A/N: Continuing Sarah Walker's time in Burbank, starting with a coffee with Chuck Bartowski.

Overwhelmed with the reviews. Thank you so much. I worried that people would hate this Sarah, but I didn't get that from most of you. The operating word was 'interesting'. Well, that's good.

Once again, MarkeyDeSad beta'd this for me, for which I thank him; Converting all my British words and phrases to American being part of that.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but I do have a lovely daughter called Sarah. Does that count at all?

Anger Management
Chapter 2: Coffee and Hot Dogs

Chuck knew it was stupid, but he was nervous. It's just a coffee. It's not a real date!

This afternoon, he would be taking Sarah Walker to Lou's for a coffee. Just a coffee.

The reality was that he'd not taken any girl there before, other than his sister. It's not that he's had the opportunity; all the girls he'd asked out in the last five years had either refused or just not turned up, wherever he went.

So where did his confidence come from this time?

It can't just be because she's the most beautiful girl he's ever seen; that should make him less confident, if anything. Her attitude said, 'not interested' way before she could actually say it, but he felt that wasn't aimed at him, she just seemed that way inclined. Her anger at her phone was palpable and even her conversation he overheard with her mom, seemed strained.

He liked a challenge in his work. So, yesterday, did he see her anger as a challenge to be conquered?

Since then, the reality of it had set in. He was taking a stunning, but angry, girl for a coffee. What could possibly go wrong? God! Everything!

It's just a coffee!

Sarah had realized she can't just observe Chuck Bartowski, she'll have to interact with him.

It's not a date, definitely not a date, just a chat over a coffee. Can't take long, can it?

What can we talk about?

Her previous first meetings with men had been different, particularly the two she had dated. They had approached her and their interest in her had seemed real. She hadn't had to talk much, just be swept along. Both of the men had become boyfriends and she had stayed with both until the final breakups.

She felt that Chuck may be different. He seemed interested in her, but not as a potential girlfriend. He'd ask questions. Could she deflect them or would she have to answer them?

She'd obviously question him and observe how he talked and how he interacted with others. That wasn't a problem. Just the reverse.

She huffed and just kept reminding herself. It's just a coffee!

She looked up just before 2pm, after another shitty lunch period. There he was, walking across the parking lot. On time. She liked that. Her two boyfriends never did that, she always had to wait.

He's not a boyfriend, she reminded herself.

He opened the door and walked to the counter. "You still okay for that coffee?" he asked.

She smiled. He could have asked that without walking over. What if I say 'no'? Tempting though that was, just to see how he'd react, she didn't. "Sure."

She took off her apron and pulled on a top to hide the uniform. Walking around the counter, she called to Scooter, "Taking my break now, Boss."

"Okay," he replied.

Chuck looked like he was considering reaching for her hand, but didn't. Sarah appreciated that.

They walked to the deli shop, side by side.

"I often get food here, but the coffee's good too," he told her.

"I need a good coffee," she confessed.

"Bad day?" he asked.

"I think they will all be bad," she grumbled.

When they got to the counter, she had looked at the coffee choices and decided what to have.

She watched the pretty woman standing the other side of the counter. Sarah was interested to see how she reacted to Chuck. As she looked up at this next customer, her face changed from business-like to happy, maybe more than that, interested in the person facing her as a person, not just a customer. There was a sparkle in her eyes and, with it, an obvious invitation.

Then the woman spoke. "Hi, Chuck, what do you want?" Those words implied more than just food or drink.

Chuck, however, seemed completely oblivious. "Hi, Lou," he replied, then turned to Sarah, giving her his complete attention. Sarah noticed the frown that appeared briefly and then was masked from Lou's brow. Sarah recognized the latter, putting on a neutral mask to hide feelings.

"I'll get these, Sarah. My invite." Sarah looked up at him. She had always been able to read people. There was nothing in his countenance that indicated he was anything more than a kind person.

"Okay," she said, "Thank you. A skinny latte for me, please."

He turned back to Lou, placed their order and paid, then led Sarah away. She watched Lou frown again, then pass the order back to one of her team. Sarah felt the urge to remind this woman that Chuck was not available and to keep her hormones in her pants. Then she shook her head. Where did that come from?

Sarah was still thinking this, as Chuck took her to one of the tables in the window. As they settled down, he looked relieved and said, "Thanks for coming, Sarah."

She bristled at that. "Did you think I wouldn't? That I don't keep my promises?"

She's not sure what his expression meant at that point. Fear of upsetting her or just fear of her.

"No, no!" he started, but his blush told a different story. She raised a brow showing she didn't believe him. He slumped a bit. "Okay, It's not you, it's me."

She almost laughed hearing that. "You know that's a phrase for dumping people, Chuck!"

That brought a smile to his face. Looking at him, she found that attractive again. "I haven't been dumped like that, Sarah. Yet. I've asked women on dates, or even coffee, and they've not shown up. I wondered if you might realize you'd made a mistake when I came to get you."

Hearing that, Sarah felt this was a kindred spirit of sorts. "So, no self-confidence, huh?"

He snorted, "Absolute zero."

This intrigued her. "Girlfriends?" She was unsure he would answer this.

That blush again. "I've had girlfriends," he said, defensively.

She was on a roll now, finding out more about him, so glad he didn't have a filter. She was also sure, having judged his character already, that he wouldn't be able to lie, or if he did, she'd be able to tell. "How many?"

He looked down at his coffee.

He doesn't want to tell me!

Then he did. "Just one serious one."

She was lapping this up. "Wow, Chuck. Worse than me!" She lifted her coffee to test the temperature.

He looked up at her, quietly, then a smirk formed. "You've had more than one girlfriend?"

She nearly sprayed him with coffee, then laughed. "Not what I meant! So, when was this?"

He was now looking really uncomfortable, but as she'd been pushing so hard, obviously decided to fess up. "Five years since we split."

"Split? You dump her?"

He now looked quite pained. "You could say that, after she slept with my best friend in my bed."

She could relate to this! "Shit, Chuck! In your bed and not his?"

He just nodded.

"Not sure if that's worse than when I found one of my ex-boyfriends in our shared bed." The words were out before she could stop them.

He looked angry at that. "Who could do that to you?" he asked, seeming incredulous.

She liked that he was defensive of someone he'd only met yesterday. "Same as your ex-girlfriend and best friend, Chuck."

He looked down again. "I just wasn't good enough for her."

That surprised her. "Why d'you say that? I'd say she wasn't good enough for you, to do something like that."

The smile he gave her was one of thanks, but didn't show he agreed.

She decided to share more, something she never did, but this man had suffered some of the pain she had. "I've only had two boyfriends and both cheated on me."

He was speechless, hearing that. The shocked look lingered for well over a minute. Then, he closed his mouth and took a drink of his coffee. He finally looked at her with another smirk. "So, partners in pain, huh?"

She laughed. "Yeah." Then another question came to mind. "How long before you tried dating again?" In a way she was asking to help her decide.

He chuckled. "Tried being the operative word!" He paused, thinking. "About three years and only then because my sister kept pestering me."

That surprised her. She thought men were always chasing, if not already in relationships, but what did she really know. "Well, partner…" He chuckled hearing her say that. "… dating sucks, so we should avoid it."

That smirk again. "Are you talking about us or in general?"

She grinned hearing that. After all, she'd not even considered dating him. "Anyone!"

He grinned back. "Agreed." He tapped her mug with his and drank more of his coffee, looking over the rim at her as she drank hers too. Then, he surprised her. "But if I did, you'd be my first choice by a mile." He then concentrated on his coffee. Obviously the confidence that he summonsed to say that didn't last long enough to watch how she responded.

She stopped drinking, thinking about what he had said. He was different to most men. Not just because he'd had just as bad a relationship as her, but also because he was so open about his experience and feelings. Looking at him, even though he was hiding behind his coffee, she had to acknowledge he was attractive. There was no way she was going to start a new relationship, but he wouldn't be a bad choice. "Thank you, Chuck. It's not often people say nice things to, or about, me."

He looked up frowning, obviously doubtful. She didn't want to discuss that aspect further, so she shifted his attention away. "My last break up was less than a month ago, so I am definitely not starting a new one, but, if I was, I'd let you know." She has no idea what made her say that last part and she too just sat and drank coffee.

He was the first to restart their conversation. "Less than a month ago. I guess that's what makes you so angry with everyone."

She laughed at that. "Oh, Chuck, I've been angry most of my life, that just added to it."

She then felt his hand gripping hers. She looked down, surprised and then looked up into his eyes as he said, "thank you for not biting my head off, then."

She grinned and gripped his fingers. "Be oh so careful, Partner."

They sit quietly drinking their coffees until finishing. She looks at her watch, nearly time to get back. She got up. "Thank you, Chuck. I've really enjoyed this."

Standing, he nodded. "Me too, Sarah."

He walked her back to the Wienerlicious and they parted company.

As she walked in, she realized that neither of them had suggested another meeting.

The afternoon shift was as bad as the day before, if not more so. There seemed to be more teenage boys. However, that's not what she is annoyed about. She was kicking herself for not suggesting another meet up with Chuck. When she got home, she was still, but now she was thinking it would feel like a date, if she did, and she doesn't want that, does she?

She sets up the DVD player and watches 'The Grinch' that evening, while eating cereal. She empathized with the character's outlook on life and views of Christmas, until the oh so happy ending. Sha finally went to bed wondering if she should ask Chuck to meet again.

Chuck struggled with the idea of someone as beautiful as Sarah wanting to be with him, so he didn't contact her to arrange another meet up that day or the following morning, but, by lunchtime, he'd built up the courage to ask. He took another late lunch, but earlier than the previous day, hoping Sarah would still be serving and not gone out.

Sarah was suffering her usual frustration when he arrived, and was busy, so didn't notice him.

The guy two in front of him pushed a pen off the counter while Sarah was loading the oven with the next batch of hot dogs. Sarah, thinking it had just rolled off, crouched down to pick it up. The man and the one behind lean forward to watch her.

Chuck called them out. "Guys, don't behave like that!" They both turned and glared at him.

Sarah stood and realized what has happened. She angrily spoke to them in a clipped voice. "Hot dog or out?"

Both ordered hot dogs and moved to one side, waiting. And watching, to be honest. They also muttered to each other about Chuck.

"Hi, Sarah," he said as he moved to the counter.

She smiled, truly smiled, for the first time that day. "Hi, Chuck. That's what I have to put up with all the time."

"You shouldn't have to, Sarah."

She looked at him for a while. "Thank you, Chuck."

"Are you ordering?" The voice behind him reminded Chuck that they were just looking at each other.

"Y- yes," Chuck stuttered. He looked at Sarah, who is now smirking at him. "H- hot dog, please. Foot long?"

She grinned. "Sure. Probably a few minutes, though. You'll have to wait." Hopefully it will have quieted down by then, she thought.

He smiled and moved to one side, away from the two others.

He watched other men eyeing Sarah up as they ordered and/or waited. Well, more than eyeing up really; trying to look down her top or commenting to each other, behind her back, about her backside or long, bare legs, leering lustfully. He was getting more and more angry that she was subject to such disrespectful behavior. He knew this sort of thing happened, but seeing it with Sarah annoyed him.

Sarah noticed the look on Chuck's face. It reminded her of cartoons where characters got mad and had steam shooting out of their ears. While she liked the feeling it was giving her, knowing her predicament was causing it, she didn't want him getting into trouble. She caught his eye and shook her head. Thankfully, he acknowledged that and just quietly seethed.

When the line was dying down, she put Chuck's foot long in the oven. By the time it was cooked, there was no line waiting, although there were still a few people eating at the tables. She made up his hot dog and walked around the counter, pointing at an empty table. Chuck followed her to it and sat down as she sat opposite him.

He frowned. "You won't get into trouble sitting out here, will you?"

The fact he even thought that, warmed her heart a bit. No one ever cared about her. "No, Chuck. Scooter won't mind, as long as I get up if another customer comes in."

He nodded, coated the hot dog in sweet relish and started to eat. She just sat and watched. He looked clumsy trying to hold the long hot dog, because he had obviously put too much relish on it.

Watching him reminded her how much she enjoyed observing people and not being involved. She hadn't had much time to do that. And watching Chuck was also a pleasant experience; even when struggling with his food, he was still good to look at. He was also, she thought, a friendly, safe person to be around, not trying to force himself on her. She felt comfortable around him.

After a while, he realized she was looking at him and looked embarrassed. "Not nice to stare, Sarah," he commented between mouthfuls.

She just smirked. "Observing the local wildlife grazing in their natural habitat."

He stopped eating and raised one brow. "You like to watch people?"

She had never told anyone about this, but then no one had ever been interested enough to ask. She sighed and leaned back into her seat. "Yes, I do. More than interacting with them."

He looked around the room and thought about the men in the line. "I can understand that here."

She laughed. "Yeah."

"Do you feel that way about me?" he asked, hesitantly.

She immediately realized she didn't. "No, Chuck. I actually like talking to you. What's your secret?"

He chuckled. "Not lecherous enough?"

That made her smile. "Are you lecherous at all?"

He looked affronted, but she could tell he wasn't really. Then he said something she certainly wasn't expecting. "Any red-blooded male would be around you, Sarah."

She didn't know what to say to that, so stayed quiet. He's interested in me?

He shook himself, put his food down and looked apologetically at her. "Sorry, Sarah. I shouldn't have said that. I've made you uncomfortable."

She reached over and placed her hand on his wrist. "No, Chuck. It was complimentary. I get a lot of so called 'compliments', but I appreciate what you said."

He nodded, then straightened his back, seemingly steeling himself, and looked into her eyes. "Sarah, would you go on a date with me?"

At first, she laughed. "After that lecherous comment?"

He looked down, embarrassed, his cheeks visibly reddening. She could tell he wished he hadn't said that and probably not asked her on a date either.

She felt sorry for him, but also realized that his question hadn't made her want to run. Maybe a date with this kind, warm person wouldn't be such a bad idea. All the same… "Chuck, we talked about dates yesterday."

He didn't look up, just nodded. "We did. Sorry."

She grabbed his chin and pulled his face up to look at her. "Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just not ready to date."

For Chuck, looking into those ocean blue eyes as she didn't reject him, just the concept of dating, gave him more confidence, not less. "Thank you for letting me down gently, Sarah."

She growled at him. "Hey, that's not what I'm doing!" She gave him a hard stare, then her appearance softened and what came out of her mouth surprised her as much as it probably did him at that point. "Ask me again when I'm over this and you may get a different answer."

Chuck suddenly felt elated. She would give him another chance.

"However…" She stared into his very attractive eyes. "I'm not adverse to meeting my new friend outside of work."

She knew this was pushing him into a different category that felt safer, while still enabling them to see each other. Would he go for it?

Chuck knew the friend zone, but he really enjoyed being with Sarah, so friends was good, for now.

His smile told her that he would. Why did that cause a flutter in her chest?

There was a sparkle in his eyes as he leaned forward. "Sure. How about a meal tomorrow evening after work, Friend?"

She laughed at that. "Not just friend. Partner," she reminded him. "Yes, that sounds good, but I will have to go home after working here and shower off the smell of hot dogs."

He grimaced thinking about how she must feel after a day here. "Sure. Give me your address and I'll come and pick you up. About 7pm?"

"Sounds good," she replied.

"Any meal type you don't like?" he asked.

"Just hot dogs," she said with an angry scowl.

He laughed out loud at that and she found she really liked the sound of it.

He looked at his watch. "I'd better get back. See you tomorrow night, Sarah."

She nodded. "It's a da-" She stopped herself. "It's a non-date."

He grinned and headed out, taking the remains of his hot dog with him.

Sarah sat and watched him cross the parking lot, thinking it was good to have such a friend.

By the end of the day, she was fully back in her normal mood. Angry at everyone and everything.

She drove home fuming. On arriving home, she almost slammed the door, dropped her bag and marched into the bathroom. A hot shower was just what she needed.

After the shower, she felt clean but still angry. How could it be acceptable for men to see her as just something to be gawped at. Trying to see down her top or up her skirt, that ridiculous short skirt. Some of them openly leering at her.

She really needed to get a different job. She wasn't cut out for this one.

She knew she was a generally angry person, simmering all the time, but what she was experiencing stoked that and flames were likely to show soon. Someone was likely to get burnt. Then she'd be out of a job. Again!

She was still sitting, fuming, an hour later, when her cell phone rang.

She didn't even look at the name of the caller, but answered it. "Mom."

Her mom didn't hold back. "Hmm. In a mood again, Sarah?"

"Of course I am!" she snapped.

"Is that 'of course' because something has happened or just because you always are?" her mom questioned, poking the bear.

Sarah held the phone away, glaring at it, then pulled it back and grumbled, "Is that supposed to help?"

"Do you need me to come and see you?"

"No!" she cried out. Then she realized how that could be taken. "Sorry, Mom, but no, I don't need you here."

"Sounds like you need to find a different job, Sarah," her mom said, calmly.

Sarah wasn't sure how her mom stayed calm when she had a daughter like her snapping as she did. "Sure."

"What's stopping you?" was the next question.

Sarah pondered that for a minute of so. She had been thinking it herself, but wasn't making much effort to find one. The only thing keeping her there was her laziness, wasn't it? Oh, and lack of qualifications for any other job! She didn't want to discuss that, though; it would bring them back to choices she's made in her life, a topic to be avoided.

She decided to ignore that question. "Made a friend."

"And that's stopping you finding a new job?" Her mom sounded puzzled.

That made her angry again. "No, Mom! Not talking about that!"

"So…" He mom paused before continuing. "You don't make friends easily. I'm glad you have. What does she do?"

"It's a man," she replied before she thought how her caller would take that.

"Ohh. Is that a good idea, sweetheart?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. She didn't want one of those conversations either. "He is just a friend, Mom. Nothing more."

"Are you sure that's all he wants? I don't want you getting hurt again."

Not sure how to convey reality to an over protective mom, Sarah replied, "Mom, he's not like Bryce or Ryan. He's just nice."

"Nice?"

This made her think about Chuck more. He really was nice. He looked at her face, not her overly exposed body in that god-awful uniform. He made her feel good being with him. Safe, even. Nice.

"Yeah, nice," she said emphatically.

"Well, you be careful, Sarah."

She growled her reply. "I'm not going to date him, Mom. He knows that." She then wished she hadn't said the last part.

After a pause, her mom asked, "So, he's asked you out?"

Sarah had to cut this conversation off quickly. "As friends, Mom. Nothing more."

Nothing but silence came back.

"Mom, I'm going to go now and won't be home tomorrow evening. Call after 10pm if you want to talk."

"Okay. Love you," her mom finally replied.

"You too, Mom."

Sarah sat for a while after the call. Thinking.

Much as she didn't see it as one, others would think her going for a meal with Chuck Bartowski was a date. He'd agreed it wouldn't be, but was that what he really thought?

She couldn't handle a relationship so soon after Ryan, if ever. She had made that clear to Chuck. However, somehow, hurting this man was the last thing she wanted to do.

She justified that to herself. He's a friend. I need friends.

When he told his sister about his plans for the following evening, she was just how he had been dreading.

She grabbed him and hugged the life out of him. "A date!"

"No, El. Not a date. Just two friends eating together," he corrected her.

"Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that!" she replied.

"She getting over a break up, El, and doesn't want another relationship," he explained.

Although worried, hearing that, as she didn't want Chuck to be a rebound, she couldn't stop herself. "So, you asked her?"

He wished he hadn't told her as much as he had. "Yes, but I'm am more than happy having her as a friend."

She looked at him for a few seconds, trying to decide what to say. She didn't want to push him to keep trying, and getting hurt, but she did want him to move forward from Jill. "Just be careful, little brother. I don't want you hurt again."

"I will, El. Can we talk about something else?"

"Okay," she replied and they talked about their day at work to keep off dating talk.

Later, as he went to bed, Chuck couldn't stop thinking about Sarah.

He did want to go out with her as a friend, and that would be good, but more would obviously be better. Anyway, the meal at the small Italian place he'd booked would be great. Not expensive, but Morgan had told him it was still great food. Ellie had offered her car.

Tomorrow evening would help cement their friendship and maybe also help Sarah's feelings about being here.

A/N: Small steps. Still angry with her lot, but someone is tempering that.

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