A/N: So I have to say, I was a little discouraged…not disappointed…at the drop off of reviews for the previous chapter. I don't know if it was because chapter 2 wasn't good, or because people have lost interest in sticking with this story, or what. Hopefully that's not the case, but if it is, I guess I need to do some things differently…What that is besides writing better, I don't really know. I do want to thank the people who did review however, it's very much appreciated.

I don't need a bunch of reviews. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing my inbox full, but it's not about that. Ok, it's a bit about that lol. But how else am I going to know if I'm doing a good enough job? I'm writing this story for the Chuckverse, as well as myself, so my goal is for all of you to enjoy this.

Additional thanks to my beta uplink2.

I don't own Chuck or anything for that matter. No money being made here.

Words in italics are characters thoughts. Watch the dates and locations cause I tend to jump around a lot. Oh yeah, if some of the references don't coincide with the year, ie. I refer to something that hasn't even been created yet, I do apologize.

…

Chapter 3

October 1998

Los Angeles, Burbank

Orange, Orange

Carina swallowed her spoonful of coconut yogurt and glanced at the girl sitting across from her. Her time acting as Burbank's unofficial tour guide was a lot more fun then she anticipated, and she was actually having a good time with Walker. Carina was genuine when she asked the new girl to hangout for the weekend…whether her intentions were pure or not…but Miller really didn't know if she would have accepted or not.

"So Sarah, let's talk about you and Chuck."

Sarah's heart rate increased, and although deep down she knew why that particular organ reacted like it did, she didn't want to admit it to herself. I mean could that really be the case in such a short amount of time?

Thankfully, a group of people interrupted before she could offer up some sort of explanation…excuse…lie?

"Carina, it's surprising to see you anywhere, let alone here, without you wrapped around Chuck." Jill said this with a smile, but there was the slightest hint of bitterness that Ms. Roberts couldn't hide.

The redhead smiled. "Don't worry Jill. I'm actually going to see him tonight when I have dinner with him and his sister. I'll tell him you said hi."

It was taking all her might to keep the smile plastered on her face. Because all Jill wanted to do was smack Miller.

Carina turned to Sarah. "Sarah, this is Jill Roberts…And she likes Chuck."

Jill at least had the decency to look affronted, although she wasn't fooling anyone. With the way she acted whenever Chuck was around, everyone…except for Charles, God bless him…knew how she felt.

"I don't like him!"

Carina rolled her eyes as Hannah giggled, and the pair of boys behind them just scoffed.

Sarah sat there sizing up the brunette, just a tad annoyed. She just kept thinking how Chuck could do so much better.

Walker was broken out of her musings when the hand of the girl next to Jill, shot out to her.

"I'm Hannah Tremblay."

Sarah took the outstretched hand and gently shook it. "Sarah Walker…You like Chuck too?" She meant it as an offhanded comment, but then she noticed Hannah's flawless skin turn a rosy pink. Sarah inwardly groaned, and what meant to be inner reflection, was accidently said aloud.

"Why does everybody like Chuck!?"

Just then, a classically handsome guy pushed his way into the conversation. He looked at Sarah, but quickly moved on. Sarah could tell that this guy was looking right through her. She was use to it by now. So many guys had dismissed her as nothing just because she didn't look like a Barbie doll.

"That's what I keep wondering. Why do so many people like him? He's just some…"

Carina slammed her fist down on the table before Bryce could finish his thought, making the yogurt cups on the table jump.

"What were you gonna say Larkin?" The redhead's eyes burned the color of her hair as she practically growled her question.

Sarah was starting to see why Chuck disliked the guy.

Cole Barker, who was honestly enjoying the show, decided to get in between Miller and Larkin just to make sure there was no bloodshed.

"Relax Carina. We all know how you get when it comes to the nerd. No need to rip Bryce's head off."

Sarah was confused, and that feeling overrode her usual shyness. "If you know that Carina is protective of Chuck, then how can you call him a nerd and still be standing within her swing radius?"

Cole chuckled and winked at Sarah. "I like Charles. And besides, everybody knows he thrives on being a nerd."

Sarah blushed; half because Cole winked at her, and half because she didn't know that about Chuck.

After a few more minutes of small talk; Cole, Hannah, Jill, and Bryce headed out. Out of those four; two left happy, one was frustrated and annoyed, and the other frightened and a bit bitter.

Once their visitors were outside the yogurt shop, Sarah chuckled. "I can see why Chuck doesn't like that Bryce guy. I wonder what their history is."

Carina shook her head and smiled. "It would make a lot more sense if something actually happened between them wouldn't it?"

Seeing the puzzled look on Walker's face, Carina sighed.

"This isn't about them two. As far as I know, nothing ever happened between them. This is actually about Bryce and me…" She took a deep breath. "…You see, during my freshman and sophomore years, I was in a relationship with Bryce. One day, he up and decides to start telling anybody who would listen, that we had sex. Word spread and…you know the saying about sticks and stones?"

Sarah nodded.

"It's a bunch of bullshit, words hurt like hell. All the gossip was getting to me so I adapted. Of course I dumped Larkin. And after that, I met Burbank's own lovable nerd. He was simply…He never acted differently towards me because of all the rumors. Chuck treated me based on who I am instead of what he heard. Hell, he always tells me that he'll never believe anything bad about me unless I confirm it…" Carina chuckled. "…How's that for faith in a person?"

Without her mind processing it, Sarah whispered out, "Chuck's wonderful." Her eyes then grew wide because if that smirk on Carina's face meant anything, she damn well heard it.

Miller was doing everything in her power not to jump at what she just heard. She wanted to tease Sarah for all her worth. Surprisingly, Carina didn't feel jealous at all…kind of. But even though she took great pleasure in watching Walker squirm, for some reason, she decided to have mercy on the poor girl.

"I guess that's why I care about him so much and am so protective of him. He cares about people, more than himself. I think the fact that he's willing to hate someone…which is so un-Chuck like by the way…because that person did someone else wrong instead of himself, proves that."

Sarah nodded her head and took a spoonful of her mango yogurt in her mouth, as she contemplated all that was revealed.

Carina mistook Sarah's silence and prompted what she thought was on the 'brunette's' mind.

"Go ahead and ask."

Sarah opened her mouth to voice her puzzlement, but Carina cut her off.

"I didn't sleep with Bryce ok. I don't understand why people ask when they don't believe that I'm telling the truth!"

With the upmost sincerity, Sarah replied, "I believe you."

Carina was skeptical. "Really, just like that?"

Sarah just nodded, nonplussed. "Simple enough, yeah"

Miller nodded in appreciation as the two sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their frozen treats. Carina was the first to break the serenity.

"You should come with me tonight to Chuck's place for dinner with his sister, Ellie. Usually he does the cooking, but on the occasion that Ellie does, like tonight, let me tell you, she's a better cook then my mom…And my mom can sure cook."

"His parents don't cook?"

Carina knew it was probably for the best to keep things simple and vague. It wasn't her place to explain what happened.

"Chuck and his sister live in their own place."

Sarah nodded. She wanted to ask why the Bartowski siblings live on their own, but she decided now was not the time. "You go ahead. I don't think I know Chuck well enough to be invited over for dinner."

Carina let it die. She really did like Walker, but there was no way she was going to beg her to come along.

"Suit yourself."

Sarah sat there wondering if she had just wasted a golden opportunity to get to know one Charles Bartowski better.

Los Angeles, Echo Park

Casa Bartowski

Carina had to time this perfectly. If she missed her window, then the rest of her night would surely be ruined. There, there it is!

"So Chuck, I was hanging out with Sarah earlier today…Seems like all we talked about was you."

Chuck did a spit-take with a mouthful of food as he built up a coughing fit.

"M-me?"

Carina and Ellie started laughing at his reaction, but then suddenly, something clicked into place for Eleanor. She squealed before becoming serious.

"So who's this Sarah, and why haven't either of you told me about her?" Ellie cast an accusatory glance at both her little brother and the redhead who she considered a little sister.

Carina glanced down at her food guiltily. She was an only child, and although she loved her parents dearly, she always considered the elder Bartowski the sister she always wanted. The Millers and the Bartowskis had definitely spent enough time together to be considered one big extended family. And although she knew she didn't have to feel guilty since there was nothing significant to report, Carina knew it was just a matter of time for Sarah and Chuck to develop…something at the very least. You didn't have to be a genius to figure that out, but then again, Carina was a genius if you asked her.

Ellie saw the downcast look on Carina's face and decided to let the whole subject about this Sarah person slide. She would find some answers later on though.

After diner was completed, and all the dishes washed up, Ellie pulled Carina into the kitchen while Chuck was tasked with picking a movie for movie night.

"Alright Carina, what's the deal with this girl you mentioned?"

Carina knew this interrogation was coming sooner or later. She had taken the rest of dinner to prepare herself for the inquiry. She knew Ellie well, so she knew the questions would be flying at her as soon as possible.

"Her name is Sarah Walker, and she's the new girl in school. Chucky and Walker haven't even spent more than 24 hours together, and the chemistry between the two is palpable. Just imagine them actually getting to know one another. That would be downright scary!"

Ellie was shocked. "Is it that serious?"

"Well, I mean like I said, Chuck and Sarah haven't even really spent much time together. They have a couple of the same classes, and we all had lunch together, but other than that, they're practically strangers. But I was there the first time they introduced themselves to one another. I didn't even have to hide to watch them, they couldn't take their eyes off one another long enough to notice anyone around them…So yeah, with time, and if they don't get in their own way, which I'm not totally convinced they won't, it could be very serious."

The elder Bartowski chuckled. "I can definitely see Chuck screwing up, but what about Sarah? Tell me more about her."

"Walker's hard to pinpoint. I have no proof, but I'm certain there's more than meets the eye when it comes to her. On the surface, she's not the prettiest, and she's very shy and looks to have multiple insecurities. But I feel like she's choosing to be this way, choosing to stay within herself. Maybe she's afraid to put herself out there…I don't know, I could just be way off on everything here."

Ellie looked at Carina closely. Essentially, the redhead was basically admitting that this new girl and Chuck were bound to end up being very close. Was her little sis actually OK with that?

"With all that you know Carina, are you fine with everything?"

Carina mulled the question over for a bit.

Ellie had known for awhile now the extent of Carina's feelings for Chuck. The redhead had confided in Eleanor one night in hopes to have the elder sister's support and advice, which Miller got wholeheartedly. Ellie loved the prospect of Carina and Chuck dating, and she did everything she could to push them together. But try as she might, a romantic relationship never came to fruition; whether it was because of Chuck not feeling the same, Chuck being too dense to figure it out, or Carina's reluctance to spell it out to the nerd.

Ellie knew that Carina still loved Chuck, but whether those deep romantic types of feelings were still there, was the question. Sure, Carina had stated that she had accepted that there was a good chance that Chuck and herself weren't meant to be, but that didn't mean that those feelings just up and disappeared.

Carina nodded tentatively. "I guess I have to be…Look, a part of me will always love Chuck as more than a best friend, of that I'm sure. But just wait until you see Sarah and Chuck together. He looks at her like he never did with me. I know we make fun of him for being so dense, but maybe deep down, he just knows when it's right…or when it's not. The best I can do is move on. Of course I'll still be doing everything in my power to protect him, but in the future, if I'm still as close, if not more, with Chuck…and you, then I'll be pretty damn happy."

Ellie enveloped Carina in one of her famous Ellie hugs.

"Oh little sis, you'll always be a part of this family. Don't you ever forget that! One day, you'll find the one, and you too will know when it's right."

Carina returned the hug in spades as a rare tear ran down her freckled skin.

"I hope…You don't have another brother by chance do you Ellie?"

The two girls laughed, and when Ellie was about to suggest that they head into the living room before her little brother whined about what was taking them both so long, Chuck's voice called out.

"Come on guys, I picked a movie ages ago!"

The ladies shared another laugh before joining Chuck in the other room.

Carina walked passed Chuck on the couch, only to swat him upside the head. She then sat down next to him and cuddled herself into his body. Hey, it wasn't like Chuck and Sarah were together yet. She might as well get all the Chuck 'lovin', she could get while she still had the time.

Chuck was used to this, having spent so much time with the redhead, so he thought nothing of it.

Ellie plopped herself on the recliner next to the couch, and shook her head in amusement at her little sis's theatrics.

"So Chuck, what movie are we watching tonight?"

Carina tilted her head up. "I swear Chuck, if it's Star Wars again, I'm going home."

He scoffed. "We only watched the trilogy twice, geez…Besides I promised we would take a break from those awesome movies. No, what we're watching tonight is…Spaceballs!"

Carina and Ellie looked at him like he was insane.

Chuck just shook his head, picked up the remote and pressed play. May the Schwartz be with me.

October 1998

Los Angeles

Roadside Café

"Roan, we agreed that we wouldn't talk shop."

"But Diane my sweet, as educators, it is our mission to, well, educate…and we also agreed on a date." Mr. Montgomery mumbled the last part, half hoping his companion for the evening would not overhear…She did.

Beckman glared at the dashingly dressed man across from her.

"This is a date Roan. I know this isn't your scene, but I particularly love this place, and I wanted to share this with you." Her face softened a bit revealing a tad bit of insecurity before her expression became stoic once more.

The silver haired man smiled softly as he grasped Beckman's hand and brought it up to his lips for a gentle kiss. He still thought this type of venue was highly inappropriate for any type of romantic setting, I mean there were several neon signs around the place for goodness sakes! Still, he felt touched that the usually resilient History teacher would let him in on something so obviously personal. At least the place had a bar where he could order several martinis.

"I'm honored to be sharing this with you."

Diane smiled and took a sip of her beer. "Now, what exactly did you have planned?"

"I was thinking of a project of some sort. Of course I would have to assign partners myself or Mr. Grimes would ruin everything."

Beckman made a sour face. "Yes, that Grimes fellow is rather annoying."

Roan chuckled as he flagged down their waitress. He ordered another drink which by now, the waitress knew by heart; Ice cold dirty martini, three olives. How he could be ordering his fifth one of the night in the company of what seemed to be a date, she had no clue.

With drink now in hand…held by the stem of the glass of course…he withdrew the olives, and slowly tilted it back, drinking it all in one big gulp, before he started in on the little green fruit. With the elixir now warming his body, a genius idea suddenly struck him.

"Romeo and Juliet!"

Diane was startled. "What?"

Mr. Montgomery called for another drink as the waitress sighed and went off towards the bar. He turned to face his date to explain his brilliance.

"I'll have the students act out scenes from Romeo and Juliet. And I may suggest to Charles that it would be in his best interest to recreate Act 5, Scene 3; the famous kiss scene, with the young Ms. Walker."

Diane felt a little uneasy. A part of her loved the deviousness of it all, but at the same time, another part felt like teachers shouldn't be too involved with their students' lives. Beckman also wasn't a big fan of student relations.

"I don't know Roan, you may be overstepping. Besides, how will you be able to justify having the students act out these scenes? Last I checked you weren't the drama teacher."

"Ah my dear, that may be so, but Shakespeare's work is very important in relation to English. His idioms after all are referred to as the language of love. And if it's two things I know, it's the potency of words…and love."

Roan didn't break eye contact the whole time he spoke, which cause Diane to slightly flush. The English teacher smiled at the apparent affect he had on the generally unflappable History teacher.

"Besides, I'm not going to force Chuck and Sarah to kiss. I'll tell them if it makes them feel uncomfortable, their lips don't have to have any contact. What they decide to do when the time comes will be up to them."

Beckman was curious about something. "Tell me Roan, why are you so insistent on bringing those two together?"

He merely shrugged. "I'm quite fond of the boy. He's a good kid despite his upbringing."

Diane nodded in agreement. She had also heard about Bartowski's parents abandoning him, leaving him and his sister Eleanor to fend for themselves. Diane had met Eleanor only a handful of times, but she respected and admired the young woman.

"Yes, I know about Bartowski's past. That Eleanor has done a fine job in raising him."

"You know Diane, maybe you could…"

Beckman knew what her date was about to ask, and she promptly cut him off. "Now Roan, I will support your little mission in playing cupid for these two…but I will not let it affect the way I teach my students."

Roan smiled. He knew the answer before he asked the question, but he had to try. It was alright, his plan should work just fine.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he looked into her eyes with softness and a smidgen of love. "Your support is all I need Diane."

These two have been doing their little dance for years. And even though this was only the 3rd date, their feelings for one another were plain to see.

Diane melted a little at Roan's proclamation. She couldn't help what she breathed out of her mouth next.

"Oh Roan"

A/N (2): Just wanted to do an additional shout out to bigfan22. You guys/gals should check out his story Tides of War.

Any and all reviews are much appreciated.