A/N: Hey all! So, so sorry to Zyfr for not doing a shout out two chapters ago for being the 94th reviewer {47X2 in case you're wondering . . . yes we have gone over how dorky that is =)} I can't believe I forgot to post it again last chapter. I am such a blond sometimes.

Chapter Twelve

Trisha, Eve, Casey, and Grace sat around the bed playing the card game kent. In this game you sit across from your partner. Each person is dealt four cards and the goal is to get all four aces or all four twos and so on. There is a person called the sweeper who lays out four cards on the table and everyone has to rapidly switch the cards in their hand with the cards on the table in an attempt to get all four cards of the same number in their hand and to throw off the other team. If no one is switching cards out anymore, the players call 'sweep' and a new set of four cards is laid out while the old set is pushed off to the side. Once a player has all four of the same card, they then have to signal to their partner that they have the required cards and their partner has to call out 'kent' in order to win a round. If a member of another team figures out what your signal is or thinks you don't actually have the required cards, they call 'bluff' to stop play. It can get kind of complicated when you have to keep track of what other players are grabbing and what you need to get. The game is fast, loud, and all out fun to play, especially with large groups of people and multiple decks of cards.

The teams had been divided so that Trisha and Eve were one team and Casey and Grace were the other. So far, Casey and Grace had been unbeatable. They'd even figured out how to signal to the other person what card they are looking for so they'd been helping each other out. Grace had been holding three kings for the past three times that the cards have been laid out and her frustration had escalated each time a sweep had passed without a king to be shown. Finally a king was put down, but Casey picked it up to throw the other two off that it was what Grace was looking for.

Realizing his strategy, Grace switched out the five in her hand for a jack on the table. Face card to face card switches are a little easier to conceal. What they hadn't been expecting was for Trisha to take the five, allowing Eve to excitedly shout, "Kent!" She threw her cards to the table and rested back against the bed, "Sheesh! I can't believe we finally won a round, Mom. You guys are crazy fast."

Casey grunted and Grace blushed a little as she replied, "Well, it's been fun, that's for sure. Thanks for teaching me a new game."

Eve smiled, "Of course. Mom and I found a book of card games so we know tons. It helps pass the time. Do you want to come back tomorrow to learn another?"

"Oh, um. I don't think I can," Grace said, "My cousin is getting married tomorrow so that's what I get to do." Her eyes rolled a little as she thought about what the day had in store.

Her tone sounded less than enthusiastic causing Eve to question, "Are you not excited for that?"

"Oh, its not that I'm not excited. I am. It's just that she is a bit of a bridezilla- excuse me, perfectionist and that I'll be the only woman left in my family that is single. They like to pick on you if you're single. I'm the old maid at these things. I'm not looking forward to the reception at all."

Trisha perked up a little, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to set John up on a date. It has to have been at least two years since his last one. "Well, why don't you take John? We'd all just be hanging out here anyway and then it gives you an excuse to leave."

Casey and Grace gave Trisha a look. John's was more of an angry look and Grace's was more of a shocked one. "Ah, I- oo- um," she looked over at John and saw that he didn't look all to pleased with the idea. "You know, I think I'm okay." She was looking at John out of the corner of her eye but directing her comment to Trisha.

John turned his attention to Grace. It's not that he wouldn't want to take her. To be honest, under different circumstances he could really see himself liking a girl like Grace. She was beautiful, sweet and considerate but most importantly independent. She didn't need anyone to coddle her. She certainly didn't deserve anyone harping on her for life choices. That thought brought out the natural protector in him, making up his mind to take her. "No. I'll take you."

"That's okay. You don't have to," she protested. It seemed clear to her that he wasn't interested and she didn't want to make him do anything he didn't want to. Besides, they really didn't even know each other all that well. It could be awkward. "It's fine really."

"No, I insist," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, trying to show his sincerity. "I would have asked myself, but," He looked over at Trisha as he continued, "some people should learn to wait and be patient."

Trisha didn't comment, only ducking her head with an impish smile and a look that said some people need an extra push.

"Only if you're sure," Grace said uncertainly, looking between Trisha and John.

"I'm sure." He stood up from his seat and stretched his back. "Would you like to get a drink with me and we can hash out the details on the way?"

"Ah, sure," she said as she looked down at her watch, "I have to go to work, though. But you could walk me out?" Her tone rose at the end in a sort of hopeful fashion. His only response was a grunt in what she assumed was acquiescence since he moved to pick up her jacket and purse by the door. She directed her attention to Eve and Trisha to say her goodbyes to the other women in the room. "Well, it's been a lovely afternoon. Tell Diane I said bye and it was nice to meet her. I guess I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, Grace. It's been tons of fun," Eve said with a waive.

John helped Grace with her jacket. He was still a gentleman, after all. He handed her her purse and held open the door. As Grace and Casey were walking out the door, Ethan was making his way into the room. "Oh, sorry," he said dodging the exiting couple. "Have a nice day." He turned his attention to the occupants of the room, "Hi, Mrs. Fisher." He grabbed Eve's chart and quickly started with the updates as he continued, "So, um, Erin actually can't make it today, Eve. Something came up with my niece that we need to take care of."

"Oh, okay," Eve said, noticing his hurry. "Is everything alright?"

"Uh, more or less, yeah. It's just . . . the situation with her father is a little complicated so another nurse offered to keep an eye on my patients until I get back so I can help Erin."

"Cool. I hope everything works out for you," Eve said supportively.

Ethan smiled as he finished up with her chart, "Thanks. I'll see you later tonight, I guess. Goodbye, Mrs. Fisher."

As the door closed, Trisha turned to Eve, "What was that about?"

Eve sighed, "We were going to shave off our hair today, but I guess we have to wait."

"Oh," Trisha said then pausing in contemplation. After realizing Eve said 'we', she asked, "Both of you?"

"Yeah," Eve said looking down to her hands. "I told him he didn't have to do it but . . . yeah." It meant a great deal to her that he would be willing to help her. Part of her wondered if it was just pity, but the majority of her truly believed he was genuine in his offer of friendship.

Trisha looked lovingly at her daughter. "You really like this boy, don't you?"

"No," Eve shifted uncomfortably under her mother's knowing gaze. "I don't know. I mean, what's the use? Even if I do get better, it won't change anything. We live in Seattle. It just- it couldn't work."

Trisha's heart dropped after Eve said 'if'. It had always been 'when' except, it seemed when it came to certain subjects, it became 'if' instead. She sighed sadly, "You know, Eve, as long as you believe in something, and know it in your heart, anything is possible."

Eve caught on to the double meaning behind her mother's statement. She had been surprised she said 'if' as well, but the thought of 'if' had probably always been there subconsciously, "I know you wanna believe that, Mom, I do too. But some things are impossible."

Trisha reached out and put her hand over Eve's, "But I do believe it. After everything, how could I not?"

Eve looked her mother directly in the eye as she responded, "That statement works both ways." She turned away from her mother so she didn't have to see the wounded look she most likely had and so she could explain, "I mean I always pictured myself competing at the Olympics. I could see it, taste it, feel it. But Dad was always there too. Regardless of if I won anything or not both of you were there- both of you. Obviously I was wrong, though. Dad's gone and I've been sick." Once she had started, it seemed she couldn't stop. All those thoughts and dreams she had kept in were just desperate to get out and be voiced, "I have these images in my head of things that I've wanted to do and things I've wanted to see, places I've wanted to go, but now, every moment I'm here, they get further and further away. And I can try to believe that it's all going to work out because, for me, that's easier than wondering what happens after it doesn't. What happens if it doesn't, Mom? What do we do then?"

Trisha's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she listened to the concerns of her only child. The memory of a similar conversation with John merely a week ago sprang to mind where she shared similar doubts. Only at that time, her mind was filled with selfish thoughts where as now, all she wanted to do was assuage the fears Eve had residing within her. But she simply didn't have a reasonable answer for her. She went for truth as she replied, "I don't know. It doesn't seem fair, does it? I mean, here you are, dealing with cancer- twice over- with more strength than I've ever had in my entire life. You've gone through more things than most people could ever imagine and yet you have this undying passion for goodness and life. I have to believe that there is a reason for this beyond what we know because anything else is just too terrible to think about. I don't know how I know this, but I know you are meant for great things and to live longer than this. There is no other option. Karma would be a real dip shit if you weren't allowed to live."

The last comment caused Eve to let out a small laugh. It wasn't much but Trisha felt it meant they were on their way back to confidence rather than doubt. Eve wiped a few of the tears rolling down her face. She had to admit, she felt a bit better knowing that her mom would always stand by her no matter what the circumstances. It had taken her a long, long time to accept the idea that unconditional love existed since all her early relations had precarious balance- one in which you could only be kept around as long as you proved to be useful. Sometimes she had her doubts but each time her mom, or dad, or Uncle Casey, or Grams would be there to reassure her. Eve looked up at her mom with watery eyes but no more tears and asked, "Will you hug me?"

Trisha's hands twitched with want and her expression shared the same sentiment, but her words were ones of concern, "But your blisters . . ."

"Please?" she choked out. "I can take it. It's been so long . . ."

Trisha immediately reached out and wrapped Eve in her arms. Gently, of course, but it sure felt good to be able to do it. She whispered into Eve's ear, "I love you, Evelyn Jane Fisher. I am so grateful everyday that you chose me to be your mother."

Eve let out a small hiss of pain at the initial contact but she was so happy to finally feel someone else's embrace rather than her own dismal attempt at comfort. She tightened her arms a little at Trisha's admission and whispered back, "I'm so grateful you let me chose you. I love you, too, Mom."

*********

John and Grace walked in comfortable silence down the hallway to the front entrance. He took in the movement of every individual they passed and counted the doors, cataloging them into different levels of threat. None of them were at a very high level of course but such was his habit, especially when other people were around him that provided an unknown. He spared a glance to his companion out of the corner of his eye. He could see she was processing. What, he wasn't sure but clearly she was in thought about something. He stroke up conversation quietly so he didn't startle her, "So, what time is this shindig happening?"

Grace had been deciding how to start a conversation as she subconsciously gazed down the hallway, also counting doors and people. Her obsessive compulsion was a bit worse than John's as she was also counting her steps and mathematically calculating how many ceiling tiles there were. She was drawn from her thoughts at his comment. "Oh, um, the wedding is at two and the reception is six. It's at the community garden, which is perfect because I should really check on some of my herbs and flowers."

Casey was curious what she'd been thinking about. It's like the conversation provided her with a distraction to something. He hummed and nodded his head. "You like gardening then?"

"Yeah," she said with a wistful smile. "It's the most calming thing I've ever experienced in my life."

It seemed there was a deeper meaning behind her statement but she wasn't offering to reveal any more information. He didn't know what to say so he gave a slight smile back and a grunt but kept quiet.

They reached the doors and pushed out into the sunlight. Grace always felt better outside, like she was less plagued with counting. She sighed as she basked in the aroma of the outdoors. "Would you like lunch before the wedding? It's the least I can do since your going with me on such short notice."

Casey noticed her change and mentally stored it for later. "Lunch would be nice." Since she obviously enjoyed being outside and had things to do at the garden before the ceremony, Casey, being the practical guy he is, suggested, "We could have a picnic at the garden before, if you'd like."

Grace smiled at his thoughtfulness, "That's a great idea." As they were approaching her car, Grace clicked the button on her car keys to unlock the door of her car.

"How does eleven thirty sound? Will that give you enough time for everything?" Casey asked, taking note of the car that unlocked. He pulled open the driver door for her so she could get in.

With the door between them, Grace looked into his eyes, "Yes, that'll give me plenty of time."

"Okay."

They lingered there for a moment, staring at each other. Grace blushed a little under his gaze. She smiled awkwardly and let out a breath, breaking the moment, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow." Deciding he wasn't a hugger or anything to that effect, she started to get into her car.

He pushed the door closed once she was fully inside the car. "Tomorrow."

"You still remember where I live right?" Grace asked as he turned to walk away.

Her window had been rolled down and Casey hunched his tall frame to the balls of his feet so he could look at her as he replied, "Yes."

"Right," Grace smiled and shrugged a shoulder, "Of course you would."

Casey laughed and used the door to help push himself up, his knees cracking at the effort, "I'll see you later."

Grace gave him a small waive which he reciprocated with a slight nod as he turned to leave and she watched him walk away. Her head tilted to the side in thought, 'What a nice ass.'

***********

Sarah purchased a medium sized bucket of some kind of macaroni salad from the Large Mart across the parking lot. Normally, and originally, she would have walked but Chuck had already put Sonia in the car seat so she just drove over. Since she had extra time, she took Sonia back to their apartment so Sarah could change out of her work clothes and get Chuck a change as well. She pushed open the door to their apartment and allowed Sonia to bound in in front of her. Sarah smiled at the child's antics. She wished she could see the world from the eyes of a child. Her childhood forced her to grow up quickly so she never got to see things quite like Sonia got too. "Alright, Missy, I'm going to go change. Will you wait out here for me?"

Sonia nodded exaggeratedly. She hopped up onto the couch and hammered her legs on the couch and sat on her hands.

"Okay," Sarah chuckled. The one box of paintings from storage that hadn't been put away rested on the coffee table in the living room. Sarah could see Sonia trying to peek into the box and around all the frames to see the pictures. "You can look, Sonia. I don't think Chuck will mind. Just be careful."

As Sonia made her way off the couch, Sarah walked down the hallway to the bedroom. She decided on a pair of jeans and a tank top, changing quickly. She could hear Sonia rattling the papers in the living room. Satisfied the child was safe, she went to Chuck's room and grabbed him a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with the word 'gamer' across the chest. She put them in a gym bag and made her way out to the living room. "Hey, would you like some water before we go?" She saw Sonia nod absently at the comment, intent on looking through all the pictures before they left.

Sonia sat on her knees looking through the portraits Chuck did a long time ago. She had been switching through the pictures rapidly, looking at them but not in great detail, however the current one caused her to do a double take and stare.

When the papers had stopped rustling, Sarah looked at Sonia. "Is everything okay?"

"It looks like you," she said staring down at the picture in her hands.

"What looks like me?" Sarah asked as she walked into the living room. Sonia held out the drawing and Sarah gently took it from her hands. The portrait was of a girl wearing shabby clothes and playing a violin. Her skirt was white with a blue floral pattern and she had on a light blue collared button-up shirt and wore white tennis shoes. She had short dirty blond hair pulled out of her eyes in a half up, half down fashion. While you couldn't see all of her face since her hand and bow covered some of it, her eyes were closed and her brow was furrowed in serene concentration. In the bottom right corner was the title "Bach- Air on the G String" with Chuck's signature and the date March 1998. There was no question it was Sarah in that picture, or more accurately, Jenny Burton.

Sarah remembered that day as if it were yesterday. That was the day she auditioned for Julliard. She had worn the nicest clothes she owned at the time, which obviously weren't much for an audition to such a prestigious school. She still felt confident that it went alright and felt proud that she actually went through with it. She'd been on her way home to talk to her father about it, to tell him how the audition went and about her concerns regarding acceptance, except . . . that was also the day her father was arrested. The day she was recruited. The day everything changed.

Sarah looked over to Sonia. She hated lying to such a beautiful child, but she couldn't very well tell her the truth. "I don't think that's me, Sonia. I didn't even know Chuck then. I only met him a couple years ago."

"Okay," Sonia nodded and shrugged, "I still think it looks like you."

Sarah feigned a laugh as she put the picture back into the box and gathered the rest of the pictures as casually as possible, putting them in over top. "Let's get going. We have to pick up Chuck and get over to your birthday party at the zoo."

Sonia's interest in the picture diminished in the blink of an eye at the mention of a zoo, "Woo hoo! The zoo. I like the animals. Lions and tigers and bears-"

"Oh my," Sarah said as a small joke to herself.

Sonia however understood the reference to the Wizard of Oz and laughed excitedly, clapping her hands, "You know about Dorothy?"

Sarah laughed at her exuberance, "Everyone knows about Dorothy."

Sonia ran for the door, "Come on, come on. Let's go! I wanna see the animals!"

"Alright, slow down, Dorothy." Sarah grabbed the two bottles of water and rushed out the door after Sonia.

*********

Traffic was a mess so Sarah had talked Chuck into changing in the car on the way. They were stopped on the freeway, a half mile away from their needed exit and Chuck still hadn't changed yet. He was busy distracting himself with singing the kiddie songs he'd put on his iPod for Sonia. Sonia was laughing and having a great time mumbling along with the songs. Sarah just sat in the driver's seat with an amused smile across her face. She hadn't said much since they picked up Chuck but she didn't mind at all. She had a lot of things on her mind at the moment and wasn't really in the mood to talk anyway.

Chuck and Sonia were currently belting out 'I wanna be like you' from Disney's Jungle Book and dancing as well as they could in their seats. Chuck was poking his fingers in the air and swaying back and forth. Sonia was copying as best she could in a harnessed car seat and he sang the words, "Oh, oo-be-do, I wanna be like you oo oo, I wanna walk like you, talk like you, too oo oo." He nudged Sarah with his elbow as he continued to sway, "Come on, Sarah. Get into it."

Sarah laughed and mimicked his actions half heartedly with a dropped jaw. She didn't know the words to the song so she just danced along. She could see they were starting to get an audience from the kid in the car next to them. The child's face was alight with glee. She couldn't see Chuck's face but guessed he had a similar look too.

Chuck noticed the child too and turned the volume up on the radio while simultaneously rolling down his window. The little boy, who couldn't be more than six or seven, rolled down his window also and he and Chuck made trumpet sounds at each other and wiggled their fingers in front of their faces. The mother in the other car turned around at the sounds emanating from her child and saw him playing with the much older man child in the other car. She laughed at how much fun they were having but still shot a confused look over to Sarah.

Sarah put her palms up and pulled her shoulders to her ear, giving the woman a 'What can you do?' look. The woman just smiled broadly at Sarah and swept her hand in a 'whatever' manner. She lipped over to Sarah, 'Well, at least he's not bored.'

Sarah smiled and nodded. Traffic started to move again, refocusing Sarah on the task at hand again. They got off at the designated exit and started on their way to the zoo. She turned down the radio and looked over to Chuck. "You should change."

He sighed, "But, bu-"

"No buts, Chuck. We are already late as it is. We were supposed to be there twenty minutes ago. There is no time to doddle."

Chuck dropped his shoulders in resignation, "Oh, fine." He started slowly unbuttoning his shirt. He was in such a rush to get to work this morning, he hadn't put on an undershirt and the idea of undressing in front of Sarah was less than appealing, especially considering what happened last time. Chuck had noticed Sarah's silence and was concerned that it had something to do with that afternoon. But she hadn't seemed upset at the time. Granted, she's had all afternoon to dwell on it. And if she was mad, he didn't want to exacerbate it so he went on as she asked. He'd just talk to her later.

On her side, however, she was well aware of every movement he made. Each button that was released exposed more of his tanned skin. She tried to maintain focus on the road but couldn't seem to keep her eyes from drifting over to the passenger seat every so often. She swallowed hard, trying to shake these thoughts from her mind.

"Did you just say doddle?" He was trying to distract her from paying attention to him and to keep both of them from over thinking the situation. Well, that, and he was a nervous babbler. She didn't answer but he heard her let out a breath and she had half a smile on her face as she shook her head. "It's such a funny word, don't you think? Doddle." He shook his head. Once he finally had his gamer shirt on, he looked over to Sarah. If he wasn't mistaken he could see she had a slightly flushed look. He just attributed it to the fact that the sun was shining on her and since her focus was straight ahead, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with him. As they turned into the zoo parking lot, Chuck said, "I think I'll wait on the pants."

Sarah smiled as she turned to look at him for a second. She was inwardly grateful she would be out of the car when he was changing the rest of the way. She rolled down the window and addressed the gate keeper, "Excuse me, we are here for the Sonia Grimes party. You wouldn't happen to know the easiest way to get there?"

The man looked Sarah up and down, licking his lips before responding, "Sure. It's to the west side," he pointed his hand to the left and smirked, "which is that way." His tone matched his smirk and Sarah felt a shrill of disgust pulse through her.

Sarah rolled her eyes, "I know which way is west. Thank you." She paid the man for parking and took her ticket, jetting off out of his presence. She shuddered in relief as they passed the gate man. She was used to men gaping at her. That was normal and sometimes it was even appreciated depending on who it was and how it was done. But to leer at her like she was meat and then question her intelligence was something she couldn't stand, even if that was one of the easiest ways for men to give her the information she needed on missions. She easily found a parking spot and quickly jumped out of the car. She pulled open Sonia's door and started to get her out.

Chuck was a little taken aback at the change. Of course, it was no secret he hated it when people acted like that towards her or any woman really. He had so much respect and admiration for her and he thought that everyone should share that. He'd never actually seen her react that way because of it though. He didn't say anything as she got out of the car, just silently went about changing his clothes.

As Sarah fussed with the car seat harness, the sound of a belt being undone drew her attention away from the task at hand. Keeping her head down, she risked a peek towards the front. She could see the muscles on Chuck's legs flex as he pushed up from the seat to push his pants down his hips. Sarah immediately regretted the decision and looked towards Sonia. She got her out of the seat, setting her to stand next to the car and went to grab the ice chest from the trunk holding the salad in it.

The picnic area wasn't too far from the parking lot and Sonia easily caught sight of her mother. "Mommy! Mommy!" she shouted excitedly, running across the parking lot to her.

"Sonia! Wait!" Isabel cried as tires screeched.

Sarah turned at Sonia's scream. She quickly jumped into action, grabbing the child and roughly diving out of the way of the on coming car. Her exposed shoulder scraped across the pavement, taking most of the hit when she rolled to protect Sonia from hitting the ground.

The whole party ran over to them and the driver and Chuck got out of their respective cars. Sarah immediately started to look over Sonia to make sure she didn't get hurt, "Are you okay? Do you hurt any where?"

Sonia sniffled from fright but shook her head negatively. Sarah let out a sigh of relief as Isabel pushed her way in and picked up Sonia starting to check her in the same way Sarah had done moments before. "Are you okay, Sweetie? What did I tell you about running in the street?"

The driver from the car started with an apology, "Oh, I'm so sorry! She just came out of no where . . ." He knelt down to make sure the little girl was okay. His heart was pounding so hard he was sure everyone could hear it.

Since Sonia was already being taken care of, Chuck left them to their conversation, his first concern being for Sarah. She was looking down at the scrape on her arm with a grimace on her face. Sarah had dropped the ice chest in her rush to get to Sonia and the salad container broke so it was everywhere. Chuck picked up the ice chest. It still had some water and ice in it, so he grabbed his Buy More shirt and wetted it down. He knelt next to Sarah and started cleaning the wound, "Here, let me."

Sarah kept quiet as she looked back and forth between Chuck and her arm. She studied his face, shrouded in concern, as he repeatedly dipped the shirt into the water and wiped her arm clean. He was being so gentle. It didn't hurt at all.

Isabel and the others looked over to where Chuck was fixing up Sarah. As they started to crowd around the couple, Isabel asked, "Oh my God, Sarah! Are you hurt?"

Sarah reluctantly looked away from Chuck and toward the gathering crowd, "Oh, its fine. It's not that bad." She was a little self conscious with all the people staring at her.

Ellie was right by Chuck's side in a flash, "Let me take a look, Chuck."

Chuck looked over to his sister. He wordlessly handed her his shirt and rolled back to the balls of his feet and out of the way of the professional. He maintained eye contact with Sarah over Ellie's shoulder as she kept pressure on the wound. 'Are you okay?'

Sarah gave him a small smile, 'I've had worse.'

Ellie looked up to her husband to be, "Devon, will you get the first aid kit from the car? I don't think she needs stitches but we can bandage her up here."

Sarah looked at Ellie for the first time, "That's okay. I'm fine. Really. It'll just scab over."

"Sarah, we need to get some antibiotic ointment on there so it doesn't get infected," Ellie said very sternly, the doctor within her shining through.

Sarah sighed at her determined 'boyfriend's' sister and quietly responded, "Okay, fine. But could we not do this in the middle of the parking lot? I can walk you know." At Ellie's nod, she then addressed the rest of the group more loudly, hoping to keep from a permanent audience, "I'm fine. I promise. Everyone can go back to the party."

As people turned to leave, the driver of the car gave Sarah one last look, "I am truly sorry."

"It's okay. It's not your fault."

Chuck helped Sarah to her feet as the man got into his car and left. "You're sure you're alright?" he asked as Sarah tested her limbs.

"I'm fine, Chuck."

Ellie shook her head, "Sarah, you almost got ran over by a car. How can you say you're fine?"

'It wouldn't be the first time . . .' Sarah thought sadly. She sighed and looked at Ellie, "The important word there is almost. I almost got hit by a car but didn't. It would've been worse if it had been Sonia. I couldn't let her get hit either. It was just a reaction." She shook her head and looked down, "It shouldn't have even happened at all. I should have been paying closer attention."

Ellie was saddened at Sarah self depreciating expression. She wasn't mad at her. No one had a right to be mad at her for her heroic actions. She'd just been scared for her safety. "You can't control these things, Sarah. It's not your fault."

"Yes, it is my fault, Ellie," Sarah protested exasperatedly. "She was under my care, my watch. It was my responsibility to look out for her. If something had happened-"

"Sarah, stop," Chuck said. He knew she would continually beat herself up about this if someone didn't step in. He knew how protective she could be and how ashamed of herself she could get if she felt she wasn't performing up to par. Hell, he'd been on the receiving end and the cause of most of it. He pulled her into a hug and looked over her head at Ellie. "Could you give us a minute, please?"

Ellie nodded and turned to join the group. She stopped Devon as she moved away from her younger brother and his girlfriend and pulled him over to the table with her. "They need a minute."

Isabel saw them coming over without Sarah and Chuck. "Is she okay?" she asked concerned.

Ellie nodded, "She says she's fine but she's really beating herself up about the situation even happening."

Isabel was shocked. "What? That's crazy. She couldn't have stopped a three year old from running out into the street. That would have happened regardless of who was with her. The difference would have been Sonia getting out of the way or not. She saved her. She shouldn't be upset at herself."

Devon was now privy to a bit more information about Sarah and her actions and reactions made a lot more sense to him than to the others. "I think Sarah just has a very strong protective nature and sense of responsibility. She had been taking care of Sonia all afternoon. I bet she feels a little responsible because Sonia hadn't fully passed back to your care." He looked over to where Chuck and Sarah were standing as he continued, "She's just processing. Chuck will help her." He turned back to the group, and with his normal 'awesome' smiled said, "But how awesome was that dive, huh?"

The group laughed at his attempt to cheer them up. Ellie slapped his arm in comical admonishment. Everyone started to scoop food onto their plates and waited for the hero of the day to join them.

**********

As Ellie was walking away, Chuck stroked Sarah's back comfortingly. He echoed Ellie's earlier statement quietly whispering to her, "Sarah, this isn't your fault. You can't control everything. I know you want to but sometimes these things happen."

Her good arm was underneath his and wrapped up on his shoulder while the other rested against his chest in a loose embrace. "I know." Sarah's voice was mumbled by his chest since her head was dipped against his shoulder. She turned her face so it rested in the crook of his neck, allowing her to be heard better, "But what happens when it's you? Like at the train station? I had the shot but I didn't take it because it was you. My reaction should have been as quick as this one but it wasn't. And you almost paid the price."

Chuck rocked her a little as he asked, "Is that what this is about?"

"Partly."

"Sarah," Chuck pulled back a little and took her hand that rested on his chest in his hand and moved it over his heart, holding it there, "Feel that? I'm alive everyday because of the things you do for me. From the very moment you came into my life, I came alive in a way I've never even dreamed about. And it's all because of you, Sarah Walker. I get to live because you keep me living. Never doubt that you do more than enough for me everyday."

As a stray tear ran down her face, Chuck took his hand off hers and brought it to her cheek, gently wiping it from existence. Her face looked as if the tear had never been there in the first place. Her hand stayed on his chest, feeling his heart beat through his skin. Her heart soared with his words as she felt the guilt she'd been harboring for the better part of a year ebb away. She thought for sure that had been part of the reason he said the things he said afterward. She tightened her grip around him with her good arm.

He bent down and kissed her forehead, "You ask far too much of yourself sometimes."

His tone had a hint of jovialness and teasing to it causing her to smile a little. She didn't know what to say without it causing problems so she chose to keep quiet. Sometimes it's just better to say nothing.

He reciprocated for a moment before giving her one last peck on the forehead and pulling back, rubbing his hands quickly up and down her back, "Come on. Let's get you bandaged up and then eat some good food so we can walk around the zoo. Yeah? How does that sound?"

Sarah laughed, glad he wasn't pushing any sort of conversation. He seemed so excited to get to walk around the zoo. It was hard not to share some of his enthusiasm. "Okay. That sounds nice."

Chuck draped his arm over her shoulders and she wrapped her good one around his waist allowing him to lead her over to the group she was quite sure would scold her for her negligence. Just before they reached ear shot of the party, Chuck whispered to her once more, "Just so you know, you are my hero. And I'm not just saying that."

Sarah smiled up at him a little shocked but wasn't given the opportunity to respond as Isabel made their approach known. She rushed over to the couple and gave Sarah a big hug, "Sarah, you are my favorite person ever!"

Sarah's eyes widened in surprise as she was pulled from Chuck. It took a moment for her to comprehend what Isabel said but when she did, she asked confused, "You're not . . . mad?"

"Mad?" Isabel repeated, releasing Sarah, "I'm not mad. Why would I be mad? If anything I should be mad at Sonia. She knows better than to run across the street without looking."

"I don't know. I guess I thought you would think I'm a careless excuse for a babysitter."

"Not at all, Sarah. If possible, I think we love you even more."

"You love me?" Sarah repeated. It'd been so long since some one had said they loved her. Even if it's implied, when you go so long without hearing it, it's strange when you do.

"Of course we do." Isabel turned her attention to Chuck and with an accusing glare she said, "Have you not told this woman you love her?"

"I, um," Chuck stuttered as he tried to explain, "Well, you see-"

Sarah jumped in to save him from this conversation. It was her fault he'd been put in this situation, "Of course he says it. It's just that . . . well, I've only met you the one time. I was just shocked that you'd be so open about it. It's not something I'm used to," she laughed sheepishly, playing her part perfectly.

Isabel shook her head with a smile, "Sarah, I wouldn't have left you with my daughter all day long if I didn't like you to some degree."

Sarah blushed a little, "That's true."

Ellie smiled, "Come on. We need to get you a bandage."

Sarah looked over her shoulder at Chuck as Ellie led her away. "You coming?" she asked concerned. She was always uncomfortable in large groups of normal people without his guidance to help her navigate. She still carried some parts of the shy introverted girl of her youth with her.

"Ah, yeah," Chuck said and then looked back to the car, "Yeah, but I should probably clean up the mess a little bit. I'll catch up." He offered her a smile of reassurance.

'Hurry.'

'You'll be fine. Promise.'

Sarah turned around and addressed Isabel, "I'm sorry about the salad."

"Don't worry about it. We have plenty of food."

***********

Everyone was sitting around eating ice cream after a fabulous late lunch. They all made sure to give Sarah their thanks but it seemed to make Sarah attach herself to Chuck's hip. Normally she didn't mind being alone in groups, in fact she really liked it but all this attention caused her spy senses to kick into overdrive. Attention wasn't a good thing in her line of work. Surprisingly enough, Devon was helping direct people's attention away from her which she was grateful for.

Chuck had noticed Sarah's discomfort at all the attention and pulled her away to sit on the bench to eat their ice cream. Even though they'd been with each other for most of the day, this is the first time it's felt like it. "So, I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay," she said swallowing a bite of ice cream.

She had a little cream at the corner of her mouth and he reached up to his face, hinting at where it was located, "You have a little . . ."

"Oh." She brushed her hand against her cheek in an attempt to wipe it away. "Did I get it?"

He laughed and shook his head, "No." He reached out and swept his thumb across the corner of her mouth, "Wrong side."

Electricity crackled at the innocent maneuver causing both individuals to pause. Chuck was already looking at her lips due to his earlier finding. His eyes slid up her face to meet hers only to find that hers were dropped to his mouth. He waited for her to look up and once she did, they stared in silence for a moment. Both knew what would happen if something didn't break the tension. Sarah swallowed and opened her mouth to speak, betraying her want for something else, "You wanted to ask me something?" She barely managed to whisper the question.

If he hadn't been sitting right there, he wouldn't have known what she said. His whisper matched hers as he said, "I just wanted to make sure you're not upset . . . about earlier . . . at the Buy More . . ."

Their torsos edged towards the middle, their eyes still focused on each other but slipping every so often to the lips of the other. "I-"

"Sarah, Sarah!" Sonia shouted running up to her. "Come see the aminals."

They sprang back from each other, the moment broken as Sonia pulled Sarah away to a standing position. "Okay, but just for a little while," she said being dragged off. Sarah looked over her shoulder to see Chuck smiling sadly yet understandingly as she left with the small child. She gave him the answer to his question with the slightest shake of her head and then turned to pay attention to where she was walking but not before catching Chuck's smile change to a happy one.

**********

Ellie, Devon, Chuck and Sarah helped carry bags of presents out to Isabel's car. None of the guests wanted Sarah to help because of her arm but she insisted so they gave her the lightest bag that contained only a t-shirt. Once the trunk was closed, Ellie turned to the group, "So, I know we were supposed to have date night tonight but in light of recent events, I'd totally understand if you weren't feeling up to it." The last part was directed toward Sarah.

"Oh," Sarah looked between the three, trying to gauge how much they all really wanted to go. She was pretty tired all things considered and truthfully, she would rather stay home, but she didn't want to disappoint anyone. "We could just do something simple. Get a drink or something?"

Ellie and Devon smiled, "Okay. A drink would be nice."

It was five o'clock so they made plans to meet in the courtyard at eight. They broke off and headed to their cars. "Do you want me to drive, Sarah?" He seemed pretty hopeful that he would be able to. He'd always wanted to drive an expensive car.

Sarah took in his hopeful expression and smiled, "Well . . ."

As her voice trailed off he clasped his hands together and said, "Oh, please, please, please with a cherry on top. I'll be careful."

"One scratch, Bartowski, and I'll break your neck," she said holding out the keys to him.

"Yes!" Chuck did a happy dance as he took the keys from her. He held open the passenger door for her. Since the shoulder that would be used to grab the seat belt was injured, like second nature, Chuck did it up for her and closed the door, smiling all the while.

He still seemed preoccupied with being able to drive the car and Sarah was pretty sure he didn't even register doing it. She smiled and shook her head in astonishment as she watched him rush around the front of the car to the driver's side. It was the little things that proved how much you meant to someone, how much someone cared. Sarah was pretty sure Chuck cared a lot.

**********

Sarah had dosed off during the drive home. Chuck let her sleep, humming quietly along to the radio to keep himself occupied. As he put the emergency brake on, he looked over at Sarah. He brushed the bangs out of her face a little and whispered, "Sarah? Sarah, we're home."

She took in a deep breath and awoke to Chuck's gentle prodding. Her eyes squinted tiredly up at him as she let out a yawn and stretch. She sighed as she came out of the stretch. Her eyes fluttered shut as she said quietly, "You didn't kill my car."

Chuck laughed, "And this surprises you?"

She smiled and rubbed her eyes, "Not at all."

He patted her leg, "Come on. Let's go inside. You can rest some more on the couch."

She groaned as she stepped out of the car. He'd waited for her at the front of the car, one arm outstretched invitingly. She leaned tiredly against him as he led her through the courtyard. He opened the door and guided her to the couch, assisting her to a sitting position. "I'm sorry I'm so tired," she said as she adjusted herself on the couch, getting more comfortable. She grabbed the pillow and lay on her stomach. It seemed the week of hard work was catching up with her. Between getting the apartment ready and moving and dancing and staying up late, removing wall paper, babysitting, almost getting hit by a car, it's no wonder she hasn't crashed before now. It had most certainly been an eventful week.

Chuck knelt in front of her, resting his chin on his fist and petting her hair with the other. "Why don't you rest some more? I'll amuse myself with some video games and I'll wake you up before we have to get ready."

"Mm, -kay," she said as she drifted off once again.

Chuck watched her for a few moments longer. He grabbed the throw blanket from the back of the couch and tucked it around her. The day had started off so crapily but it turned into one of the best days he could remember. A knock on the door drew Chuck away from Sarah as he quietly made his way to the entrance. Looking through the peep hole- Sarah would kill him if he just opened it- he saw Ellie on the other side. He opened the door with a finger to his lips, "Shhh. Sarah's asleep. What's up?"

"Okay." she whispered and handed him a trial packet of aspirin, "I wasn't sure if you guys got medicines yet so I thought I'd bring over some."

Chuck took the item from his sister with a smile, "Thanks."

"You're welcome." She looked past him to Sarah's sleeping form on the couch. "You know, just let her sleep. We can do the date night some other time."

"You sure?"

Ellie smiled, "Yeah. She deserves a night off. I know she's not used to all this family stuff. Have a good night." She leaned in and gave Chuck a kiss on the cheek and a small hug.

"Good night, Ellie," he said as she walked across the courtyard. He closed and locked the door. Chuck turned around and looked at Sarah on the couch. From somewhere deep inside, he felt a sudden spark of inspiration. The familiar tingle in his finger tips coming back after years of absence led him down the hallway into his room. He dug around through a box and found an old 17"X 22" sketch pad he'd tucked away years before. It was right next to his charcoal pencils. He took the items back into the living room and sat across from her, pencil at the ready. For the first time in years, he drew something because he wanted to, not because he was asked to.

***************************

That's all for now. Sorry I didn't actually put date night in it. This seemed better because they really have done a ton of things this week. But there will be a date night, I promise =) Let me know what you think.