A/N: Oh, it's Angel, blah, blah, blah. It's my take. Now some of you may have never experience Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes, or the song Soulshine. There's a particular version that I think is perfect for this chapter. Gov't Mule The Deep End, Volume 1. Little Milton guests on this song. That's the version of Soulshine you want. Trust me. You're welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own, Chuck, or mules, government ones or otherwise. One tried to kick me once.

She looked at the CD that simply had the words trust me written on it. She was meeting Ellie shortly to tell her about her and Chuck. The truth, the whole truth. Sarah Walker was trying to live a normal life – could she ever? She didn't know, but if she could, it was here, with him, and that meant honesty. She looked down, and saw her hands shaking. Her hands never shook; of course, she had never told the sister of the man she loved that he was caught up in the spy world, with her. She looked at the CD again, shrugged, put it in the player and began to get dressed. She glanced back at the player, an eyebrow raised as an organ began to play. What the hell, Chuck?

A bluesy guitar and a steel guitar joined in, and she listened, lost in the words. She understood; this wasn't about him, this wasn't about Ellie. It was about her. It was time for her to come out of the dark.

}o{

A few days later, when she was watching Ellie with the Premier, she found herself thinking back to their conversation. It had mostly been about Chuck, and his safety. Ellie trusted her. That was good, because Sarah wasn't sure she trusted herself. But she had to. She laid a hand on Chuck's arm as he nodded, already knowing what she was going to do. Well, he knew she was going to save Ellie from the Premier… What Chuck didn't know was she was going to finish the talk they had started the other night, from which Sarah had managed to escape. Ellie deserved it, but more importantly, Sarah deserved it.

After a quick word with the Premier, Sarah had managed to get Ellie away and to a table. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Ellie asked. She misread the look on Sarah's face. "Ugh. I'm sorry. Of course. Of course, this must be really hard for you guys. I mean, one minute you're fake broken up, and then the next minute, you're on this incredibly sexy date."

"I wanted him to leave, Ellie. I told you about him training, but I wanted him to leave with me. And do you know why he couldn't?" Ellie shook her head. "He thought he would resent me, if he left and innocents died."

Sarah looked away, and then right into Ellie's gaze. "I would have resented myself."

Ellie gave her a soft smile, reached over, and took Sarah's hand. "Sarah, how serious are your feelings for my brother?"

Sarah couldn't answer, she couldn't find the words.

"Sarah, please. Look at yourself right now. I mean, look at that dress. Look me in the eye, and tell me that you guys are just boyfriend and girlfriend." Sarah shook her head.

"I don't think that you understand our situation," Sarah replied, trying to find the words.

"I understand completely. I do," Ellie began, misreading her again.

"No, Ellie, I love him," Sarah said, getting it out. Ellie's eyes went wide. "I love him." Tears welled in her eyes. "I always have. How can you not? And… and not just for him being him, but for him… He leaves me songs, sometimes." Ellie chuckled. "He left this song, Soulshine, and the lyrics talk about a man who the woman robbed him of his very soul."

"Uh, men can do the same thing," Ellie cut in, bringing a smile to Sarah's face.

"The very next line says that," Sarah replied. Ellie chuckled. "But then the next lyric says, And when your world seems cold, You got to let your spirit take control."

"I have a feeling I'm not getting everything," Ellie said softly.

"I've… I've been a conman's daughter, and a spy, for all the time I can remember. My world was nothing but cold, until I met Chuck. But that's not good enough, for your brother." A grin grew on Ellie's face. "Oh, no, it can't be enough he's my light to find myself. No, he wants me to be my own light."

"That's Chuck," Ellie agreed softly.

Sarah sat there for a second, and then sang softly. "Yeah now people don't mind. We all get this way sometimes. You gotta let your soul shine. Shine till the break of day."

"What are you telling me Sarah?"

"I love him, and he's the one for me, forever. And you need to know that. You need to know exactly who your brother is with. A woman that will do anything to protect him."

"Oh, I know," Ellie replied, grinning as she took a drink. She set the drink down, and studied Sarah for a moment. "When this is over…"

"I don't know," Sarah admitted. "All I know is, I will be with Chuck, and we'll figure this out. If that's here, or somewhere else, I will be with him… if he'll have me." Ellie gave her a flat look, and Sarah shrugged. "It's possible."

Ellie snorted. "Not if you let your soul shine."

"Good Lord, you're as bad as he is," Sarah replied, grinning. She reached over and took a drink, beginning to feel like this could work. "I love him, Ellie, you have to know that."

"I do, Sarah," Ellie replied, squeezing her hand. "You know that by getting him, you got a sister, right?" Sarah smiled at her. "If I'm wrong about your concerns, I apologize, but I approve. Not that it matters, though… that nerd is totally in love with you."

"I'm totally in love with him," Sarah replied. "I've never talked to anyone about feelings like this before."

"You can with me, any time you want," Ellie told her.

Let your soul shine

It's better than sunshine

It's better than moonshine

Damn sure better than rain

Lord now people don't mind

We all get this way sometimes

Got to let your soul shine

Shine till the break of day

A/N: Again, I'm biased.