A/N:

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck.

Sarah's mind was racing. She grabbed his wrist before he could open the door, pulling him toward her. He saw the look of concern and worry on her face. He stepped away from the door, the two standing beside the apartment. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Remember earlier, when you said I don't have to tell you my life story?" Chuck nodded. "I need to tell you something… but you have to understand I can't tell you everything."

"Okaaaay," Chuck agreed, confused.

"You mentioned a Bryce Larkin," she began. She looked up at Chuck, and took a deep breath. "Is he a little shorter than you?"

"Classically handsome, grinned a lot… you know him." The way he said it, it was like he had taken a sucker punch to his stomach. She saw a slight slouch in his shoulders as he looked down to the ground.

"Yeah, he cheated on me and left me," Sarah said, watching his chin jerk up to look at her.

"That bozo cheated on you?" he said, his voice sounding like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Bryce Larkin, from Connecticut, cheated on you?"

"I didn't even know he was from Connecticut," Sarah replied, shrugging. Chuck shook his head.

"Well, I guess I need to change my wish so that he didn't get an STD…" Chuck pressed his lips together and blew out his cheeks, making her laugh.

"I appreciate that," Sarah replied. She looked down at the ground.

"Makes sense," he said softly. She lifted her head and looked at him. "He always got the best girls."

"And yet I keep hearing a new name for Jill, each time I'm here," she reminded him. Chuck scratched the back of his head, looking away.

"Where's a car to hit you when you need one?" he asked softly. She couldn't help herself, and began to laugh. "Listen… I'm really curious how you knew him, and what got you two together, because… Bryce as an 'accountant' never really made sense." She nibbled on her bottom lip, looking away. "And… and I'm not asking, because… because you need to tell me when and if you ever want to. And who knows? After Friday, you may never want to see me again," he added softly.

She turned her head back, and caught his gaze with hers. "I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to that," she replied, shocked at what she just said. She also knew he needed to hear it.

He blinked, straightened, and pressed his lips together. "Old Chuck would have thought that to mean a definite no, you'd never see me again."

"And new Chuck?" she asked, a hint of a challenge in her voice.

"New Chuck… new Chuck is wondering how you feel about Mexican, and an indie dance club I know."

"Do you like it?" she asked. Chuck nodded, and she shrugged in turn. "Then I'm sure I will." She patted him on the chest. "Since you're picking everything for the first, maybe I should for the second." With that she walked past him, into the apartment.

"Is that why you tried to hit me earlier, to get a second date on Saturday?" he called after her. She didn't answer, she was inside. "Wow," he said softly to himself. "Wow."

}o{

"You two okay?" Ellie asked him later. Chuck gave her a look. "I noticed how long you two stayed outside, and I might have peeked out the window. You seemed to be having a serious conversation." The two were in the kitchen, away from everyone else who had made their way to the couch.

"If I tell you something, can you be cool?" Ellie gave him a flat look. "I'm serious."

"Fine," she said, raising her hands in surrender.

"She dated Bryce, and he cheated on her," Chuck said softly. Ellie suddenly looked ready to blow. "Ellie, no, you can't chew out Sarah."

"Chew out Sarah?!" she whispered forcefully. "Why would I do that? She probably fell for his tricks and once he got what he wanted…" she trailed off. Chuck thought he heard a low growl from her. "She probably needs some blood work done asap to make sure she doesn't have any STDs."

Chuck nearly spit out his drink. "You can't tell her I told you."

"You can't hold this against her," Ellie countered.

"Hold what against her?" Chuck asked. "Look, she's new in town, I'm showing her around, and she's got a kid. What do you think is going to happen?" Ellie started to respond, when Chuck held his hands up the same way she did earlier. "Ellie, I have no idea what she wants, and-"

"If you finish that sentence with, 'It's not me,' I will beat your ass."

"SONOFABITCH!" Sarah growled, making both Bartowskis jump. She was glaring at her phone. "I'm gonna kill him."

"Sarah," Emma said, a warning in her tone.

"Nope, gonna kill him," Sarah said looking her mom straight in the eye.

"Don't you think jumping straight to homicide is a bit much?" Chuck asked.

"The super isn't getting the electricity fixed tonight," Sarah replied. "It's flickering on and off, so he's just turning it off. It only affects one apartment so it's not a high priority."

"There's an apartment open next door," Ellie said, making Chuck turn toward her. "What?"

"Please don't," Chuck said softly, nearly whimpering.

"Please don't what, Chuck?" Sarah asked. Chuck turned to Sarah and then back to Ellie.

"Nothing," he replied, an unreadable look on his face. Everyone was staring at him. "Okay, say they want the apartment… it's late at night, and this fixes nothing for tonight."

"He's right," Awesome said, knowing Chuck's worry was really about Ellie's matchmaking. "We need to come up with something else."

"We?" Emma asked, a grin on her face.

"I told Sarah today, I'm not letting anything happen to that gorgeous girl, and I meant it," Awesome replied, shrugging. "Now, Chuckster," he began.

"I can sleep on the couch, or in the chair if someone needs the couch," he offered.

"We couldn't ask," Emma began.

"No, you're not asking, we're insisting," Ellie said. "That little girl might need something that requires electricity."

"What if Mom and Molly sleep in Chuck's bed, and I go back to the apartment?" Sarah offered.

"Will you murder the super?" Chuck asked. Sarah faux glared at him. "Does Molly have a portable crib?" Sarah nodded. "What if we get that, and you and Emma share my bed?"

Sarah studied him a second. "Fine," she finally said. "I'm going to go back to the apartment and grab some stuff for tonight."

"Get two nights worth just in case," Ellie added.

Sarah shook her head, grinning, and headed out the door. As she walked to her car, she heard the door open and shut and a pair of footsteps hurrying to keep up with her. "You know I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."

"I have no doubt of that," Chuck replied, making her grin where he couldn't see it. "I'm here for the super." She paused in her tracks and turned toward him. "I need to make sure you don't kill him." Sarah began to laugh. "You know I'm right."

She shook her head and threaded her arm into his. He looked down at the interlocking arms with surprise and then back to her. "To make sure you don't wander into traffic and get hit by a car," she said, sticking her tongue between her teeth.

"Hardy har har," he replied, the two of them walking to the car.

}o{

Chuck closed the back of the minivan. "Not exactly the same car as before, huh?" He turned to her, smiling, but it fell away when he saw her. "Sorry," he said, not sure what he did wrong, but sure he did.

"You did nothing wrong," she said quickly, putting her hand on his bicep to try and reassure him. He lifted his face to her, a grin on his face. She huffed a little. "I think the term I used earlier was 'soccer-mom-ing it.'"

"And you don't like it?"

"I don't…" she trailed off and looked away. She turned back to Chuck, her arms wrapped around her midsection as if she felt exposed. "What if I'm not what's best for her?" Chuck began to chuckle. "What?"

"So, you're willing to do whatever is best for Molly?" Sarah nodded. "I think you just answered your own question." Sarah didn't understand, and it was clear by the expression on her face. "Sarah, you'd do whatever's best for Molly." Sarah twisted her lips and looked away. "Is she family?" Sarah shook her head.

"I really can't tell you, Chuck, and it's not that I don't trust you, it's just… the less you know…" Chuck's eyes widened at what she said. "God, saying that out loud… it sounds like I don't trust you."

"Do you think not me not knowing about where Molly came from is safest?"

"Yes," she said. She reached out to take his hands. "Listen-"

"Sarah, you don't owe me anything," Chuck said softly. "I would do everything I could to help that little girl, and if that means not knowing where she came from, while strange, I accept."

"Why?" Sarah asked. Chuck gave her a look of disbelief. "Why would you accept that?"

"Because I trust you," Chuck replied, shrugging. "Look, you're obviously a woman with a secret past, and I'm sure there's thousands of possible reasons for why you can't share. A lot of them probably aren't real good reasons, but here's what I know. You care about Molly, you love her, and you're going to protect her. I don't know how anyone can get upset about that."

She studied him for a moment. "Pretty sure you knocked something lose when I hit you with the car." Chuck laughed. "Come on," she said, squeezing his hand. "Let's get back."

}o{

"Sleepy?" she asked him later, sitting on the couch.

"Nah," he replied. "Thought I might watch a movie or something before I go to sleep. Have a preference?"

"Got anything heartwarming?" Chuck glanced over at her, and a slow smile began to cover his face.

"As you wish," he said, his smile on full blast.

"Huh?"

"Have you ever seen The Princess Bride?"

"No," Sarah replied. "Is it good?"

"It contains one of the world's most perfect kisses," Chuck replied. She shrugged, and Chuck put in the DVD. The two watched the movie. Whether it was the time of night, the coziness of the situation, or just the feeling of being safe, the two fell asleep, each leaning against the other. The movie ended and the DVD player and TV both eventually shut off from inactivity, as the two slept.

}o{

Chuck opened his eyes, smelling something. Standing in front of him was Devon, Ellie, and Emma, holding Molly, all staring at him. He felt the weight on his shoulder, and he was pretty sure Sarah was on it.

"What are your intentions with my daughter, young man?" Emma asked, a serious look on her face. Chuck swallowed.

"To make me watch cute movies, and fall asleep on his shoulder, apparently," Sarah answered, Chuck feeling her lift her head off his shoulder. "They are messing with you, Chuck," Sarah informed him.

"Got it," Chuck replied. "Well, I have to go to work," he said, hopping up, heading to his bedroom, and then to the bathroom.

"I need you to stop," Sarah said to Emma, while Devon and Ellie smiled. "Jesus, mom, I have no idea what's gonna happen, but with me having a kid, it makes things…" she trailed off, realizing his sister and future brother-in-law were standing right there.

"Makes things harder," Ellie finished for her.

"We have a child," Emma said, giving Sarah a look. "Right?"

"It's too early for this," Sarah said, standing. "Now, am I going to kill the super, or are we moving?"

"Ellie is showing us an apartment here, in a little bit," Emma replied.

"I need to go to work, but you need a vehicle," Sarah began.

"Need me to drive you to your apartment, and get your Porsche? Or would you like a lift to the Buy More plaza?" Chuck asked, walking back into the bedroom, tying his tie.

"I thought it was the Large Mart plaza," Sarah countered, looking at him and grinning.

"Shh… Big Mike would stroke out hearing you say that," Chuck replied, a smile on his face.

"What about your bearded friend?"

"Morgan?" Ellie asked. "You know Morgan, and you still want a date?"

"Two," Chuck blurted out. Sarah turned slowly toward him. Chuck winced, realizing what he said, and Sarah laughed.

"Wow," Ellie said, trying not to laugh. "You met Morgan and two dates."

"You know the bearded dude and Dr Fred's book has done wonders for the Chuckster," Devon jumped in, defending Morgan.

"And on that note, I'm leaving," Chuck said with a grin. Sarah slipped on her shoes and joined him.

"Any chance we could get some caffeine anywhere?" Sarah asked.

"You wound me," Chuck replied. "I know a little independent place that serves chocolate croissants," he said, as they walked outside.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Sarah asked, her hand on her chest in mock outrage.

"It's my natural nerd," Chuck said with a shrug. "I learn things about people, like Emma talking about how much you enjoyed one last night."

"You do that with everyone you meet, Chuck?" Sarah asked.

"No, just ones I…" he caught himself, pressed his lips together and shook his head.

"Just ones you what?" Sarah asked, a grin on her face as she opened the door to the Herder and had a seat.

Chuck shut his door, put his seat belt on, started the car, and then turned to her. "Just the ones that take my breath away."

Sarah felt something in her chest that she wasn't sure how the hell to process. "Is being hit by a car taking away your breath required."

Chuck's hand was on the gear shift, but he hadn't put it in gear. "And I quote, When you meet that person, when that collision happens, remember all the details, every detail, not because you want to, not because you have to, but because that person deserves it." Chuck turned to her and continued. "Because what is better than knowing their favorite food, their favorite flower, movie, song? How do you say you mean the world to me more than knowing intimate and small personal details? When the collision comes, you must be ready, you must prepare yourself, because it's too easy to be caught up in the collision."

Chuck turned back to the steering wheel, put the car in gear and took off. "I told you all of that to say, I've tried to notice more things of people I interact with. Friends, family, even people who try and hit me with vehicles."

"What do you mean try? I hit you."

Chuck chuckled. "Not the second time."

"I thought you deserved a break," she said. She was quiet for a second. "Are they pushing you to find someone, too?"

"Oh god, they never stop," Chuck replied, making her laugh. "Ellie means well, but somedays…"

"Mom thinks I need someone to help me raise Molly," Sarah said softly.

Chuck glanced over at her, and she was looking straight ahead. "You don't have to tell me, obviously, but what I walked in on…"

"Mom wants me to be Molly's mom," Sarah answered. "And I get it, but…" She sighed. "What if I'm not ready for a kid, a boyfriend or husband, and… gah!"

"That I totally get," Chuck replied, nodding. "I know it's not the same, but… when Jill dumped me, after being kicked out of college because of Bryce-"

"Wait, WHAT?!" Sarah said turning to him. "He got you kicked out?"

"Uh… yeah, I forgot to mention that, didn't I?" Chuck said, grimacing. "Can we come back to that?"

"Oh, we will," Sarah said, shaking her head.

"Anyway," he said, widening his eyes, making her chuckle. "When Jill dumped me, I did wallow in some pity… okay, a lot of pity, but… maybe I'm not ready to do the whole serious relationship."

"Right?" Sarah said. "Why can't two people just date, and enjoy it? Then, if they decide they're ready for more, well…"

"Exactly," Chuck said nodding. "Everyone needs to stay out of people's business. You're ready when you're ready."

"So if we were to say, date, exclusively, just you know…"

"Date," Chuck offered.

"Right," Sarah said. "We could do what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it, and it would be no one's business but ours."

"Right," Chuck replied.

"Right," Sarah answered. They both sat there quietly as Chuck drove her up to her apartment. "Well, this is me. I'm gonna get dressed and head to work."

"Okie dokie," Chuck said. "See you later?"

"Sure, wanna do lunch?"

"It's a date," Chuck answered, and his eyes widened.

"Would that be our third or our first?"

"I have no idea," Chuck admitted.

"We'll figure it out," she said, with a grin. Chuck smiled at her and took off. As she watched him go, the grin fell from her face. What the hell was that? What the hell had just happened? What. The. Hell?

A/N: *Checks* Yep, he's still tied up… trust me.