A/N: Welcome back.

Dislcaimer: I don't own Chuck

"She's a grown woman who has to make her own choices," Chuck heard in his ear. He turned and saw Woody standing there, looking at the tree, trying to determine where to place the next ornament.

"I'm sorry?" Chuck replied. He had seen her walk outside, on the phone, and he was sure it was business. He felt a little disappointed, but that was his problem. She was an adult, and she got to decide what it was she wanted to do, and when.

"What's the old saying? You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink?" Woody asked.

"Sesame Street believed you had to go over something with someone three times before they truly understood it," Chuck replied. Woody chuckled, and looked at Chuck. "I know she's an adult and has to make her own choices."

"I know you do. I'm just reminding you that people making those choices are dealing with things that, while they may seem similar to you, they usually are not similar," Woody said gently. "Also, they've been making decisions out of habit, and sometimes it takes a lot to break habits. Sometimes, they are more than one person can help with."

Chuck was silent for a moment. "So are you saying I shouldn't try to help her?"

"No, not at all, Chuck," Woody said, shaking his head and smiling sadly. "I just need you to understand if she doesn't change, you didn't fail. You showed her something she hadn't seen in someone that wasn't immediate family. You showed her something she may not have seen, period. That plants a seed. Will it grow, blossom, and flourish?" Woody shrugged. "Who knows, but you tried."

"Woody," Chuck began and then stopped, not sure how to say what he was thinking.

"Chuck, we all know you like her, and we're all pretty sure she likes you. And I couldn't ask for a better son-in-law." Chuck's eyes widened. "But right now, where she's at… I don't know if she's best for you."

"I don't know if I'm best for her," Chuck replied. Woody barked a laugh. "No, I'm serious. I'm so much not like her that I fear I'm too much, if that makes sense."

"Makes all the sense in the world," Woody said. He looked over at Honey. "At the end of the day, we're all human, and just desperately want someone to love us, respect us, and hold us up."

"But we're very different," Chuck told him.

"Are you?" Woody asked. The door opened and Sarah stepped in. They saw her scan the room, find Chuck, and head his direction. "Just be happy, Chuck," he said as he moved away.

"So, is there a polite way to ask if I could join you tomorrow and see this Christmas spirit in action?" Sarah asked, as she walked up to him.

"I mean there's some Christmas spirit going on right here," Chuck told her. She gave him a look, but smiled the whole time. "Yes, you are absolutely welcomed."

"So, do you start at midnight?"

"Oh, God, no!" Chuck replied. "We start at ten in the morning, when all the crazy eighty-year-olds have gone home and gone to bed." Sarah giggled. "Everything okay?"

"No," Sarah admitted. She started to say more, when Chuck interrupted her.

"Anything I can do?" he asked. "And please, don't feel like you have to tell me."

"Just keep being you," she said, reaching over, taking his hand, and squeezing it. "I need to talk to Woody and Honey for a second, and then…" she looked at him shyly. "Do you think you could help me decorate this tree?"

"It would be my honor," Chuck told her. She grinned at him, then headed over to Woody and Honey.

"Jack's parole hearing is Monday," Sarah said softly.

"I know," Woody told her. "I didn't know if I should tell you or not. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret… it's just… well…"

Sarah wrapped her arms around Woody, hugging him. "I know, Dad."

"What are you going to do?" Honey asked, rubbing her back after she let go of Woody.

"I don't know," Sarah admitted.

"You're welcome here," Honey told her. "Well, not here at Devon and Ellie's per say, but you are welcome to stay with us."

"Thanks, and I might, but for now, I need to work on this deal. And if I do that at home, then I will feel guilty not spending time with you two," Sarah told them.

"Plus, it's harder for her to bring boys home at our house," Woody said to Honey.

"Dad," Sarah said in a hushed whisper, grinning.

"Chuck would turn a certain shade of red," Honey agreed.

"Mom!" she said in a hushed tone.

"The look on his face when we saw him the next morning…" Woody trailed off as both he and Honey laughed.

"What's so funny?" Chuck asked, walking over after hearing the laughter.

"Nothing," Sarah said quickly, spinning to him, smiling at him, almost maniacally, trying to get him away from her parents.

"It sounded funny," Chuck countered.

"A really embarrassing story about Sarah," Honey said, sipping her drink, winking at Sarah.

Sarah groaned inwardly. She knew what anyone in Chuck's position would do, and she didn't blame him a bit.

"Well," Chuck said in a warm tone, "I don't want to embarrass you." Sarah's eyes widened. "I also brought you this ornament that you made Devon when you were in high school, that he has kept all these years."

"I never had any family to make ornaments for," Sarah said softly. "When I came here…" She trailed off and shrugged.

"I'm gonna bet that everyone thought it was the best gift they could have gotten," Chuck told her. "That was very thoughtful."

"Devon cried for twenty minutes," Woody said, nodding.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," Sarah protested. Honey rolled her eyes. "It wasn't."

"Whatever, go hang the ornaments," Honey said, giving her a slight shove, grinning at Sarah. Sarah turned to her mom, catching her in a hug. "Glad you're home, baby," Honey said softly. Chuck nodded and stepped away, leaving the family together.

}o{

Sarah wasn't sure when she had smiled, laughed, and just had a good time, more. She had texted Carina and told her not to worry about being back on Monday, to spend time with her family. Carina had called immediately to ask who had her tied up and what was the ransom demand. After a few minutes, a very happy, but confused, Carina hung up, and Sarah found herself just enjoying… being.

"An all you can eat Chinese buffet at the mall?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah, for eight bucks apiece," Chuck replied, nodding. "Also, they serve the greatest chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese."

"That sounds insane," Sarah said. Chuck just grinned. "I am not eating there."

Ten minutes later, after taking a bite out of a chicken egg roll, Sarah had to admit this guy, this amazing guy with hair she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with but was certain she wanted to do something with, was absolutely dangerous. She was certain if he asked her to do something, she would. She trusted him, and that scared her.

"You okay?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded. "Sorry, you just seemed… nevermind."

"Sorry, I was just thinking," Sarah told him. "I was trying to think what I could get Devon for Christmas. Something that would mean a lot, you know?" Chuck pushed his food around on his plate with his fork, obviously thinking about something. "Just say it."

"I think the best thing you could give Devon for Christmas is just being here," Chuck said with a shrug."

Sarah grinned. "Awesome," she replied. Chuck laughed and shook his head. "I'm staying," she said softly. Chuck looked up at her. She put her elbows on the table, put her hands together, making a fist, and gently rested her chin on top of them. "I'm staying through Christmas."

"Well, you've made a lot of people happy." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You know, Devon." Sarah nodded. "Woody." Sarah nodded again. "Honey." Sarah nodded one more time and an amused smile covered her face.

"Anyone else?" she asked. Chuck tapped his lip with his finger, mimicking thinking. "So, no one else."

"Well, if I'm honest," he began, his cheeks turning slightly red. "I am happy that you're going to be here. I've gotten to enjoy your company, Sarah Walker."

"I've gotten to enjoy yours," Sarah replied. "By the way, you're off the hook for tomorrow, I'm watching football with Devon."

"Nice," Chuck told her. "Although now I have nothing to do." He gave a dramatic sigh, making Sarah laugh.

"Well, we're only watching the early morning game and game at lunch, so I have my entire afternoon and evening free," Sarah told him. "Are there any sci-fi shows you'd like someone to watch with you?"

"I was thinking old Christmas movies," Chuck told her.

"Oooo, that sounds fun, you should totally have someone with you to watch them," Sarah said, grinning. "A big bowl of popcorn, soda, candy… make a whole evening out of it." She watched the grin grow on his face, loving that he was loving her teasing. "Maybe share your favorite Christmas movie with someone." The grin on Chuck's face fell for a second. "Or maybe not," she said quickly.

"Sorry," Chuck told her. "My favorite Christmas movie is an acquired taste, and even the main actor didn't like it. But, I love it, because… well… I just do."

"So, you aren't a Not only is Die Hard a Christmas movie, but it's my favorite Christmas movie guy?" Chuck burst out laughing. "What is it?" Chuck furrowed his brow, not understanding. "Your favorite Christmas movie."

"Scrooged," Chuck answered.

"I don't think I know that one," Sarah admitted.

"It is a Bill Murray comedy done in the eighties," Chuck told her. "But I also love Miracle on 34th Street, the OG, of course."

"Of course," Sarah said nodding. "What about the OG Christmas Carol?"

"I love it as well," Chuck told her. "But, for the record, The Muppets Christmas Carol… highly underrated."

"Why does that not surprise me?" Sarah asked. "Damn, these chicken nuggets are ridiculously good. Why are they at a Chinese buffet?"

"I have no idea, and I don't ask," Chuck replied. She sat there, smiling in amusement. "What?"

"You're gonna straight up make me invite myself over tomorrow afternoon, aren't you?" Sarah asked. Chuck shrugged. Sarah wadded up a napkin and bounced it off his forehead.

"You really want to spend tomorrow afternoon and evening with me, after today?" Chuck asked. Sarah tilted her head as if to say, What do you think? "Fine," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "You are always welcome at my place, Sarah."

"You should probably text me your address," she said, going back to her food, grinning coyly. "Or we could go there tonight and watch something."

"Are you sure about that?" Chuck asked. Sarah locked eyes with him, making him swallow.

"Yes, yes I am," she told him.

}o{

Sarah pulled up in front of his house, and couldn't help but grin. Of course he had a white picket fence, a red door, and a backyard. Of course he had a house that screamed home. Sarah wondered if Chuck knew exactly how dangerous he was. If Chuck knew how who he was could cut through walls, carefully built over many years. If he knew how much she wanted to see if she could live this life. It scared her. That she knew, and accepted. But, at the same time, it excited her and she wondered, could she do it?

"You okay?" he asked, walking up to her door as she sat there, staring at his house.

"Yeah, just thinking how you that house is," Sarah told him, getting out of the car.

"You haven't even been inside," Chuck replied.

"Then, I guess you better give me a tour," she told him, offering him her hand. He took it and led her to the front door.

}o{

"Do you think Devon will think badly of us watching Miracle on 34th Street instead of football?" Sarah asked, leaning against Chuck. He had popped popcorn. He had been wrapping presents. Sarah helped, and felt a warmth and comfort she had never felt before in her entire life.

"Nah," Chuck replied, his head tilted slightly, the side of his head just touching the top of hers. "Listen, I know you have a big day tomorrow, so don't feel obligated to watch the whole movie if you need to go."

She sat up and looked at him, amused. "You trying to run me off, Chuck Bartowki?"

"No ma'am," he said in his best southern drawl, making her giggle. "I just don't want to keep you up too late, and then you get in a wreck driving back to your hotel."

"Aww, look at you, getting all protectory." He gave her a flat look that made her laugh, her tongue between her teeth. "Next thing I know, you're gonna offer to let me sleep in your bed and you sleep on the couch."

"I do have a spare room," Chuck pointed out.

"I don't have a thing to wear," Sarah told him, grinning devilishly at him. Chuck found himself unable to breathe. She leaned forward. "I mean, if I did stay, I'd have to find something to keep me warm."

"I have lots of blankets," Chuck blurted out.

"I'm not surprised," she told him. She started to sit back when his hand touched her face. She turned to him, and their lips met. It started out slow, but grew more intense by the second.

He pulled away, looking into her eyes. "Sarah… I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable."

"Totally comfortable on my end," she told him, bouncing a shoulder.

"Sarah," he said, his voice trying it's best to be serious. "I don't want you regretting anything."

"The only thing I'm going to regret is if I leave here tonight," she told him.

"You hardly know anything about me," he began.

"Chuck, here's what I do know," she said, cutting in. "I have only once in my life felt a part of me tell me to trust someone, and that was when I moved in with the Woodcombs." He kept staring into her eyes, making it difficult for her to gather her thoughts.

"Chuck, I trust you. I like you, and I'll be damned if I'm not going to try my best to enjoy my life, that you reminded me that I have." He smiled at her. "I want to be with you, so the question is, can you handle being with someone who is imperfect?"

"We're all imperfect, Sarah," Chuck told her softly.

"Yeah, but I'm more imperfect than most," Sarah replied. He had a slight frown at that, and started to reply, but stopped. "What? You can tell me."

"A quote came to my head, but it's a little much so, I don't think it's best I say it," Chuck told her.

"I'd love to hear it," she said, leaning in and kissing him gently.

She pulled away smiling at the way his lip trembled, as if it was trying to seek out hers. "Chuck, please?"

"Okay," he sighed. "But remember, I warned you." Sarah nodded. "Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now."

"Are you saying you love me, Chuck Bartowski?" Sarah teased. He started to reply, but she shook her head. "Chuck, I get what you were saying, and I was just teasing you. But, do you accept me exactly the way I am?"

"I do. The question is, do you?" Chuck asked her. Sarah looked away. "Cause I think you're pretty amazing." She turned back to him, tears in her eyes. "C'mere," he said, pulling her close.

}o{

A few hours later, he woke up, feeling her tug against him. "Chuck, let's go to bed," she said to him. She had fallen asleep against him, him holding her. "I'm too old to sleep on the couch like this."

"I think I was born too old to sleep on the couch like this," he groused. "I do have a tee shirt and some shorts you could wear."

"Fine, but I'm sleeping with you." He started to protest. "Chuck, I'm not talking sex, I just want to sleep with you nearby."

"Okay," he said, nodding. She took his hand, and tried to lead him to bed. "Where are you going?"

"I have no idea, this isn't my house," she admitted, making him laugh. She wrapped her arms around him, laughing with him.

A/N: Next time:

"It's not important," Devon said.

"Oh, no, you're not doing that to me," Sarah said to him. And suddenly, she was in high school again. Her perfect older brother, tormenting her, but in a loving way. She couldn't help but smile, as she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "What was it you used to say?" she asked softly.

"That when you finally allowed yourself to fall for someone, while I wanted to be around to see it, I hoped I was far enough away to not be hit by the shit-storm of emotions you'd finally have to deal with."

*Turns towards camera and sips tea* Oh no.