pull her close to him. To press her body against his. Twice he had kissed her. Twice did he long for it to go on.

That's when he decided to be brave. To, for once in his life, take what he wanted. What he knew belonged to him.

Her.

Still looking at her, he said "There's only one thing I've been wishing for. That I've been dreaming of."

She turns her head to look back at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You" he said, as he turns his body to face hers.

He sees her lips part in… astonishment? He didn't know and he didn't care. He saw her chest rise with the quick intake of breathe. He watches as her eyes dart from his to nowhere in particular and back to his.

She turned her body to face his… about to speak…

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She didn't know what to think. She didn't know what to feel. With one word, he sent her head reeling. Her heart plummeting. She felt the air trapped in her chest, unable to escape.

She; who was always so calm and collected. Now unable to move.

Since their first real date, after finding out that the cipher was a Trojan horse, she had done a great job of shutting everything out. Yes, she sometimes allowed herself to be open with him. To let him see glimpses of what she really felt. But she was careful never to reveal too much.

After hesitating to take the shot at the station, she knew that she had to get herself together. For her sake, and more importantly, for his. And he understood. So they danced around each other, avoiding any real emotional contact.

But with him. Here. Now. With his confession, she was afraid that it would all come out. Like a dam that will never close up.

She knew she had to choose her words carefully. Think and not feel. But…. What will she say? What should she say? She found herself unable to keep his gaze. He was looking intently at her.

She turned her body towards his… Getting the courage to meet his gaze…. saying the only thing she could think of to say…

"Chuck…"

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He saw it before she, herself, even knew what was going on. She was about to close up.

In the moments before, he saw everything he, himself, felt. He saw the battle he constantly fought with himself reflected in her eyes. Her dark green eyes, unable to sustain his gaze. Darting, looking for an escape from this moment. Then deciding that the only solution was to run away.

He read her like a book. And as he saw her prepare to speak, before she was even able to utter a word, he closed the gap that separated them with one step.

All he heard was his name…

"Chuck…"

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She felt his lips on hers. Willing her into submission. Breaking down her walls. She felt his right arm wrap around her waist to slightly lift her body against his. His other hand, touching her hair, her face, her neck and her back, as if wanting to be everywhere at once.

This was not the same man she had met. The man before her was confident and intense. This man made her body hum with electricity she had never felt. She felt weak and vulnerable, unable to resist this invasion.

And not too soon did the kiss turn soft. And once again, her chest felt ready to explode. He kissed her as if she were his only salvation but he kissed her so delicately, she felt she would break.

She could taste a hint of beer which sent her head reeling. But she could taste him… and he was intoxicating.

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She was intoxicating. The moment his lips found hers, he lost all control. And the moment her lips opened up to welcome him, he felt his body respond. He wanted to take in this moment and so, willed himself to be patient.

He kissed her softly, taking in her scent. Taking in her breath. Feeling the rise and fall of her chest against his. She tasted sweet, her tongue, her lips. He didn't want to stop.

He felt her hands clutching at his collar, touching his neck and his hair. In between them, to bring him in closer and keep him away at the same time.

He heard her exhale.

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And they stood there, foreheads touching. Her hands still clutching his shirt. His hands on her waist not letting her pull her body away from his. Both a little out of breath.

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She could not think. She could feel him against her. She could not bring herself to push away. So she gave in and used his body for support.

He broke the silence.

"I know I don't deserve you."

She was caught by surprise by his statement. She looked up, about to say something in protest. But he stopped her.

"No let me finish."

She waited, watching his face. He brought his hands up to her arms, rubbing them.

"I know I don't deserve you. And you deserve so much." He continued, looking away.

He found her eyes again saying, "But I want to. I want to deserve you. I want to be the guy who deserves you. And I am trying to be that guy."

She looked at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. He was putting himself out there. Allowing himself to be vulnerable. But he wasn't begging or self-pitying. He was speaking so matter-of-factly, believing his own words. She hurt for him.

"I'm trying so hard to be that guy. I want to deserve you… I want you."

She felt her heart break. She watched his face. She could barely see the pain he was trying so hard to conceal, but it was there.

"Please stay with me. If not for forever, then just for tonight. Please stay with me."

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He held his breath locking her gaze. He saw the confusion in her eyes.

And he knew. He felt his heart drop. Of course not.

He exhaled, closing his eyes. Hanging his head in defeat.

Then he felt her hand touch his cheek. Her thumbs rubbing his lips. He opened his eyes to find her piercing stare. His eyes watched her get on her tippy-toes. His eyes watched as she tipped her head up and lean in closer. But it was his heart that felt as she brought her lips to kiss his.

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She let that kiss radiate from her soul. She didn't know how it was that a person could give everything they have in one kiss… but she did. She wanted him to feel what she felt because she couldn't find the words.

She felt him shift to scoop her up in his arms. Cradling her close to him without breaking their contact.

He carried her to his room.

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After. He held her in his arms, her body pressed against his. Fitting perfectly. He lifted his head off the pillow to look over her right shoulder. She looked so peaceful sleeping.

He stared for a moment longer, feeling sleep take over him.

He whispered "God, you are so beautiful," cuddling her closer. Grazing her shoulder with his lips, he says to no one in particular, "So beautiful it hurts."

He buried his face in her soft golden hair, trying to breathe all of her in.

"I'm in love with you Sarah Walker. I hope you stay with me forever."

And he drifted into sleep.

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With her heart pounding, Sarah remained still, not wanting him to know she was awake.

When she felt him relax into sleep, she relaxed a little herself.

Without a sound, she hugged Chuck's arm closer to her chest. Lips pressed tightly together and a furrow forming in her brows, she turned her face into the pillow to stop the burning tears from coming out.

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Chuck woke up with the sun in his face. And an empty bed beside him.