A/N: Hello people! Sorry for the delayed update, but I had a lot of things to do lately, plus the computer monitor in my office went poof on me (smoke and everything – smelled like burnt popcorn). Hopefully, you'll find the extra thousand plus words in this chapter to be adequate compensation for the wait.
Chuck came to the Maison 23 to pick up Sarah right on time, in the crack of dawn. She'd been waiting for him in the lobby, a packed suitcase next to her. She went outside the moment she spotted his car. He loaded the suitcase in the trunk next to his and they got in for the drive to the airport. Both were casually dressed. Chuck was wearing jeans and a shirt, while she was in form fitting jeans and a blouse.
"Aren't we a little under-dressed for a business trip?" Sarah inquired.
"It's a very long flight to Paris, Sarah. Plus, we won't be seeing the potential customer immediately."
"I see. You look a little tired though."
"Long night," he said by way of explanation. "Morgan and Bryce came over to my place and we stayed up late playing computer and video games. I'll catch up on my sleep during the flight."
Throughout the drive to the airport, they talked about the tender. In the end they agreed that they had everything pretty much covered, but they were going to take another look at the proposal during the flight and see if there was anything they could make any last minute additions. Never having even been on a plane before, Sarah was privately very excited at the prospect of flying, although she hid it well. Avoiding the hassle of waiting for a commercial flight was another plus. Soon, they were both boarding the Orion Computers and Software Falcon 7X executive jet. The interior was plush, tastefully furnished and even included two partitioned sleeping sections in the cabin.
"I suggest we get some sleep first and then we'll go over the package again. What do you think, Sarah?" Chuck asked her once their luggage was stowed.
"I think it's a very good idea," she replied and yawned. "And I like the partitions," she added. "They give a fair amount of privacy."
Of course, she wouldn't miss the experience of take off for anything in the world. She and Chuck fastened their seatbelts and not long later the aircraft was winging its way towards Europe. When the pilot turned the fasten seatbelts light off, they went to the bunk beds, closed the partitions, changed into pajamas and promptly fell asleep.
He woke her up a few hours later, allowed her some time to get dressed and together they reviewed the proposal they would submit. Therefore, the almost eleven hours long flight was spent productively. The Falcon touched down at Charles de Gaulle airport at about three in the morning, local time. Sarah by now had full understanding and appreciation of Chuck's travel dress code. After the necessary stop at customs and immigration, Chuck and Sarah were in a rental car driving towards the city.
"I suppose we are going straight to the hotel," Sarah said.
"Well, there is nothing else to do at this hour," he replied.
"You didn't tell me when we'll be meeting the customer."
"Prospective customer, and it has all been arranged through their procurement section. Remember, many companies are bidding for the contract. Therefore, they'll be meeting representatives from said companies, ours included, separately. Watkins made the arrangements with them, so if all goes as planned we'll have our turn tomorrow, well, later today, I mean, which will give us plenty of time to adjust and decompress."
"Sounds good to me," she shrugged. "You seem to know where we're going."
"I've been to Paris before," he smiled.
-o-
"Here you are, Monsieur Bartowski, your suite," the concierge told Chuck, handing him a keycard and getting a generous tip in return.
"Thank you. Now, could you please show Ms. Walker to her room?"
"This is her room too, Monsieur."
"Excuse me?" Chuck and Sarah asked, incredulous.
"It's a two bedroom suite," the concierge explained. "That's how your company booked it."
"Oh. I see, thank you."
"I believe you'll find the amenities provided most pleasant. I can also schedule a couple's massage for you later. There is complimentary champagne in the lounge, too."
"I think it's too early for champagne, but we may need it later."
"What for, Chuck?" Sarah asked.
"To celebrate if we win the contract," he replied cheerfully. He turned to the concierge. "I'll let you know if and when we'll need it."
"And winning will definitely be cause for celebration, Monsieur," the man agreed.
"Choose your room," Chuck told her after the concierge left.
"Let's look at both and we'll decide then."
"OK. By the way, this was not my doing, Sarah."
"You don't need to explain," she said, reassuringly placing a hand on his arm.
"Yes I do. I am very respectful of women and I'd do nothing to embarrass you. This is all Bryce's doing. Although I don't think he'd be able to come up with the whole thing by himself. Jill, his girlfriend, must have chipped in with an idea or two."
"The couple's massage could have been a woman's idea," Sarah mused aloud.
"Bryce, Jill and Morgan are going to get an earful when we return home. I'm pretty sure they are all in this together."
Sarah suppressed the urge to ask why Chuck's friends would have gone to all this trouble. And then it came to her. They could have been trying to play matchmaker, or maybe even play a prank on their friend. Either way, she wasn't bothered.
The two bedrooms were separated by a part of the living room and both had a view of the Eiffel Tower. And they were the mirror image of each other. Eventually, Sarah picked the one on the right, as the layout was somewhat similar to that of her own bedroom. Chuck took the other room.
-o-
Later the same day was their turn to submit the proposal for the tender, as arranged. By mid morning, they both were at the headquarters of the BW Group. Since they'd arrived early, they took the opportunity to size up the potential client company once more. The BW Group's diversified activities dealt almost exclusively with the tourism sector and it was being run efficiently, although there was definite room for improvement, as Chuck remarked to Sarah.
A secretary came to see them. "Madame Banachek will see you now," she said in accented English.
"Merci," Chuck replied. He and Sarah followed the secretary into the BW Group president's office. The formal introductions were made, with both Orion people speaking in French, which definitely impressed Mrs. Banachek. She was known as a cutthroat businesswoman, and in fact in the trade there was a play on her corporation's initials: it was jokingly known as the Black Widow Group.
"You know, Mr. Bartowski, you are the highest ranking person to come here to submit an offer," she said as she escorted them to an adjoining conference room where the presentation would take place, after the introductions were made. Another BW executive plus some people from the procurement section were also present.
"Madame, we at Orion believe that you should get only the best, cliché as it sounds."
"To use American vernacular, show me what you've got and blow my mind."
For the next few hours, Chuck, ably assisted by Sarah, made a comprehensive presentation of the Executive Constellation System and its unique features. "With the system, not only will every company in the group be able to better organize its activities, but the Group headquarters will have a real time view of the big picture and will be able to step in and coordinate or correct as required," Chuck concluded.
Sasha Banachek nodded. "And now to the financial part of your offer. Per the tender, it must be in a sealed envelope."
"Here it is, Madame," Sarah said, handing her a sealed envelope. "I must stress that, since you have not provided information on the existing technical infrastructure of your group of companies, the costs stated include only hardware and software acquisition, personnel training as well as extended warranty and follow-on support. A tentative estimation on the basic installation costs is included in an addendum, however."
"Very well," Banachek said. "I have the representatives of one more company to see, and then the board of directors will convene to examine the various offers and select the winner. Thank you for coming here, Mr. Bartowski and Mademoiselle Walker."
"Thank you for your time, Madame, and I hope for a long and fruitful cooperation between our companies."
"We'll let you know about the final decision as soon as it is made."
On the way out, they passed two people from another company coming in. Chuck focused on the folders they were carrying, while Sarah looked at one of them with narrowed eyes. The man was a dead ringer for Daniel Shaw. He even leered at her the same way. She looked away in disgust.
"What's wrong?" Chuck asked when they were out of the building. "You didn't seem to like that guy from Roark Instruments. Not the balding one, the other. Do you know him?"
"He reminded me of a creep that made a pass at me once," she replied, clearly not wishing to discuss the matter further. "I take it you know the company he works for," she added.
"Roark Instruments is one of our main competitors. They even tried to steal technology from us, but they got caught. They had to pay us millions and their stock took a big hit as well. Rumor has it that they'll fold if they don't win this contract."
"I hope they lose the tender," Sarah said resolutely.
"Yeah, me too. Ted Roark is a conniving bastard. And Smith, one of the guys we passed on the way out, is one of his dirty work people."
"Which one is Smith?"
"The older one," Chuck replied. "He was the one caught trying to break into the Research and Development Division. Looks like he got out of prison."
"He was in prison?"
"He got caught and convicted for trespassing, breaking and entering, plus attempted corporate espionage. They must have let him out on good behavior."
"Are their products any good?"
"They are, but not like ours."
"Nothing can be like ours, Chuck. We are the best."
"That's the spirit, Sarah!"
"Hey, I work in marketing. Talking up the company is my job. So, what's next?"
"All this talking during the presentation made me thirsty. Would you care for some refreshment, Sarah? You must need it, as you did a fair amount of talking, too."
"Lead the way, Chuck."
"Okie-dokie. And afterwards I'll be giving you time off to go shopping."
"Um, are you sure you won't need me for anything?"
"There is nothing we can do until we get a call from BW about the outcome of the bidding. Besides, Ellie ordered me to allow you time for shopping."
"She did? Very considerate of her, but why did she do that?"
"According to her, it's a cardinal sin for a girl not to go shopping while in Paris. She also wants me to get her some souvenirs, so I'll be doing my share of shopping, too."
-o-
They met again hours later in the lobby, both carrying various bags and packages. A bellhop helped by taking them upstairs to their suite and was tipped accordingly. Once they were alone, they both plopped down on the very comfortable couch.
"My feet are killing me," Sarah complained. She was still wearing her high heels, so she unceremoniously kicked them off and then took her suit jacket off.
"I'm pretty beat, too," Chuck admitted, draping his suit jacket over a chair, pondering on whether it was inappropriate to offer to give Sarah a foot massage.
Right then, Sarah had an idea. "Chuck, the thing your friends arranged, the couple's massage, suddenly sounds just like the thing to do right now."
He looked wide eyed at her as he processed what she'd said. It made perfect sense. Why waste a perfectly good reservation when they both needed it? "I'll call the front desk and make the arrangements," he volunteered.
-o-
"What?" Sarah asked, seeing the incredulous expressions on the faces of her children.
"You went for a couple's massage together and you weren't even official yet?" Jason said.
"We're not complaining, mind you," Sam added. "But we are curious as to how you allowed it to happen."
"Your father arranged to have a partition between us. We could talk, but not see each other from the neck down. Of course, respecting my modesty like that, earned him lots of brownie points with me."
"Get back to the story," Jason urged impatiently.
-o-
Her phone rang during the massage session. "Why now?" Sarah groaned.
"Don't answer it. Whoever it is, we can always call them back," Chuck told her.
"It may be from the office, so I better get it." She had been very close to total bliss, but took the call anyway. "Walker." She listened for a few seconds then reported that the presentation had been made and they were waiting for the results. "It was Mr. Watkins," she informed Chuck.
"I sorta knew it," he muttered, not wanting to bother with work at the moment.
The massage had left them both feeling refreshed. Gone was any trace of exhaustion from the traveling and the long day they'd had. Afterwards, Chuck took her to dinner at the hotel's restaurant, claiming that it would have been a grave sin of omission to pass up on the opportunity. Then she came up with the idea to go for a walk. He wholeheartedly agreed. He kept a respectful distance from her, which impressed her even more and left her somewhat disappointed as well, because she wouldn't mind some closer proximity.
When they got back, Chuck called his parents on a video link to report back to them. Mary and Stephen were very satisfied with what they were hearing, although they both made a face when Roark Instruments was mentioned. After the call was terminated, Chuck opted to watch TV, while Sarah took a refreshing shower. And then it was his turn. When he came into the living room dressed in his pajamas, he found her asleep on the couch. He pondered waking her up, but in the end he gave in to his first impulse and gently picked her up, carrying her to her room and tucking her in. Incredibly, she didn't even stir. Now he knew it hadn't been his imagination. She'd really stayed up to better prepare for the presentation the previous night. All day long she'd been going on just two or three hours of sleep.
When Sarah finally woke up, she looked at her surroundings, wondering why the last thing she remembered was watching TV in the living room, while she was currently in her bed. Maybe Chuck could help. She got up and went to find him, still in her blue pajamas.
"Hey," he smiled as he wheeled a room service cart towards a table. "I ordered us some breakfast. Want some coffee? Nice bed head, by the way."
She ran a hand through her sleep-tousled hair and smiled. "Coffee sounds just right. Also, how did I manage to get to my room last night?"
"I carried you there," he replied casually, while pouring two cups of coffee. "You fell asleep on the couch and I thought you'd be more comfortable in a real bed, but didn't have the heart to wake you up, not after all the work you'd done, so carrying you to your room and letting you sleep late seemed to be my only option. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't and thanks." She gratefully accepted a cup and took a sip. "What's on the schedule for today?"
"Not much," he shrugged. "Basically, we wait until the BW people call with news. I am doing some work on my laptop, but nothing much. We're mostly free to do what we want. In fact, I was thinking about checking out the pool later."
"The pool?" Sarah echoed. She could swim, but she had never tried a pool. It could potentially be a nice new experience for her. There was one problem though. "I don't have anything to wear to the pool," she said.
"The hotel has a store and I'm sure they have bathing suits," he informed her.
"I'll go check it out after breakfast."
True to her word, Sarah made tracks for the store after they finished their breakfast. Finding something to wear for the pool wasn't hard at all. In fact, one particular outfit seemed to be calling her name. It was beautiful in all its classic simplicity. She also purchased a matching sarong and a beach dress to wear over the bathing suit. She changed and together with Chuck went to the pool. The look on his face when she took off the dress and revealed the black gold-studded bikini she was wearing underneath was priceless. For her part, she'd never been in public wearing so little. They thoroughly enjoyed their swim as well as a fruit cocktail each.
"So, Chuck, do you have anything planned for the rest of the day?"
"Kind of, yes," he replied. "I was thinking about doing some work on a project of mine. I've got my laptop here, as you know."
"Well then, I'd better get on with some work myself," she said and went to take her own Orion issue laptop from its carrying case in her room.
-o-
Work progressed smoothly with a break for an excellent lunch delivered by room service. By early afternoon they had completed several tasks. And then their room phone rang. "Chuck Bartowski," Chuck answered the call. "Yes Madame… of course…" His face brightened up. "I agree it's in our mutual interest to expedite… yes, I know where it is… We'll meet there."
"Who was it?" Sarah asked after he'd hung up.
"It was Mrs. Banachek."
"And?" Sarah prodded, her voice dripping with anticipation.
And…" He paused for effect. "We… WE WON THE CONTRACT, SARAH!"
"WHAT? THIS IS AMAZING!"
Neither of them could later explain exactly how it happened, but in the next instant she grabbed him and kissed him long and hard – with tongue.
-o-
"You kissed him?" Jason and Sam were staring wide eyed at their parents.
"I did," Sarah confirmed, somewhat timidly. "Chuck had gone out of his way to make me feel comfortable with the job and the rest, I liked him immensely… in the end I couldn't resist."
"She said it was kind of uncomfortable after we finished the kiss. It was completely comfortable on my end," Chuck chipped in his own two cents. "Care for a repeat, Sarah?" He wagged his eyebrows suggestively at his wife.
"Ew, gross," Sam scrunched her face. "But still… You can kiss after I go make some popcorn."
"I'll help," Jason said, wishing to give his parents some privacy. Chuck captured Sarah's lips with his after the kids had left. They would continue the story when Jason and Sam returned with some freshly made popcorn and refreshments for all of them.
-o-
They drove to the high-end apartment building where Sasha Banachek lived after informing the Orion headquarters and changing into business suits. The doorman led them to a spacious visitors' lounge by the lobby.
"Mr. Bartowski, Ms. Walker," Banachek said. "Welcome. Let's get down to business, shall we?"
"Of course," Chuck nodded. Sarah remained silent for the moment.
"The board of directors evaluated the offers and it was immediately obvious that yours was the best from a technical standpoint as well as the most advantageous financially. The decision to award the contract to Orion was unanimous. Your company's excellent reputation left no room for reservations on our part. Today we are going to sign a memorandum of understanding and a letter of intent before proceeding with the final negotiations for the contract details, including the full breakdown of installation costs."
"Let me reassure you once again, Madame, that you're getting excellent value for your money."
"I understand that your legal teams have studied the documents we are signing today in depth, since they were posted on our website"
"They have and we have no amendments to suggest for them."
"Excellent. I have them right here with me. Feel free to read them again before signing them."
"Just give us a few minutes, Madame."
Chuck and Sarah quickly read through the documents, verifying that they were just like the drafts posted on the BW Group's website. Satisfied, Chuck declared everything in order and proceeded to sign them on behalf of Orion Computers and Software. Banachek also signed them and each party got a copy.
"Madame Banachek, I have a question," Sarah said after the client and Chuck shook hands.
"Go ahead, Ms. Walker."
"There is no mention of it in the documents, but I was wondering if we can advertise the fact that as of today the BW Group is another one of our satisfied customers."
"Ah, you'd like to have the bragging rights, as you Americans say."
"In a nutshell, yes," Sarah nodded.
"I see no problem with it. The BW Group could also benefit from having its relationship with Orion made known. I'll raise the matter before the board and send you a waiver, or a letter of consent at the earliest convenience."
"Thank you Madame Banachek."
By Sarah's side, Chuck was smiling and nodding approvingly. Such a move could only help future sales.
"I believe this concludes business for the day," Mrs. Banachek said.
"I agree," Chuck said.
"Walk with me for a minute, Monsieur Bartowski."
He got up and escorted her out of the lounge, across the lobby and towards the elevators. Sarah also followed, keeping a discreet distance.
"Monsieur Bartowski, I am a firm believer in having pleasure after doing business," Banachek said.
"I'm not sure I follow," Chuck said cautiously.
Sasha laughed. "I'd like you to take me up to my room and make mad passionate sex to me," she explained in a most sultry manner. Just to drive the point home, she planted one on Chuck. Sarah almost dropped her briefcase as she witnessed the scene open-mouthed in shock.
Chuck struggled a bit and managed to put some distance between himself and the cougar. "As flattered as I am by your, ahem, proposition, I feel I have to inform you that I'm already romantically involved with someone and I can't step out on her." Of course this wasn't entirely true, but he had a point to drive home.
Sasha Banachek smiled, took a handkerchief and wiped the smeared lipstick off of Chuck's face. "You have integrity, Monsieur Bartowski. I appreciate it and your honesty. It makes doing business with you even better."
"Thank you Madame. Now, if you'll excuse me."
"By all means."
He let out a relieved breath when he rejoined Sarah. "Phew. That was something I could have never anticipated."
"Tell me about it. What did you say to make her back off?"
"I lied and told her I was already seeing someone."
"And it obviously worked."
"Yes it did. Let's get out of here. I need some air before we go back to our hotel."
"Me too," she agreed and looped an arm through his as they walked out of the building. Subconsciously, she was rejoicing and hoping the next time Chuck used the 'I'm already taken' line on another woman it would be true.
But at the moment they had other things to take care of, namely celebrating winning a most lucrative contract. Therefore, Chuck decreed that they were going to have dinner in a fancy restaurant and wasn't taking no for an answer. He used a trip to the men's room to call the hotel and ask for a bottle of champagne to be delivered to their room. He'd promised Sarah a celebration with good champagne if they won the contract and he was definitely keeping the promise.
The champagne had been of an excellent vintage. Therefore, the entire bottle went in practically no time at all as Chuck and Sarah kept toasting and congratulating each other on their current as well as future successes. Naturally, the libation had certain consequences, namely a considerable lowering of inhibitions for both parties concerned. Perhaps this was why they both wandered back into the living room to sit together on the couch after changing into their pajamas instead of going to sleep right away. In the end, both were rather drowsy and decided to call it a night. Only they ended up in the same bed: Chuck's. Neither of them seemed to notice as they got under the covers and swiftly entered Dreamland.
In the morning Chuck woke up first to find that they were spooned together. After the initial surprise passed, and noting they were both still fully clothed, he leaned back on the pillows to savor the feeling of having the woman he desired sleeping cuddled up with him. He was unconsciously caressing her hand, but suddenly her fingers became entwined with his. Sarah was finally awake.
One look – and the memory of the previous day's kiss – was all it took. They shared a meaningful look and kissed again, just as passionately. They ended the kiss when the need for air became pressing, looked at each other and kissed again. They were through denying their feelings for each other.
"I love you Sarah," Chuck whispered in her ear. "I always have."
"I fell for you after we bumped into each other three times in one day and before you took me out to dinner to congratulate me on the Montgomery contract and had to spend the night in your place."
"Really?"
"Really," she confirmed. "Now shut up and kiss me."
"Gladly." Chuck was in seventh heaven. The feelings he had for this amazing young woman were being reciprocated. He knew she was as happy as he was with the latest developments. He was about to deepen the kiss when…
"Chuck, hold on for a second."
"What?" He was a bit puzzled as her hands had already slipped under his shirt and she seemed to be about ready to pull it off of him.
"Before we go any further, there is something I have to tell you. And then we can decide on whether to move forward or not."
"You don't have a terminal disease, do you?"
She actually laughed. "Nothing so dramatic, although you may freak out when I tell you what I want to tell you."
"Go ahead. I'm all ears."
She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "Here goes: I'm not who you think I am, Chuck." She continued before he could say anything. "I mean, I really am Sarah Walker, but I wasn't born in LA and lived in San Diego."
"So, where are you from, really?"
"Britain," she replied. "I was born in sixteenth century Britain, Chuck."
"Now you're yanking my chain."
"No, really. I'm not an entirely normal girl, Chuck. I'm a witch."
"A witch… riiiiight."
"You want proof?" Sarah waved her hand and the mini bar fridge opened. The next instant a bottle of mineral water flew into Chuck's room and hovered in front of him. Then it popped open. She grabbed it and took a sip. "I was thirsty, too," she explained.
He was looking at her in total shock and disbelief, his eyes bulging and his jaw hanging open. "If you are a witch from the sixteenth century, then how did you end up in 21st century LA?"
"It's a long story, which I'll tell you some day if you like, but it involves considerable magic combined with a slight error, but it was fortunate, as I met you. Chuck, I love you too much to keep it from you any longer. Everything you've done so far has made me love you more. Please, say something."
"It's not that easy. You freaked me out a bit here."
"Imagine how freaked out I was when I discovered when and where I'd ended up."
"Normal girl or witch, I still love you. You didn't use magic on me, I take it."
"Such magic is simply impossible. But we made our own magic, Chuck. It's not in any book of magic, but it's real. So, you don't have a problem with me being a witch?"
"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it, but I don't think it will be a problem. Besides, I always had this feeling that you are a unique person, in more than one way. And now I would very much like to kiss you again."
"I would love another kiss," she smiled.
"No matter what happens, we'll work it out together." As he kissed her again, he thought that by all rights he should have freaked out even more than he'd already had, but he couldn't help considering having a real witch as his girlfriend very, very cool.
