A/N: You know how a show sometimes edits something a certain way so it looks like something happens in the preview and when it really happens it looks nothing like you thought it would? *Drags toe across ground, looking guilty* I may have done that last time. But, I promise, we're getting there. Pinky swear.
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck
The camera cuts to Graham, sitting in the interview chair. "After that night at the Upfronts, everyone saw that things had changed between Chuck and Sarah. Someone had taken a picture of them at the party, how I don't know." Graham grinned. "Fine, maybe I do know, and maybe it got into someone's hands. Maybe I wanted the best for Sarah Walker, and I knew if left alone, she would never admit what she was feeling."
The camera cuts to Kayla. "OMG they are so adorable together. The second I saw the picture, the name Charah came to mind. I got it to some people who managed to get it online and start calling them Charah."
The camera cuts Chuck and Sarah. "Neither of us said anything publicly about it. We thought it was best if we said nothing." Chuck gave her a look, making her giggle. "Fine, I thought it would die if we just left it alone. Besides, that kind of press, and it might get people to watch the show. As long as we didn't care, what was the harm?"
"But she cared," Chuck mocked whispered.
"I did, I wanted it to be real," Sarah admitted, shrugging.
"So did I," Chuck added, looking over at her. "So did I."
"And honestly, wasn't it real?" Sarah asked. They both began to laugh.
}o{
It was the Monday after the party. The internet had been fanning the flames of Charah all weekend. Chuck had not noticed at all, being busy with the podcast. Carina and Zondra had kept him away from it, knowing it would mess with his work. Zondra and Carina had also told Sarah their plan so they were all on the same page. Zondra arrived early that morning to talk out the plan with Sarah.
"God, this is gonna kill him," Sarah said, putting her head in her hands.
"Why would it kill him?" Zondra asked, confused.
"His anxiety," Sarah replied.
Zondra studied Sarah for a minute. "Okay, Blondie, I think it's time we have a talk. You are severely misunderstanding things, and honestly, what you're doing, it may be doing Chuck more harm than good." Sarah pulled her chin back in shock.
"Sarah, Chuck can handle the truth," Zondra told her plainly. "Chuck was fine the other night, and you know it. Where his anxiety threatens him is when he doesn't know the truth, and his mind is left to fill in the blanks, again, catastrophizing things. If this doesn't bother you, then tell him. Straight up tell him." Zondra looked like she wanted to say more, but stopped.
"Go on, there's more isn't it?"
"Not about Chuck," Zondra admitted. "But the way you really feel about him…" Zondra shrugged.
"Zondra, if Chuck didn't have anxiety I wouldn't tell him how I feel right now," Sarah told her. "He's never acted, he takes on so many burdens, and if we started dating and this production went bad…"
"He would blame himself," Zondra agreed. "I don't like it."
"I hate it," Sarah admitted. "I had so much fun in one dance with him the other night." She shook her head. "When we're done filming, I'm going to talk to him."
"Hope no one snatches him between now and then," Zondra teased. Sarah shot her a look. "Don't worry, if I find out someone else is interested, I'll let you know so you can tell him how you feel."
"I hate not saying anything to him," Sarah replied, trying not to pout. There was a knock on the door.
"That's my cue to leave," Zondra told her. "Big week."
"Yeah, Gertrude will be here soon, and want to begin walk-throughs," Sarah said. Zondra nodded and headed toward the door. She opened it and saw her friend.
"Hey, Chuck, you ready?"
"No," Chuck blurted out.
"Come in, Chuck," Sarah told him. "See you later, Z." Zondra waved and left, shutting the door behind her. Sarah got up, walked around the desk, and couldn't stop herself. She gave Chuck a hug.
"I threw up twice this morning," Chuck told her. "And I brushed my teeth at least ten times, because acting kissing or not, no one wants to taste that."
"In one production I was in, some jerk ate a burrito with lots of onions before we kissed," Sarah told him, pulling away and chuckling. "Sit down." His eyes widened. "It's fine."
"Sorry, really on edge today," Chuck told her.
"So, we have made the internet as a couple," Sarah told him, showing him a post about them on her phone. "We're Charah."
"At least we got a good couple name," Chuck told her. He looked up at her. "I'm really sorry." She tilted her head and signed. "Come on, Sarah, you deserve to have a personal life and now guys will think you're not available."
"I'm really not available," Sarah replied. "I'm too involved in this, and frankly, I don't care what the internet says about me. It's you I'm worried about. I just want to be upfront with you about it."
"Thank you," Chuck told her, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "Most people hide things from me."
"Well, don't give me too much thanks," Sarah admitted. "Zondra told me how that was the worst thing to do. I do want you to know that I am thankful for all you're doing, and don't think I've forgotten I owe you an interview."
"So is that our date this weekend?" Chuck asked, grinning. Sarah chuckled. "And-and, afterwards, I promise I won't be an idiot at dinner."
"Deal," Sarah told him. "Now, what has you worried most about today."
"All of it," Chuck replied. She laughed and he shrugged. "But honestly…kissing Zondra."
"Do you need to practice?" Sarah asked. "You know I told you if you do, I'm here for you."
"That just feels a little creepy," Chuck admitted. "Hey, Sarah, can I practice kissing you?"
Sarah burst out laughing. She stood up. "Okay, stand up. Now if I remember the scene correctly, you two are talking, and you wrap your arms around her." Chuck nodded. "Okay, do it." Chuck shook his head, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Now, I reach up, brush some hair out of her face," he said, as he moved a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Perfect," Sarah said.
"I love you," Chuck said softly, and bent down to kiss her.
Her body nearly collapsed into a puddle. She had forgotten that was his line right before he kissed Zondra. Sarah was absolutely sure if Chuck had forgotten himself for a second and his tongue had entered her mouth, the two of them might be naked and making love on top of her desk, or in the chair, or on the carpet, or hell, maybe in the shower in her bat-"
A knock at the door made her leap away from him. "I'm sorry," Chuck told her.
"No, that was perfect," Sarah told him. "Absolutely perfect. I just need to talk to Gertrude." Chuck nodded, and she walked over to the door, composed herself and opened it. "Gertrude," Sarah said as a way of greeting.
}o{
The camera cut to Zondra in the interview chair. "When Chuck later that day told me about what had happened, it took all my training not to laugh. I knew that girl was done. We all did, she just didn't have the good sense to quit fighting it."
The producer speaks. "What happened with Gertrude."
Zondra shakes her head. "A piece of art."
}o{
"I'm sorry," Chuck said, frustrated. "It's my fault." It was Thursday, and they were shooting the pilot. Zondra and Chuck's characters had just learned that Zondra's and Arik's nineteen year old daughter, Riley, was pregnant. Chuck and Arik were supposed to be discussing things, but the entire dialog felt off.
"No," Gertrude disagreed. "The script sounds good on paper, but you two saying it out loud…" Gertrude shook her head. "How about this, you two just talk how you think these two would."
"Are you sure?" Chuck asked. "I'm not trained like that."
"I'm sure as hell not," Arik agreed.
"Trust me," Gertrude said. "Even if it's not perfect, maybe we can pick up something that we can use to make the scene better." The two men nodded. "Action."
"What are you going to do?" Arik asked Chuck.
"I'm staying out of this," Chuck replied. "This is a family issue, not mine."
"Well, I can't, she's got to get rid of it," Arik insisted. "It's going to ruin her life." Chuck didn't say anything, he just looked at Arik. "You don't agree?"
"It's not my," Chuck began, but the large man shot Chuck a look. Chuck cleared his throat. "Okay, but don't beat me up."
Arik stood there and Chuck crossed his arms. "Oh, you're serious?" Arik asked. "Fine, I won't beat you up."
"It's none of your damn business," Chuck told him. "It's none of mine, and it's none of Michelle's. It's really only Riley's decision."
"Listen, I'm all for women's rights," Arik began. "But this…she has her whole future in front of her."
"So did Michelle," Chuck said softly. Arik made a face, but nodded. "Who was in Michelle's corner back then, when she was sixteen?"
"Just me," Arik replied. "And Hannah."
"Hannah," Chuck growled.
"You really don't like her sister, do you?" Arik asked.
"She kept hitting on me, and she doesn't like me, which makes no sense."
Arik chuckled. "You know that I didn't do Michelle the best in the end." There was regret on Arik's face. "All that Michelle had been through, being a foster kid, then getting pregnant, and then me cheating on her…" Arik trailed off and shook his head. "Hannah doesn't trust anyone to be good enough for her sister…even you. I've tried to tell Hannah, but she won't listen. With those two, they may not be blood, but Hannah loves her."
"Hannah was the one who fought for Michelle with her mom and dad," Chuck reminded Arik. "You remember how bad Michelle felt about how upset her parents were?" Arik nodded. "Do you want Riley feeling that way?"
"Damn it, Paul, why do you have to make so much sense?"
"It's a curse," Chuck replied, shrugging.
"Well, there is one thing you are wrong about, you are a part of this family," Arik told him.
"Paul, I'm not Riley's dad, you are. She's an adult, she has a father in you. I'm not dumb enough to think that my opinion means any thing to her. I'm just the guy her mom is married to."
"You are dumb," Tristin said, walking in from across the room. "No, you're not my dad, but you love mom, you're good to Arik, you're good to me. You're gonna be this kid's grandfather, just as much as Arik is."
"We're gonna be the best granddads," Arik said, coming up to Chuck and slapping him on the shoulder, nearly knocking Chuck down. "We're gonna co-granddad the hell out of our grandchild."
"You're making it a bit weird," Chuck blurted out.
"CUT!" Gertrude yelled. Chuck turned to her to apologize again, when he saw the look of joy on her face. "That was PERFECT!"
"Yeah?" Chuck asked.
"Hell yes it was," Sarah said, where she had been watching off to side.
"Really?" Chuck asked her. Sarah nodded at him. The two didn't even seem to notice the room full of people. Chuck was bubbling with joy, and Sarah felt like she was being infected with it. She hugged him tightly as Gertrude smiled. Gertrude gestured for everyone to take a break.
}o{
The camera cut to Sarah in the interview chair. "That scene…it changed everything. Netflix was now one hundred percent on board. They just wanted one little change." She blew out a breath and her shoulders sagged. "But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself."
The camera cut to Graham in the interview chair. "This one I had nothing to do with, I swear."
The camera cut to Quinn in the interview chair. He shrugged. "Yeah, it wasn't all my idea, but what an idea…What. An. Idea."
A/N: It is SUCH an idea. Next time:
"True," Carina agreed. "Let's be honest." Carina turned toward Sarah. "Doing a podcast with Chuck is like doing it missionary style. Nothing fancy, gets the job done amazingly well, and everyone's happy afterwards."
"You are so weird," Sarah replied.
I'm SURE Carina doesn't continue this line of conversation or anything….(she totally does) See you soon. Take care of yourselves.