A/N: Poor Chuck….he's dating someone, Jenny's hitting on Bryce, but she's already hung up on another certain nerd. What happened? Let's find out…I give you Pros and Cons, Ch 2, Starting Over

Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck,

"Wow, Bartowski," Sam said, walking into his sprawling home. She wouldn't call it a mansion but it was very spacious for someone living by themself. "Quite a step up from your slumming days at Stanford with Bryce." Chuck winced.

"Yeah, for someone with money, Bryce didn't like to flaunt it," he replied. He paused, but their friendship had always been based on telling the truth and making jokes at the other's expense. "He was afraid someone might try to separate it from him. Sam turned toward him and saw the look on his face. She laughed and shrugged.

"Yep," she said, going further into the house, investigating the living room. "Some father daughter con team could have cleaned him out."

"Unless the daughter fell in love with Bryce," Chuck added, smirking. She spun.

"I did not fall in love with him, Chuck," she said, exasperated. "How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Sam, come on, you could have cleaned him out, and why not? Because you fell in love, admit it," he said. "You fell in love and you couldn't do it." It hurt him, because he felt things for her, he shouldn't. She and Bryce were right for each other. She had loved him enough to stop a con to not hurt him, and Chuck Bartwoski wouldn't stand in between that.

She wanted to huff in frustration. He was right, but he wasn't. He didn't understand and he never would. Chuck Bartowski was absolutely the best man she had ever met. Hell, he was the best person she ever met and he deserved so much more.

"You swear this is between you and me?" she asked. Chuck nodded, like a kid at Christmas who was finally about to get the gift he always wanted. Sam really wanted to roll her eyes. "Yes, I fell in love and couldn't complete the con." There, she was honest, but he wasn't listening, like normal. He heard what he wanted to hear, what he thought was right. He was so lucky she wasn't selfish and went after him, because she would straighten him out of that problem in a minute.

"YES!" Chuck yelled, pumping his fist in the air. Sam stopped holding back and rolled her eyes. He was now doing a dance. "I knew it, I knew it! Oh, it's so hard being right all the time!" She burst out into laughter over that one. "Don't you worry, Sam, from this day forward, my main objective," he began, and she raised an eyebrow, warning him. He paused. "Super-secret double secret probation objective?" she relented and nodded, grinning at his enthusiasm, one of the things she loved about him. "Is to get you the man of yo dreams!" He meant it too. She was going to be happy. He had to see her happy. He wished he made her happy like that but he didn't and he had accepted it…mostly.

"You pull that off, Bartowski, I'll pay double," she said, grinning. She was serious, but there was no way. She wished there was, but there wasn't.

"Nope, it's on the house," he said, winking at her. He walked over to the couch, reached behind it, and pulled out a box with a big bow on it. "Now, I hope you don't find me forward, but I'm gonna bet you didn't have anything like this inside." Sam took the box and opened it. She looked up at Chuck, tears in her eyes. She dropped it and hugged him. This guy…this perfect freaking guy. He remembered a conversation they had had months ago. He remembered, and not only that it was obvious he had been planning this ever since that day they talked when she was in jail. She thought back to that day.

-ooooo-

"So, when the day comes, what is the one thing that Sam is going to want to do when she gets out of here?" he asked, a grin on his face. She rolled her eyes.

"Chuuuuuck," she said, whining. "It's six months away."

"Maybe it is," he replied. "But, then you've got something to look forward to." She studied him. There was something she looked forward to, being close to him. She couldn't be with him, but she needed to be close because he deserved the best, and she was going to make sure he got the best. She fake sighed, making his nose crinkle when he smiled. She loved that look, she loved that she could make him look that way.

"Okay," she drawled. "I want a bath." Chuck sat up, intrigued. "But not just a bath, but you know those jasmine bath oils we found that one day, shopping?" Chuck nodded. They had gone to the mall one day to blow off steam and she had dragged him into a Bath and Bodyworks store because he kept making fun of the smells. What surprised her is once they got in there, he got very serious about finding out what she liked. They were having one of those sales, buy three get three free, and Chuck decided he would buy Ellie something. Since Sam had helped him pick out things for Ellie, he bought her two of her own, saying it would just go to waste on him, since he was an Irish Spring guy. "I want to use the oil and the soap, and sit in a nice long fluffy robe afterwards. I just want to sit for hours in nothing but that robe, oh, and that shampoo we found Ellie, that's what I want." She looked blissfully happy just thinking about it. She then saw Chuck's face. "What's wrong?"

"So, you know in movies, sometimes in the prison showers," he trailed off, and she busted into laughter.

"Chuck, they're all scared of me," Sam said, grinning. Chuck laughed out loud.

"What did you do, punch the biggest bully in the mouth the first day?" Chuck asked. Sam bounced a shoulder and looked away, almost shyly. Chuck's mouth dropped. "Sam!"

"Chuck, a girl's gotta have her secrets," she said winking. She saw the guard coming for her. She took his hand. "You don't have to come back."

"Sam, you know I do," he said. She rolled her eyes at him, stood, wanted to hug him but knew the uproar that would call, and nodded, her throat tight. "I'll be back next month, and hey, after 6 more visits you'll be out."

"Bye, Chuck," she said, begin led back. "Thank you." He stood there, tears in his eyes as she turned corner. She gave him a wave, and he waved back. As she headed to her cell, she thought about the guy who got her through this ordeal, and how she knew he would be there when she got out…just not the way she wished it could be.

-ooooo-

"Garrett!" Chuck said, pulling her out of her memories. "You okay?" They had separated, but her arms were around him, and his around her. He held her by the waist, and she could feel it. She looked down where his hands were on her waist, and followed them up slowly, an eyebrow raised, smirking.

"Bartowski, if I didn't no better, I'd think you're trying to get in my pants," she said, not letting go.

"Sam, I don't take Bryce's rejects," he said. Part of him screamed at himself, but this had always been their back and forth, even when it was painful to him.

Sam's mouth dropped. She knew he was joking, but it hurt. She knew he didn't mean it to hurt but did. She did her best to play along, and thankfully Chuck laughed out loud. She shoved him in the shoulder, and stomped off. "Oh come on! You've said worse to me than that and you know it."

"Here I thought you were a good guy, Bartowski," she said, shaking her head and laughing. Chuck picked up the box and handed it to her. "Thank you, Chuck."

"Give Bryce a chance, Sam, it was a lot to take in," he said. "He's a good guy." She blew a breath upwards, moving her hair out of her face, and rolled her eyes.

"Chuck, he and I are fine, there's nothing there," she said. "We're just friends."

"Sam, you two were great together, and don't tell me you didn't sleep with him," Chuck countered. He knew they had, he had walked in on it afterwards. He still woke up some nights, remembering what had happened, an ache in his chest that he had never experienced with anyone, even Jill. He fought to keep humor on his face, but it was difficult.

Sam knew where this was going, and she couldn't stop him when he got like this. How do you tell the greatest guy you ever knew, that yes, she did sleep with his best friend, but it was because she thought she had hurt Chuck so bad and she and Bryce had comforted each other. It was a moment of weakness on both of their parts, it was a moment to console each other, and it was a decision both she and Bryce regretted immensely.

"Yes, Chuck, we did," she began. He started to say, "I knew it," but she held up a finger, silencing him. "It was also a mistake, one we BOTH regret."

"I thought he was better than that with all the girls he had been with," Chuck muttered. Then he turned red. "But since you, there's really been no one." She raised an eyebrow. "I mean a few." She crossed her arms. "Okay, he hasn't changed a bit, but you two were always having secret talks, and had your heads together, there was something there!"

"He's my friend, Chuck!"

"I'm your friend and you don't act like that around me," he said. She looked at him. He was right. He was her friend, because she could never pull him down by being anything more than that with him. She gathered her things.

"You're right," she said. Chuck realized he had gone too far, but she cut him off before he could speak. "You're right, and I want a bath that my dear, wonderful friend has been so kind as to prepare for me. So, let me get settled, and we'll see. That's the best I can give you."

"I'm pushing again," Chuck said, ashamed. He knew why he pushed. He had been left his entire life, and Sam, Sam was everything he wanted. He knew she was, but if was to give in, and try, he wasn't sure which was the scarier thought, her turning him down, or her leaving him one day because he wasn't enough, like he wasn't for his parents, or Jill.

"Yes, but you mean well like you always do," she said, coming over, and hugging him again, pulling him out his thoughts. As she held him, she wondered why couldn't life have been different? She broke the hug, kissed him gently on the cheek and headed down the hall. "Where's the bathroom at in this place?" she yelled.

"Use mine, off the master bedroom," he yelled. "It's got the tub you want." She found it, and the entire bathroom looked bigger than her cell. She sighed, fixed her bath, and got in to soak, thinking about how her life had changed because of one curly haired nerd.

-ooooo-

Chuck sat outside, checking his phone for messages from apps, missed calls, texts, or even a smoke signal. He had no idea where his girlfriend was, and it was starting to bug him a little. The three of them had planned this night, but she had backed out at the last minute after a few texts from someone. Chuck wasn't trying to be the jealous boyfriend, but this was happening more and more over the past few months. He looked up at the stars, and realized he was sloshed.

"She's an idiot," Jenny said, walking up to him.

"Hey, Burton, walk of shame?" Chuck asked, grinning. "Which is stupid because if you do it right, there shouldn't be any shame, am I right?" Jenny rolled her eyes, and hip checked him over, sitting beside him. Chuck was just proud of himself for not falling off the bench.

"You are toasted, and no, it wouldn't be the walk of shame," she replied. "Not that anything happened."

"Don't worry my lips are sled. I mean salad. I mean I won't tell anyone," he said, grinning. She laughed at him. He secretly wished he had been the one in there with them. They hadn't asked him to leave, he just wanted to give them space. That and watching them together was a bit much for him.

"Nothing happened," she said. "He passed out, probably drank too much." And the fact she had put a little something in his drink to make sure he would. "Ever hear from Jill?" Chuck shook his head. "Do you have a picture of her?" Chuck pulled out his phone and went to his contact screen that had a picture of the two of them. "May I?" she asked. Chuck handed her the phone and looked back up at the stars. While he did, she quickly memorized the phone number and her address. Chuck just sat there, staring up into space, so she quickly sent a picture of Jill to her phone and then deleted it from his sent messages. She handed Chuck back the phone breaking him out of his reverie.

"I'm probably not what she wants as a boyfriend," he said, sighing. "I'm always going on about helping others, or playing video games, or movies. I really love movies, especially nerdy movies."

"There's nothing wrong with all that, Chuck," Jenny said. "You are who you are, and if she loves you, not only does she love you in spite of those things, she loves you because of those things." Chuck looked at her, a sloppy grin on his face.

"Yeah?" he asked. She nodded. Chuck loved the way that sounded, in fact he wondered if Jenny would love him because of those things. He forced his mind to go a different way before he got himself in trouble. "Yeah," he said, nodding. "So, Miss Jenny Burton, what do you love about Bryce?"

"What fool falls in love with a guy when she meets him," she said a little uneasy. Chuck shook his finger at her. "You want to move that before I move it for you?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow. He looked at her, moved his finger, and she laughed. "I mean I'm not in love with Bryce, but he's good looking, has charisma, and I don't know."

"A certain je ne sais quoi?" Chuck asked.

"No, I mean he's alright, but that term, there are others I'd use that on," Jenny admitted. Chuck was too plastered and too on a roll to notice. "I mean seriously is there something going on with you two?"

"No," he replied. "Bryce has had my back, for a long time. I got accused of cheating once, and he found out who actually planted the tests under my bed." Chuck sobered up for a minute. "Sorry, it's just Bryce introduced me to Jill and I want to find him the perfect someone, and you seem to be it." He looked at her, his eyes far away. "I mean, you have to admit, you two would have some beautiful babies."

"Okay, slow down," Jenny said laughing. "I just met the guy."

"No, I just mean you're both very pretty," Chuck said. "That came out wrong." He gave her a quick glance, and smirked. "I mean you already think something is going on between the two of us." She laughed and shoulder bumped him.

"So you think I'm pretty," she said, a little shyly.

"Nope, I know you are, Lady," he said, grinning at her. He didn't care right now, Jill was out doing something, and Jenny was here with him, and he was going to tell her the truth. She laughed, an honest to goodness, from the soul laugh.

"I like you, Chuck," she said.

"I like you, Jenny," he said. "I hope I didn't run you off from Bryce."

"No, I think I'll see him again, hand me your phone," she said. He handed it back to her, and she put her phone number in it. "There, now, the next time she stands you up, you call me, and we'll hang out, and show her that Chuck has other people he can talk to."

"Does she have to stand me up, or can I just text my friend?" he asked, his eyes slightly unfocused. He probably shouldn't be doing things, but he really didn't care. Her heart melted. He was being open and honest, and she didn't know how to handle this, but for some reason she trusted him. The first person she truly trusted in a long time.

"Chuck you can text me anytime you want," she said, winking. She stood. "Now, I really need to go." Chuck stood up.

"I'll walk you," he said. Jenny gave him a look.

"Uh, no, because then I'll have to walk you back, because let's face it, Bud, right now I'm more of a physical threat than you are," she said.

"I'll have you know, if we were both stone cold sober, you'd still probably be more of a physical threat than me," Chuck said. Jenny laughed, stood up on her tip toes, and kissed his cheek.

"Good night, Chuck," she said, and took off. He felt warmth all through him and he KNEW it wasn't the alcohol. She made it to the parking lot and turned, seeing him still there. She waved at him. He was the one good person she had meet, was he really for real? She had to decide soon.

She got in her car, and headed home, not far from the campus. When she walked in, she was surprised her dad was still up. He looked up from the TV as she opened the door.

"Well, what did you find out?" Jack asked. Jenny kept her emotions off of her face, but a bit of her broke. What did she expect, Jack was about one thing, the con.

"Plenty, but none good," she said, quickly deciding. "Bryce Larkin plays loaded. He has just enough to appear to be well to do, but everything is tied up and he can't touch the money until he's older. I have made friends with his best friend, and I will keep stringing him along," she paused, getting a text. She looked down, and it was Chuck. "He just text to make sure I got home okay." Her father nodded, impressed.

"Nice, Kid," he said. "Keep the long con going, and you can ditch the phone if you have to. Very little work for a nice pay off down the road." Jenny nodded.

"Night, Dad," she said, walking to her room. She texted back Chuck she was getting into bed now. Chuck sent back apologizing for pushing her about Bryce, he just wanted both of them to be happy, and if he didn't make her happy, then he needed to be her friend as well and back off. Jenny pulled the phone to her chest, trying to stop the pain and hurt. Why couldn't she met him under different circumstances? She knew what Jill was doing to him. She just knew, and it killed her inside.

It was at that moment she made a decision. She would never be Jenny Burton con artist with Chuck Bartowski. She would be honest with him, she wouldn't hurt him, she'd protect him, and the first thing she had to do was find out what it was that Jill Roberts was doing to him. Little did she know that moment would be the beginning of the end of Jenny Burton.

A/N: Hope you liked it, reviews and PMs are always welcomed…Take Care

DC