A/N: God, this one took a while. So there's much Charah. Very Little Bryce. Enjoy it because it will change soon! I tried to make it longer as well! Reviews are greatly appreciated, and I promise, I read EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE AT LEAST TWICE. Oh, and since I'm dishing out chapters like crazy, expect a very short hiatus. So here are two chapters in one day. Both written today as well, so they're hot off the presses.-LLC

Chapter 4: Getting Familiar

Bartowski/Woodcomb residence: 9:00 AM

Sarah Walker arose to the smell of coffee, (yet again), and fresh croissants. There was a knock on Chuck's bedroom door. "Come in….?" She replied, finding it all slightly amusing.

Chuck kicked the door open gently with his foot, carrying a tray. There were two cups of coffee, a croissant, some fruit, and a tiny vase of flowers. He set it gently on Sarah's lap, a cheery smile adorning his face. "Good morning, Agent Walker." He said playfully. "I know you're probably used to wonderful, gourmet hotel breakfasts, but I hope this will suffice…" he smiled and sat on the foot of her (technically his) bed.

Sarah's heart melted. Hell, she almost cried. Never, not once in her life, did anyone do this for her. And here was a kind stranger, who'd taken her under his wing. He'd given her warm meals, a place to stay, stories to ponder, and a support system to fall back on. What did he ask for in return? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. "Chuck…" she paused, trying to hold all her emotions from flowing out. "This is so beautiful…" she paused once more, taking everything in. "It's so wonderful. I've never had anyone do something so sweet for me…" her eyes were watery, but she wouldn't let herself cry. Sarah Walker, crying over a tray of croissants. Who ever would've thought it?

Chuck was surprised, and almost a little upset at how something so little was affecting her so much. How had she been treated before? Did no one love her? Didn't anyone care for her? "Sure…" Chuck shrugged, like it was nothing. Sarah purposely dropped her napkin. As Chuck kneeled to pick it up, she grabbed his hand, making him freeze. She placed a soft, luscious kiss on his cheek. That was the easiest way to tell him how she felt. It seemed to work, as Chuck was grinning from ear to ear. Sarah gave him a small smile. She knew it. Already, she was developing….feelings for him. But she chose to ignore it. She was a human too! She was allowed to live! Screw Graham, Larkin, and the government all together.

The breakfast that followed was quiet. The two finished up, just sharing glances, comfortably.

Chuck leaned back on the bed, eyes on Sarah. He needed to make her stay. He needed to help her be happy again. But how? She could phone her CIA buddies and leave if she got bored at any time. He needed a plan.

Sarah pushed the tray aside gently, eyes on Chuck. How much longer could she stay in this wonderland and deny the truth? Why hadn't Graham come back for her? And where the hell was Bryce? So many questions. She looked at Chuck, and a small grin formed on her face. It could wait. It isn't that often when a Chuck Bartowski stumbles into your life. She'd be an idiot to let him go. Smiling, she sat up a little more.

" Chuck?" she asked softly, opening up to him fully.

Chuck sat up, staring directly into her ice blue eyes.

" Show me your life... A normal life..." Sarah requested in a very shy voice.

" It'd be my pleasure..." he grinned, hopping off the bed. " I'll show you my work, and we can go see Ellie for lunch..." he stopped babbling for a minute. Sarah grinned, making Chuck freeze in his tracks. " You're gonna love it, Sarah..."

" I already do."

Fulcrum base: unknown location. 10:00 AM

Donovan sat in his chair, waiting. As if on cue, Larkin came through the door.

" How was she, sir?" Donovan asked, watching his boss carefully.

" Not bad. No one can do it like Walker..." he grinned. Donovan gave him a supportive smirk.

" no worries though..." Larkin grinned. " She'll be back in my pants soon enough.."

" Of course sir. What's the plan...?" he asked, having nothing to do.

"For now? We relax and enjoy the show..." he smiled and leaned back once more. He was going to find out just what Walker was up to. " You planted the bug on Walker's host's car?" Bryce asked for confirmation.

"It was a red and white NerdHerd car.." Donovan informed him with an affirmitave nod. " I bugged it with mics and a GPS system. That's what you asked for, sir."

" Nice work, Donovan." Larkin smirked. " I'll make you a very rich man..."

Buy More Plaza- 11:30 AM

" This is where the magic happens." Chuck smiled, motioning to the Nerd Herd front desk. Sarah grinned as she watched him. " Broken phones, radios, computers, cameras..." he smiled. " We've got it."

" And the occasional bullet wound.." Chuck quipped. " We cove those too.."

'What about broken hearts?'Sarah mused in her head. She gave him a smile. " Good to know. Next time I'm shot, I'll definitely stop by here first.." She chuckled, Chuck did as well. " She has a sense of humor!" Chuck grinned. "God. Where have you been all my life?" Chuck teased.

'Definitely not where I should've been...' Sarah thought to herself. Chuck grabbed her hand, leading her to the home theater room. Inside, Sarah spotted a short, long haired, indian man. Beside him was what appeared to be a large, fat man. Both seemed drunk. "These, dear lady, are our finest court jesters." Chuck introduced them, a crooked smile on his face. " Don't get too close..." He led her back out. Luckily, the goons hadn't seen him.

"Chuck! Buddy!" Sarah whipped around, defensively.

" Calm down there, agent Walker.." he smiled amusedly. " Friendly fire..."

"Sorry..." Sarah looked sheepish for a moment. After losing herself for a few seconds in Chuck's warm stare, she finally noticed a short, friendly looking bearded man approaching them.

" You hung up on me! Wait, not even that! You just started screaming..-." he trailed off as he gave Sarah a once over and whistled. " Dear God, Charles... What have you been up to?" He smirked, knowingly.

" Morgan! Really sorry about that..." he nervously put a hand on the back of his neck, one hand still in Sarah's. " This is Sarah..." he began. " She's my..." He paused, thinking.

" Girlfriend." Sarah finished, watching Chuck's jaw drop. " As of yesterday..."

Morgan grinned. " Chuck, you sly dog you!"

" Uh..." Chuck was still recovering from what just happened. He couldn't lie to Morgan, but then Sarah just said they were DATING. " Yeah. Um, I brought her here to introduce you."

Morgan stuck out his hand, which Sarah shook with a smile. " I've heard all about you Morgan." She was about to take a leap of faith here, guessing they were best friends. She had to sell this. " Your childhood stories are really entertaining..." she hoped they were friends back then.

" I know!" Morgan grinned. " We've always been best buds!" Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. He bought it. She was oficially the " Girlfriend" of Charles Irving Bartowski.

" Wish we could stay, Morg.." Chuck began. " Gotta go see El at Westside..." he pulled Sarah away hastily.

" Take care, man!" Morgan called, watching Sarah as she left.

Chuck's Nerd Herder : 12:00 PM

" Sarah!" Chuck glanced at her. " What was that?" He was definitely freaking out.

Sarah shrugged, " I had to sell the cover..." she explained. " I'm sorry. I know you didn't want to lie to Morgan..." she sighed.

Chucl felt like hitting himself. She thought he was mad. " No, Sarah, why did you say I was dating you...?" he asked, confused.

" Because...it felt...right..." Sarah shrugged. Chuck gave her a soft smile, letting her know he agreed. Sarah Walker, dating Chuck Bartowski. That did have a nice ring to it. " Sarah Walker, dating Chuck Bartowski. Who would've thought it?" Chuck said aloud, chuckling. Sarah grinned as well. " Believe it. Morgan did.." The two set off for Westside medical hospital to see Ellie, unknowingly giving Bryce Larkin a vital piece of information.

Fulcrum base: unknown location: 12:01 PM

Bryce was in a state of shock. He had been listening in to the " Nerd Herder" and heard not one, but two familiar voices talking. One was indefinitely Sarah's, he knew that well. The other, was a man's. Who? He just couldn't place it. Then, he heard: " Sarah Walker, dating Chuck Bartowski. Who would've thought it?" coming from the man. Chuck Bartowski. Bryce couldn't control his laughter. Out of all the people Sarah could've found, it was Bryce's old college room mate. And the two were in love.

He kept laughing, ignoring Donovan's questioning glances. This was great. Scratch that, this was perfect. He was going to break some hearts very soon. Both of them for the second time.

Westside Medical Hospital: 12:30 PM

Chuck strode up to the front counter with Sarah, coming right behind him. Sarah couldn't really remember anything about Ellie, so she found this quite intimidating. All she knew was that Ellie was a genius, successful, and very protective of her brother. This was worse than that time she started a revolution with only a fork in Jakarta.(old reference! ) Chuck smiled at the beautiful woman sitting behind the counter in scrubs. " Hey Diane." He gave her a charming smile. " Is Ellie coming out now?"

Diane gave him a soft smile. " Charles, always good to see you..." she said in somewhat of a sultry voice. Chuck instantly shied away. Sarah subconciously narrowed her eyes at the woman. 'Skank...' She thought.

' Wait, what? Why should I care if she's hitting on MY Chuck? It's not like we're actually dating...' Sarah wanted to smack herself. She was a truly pathetic case.

Diane put her hand over Chuck's. " She's in with a patient...she'll be out any minute..." Sarah chose the exact moment that their hands made contact to clear her throat. Chuck noticed, swallowing. He quickly released Diane's hand, turning to Sarah. Before he could say anything, He felt a gloved hand on his shoulder. He turned to face a grinning Ellie Bartowski. She smiled, " Hey guys. I see you've rested up well Sarah..." she took off her gloves, throwing them away.

Sarah smiled gratefully. " Only thanks to you doctor Bartowski... and Chuck here..." she said somewhat shyly .

Ellie put a comforting hand on her shoulder. " Call me Ellie..." she began, and before Sarah could protest, she continued. " I'll grab my things and we can meet at the Cafe across the street...sound good..?"

Chuck nodded. Once Ellie was gone, Sarah turned to Chuck. " God, your family is so nice."

Chuck chuckled, " It's the Bartowski charm..." , taking her hand as they went across to the cafe.

Once they arrived, Chuck pulled a seat out at an open table for Sarah. Ellie arrived only a few minutes later, smiling as she sat down. They ordered their drinks, and finally began to talk.

Sarah took in a breath. " Ellie... the reason I was...shot...is..." she paused, trying to figure out how to word it best. Ellie could tell, by the look on her face, that she was a good person and her situation was diffucult to explain.

" Sarah. I don't need to know..." she began.

"All that matters is that you're safe and sound." Chuck added, as Ellie smiled and nodded. Her brother was falling hard.

" So, what have you two been up to?" Ellie asked curiously.

" Well, Chuck basically put his life on hold, which is incredibly sweet of him..." Sarah said, staring into his eyes with a small smile. Ellie glanced at Chuck. They seemed to be mirror images of eachother. Both looked deeply in love; absorbed into the other. Ellie smiled to herself once more. 'Crazy kids...' she

thought.

" And Sarah told me all about herself, which was really great of her..." Chuck countered, breaking contact with Sarah only to sip his drink.

" Uh huh, so Sarah, when do you plan on going back home?" Ellie asked, unaware that Sarah was basically homeless.

Sarah's expression was something like that of a person who'd just been slapped in the face. Ellie immediately tried to soften the comment. " If you had plans to...uhh... you know... return...somewhere..."

Chuck looked at Sarah's helpless expression. " El, if it's fine with you, Sarah will be staying with us for at least a few weeks..." He saved her.

Sarah couldn't help it. She grinned. Chuck Bartowski had invited her to stay for a FEW WEEKS! She felt like squealing. She tried to act casual and sip her drink.

Ellie smiled as they brought out the food. " Oh yeah. She's always more than welcome..."

Chuck smiled, glad the two were getting along. " The food is great guys, dig in." Little did he or Sarah know, Bryce Larkin, a sore name for the both of them, had something very destructive planned.

A/N #2: Okay, I tried to lengthen this one out. I'm shooting chapters out like crazy, so expect some sort of gap. I honestly have no idea how this will play out until i've finished writing it. If anyone knows of a beta, please, please, please send one over. This story is quite demanding. Again, sorry for awkward Charah scenes .Love reading em! Can't write em to save my life! Anyway, next: we get a look into just wthat the hell bryce's plan is, Charah gets a long awaited moment, and Someone dies. Thanks for reading:

LLC