Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and therefore, I don't own Sarah or Anna (*tears*).

A/N: Okay, this is the second in a series of one-shots about Sarah and Anna becoming friends. I've chosen to write Sarah a little socially awkward in these, because I think that's really who she is, at least at heart. I think if she really wanted to make a friendship work, she would be the type to go above and beyond, and maybe try too hard. Anyway, just something short and kind of fluffy to get me back in the mood to write stuff happier than my last serial. I hope you enjoy I, and please review. Thanks!

Another Chance

It was different with Carina, who was the closest thing Sarah's ever had to a true platonic friend since joining the agency at the age of 18. Even before then, the blonde rarely had any friends. Her childhood had found her constantly on the move, and always watching her back. Such an environment didn't lend itself well to meeting, and getting close to very many people, unless that's what the con called for.

So when Sarah started hanging out with Carina in between missions (and sometimes during), they had a common thread to bond over. They both knew what was asked of them as agents, and they could commiserate over the horrors of the job, or the thrill of a job well done. They both accepted that their bond, though real, could never be very personal. Sarah was fairly sure that "Carina" wasn't even her real name, just as she wasn't really "Sarah Walker". That was fine in the friendship between spies. It was acceptable to be vague.

But in the real world, friendships don't work like that. At least, Sarah is fairly sure that they don't. She again, really doesn't have a lot of personal experience in the area to fall back on, but that's the conclusion she has drawn from her research on the matter. Her research entailed observing Chuck and Morgan and how the acted and reacted to one another. Not scientific by any means, but for its purpose, it will have to work.

Sarah was unsure, at first, whether or not an actual friend would have to do research on how to be a friend, but after the disaster that was the first "girls' day" with Anna, it became necessary. "Always be prepared." That has been Sarah's motto for a long time. Actually, it's the motto of the Boy Scouts of America, but she's never been above stealing something for the benefit of the job. And she's sure the Boy Scouts won't even notice that it's gone. And after all, being prepared is far more important for an intelligence officer that protects the sovereignty of the nation than it is for a bunch of twelve year-olds lighting campfires.

That said, when Sarah set out to become "real friends" with Anna, she knew she had to go above and beyond. Even though Anna said she had fun on that first trial run of their friendship, Sarah considered it a lackluster performance on her part. Short clipped answers, not knowing any of the pop-culture references Anna tried to make, and not being able to draw one laugh from the shorter woman had really thrown a wrench into the mission.

So Sarah studied her boyfriend and his best friend. They talked about the most irrelevant things. It seemed pointless to Sarah, but if that's what friends are supposed to do, then she would make an effort to do that with Anna.

"If you could have any super power, what would it be?" Sarah asks. She hopes the question doesn't sound as rehearsed as it is.

"I don't know," Anna murmurs, still staring out of the window of the Porsche. "I was never really into super heroes, ya know?" the slight Asian woman asks, finally turning to face the spy.

Dammit, I thought that question always worked! Chuck and Morgan held a five hour conversation based on that one question alone.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. It's just, Chuck talks about that stuff a lot, and I guess I kind of picked it up from him."

It's an understatement. She flat out stole the question from Chuck. Sarah's never had any interest in super heroes, either. Hell, with what she does for a living, she's not too keen on any kind of heroes. Heroes have a tendency to end up dead. Heroes compromise missions. Heroes run into danger when they don't have to, when they can't help, just for the off chance of saving someone they love.

"Who do you think would win in a fight: John Casey, or Devon?" Anna asks, breaking Sarah from her reverie.

"Casey would kill Devon before he knew he was dead," Sarah answers quickly, instinctually. She immediately curses herself for allowing her pride in her partner to shine through. For outsiders, she knows, the question probably seems like it's up for debate. They are both in great physical shape. But she has allowed her actual thoughts, her actual knowledge to be seen, and possibly compromise the cover.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Anna responds.

Sarah heaves a sigh of relief. The reason for the relief is twofold. She's relieved first of all that, for now, the cover is safe. Anna didn't seem to pick up on her slip. Sarah's also relieved, however, that Anna has started to join in the irrelevant conversation. If the friendship is going to work, from what Sarah has observed of the Chuck and Morgan relationship, it will be necessary.

"Dammit!" Anna curses suddenly.

"What?" Sarah asks, startled by the sudden change of mood by her passenger.

"Okay, I know this might bore you to tears," Anna begins.

"No, I'm listening, what's up?" Sarah says. It seems like the "friend" thing to say in the situation, though she's not looking forward to being bored to tears. But, she reasons, these relationships are supposed to be about sacrifice.

"Well, I almost forgot, but there's a knife and gun show that I've really been looking forward to. I know you're probably not interested, but I really wanted to go check some things out," Anna says. "Could we please go, just for a little while? I promise I won't stay long."

"Really?" Sarah asks, surprise evident in her voice.

"Yeah," Anna answers sheepishly. "I don't talk a lot about it, but I kind of collect knives. I know it seems stupid-"

"It doesn't seem stupid at all Anna!" Sarah admonishes her friend.

A smile breaks out on the face of the blonde. She doesn't know if she's happier that she's finally found something that she has in common with Anna, or that the smaller woman has chosen to share something that is clearly a secret.

"I think we could have a lot of fun there," Sarah admits. "Maybe you can teach me some stuff." And maybe, if I can somehow find a way to let my guard down enough, I can teach you some stuff.

A/N: I look forward to your feedback, and you guys are awesome. Peace.