CHARMING'S AUTHORS NOTE #1: Hello everybody, I sound like Dr. Nick in "The Simpsons" lol, either way, i'm back with an update to another of my ongoing multi-chapter stories. I've only got three of those now instead of four that are unfinished! Regardless i've had most of this chapter and parts of the next written for nearly two months now, but i've been so busy with other stories that I neglected this one. Well no more, time to give this story an update; in the spirit of newness I give you a new chapter AND a new poster, not that anyone really cares about the poster. I'm tired and rambling so i'm just gonna shut up and get on with it.

CHARMING'S AUTHORS NOTE #2: This chapter is unbeta'd, all mistakes are my own, enjoy everyone!

Never Again

A Story by CharmingCharles2896

Chapter Three:

Last of the Enforcers

For Chuck and Sarah, emotional recovery was the objective more so than physical recovery. The two of them were living in Valentine, Nebraska, on the project Sapphire compound. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each saw Chuck spending ninety minutes talking with a different counselor. Mondays were dedicated to helping resolve Chuck's crippling fear of men and the lingering trauma stemming from what happened; they'd made strides on that one, but some days he'd have a setback. Wednesdays saw Chuck talking via secure video conference with a therapist who was trying to help Chuck fix the Intersect, that one was going far less successfully.

The stress Chuck had been feeling by the lack of progress in relation to the Intersect had finally led to Sarah calling the son of a bitch therapist. She'd screamed at him to lay off her asset or she'd hunt him down and hang him from the Golden Gate bridge by his intestines, he'd gotten the message and his tone had changed in a positive way.

Much to Chuck's despair, Fridays saw him spending ninety minutes doing physical therapy with Sarah, who'd been talking to a PT specialist at Langley about Chuck's treatment. Chuck had thought that since she loved him, she'd go easy on him… he couldn't have been more wrong. Sarah Walker was ruthless, she pushed him hard, she gave him no leeway because of their feelings for each other or what had happened to him. No, Sarah Walker worked Chuck harder than he'd ever worked, and that was because of how she felt about him. She couldn't say it to him inside the house, but he could see it in her eyes when he struggled, she was rooting for him.

For Chuck and Sarah things were… interesting, they both loved each other and knew it, but the safehouse was under constant video and audio surveillance, so Sarah feared getting reassigned. The only room not surveilled was the bathroom and that was only because Sarah had removed and destroyed the camera and five bugs that were in there. She hadn't told Chuck about that though; he didn't need that on his plate on top of everything else.

Regardless of this fear of getting found out, all pretense of professionalism went out the window whenever Chuck had a nightmare, which thankfully was becoming less often. The nightmares had been rather consistent the first several weeks; but now, a full two months into their stay at Project Sapphire, the frequency of nightmares had waned significantly. As Sarah cooked breakfast for the two of them, she could still remember his nightmare the previous evening. He'd been doing so good the last few days, sleeping through the night with few issues, but last night had been rough. They didn't share a room for the sake of the surveillance, but Sarah was starting to reconsider that idea. It was hard for her to lay there in bed and listen to him scream in terror in the next room over.

Last night…

She couldn't do this anymore, she knew he wanted her to stop comforting him at night, some misplaced masculine thing. Sarah just couldn't do it; she couldn't simply ignore him. The nightmares had been happening less and less often, but she wasn't going to simply let him suffer alone. Getting out of bed, Sarah slipped on her silk robe and made her way into chuck's room. As she entered the room, she could see him thrashing about in terror under the covers, in a flash she was by his side.

"Relax, you're safe." Sarah whispered quietly to Chuck as she gave his arm a comforting squeeze. Chuck's eyes slowly opened and instantly Sarah could see the fear in them. "It's okay Chuck, you don't have to say anything, I'm here." Sarah said as she sat next to him and rubbed his hair tenderly.

"I was doing everything they said, but they kept hurting me." Chuck said despondently, much to Sarah's anguish, she hated seeing Chuck like this, she hated how little she could do to help him.

"They can't hurt you anymore," Sarah said as she tried to calm the tormented man next to her.

"I don't want to close my eyes, every time I close my eyes, I see them." Chuck said morosely as he brought his hands to his face in shame and terror. Sarah simply shook her head to herself; this was ridiculous. In a split-second decision Sarah got out of Chuck's bed and spoke to him.

"Get up," Chuck simply eyed her and got up out of bed. "Grab your pillow," She said to him before she led him out into the hallway. Chuck silently followed her as she led him into her bedroom. Sarah saw Chuck pause at the doorway and look at her warily, she knew what he was thinking, but tonight she didn't give a damn what Beckman thought.

"I don't care what those idiots think, I'm done watching you suffer in silence every night because it 'wouldn't be professional' to share a bedroom with my asset. You are my best friend, and I'm going to help you get through this, so get in bed, it's time to sleep." Chuck could hear it in Sarah's voice that she was tired of not being able to help him at night. Chuck simply nodded to Sarah and silently climbed into bed on the side he preferred; Sarah climbed into bed on the left side of the bed and looked over at Chuck who was on his side, facing away from her.

This would not do, she knew Chuck was trying to protect them both from the prying eyes of the surveillance, but tonight Sarah Walker would not be denied. In a surprise to Chuck, he felt Sarah's body press up against his back. Her arm wrapped tenderly around his torso and their feet intertwined. As a man who was six foot-four inches tall, Chuck was NOT used to being the little spoon, but tonight that was exactly what he was. He felt Sarah's lips kiss the back of his head tenderly, something the cameras wouldn't see even with night vision, just the kind of thing she could do to show her love for Chuck. Chuck simply sighed as he felt her breath against his ear, and heard her quiet whispers.

"I love you Chuck, I wish I could show you just how much," Sarah whispered into chuck's ear before settling down for the night.

Back in the Present…

She knew that Chuck was starting to feel rather useless with how much she was doing all the cooking, but truthfully Sarah was really enjoying the pseudo normalcy of their current situation. Sarah Walker had never really been able to enjoy a normal life, a life where the biggest fear was running out of milk or remembering to get gas for the family sedan. She'd spent seventeen of her years on earth worrying about getting caught, or arrested, or even killed. To now be alone with the man she loved, free to just live and get back some semblance of normal life was… freeing. She'd found a cook book on the book shelf in the den and she'd been working her way through it to improve her cooking skills as time went on. There was a small grocery store only a few miles down the road that they could shop from without having to spend too much time in town.

Today, Sarah was cooking malted pancakes, malted milk powder was the secret ingredient that made so many restaurant and hotel pancakes so much better than homemade pancakes. So far, last week's malted waffles had been a huge success, so Sarah was feeling confident. Sarah heard movement behind her and simply smiled to herself.

"There's my little spoon," Sarah teased over her shoulder as she saw Chuck walk into the kitchen; Chuck simply chuckled and gave her an amused smirk.

"Funny, Ms. Walker, very funny," Chuck said as he went to the coffee maker to pour himself a cup. Sarah simply gave Chuck an angelic smile, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

"So, how'd you sleep last night after…?" Sarah let the question hang in the air as she plated the pancakes and the bacon. Chuck simply shrugged to her and grabbed the dishes to take them to the kitchen table.

"Pretty good actually, being the little spoon was different, but I slept pretty good." Chuck admitted as he set the table.

"I'm glad I could help, I know it must've been embarrassing to be the little spoon, but you gave me no choice when you faced away from me." Sarah said with a pointed but happy look. Chuck simply shrugged and waited for Sarah to join him at the table. Once Sarah had joined him at the table, he clasped his hands to pray as had become their tradition. Sarah's rediscovery of faith wasn't some flash in the pan, it was a big part of her life. She prayed before every meal, she prayed before bed; Sarah Walker had rediscovered her faith and at least in Chuck's eyes it had grounded her considerably during this entire ordeal. She still struggled with her guilt from time to time, something he tried to work on with her, but she was better now than she was before.

Sarah clasped her hands and bowed her head to pray. "Lord, bless this table and the bountiful harvest you have provided us; watch over Chuck's family as they too deal with these trying times. Thank you for all that you bless us with, oh Lord, amen." After that they wordlessly began to eat. The topic of conversation moved on to other subjects other than last night, with both of them were thankful for.

"So today we're going into town," Sarah said between bites of excellent pancakes; she saw Chuck start to protest, but Sarah wasn't having it. "Chuck, we need to be going out and doing things or you'll develop agoraphobia. I saw yesterday while I was in town getting supplies that the movie theater is showing the new Iron Man movie. I know you'd been looking forward to it and I thought it might be a fun thing to do." Chuck looked down at his plate obviously agonizing over his options, before he felt Sarah's hand on his. "Chuck, I'm not trying to hurt you, I'm only trying to get you back out into the world, I promise." Sarah's words sold Chuck, who quickly nodded and gave Sarah a small smile.

"Okay Sarah, let's do it." Sarah's eyebrow quirked at his wording. "Well not do it, but go out. Okay not go out as in a date, more like just going out on the town as friends you know? I'm just gonna shut up now," Chuck said as he noticed the laughter threatening to burst out of Sarah; he was cute when he spiraled and it had been a long time since he'd talked enough to spiral. Chuck gave Sarah a smile as she seemed to get a pleased smile on her face and the two of them continued to enjoy their breakfast.

~X~

After breakfast came the usual afternoon run around the vast property the safehouse was built upon; Chuck hated running, but he still did it with Sarah. Running around the property was the only time of the day where they could be themselves and show their love for one another. Casey had been the one to inform Sarah about the vast surveillance the property had, he'd also told her about the gaps in the surveillance along the running path. When Sarah had shown Chuck the secret note from Casey explaining the gaps in the surveillance along the running path, Chuck had been genuinely surprised. Casey had known about Sarah's feelings and had been looking out for the two of them, but then again that's what good partners did.

For Chuck and Sarah, their daily runs were the highlight of the day. They'd joke and banter, more so than they already did; but most importantly, they'd kiss… a lot. So far, they'd resisted the urge to find a secluded spot and make love until the cows come home, but the temptation was there, boy was it there. Sarah knew that if Chuck actually made a move when they stopped at that clearing near the creek that they usually stopped at, well she'd be putty in his hands and he'd have a very good time. Running meant not worrying about cameras or microphones, it meant being able to just talk, it meant being able to just… be.

As their run this afternoon came to an end, Sarah and Chuck stopped in the last spot along their path that wasn't watched by surveillance. Sarah turned to Chuck and gave him a loving smile before pulling him into a searing kiss, it had started out as a reward for Chuck for running, but now, two months into their stay at the compound, it was something both of them looked forward to every day. The two of them didn't usually make out, instead opting for short, but passionate kisses; today was not a normal day. When she felt his hand on the bare skin of her lower back just below the bottom of her crop top, pulling her in close to him, she lost herself for a moment and deepened the kiss. Their tongues clashed and battled as their hands pulled the other closer and closer. It felt like their bodies just fit together so well, it was intoxicating.

When she felt his fingers brush against her sports bra, she pulled away from his amazing lips and broke their embrace before she let this go any further and had sex with him on the side of a dirt running trail.

"Okay, that's enough of that," she said breathlessly, her cheeks blushed, her lips puffy from their intense kissing mere moments before. As she saw the hunger in his eyes, she pulled him into a hug and simply held him close; she hated this just as much as he did. It killed her having to deny him what both of them wanted; more so than simple sex, they both so desperately wanted to simply be able to love each other in the open, out of the shadows. As they separated, she pulled him in for another passionate kiss, trying to convey exactly how she felt. As their lips parted a second time, their heads came together knowingly.

"God, I want more, this sneaking around stuff is killing me," Chuck groused, Sarah knew exactly what Chuck was feeling, it was difficult for her too.

"I know Chuck, you have no idea how badly I want that too," Sarah said before giving Chuck another chaste kiss and then walking back to the house with Chuck in tow. As they made their way inside, Sarah spoke over her shoulder.

"You go shower, I've got to call Graham and Beckman to check in," Chuck simply nodded and left to shower; once she heard the shower start, Sarah pulled out her laptop, placed it on the kitchen counter, and called her bosses. When the faces of Graham, Beckman, and Casey appeared on screen, Casey looked happy to see her.

"Good morning Agent Walker," Graham said to start things off.

"Good morning, Director, General, Major; how are things back in Burbank this fine Saturday morning?" Sarah said with a small smile, cutting straight to the chase. Casey spoke next considering that was his job in all this.

"Ellie is still furious at all of us, but she's beginning to come around and understand; we haven't had any threats in the area and I'm not hearing any chatter about either of you so all is well." Sarah silently felt relief wash over her.

"How is it going with the asset?" Graham said, much to Sarah's frustration; even after everything that had happened, Graham still wouldn't use Chuck's real name.

"Well, Chuck is doing better; the nightmares are happening less and less, although I have found that when I sleep in the same bed as him, he doesn't have nightmares so that's something to think about. His physical therapy is progressing well, I have a feeling he's pretty much back to where he was before everything, but I'm going to continue working on some strength training and cardio from now on to improve his health. I have been noticing a worrying change in Chuck's behavior," Sarah said as she paused to let them process what she'd said.

"What is that Agent Walker?" General Beckman asked curiously.

"I think he's developing agoraphobia," Sarah said with a hint of worry appearing on her face. Beckman and Casey nodded in understanding, but Graham didn't seem to know what that was.

"What's agoraphobia?" Graham asked, Beckman answered before Sarah had the chance to.

"It's the fear of going outside," Sarah nodded appreciatively to Beckman who subtly did the same.

"I've been noticing a hesitancy to leave the property, we run every morning around the property, but he's hesitant to leave the grounds. In order to combat this, I've planned a day trip into town for the two of us. I figure we'll walk around the park, grab lunch at Emma's Diner, and then go to the movies to see Iron Man. I remember Chuck being excited about that movie before everything, and I figure that's something he'd be enticed to leave the property over." General Beckman nodded to Sarah, with a hint of what Sarah thought was understanding.

"Excellent idea Agent Walker, that sounds like a great plan; anything you need from us?" General Beckman said to Sarah who paused to think for a moment, this was the tricky part.

"It has been nearly four and a half months since Chuck has talked to his sister and while I think I've been able to keep his mind on the here and now most of the time, I have noticed times when he really misses her. Now that she's been read into the project, could we schedule a call for the two of them tonight at say ten o'clock our time?" Sarah could see the look in Casey's eyes, he could see that Sarah really cared about Chuck.

"I think that can be arranged Agent Walker," Graham said to Sarah, who gave her boss a grateful smile.

"Thank you, director, I know Chuck will be very excited to call her." Sarah saw the three people on the call with her all nod.

"Well, if that's everything, I've got Beastmaster's to sell." Casey said before signing off; Graham wordlessly signed off next leaving only Sarah and General Beckman.

"Agent Walker, before we go, can I speak to you candidly for a moment?" Sarah had a bad feeling, but nodded silently nonetheless. "If I was to guarantee no consequences for your answer, how would you answer me if I asked you what your real feelings were for Mr. Bartowski?" Sarah paled in fear, could she really trust that guarantee?

"Uh, well I uh…" Sarah stumbled nervously.

"Sarah, you can just admit it, I'm pretty sure I already know," Beckman said honestly to Sarah who simply nodded to herself and spoke.

"I love him, General; I've seen what my life is like without him in it, and I don't ever want to live like that again," Sarah said with more emotion than she'd originally intended. General Beckman simply gave Sarah a small smile and nodded

"It's okay, Sarah, relax; I thought you'd say something to that effect. I've recently, at the behest of Major Casey, looked into your file and your history. It is obvious that you were recruited by then Agent Graham as a minor, under duress. It has also become obvious that Graham has been using you as his personal problem solver, regardless of its effect on you as a person, or the legality of his demands of you," Beckman said with a surprising amount of warmth. Sarah didn't know what to think, let alone say to that; it sounded like Beckman was telling Sarah that she was going to back her up against Graham, but to what end?

"Knowing this, I felt it was important to let you know that even though Director Graham will strenuously object, I have no misgivings about you and Mr. Bartowski pursuing a relationship." Sarah was stunned, General Beckman was known as a hard ass, by the book type, so this was very unexpected.

"Are you saying there won't be a 49B? No reassignment?" Sarah asked emotionally, she'd never thought this day would come and now that she was hearing the words, her emotions threatened to explode out of her.

"Yes Sarah, that is what I am saying. You are good for Mr. Bartowski and I think he's good for you as well. In light of everything that has happened, I've had a change in perspective; We often view assets as tools to use and discard, but Chuck Bartowski is not a tool to use, he is an innocent civilian. Watching you burn the world down trying to find him, was an eye-opening experience. The fury in your eyes gave me suspicions, so when Major Casey pitched the idea of using Project Sapphire, I jumped at it. I sent you two out there, because you are the only person who can help him. So, I sat and watched, I observed the two of you for months; just watching your interactions. The most illuminating moments were when you comforted him at night. I'm sorry Sarah, but if you were trying to hide your feelings, then dropping everything to comfort him after a nightmare, like a mother does her own child, was a poor choice," the General said with a small smile. When she saw the flash of anger in Sarah's eye, she stuck her hand to stop the blonde from exploding in anger.

"I'm glad you are there to help him, Sarah; don't misunderstand me, I'm glad you are there with him. Nobody who knows what he is capable of, cares about him as much as you do. We know what you did to those Fulcrum agents and while I don't officially approve, off the record, I would have done the same thing." Sarah was unable to form words as the General continued speaking.

"Watching the two of you has changed my perspective, Sarah; you are one of the best we've ever had, and yet we've treated you worse than an agent of your stature deserves. That ends today; the Enforcer is dead, we're burying her right here, right now. I've been in contact with Director of National Intelligence, Jeanette Winston, who has gotten a signed executive order from President Rowland, stating that you are now on permanent assignment to Mr. Bartowski's protection detail as long as you wish to remain there." Sarah was stunned, flabbergasted, completely shocked, shooketh so to speak; this was the last thing she'd thought she'd hear today and it was the best news she'd ever heard in her life.

"I don't know what to say General," Sarah admitted.

"You don't have to say anything, Sarah; just know that I'm in your corner on this one, as is Major Casey. Your days as Langston Graham's pet assassin are done, they should've ended years ago, but I don't run the CIA." Sarah gave the General a teary smile and nodded happily.

"Thank you General," Sarah said as her smile turned into a grin. General Beckman nodded with a small smile of her own.

"All of the surveillance inside the house will be disabled by tonight. It'll take several hours for engineers here in Washington to disable the feeds, bureaucracy and all that," the General said as she reached for something off screen.

"One last thing before you go," Sarah perked up as this sounded like more official business. "That therapist that Mr. Bartowski was seeing to work on the Intersect, he sent me a report. He works for the NSA so I haven't shared the findings with Director Graham; frankly I don't trust that conniving prick. The counselor that after discussions with Intersect Project scientists, that it is unlikely that Mr. Bartowski has any working use of the Intersect." Sarah's eyes grew huge at the implications of that; Chuck might not be of any use to the government anymore. "Furthermore, it is the counselor's opinion that there is a small possibility that Mr. Bartowski could regain use of the Intersect in time, as the emotional trauma of recent events fades. More than likely this means that Mr. Bartowski will be a free man, with a security detail," the General said, winking at Sarah who's eyebrows shot up.

"I haven't talked with Langston about this, so our decision hasn't been made yet; I thought you should know in light of what else I've told you. I won't let anything happen to Mr. Bartowski, Sarah, so enjoy your day trip and know that I'm looking out for the two of you." Sarah silently nodded and watched General Beckman end the call. After the call ended Sarah just stood there in the middle of the kitchen, totally stunned. Today had started out with the potential to be a fun day, but had turned into the greatest day of her life. She could love Chuck; she was allowed to love him and be loved by him now. He was likely going to be free of Team Intersect, but the decision wasn't made yet. General Beckman was on their side, she'd had a change of heart and was going to help them! With all of this news, Sarah didn't know what to tell the man she loved or when to tell him.

As Sarah heard the telltale footsteps of Chuck walking down the hallways a thought flitted through her mind.

"This is the chance at a future I've always wanted and it's all because of this wonderful man." as he walked back into the kitchen she knew what she would do; she'd wait to tell him this news until tonight, until after their day trip. When she heard him reenter the kitchen, she turned and looked at the man she loved more than anyone or anything else in her entire life. He had slipped some basketball shorts on, but had yet to put on a shirt. Sarah could see him still drying his long hair and it made her smile.

"How'd the call go?" Chuck asked as he draped the towel around his neck and looked at Sarah; Chuck saw her give him a small smile and shrug.

"You know how it is, gave them an update on our plans for today, they approved. I did ask them for something and I was going to wait and surprise you with it tonight, but I just can't wait another minute." Sarah said excitedly as she closed the distance between the two of them, they were mere feet apart now and Sarah couldn't help but look at all the cuts and scars on Chuck's body now, they'd be a permanent reminder of this time in his life, but he was always going to have her right there to make that pain go away.

"What did you do?" Chuck asked nervously, which made Sarah smile on the inside.

"I asked them, and they approved of, scheduling a call for you with Ellie!" Chuck looked at Sarah in shock so she continued. "Casey read Ellie in last week; I didn't tell you because I wanted you to focus on getting better, but I felt bad after how much you struggled on Wednesday. I'm sorry for not telling you Chuck, but now you don't have to keep secrets from her anymore. Your call is scheduled for ten o'clock our time, tonight." Sarah finished speaking and waited to see what Chuck's reaction would be; wordlessly Chuck closed the distance and captured Sarah in an emotional hug.

"Chuck, I'm all sweaty," she said to him in mock protest. Chuck shook his head no.

"I don't give a damn." Sarah simply took that at face value and snuggled onto the hug they shared. It was the most overt act of affection they'd done in front of the cameras that wasn't for the cover back home. Of course, Sarah now knew that the cameras wouldn't be a factor any longer so she leaned into the embrace let her head rest on Chuck's chest. Sarah hugged him back lovingly, and breathed in his scent.

"Thank you, Sarah," Chuck said emotionally. Sarah simply nodded into Chuck's chest and closed her eyes knowing exactly what Chuck was really saying.

"I love you too Chuck," Sarah mused to herself.

~X~

As Sarah finished packing the few things they might need into their faded grey, two thousand and two Ford F-150, she couldn't help but miss her Porsche. This damn truck was freaking slow and she hated it, but it blended in better with the area they were currently living in. As she climbed into the truck, she saw Chuck nervously walk out of the house, he was simply eyeing the truck wearily. Eventually Chuck got into the truck and grabbed his seatbelt, Sarah saw his shaking hands failing to click the seatbelt into place, so she grabbed his hand to steady him and helped him click his seatbelt.

"Relax Chuck, just breath; everything's going to be fine." Sarah said soothingly to her troubled companion. Chuck closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes and looking over to Sarah.

"Okay, let's do this," Sarah gave Chuck a proud smile and clicked the garage door opener, as the garage door opened, Sarah started the truck and their journey began. As they got onto the road for their fifteen-minute drive to town, Sarah turned to Chuck who was just trying to stay calm.

"Hey, I know this truck isn't super modern, but why don't you turn on the radio and find us something to listen too?" Sarah suggested, Chuck nodded and began tuning the radio through several channels. As talk radio, rock, jazz, and everything in between went by Sarah head a song she hadn't heard in years.

"Wait, go back!" Sarah said excitedly as she saw the amused smile on Chuck's face and heard the voice of Billy Ocean fill the truck.

Like a road runner
Coming after you
Just like a hero outta the blue
I'll be your non-stop lover
Get it while you can
Your non-stop miracle
I'm your man

Chuck couldn't stop the laugh from escaping him as he watched the musically illiterate Sarah Walker dancing in her seat along to Billy Ocean; admittedly Chuck had never heard this song before, so this was all very amusing. He had never seen Sarah this free and relaxed and it was breathtaking to see. Then as if to further blow Chuck's mind, Sarah started singing along to the song.

Get outta my dreams
Get in to my car
Get outta my dreams
(Get in to the back seat baby)
Get in to my car
(Beep Beep, yeah)
Get outta my mind
Get in to my life
(Ooooooh)
Oh I said hey (Hey) you (You)
Get in to my car

Chuck couldn't help the bright smile on his face as he listened to Sarah's admittedly fair rendition of the song; she wasn't Whitney Houston, but she'd be impressive at any karaoke night. Sarah looked over at Chuck and thankfully saw a smile on his face; she wanted this to be a fun and casual afternoon in town, not a terrifying journey through hell. As Sarah continued to sing along to Billy Ocean, she felt more normal than she had in nearly twenty years and it was exhilarating. Once the song ended and Alan Parsons Project's "Eye in the Sky" came on, Sarah turned to Chuck with a smile on her face and saw the amused smirk on his.

"What?"

"Just enjoying the performance, that was a new one, even for me." Chuck said teasingly, Sarah gave Chuck's shoulder a shove and laughed; the two of them settled into a comfortable quiet and just enjoyed the ride. After a while something that Chuck had said flashed through her head.

"Wait, did you say that was a new one for you?" Sara said as she looked over at Chuck curiously; Chuck simply shrugged to Sarah.

"I'd never heard that one before, that song," Chuck didn't know why Sarah was asking; the smile on Sarah's face would light up New York.

"YES! I knew music you didn't!" Sarah said as she pumped BOTH of her fists in celebration; in a flash Chuck reached over to grab the wheel before they both died in a fiery crash.

"Ten and two please!" Chuck said quickly as he heard Sarah laugh jovially; Sarah grabbed onto the steering wheel once again and spoke.

"Oh my god, I knew something about pop culture that you didn't, what a time to be alive!" Chuck was just enjoying Sarah's excitement over her supposed feat of popular culture knowledge.

"The padawan has truly overtaken the master," Chuck said as he bowed to her cultural prowess; Sarah simply smiled at Chuck.

"A year ago, I wouldn't have understood that reference," Sarah said as they turned left onto the main street of town.

"I told you, if you're not careful, you'll turn into a real girl," Chuck said as Sarah parallel parked the truck and turned it off.

"You say it like it's a bad thing," Sarah said as they both exited the truck, Chuck just sat there in the passenger's seat. Sarah noticed that Chuck hadn't moved, she'd hoped to avoid this, but maybe this was inevitable. Sarah made her way around the truck and opened the door; Chuck looked ashamed, which made Sarah sad.

"Hey, you okay?" Sarah asked gently, she knew he wasn't, but she needed to get him talking.

"So many people," Chuck said quietly, Sarah stepped back and looked around; there were a few people here and there, but not that many. Sarah looked back to Chuck and took his hand in hers.

"Look at me," Chuck looked up at her. "Don't feel ashamed because you're afraid; you've been through something horrible. I am so proud of how much you've recovered in just six weeks. We're just going for a walk in the park, maybe find a bench and watch the ducks for a bit. Everything else is optional, we don't' have to do anything more than that if you think it's just too much." Sarah said as she gave his hands a squeeze.

"What if something happens; so many people." Chuck said barely above a whisper, Sarah simply nodded to Chuck in understanding and spoke with conviction in her voice.

"I love you Chuck, if you hear nothing, please hear that; I love you so much. I've made a promise that nothing will ever happen to you again, never again. I'll fight a thousand hells before I'll let anyone hurt you ever again." Chuck simply nodded as he looked down at his hands; Sarah continued. "I will fight the armies of Mordor, alone if I have to, to keep you safe." Sarah heard Chuck breathe a laugh, which was a good sign; Chuck gave Sarah a small smile and spoke.

"That's a lot of Orcs to fight by yourself," Sarah simply shrugged.

"Anything for the man I love," Sarah said as she watched Chuck.

"Thank you Sarah, I know I've been a lot lately…" Chuck said before he was swiftly cut off by Sarah.

"Don't you dare apologize for hurting; what happened to you would destroy lesser people. You went through something that even I don't know if I'd recover from and yet you're still here, that's you, that's your strength. You are the bravest person I have ever met; you've faced all of this horrible stuff without any kind of training. It's hard not to admire you for how well you've handled this life. And before you try to say that I'm just blowing smoke up your ass, just know that I will slap the shit out of you if you insult the man I love like that." The fiery passion of Sarah's words steadied Chuck, she had so much confidence in him, so much faith that he'd be okay. In light of all of that faith, how could he let her down now?

Chuck simply nodded and cautiously stepped out of the truck and into the bright afternoon sun. As Chuck stood to his full height and pushed the door closed, Sarah smiled at him proudly and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss. Chuck tasted colors, the sky exploded, the angels sang; never had Chuck Bartowski experienced a kiss quite that passionate. As the two of them separated, Chuck's brain had to take a moment to reboot, much to Sarah's amusement. She saw his eyes flutter several times before they refocused on her.

"Wow, what was that for?" Chuck asked, still dazed; he saw a dazzling smile on her face that made his insides do summersaults.

"Just showing the man I love how proud I am; come on let's go take a walk." Sarah said as she extended her hand, which he took gladly. Chuck silently walked with Sarah into the quiet park and simply admired the stillness and the serene beauty of the green trees and grass. Sarah couldn't help but wonder what was going on in Chuck's head. He looked as peaceful as he had been in the last few weeks, but there was still an inherent darkness in his eyes, which made her sad. Those bastards had stolen that innocence from him, they'd taken away a part of him that made him so special. Chuck was still an amazing, kind, generous man, but she feared he'd lose that purity and naivety that he'd been able to hold onto throughout his time with Sarah, Casey, and the Intersect.

Chuck and Sarah walked around the park for another half hour simply exchanging peaceful small talk before they found an empty bench near a pond. They both watched a momma duck lead her ducklings around the pond in a cute little line on the calm water. Sarah felt Chuck's hand leave hers, she looked over to her right at him and saw a darkness on his face that worried her.

"What's going to happen to me?" Chuck asked as he watched the breathtaking purity of nature in front of him; Sarah looked over at Chuck and simply watched him for a moment before answering him.

"Long term?" he simply nodded. "Well, you'll go home, back to Burbank and your old life." Chuck simply nodded.

"What about the uh…" He simply tapped on his temple with his finger; Sarah simply looked away, how could she answer that when she herself didn't know.

"Honestly? I have no idea what the future holds for the three of us or well… that. What I do know is that your days of going out on missions is officially over." Chuck looked over at her in surprise; Sarah simply nodded affirmatively. "I'm never going to let them put you in another situation where the enemy can get their hands on you like they did, never again." Sarah said stoically, Chuck had a feeling there was more to this than she was letting on.

"Sarah," Chuck began, he never continued as he saw the tears well up in Sarah's eyes.

"I can't go through that again, I can't lose you, I can't…" Sarah trailed off and looked down at her hands, they were coated in the metaphorical blood of all the people she'd had to destroy to get him back the first time. Chuck placed a hand On Sarah's shoulder as she continued quietly. "I went to a dark, dark place after you were taken; I was so angry, so scared, so alone. I became a different person, a person you could never love; I was ruthless, unfeeling, pure fucking evil. I was the Enforcer again, Graham's right hand; the weapon that Graham pointed at his problems when he wanted them resolved in a hail of bullets and an ocean of blood. The two guys who took you… I tortured them to death. We'd already rescued you, and they'd surrendered, but I wanted them to hurt like you hurt. So in that moment I betrayed everything the Sarah you love stood for, and I hurt them… bad. I can't be that person again, I don't want to be her anymore; I can't lose you Chuck, or I'll become her… forever." Chuck could see the anguish in her body language and for the first time he stopped to think about how this all must have affected her.

"Sarah, look at me," Sarah looked over at Chuck with teary eyes; Chuck simply opened up his arms to accept her in a comforting embrace, an embrace that she gladly accepted. Chuck pulled Sarah tightly into his side and simply held her as he continued. "I don't care who you became in order to find me, you found me, I am alive because of the Enforcer. I don't care what you say, I love the Enforcer just as much as I love the rest of you. I love you Sarah Walker, I love all of you, not just the cuddly, smiley parts." Sarah laughed a tiny bit into Chuck's side.

"Don't leave me Chuck, I can't live without you,"

"Never Sarah, never again."

CHARMING'S AUTHORS NOTE #3: Well a lot has happened! They're in love and Beckman is on their side, Sarah's faith has helped her through these tough times, while Chuck's recovery is moving along. I still haven't totally decided just how far I want this one to go, but I do know this one has at least two more in it on the very low end, but that's only if I want to make it a short one.

CHARMING'S AUTHORS NOTE #4: So, tell me what did you all think? Please consider leaving a review and sharing your thoughts.

Until Next Time :D