A/N: Gadzooks! Is Sarah working with the CIA? Is Sarah working with Bryce? Is Casey mad about nut milk? Has Chuck figured anything out yet? Is Bryce an evil guy? Have I been fluffy enough? Ch 6 Sam and Sarah

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Sarah was beating the bag so hard Gertrude thought it might go flying across the room at any moment.

"Now what did that curly haired, charming jerk do?" Gertrude asked.

"He's not a jerk," Sarah grumbled, hitting the bag extra hard. Gertrude's eyes widened. "He's actually a nice guy."

"So nice you're working with your ex-partner who got him kicked out of college and slept with his girlfriend?" Casey asked, stepping through the doorway. He had driven straight to Sarah's just in time to catch her leaving her apartment and driving to PT. Casey had followed her in and had been listening at the door.

"Don't know why you are, tall, strapping, and chiseled, but this is my place of work and you need an invite to be here," Gertrude replied, her eyes dragging up and down Casey. A slow grin grew over Casey's face.

"Well, am I invited?" Casey asked. Sarah rolled her eyes and waited for Gertrude to throw him out.

"Always," Gertrude replied, a seductive look on her face. Sarah's eyes widened. "But I have a client right now, and I have to respect her privacy, so if she says you have to go…"

"John can stay," Sarah cut in. She had no idea where this was going.

"Gertrude Verbanski," she said, holding her hand out to John.

"John Casey," John replied, taking it. He ginned at her. "Nice grip."

"What can I say?"

"If you two don't mind," Sarah cut in. They both turned to her. "What did you mean my ex-partner?"

"Bryce Larkin," John explained.

"Not possible, he's dead." John shook his head. "Seems I need to correct that situation." Casey stared at her. "That son of a bitch screwed up my leg."

"Right now he's at Roberts Pharmaceuticals, and apparently they're close. I saw him kiss her as he entered the door."

She started to take off her gloves, when Gertrude stopped her. "You going over there to kick his ass won't help anything."

"I'll feel better," Sarah retorted. "That son of a bitch is alive?!"

"That or I saw his ghost, but he couldn't walk through walls," Casey said. "I can't decide if you're a great actor, or you really didn't know."

She pulled off the gloves, pushed Gertrude away, and pulled up her pants to her knees. "Look at this, Casey," she said pointing at her leg. "He's the reason I'm hurt! He's the reason I'm in PT!"

"I notice you didn't say he's the reason you're out of the CIA," Casey said calmly, studying Sarah. She went quiet. "So one of two things, either you're not out of the CIA, or he's not the real reason."

"I thought he was," she said softly. "He's not though." She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. She looked at Casey, and wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to protect herself. She felt exposed, but she had taken Gertrude's policy of no secrets, no lies in therapy to heart. "You two understand this better than anyone. In that life, it does things to you, your soul. It…changes you. I didn't realize how much I wanted out until I got out. If I hadn't of gotten out when I did…I might be dead."

"And then you started living life and wanted more," Casey said softly. He and Gertrude shared a look.

"Not only that, I had no excuses, nothing to run back to, I was forced to live this life."

Casey was silent for a second. "It sounds good, Walker, but let me ask you this. I don't know you, so how do I know that now you're good enough to go back, you're not going to sell Bartowski down the river?"

She stepped toward him, her eyes blazing. "You don't know me," she said softly, but venom dripping from her voice. "You don't know what I went through and what I'd do to keep Sam from going through a life like I went through. Not having a father that cares, not having a father that loves me unconditionally."

"How do you really know Bartowski's that guy, he's a class A moron if there ever was a moron," Casey countered. "Let Jill walk all over him, getting stuck with the kid, and really, what has he ever accounted for?"

She took one more step forward, her nose would have been level with his if they were the same height. She held herself tall, no fear in her eyes, but daggers flashing. "Casey, Chuck Bartowski is a giving, loving, father, and friend. He is what every woman that has one lick of sense should wish for in a partner, a boyfriend, a husband, or whatever term someone wants to use. I promise you this. I will DIE before I let that sack of shit Bryce Larkin, or Jill Roberts, or anyone else do anything to Chuck or Sam."

"That I believe," Casey said softly. Sarah nodded. "So I guess that leaves one question." Sarah stared at him, waiting. "Do you have one lick of sense?" He saw her blink and then she realized what all she said and how intensely she had sent it. Casey grinned. "I figured as much. Don't hurt him, Walker, it's been a while, he bruises pretty easily." Sarah went red. Casey turned to Gertrude. "Ma'am, it's been a pleasure."

"I hate that you're leaving but I sure do like seeing you go," Gertrude said to Casey as he walked away. Sarah's mouth nearly hit the floor as John Casey, former NSA burnout, did a hip shimmy. Sarah spun to Gertrude. "What? He's got a nice ass."

"I've died and gone to hell because of all those I killed," Sarah muttered.

"So what are you gonna do about Bartowski?" Gertrude asked.

"I have no idea," Sarah admitted. "I need to talk to Chuck." Gertrude raised an eyebrow. "The CIA director contacted me last night." The eyebrow fell.

}o{

Sarah went home that night and didn't talk to Chuck. She wasn't sure how to have the conversation she needed to. She promised herself she'd talk to him tomorrow, before the date. She was chanting that to herself as she saw Casey drop off Sam at the front door. Where was Chuck?

"Casey?" she said, surprising him. "I had car line duty, why isn't Chuck bringing Sam?"

Casey grinned. "Sorry, Walker, your date's canceled tonight." He started to pull away and then stopped. "Say, you wouldn't mind bringing Sam home after school would you?"

"I'd be glad to, but what's going on?"

"Chuck's got the first year teacher flu."

"Oh, God," Sarah muttered.

"Yep, the moron couldn't fight off all the germs, see ya, Walker." Casey drove off and Sam was staring at Sarah.

"Are you dating my daddy?" she asked, glee on her face. Sarah had no answer, only the thought of, oh boy.

}o{

The entire day Sarah had felt Sam's eyes on her and Sarah was unsure how to act. Was she dating her daddy, no. Did she want to date her daddy, she didn't know. Not because she didn't like Chuck, it was just….dating Chuck would be something…she really didn't know how to do. Add in a kid from her class…..was it a bad idea?

"I'm sorry," Sam said softly.

Sarah looked over at her. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I made things hard on you today, and you don't like my daddy." She paused and then quickly added. "I mean like in a dating way." She said it softly and Sarah thought her heart might break. "I think he's the greatest and I just think everyone else should too."

"Sam, it's complicated," Sarah replied. Sam looked like she had something to say. "Go on," Sarah encouraged.

"Aunt Ellie says that's the stupidest word in the world." Sarah's eyebrows raised, but nodded for her to continue. "She says that's the word people use when they are either afraid of hurting themselves, or are too scared to try." Sam looked at her. "I don't think you're scared of anything or afraid." Sarah blinked and looked back at the road. "I just don't want you to not like me."

"Hey," Sarah said, tickling her in the ribs with her right hand, making her squeal. "I like you Samantha Bartowski, I just can't let the other kids know how much. They'll get jealous, okay?"

"You mean it?"

"Sam, I don't say stuff I don't mean."

"So you're really gonna protect me and my daddy?" Sarah turned to her slowly. Oh shit. She had heard. Oh shit. Sarah nodded. "I'm sorry about your daddy."

"Well, I feel sorry for your mom." Sam looked confused. "She is missing out on an awesome young lady that I am quite proud of, and that's her loss."

"You know how we talked about role models in class?" Sarah nodded. "If it's okay with you, I want you to be my role model."

"Sam, I'm not that great as a role model," Sarah said softly. "I don't know what all you've overheard, but I had to work for the government as a spy, and sometimes I had to do some very bad things."

Sam was quiet while she thought. "Like when a cop has to shot a bad guy?"

"Kinda," Sarah replied, wondering why she felt so bad that she was losing this little girl's belief in her.

"Wow, you're even more awesome than I thought!" Sam exclaimed. Sarah's eyes got wide. "So not only have you taught kids, which is awesome, but you were a spy? Don't worry, I'll keep your secret." Sarah cursed herself. She had gotten so caught up in the moment she had forgotten who she had revealed the secret too. "Did you do the thing where you repelled down and got some intel?"

"Pbbbth," Sarah replied. She leaned over. "They took that idea from something I did." Sam's eyes got huge. Sarah laughed. "They didn't, but I've done that before, scaled walls, snuck into places, gone to fancy balls in pretty dresses, all that stuff."

"Now I understand," Sam said, nodding sagely. "Daddy….he's kinda boring."

"Hey," Sarah began.

"Daddy spends all his time working to support me, or helping me color, or having a tea party that I make him wear a tiara-"

"Wait, you make your dad wear a tiara when you have a tea party?"

"Yeah, you can't have a princess tea party if you're not a princess." Sarah couldn't argue with that. "I bet your boyfriend is really good looking."

"Sam, listen…I did have a good looking boyfriend, but you know the problem with him?"

"What?"

"He wasn't a good guy. He wasn't like your dad. Your dad is a great guy, and he has a pretty awesome daughter if I may say so."

Sam sat there quiet for a second. "I really wish you'd be my role model."

"Kid, I can't stop you," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "I think it's a bad idea, but if that's what you want…go for it."

"Really?" Sam asked. Sarah nodded. "Thank you Miss Sarah." Sarah reached over and tickled her in the side again, making her squeal. They calmed down as they pulled into the driveway. "Now remember, since you're my role model, if you decide to date my dad, you better not hurt him."

"Sam, I don't think I should."

"Why not?" Sam asked, genuinely confused. "Isn't he a nice guy?" Sarah nodded. "Do you like him?" Sarah grinned and nodded. "Is he good looking." Sarah chuckled as she nodded. "Does he crank your gears?"

"WHAT?" Sarah asked.

"It's something I've heard uncle Casey mumble about you and Dad when he thinks I'm not listening," Sam explained. "So does he?"

"Uh, I'm not sure what that means," Sarah replied.

Sam studied her and shook her head. "I don't believe you, and I think he does, because you're turning that funny color Dad does when I ask him about you."

"Your dad turns a funny color when you ask him about me?" Sarah asked, intrigued.

"Uh-huh, and I'll tell you all about it inside," she said, hopping out of the car and skipping to the door.

Sarah pulled out her phone and called Casey. "Casey, you better stay away for a day or two if Chuck has this bug. Yeah, I'll stay. I keep a go bag in the trunk, old habits. Yes, Casey, I do realize he's in no condition to mix peanut butter with chocolate. I won't let him bake." She looked at the phone. "CASEY!" She hung up and stared at the front door. She was going in there to take care of Sam. That's what she was doing. Even she didn't believe herself.

A/N: Sarah still hasn't said anything about Director King….hmmmm. (And no Sam is NOT Molly!) (Molly would punch me in the throat if I did that) Reviews and PMs are always welcome, until next time.

David