A/N: When Sarah thought Bryce had finally left after his second visit, she had come to a conclusion about her relationship with Chuck Bartowski. She was going to tell him about her decision when she saw him that evening. Little did she know that there were a couple of stumbling blocks in her way. Canon-close Charah AU one-shot.
Warning: Ellie-worshipers will not like this one. She is aggressively overprotective and Sarah has to deal with that.
Second warning: Contains more adult content than some of my stories, but still T-rated.
MarkeyDeSad kindly beta'd this, but is too fond of Ellie to fully enjoy it.
Relationship Threats
Chuck was sitting at the fountain facing towards the car park, obviously waiting for her to show up. She had arrived slightly earlier than planned, but hadn't gotten out of her car as she'd been psyching herself up to say what she had in her head. Bryce coming had knocked her confidence again. He had pushed her, as he always did, but more than that, he'd put her off with his way of doing things. She had gotten used to working with Casey now. It was different, but they working well together. Then, Bryce turns up and disrupted that.
First, she got hurt when the bomb had exploded and she covered Chuck to protect him, then she couldn't shoot the Fulcrum woman without Chuck getting hit. It has unnerved her, but had made her come to a decision that was, frankly, overdue.
She finally got herself together and was about to get out of the car, when she saw Bryce walking out of the courtyard and climbing into a car. What was he doing here? No doubt up to something.
She waited until he drove off before heading in.
She stood by her car, still not sure if this was the right response to what she felt, but decided to go through it. One more deep breath and she was off.
Chuck hadn't returned to the apartment after Bryce left. He'd just sat by the fountain, thinking.
Bryce was right about the events that had occurred. Sarah had been hurt because of him. Trying to protect him. She'd gone out of her way to do that. Then, at the station, when he was held captive and the Fulcrum woman was threatening to kill him, he'd looked toward Sarah and had seen the indecision in her eyes. She should have just shot the woman, but she hesitated. Clearly, she didn't want to risk his life in any way. That wasn't good.
Tonight, he had been planning to tell Sarah they should be together, but after that talk with Bryce, he decided he needed to stop yearning for what would never happen and tell her they were not to be. He hated this, but Bryce was right. He had to protect Sarah. He would sacrifice his own happiness to protect her. He needed to help her refocus on being Agent Walker and not Sarah.
He put his head in his hands. Chuck knew this was right, but it felt so wrong!
= ! = =
Sarah spotted Chuck and read his body language. She knew Bryce must have upset him.
She walked up and stood near him. He looked up and said, "Hey."
She replied, "Hey. Everything okay?"
He stumbled over his reply, "Yeah, yeah. Just, there's, um... I just had a couple of things I wanted to tell you before dinner."
She looked at him. "Yeah. Me, too."
"Look..." he started and she tried to cut him off, but he ignored her and just plowed on, "... we both know how I feel about you, so I'm just gonna shoot straight. Sarah, you're the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. You're beautiful, you're smart, you laugh at all of my stupid jokes, and you have this horrible habit of constantly saving my life." She laughed at that one too. "The truth is, you're everything that I thought I ever wanted and more. The last few days, all I can think about is our future together, about what it's gonna be like once I finally get the Intersect out of my head, how we'll finally be together for real- no fake relationships... no covers, no lies."
That took her by surprise. It didn't fit with his demeanor when she arrived. It almost paved the way for her own words.
He paused only briefly and she didn't get a chance to say anything before he continued, "But the more I think about it, the more I realize that you and I can never have a future together. I fooled myself into thinking that we could, but the truth is we can't. Because even if we had a real relationship, it would never really be real. I'd still never know anything about you. Your real name, your hometown, your first love, anything. And I want more than that. I want to be able to call you at the end of a bad day and tell you about some funny thing that Morgan did and not find out that I can't because you're off... somewhere in Paraguay, quelling a revolution with a fork. I'm a normal guy... who wants a normal life. And as amazing as you are, Sarah Walker, we both know that... you will never be normal."
This matched his earlier mood. It also smacked of Bryce interacting with him. She wasn't going to let this go south. "Thank you for the kind words, Chuck, but I am going to say what I had in mind, if you had let me talk before blurting that all out."
He looked shocked, then clearly realized he had not given her a chance. He was going to apologize, but she was talking again. "Before I do, though, can I ask if you planned to say this before Bryce got to you?" Chuck blushed furiously and was struggling to reply. "No lies, Chuck," she demanded.
His shoulders slumped. That was answer enough.
"Did he tell you to avoid a real relationship with me?" She was getting annoyed now.
He looked at her for a moment and thought about lying, but he wasn't good at that and she'd probably see through him. He knew he had to come clean. "He just pointed out that your feelings for me put you at risk. I couldn't live with myself if you got killed trying to protect me."
'That bastard!' she thought. She held his gaze. "Chuck, first of all, I might get killed any day; that risk goes with the job. Second, my current job is to protect you, and I would do that, whether I have feelings for you or not." She took a deep breath. "But, yes, I do have feelings for you, very strong feelings. I want a 'real relationship' with you. I know it won't be 'normal', to use your words, but I think we'll be better than 'normal', I think it could be great."
He swallowed, not believing what he was hearing. "W- when?"
She smiled. "Starting tonight, Chuck. Here or at my hotel room."
His face was full of doubts. "I don't know, Sarah."
She thought of the other problems he mentioned about being with her. "Chuck, I will tell you all those things, but you'll have to be patient with me. I've buried them so deep, not wanting to face them myself, but I will drag them out, for you. What I wanted to say tonight, is that after nearly losing you, twice, I can't carry on pretending I don't want you, don't want us."
He was dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say.
She took his hand. "Chuck, you've wanted this and so have I. Don't let Bryce get in the way of it." She looked serious. "There is something we have to be mindful of, though," Sarah said. "Being more than a cover relationship can't be known by Beckman. She already suspects I care for you more than I should."
She explained the 49B to him.
"But you protect me. Won't she see that you'll protect me more?"
"Maybe more than she would want," she replied cryptically. She didn't give him a chance to question that, but said, "For now, Chuck, please don't push me away. It hurts me. I need you in my life as much as you need me to protect you, something I won't stop doing."
Bryce's words sprang into Chuck's mind once again. "But you might get killed."
Irritation flared once again. "That's my job, Chuck! I'll do it even if you reject me, but if you don't, we can both have a little happiness." Her face transformed as she smiled. "Under the cover, of course."
He knew she was right. He was letting Bryce get to him. He also knew how much he wanted this. "Sarah, can I kiss you?"
"Please," she just about breathed out.
He leaned forward and, cupping her face with his hand, he kissed her. It was a tender kiss to start. Lips closed but very soft and gentle. She loved it, but wanted a deeper kiss than that. She opened her mouth and pressed her tongue against his lips. He responded as she hoped and opened his mouth. Soon, they were kissing how she wanted. When they separated, it was only because they needed oxygen.
She stood, still smiling and, to be honest, feeling lighter on her feet after that kiss. "Come on, we better get inside. They're waiting for us."
Sarah's mood was squashed a bit when she entered the apartment. Ellie, who had always seemed so friendly, was not tonight. Her comments toward Sarah were quite clipped. Not unfriendly, but not as warm as usual.
Chuck obviously noticed it too. When Ellie went into the kitchen area, he followed. Devon was already there, so Sarah now sat alone.
Chuck and Ellie started talking. The tone was low, but Sarah had always had excellent hearing and had only gotten better as she became more experienced as a spy.
Sarah soon found out the problem as she listened.
"Chuck, I've been thinking about Sarah with her ex in the yogurt shop. I think they were more than holding hands. I think they were kissing," Ellie muttered, but is quite forceful at the same time.
"I don't believe it," Chuck replied. Sarah wanted to go and kiss him for defending her.
"I saw it, Chuck!" Ellie hissed.
Sarah noticed Chuck wince, but he continued, "Ellie, you got it wrong."
"You are such a fool, Chuck. I will confront her about it."
Chuck clutched at his sister's arm. "Don't you dare ruin tonight, El!"
That desire to kiss Chuck just increased. Sarah did, however, now know Ellie was no longer a friend. That saddened her. She really liked the woman.
The rest of the meal continued as before. The food was good and Sarah enjoyed holding Chuck hand under the table.
She had thought about staying the night, but the atmosphere was not conducive to that.
As Sarah left to go back to her hotel room, Chuck walked her to her car. She had grabbed his hand as soon as they walked out of the apartment.
"Ellie saw you with Bryce," Chuck told her as they walked past the fountain.
She stopped and turned to him. "I don't know what she thinks she saw at the Orange Orange, Chuck, but he was only talking to me." She held his gaze and willed him to believe the truth, rather than anything his sister was implying.
He looked into her eyes and she felt like he was opening her up to check for lies. He nodded. "I know." He smiled, but then frowned. "She's probably going to challenge you on it."
"I heard," she admitted. She placed her hands on his arms. "Chuck, Bryce means nothing to me anymore. You are the only one I want to be with."
He placed his hands at her waist, which sent a flutter through her, and pulled her to him. Their lips meeting almost immediately.
The depth of the kiss he gave her took her breath away. She moaned into the kiss. She almost changed her mind about where she wanted to be that night, but she knew she needed the conversation with his sister before sleeping with him, so she reluctantly pulled away.
"Chuck, I will talk to her, and once that is done, you and I need to take this further." She saw him freeze at the thought. It made her want him even more. "A lot further, Chuck."
She got into the car and drove off. She saw in her rear-view mirror, that Chuck remained frozen.
The next morning, Sarah discussed what she thought should happen with Beckman.
"His sister is having doubts about the cover relationship, General. It is also proving difficult to get him out of her sights to go on missions. I think he and I should move in together in a two-bedroom apartment."
Beckman looked at her. "In the same complex?"
"Not necessarily," Sarah replied.
Beckman sat quietly for a couple of minutes, then said, "That's quite a big change. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Sarah replied.
Beckman's eyes narrowed. "Are you compromised, Agent Walker?"
While knowing she absolutely was, she had to say otherwise. "No, General, but I will be able to control him better this way."
Beckman stared at her for a few more moments before saying, "Very well. We will find an apartment, hopefully in that complex."
As the call ended, Sarah wanted to just jump up and down for joy, maybe even pump her fist in the air in victory.
It was only an hour later when Casey called her. She had warned him about her plan to move in with Chuck and he had told her that he approved. "Not only will I not have to see you two looking longingly at each other in Castle and on missions, but this way I won't have to listen to him at night, dreaming about being with you."
This was news to her. "He dreams about me?"
He snorted. "Wet ones, by the sound of them."
She certainly wasn't going to admit she had done the same and focused. "So, you'll back my idea?" She'd asked and he'd said he would.
Now, he was calling her. "Beckman asked for my opinion," he stated. "I mentioned the apartment I'd heard of in the complex that was vacant."
Sarah gasped. "You didn't mention that earlier."
He chuckled. "Didn't know about it then. Seems you motivated me, Walker."
She chuckled too.
"The general is securing it," he said.
"Thank you, John."
"Hey, don't get sappy on me!"
'I actually wanted to come over there and give you a big ol' hug and kiss for this."
"Don't you dare!" he replied. Sarah chuckled again until he said, "Besides, you're in enough trouble with his sister for canoodling with Larkin."
"I didn't-" she started, but he ended the call abruptly.
Sarah had yet to tell Chuck the news, but planned to when he joined her after lunch time. She was looking forward to that and still on a high when his sister walked in to the shop.
The shop was empty, so no one would hear the conversation they had. Sarah would have to deal with the recording if they became a problem, though.
"Hi, Ellie. This is a nice surprise. Would you like some yogurt?"
Ellie selected one and said, "We need to talk."
Sarah realized how Chuck felt when she used those words on him and vowed to avoid that in future. She also wondered how she would have taken this if not prepared for it.
She sat opposite Ellie and brightly said, "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Ellie had been poking at the yogurt, but looked up. Sarah could see the anger in her eyes. "I know you are cheating on my brother!" Ellie growled.
Sarah put on a shocked expression. "What?! I would never-"
Ellie cut her short. "I saw you in here with Bryce Larkin!" she hissed.
"I don't know what you think you saw, but when he came in, we talked," Sarah hissed back.
"Ha! Expect me to believe that?" Ellie replied. She pointed a finger at Sarah. "I saw you kissing him in here."
That was completely untrue. Sarah was getting angry now, so she unleashed a bit of it. "You liar! I didn't kiss him!"
"I saw you and I have to protect my stupid brother from being hurt by you!" Ellie snapped.
Sarah leaned forward and pointed at Ellie. "You claim you are protecting him, but you are actually manipulating him. Lying to him, to keep him under your control. Making him feel vulnerable so you can 'save him.' You fear him having an adult relationship with someone else!" She took a deep breath. "Now you come here with your lies! How dare you?"
Ellie sat back. Sarah had always been the quiet one and had never talked like this. It was quite shocking. "I ... I ... I have parties to set him up with women."
Sarah snorted. "Ones you've chosen. Ones you can manipulate, too. To keep control. You can't with me and that frightens you. I think you need to apologize and back off!"
Sarah wanted to say something like 'I am going to take him away from you. You evil, lying, interfering, manipulative, controlling bitch!' However, she hadn't talked to Chuck about that yet. She got up and walked to the counter, leaving the brunette on her own.
When Chuck came to see Sarah, early afternoon, Ellie was long gone. In fact, when Sarah had called her out, she had sat looking shocked for a minute or so before getting up and walking out without saying another word.
Sarah told him what had happened. She didn't sugar-coat it. Chuck winced when he heard what Ellie had said, but even more at Sarah's reaction.
"Should I go and smooth things over with her?" he asked.
Sarah looked at him. She knew he had always looked up to his sister and he hated strife, acting as a mediator whenever he could. However, this was time to stand up to the bossy woman. She took hold of his hand and looked into his eyes. "Please don't, Chuck. Let her just think about how she behaved. She might apologize and we can forget about this."
He blushed but couldn't help defending his sister. "She is just looking out for me."
Sarah glared at him. "That doesn't make it okay to tell lies about me and accuse me of doing something I would never do." At the back of her mind, she knew that was rich coming from a liar and conman's daughter, especially as she had responded to Bryce's kiss in Chuck's bedroom a year ago, but he had taken her by surprise. She had no feelings for Bryce anymore.
Chuck looked at her and realized there was now something more important to him that his sister's feelings. Sarah was the most important person in his life now. "Sarah, how can I make you feel better?"
Sarah hadn't expected this, so was taken by surprise. She sat back and thought about what she had arranged. "Chuck, sit down. I have good news."
"Thank you for saying that last bit," he said with a grin.
She chuckled. "I received the negative side of the 'we need to talk' phrase earlier today."
That was another reminder of his sister's behavior. Chuck winced again.
She smiled. "This really is good news, Chuck." She grabbed his hands and looked into those lovely brown eyes of his. "This morning, I talked to General Beckman. I proposed that you and I should move in together." She grinned as his eyes lit up. "She agreed, Chuck!" Chuck gasped. He started to say something, but she placed a finger over his lips to stop him. "What's more, Casey knows of an apartment in the block that is empty, so Beckman has people securing it for us." Her eyes were sparkling at the thought.
She took her finger away and he said, " You and me together? With no one else?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
All Chuck's thoughts about his sister disappeared. He grabbed Sarah's hands, swiftly got up from his seat, pulled her up from hers and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her up to his height to give her a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and reveled in his lips on hers. The kiss lasted over a minute. Neither wanted it to stop.
When he set her down, both were panting.
She gave him bedroom eyes. "Chuck, I am not sure how quickly we'll be able to move in to the apartment, but tonight you're staying with me in my hotel room!"
Chuck got the message quite clearly.
At the end of the day, Sarah was sitting in her Porsche outside the Buy More.
Chuck walked out with Casey. He quickly got into the car.
Casey walked around and leaned down on Sarah's side. She wound the window down. He leaned slightly closer. "Taking him for a test drive?"
She grinned at the NSA agent. "Got to make sure he's road worthy."
Casey shook his head. "Don't blow his gaskets by driving too fast!"
Sarah laughed and wound the window up.
She turned and looked at her passenger. Chuck was flushed and said, "God, I hope I can perform! I've not driven that road for such a long time. I'm so nervous!"
She reached a hand across and gripped his. "Chuck, it's been a long time for me, too. Whatever you do will be wonderful."
He gulped. He was sure her long time wasn't as long as his six years, but he kept quiet.
Sarah was on him as soon as the elevator door closed. Her lips crashing against his. They stopped when they reached her floor and she virtually dragged him down the corridor.
Once they were in her room and the door shut, she launched herself at him again. This time, her tongue demanded entrance into his mouth and the kisses deepened.
It wasn't long before she had pulled his tie off and was unbuttoning his shirt to get her hands on his chest. Those cool, slender fingers on his hot flesh.
At the Orange Orange, she had changed out of her uniform and had put on a blue t-shirt over a short, dark blue skirt. Chuck gripped the bottom of that t-shirt and, after seeking permission, pulled it up and off her. Underneath, Sarah was wearing a lacy dark blue bra that accentuated her bosom. He froze, just gazing upon her loveliness.
While he stood and stared, she helped him out of his shirt. She then stood back to look at him. It was the first time she had seen him naked from his waist up. He looked a lot better than she had expected.
She pointed at his trousers, indicating he should lose them, and she unzipped and slid down her skirt. She had already kicked off her shoes. The panties she wore matched the lacy perfection of her bra. She looked up and saw that he had unbuttoned and unzipped his trousers, but had not yet done more because he was just staring at her. Drinking her in with a look of sublime adoration on his face. She loved the effect she had on him, but needed things to continue. "Chuck, it will never happen unless you get a move on."
He suddenly sprang into action. He toed his chucks off, dropped his slacks and wriggled out of them. He then dropped to his knees and removed his socks.
Sarah just watched him and when he stood, just in his boxers, she could see he wanted this as much as she did. However, the looks he had been giving her before, prompted her to put on a show.
She reached back and unhooked her bra. She quickly moved one hand around to hold it in place, then, with both hands, slowly dropped it down, exposing her breasts. She watched his reaction. His eyes nearly bulged out as her looked at her. She loved it.
She hooked her thumbs in the sides of her panties and slowly lowered them down. Once they reached her knees, she let them drop.
Standing there, completely exposed, she reveled in the look in his eyes, full of lust and adoration.
Chuck was completely frozen now. Seeing her breasts had been a dream come true, but the treasure he saw between her thighs made his boxers far too restricting.
Sarah could see his desire, but also that he wasn't going to make the first move. She moved toward him, knelt, grabbed his boxers and pulled them down. She was very happy with what she saw inches from her face. She was going to reach forward, but Chuck said, "No, Sarah. Not if you want anything when we make love."
Just him saying that sent shivers all over her. She stood and led him to her bed.
When Sarah woke the next morning, it was still dark and she was very tired. She realized it was the sound of a text message arriving that had woken her.
She looked at her clock. It was not quite 4am. They had only finished lovemaking two hours before, so it wasn't surprising that she was tired.
She lay back onto the warm, breathing pillow her head had been resting on.
She shouldn't look at his text messages, but worried she might have missed something, so she reluctantly rose to look at her phone. There was nothing.
She thought that if anyone was contacting him at this time, it must be important, so she woke her lover.
Chuck blinked as he woke with her naked breasts right in front of his face. She chuckled. "Read your text, then you can kiss them again."
He quickly grabbed his phone and looked at the message. He groaned. "It's from Ellie, demanding to know where I am." He looked at Sarah. "I didn't tell her I wasn't going home."
Sarah grabbed his face with both hands. "Wasn't going to her apartment and her clutches, Chuck," she corrected him. "Soon, 'home' will be an apartment with me, Chuck." She kissed him and his hands started roaming over her body, just as they had earlier in the night. She couldn't help moaning at the experience.
Then, he kissed her just as she had suggested, and that caused another moan to escape. It didn't take long before they were joined once more and rode out their passion for each other again.
Afterwards, as they cuddled together, Chuck commented, "I'll just text her to say I didn't want to see her after how she treated you and that I am with you tonight."
Sarah leaned over and kissed him. Then, she lay back and let him send his message to Ellie. Just before he sent it, he showed it to her.
Very disappointed with how you treated Sarah
Decided to stay with Sarah to comfort her
Sarah was surprised at his wording. She looked at him questioningly, but he sent the text.
"I realized I was letting her do what she always did. Control me. Not any longer." He smirked. "Someone else controls me now!"
She kissed him. "I hope you don't see it that way, Chuck. You've had control of my heart since I first met you. I've struggled with that ever since."
That was a surprise bit of information to Chuck. "Sarah, I fell in love with you in that moment."
Sarah knew his feelings for her were strong, but this was the first time he had used the 'L' word. She thought about her feelings for him. She had never felt this way before. She looked him in the eyes. "Chuck, I think I love you, too. I need you in my life, more than anything."
He loved to hear that and pulled her naked form to him again, this time on top of him. Her bosom pressed into his chest.
"I hated him for so long, but now I am grateful to Bryce. Without him, I would never have met you," Chuck told her.
Sarah frowned. "Hold onto some of that hate, Chuck. I am still upset with him for trying to keep us apart."
He kissed her forehead. She pushed herself up to kiss him fully.
His phone rattled with another text. They both knew who it was from. Neither moved to look at it.
Sarah wrapped her legs around him and looked into his eyes and she noticed what he wanted. "Again?" she asked. She was only too happy if he was able. And he was.
When Sarah awoke again, the light was creeping in around the curtains. She looked at her clock and saw that this time, they did need to get up, so she woke Chuck.
After a far more enjoyable shower that normal, Sarah was ready to take Chuck to Echo Park.
They had both read the text from Ellie.
Sorry, Chuck. Just trying to protect you
Sarah snorted at that. "Control you, more like."
He nodded. "Well, no more. This evening I will tell her that I'll be moving out. Want to be there when I do?"
She grinned. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Then she thought about the implications. "And where will we sleep tonight?"
He looked at her. "After last night, I do need some sleep, but here again?"
She grinned. "Right answer, Chuck!" She kissed him and then picked up her bag to set off.
As she drove them over to Echo Park, Sarah broached a subject that might be difficult to discuss. "I am going to have to tell Beckman we are having sex so that I get more control over you." Chuck looked at her in surprise. She glanced at him. "You know that's not true, though, don't you?"
"I think so," he replied. There was now an element of worry about it.
She pulled over and stopped the car. A few cars blared at her, but she ignored them. "Chuck, if you're not sure after my cries of your name as I climaxed, multiple times, last night and you going down on me taking complete control, I don't know what will convince you. But it's not just the sex. I have never felt like this about anyone. I am in love with you. Can't you see that?"
He could see the love in her eyes. With his hand suddenly behind her neck, he pulled her in for a deep kiss that had her moaning. As he pulled away. "I can see it. I still can't believe my luck, though."
She pulled away from him and had to sit for a moment to regain her composure before starting off again.
Sarah didn't get out of the car at the apartment block that morning. But that evening, they detoured to enable her to dress and make herself look good for the trip to his sister's place.
She had been told their new apartment would be ready in a couple of days. She knew where it was, so they quickly took a look before going to the other apartment. It was in the same block, but on the second floor. It was slightly smaller than the one Chuck had been in for years. The same size as Casey's. Sarah was very happy with that.
They headed down to go and face Ellie and Devon.
Chuck let them in to the apartment. Sarah mentioned to him, "Please don't give her a key to our place. She might burst in on a call with the general."
He said, "Good point."
Ellie and Devon had just finished eating their dinner and we're still sitting opposite each other at the dining table, drinking wine.
Ellie looked up and seeing them holding hands looked away, embarrassed.
"Hi, guys," Devon chirped up.
"Hi," Chuck replied. Devon started to rise, and Sarah said, "Maybe grab a chair and sit next to Ellie." Inwardly, she chuckled, but kept her face neutral as she said, "We need to talk."
Chuck's acknowledgment of the humor came as a tightened hold on her hand. He pulled a chair next to the one Devon had vacated and held it out for Sarah. She smiled her thanks to him and sat. He settled down next to her.
Looking down, Ellie spoke, "I'm sorry I spoke out of turn."
Chuck's anger at his sister rose again. He glared at her. "Is that apology meant for Sarah? Why can't you look at her as you say it?"
Ellie looked at the blonde. "I'm sorry. It looked like you were kissing your ex, but obviously I was wrong."
"Bryce?" Devon frowned and looked at Sarah. "The guy who left all those flowers for you in the hospital?"
Sarah nodded. "He doesn't let go easily."
Chuck snorted. Everyone looked at him. "You don't know how good it is to win against him." Noticing Devon's frown, he added, "Sarah wants to be with me and rejected his attempts to get back together."
Devon smiled. "Awesome!"
It was clear to the newly arrived couple that Devon had no idea what was going on. Sarah asked him, "Devon, could you get me a glass of water?"
"Sure." He headed to the kitchen.
Sarah looked at Ellie. "I'm not apologizing for stating the truth."
Ellie looked down. "I'm sorry if it seems that way. I am just so used to having to look out for him." She looked into Sarah's eyes. "Maybe I get carried away sometimes."
Sarah just nodded.
As Devon returned, Chuck said, "Well, we have news. I'm moving out soon."
Ellie looked shocked and Devon grinned, saying, "where to?"
"An apartment here." Chuck gripped Sarah's hand that was resting on the table. "With my beautiful girlfriend."
Sarah smiled on hearing that. She knew men found her beautiful, but Chuck saying it still made her feel good.
Ellie swallowed. "Is this… is this because of me?"
Sarah was going to reply, but Chuck got there first. "That just made it easier."
Sarah smiled at him. She couldn't have said it better.
In a very small voice, Ellie said, "I'll miss you."
Sarah watched her boyfriend to see if he'd invite her to visit, but was glad when he just said, "Hmm."
However, Sarah felt she should say something. "Maybe when we've all forgotten what happened, we'll invite you over."
Devon frowned as he looked at his girlfriend. "What exactly have you done?"
Sarah couldn't face hearing this, so she stood, still holding Chuck's hand. "Maybe we should let you discuss that on your own." She looked down at Chuck who nodded and he stood too. They left the apartment holding hands.
She didn't want to be caught on camera, so she led him to her car, which she had parked out of camera sight. She pulled him in for a kiss. Between kisses, she said, "You were wonderful in there, Chuck. I am so proud of you."
"Hey, I am going to be living with and making love to the most gorgeous woman in the world. I am on top of the world."
They got in the car. "Let's celebrate!" she said.
"Dinner somewhere?" he asked.
"In bed," she corrected him as she set off for her hotel.
He grinned. "My favorite thing to eat!"
Sarah drove slightly faster than she normally did.
A/N: Just a one-shot, but you can imagine how things go for Chuck and Sarah after this.
This was how I saw Ellie. An overbearing, controlling sister. I know she did some good things, but didn't like losing control of her 'little brother.'
