a/n: Chapter 3 Christmas Presents

I don't own Chuck.

"What exactly are you doing?" Sarah asked, watching Chuck, and wondering if she should call an ambulance.

"Dancing," Chuck said, coming into the Weinerlicious, with the silliest dance he could think off. Sarah shook her head, a warm smile consuming her face.

"Really? Because that looks more like having a seizure," she replied, teasingly. How did he do that? She was finding herself thinking he was trouble more and more every day, the kind of trouble she would gladly get into. Chuck grinned at her, and she pulled herself out of her thoughts. "Why, exactly, are you dancing?"

"Because I'm going to ask THE Sarah Walker to spend Christmas Day with my family," he said, grinning. The smile fell off her face. Chuck look gob smacked. "Sarah… you don't like Christmas?"

She looked away, and didn't know what to say. How could she tell him of conning the Salvation Army, of not having any presents, of how Christmas just meant more chances for her father to go to jail? If there was anyone she could tell it was him, but how much was too much? How much until this great guy ran off, how long until she was reassigned? She took a deep breath, gave him an answer, and swore to herself if he asked anything else, she would tell him the truth.

"Christmas is more of a remembrance of bad times in the past," she said simply. Chuck studied her for a second, nodded, and sat at one of the tables. He thought back to his talk with Devon. Whatever happened to her, it happened before the CIA, and Chuck knew the CIA wasn't big on sharing secrets, either. In the past, a barrage of questions would be sent flying her way, but Chuck was determined to play this cool. He did need to go talk to Devon, ASAP, though.

"I'm going to guess you've told me all you want to tell me on that subject," he said with an understanding look on his face. The smile she gave him said so much; it was a 'thank you', and an 'I appreciate you'. But most importantly, it was a promise of 'one day', and Sarah Walker found herself more and more convinced that there would be that 'one day' with him. One day, where damn the CIA, damn the government, they were going to be together, no matter what she had to do.

What he did next, however, caught her off-guard.

"But, our cover requires you to be there," he said, shrugging nonchalantly with a cheeky grin.

She needed this. She needed to be free with him, and he was accepting all she could give him, and the more he did, the more she wanted to tell the CIA to go to hell.

"Oh, our cover, Chuck?" she said, popping the "k". Two could play at this game. She could play this game. She wouldn't seduce him, she had promised: But she could take the things she learned, and apply them.

Chuck quickly realized he might have just bitten off a little more than he could chew. Her popping the "k" like that made him nervous, and he thought back on his lesson in seduction, the one he nearly failed. He wasn't entirely sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

"You know, we never finished the lesson the other day," she said softly, playing with the end of her hair that fell over her right shoulder, looking down at him through her long lashes. Chuck's hands were pouring sweat.

"I think for now, I need to process what I learned and, maybe, have a quiz, in oh, say, a few years. Yeah, that would be best," Chuck replied. Sarah sat down across from him, grinning.

"So, for our cover? That is why I should be there?" she asked again, giving him a look that nearly caused him to melt. Chuck shook his head no, since he couldn't really form words at that moment. He set his bottom jaw, and reached across the table to take her hands.

"No, Sarah, it's because it's Christmas and you shouldn't be alone. It's because I'm your friend, and I don't want you to be alone," he said, simply. Warmth spread through her, and feelings. Some she recognized, some she didn't. Chuck Bartowski was absolute trouble, and she was finding more and more she didn't care. Oh, who was she kidding? After Beckman's orders the other day, after Chuck's reaction and understanding about what she could and couldn't do… after him telling her he could be her baggage handler when she needed it, they were closer than asset/handler, and he wasn't an asset anymore was he? What did that mean? Sarah thought it was about time she found out, but first… some fun.

"Is that what we are, Chuck? Is that what you see us as, as friends?" she asked, a coy smile on her face. Chuck heard Devon's voice in his head. "Stay cool, stay cool."

"Sure, we're friends," Chuck replied. "Don't all meaningful relationships start as two people being friends?" The coy grin on his face said so much more.

"Is that all we are, Chuck?" she asked leaning closer. She saw Chuck swallow, but he continued. He was a brave man.

"Workmates, partners, confidants, or is there a specific term you are looking for?" Chuck asked. "What I am is what Sarah Walker needs me to be." Sarah got up from her chair, came around the table, and sat right down in his lap. His eyes opened in surprise, but he kept his cool, externally. Internally, he was a hot mess. She looked him right in his eyes.

"Whatever?" she asked.

"I mean, I do hope you find me more than a booty call," he said. Sarah burst out laughing. He was an analyst and there were no rules about her doing this. She stopped, smiled shyly, took his face in her hands, and gently pulled him in for a kiss.

When she pulled away, Chuck had a dreamy look on his face. "I feel as though that wasn't for cover." She simply smiled, close-lipped, raised her eyebrows slightly, and stared at him. "So, Ellie expects you to spend the night Christmas Eve. Andshe'llhavePJsforyou," he mumbled, quickly.

"I'm sorry, she'll do what?" Sarah asked, her eyebrows raised.

"She'll have PJs for you," Chuck said, looking down.

"Oh, she will, will she?" Sarah asked. "Who picked out these PJs?"

"Ellie did, Sarah, and they're all kind'a matching, and family appropriate," Chuck replied.

"Oh," Sarah said. "So, if I had my own special elf or naughty Mrs. Claus PJs I wanted to wear?"

"So you're coming? To Christmas I mean?" Chuck asked, his neck red, but a joyous goofy smile on his face. Sarah smiled, and nodded. She got off his lap, so they could get back to their cover jobs. And in particular, she needed to have a talk with Beckman about Chuck's, since he wasn't getting paid for his real job. Chuck stood as well, knowing he really should get back.

"Mmmhhh," she said. "I can't not be with my boyfriend on Christmas Eve. What kind of girlfriend would I appear then?"

"Can't have that," Chuck replied, the smile that covered his face nearly lighting up the room. She had headed back to the counter, but with that smile, she turned and crossed the distance between them, grabbed his tie, and gently pulled him down into a kiss.

"You know, I bet we can fool a whole lot of people with our cover," he said, grinning.

"Wasn't anything cover about that," she said, pushing him away, giving him a wink and a salacious smile.

"Well, I never!" he said, faux outraged. She slapped him on the backside, drawing an "Eep!" out of him. He stopped at the door and turned. "Should we do anything tonight, you know, if a mission doesn't come up. You know, for cover maintenance?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I think our cover is fine." Chuck nodded. "Wanna watch a movie tonight?" He turned around, confused. She grinned at him, and shrugged. "I mean if you have nothing else to do."

"You pretty much know my schedule," Chuck said grinning. "One thing, will you be handsy tonight?" Sarah nodded, not trusting herself to speak. His grin grew. "What time should I expect you?"

"I was thinking you should come to my place, for privacy," Sarah said. "Maybe we should talk about some things."

"Want me to bring a pizza?" Chuck asked, grinning so hard he thought his face might split.

"Yeah, and um…maybe a change of clothes, you know… in case we talk late," she said, looking very nervous. "I wouldn't want you driving home late, and if something happened Casey would never let me hear the end of it."

Her smile was completely gone. In its place was the look of a very scared woman, who was putting herself out there, and begging him not to reject her.

"Well, we can't have that," Chuck began. He hesitated, then asked, "Okay, is it just me, or is Casey being… nicer?" Sarah bit her bottom lip and shrugged. Chuck grinned at her. "Maybe this is one of those things we can talk about later. Tonight. You know what? I bet we can find better things to talk about than Casey."

"I can guarantee it, Chuck," she said, with the quickest of winks. Chuck gulped, smiled, waved, and backed out of the door, nearly falling off the sidewalk in the process. Sarah burst into laughter as she watched him walk across the parking lot. She picked up her phone, texted Casey, and locked up the store. It was time she and Beckman had a talk.

-ooooo-

Sarah found herself in Casey's apartment, waiting for Beckman to respond to her message. Sarah couldn't believe Casey had no problem with her being here; in fact, he encouraged it. He told her he'd keep an eye on the nerd.

That caused her to think. He hadn't called him moron or idiot in a long time. She thought back to the conversation at Thanksgiving, and what he had told her. She needed answers. The screen flickered to life, and it was time to get her biggest question answered.

"Agent Walker," Beckman began, and then she paused. "Sarah," she said in a softer, less formal tone. "I need you to know something. I expect those who serve to do so gladly, to give up civilian things, because agents knowingly joined understanding what was required of them. They made decisions, adult decisions, as adults." Sarah stared at Beckman. Holy crap, she really did know. Beckman's face softened even more. "You've never had that chance, Sarah. And now you cannot make a proper decision, because you're torn. This life is all you know, but you joined it too young. If this file is correct, I'm not even sure it is legal for you to be an agent." She held up her hand before Sarah could say anything. "I'm not running you off, because you are needed."

"General, I am going to assume Graham's recruitment of me is the reason you're now in charge of this project?" Sarah asked. Beckman nodded. Sarah looked down for a moment, then back to the screen. "Ma'am, I don't know how much longer I want this life." Beckman nodded again, not surprised.

"But you do want it as long as this assignment is ongoing?" Beckman asked, a slight smile on her face. Sarah closed her eyes, opened them, and nodded.

"He's a good man, General, and he doesn't deserve any of this," she said softly.

"Sarah, neither of you deserve this," Beckman answered. Sarah rejoiced internally. "Chuck Bartowski is a joint analyst and, to be totally frank, you handle him much better than Major Casey." Sarah shrugged, grinning. "This team is operating better with this new system. We're going to change cover jobs for you soon… that outfit is hideous." Sarah laughed and looked down. "Until then I need you to continue to protect Mr. Bartowski."

"Mr. Bartowski?" she asked. Beckman smiled.

"He is an employee which means he gets compensation, and benefits," Beckman said. "The cover… is it too much?"

"I can handle him," Sarah replied.

"No, I meant is it too much for you?" Beckman asked, grinning. "Sarah, he trusts you, and you trust him, which is troubling in and of itself. But we are where we are with this. I know you can make it work." Sarah nodded. Beckman reached to cut the feed, paused and looked at her. "I'll have Casey pull the feed from inside his apartment. When this assignment is over, if you want to put in your papers, I'll expedite them." The feed cut off, and Sarah's hands covered her mouth.

In the apartment next door, unbeknownst to Sarah, Chuck was leaving with Devon. Sarah began to open the door to Casey's to leave, when she saw the two men leaving. She hung back a bit, and followed. Starting her tracker, she followed the two. She wasn't surprised when they ended up at the beach Chuck liked to visit. She set up a parabolic mike in her car. Sarah knew she really shouldn't be doing this, but she had to know… Why had Chuck done things so differently the past few weeks?

"We clear, Chuckster?" Devon asked.

"Unless one of them is following us with a parabolic mike, we're good," Chuck replied. Sarah blushed a bit at that. But she told herself she was protecting him, since Casey wasn't around. "My phone is at the apartment, and Casey thinks we're talking about the possibility of you proposing."

Devon's eyebrows shot up.

"No pressure, dude, but I figure it's just a matter of time." Devon nodded. "Something happened in Sarah's past, Devon. Something awful, and because of that, she doesn't like Christmas." Sarah wondered just how much Devon knew.

"How are things?" the big man asked. Sarah could feel Devon's grin even in her car, and it made her smile. He wasn't being lecherous. Devon was just frank about sex and relationships. She thought she knew what had happened. It made all the sense in the world, and she was quite happy. Chuck needed male role models in his life. Casey was good, but he wasn't what Chuck needed for everyday things; that was Devon.

"I'm being cool," Chuck said. Ah-ha! Sarah thought. Now things were making sense. "But, Devon, dude, she's killing me." That concerned her. "I mean, I'm trying so hard not to read into what she's saying, but it almost like she considers me her real boyfriend." I do, you idiot, Sarah thought, shaking her head.

"Have you asked her?" Devon asked. Chuck shook his head.

"I thought that might be pushing things," Chuck replied. Okay, our communication still sucks, she thought. "I don't know if I can ask her without, well, being me." He's got a point, Sarah thought.

"You've got a point," Devon conceded. "So, she's coming to Christmas Eve, and Christmas though, right?" Chuck nodded.

"I'm also supposed to pack a bag and spend the night at her place, because, well, we need to talk," Chuck said.

"Is that what you call 'cover maintenance'?" Devon asked. What has Chuck not told him, she wondered.

"She said it wasn't," Chuck said, his eyes getting wide the more he thought about it.

"Huh," Devon said, and then his smile grew, and he hit Chuck in the chest with the back of his hand. "Dude!"

"Devon, it doesn't mean anything," Chuck said.

No, it means something, Sarah thought.

"I mean IF she did think that, she could change her mind."

Well, that's true, but I'm not planning on it.

"I mean don't get me wrong, there is nothing I would enjoy more, but if all I get to do tonight is talk to Sarah, to be her actual baggage handler, then I'm good with it. That means more in her world, you know? She has no one to trust, and if she can trust me, then I'm good."

You're more than good, Bartowski, she thought, grinning. You're the best.

"So, I'm taking a bag, and a pizza, and I'll go from there."

"Well done, Chuckster," Devon said. "As for the rest, if you think you can say something without making it a thing, then I don't think asking would ruin it. But you'd know better than I."

"Nope, gonna play it cool, Devon," he said.

"Don't play it too cool," Devon replied.

"If she initiates, I'll gladly reciprocate. But she's driving this. I'm totally fine with her taking control," Chuck said.

"Nothing wrong with her being on top," Devon said. Sarah barked a laugh and Chuck slowly turned to look at Devon. "Oh, not what you meant."

-ooooo-

A little while later, back in his apartment, Devon heard a knock on the door. He opened it, and saw a smiling Sarah. Inviting her in, he stepped aside to let her pass. She walked in, never said a word, pulled out a digital recorder, and hit play. His and Chuck's conversation played, and Devon paled.

"He doesn't know that I know, okay?" Sarah said. Devon nodded. "It's really simple, Devon. If something goes bad and he feels like he can't talk to me about it, I need to know, to keep him safe. I don't want you to have to betray his confidence, but it's for his safety." Devon nodded again. "Thank you," she said softly. "You're the reason I feel like I get a real life now, like I have someone I can talk to. I will talk to him, I just have to take it at my pace, okay?" Devon nodded again, and then opened his arms. Tears in her eyes, Sarah hugged him.

"You're part of this family, you know," Devon stated. "Whatever happens between you two, you've kept him safe. You brought back our Chuck, so thank you."

"He doesn't deserve any of this," Sarah said. "I just want him to be happy and safe."

"That's what you do," Devon said.

"No, Devon, that's my job," she replied, pulling away. Devon stopped her, and she looked up at him.

"No, Sarah, that's what you do," he said softly. The tears began again, and she fell back into his arms. Devon knew it wasn't tears of sadness, but of finally being accepted. Tears of joy. He grinned. "Awesome," he said, making her snort-laugh into his chest.

She pulled away. "You know I have to mess with him now, right?" Devon grinned, lifted his hand, and Sarah high-fived him.

-ooooo-

Chuck arrived at Mason 23 with the required bag, pizza, and a bouquet of Gardenias, because he thought she deserved them. His hands were full, and he was required to use his foot to knock on the door. Sarah opened the door, wearing a simple blue tee shirt, a pair of shorts, and her hair up. He thought she looked amazing, and he realized he was standing there, grinning goofily, just watching her watch him.

"Come in," she said, and moved out to the way so he could enter. She closed the door behind him, and locked it. Chuck's eyes sprang open when he heard the lock. He wasn't sure why.

"Have a good day?" Chuck asked. "I know you hate the smell of those sausages."

"It was okay," she answered, a hint of sadness in her voice. It was fake, the sadness. She wanted to mess with him. He handed her the flowers, and she gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, they're beautiful." She walked off to put them in water.

Chuck was beginning to be concerned. He walked over to the kitchen area and leaned up against the door frame, arms crossed, watching her put the flowers in water.

"What can I do?" he asked sincerely. She shrugged.

"Nothing. I mean I could talk about it, I'm told that sometimes it makes people feel better," she said, knowing he would jump at the chance.

"I am your baggage handler, remember?" he asked. She smiled at him.

"It's just this time of year is so hard," she said, taking him by the hand and leading him to the couch. She maneuvered him to a corner of the couch, got him to sit down, and then sat down beside him, cuddling into him. "Christmas for me was other people making plans behind my back, trying to figure out what was best for me, and not telling me the truth. And it hurt, Chuck." Chuck swallowed. Sarah grinned, knowing he couldn't see her. She took her hand and slowly traced her fingertips down his shirt and then back up. "It's just so hard for me to trust people, because of what happened. And you, you've never done a thing to make me not trust you."

"Hey, that's not entirely true. Early on I did," Chuck said, beginning to feel terrible.

"That was different, Chuck," Sarah said, moving her head to where when she spoke, her breath hit his neck. He was starting to sweat. She moved her hand down to his leg, and began to trace gently with her fingers. "You've been so open, and honest, and I feel like I need to give you more, because I trust you. And you'd never take advantage of that trust. You'd never go behind my back." She could feel his heart pounding. He closed his eyes. "You'd never purposefully do anything to compromise your secrets and my ability to protect you. Because Chuck, if something happened to you, I don't know if I could ever forgive myself. I know you want your family to know, but if they did, it would be a huge mistake." She planted soft kisses on his jawline, heading toward his ear. "Honesty, Chuck, that's how we get through this." She kissed his jaw again. "Utter." Kiss. "Complete." Kiss. "Honesty."

"I TOLD AWESOME!" he yelled. Sarah rolled off him, laughing so hard that tears came to her eyes. "I told him, I needed someone, Sarah, you don't understand." He was standing now and pacing. "I'm terrible at things. I don't know how to talk to women, not that I'm looking for women, but I've had no one in my life to help me with how to act, or how to be, or not be me, because sometimes I can be too-"

His spiral was forestalled by her lips on his. During his rambling, she had gotten up, and as he paced by for the third time, she grabbed him and kissed him like his life depended on it. She pulled away, and looked into his eyes.

"Chuck, I know. It's fine, I understand. Just don't tell Casey for now," she said. Chuck nodded, still a bit wild-eyed. "I get it, I really do." She pulled him back in for another kiss. This one was gentle, their lips exploring each other's, and then she got greedy. Her tongue snaked its way inside and brushed his.

The moan he made caused her to shiver. She pulled away and looked into his eyes, again. She saw the questions, but she couldn't speak. Instead, she nodded, and removed his tie. He didn't move, his eyes watching every movement she made. She grinned at him, and started to slowly undo the buttons of his shirt. His hand covered hers and she felt her breath hitch.

"We don't have to," he said softly.

"I want to," she replied just as softly. "And speak for yourself, Buster." The smile on his face brightened the whole room.

She grabbed the bottom of her tee shirt, pulled it over her head, and tossed it. His eyes were wide, but not as wide as his smile. He pulled her close and gently kissed her, making his way down her jaw, until he found a spot on her neck. Even if she hadn't moaned, the reaction of her body told him all he needed to know.

She pulled him back up into a kiss, and wrapped a leg around him, grinding herself against him, slowly. "Bed. Now," she croaked. The look in her eyes told him it really wasn't a request.

He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bed. He gently laid her down. She reached up, with a wolfish grin, grabbed him, and the next thing he knew she had flipped over him. He found himself on his back, with the blond agent over him.

"Sarah," he said with a grin.

"Yeah, Chuck," she said popping the "k". She was grinning wickedly.

"Be gentle, it's been a while," he said.

"Chuck, shut up and kiss me," she said. He did.

a/n: Thanks for reading.