A/N: Not gonna lie, expected a much more severe reaction about Bryce. Hope you're all staying warm. My fingers have just now thawed from the snow and ice.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

The tension that surrounded everyone was thick enough to cut with a knife. Sarah was staring at Chuck. She couldn't be surprised. She knew how much he hurt with the rift between him and his father. She had no idea what a wreck he would be with his entire family shunning him. If there was one thing Chuck Bartowski was, he was empathetic.

She glanced over at Zondra, who seemed to have conflicting emotions warring on her face. Zondra, who had lost her family; Zondra, who would do anything to protect Chuck, Sarah, Molly, and those she called family. Zondra, who knew more than anyone both the pros and cons of Chuck offering Bryce this olive branch to save his family.

Sarah glanced at her sister, and saw the absolute shock on her face. Sarah wasn't going to say anything to Chuck; this was his decision. But she knew her sister, and as she thought that, Molly seemed to come alive. "Chuck," Molly yelled, snapping out of it. "You can't." Chuck turned to her. "That's your life's work… it's yours!"

"And I have a chance to help someone have their family back. What better reward is there than that?" Chuck asked her.

She stared at him, frustrated. "Chuck," she simply said, her tone saying it all.

"Stop, Molly. It's his decision," Sarah gently told her. Molly looked at her sister, pleading in her eyes. Sarah shook her head no, and Molly turned to her girlfriend for help. Zondra simply took Molly's hand.

"Buddy," Bryce said softly, making everyone turn toward Bryce. He smiled at Chuck and began to shake his head. "No."

"You sure?" Chuck asked, not pulling away, his phone still there for Bryce.

"Positive. Besides, there's no way I can just plug this up-" Bryce began.

"See-Three-Pee-Oh, allow copying for Bryce," Chuck said.

"Understood, Master Chuck," C3PO replied.

"Chuck, you can't fix family by money, by throwing money at real problems," Bryce told him. "All it does is cover it up for a bit, but… the real problems, they're still there, underneath. This changes nothing at the end of the day. I didn't tell you this for you to offer, I told you this so you could see exactly what kind of bastard you're dealing with."

"I know that. I just wanted to make sure you did," Chuck told Bryce.

Bryce nodded, and sighed. "I miss, 'em, dude. I hate what my family has done, but I love them, and I really miss them," Bryce said. Cole put his arm around Bryce, and Bryce buried his head into Cole's shoulder. "I just miss them." Cole looked at Chuck, an appreciative smile on his face.

"I know you do, man, I know," Chuck said, looking away and blowing out a rough breath, feeling Sarah's hand rubbing his back.

}o{

Sometime later Chuck lay in his bed. After everyone had gotten back control of their emotions, Bryce asked what if he got a copy of C3PO that contained a virus, one that would allow Chuck access to Roark. Chuck told him that wouldn't work, as Roark kept his computer off the company network. In fact, Roark only got company email on his phone. Bryce was silent for a moment, nodded, and let it go.

The group had broken up a bit later, Cole and Bryce both giving Chuck a huge hug and thanking him. The next night would be the last the two were there, with the conference ending tomorrow. There was to be a big karaoke party, and the two were leaving early the next morning.

Cole and Bryce had given everyone their numbers, and they were all shocked to learn the couple was based in LA. Sarah didn't say anything, as she took Chuck's arm and led him back to their room. Chuck had showered, gotten into bed, and was lying there, waiting on Sarah, thinking about how to approach his dad.

"You know what you have to do, right?" Sarah asked him. Chuck turned to look at her. She had come out of the bathroom, and he had no idea how long she had been watching him. She was wearing a pair of shorts, and one of his tee shirts. Her hair had been towel-dried.

He thought he had never seen anyone more beautiful in his life.

"My God, do you know how amazing you are?" he breathed, not able to help himself.

A slow smirk crossed her face. "I see you over there, trying to change the subject. I need you to focus."

"I'm'a focusin', I'm'a focusin'," he told her. She started to speak, but he rushed on. "Listen, this is isn't about your beauty… your physical beauty that is, because let's be honest, you are just… wow."

"Wow?" Sarah asked, the smirk growing into a smile.

"Wow," Chuck confirmed. "What I'm talking about is how you let everything play out with me and Bryce, and you were just… there." She just smiled at him. "It's how you let me have my space, figure out what my next step was. And now, after all that, to make sure that I know you're here for me, to listen, support and just… whatever I need."

"Damn, Bartowski, you don't play," Sarah said, walking toward him.

"When it's you, I never do," Chuck admitted.

"Okay, now… back to my original question. And then you and I are going to discuss what you just said," Sarah began.

"Discuss?"

"There are many forms of communication, Chuck," she explained, in a tone, that left no mistake what she meant. She pulled them back to the bed. "You do know what you have to do when you get back, right?"

"Broad strokes, yes," Chuck said, nodding. "A specific plan… not so much." He looked out the window, where they could still see the ocean crashing into the sand. "It's gonna resemble that," he said, gesturing towards the surf. She crawled against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He turned to look at her. "There's gonna be a lot of yelling, because I'm going to tell him things he does not want to hear."

"He yells when he gets frustrated?" Sarah asked. Chuck nodded. "He thinks people aren't listening to him?"

"Yeah, I guess," Chuck told her. "You know why I want to do this by myself, right?"

"Because if it's more than just you there, he'll feel ganged-up on," Sarah replied. "Because if it's anyone but family, he'll think that it's people trying to… I don't know, take him down?"

"Yeah, Teddy got it into his head that if they're not with you, they're against you. Mom has tried to tell him for years that's bullshit, but when your 'friend' is telling you something you want to hear…"

Sarah leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I'm proud of you." He turned to her, confusion on his face. "This isn't going to be easy, and I think you know that." He nodded. "It's going to hurt, but you're going forward, to heal." He nodded again. "I'm here for you."

"I appreciate that, but you do have your own job and life," Chuck reminded her.

"I do, but it's not like you're some burden," Sarah told him. "Besides, you are a big part of my life, and my job. If I have to do things to take your mind off of the bad stuff, then it's a responsibility I'll gladly bear."

Chuck furrowed his eyebrow. "How exactly are you going to take my mind off the bad stuff?"

"I have my vays," she said, affecting a bad German accent.

"Oh, God, we've progressed to role playing, now?" Chuck asked.

"I thought you'd like it," she said, a slight pout on her face. He leaned down and kissed her on her pouting lips.

"I do," he said softly.

"I mean, now that I think about it, I could have made you feel cheap by using just pure physical lust to get your mind off things," she told him, grinning.

"But you don't," Chuck said. She pulled her chin back. "I'm not saying physical lust isn't involved, but it's not just those things. It's love, Sarah." He gently moved a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's you, worried about me, loving me, being there in every way for me."

He bent down and kissed her neck where it joined with the shoulder. A low moan escaped her lips. He moved his lips to her ear. "I don't know how I can ever thank you for all you do for me, for how you're there for me." His hand slid down to her knee, and he gently drew lazy circles on the inside of her knee, working his way up the inside of her thigh.

"Chuck," she said in a strangled voice.

"I mean, I have ideas," he began, and then the next thing he knew he was on his back, having been pounced. "I'm sorry, have I done something wrong?"

"Yes, you're using those lips for talking, and not for other things," she began. She squeaked and laughed as suddenly he flipped her over, and as she got her bearings, she felt a pair of lips where his fingers had been.

"Is this better?" he asked.

"Getting there," she choked out. She lifted her hips as her shorts and underwear were removed from her. "What are you… oh… that's what you're doooooiiinnngggg…"

}o{

Chuck was in line to get breakfast, smirking. Every time he thought he had gotten rid of the smirk on his face, he glanced at Sarah who was giving him a look, and the smirk returned. She, in turn, shook her head and looked away, a bit of red on her cheeks.

"I don't know what you did to that woman, but I'm betting she wants you to keep doing it to her," Cole said behind him.

"Apparently it's a good thing that the only neighbors he has beside him is Zondra and Molly," Bryce added. Chuck slowly turned around to look at the two men. "They are giving her hell over there." Chuck swallowed. "I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd say they are jealous." Chuck started to laugh, and then saw Guy walking up to them.

"It's fine," Cole said under his breath. Chuck gave a barely noticeable nod.

"Chuck, the committee has talked, and we think we owe you a bonus for the work you have done this week for the whole conference." Guy handed Chuck a check. Chuck nodded, glancing at it. His eyes went wide, and he folded it, putting it in his pocket.

"Thank you," Chuck said, sincerely.

"We were wondering if you could set up the karaoke stuff for us tonight?" Guy asked. Chuck nodded. "And please, feel free to participate."

Chuck got a grin. "Oh, boy," Bryce said, smiling. "He's getting an idea."

"Do you think you two could sing back-up?" Chuck asked. Cole and Bryce shared a look, turned to Chuck and agreed. "Here's what I'm thinking," he began, and told them the plan.

"Oh, Chuck, let's turn this up to eleven," Bryce said, and added his idea. Chuck grinned. "Can you help us out, Guy?" Bryce asked.

"My pleasure," Guy said smiling. He left them to take care of other duties.

"Bryce, I need to ask… how did Roark get to you?" Chuck asked.

"My guess is Jill," Bryce said, shrugging. "I know she knew about our wedding and no one attending."

"Well, Zondra and I appreciated from afar," Chuck said, smiling at the two.

"We know, and we're glad you did," Cole told him. "I hate to be indelicate, but… do you not trust us?"

"No, not that," Chuck said shaking his head. "I just wondered how many people Teddy has his claws in, but Jill makes the most sense." Cole nodded. "The offer still stands, Bryce."

"No, buddy, the answer is still the same. It would change nothing, and even if it did, I won't do it that way," Bryce told him. Chuck pulled Bryce into a hug.

"For the love of God, you two, I want to eat!" Casey growled behind them.

"Some people," Chuck muttered, making Cole and Bryce laugh.

}o{

The party that night was going well. Zondra was happy. She had a few people that were staying behind to talk with her about using her services in the future. Sarah had a few leads. Carina had so many she said she didn't know when the next time she'd be back home. Everyone had heard her tell Casey that he should come with her, and they all agreed his grunt had been an affirmative. Chuck… he had nothing, which was fine. He had many things to deal with at home.

"Thank you, Joe, for that… interesting, rendition of Here I Go Again," Guy said, shaking his head and stopping just short of wiggling his finger in his ear to unclog it. "Oh," Guy muttered. "Uh, Mr. Bartowski, we seem to have a problem."

"No problem," Chuck said standing. "Bryce could you come help me? You too, Cole."

"Why do you need Cole?" Molly asked.

"Because you don't split a honeymooning couple, Molly, duh," Chuck replied. Everyone at the table looked at each other, none of them buying it. Chuck messed with the computer for a moment as Cole and Bryce grabbed mics.

"No one is believing you, Chuck!" Molly yelled, making everyone laugh.

Chuck stood, a smile on his face, and took the mic from Guy. "I think I have it fixed, let me see," he said, hitting a button. The lights dimmed, disco balls splayed lights, and a spotlight hit the stage.

"Oh boy," Sarah said, burying her head in her hands. "I'm not sure if I want him to sing to me or not."

"Maybe he's singing to me," Carina said. Zondra rolled her eyes. "It's possible, he could be jealous now that Johnny's here." Casey gave her a look. "He has no prayer," she assured him.

The bass began. Ba bumbum Ba bumm Ba bumbum Ba bumm. The guitar began. Bown bup bana bana bown bup bana bana.Chuck began to sing.

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.

He looked right at Sarah, who smiled at him. He began to climb down off the stage where he, Cole, and Bryce were.

When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.

He walked toward her table, his smile intensifying.

I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way.

He held his hand out to her. She took it, an uncertain look on her face.

My girl, my girl, my girl

Talkin' 'bout my girl

My girl

He pulled her to her feet, and began to dance with her. Bryce took over lead vocals, as couples everywhere began to dance.

I've got so much honey

The bees envy me

I've got a sweeter song

Than the birds in the trees

Well, I guess you'd say

What can make me feel this way

"I love you, Sarah," Chuck told her, the two swaying to the music.

She tilted her head back, looked at him, and smiled. "I love you. Thank you."

"For what?" Chuck asked her.

"For making me feel like the most loved person in the world," she told him.

"My pleasure, ma'am," he replied, affecting a Texas drawl, and tipping his imaginary hat.

"Don't talk that way," she warned him. "I might have to go tame a bucking bronco later." She held on as he stumbled, laughing at the look on his face. "You are too much."

"That was what you said last night," he retorted, as she swatted him. "A lot of oh God's, and Chuck's added in there," he continued, as she swatted him again. "I think the lady doth protest too much."

"Me too," she said, laying her head on his shoulder as they continued to dance.

My girl, my girl, my girl

Talkin' 'bout my girl

My girl

A/N: Next time…

"Sending it to Chuck's Orion email now," Bryce said, grinning.

*spits out drink* WHAT THE HELL IS BRYCE DOING SENDING CHUCK AN EMAIL!? Come back next time and find out. *sips tea*