A/N 1

STOP. Read this before you proceed.

This is a variant of another story. This is a fully Charina version of Charles Carmichael vs Life.

So you now have 2 options for this story:

Charles Carmichael vs Life starts Charina, turns Chara

Charina Carmichael vs Life is Charina, all the way through.

The first 15 Chapters are the same, the story diverges with Mission – August, which now has 2 versions.

So, if this is new to you, start here. If you are already caught up, jump to chapter 16.

A/N 2

Thoroughly enjoying all the stories on this site. Just discovered Chuck in 2020. Agree that it was magical. Many great authors and stories here, have laughed a lot and cried more than expected.

Reading some of, and the reviews of, Charina stories. It was put forth, that it would be difficult to pair them, while still keeping to established characters.

This is my attempt at creating that situation. It is a one shot, as I have no plot in mind to carry the story forward.

Well, ignore that, the ideas kept coming. This is now a multi chapter tale.

I hope you enjoy

BTW Italics are thoughts.

Disclaimer - Don't own Chuck et al. and don't make any money off of this.

When he reclaimed his tongue from the blond's hungry mouth, Chuck shivered from the hot flush spreading through his body. The way her nipples now were firm and visible through her silky red dress, showed him that she was also revved up. What the fuck was her name? Olivia? Sophia? Something ia?

Whatever name, she was hot as hell dancing in the club, so he turned on the charm and pulled her over to his table.

"Way to turn on her headlights, Chuckles", Carina breathed into his ear, before nipping his earlobe.

Chuck just smirked, knowing she was going to enjoy unwrapping the blond, as much as he was.

"Should we grab a brunette to complete the trifecta?" Chuck asked Carina. "Or, do you want to find someone to check off of our 'Fucking The World' list?"

"I want more of you to myself, tonight, so let's just stick with one", she replied.

She still was too uncomfortable with the intimacy that 1 on 1 with Chuck brought forth.

The occasional post-mission adrenaline fueled rutting, was ok, because it was too fast and furious to allow for feelings.

So, no matter how she enjoyed being in his arms, as well as, having him inside her, she needed the buffer of third lover, to keep her from losing herself in her feelings, which she proudly kept suppressed and controlled.

It hadn't been a problem in the past, because her prior lovers were easily compartmentalized; eye candy, arm candy, someone to dance with vertically and horizontally. A Tab A for her Slot B. Or another Slot B could provide just as much fun and distraction.

But, then there was Chuck. Smiley, Happy, Loving Chuck. Who could envelop you in his aura of trust, love and security, just sitting next to him; and if he pulled you into his arms….. Who could pull you into the depths of his brown eyes, somehow dissolving your mental layers, making you more aware of your deep dreams and desires, no matter how hard you try to keep them tamped down and locked up. Damn him!

So, Carina would drag him out to a club whenever she was in need of some intimacy, such as she allowed herself, to pick up a third.

Carina looked on, still somewhat amazed, as Chuck 2.0 nuzzled the neck of tonight's blond, as he winked at the long-legged and long-haired brunette sitting at the next table.

His 6' 4" frame, toned up with his intense exercise routine, looked damn good in the custom tailored suits that Charles Carmichael preferred. Such a contrast to the rumpled, pocket protector wearing Nerd Herder, she first met.

Since his reassignment to Rome, and the surprising partnering assignment she received, as the DEA sought some access to the Intersect's abilities, Chuck underwent a dramatic transformation. He seemed to embrace the spy life, and leaned into a James Bond Persona. The cover identity of a wealthy businessman definitely supported the fast car, fast women and flashy lifestyle that he was leading.

And that 6'4" package of smoldering success was attracting way too much attention. If she was going to only share him with the blond, she needed to get them out of there. 10 minutes later she had paid the bar tab, and pried the blond off of Chuck enough to get them out to the valet.

TB (Tonight's Blond), something ia?, pouted after Carina tossed Chuck the keys and informed him that he was driving, but squirmed and grinned when she found herself pulled into the backseat with Carina.

It added to Carina's heat, knowing that Chuck was grabbing glances at their activities, as she took her turn sampling TB's lips and exploring her other charms. They were both no longer wearing anything under their dresses by the time they made it to the villa. Carina reluctantly kept the dresses on, to provide some level of modesty as they made their way from the car to Chuck's bedroom, but they seemed to evaporate off their bodies by the time they hit the bed.

Chuck's intense exercise routine had not only toned his body, but also ramped up his stamina, so they spent several hours exploring and stimulating each other. Fingers, tongues, slots and tabs were put to use in their passion party, but energy levels were finally drained, and soon all were asleep, with Carina cuddled into the preferred position, snuggled up to Chuck's side, separating him from TB.

Chuck couldn't sleep. Sleep was something he had left behind in Burbank, along with many other things, important, life sustaining things.

During the day he could lose himself in Charles Carmichael and the frenetic activity of being a spy. Night provided no cover. His mind couldn't tamp out his thoughts of the past.

Chuck gingerly extracted himself from Carina, and as he stepped out to the balcony, the sight of the two beauties in his bed brought a slight smile to his face, but it didn't reach his eyes, nor did it reach his heart.

He was "Charles Carmichael", suave and confident.

"Charles Carmichael", rich and successful.

"Charles Carmichael" powerful and capable spy.

"Charles Carmichael", empty and lonely.

Charles Carmichael looked west, where Chuck Bartowski's heart lived.

He wondered and hoped She was safe.

He wondered and hoped that She was happy.

He wondered and hated that She was with Shaw and not by his side.

As the twilight lightened the sky, he surveyed his villa and all the trappings of success. Chuck looked over his shoulder at his bed, and Carina's feline form intertwined in his sheets, and blinked away the tears pooling in his eyes, summoning a slight smile. He headed back to bed to attempt some sleep, before another busy day of saving the world.

This should be enough, right? 25% happy was good enough. Wasn't it?