I don't own Chuck
"Are you doing that thing with my name where it sounds like-" Chuck began, but couldn't speak any longer, because there was a tongue in his mouth that didn't belong to him.
His face was cradled in her hands for a moment, and then her arms were wrapped around his shoulders, as she pulled him closer to her. "Chuck, you talk too much," she said, as she pulled away for a moment, only to dive back in to kiss his neck.
"Noted," he groaned. Her hands moved to the front of his shirt, and began unbuttoning it. "If you keep that up, I won't have any clothes on."
"That is sort of the idea," she explained, raising an eyebrow. She couldn't speak after that, because he was now kissing her. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him tight against her. "Bed," she croaked, pushing him back to give herself just enough room to breathe and work on his shirt some more. She shivered as he moved them backward and managed to untuck her shirt from her Nerd Herd skirt.
"So, I have to ask," Chuck began.
"You really don't have to," she countered, kissing him again, and then pushing him back onto the bed. She pounced, landing on top of him, as she renewed her assault on his face with her lips.
"Well, I did say I wanted to talk after practice earlier," he reminded her. She sat up, seeing the smile on his face.
"What in the world is so important that we need to talk about it right now?"
"Well, it's important that right now you recognize what you're feeling," Chuck began.
"Irritated… and extremely turned on… at least I was extremely turned on." Chuck sat up slightly, planting his elbows on the bed.
"Sarah, I meant those words I sang. And if my time don't ever come. For me you're still the one."
"For the record, I think that you getting involved with me is a terrible idea for you," Sarah said, starting to get up. If they were about to have a long conversation, she needed to move before she got distracted with him. Chuck reached out and wrapped his fingers around her wrist gently. She looked at his hand, and then turned to him, an eyebrow raised.
"I am aware you're a former CIA agent, and can easily kick my ass," Chuck began, making her giggle. "I'm a big boy, and I am willing to try. I want to try. I am willing to risk getting hurt, because I think you're worth it."
She studied him a minute and leaned down to him, her lips inches from him. "So… you gonna Chuck me?"
"Again, you using my name as a verb-" he couldn't say anything else without biting her tongue. His hands moved to her waist and felt her cool skin. She hissed against his mouth, feeling his hot hand there. "Still think this is a bad idea?" he asked as she pulled away.
She reached down between them, and undid his pants, all while looking him in the eye, loving the way he tried to remain confident, all while blushing. "Oh, I think this is a very good idea for me. It's you I'm worried about."
"I don't know that I would be the best at teaching you technique," he said. She stopped what she was doing and gave him a flat look. "Too much?"
"No, just reminding me of who I'm with," she said. She reached down, cupping his cheek in her left hand. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Sarah, unless you have a whip you're about to pull out," he began, but he had to stop, as she fell on top of him, laughing. "Just be honest with me."
"I really want you, Chuck Bartowski," she said into his ear. "I just think I'll mess you up."
"What if I mess you up?" he countered.
"I can live with it," she told him. She pulled away, looking into his eyes. "Don't go falling in love with me."
"I won't if you won't," he promised. He felt another of his shirt buttons being undone. "Again, if you continue that, I'll be naked."
"You want to do it clothed?"
"No," Chuck replied. "I've never understood that." She stopped what she was doing, looking at him, wondering what he was going to say. "I mean, if you're doing it right, and clothed, well…"
"There's a certain fragrance on the clothes," she offered as delicately as she could.
"That!" he replied.
"So, you're going to do it, right?"
Chuck blushed down to his roots, but he locked eyes with her. "I'm going to do my best, so I need you to tell me if I do something you don't like."
"What if you do something I like?" she countered playfully.
"Hopefully your body will tell me," he said with much more confidence than he felt.
"Chuck me," she breathed, diving in to kiss him.
}o{
"Want me to leave?" he asked, several hours later. Sarah was lying against his chest. Chuck wasn't sure if she was dozing, or not. She apparently wasn't, as she lifted her head and turned it toward him. "I'm taking this at your pace." Sarah snickered at that. "Well… you know what I mean."
She patted his chest. "It was a fine pace," she told him, making him laugh. "No one has ever stayed before," she admitted to him. "Not that there were a lot of someones."
Chuck was silent for a moment. "Shit," he muttered to himself. Sarah turned to him, concerned that he was going to leave. "I didn't even put two and two together…" he trailed off, and she was confused. "Sorry, it's none of my business, anything that happened-"
"No, it's fine. What do mean, you didn't put two and two together?"
"I never really realized why you never have had or seen a real relationship," Chuck admitted. "I was so upset about you believing you didn't deserve one, or would screw it up that…." He shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"Chuck, you have nothing to apologize for," Sarah insisted.
"Have you ever really lived in one place for long?" Sarah shook her head. "Hard to make connections that way," he said, a frown on his face. She nodded. "Did us doing what we did make things worse for you?" She lifted an eyebrow, not able to help the amused look on her face. "Sarah, you have to know I care about you."
"I know you do, Chuck," Sarah told him. "Look, I need to say this." Chuck nodded. "No interruptions, no discussion. Okay?" He nodded again.
She took a deep breath. "Tonight showed me the difference about someone who cares about me, and someone who wants to be with me for any other reason. And no matter what happens between us, I will always cherish that. So, thank you."
"I'm trying really hard not to be overly proud of that," he began.
"You be as proud of it as you want," she said, laying her head back down on his chest. "I wish you would stay," she said in a soft voice. She felt him reach for something.
"Let me text Ellie not to expect me," Chuck told her. Sarah smiled where he couldn't see, and squeezed him even harder. He put the phone back, and wrapped his arms around her. "So, this dating thing…"
"Jesus," she huffed good-naturedly. She looked up at him. "Fine, it you want to date me, you can."
"That makes it sound like only one of us is dating." She shook her head at him. "I'm sorry, I'm just trying to mess with you."
She held his gaze for a minute without speaking. "Fine. Chuck Bartowski, would you like to be dating me, exclusively, and I dating you, exclusively?" Chuck nodded. "There, does that take care of it?"
"Shouldn't there be a handshake, or a kiss, or something?" Chuck asked. Sarah thought for a second, then grinned wickedly. Chuck wasn't sure what the grin was about… and then he did.
"That's not my hand," he rasped.
}o{
"Thank God you're here," Sarah said, as Chuck walked into the Buy More a few days later. He grinned as he took his messenger bag off his shoulder.
"Told you not to fall for me," he said softly, as he put the bag away.
"Don't make me break up with you," she replied, a grin on her face. "I got an email last night that was a little bizarre."
"I'm sorry, I thought you knew how read and reply to an email," he replied, grinning at her. "I'll put that on the list of things that I still need to teach you."
"You know that thing you like so much?" she asked. She raised her eyebrows, and he nodded. "Say one more thing, and we will never do that again."
"See, I went too far, and I apologize," he said quickly, making her laugh. "So, you got a bizarre email. If it's from a prince in another country, it's probably a scam."
"It's not. It's about someone who saw you on YouTube, and wants to manage the band," Sarah told him.
"We have a manager. You," Chuck reminded her.
"I know, but he said he could take you further than I ever could." Chuck frowned. "Chuck, I'm not an actual manager. This guy, Bryce-"
"Hold the fuck up… Who?" Chuck asked, standing.
"Bryce, the guy that emailed me."
"Bryce Larkin?" Chuck asked.
Sarah nodded. "You know him? You've heard of him?"
Chuck's face darkened. "He's the guy that got me thrown out of college."
Sarah's happiness and glee left. Chuck had never seen what some called a 'murderous glint' in someone's eye before.
He was pretty sure he had seen it now.
}o{
Big Mike had interrupted their talk, needing to talk to Sarah. After she came back, she found Chuck talking to the other band members. She had never seen them angry before, and it was a sight. "Have him see us practice," Lester said, an evil smile on his face.
"Lester, I don't think that's the best idea," Sarah argued.
"It's probably not," Jeff agreed. "But that's sort of our jam."
Sarah had to agree that it was.
}o{
"I am so glad you called," Bryce said to Sarah, as they drove to the garage to hear the band. Sarah was trying her best not to beat the shit out of Bryce. Since that night her and Chuck had made… had sex, she corrected herself… she had found herself even more protective of Chuck Bartowski.
She had not fallen in love with him. She hadn't. But she did care about him more than she had any other man in her life. She had been protective of him before they became boyfriend and girlfriend, and now… now she would attack a bear barehanded, if she had to, for him.
"Have no fear, I don't want to cut you out of anything. You are still a huge part of all of this," Bryce droned on. He didn't realize Sarah was not paying attention to him, and was instead talking herself out of hurting him.
"So, you have other bands signed?" Sarah asked.
"No," Bryce admitted. "But I have connections, and I just feel these guys can be something. That singer on the video, he reminds me of me, and I want the best for him. Keep that between us."
"Oh, absolutely," Sarah said, lying her ass off.
"You seeing anyone?" Chuck had been right again. He had warned her that he would try and hit on her. Chuck had asked her to not tell Bryce they were dating, because Bryce might tell something he shouldn't.
Sarah hadn't thought it the best idea at the time, but now… now, she thought it was. Something about Bryce bothered her. More than him getting Chuck kicked out of Stanford. He reminded her of people… Her eyebrows raised. Of people from the farm.
"I mean, there's a guy I'm kind of seeing, but I keep telling him not to fall in love with me," she replied. Bryce grinned at that. "How about you? It must be hard doing all you do."
"Me? I'm just an accountant-" he began.
"No, you're not," Sarah said, shaking his head. "You are Bryce Larkin, Stanford graduate." Bryce's mouth dropped, and he nearly wrecked the car. "What's your game, Bryce?"
"Okay, I know who you are too, Sarah Walker," Bryce began. "Let's say we have – or should I say, had – the same employer."
"What the hell does the CIA want with Jeffster?" Sarah asked, wishing she still had her knives in that moment.
"Nothing," Bryce replied. He ran his hand through his hair, looking upset. "The CIA wanted Chuck, so I had to get him out of there."
"You stole those tests," Sarah accused.
"Listen, you've met him. Would he have survived in the CIA?"
"Bryce, you nearly destroyed him," Sarah said as they pulled up.
"The CIA would have!" Bryce protested. "What I did was give him a chance at a normal life. And now, with this… maybe I can do more." Sarah shook her head, opened the door, and got out of the car. As she slammed the door, Bryce chased after her. Sarah sent Chuck a text that said Go.
Before Bryce could say anything, they heard music begin on the keyboard, and Chuck's voice.
Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall
Passin' by, movin' straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You'll find you're all alone, everything has changed
Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won
If it had been anyone Chuck had been singing the words to, she would have winced. Sarah knew Bryce Larkin was alone, and he was forced to continue to play the CIA's game.
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you're a lot like me
You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free
She wondered if Bryce understood what Chuck was saying. She wondered if Bryce had a clue as to exactly how special Chuck Bartowski really was.
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need's this pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire (Ooh, oooh, oooh)
His future was up to him… and maybe her. Maybe. She shook her head at herself. She couldn't go falling in love with him, for his sake.
Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go
(Just how far I go)
Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road
I can make it, I know, I can
You broke the boy in me but you won't break the man
Chuck's eyes locked with Bryce's with that last verse, and Sarah couldn't help but smile at Chuck. He was standing up for himself against his Nemesis.
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need's this pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me
Chuck looked right at Sarah as he sang.
Just once in his life a man has his time
And my time is now, I'm coming alive
I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly
Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need's this pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need's this pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire
I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me
Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin'
St. Elmo's fire, St. Elmo's fire
"Damn, he's good," she heard Bryce whisper behind her.
She turned to him. "He's the damn best," she said proudly. She turned back as Chuck walked up to them. "Chuck, I'd like you to meet the man that thinks he should be your manager."
"Sarah," Bryce began.
"No, Bryce, the band isn't-" Chuck began.
"Bryce Larkin!" Morgan called out. "We have an answer for you by song."
The band began to play, and Chuck's eyes went wide. He turned to Bryce. "I swear I have nothing to do with this."
"Good to see you, Chuck," Bryce said, accepting that he wasn't wanted. "I take it you have a way home?" he asked Sarah. Sarah nodded. Bryce turned and headed to his car, as Jeffster continued to play.
I know you know everybody knows
The way it comes, the way it's gonna go
You think it's sad
Well that's too bad
'Cause I'm havin'
A ball hatin'
Every little thing about you! ha-ha!
Everything about you, everything about
I get sick when I'm around
I can't stand to be around
I hate everything about...
YOU!
a/n: Today's music includes Man in Motion (St. Elmo's Fire) by John Parr and Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe