Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, at all. Not even a little. Promise.

A/N: Okay, just a little idea I had while writing my Chuck Me Monday Challenge piece. Something I would like to see on the show, to be sure, as I don't think the show treats any interpersonal relationships between the women of the show with even a modicum of respect. A big thanks to Verkisto for an awesome beta job on this, as she really had her work cut our for her. Now I hope you enjoy the fic, and please review. Thanks!

Sarah's New BFF

For far too long, the NSA had held a distinct advantage within the Intersect Project. With Agent Casey tasked as the on-site surveillance for the project's first two years, the CIA's representative, Agent Sarah Walker, had oftentimes been left out of the loop of everything going on at the residence of the asset until she read her partner's reports. Casey often complained to her that he was the last to receive information from the Intersect when Chuck flashed, as Agent Walker was almost always the first person the asset told, but the big NSA agent wasn't exactly forthcoming with things he learned, so Sarah had trouble feeling guilt.

But if Casey had felt a little left out before, he had plenty of reason to feel even more so now. Even General Beckman had no longer been able to avoid realizing what was plain to everyone else involved. The cover relationship between Agent Walker and the asset had evolved into the real thing, and it was time for the couple to move in together. Casey would be so far out of the loop, he might as well be in Siberia.

Chuck had wanted to move in with his friend Morgan, saying that he and Sarah hadn't been a "real couple" long enough to justify such a move, but after some coaxing from Agent Walker, he began to see the logic in just how much danger he would be putting his friend in by becoming roomies with the bearded man. It was a bit manipulative on her part, but manipulation was one of the many tools in Agent Walker's well-equipped tool bag. And it was for the protection of the asset, after all. That was why she wanted the move to happen, right? Of course there was no personal agenda at work. Sarah was a professional, wasn't she?

So finally Chuck had agreed to move in with Sarah. She was relieved that she hadn't had to force his hand. A willing asset would be much easier to deal with after the move, and a pleasant Chuck would make a far better roommate. Not that Chuck actually entered into the equation for her, did he? As an asset, his opinions and feelings didn't matter. Well, okay, his feelings did matter a little, because she loved him and treasured every second she had with him, but that was beside the point. She had to ensure his safety. That was why the move had to be made.

Morgan had taken the news that Chuck had found other living arrangements a little hard at first, as everyone involved knew he would, but his own girlfriend, Anna, managed to get enough cash from her parents to lease the apartment right next to Chuck and Sarah's.

Despite the added pressure and distraction of neighbors who knew them, Sarah was relieved to finally be the primary caretaker of the Intersect. Agent Casey had been thorough in his work of providing Chuck's surveillance, but Sarah was wont to believe that she could do even better. She was also pleased by the tactical advantage the move provided to her agency. That was the biggest reason she wanted the move to happen in the first place: agency loyalty. Well, agency loyalty and cuddling. God, how she loved the cuddling. But the tactical advantage stuff could still serve as Sarah's party line.

Since the move, there had been many cover hangouts with the couple next door. Well, they were cover hangouts for Sarah. Chuck seemed to enjoy the time spent with his best friend. For Sarah, it was work, right? She wasn't really enjoying herself during those movie nights, and dinners, and card games. She couldn't be, could she? It was her job to protect the asset and ensure his wellbeing, not to have fun. No, she should dread those double dates. It was work. Just another day at the office.

Today was one of those days she "dreaded." It was a day that was vital to her cover as Chuck's girlfriend, and though she usually thrived under pressure, social interaction with civilians had never been her strong suit. She was much better at sneaking around destroying terrorist regimes.

But duty called, and today had been set aside as a "girls day" with their new neighbor Anna. Sarah liked Anna. Well, she couldn't actually like anyone. That would be showing emotion towards someone involved in the mission, and that was dangerous. But if it wasn't a mission, Sarah could like Anna. She felt really comfortable around Morgan's girlfriend. In fact, she was much more comfortable around the small Asian woman than she was around, say, Chuck's sister Ellie. That didn't change the fact that the blonde agent felt extreme pressure to carry out her role.

A whole day with someone not in the know meant Sarah had to constantly be on guard to make sure she appeared to be Chuck's loving girlfriend. Of course, she was Chuck's loving girlfriend, so that made it a little easier. Still, she wasn't sure that others couldn't tell that she was Chuck's loving girlfriend pretending to be Chuck's loving girlfriend. Okay, that line of reasoning was giving her a headache, and that certainly wasn't going to help with the mission at hand.

Anna arrived at exactly 11 a.m., as had been agreed upon, which pleased Sarah. She valued punctuality. The shorter woman was dressed casually in a baseball shirt, white with red sleeves, and a pair of "weekend jeans". Or were they "boyfriend jeans"? Sarah had heard them called both, and she made a mental note to check her sources later to confirm the correct name of the pants. She would hate to blow her cover over something as simple as the proper title for a certain type of denim-wear.

"Hey, Sarah, you look nice," Anna complimented the blonde.

"Thank you," Sarah answered, taking in her own attire, a green sleeveless spaghetti strap top and a pair of white Capri pants. She hoped Anna's compliment didn't mean that the agent had overdressed. She decided to test the waters with a return compliment. "You look great, too."

"Thanks," Anna replied. "Ready to head out?"

Sarah felt silently relieved that she hadn't overdone it with her dress for the day, and accepted Anna's offer to start their journey. The mission was underway, and Agent Walker had to be on top of her game, so she began to prepare herself to be Chuck's girlfriend playing the part of Chuck's girlfriend.

"So, Sarah," Anna said, breaking her reverie as they walked out to the parking garage of their building.

"Mmhmm," Sarah responded.

"I was really happy that you decided to come with me today. I mean, I know you said that I'm your friend and all, but we never really hang out, and I've been looking forward to this all week. I mean, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but I kind of look up to you."

Sarah tried not to look freaked out, but she simply wasn't accustomed to that type of compliment. She really didn't know what to say. What would a normal person say to that? Isn't what she was trying to be today? Normal?

"Thank you, Anna. That really means a lot," she finally said, putting on the best smile she could muster. She was concerned whether it was obvious that the smile was fake. Real friends and real Chuck's girlfriends wouldn't have to fake a smile, would they? She needed to shore that up. She couldn't let her cover be blown now. Get it together, Walker.

If Anna could sense the tension building up within Sarah, she didn't mention it. The two women climbed into Sarah's Porsche, and they were off on their day of bonding between… Friends? Sarah thought. She looked over at her passenger and received a warm smile in return. Yes, friends, she answered herself, real friends. She allowed herself to return a small smile, this one much more real than her earlier forced effort. It felt good to have a friend. It had been far too long.

"I'm glad to have you as a friend, Anna," Sarah supplied meekly.

"Me too," Anna replied.

A/N: See, I told you there wasn't a lot to it, but I hope you still enjoyed it. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your feedback. You guys are awesome. Peace.