A/N:Thanks again for all the reviews.

This chapter takes place during the first Episode with the assumption that Chuck already downloaded the Intersect. Some other things have changed up but the time frame and events are somewhat similar.

Big thanks to Gladius for his beta work and all his help.

As always, I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 2 It Finally Clicks

{August 25th 2006 18:30}
{Ellie and Chuck's Apartment}

Chuck was in so much pain that he could barely move. Of course most days and nights this was always the case but after the whirlwind of last nights 'date' with Sarah, his muscles, what little he did have, were on fire. His knees hurt, his ankles hurt, his side felt like someone was poking him with a cattle prod, and to top it all off, he found out from Sarah that Bryce Larkin was a rogue spy and Sarah's old partner who betrayed her. He couldn't understand how Bryce could do that to Sarah, well maybe he could, old habits are hard to break. A big fat thank you once again to the douche bag known as Bryce Larkin.

Ellie had already given him some muscle relaxers, thinking he had just walked to much, and told him to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. He usually enjoyed the nice sweet taste of Cherry Mountain Dew, but the pain he was feeling, he would stick to water as the doctor ordered.

He tried to change position in bed to relieve some of the pressure his enormous amount of fat tissue was placing on his chest, but that was no use. He was stuck like this, face planted securely in his pillow with his legs barely hanging over the end of the bed.

Through the pain, he tried to make sense of what exactly happened last night. He finally gave in to helping Sarah with the some of the sights and areas around Burbank. She was so persistent and even though he knew at the time it didn't seem possible, she actually gave off the impression that she was truly interested in getting to know him. Of course now he knew why but in actuality, he wasn't really that upset about it. In a strange way, it was a relief to him that it wasn't some kind of degrading elaborate scheme to embarrass him or treat him like dirt. Also, she truly seemed to have a hatred for Bryce so at least they had that in common. Even when he was embarrassed beyond belief when he couldn't fit into her Porsche, she acted like it wasn't a big deal at all and they just took Ellie's car.

But the whole car situation wasn't the most embarrassing part of the night. It was when he nearly had a coronary from running, or in his case, waddling quickly away from what he thought were terrorist. Luckily the building Sarah took him to had an elevator to get up to the roof because after trying the stairs, he never made it past the first floor. Then coming back down and hurrying to the hotel across the street where he not so gracefully did a face plant into the fountain inside the hotel. Luckily the bulking NSA agent was there to help him up as they made their way to the banquet hall in the hotel where he miraculously disarmed a bomb.

He had to smile a bit even though that hurt, realizing that for once in a very long time, he actually did something worthwhile. What surprised him more was how the beautiful CIA agent hugged him and treated him like a hero? Even the NSA man seemed to tolerate him after saving the lives of the great men and women who serve this country. It was the first time in five years that Chuck actually felt he was worth something.

The feeling was nice and even though he was suffering physically for his heroic efforts, something changed inside of him. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he knew his world was about to change. Maybe this was the 'mental click' that he'd been hoping for.

Then as if on cue, he heard the Morgan door open.

"Morgan, I'm too tired for…" Chuck never finished as the sweet smell of lavender filled the room. It was enough to get Chuck to lift his head and turn slightly seeing possibly the most beautiful sight ever.

"Awe Chuck, I'm so sorry for having to put you through that last night." Sarah could see the pain he was in and her heart went out to him. "I'm so proud of you though. You were quite the hero." Sarah wasn't kidding and there was not even the remotest hint of sarcasm in her voice.

She knew how hard it must have been for everything to be thrown at him all at once. Not to mention the physical side of what he had to go through. There were not many in Sarah's life that earned her respect, but this innocent man, thrust suddenly into a world where even the best trained agents sometimes buckled, had put aside everything, even the safety of his own life, to help save hundreds of people. She knew right then without a doubt that she was correct in her original assessment of this man.

Sarah walked around to the side of the bed to make it easier on Chuck to see her. She cautiously sat down on the side of the bed, amazed at how comforting that felt. She reached out with a caring hand and without thought moved back a strand of his curly brown hair from his eyes. "Hey, do you want me to give you a massage; I'm pretty good with my hands you know?" She knew this might be a little to intimate considering they'd only known each other for a couple days. She reasoned with herself that it was no different than a physical therapist giving a massage to a client.

Chuck turned about fifty shades of red at the thought of those warm soft hands all over his body. The man inside of him, the one that made an appearance last night, would do... His mind did a brain dump as before he could say anything else, Sarah was kneeling on the bed, rubbing her hands deep within the fatty tissue of his shoulders.

She knew there were boundaries and she really did not want Chuck to be uncomfortable. But she also didn't want to be like those people that say 'If you ever need help just call' when what they really mean is please don't call. She knew that Chuck would be too embarrassed and probably conclude that he didn't need a massage but she nipped that right in the bud. It was obvious he wasn't going anywhere so she just took the initiative and she was glad she did.

"Sarah you really don't have to do that." Chuck was trying to fight the feeling of insecurity but the wonderful feeling of the massage was quickly draining him of the objection he was trying to make. "I haven't taken a shower yet and I'm sure you have better things to do." Chuck was surprised when she just completely ignored his ramblings and continued with the heavenly massage.

"We have a meeting over at Casey's in a little bit to talk to the higher ups." Sarah could feel some tightness near his lower back as she was trying to work out the muscle the best she could. It would have been easier without his shirt on but she wasn't about to push that issue.

"What do you think they want?" Chuck was trying not to moan in pleasure but it was getting harder and harder to concentrate.

"They will probably give us our mission parameters and decide on our cover stories." Sarah continued the massage not even consciously realizing how much she was enjoying this.

Chuck tensed up as he recalled, from his hacking days, the famous 'techniques' that the Government used for high value assets. "They're not going to shove me in a bunker somewhere are they?"

Sarah stopped momentarily and leaned forward so she could look at Chuck. "Hey, don't worry about that. I'm not going to let them take you away from me."

Chuck couldn't understand how he knew, but the look in Sarah's eyes told him everything he needed to know. He was trusting by nature but recently he had lost that side of himself, always thinking people were out to get him. But he had no doubt that he could trust Sarah, even though there was no logic behind it, he just knew.

Sarah could sense sudden relief from Chuck as she continued once again massaging him. She honestly didn't know why she said that. Normal protocol for a situation like this would be to throw the now Asset into a bunker. But just like every mission she'd ever been on, every con she ever did with her dad, she was determined to make this work and throwing Chuck in a bunker was not part of her success plan.

"Okay, let's get this over with so we know what our futures hold."

Chuck let out a deep sigh as Sarah jumped off the bed and walked around to the other side to help him up. Chuck could not believe that he had just heard her right. Did she actually say 'our' future or 'take you away from me'? He knew that a physical relationship with Sarah would never happen, there just was no way. But he sure would love to have her as a true friend and even in this short amount of time; he knew his life would be so much better with her in it. And the crazy thing was; it almost felt like she thought the same thing.

. . .

{Casey's Apartment, Echo Park 19:30}

"You guys did some great work yesterday. We're especially impressed with how the asset handled the situation. However we think it best if the asset was placed in a safe hold."

Sarah instantly took a step forward, placing a reassuring hand on Chuck. Even Casey looked like he was ready to put up a fight. "Sorry sir and ma'am. I feel that would be a huge mistake. It seems that the ability to trigger the Intersect is closely tied with Mr. Bartowski's emotional state. To put him in a 'safe hold' could not only render the Intersect useless, but it could put the entire world in jeopardy." Sarah really didn't know for sure if this was true, but her training in manipulation wasn't just for her marks. Sometimes the higher ups needed a taste of their own medicine.

Director Graham just looked at his prized pupil. "How exactly did you come to this conclusion Agent Walker?"

Sarah could feel Chuck relaxing a bit from her calming touch. She was about to respond when Major Casey stepped forward.

"I believe it is vital for the asset be placed under our protection and have an opportunity to work with us exactly how he did yesterday. If Bartowski would have been stuck in a bunker, last night hundreds of innocent lives would have been lost."

Being a hardened Marine, Casey had took and saved many lives. He'd seen men transformed into elite fighting machines, men who might not of become true heroes if not given the opportunity. He could see something in the kid that intrigued him. He couldn't shake it and he looked forward to training this kid and show the world on the outside, the hero the kid was on the inside. This would be a welcome mission for him.

Sarah could honestly say she was shocked that such a hardened NSA Agent was actually sticking up for Chuck. She was expecting a barrage of rude comments and degrading remarks but it was obvious even Casey had a soft spot for Chuck. "I completely agree with the Major and would like to request permanent assignment to this mission so that I can offer my protection also." She turned to give a quick smile towards Chuck. "I believe we can make a great team and would like the opportunity to show just how effective we can be."

Graham and Beckman both looked at each other. They had to admit their agents made a very valuable point. Beckman was even more inclined to agree considering one of the lives Chuck saved last night was a very good friend of hers.

It didn't take long and the two government leaders agreed. "Very well. We see both your points and we will put you on a six month evaluation period to see how well you all work together. Now as far as cover stories…"

Sarah once again spoke up. "I think it would be best if Chuck and I became a couple. This way…" She paused at the look of sheer surprise on the faces of her superiors. Even Casey had to do a double take not to mention Chuck suddenly had a coughing fit. "What is the problem?"

"Agent Walker, you do realize what the situation is here? Don't you think being the asset's cover girlfriend would be just a little odd?"

Sarah really didn't know where this was coming from and to be honest, she was getting a tad annoyed. "Why would you think that? Chuck and I have already shown the ability to work close together and I think it would make the most sense if I was his girlfriend... cover girlfriend of course."

Graham could only shake his head.

"Excuse me sir and madam." Chuck, who had been relatively quiet the whole time, shocked beyond belief of what he was hearing, he knew he had to say something. While in a different life, he would have jumped at this opportunity, he knew there was no way they could pull off such a believable act. The world would judge them to harshly and thus bring attention. Not to mention he could only imagine the hell Sarah would have to go through to pull something like that off and he did not want her to suffer through that. "What if Agent Walker acts like my trainer?"

Sarah quickly looked at Chuck, a slight anger in her eyes that he would not allow her to do this. "I really think it would be better if I was his…"

"Enough Agent Walker. You and Chuck as a couple would just not work. You would cause too much attention brought to your… well your extreme differences and the last thing we want is attention."

Sarah was still not satisfied but she knew Chuck was getting very nervous and she didn't want to make it any worse for him. She also didn't want to disrespect her superiors but that didn't stop her from mumbling "I still think I should be his girlfriend."

"What did you say Agent Walker?" Graham was a bit annoyed at his prized pupil's reluctance to face reality.

Sarah knew when to fold-em. "I said Chuck's trainer it will be." She looked to Chuck to make sure that he knew she did not agree with this. But the pleading in his eyes made her understand his position. She hated the fact he thought so little of himself. That's when a thought hit her. If she was his trainer, maybe she could get through to him. Maybe she could make the world see what she did. And if that made Chuck feel better, both physically and mentally, then she would perform her duties as his trainer to the best of her abilities.

"General, Director. I would like to purpose that I establish a mentoring friendship with the asset. I think that would be the most logical and keep the asset safe in the process."

General Beckman could see the look in her agent's eyes. Major Casey was the best the NSA had but she also knew about what her agent grew up with. She knew that Casey had grown up in a family where his mother was morbidly obese and in the beginning of his career, it always weighed heavily on him. She could sense that her Agent had a connection with the Asset and it probably had a lot to do with his upbringing and how much he loved his mom. "Very well, we will setup a place for Agent Walker to live and a proper business front for her. Major you will work at the Buy More with Chuck and make sure to keep close to his family and friends. We cannot afford to let anything happen to Bartowski or allow anyone to use his loved ones against him."

Both agents agreed with the cover assignments and were anxious to get to work as a team. They finished up some last minute details and then disconnected the comm-link.

Sarah had to contain her excitement at the prospect of working with Chuck, helping him to become the man he was meant to be. "Okay Chuck, I'll see you tomorrow and we'll explain to your family that you've decided to make a change and have hired me as your trainer."

Chuck, although still in somewhat of a daze realizing his life was now going to be changed forever, could only shake his head in agreement. He actually felt like a zombie as he walked slowly back to his apartment, so many thoughts going through his head.

How would he be able to lie to Ellie, to Morgan? He knew in the beginning his sister would be just happy that he was training but even the thought of that made him sick to his stomach. Sure it helps that his trainer is the most beautiful woman on the planet, but he didn't know if he was ready for this. Just days before he was a hopeless computer programmer and now he was one of the most prized possession the Government had. He was still trying to figure everything out when he walked through the door and headed to his bedroom.

As he lay down, still in almost a catatonic state, he kept playing over and over in his mind the way Sarah was acting. Chuck was a man of logic; it's what made him so good at computers but also held him back from real life issues. Logic said a beautiful, sexy, extremely talented and smart CIA agent would have done anything to get out of such a dead end mission. But if he didn't know any better, it almost felt like to Sarah, this was the greatest mission of all.

It was right before he finally fell asleep that Chuck thought maybe this is what he needed all along. Maybe Bryce had done him a huge favor. Whatever it was, he had just gained two very important people in his life and even though he had a lot to learn about them, something told him his life would never be the same. And considering the past five years, that was the greatest thing that could ever happen.

A/N: I know some might be upset about no beach scene but that has kind of been over used in my opinion. There will be a special place but that won't come until later.

I know that the Casey and Sarah may seem a little OOC. To be honest, I write something I love to read. My outlines usually start with 1. What didn't I like about situation ABC and 2. How would I fix it if I was the writer.

They're not going to be way off base, I just put a little more depth/heart into their characters because I like reading and writing them that way. I apologize if people are looking for a story where it takes 20-30 chapters for the characters to share their feelings. I don't like reading those stories and that's why I'm not going to write them. The next chapter will explain a little more into why they feel the way they do.