Posted August 3, 2019

A/N: This story continues the whirlwind adventures of Mr and Mrs Bartowski after Chuck gets the Intersect in Chuck vs the Nemesis's Ex. Timeline-wise, it starts immediately after chapter 8 of that story. (It's after the chronological end. That story's final chapter, chapter 9, was an insert scene set between chapters 4 and 5.)

Disclaimer: Nobody else owns anything here, so why would I?

Disclaimer 2: No beta. Why would I sucker/obligate/subject anyone into reading this when they didn't want to? I'd rather people just enjoy reading it. However, if you PM me corrections, I'll fix them.

Later in the morning, September 19, 2007

After Chuck went back to work, leaving Sarah alone in the home theater room. She inhaled deeply and tried to collect her thoughts. She practically basked in the knowledge that her job was to stay as close to her husband as possible. That's what she wanted to do anyway.

What had been done to her Chuck was scary, but all signs were that he was ok and she'd be working closely with him. She'd keep him completely out of harm's way because she needed him to be safe. She would never have wished for him to be forced into the spy world. The truth was Sarah no longer looked forward to the next mission because that took her away from her husband. With her husband being her mission, at least there was a bright side. They could deal any problems tomorrow. Whatever they had to deal with, they'd deal with together, preferably with him in a safer position right behind her.

She loved Chuck beyond measure before any of this happened. In less than a day, she had discovered he had two hidden talents: a new one downloaded into his brain and an old one that included unparalleled skills as hacker. He still owed her an explanation on that old skill, but a couple things were clear already. He had no hesitation using that skill to do good, and he was more amazing than anyone ever thought possible. She was proud of him. Already that morning, he had prevented a bomb from going off in a hotel. Who knew what else he could do?

She had put her head back on the sofa with her eyes shut and faced upwards toward the ceiling, when she heard a noise at the door. "Oh, we're sorry Mrs B. Don't mind us," said a man green-shirt. His name tag said Harold. The green-shirt woman with him, Leticia, giggled and hid her face in his chest as they both backed out to the sales floor.

Sarah excused herself and said she was leaving, but did wonder to herself how two employees could come to a semi-public area to make-out while the store was still open. Leticia quiet suggested to Harold that they try the break room. He suggested a sock. Sarah assumed they were only going to make out because anyone could walk in regardless of the warning sock. It's not like that place was particularly private from other employees. She figured there must be a lot of back rooms and storage closets that afforded more privacy and could be used for more intimate activities. In fact, Chuck and she should try finding one later, after lunch.

Sarah saw Chuck finish with a customer, leaving that person satisfied with a phone that was working again. Then he put his head down in his arms on the Nerd Herd desk. Apparently that customer had taken a lot of patience. Sarah walked up to the counter and pressed the bell. Without looking, Chuck said, "Not now, Morgan," putting his hand on top of hers.

When Chuck realized it wasn't Morgan, he shot straight up to attention. The two of them gave each other goofy smiles. Sarah said, "About lunch. Is Lou's ok, or do you go there a lot?"

"Actually, I've never been there. It hasn't been open very long. I normally eat Sbarro's, Subway, Wienerlicious, Ellie's leftovers, or a sandwich I packed. I've heard some of the people who work here talking about how it's too fancy. They said Subway is good enough, and they don't need custom sandwiches. It has a menu they're familiar with and is cheaper. I think Big Mike likes the 'low calorie/fresh' options there, not considering that twice as much food is still a lot of calories. I've been meaning to try Lou's, though. Let's go when I get off for lunch."

Sarah's smile got even bigger. She could still barely believe she was actually getting to stay with Chuck instead of flying across the country to go back to work tonight. She originally wanted to marry Chuck partially to make him understand that she was always coming back. Now it seemed that their marriage meant she didn't have to leave at all. "Ok, I'll be back here at—"

She was interrupted by a panic-stricken man who was worried that the camera recording of his daughter's dance recital wouldn't play back. Chuck gave Sarah an apologetic smile and went to help. Chuck quickly discovered the recital wasn't actually recorded because there was no tape. Instead of just explaining how the dad had screwed up and was fated for the dog house, he organized an impromptu show in front of the wall of TV screens at the side of the sales floor. He wasn't just the store's top nerd. He was a hero that rallied the troops and saved the day. He even boosted the morale of the tiny dancer before her performance. To Sarah, it was almost as impressive as finding a mad bomber, simply because this was what he always did. He went above and beyond like it was natural for him.

Sarah was sure if Chuck didn't have to continue his shift and the room was empty, she would mount him right there. She felt fortunate that he was already her husband because he'd be too surprised if some person he had just met wanted him so much. After seeing Chuck go far beyond what a normal retail employee would do, just to save a stranger, she couldn't believe it, but she loved him more.

Chuck started back to finish his conversation with her about lunch plans, but Harry Tang cut in front of Chuck, complaining about how Chuck was wasting time. That meant wasting Buy More dollars. Chuck said he didn't know Buy More had its own currency.

Sarah had been staying back and letting Chuck do his thing, seeing how his unique brand Chuck-ness was needed, but she could stay out of it no further. She came up to the two of them and asked, "Chuck, how many Buy More dollars will those installation and service contracts cost me?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

She had been coming up with impromptu cover scenarios her whole life. She really needed to get Chuck to follow her lead more, no matter how strange it seemed. In this case, it wasn't much of a made-up story. She really wanted him to at least sanity check whatever the CIA put into her new office. "It would be for my new business. I'd like for you to set up my computers, and I'd like your top-level support and maintenance contract. I can't afford to have computer issues when other people are relying on me to make it possible to have a good retirement." Saving money. Saving the world so other spies can still spend their money. Same thing.

Chuck remained confused, "Your company is setting it up. Isn't it going to handle the tech support?"

"They will provide the hardware themselves, but frankly they normally work on a larger scale. I said retail, but it's not like I'm going to be taking customers off the street. It's more of a service to people in the company who need to do things that are more private in nature. I trust you to handle my specific needs because you are better than I could expect from their experts. They will leave when they're done anyway. Your services as a Nerd Herd expert are just what I need." Sarah punctuated that be wrapping her hand around Chuck's neck and pulling him down to smack his lips with hers.

That cover story was actually true. She was thinking her cover job would be as a personal financial consultant and tax adviser for very wealthy employees at her company. Some companies offered financial consultant services for all of their employees. Normally it was some large company providing advertising and contacts for some other large financial services company. She figured it was be an in-house variant. She was good enough at what she does that they were letting her set up an office where she wanted. She didn't even have to explain that much of the cover story to an annoying sales supervisor. He should see her as a customer with a lot of money to burn.

Sarah was sure she heard Harry mumble rather rudely something under his breath. Not only was it untrue that she was giving work to her husband as some sort of nepotism, there were a lot of good reasons for the service contract. Most of them were national security related, not that she would ever tell Harry that. Sarah was ecstatic she would be working nearby, but her preference was Chuck would stay clear of the danger of the spy world. Her business was a CIA front, and a service contract would give Chuck a reason to come over, other than visiting his wife. Maybe it couldn't be used for most of the times she hoped to see him, but it was a non-spousal reason and could be used if an emergency came up when he wasn't on break. Also, after seeing him shred through the security of LA traffic control, the NSA, and the Chinese government, she trusted her husband a lot more than the IT people who would normally do the work. He was going to be setting up their new apartment, too.

She narrowed her eyes at the little bald man who had disrespected her as a customer. This man had to be number two on Chuck's enemies list, not that she expected him to keep a list. Chuck would just roll with the punches. She was the one who would do something about it. She looked at the yellow name tag on the abrasive man's green shirt, as if she needed a reminder of the name. "Harry. I'm fortunate that my company is letting me move out here to be near my husband. They want me do keep doing what I am good at, so they are setting up an office for me out here. The new business will be handling the needs of many of the company's top employees." She didn't like what she was about to say. It was too flashy, but maybe it would work. "If you haven't seen my car, I'm sure you've heard about it. It's not a lease, and I don't have car payments. I didn't buy it as a status symbol. I bought it because I wanted the best." Best. Fastest—same thing. "A lot of my new work is going to be done through a computer. The office's computers need to work well. I want the best to set them up, and Chuck is the best. I've worked with my company's computer people. They are really good at what they do, but I'm certain they couldn't do what this man can do. Also, the two of us are moving to a new apartment in the next few weeks, and a friend is moving in next door. That's the same man who just placed the large order for his uncle's security system. He needs all new appliances and electronics for home. We'll need mostly new stuff. For the apartments, I expect we'll need some things we can buy at this store. Morgan can help if we have questions or need to set up delivery. Chuck will provide our installation and support needs, through two more of your most expensive service contracts."

Sarah wasn't particularly happy she had to do that. It was all true. She still couldn't believe someone would act like he did where customers could see his behavior. She didn't know the details of what money the store typically brought-in, but with two bare apartments, a new office, an expensive security system that required a special demos, and multiple new delivery, installation, and support contracts, she was pretty sure she had just represented more than the store's typical daily take. With the CIA and NSA's deep pockets, they could probably buy the store. They would willing do that without batting an eye for something like protecting the government's secrets.

Harry didn't acknowledge Sarah and said to Chuck, "I see how it is. No wonder Big Mike wants me for assistant manager. He knows you'll never leave the comfort of the herd, unless your new ball and chain makes you leave altogether." He rudely walked off. Apparently Harry Tang's disrespectful attitude towards his coworkers also extended to their spouses, even when they were big whale customers.

Chuck said to Sarah, "Sorry about that. I didn't even know there was an assistant manager opening. Obviously, Harry wants it. With this new thing in my head, I probably shouldn't—"

Sarah stopped him with a kiss. "I'm starting a business in the plaza to be near you here. Tactically, this is a good place for you to work because it gives you flexibility that you wouldn't have if you were sequestered in an office. From what I've seen on two days I've watched you work, you practically run the place. Whether you do that as Nerd Herd Supervisor or Assistant Manager doesn't matter to me. Whatever you do, I get you as a husband, and that's more than enough for me. If that obnoxious man is your superior, we'll deal with it. If you're his, but he's still your best friend's boss...we'll deal with that too. If you really want to work someplace else...maybe the Wienerlicious is hiring."

Chuck laughed and said, "You're funny." Sarah briefly kissed him yet again.

This was their first time together as a married couple in Burbank, and she still hadn't figured out how to abstain from frequently attaching their lips when the opportunity was right in front of her. She told him, "Now, I'm going to check out that Underpants, Etc. store next door and see if they have any lingerie or whether I need to find the closest Victoria's Secret. I should leave and stop distracting you so you can go back to saving the people of Burbank. I'll meet you when your lunch break starts at quarter after 1." Sarah gave Chuck another kiss, one that didn't end very quickly, then walked out of the store with a little sway to her hips.

She heard Chuck say, "Like I'm not going to be mentally distracted how."

Sarah returned through the front doors of the store exactly when Chuck's lunch break was supposed to start. Chuck quickly slid around the end of the Nerd Herd desk to go out with her, but then stopped when he saw she had a bag from Lou's. Apparently, they didn't have to leave.

Chuck unfroze and met his wife in the main aisle, halfway between the Nerd Herd station and the front. They parted after a few seconds, and Chuck pointed to the bag as a question.

Sarah explained, "I talked with Lou. She's feisty, but nice. I figured it would be a good idea to get to know the new neighbors."

"Wait a second. Lou is a woman?"

"Yeah. There was this heavy-set, older man who I originally guessed was the place's namesake, but he was just a big guy with an Italian accent that cut the meat. She was in charge. She's too short for you."

"What? Why? I don't understand." Chuck said with a confused expression.

Sarah gave him a doubtful look through her eyelashes. "You do realize I'm going to be working practically next door, right?"

Chuck quickly responded, "And I'm thrilled about that. I hope you realize that there is no point of me looking at any other women that way. A few months ago, I didn't think I had a chance. Now, it wouldn't be fair to them because they couldn't hope to compare with the most beautiful woman in the world, who I'm lucky enough to call my wife. If that wasn't enough, I wouldn't want lesser women to find the business end of a throwing knife when they were inferior anyway."

Sarah had come to see Chuck a few weeks ago without removing the knives that she normally wore when doing things like going on missions and running errands. It was during that time when Chuck didn't even know she was CIA. He learned she often went around armed when he had found the knives after removing her skirt. After they got married, Chuck admitted that her being a spy made a lot more sense than Sarah thinking she needed them for safety when walking around DC.

Chuck winked and said, "I love your brilliant blue eyes, so you have no need for them to ever be green." Chuck gave Sarah a quick kiss on the nose and folded her into a hug. Then after a few seconds, she broke her serious expression with a small, tight grin, and she kissed him again. Chuck has mentioned once that she had cured his fear of PDA. That was something for which she planned to take full advantage.

"Is this Lou why you didn't want me to eat there today?" he asked.

"No. I figured if we eat here faster, we'll have time before the end of your lunch break to find a private area. Of course we'll need to make sure it's really private, so we'll have to find something to do to pass the time."

Sarah tried wagging her eyebrows. She knew Chuck was better at it, but he got the message. They stopped talking and went back to the break room to eat as fast as they could and then explore other parts of the back. No more wasting time.

Songs:
Big Kahuna's theme song, which happens to be "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris (See my tumblr for a youtube link to the monster truck's theme song and for scenes to three movies that used this song.)
"Coppelia Ballet Suite: Festival of the Clocks and Dance of the Hours" by Amilcare Ponchielli (You'll recognize it from the show)