A/N: Sarah and Chuck are friends now. 'Just friends.' It is a step forward for her, though.
Thank you so much for the reviews, people mostly still liking this angry Sarah. She is softening, at least when with Chuck.
MarkeyDeSad has beta'd again, not only to convert all my British words and phrases to American, but also spotting other corrections needed. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck or anything else in this chapter.
Anger Management
Chapter 3: Not a Date
Sarah was in a really bad mood. She was regularly in a bad mood, but this one was really, really bad. And it was only 3pm! Getting off work early had seemed a great idea, until she got to her apartment.
That oily slimeball of a landlord had just told her about the rent raise. She'd suffered another day at the Wienerlicious, with the men at lunchtime irritating her and some teenagers still getting to her before she left. Now, this with her landlord was the final straw. The fact that he 'offered' that alternative payment method just made it so much worse. She shivered just thinking about that.
She slumped down on the bed. In this mood, she was not fit to be around anyone, least of all the guy who she had agreed to eat with tonight.
She couldn't leave Chuck thinking she'd be there for him and then suddenly not. She may be a bitch to a lot of people, but didn't want to with him. She grabbed her phone. Thankfully, she'd asked for his number, which had surprised both of them. She remembered the embarrassment and having to tell him, "Just in case anything happens."
Well, it had.
He answered almost immediately. Already sounding disappointed. "Sarah?"
Her heart sank further. She was the purveyor of bad news. She could imagine his sad face.
"Chuck, I've Had a shitty day and bad news this afternoon," she told him.
"And you don't want to go out tonight," he finished for her. The way he said it, made it sound inevitable, as if he'd been expecting her to cancel anyway. Just like dates had in the past.
She didn't want him to think that. She really liked him. She made a snap decision to fess up. "Chuck, I'm worried I will spoil the night; drag you down too."
He was silent for a while. "Sarah, please come out. I might even be able to cheer you up."
She felt he was already starting to do that. Just hearing his voice, even though sad, seemed to calm her. She also found she couldn't resist his charms.
"Okay, but you've been warned," she said, teasingly.
Hearing she needed cheering up more than feeding, Chuck had changed his mind on what to do.
"I'll wear a helmet," he joked. "Oh, and don't wear fancy clothes, just casual. Maybe even something you don't mind getting messy."
That surprised her. "Where at you taking me?"
"Somewhere fun." She realized he obviously wasn't planning to tell her. That wasn't going to last.
"I don't like surprises, Chuck," she informed him, in a flat tone. On top of this day, she really doesn't want any more.
He should have realized this about her, but hadn't. The last thing he wanted was to add to her bad mood. "Okay. I'll tell you." He paused for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts. "We'll go to the beach. Games at the pier. Paddling on the beach, maybe. We could sit there and watch the ocean."
Sarah wasn't expecting that, but thinking about it, it did sound good. "But it'd be dark this evening, Chuck."
"We could go this afternoon," he quickly replied.
That surprised her too. "You can leave work early?"
"Leaving now," he replied.
"When will you be picking me up?"
"Hm. Well, I don't have a car to use …" He sounded embarrassed.
Damn Ellie's work, he thought to himself. If only she had an early shift this week. If he could've borrowed a Nerd Herder, that could've worked, but they were in use right now. He wasn't going to wait for one and, anyway, collecting her in one of those would've been embarrassing.
Sarah chuckled. "You really thought this through, huh?"
"I- Uh…" She could tell he really was embarrassed. "Sorry, could you pick me up?"
It was now her turn to be embarrassed. The state of her crappy car was pretty awful, but what the hell. "Sure. Text me your address."
Almost immediately the text came through. She glanced at it. Not far away. "Half an hour?"
"Great! See you then." He now sounded so different to the start of the call. Happy. The sound of him happy made her smile. She had no idea why.
She quickly showered, dressed and headed out.
Pulling up outside the apartment block in Echo Park, Sarah was impressed. There was a courtyard between the apartments with a fountain in the middle. A fountain! Who lived in an ordinary apartment with one of those just outside their front door? Well, these people did. Chuck did.
She shook her head. This was a different world that Chuck lived in, far from her crappy apartment and even crappier landlord.
If it was anyone else, Sarah would feel uncomfortable, out of place, inadequate even. However, Chuck never made her feel like that.
Of course, she'd lived in places much fancier than this when she'd lived with Bryce or Ryan. Chuck would have felt inadequate then, so everything was relative as well as transitory.
Thinking about those two guys and inadequacy, she thought of what she knew about Chuck. He hadn't made the money he'd expected when he started working. He'd feel inadequate compared to those two guys. Financially, that would be true, but she already thought as a person, he was miles ahead of them.
It's funny how we judge ourselves based on material wealth rather than how we behaved around others. She could see, in the Buy More and since, Chuck was a people person. A much better person than either of her ex-boyfriends.
She was yanked out of this reverie when the passenger door was opened. Leaning down into the opening and looking at her, Chuck smiled. "Hi, Sarah."
In spite of her overall mood, that smile cut through the fog of gloom. She smiled for the first time that day. Well, real smile rather than the fake one she had to wear at work. "Hi, Chuck. Get in."
He did so, giving her instructions on where to go.
She set off.
After a few seconds, she said what was swirling in her head. "Sorry about the state of the car, Chuck. A real scrap heap."
He chuckled, hearing that. "At least you've got one, Sarah."
That made her confused. "But you said you were going to pick me up." Then she thought of something else. "Did you just get my address to stalk me, Bartowski?" Her tone hovering between humor, nervousness and a hint of anger and fear. Which one am I?
Chuck also seemed unsure, but decided on humor, rightly or wrongly. "If I was going to stalk you, I'd do it as you left the Wienerlicious." The smirk, faltered as she glared.
"I usually get that ridiculous outfit off me before that," she commented. Still wavering between amused and slightly angry. Make your mind up, Sarah!
He smirked, obviously still thinking humor. "Stalking would be the last of your problems then, Sarah!"
She didn't understand that comment and frowned at him briefly. Then, she got it and laughed. "I change clothes, Chuck, not just strip!"
She looked over at him. He looked a little less focused. God! He's thinking about me naked!
She was surprised at this. He didn't seem like that kind of guy. She then admonished herself. He's human, not a robot!
She knew men found her attractive and had seen many visibly mentally undressing her. She just hadn't expected that from her friend.
However, the thought of him finding that an attractive image didn't make her mad like it usually did.
They continued in silence for several minutes, both deep in thought. Then she remembered how they had gotten into that conversation. "You don't have a car?"
He turned to her, almost seeing her for the first time since they last spoke. "No. Ellie said I could borrow hers tonight, but she won't be back until around 6pm."
This didn't sound right. "Don't you have to go out to client sites?"
"I get to use one of the Nerd Herders if I have to go out." As if that explained everything.
"Nerd Herders? What the hell are they?" she asked.
"You haven't seen them?" Chuck was surprised, but then realized she may not have been around a Buy More before. "Toyota Yaris… painted so they advertise, all the freakin' time."
She couldn't resist. "Not cars for stealth stalking, huh?"
He snorted a laugh at that. "No."
She considered their situations. "So, I live in a crappy apartment and drive a crappy car. You live with your sister, so don't have a place of your own and you don't have a car at all. We're quite a pair, aren't we?" She chuckled thinking that.
"But we both have potential for better, Sarah." He didn't say it, but she heard the missing final word. 'Together'. She contemplated that for a couple of minutes.
If she was ready for dating, this man made her feel better about herself. He had already helped her and would probably continue to do so. Maybe he would be good for her, but would the reverse be true? How could an angry woman like her help anyone?
Chuck was equally silent. He wasn't going to take back his words, but did wonder whether he should have said more. He already felt better about himself and that was because being with Sarah, he tried harder. to push himself.
They weren't in a relationship, although as he thought about it, he would like to be. However, friends could still help each other. They should help each other. He will help her in any way he can. Would she do the same?
At the back of his mind, a voice was saying, 'Stick around, she might change her mind and go out with you."
The thought of being with her, as a boyfriend was ridiculous, she could have anyone, so why chose him? However, that thought wouldn't go away. Nor would that image. He had to stop thinking that way or he'd not be able to look at her!
As they reached the beach, he directed her to the parking lot by the pier.
She found a space, turned off the engine and looked at him. "So, what now, Partner?"
He chuckled at that. She was good at breaking the tension. "Straight to the pier, Partner."
They got out of the car and started walking there. Part of her wanted to hold his hand. Part definitely didn't; that's what boyfriends and girlfriends do!
Chuck was amazed. Sarah had suggested the shooting gallery. He was always good at that, one of the best in fact, so he was surprised when she beat him. On three consecutive rounds.
Sarah felt good. Even better, Chuck was just amazed at her skills and had none of the attitude that most guys did at losing to a girl. Like both of her ex-boyfriend did.
Chuck was good for her. Allowed her to be herself with no constraints. Maybe that was why she gripped his arm and pulled him close as they walked away.
God! Chuck thought. This feels like a date!
On the arcade video games, Chuck was unbeatable. Sarah was in awe of his abilities there. He tried to show her what to do and, at one point, got behind her and reached around her to make sure her hand and thumbs worked the required magic. As their hands touched, she felt an almost electrical spark, like getting shocked with static electricity. She wondered if Chuck felt it as well.
Neither of them thought anything about how they were standing, until they heard an older couple walking behind them "Look at them, George," the woman commented.
The man chuckled, "True love, working together to solve their problems."
Both Chuck and Sarah froze hearing that. She twisted and looked in his eyes. He looked frightened. Sarah couldn't work out why. Is it the words the man used or is it the thought of being with me as my boyfriend?
Chuck looked at Sarah. She just looked annoyed and was likely to say something he didn't want to hear. He pulled his arms away and shuffled back, saying nothing.
His silence irritated her. Would going out with me be so bad?
Noticing her jaw tightening, Chuck had to diffuse this situation. "I'm sorry, Sarah. I hope you didn't feel I was doing anything other than helping."
This didn't stop the anger brewing, then he said something that did. "Much as I might want to."
There. He'd said it. Not in as many words, but she must realize he was indicating that when she was ready, he'd love to go out with her. That was obvious. Wasn't it?
Sarah stood contemplating what that meant. He'd like his arms around her for more than just helping with that game. That's what he was saying, wasn't it?
Her face softened. "Thank you, Chuck. You say all the right words."
Not that they help. He thought, but then mentally kicked himself. Of course, they didn't, right now. She's still getting over her break up. Maybe next month?
"Hungry?" he asked.
She was. "Gonna get me that fancy meal, Partner?"
He smirked. "Burger?"
She snorted, then grinned at him. "My favorite."
They walked over and paid for them. He noted her request for extra relish.
When they got the food, Chuck suggested taking it to the beach, which she was happy to do. They found a spot, close to the water and sat on a towel she brought from the car.
"Hmm. This is good, Chuck."
He looked at her wondering whether she meant the burger, the beach, the sea , being with him or all of it.
Sarah noticed his confusion. "Being here and eating this," she answered his unspoken question. Then she though about how that sounded and added, "The company obviously makes it even better."
She really did feel that way. She felt more relaxed, more comfortable when she was with him than she did with anyone else. More than on her own too. Sometimes, even happy, a feeling she really wasn't used to.
Her words made him smile. "Thanks, Sarah. I feel the same."
They sat in companionable silence eating the rest of their burgers.
They were sitting facing the ocean. This wasn't his special place, that was a different beach, but it was still good. Sitting looking out at the ocean was calming; he felt it just seemed to take all the tension, all the stress, away and he hoped the same would be true for Sarah.
He tried not to, but couldn't stop himself from watching her; most of the time, out of the corner of his eye, but not always. Seeing the pleasure that burger was providing made him happy. Something good in her angry life.
After a while, she stopped munching and looked at him. Not annoyed exactly, but possibly verging on it. "What?"
Not deterred by her tone, he replied. "I like seeing you happy."
Been watched wasn't something she liked at all. That's what she did, not suffered. However, when he said that, she couldn't keep the smirk off of her face. "Buy me burgers and you'll see it a lot!"
"I might do that," he replied happily.
That stopped her again. Why had she made that comment and why did he want her to smile so much? A voice in her head told her. Because he's your friend, stupid!
She liked that.
Hold on, though. Does that mean I have to make him happy too?
That was a troubling thought. She wasn't good at making people happy. Sure, the sex with Bryce and Ryan seemed to make them happy, but the fact that they went off with other women made even that seem doubtful.
She ate the rest of her burger in silence, trying not to think about this.
After finishing, they just sat looking out at the ocean.
Watching the waves roll in, Sarah started to think about the waves of reality washing up against the shore of her life, eroding the sands of her dreams of a better future here in California. This was depressing.
Chuck noticed her change of mood. "Wanna talk about it?"
She gave him a sideways glance. She normally wouldn't, but felt comfortable with him, for some reason.
"My landlord," she started. Then she thought she shouldn't actually tell him. Seeing how he had gotten mad when watching the guys in the Wienerlicious; this would definitely be worse.
"Come on. You've got to tell me now," he pushed her.
"He's raising the rent. A lot," she told him.
He frowned. "I guess he can do that. Can you afford it?"
"No."
"Will he throw you out then?"
This was moving into territory she didn't want to go. "Maybe."
Now Chuck did look concerned. "Can you find a way to get the money?"
She snorted, then wished she hadn't.
"What?" he asked.
She put her head in her hands. This conversation had taken her exactly to the horror of it.
Chuck gently took hold of her wrists and pulled her hands away. "Sarah, talk to me. I might be able to help."
Looking into his eyes, all she saw was concern and kindness.
With her neutral mask on, she stated, "He told me I could pay in other ways."
She watched him grasp that and his face got red. There was that cartoon steam again! "Bastard!" he snapped, then glared at her, almost shouting, "You're definitely not going to do that, Sarah."
Even though she expected it, it still warmed her heart that her friend was so protective of her. "I don't intend to, Chuck. I'm hoping I can do overtime to get more money."
Without any hesitation, Chuck replied, "If you can't, I can. I'll get you the money."
Her mouth dropped open. She gaped at him for maybe half a minute. "You'd do that for me?"
He looked puzzled. "Of course."
She grabbed him and pulled him into a hug, whispering in his ear, "Thank you, Chuck."
The feeling of her holding him caused him to slip his arms around her waist. It was a wonderful feeling. Oh God! I'm falling for her!
Hugging him felt good. So good, but she knew the reason was what he had said, his generosity. Such a great friend.
She pulled back and said, "Let's walk."
They got up and she folded the towel and put it under her arm. Grabbing his hand, she started walking along the beach. The sun had almost set and they'd have to go back to the pier soon, but this felt good.
They held hands walking along with the waves lapping gently beside them. No paddling today, but this was still good.
It was around 8pm when they finished in the arcade. They had played games together for hours.
Chuck was not surprised at how aggressive she was when they played air hockey. The determined, and slightly evil, look on her face was seared into his memory.
They had both enjoyed themselves, he thought.
She was buzzing as she drove them back. She hadn't had so much fun for a long time. Probably not since she was little when she was still with both her parents. Before everything went wrong.
She looked over at her passenger, grinning. He grinned back. Yes, we both had fun, she thought.
Neither felt any need to talk.
When they arrived back at Echo Park, she didn't turn off the engine.
"Do you want to come in for coffee?" he tentatively asked.
"Not this time, Chuck. I'll meet your sister some other time," she replied.
He shook his head. "Devon was taking her out this evening. His treat."
Sarah raised a brow. "Inviting a girl back to your empty apartment, huh?"
As she expected, that flustered him. "N- no. I- I'm not like that."
She laughed out load. "You're so easy!"
He huffed, then smiled at her.
"Thank you for a wonderful time, Chuck. You really took my mind off of my problems." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. That felt the right thing to do.
He looked surprised and she couldn't help chuckling. She patted his nearest hand. "Begone with you," she said, still chuckling.
He smiled. "Thanks for the ride, Sarah." He started to get out, then looked back at her. "Let me know about the overtime. I really want to help."
His kindness was overwhelming. Almost brought a tear to her eye. "I will, Chuck. Thanks."
As she drove away, she couldn't help feeling she'd found the best friend ever. He would do what he could to help her. Is that what friendship is all about? Or is he someone special?
Watching her drive away, Chuck knew he was in trouble. He was falling for someone who he couldn't date, at least not yet. Would she in a month? Two months? Even if she was ready, having been turned down tonight, would his self-doubt reassert itself or would he be able to overcome his usual self-confidence issues and ask her again? Would she even want to go out with him?
He shook his head. These were not thoughts for now. He should just bask in the enjoyment of the afternoon and evening. Think about such thoughts some other time.
A/N: Still in the friend zone?
Please tell me what you think of this chapter in a review.