A/N : I, David Carner, solemnly swear I will not let more than a week go by without updating this. (waits for a minute) OK, Grace's gone. HELP! I went almost 2 weeks without updating this, and she's mad. MAD! I may have to write another Li'l Chuck just to make her happy. Send supplies, I'm trapped here until I finish!

Today's musical inspiration comes from Boyz II Men, Welcome to Ch 10, End of the Road

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but I do enjoy Pot Roast…It's unnatural you belong to me…I belong to you

Sarah smirked sitting on the couch thinking about the last two weeks. Things could not have been more perfect. She had been concerned about hiring Morgan, but that…well, that had been a blessing in disguise. When he asked what time Molly went to daycare and got nothing back but blank stares, Morgan looked shocked. When he asked who was in charge of her educational development, he looked disappointed. He disappeared into his office for two hours and when he came back, he pulled Carina to the side and began to talk to her. They went over a notebook he had written in, and they had an actual discussion. He listened to her, made changes, sometimes he would make a suggestion about something she said, and then she would get a whole new idea.

The next morning, the two presented something that blew Chuck and Sarah away, a curriculum for Molly. Morgan wanted to make sure she was advanced over her peers when she went to school. Sarah gave Chuck a speculative look, but Chuck had promised them they'd look at it. They kept their promise and they were glad they had. Carina had come up with different games and activities that worked with Molly's motor skills and dexterity, Morgan had come up with activities for literacy and math. They had worked together to come up with activities for science and social studies. Chuck and Sarah were blown away but the biggest shock came when John Casey spoke up.

"You have nothing for endurance," Casey said. Everyone turned to stare at him.

"Well, John, in this company, if you have a problem, we also believe you should come up with a solution," Emma said. Everyone fought to keep the smile off of their face. Casey would say anything to anyone except Molly and Emma.

"Ma'am, I'd have to do some studying to see how to turn some of those exercises into something appropriate for someone her age," he said.

"Then I guess you're the best person to be in charge of that," Emma said. John nodded, a strange look on his face. If Chuck were forced to guess he would say it was a smile. That's how Molly's homeschool preschool began. Everyone in the company would basically spend an hour a day with her, Chuck and Sarah didn't always have an activity for her, sometimes they just wanted to spend time with her, but Molly was getting an education, mostly off the government's dime. Chuck and Sarah felt that was justified considering their past with said government.

She smiled thinking about the last two weeks. Seeing Carina and Morgan work together…something was there, the question was would Carina let herself feel it? Morgan was an absolute gentleman around her and Carina was about at her wit's end trying to figure what to do about him. Many times she would catch them talking. Usually after she left, Morgan was standing there in a dream state. This led to Casey buying a SuperSoaker 9000 eXtreme. Every time Casey saw that look on Morgan's face, he would blast him with the gun. Morgan always thanked Casey, and Casey would always shake his head and grunt.

"You like the bearded gnome don't you, John Casey?" Sarah had overheard Emma asking Casey after one soaking.

"It's not that I like him, because he annoys me to no end, but….awe, hell, I respect the moron," John said, shaking his head. "Everyone has warned him about her, and not only does he risk it, he takes it slow, and treats Carina with respect. Carina doesn't even treat Carina with respect, and that's not a shot, Ma'am, that's just how she is. Even if nothing happens between them, Carina's been shown something she needed to see."

After that speech, Sarah began to wonder about Casey. He normally didn't string four words together in a sentence that wasn't a mission briefing. That was the other thing that shocked her. Casey and Carina were going out on mission and bringing Morgan. For the most part, the NSA had been pushing people toward hiring Truffaut Industries when it wasn't something of high importance. They had become the outsourcing company of the NSA. Beckman had even hinted at making it a permanent arrangement, one that shocked everyone that Casey didn't disagree with.

The absolute shocker was when Gertrude Verbanski showed up, and told Sarah that there was a problem within her company. Gertrude had been going through everything since Chuck had destroyed their encryption and learned those she had employed, may not be all they thought they were. Sarah was very kind, offered her a job which Gertrude immediately turned down, but did ask how she would feel about hiring them to take a look at her company. Sarah agreed and her and Chuck went over everything.

Gertrude took it all in stride as they showed her all the shortcuts her people had taken. It appeared there was a group within her company that was being led by a man she had turned down romantically years ago. He was slowly dismantling the company from the inside. When Casey found out, he went to Beckman explaining how this could affect them since the NSA sometimes used Gertrude's company for different things. Beckman had told Casey, with what Chuck swore was a twinkle in her eye and a slight grin, that the NSA would stay out of it, but since Casey's cover was a Truffaut employee and Gertrude had hired them, he should do whatever he thought was necessary. Needless to say twelve people disappeared from Gertrude's company over the next few days.

Sarah wanted to grin, she wanted to be happy, but all she could do was sigh as she looked out her window and saw the house next door. Well, house was an understatement, it was huge. Five bedrooms and a basement, huge backyard, it was Sarah's dream house from when she was a child. She knew she wanted to own it one day with her husband and children. The foreclosure sign in the front yard was killing her a little inside.

"Have you talked to him about it?" Emma asked from behind, pulling her out of her thoughts. Sarah just shook her head.

"What am I supposed to say, 'Hey, Chuck, I know in the past few weeks you found me, met your daughter, uprooted your life, and did all this for me, but how do you feel about owning my childhood dream home that I probably can't afford?'"

"So I guess you've already looked to see how much it is?" Emma said, smiling. Sarah nodded.

"Yeah, there's no sense talking about it," Sarah said.

"Yeah, because not talking about the future has served you two so well in the past," Emma said, patting her shoulder, getting up and walking off. Sarah thought about that for a second. Chuck wandered into the living room a few minutes later, leaned down and kissed her head. She looked up at him and smiled.

"So, I'm not used to you being first up," Chuck said. Sarah shrugged. "Did I do something wrong?" Sarah looked at him, in her loving, "I love you, but some days you're an idiot," look.

"No, Chuck, I just had something on my mind," Sarah said. Chuck sighed and looked a little sad.

"I thought we were friends," Chuck said. Sarah gave him a look, knowing what he was up to. "Friends talk about things."

"Okay, I guess I deserve that," she said, smiling. Chuck smiled, and snuggled into her the same way she did him a few weeks ago. "Should I speak in generalities?"

"If it helps," Chuck said. "I could also shut my eyes and pretend to be asleep."

"No, that's not necessary," Sarah said. "So, there's this guy."

"There's always a guy," Chuck said, shaking his head. Sarah grinned and flicked his ear. "OW!"

"Shush you," she said, grinning. "So there's been this incredible, kind, wonderful, charming guy."

"It's me, isn't it?" he asked.

"See, this is why we never do this, you can't be quiet," she said, trying to look irritated, but her eyes giving it away. Chuck made a motion to zip his lips.

"Anyway, this annoying jerk," she said looking at him as Chuck appeared to be affronted. "Has given me almost everything I've ever wanted." Chuck raised his hand.

"What has this insufferable fool not given you?" Chuck asked.

"Don't talk about my jerk that way," Sarah admonished. Chuck put his hands up as if to say "my bad". She grinned. "I had a dream growing up, of living in this big house, but the sexy jerk has uprooted his life, and I can't ask him to do it again."

"He is such a jerk," Chuck said. Sarah gave him a warning look. "I mean I would go anywhere to be with you." Sarah looked at him. "Sarah, you're my home." Sarah's eyes filled with tears. "You and Molly, you're it. Anywhere you want to go, I'm there." She kissed him and he lost track of time.

"So, you want to see the house I want to live in but can't afford?" Sarah asked grinning.

"Sure," he replied. "Is there an open house, or do you have a key…" he trailed off and looked at her. He shut his eyes, and covered them with his hand. "You're going to pick the lock, aren't you?"

"I have a certain set of skills," Sarah said. She got up, and pulled him off the couch. They got dressed and she took him next door. Emma watched the two go, and got her phone out.

"Hey," she said softly. "We need to talk. I'll see you then." She hung up, and looked up another number. She grinned at how she knew he was reacting to seeing her number on the phone. When he answered, she was direct. "I need to meet with you, can you see me in an hour? I'll text you the address." She hung up and watched the young couple with their daughter enter the house. "She's not the only one that wants to see her dreams come true." Over in the house, Sarah was giving Chuck the grand tour. As it ended she spun toward him. Molly was over to the side exploring as they talked.

"See, isn't it perfect?" she asked. Chuck had to agree it was. "I just wish I could afford it."

"I'm sorry, Sarah," Chuck said, honestly. "I just don't have anything saved up. I mean with our combined incomes we could afford the payments…did I say something wrong?" Tears were streaming down her face.

"We?" she asked, wetly. "Like me and you pay for it, together?"

"Yeah, I mean that was the plan, right?" Chuck asked. He found himself on the floor seconds later, having been tackled. Molly looked at the two, and clapped, seeing her parents playing.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," he groaned. "But, I think I'm going to need a new kidney."

"You only need one," she responded, not loosening her grip.

"Your concern is touching."

"I'm trying to show you affection here you big jerk," Sarah replied, still hanging on tightly.

"You went to Harvard so you may have gotten the definition for affection and affliction confused," Chuck joked with her. She sighed and snuggled more into him. "I just told you, you were my home, why would you think I wouldn't buy a house with you?"

"I don't know," she replied, shyly.

"Sarah, we're together," Chuck said. "What do you need me to do to prove it to you?"

"I just worry that one day…" she trailed off.

"That I'm going to leave you to hurt you?" Chuck asked. He felt her nod into his neck. "Sarah, that's not who I am."

"I know, you won't leave Molly" she whispered.

"Sarah, I won't leave Molly, but even if she wasn't in the picture, I wouldn't leave you," Chuck said. Sarah began to softly cry. Chuck's phone began to ring.

"Go ahead and get it, I'll be okay," Sarah said.

"Nope," Chuck replied.

"Chuck, either you get that or I will," she said. The tone in her voice told him he'd best get it.

"Hello," he answered. "Hey, Ellie, how are you?"

"Hey, Chuck, I'm good. I have two weeks off, because I've worked too much, and I'm being forced to take the time, and I was wondering since Devon is working the whole time if I might come see you guys?" Chuck pulled the phone away and looked at Sarah.

"Can Ellie come stay with us for a couple of weeks?" he asked. Sarah and yanked the phone from Chuck's hand.

"Ellie, come stay with us for a few weeks and get to know your niece," Sarah said. "Oh, and bring earplugs, because your bedroom is right next to mine and Chuck's." Chuck smacked a hand over his face. "Here he is."

"Hey, no, I can't wait either. No, Ellie, I'm serious she will love you. Can you do me a favor, and bring me something?" Chuck asked. He smiled. "That's exactly what I was going to ask for. Love you, Ellie, see you soon!" Chuck hung up and grinned at Sarah. "Bring your earplugs?" Sarah shrugged, grinning.

"I have three years I've been making up for Bartowski, I'm not letting your sister stop me," she replied. Chuck's ears turned a shade of red she didn't know existed.

}o{

Ellie arrived and hugs and squeals were given out in spades. After they got her set-up in her room, she pulled Chuck aside and gave him something. Chuck thanked Emma again for having her stay with them when she got home. Emma reminded him she was family, and hopefully one day, sooner rather than later, it would be official. Sarah heard every word and just beamed. Chuck again turned red, and it didn't help when he realized Ellie heard it all as well and was vibrating.

"Everything okay earlier?" Sarah asked. Emma smiled.

"Yes, just meeting some people," she replied. Sarah studied her.

"Okaaay," Sarah replied. "We'll talk." She said, turning away. Emma just smiled thinking about her meeting.

}o{

A few hours ago, at a nondescript diner

Emma walked in and saw her ex-husband sitting in their booth, and sat down beside him.

"Hey, beautiful," Jack drawled. "How'd you know I was in town?" Emma gave him a look.

"Jack, you've been in town since Molly and I came and saw you a while back," she said. Jack stuck his tongue in his jaw, and moved it around thinking.

"Am I getting that old, that I miss things?" he asked.

"Dear, everything I learned, I learned from you," she said. "The real question is why haven't you been home."

"I don't have a home, Darlin'" he replied. Emma stared at him, and Jack grinned. "Do I?" Emma tilted her head and started to answer when John Casey walked up to her.

"Ma'am," Casey said. Emma offered him a seat and he sat. He looked at the two. "Miss," he began.

"John, it's Emma," she said. Casey nodded.

"Emma, I know he's your ex-husband, but-" Casey began.

"I'm clean cop-face," Jack said. "Have been since your boss came and saw me a few years back about how your bosses screwed her and the schnook." Casey grunted a laugh. "I went legit and I've actually been showing some of your people how to stop cons. I feel dirty doing it, but I have a granddaughter now, and it was time." Casey nodded.

"Casey, Sarah's dream house has been foreclosed on," Emma said. "It's the one right beside my house. I want you to have the CIA or the NSA or whoever to buy it, and sell it to us for one dollar more than what they paid for it."

"That's not the way it works," Casey said. Emma leaned forward.

"John Casey," she said, making John straighten. "Those two have been screwed by the government, don't you think it's time they made a few things right. I'm not asking for anything special, just buy the house at the foreclosed cost and we buy it from them." Casey sat there a minute.

"I don't think that will fly with my superiors, but I'll try," he said. "Excuse me a minute," and with that he got up and walked outside.

"I don't like it," Jack said. Emma smiled, and patted his arm.

"A few years ago, you'd already be gone," she said, looking at him.

"Part of me wants to bolt, but I'm too old for that crap anymore, Emma," he said, sighing.

"Yes," she said.

"Gee, thanks, I mean I knew I had a few years on me, but you didn't have to agree with me," he said, grinning. She turned back to him.

"Yes, you have a home," she said simply. Jack blinked his eyes, and sat there for a second not sure what to say. "It's taking too long," she said. It was true, but she mainly said it to take pressure off of Jack.

"We're not getting what we want," Jack agreed.

"No, but maybe we're getting what we need," she said, and looked him right in the eye.

"Emma, I, uh," he stammered.

"Sorry to take so long," Casey said, coming back to the table. Jack turned back to Casey. "It was a no go, the house is off the market."

"Any chance we can talk to the buyer about selling it to us?" Jack asked.

"Oh, absolutely," Casey said. "I also had your financials checked, everything you made is above board." Jack gave him a look. "Come on, you know I had to check."

"So, do you have any suggestions of how to approach the buyer?" Emma asked. Casey gave a half smirk.

"Buy him a piece of pie," he said. Jack caught the look in Casey's eye, and signaled the waitress.

"Darlin'," he said. "Would you bring my friend over here a piece of Apple?" he asked. Casey nodded. Jack returned the nod. "A piece of apple pie."

"Ala mode?" the waitress asked. Casey looked insulted.

"I don't want any of that French crap," he said. The waitress left and Casey leaned forward. "If you ever tell those two I bought it…"

"We won't, John," Emma said, laying her hand on his arm.

"It will take about sixty days to clear escrow before I can sell it to them, but they can live there in the meantime," he said.

"How about we take a look at it and see what, if any repairs need to be made," Jack said. Casey gave him a nod. Emma looked at the two, and saw a modicum of respect.

}o{

Now

Chuck went to talk to Sarah when there was a knock on the door.

"I wonder who that is?" Emma asked.

"Making pot roast?" Chuck asked with a grin. Ellie nodded. "Same bet as always?"

"There's no way it's him, Chuck," she replied. "Yes, it's a bet." Chuck smiled and opened the door.

"Morgan," Chuck said, turning his head back inside to look at Ellie with a, "I told you so," look on his face. Ellie rolled her eyes.

"Chuck, I smell it, is she here?" Morgan asked. Chuck nodded, stepped aside and he came in, looking very upset.

"Morgan?" Ellie asked. Morgan held up both hands.

"Ellie, I need to say this, and I need you to be strong," he began.

"Oh, boy," she muttered.

"Ellie, I know we've both had our dalliances with others in our relationship," Morgan began.

"We don't have a relationships," Ellie countered. Morgan went on like she never spoke.

"But, we always knew we'd find our way back to each other," he continued. Sarah leaned over to Chuck.

"Is he on drugs?" she whispered.

"Oh, no, this is all my little buddy," Chuck whispered back.

"Today, is the day I never thought would happen, but today is a sad day. Ellie, I will always love you like a sister, admittedly a sister I want to have sex with." Chuck made a face at that one, and Ellie looked sick. "However, I think," he paused. "We've come to the end of the road. Still, I know you can't let go." Sarah leaned back over.

"Is he quoting Boyz II Men?" she asked, trying to hold in the laughter.

"Yes, he likes the classics," Chuck replied.

"Whew," Morgan said, taking a deep breath. "Ellie, I think we're over." Ellie just stood there, stunned. "I know, I know, there's not someone else, yet, but the possibility…it's just too great and I can't do that to you."

"Thank you?" she said.

"If you need one more night with me, I can give you that," he began.

"Nope," Ellie said. Morgan nodded.

"I get it, cut it off, rip the Band-Aid off, that's good, El, that's good. Being a doctor I wouldn't expect anything less." Morgan opened his arms. "Come on, we need to hug." Ellie rolled her eyes, blew out a breath and hugged Morgan. Chuck was standing where she could see him, biting his pointer knuckle trying to stop himself from laughing. Sarah looked like she might explode from holding it in. Ellie pulled away. "Now, when you see her, will you be alright?"

"I'll find a way to get through it," Ellie said. Morgan nodded, and then clapped his hands together.

"Great, is that pot roast I smell?" he asked. She gave up.

"Yes, but it's not my house, so I can't invite you," she said. Morgan waved.

"I have a standing invitation," he said. Ellie smiled and walked into the kitchen. "She's taking this well." Chuck nodded, Morgan turned to check on Ellie again, and Chuck and Sarah fled outside. Outside, they both laughed until tears ran down their faces. When they finally stopped, they were sitting on swing on the porch just looking down the street, enjoying each other's company.

"We need to talk," Chuck said. Sarah looked at him. "Calm down." Sarah grinned. Chuck took a deep breath. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. You have a heart that is so big, you took care of so many and protected them, and I just can't figure out why you are so insecure about us." Sarah looked a little meek. Chuck cupped her face, and she lifted her head to look him in the eye. "Sarah Lisa Walker, there is no more I, me, you, or any other singular pronouns, there is only us. You deserve better than you're letting yourself have. There is no more you accepting whatever I decide. You don't get the scraps. We are in this together and I won't have it any other way, you hear me? You want to succeed in this mission?" She nodded. "Then you deserve to have what you want and sometimes that means disagreements and arguments, but when two people love each other, as we do, we work through those arguments. I'm not going anywhere, and I only know a couple of ways to prove that to you." Sarah's eyes started to tear up.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I agree with you, I love you, but I can't just accept whatever it is you're willing to give me."

"Have I given you any reason to think I'm leaving?" he asked. She shook her head. "Have I done anything to make you this scared?" She shook her head.

"It's my past life, my dad leaving my mom, what I did to you," she said, he laid a finger on her lips.

"It's all the past, right?" he asked, grinning. She nodded. Chuck removed his finger. "Sarah, I want to give you something." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a box and handed it to her. She opened it, and her mouth dropped. He reached down, picked up the charm bracelet that was in the box and put it on her wrist. "This was my mom's, my dad gave it to my mom when Ellie was born. I know my family hasn't had the greatest track record of hanging around. That's why I want you to have it. This is a symbol of my promise to you, Sarah that I am going to do whatever it takes for us to be together." Tears were flowing out of her. "This is real, and I don't leave." Sarah nodded.

"I love you so much," she whispered. "I'm just scared I'm going to lose you." Chuck smiled.

"Trust me, I know that feeling," he said, and pulled her close. "How many times do you think Morgan cries tonight during dinner?" Sarah burst out laughing, and put her hand against his chest.

"Chuck, you said there were a couple of ways, what were the others?"

"Well, the only other thing I knew to do was marry you, but Chuck Walker just sounds like a bad TV show," he said. He felt her grinning against him.

"I would have said yes," she said softly.

"That's good to know, but we're not ready," he said, sighing. "But one day." She sighed contently beside him.

"One day," she replied. Silently she changed her mission parameters from getting Chuck Bartowski back to marrying Chuck Bartowski. Sarah Walker never failed a mission.

A/N: Wait, you didn't think the title of the chapter had anything to do with Chuck and Sarah did you? Of course you didn't because it's me…Until next time

DC