I don't own Chuck

She walked into Ellie's using everything in her not to slam the door shut. "What did he do?" Ellie asked, seeing the thundercloud on Sarah's face.

"Why would you think he's done anything?" Sarah replied, picking up Molly and holding her close. She felt Ellie's eyes boring into her. "Fine, he doesn't want me."

Ellie snorted. "Sarah, sweetie…" Ellie went back to whatever it was she was cooking.

"I know, I know, he's your brother, and you have to defend him-"

"What did he do, exactly?" Ellie asked.

"He said he was ready," Sarah told her. "He said he was ready for the next step, and then, he said he was not." Sarah found herself rocking the baby back and forth. She stopped, turned and looked right at Ellie. "He told you, didn't he?"

"Of course he did," Ellie replied, rolling her eyes. "He does….you know what, that's my brother, so let me put it a different way, nothing has changed about how he feels about you. Now why don't you tell what you think happened, and then I'll have two opinions that are both off base, but I can then figure out where the middle of all of this is."

"You make it sound like we're being ridiculous," Sarah accused.

Ellie stopped stirring, put her spatula down and stared at Sarah. "One of you is head over heels in love, and worried about losing the life he has finally found. The other one is head over heels in love, scared he's going to think you're just like Bryce. You two had a silly misunderstanding, during some tense moments, and you're both blowing the whole damn thing out of proportion. And you're both being comforted by a child, because you both want so much more out of your life." Sarah stood there, her mouth handing open.

"My guess," Ellie continued. "Chuck suggested you try it together, the fighting that is, not the other thing."

"He did also suggest we try the other thing," Sarah muttered. Ellie gave her a flat look. "Sorry."

Ellie chuckled. "He saw you getting hit, you were in the mood for…other things, not really paying attention, and your…what did he call it, life-bar?"

"Yeah," Sarah replied, a little bothered by how right Ellie was so far.

"Your life-bar went from yellow to red, and he dove in front of you to take the blow," Ellie finished.

"That's right," Sarah said, a little defensively.

"Could it also be possible that you did not appreciate the man you love taking a blow meant for you, especially after he also took a bullet for you?" Sarah said nothing. "Could it also be that his fear got the best of him, and he thought if you two were to get physically intimate, that it might distract you and get you killed?"

"I'm really not enjoying this," Sarah muttered.

"Sarah, sweetie, he's so scared."

"God, Ellie, I know, hell, I'm scared, but if we don't live our lives, Bryce wins," Sarah told her. "We might lose, we might." Ellie nodded. "But we have to go try and take him out, but in the meantime…"

The door burst opened before either of them could say another word, and Chuck came in, looking at the kitchen, where Ellie was. "Ellie, she's gone. She's gone, Ellie. What if Bryce took her? What if I hurt her, and she's left me?"

"I'm right here, Chuck, and I'm not leaving you," Sarah said. Chuck turned to her, his eyes wide, embarrassment covering his face. "I overreacted, I'm sorry."

"No, I overreacted, and got scared that you'd get hurt," Chuck replied, shaking his head walking toward Sarah. Ellie rolled her eyes, came out of the kitchen, took Molly from Sarah as Sarah made her way toward Chuck.

"Chuck, I admit, I was a little preoccupied about other things while we were practicing, and that's on me," Sarah began.

"No, no, that was my fault," Chuck insisted.

"Oh for the love of God, go home and work this out!" Ellie told them. The two looked at her, nodded, and made their way out the door. Molly waved to them. "You didn't want to see your Mommy and Daddy fight, did you?" Ellie blew a raspberry onto Molly's cheek, making her squeal.

}o{

Some time later

"You know, if we move together that well against the robot, I think we can beat it in no time," Sarah nearly purred, running her hand over Chuck's bare chest. Chuck started to speak, but stopped. As his grin grew, Sarah's curiosity peaked. "What?"

"Well, I was gonna ask, is this gonna be like the hug thing?" Sarah swatted him on the chest lightly.

"Maybe," she replied, as sultrily as she could. "But I wouldn't want you to think I'm seducing you."

"I love you, Sarah," Chuck said, taking her hand. "I love you so much and I am so scared, and I completely overreacted."

"Hey, I overreacted too," Sarah admitted. "I think this is kinda new for both of us, so, maybe we cut each other some grace, hmm?"

"That's a good idea," Chuck agreed. "So, do we want to try the robot again?"

"How about we work on getting our moves down tonight and work with the robot tomorrow?" Sarah offered, grinning at him. Chuck nodded. "You know that means we have more practice?"

"This is totally gonna be like the hugs thing," Chuck said, grinning as she burst out laughing.