A/N: Thanks for hanging in there, this chapter took a little longer to finish. Real life and all that. I could do a long re-cap of where we left our lovely characters last chapter, but there's this convenient "Prev" button at the bottom if you need a refresher. :)
Thanks for all the great comments in your reviews and PMs. It really is great to hear what you all think. While I write largely for my personal enjoyment, it means a great deal if you all can share in it and gain some enjoyment as well. So thanks for hanging in there up to this point. Now enough of that and on with the story. I hope you enjoy, Waitress, Chapter 10.
Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck
Chapter 10
It was a crisp, clear Thursday morning, only a week until Thanksgiving. Chuck and Casey had arrived early as usual and, since Casey was given a key, they opted to get started rather than wait out in the cold. Casey had things well under control in the kitchen for the moment, so, to avoid being under foot, Chuck started to make the coffee and prepare the dining area for customers. Chuck knew all too well how hard it was to roll out of bed on cold mornings, especially being a California boy, so he wasn't going to begrudge the ladies for being a little late. Just as the thought entered his mind, he heard the doorbell jingle.
"Sorry we're late. Got a bit of a late start today," Sarah chimed. Chuck had his head under the counter so could only hear her from his crouched position. After a moment, he stood up with four coffee mugs in hand.
"Oh, it's no trouble. I was just working on the co-" When Chuck stood to his full height to face the women, his brain froze in mid-thought. His gaze locked on Sarah, barely able to breathe. She had just come in from the cold, windy November morning and was shaking her coat and tossing her wind-blown hair side to side. In Chuck's mind, it was all occurring in slow motion, like something from a shampoo commercial. Her hair was not in a ponytail as he had always seen it. Instead it was loose, in long flowing waves that cascaded over her shoulders when her head came to a stop. Ordinarily she didn't wear makeup, at least not that he had ever seen. She was naturally gorgeous, so he never thought twice about it. Today however, she was definitely wearing makeup. It was subtle, not overdone, and it accentuated her beautiful features perfectly. Not only had he lost control of his mental faculties, but his fine motor skills as well. Chuck was startled from his reverie by the sound of glass breaking. He looked around, realizing that he had dropped the coffee mugs he had been holding moments ago. Sarah bit her lip, catching the awestruck expression on Chuck's face as she watched the cups slip from his fingers before crashing to the floor.
"Oh God. I-I'm s-so sorry. I...you...and the...and your.." Chuck stopped pointing toward Sarah, closed his eyes and blew out a long breath. "I'm sorry. I know this is a place of work and all but...you look ...breathtaking. Quite literally!" Chuck let out another huff, his eyes growing huge for a moment then shaking it off.
"What the hell is goin' on out here?" Casey groused as he exited the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. It was then that he caught sight of the women, Gerty in particular. She had been behind Sarah and naturally outside of Chuck's little microcosm. Casey, however, saw her immediately, his eyes growing wide with surprise. Her dark hair was no longer in her ponytail either, having been trimmed significantly. Gerty's wavy brunette tresses just reached her shoulders, framing her face perfectly, swaying side to side with every movement. She too was wearing a hint of makeup, only highlighting her natural beauty. Casey leaned back,, letting out a breathy "Whooooaa". His enchantment was broken with an audible thud. Casey had apparently leaned far enough back that the swinging kitchen door caught him in the back of the head on the return swing. Gerty snorted and quickly covered her mouth to mask the smile threatening to split her face. She had caught his reaction and the blush immediately began to color her cheeks.
Sarah had taken Gerty to a salon and various other boutiques on Wednesday for makeovers and a whirlwind shopping spree. Gerty had been a little apprehensive at first, but after she got her hair and makeup done, she'd looked and felt like a new woman. Sarah still had Chuck's Amex Black card, and boy did she make use of it. It was amazing the type of service you got flashing that card around. They truly received the celebrity treatment. They had topped things off with lunch at a fancy restaurant, the likes of which they would normally never had thought to try. It had been, hands down, the most fun either of them had ever had shopping.
Even though Sarah had every intention of repaying Chuck for the day's extravagance, she still felt a little guilty. Sure, he had basically given her the keys to the kingdom, but she didn't want to abuse his generosity. When they returned home, Molly had been excited to have the women showing off their new outfits. She'd been even more excited when she got to try on the outfits that Sarah had gotten for her during their trip. The mood in the house was lighter and happier than it had been in a very long time. Having a chance to get away from it all and just have fun, especially with a friend, was energizing.
From the reactions of the two men, Sarah and Gerty could tell that their efforts definitely hadn't been in vain. It brought a smile and a bit of blush to both women. Sarah flashed Chuck a smile and mouthed a "thank you" before they headed to her office to hang up their things. Once in the office, the two looked at each other and burst out in laughter. Chuck and Casey were still standing, staring at the hallway to the office when they heard the women laughing.
"I imagine that laughter is directed at us, huh?" Chuck sighed.
"I suspect so," Casey grunted. "Best get back at it." He stood staring for a moment longer before he sighed and turned to head back into the kitchen. Chunk stood staring for another minute before the smile crept across his face. Shaking his head, he got to work cleaning up the broken mugs.
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As if his mind wasn't occupied with Sarah Walker enough, the reveal of her new look this morning cemented her a top spot in his thoughts all morning. More specifically, his relationship with Sarah Walker. He wasn't sure how to approach the subject with her, without seeming like he was pushing. She had stressed that she needed time and wanted to take things slow, but it seemed like there were forces holding her back, something tethering her from moving forward and letting their relationship grow. He really did want to give her all the time she needed, to not push the issue. However, the uncertainty of where their relationship was going made it all feel rather precarious, like if he were to make the wrong move or say the wrong thing, it could all come crashing down. He knew that some of her concerns stemmed from her relationship with her father, though she hadn't really offered many details in that regard. He also knew that she had been in a relationship with Bryce, one that she likely thought was serious at the time. That had to weigh on her mind, as his failed relationship with Jill had his. He wasn't really privy to any other relationships she'd had in the past, and frankly he'd really rather not know.
Adding fuel to his fears was the fact that Sarah was such a big fish. No, a REALLY big fish. Exceedingly kind, amazingly beautiful, Ivy League educated and no doubt had her pick of any man she could possibly want. As much as the thought pained him, she had been with Bryce, so clearly she was drawn to the suave, handsome type. Chuck conceded he was neither of those things. Much like with cars, people 'settle' for the practical sedan; reliable, convenient,... boring. Bryce, or his type, was an exotic sports car, not unlike his Porsche. Given the choice, who the hell wouldn't want to drive the 'sports car'? The luxury, beauty, speed and excitement. Sarah and Bryce, they were 'sports cars'. Chuck felt like a used Volvo sedan. Sure they were good for going to the grocery store or taking kids to soccer practice, but they weren't fun, and definitely not exciting. Nobody ever got excited about driving the 'family car'. That was Chuck, the 'family car'. Safe, reliable, plain...boring. What more could he have to offer anyone other than utility? Sure he had money, but Sarah didn't seem to be interested in something as 'common' as money. Lots of people had money, people far more suited to her liking then he probably was.
During his troubled high school years, his foster parents had insisted that the girls that were only interested in the jocks or the popular guys would 'someday' be looking for a nice guy like him to settle down with. After many lonely years, he thought his 'someday' had come with Jill, but boy was he wrong. Years later still and he was, again, waiting. Waiting for someone, anyone, to choose him. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the one his heart had chosen. He just couldn't tell if that was a two-way street. He was certain that she thought of him as a friend, even a bit more if the kissing was any indication. She never seemed willing to commit to anything more, not even in assigning a label to their relationship. Granted, the topic hadn't really come up in conversation, so his cowardice at raising the question was as much to blame as anything. He just didn't want to make her uncomfortable or spook her. With Christmas around the corner, he wanted to know where they stood, otherwise, getting her the wrong sort of gift could make for an awkward day, maybe even cause a rift between them. He needed to summon his courage and talk to Sarah tonight about all this. If it did push her away, then at least he would know. He'd be devastated, but he'd know.
Chuck carried a tray of clean glasses from the kitchen to place underneath the counter out front. Sarah and Gerty were busy with their tables and Casey had a firm handle on everything in the kitchen. It was getting to the point where Chuck was doing less cooking and more dishes and prep work. Perhaps this was the beginning of the end for him. Soon she wouldn't need him here any longer. Then what? His insecurities, especially in regards to Sarah, had a tendency to take up residence in his thoughts and were hard to remove. OK, 're spiraling. You need to get a grip.
Chuck stood, watching Sarah as she worked the room, talking to the customers, laughing and joking. She seemed so at home here, so happy to be around these people, doing this work. Sure her education and skills opened her up to so many more possibilities, but he wondered if this was where her heart really was. He was so lost in watching her that he didn't really notice the bell on the front door chime. He did, however, see Sarah turn to the door and her face lit up like a Christmas tree, her mouth agape.
"Ian!" Sarah shouted. Chuck turned to see who she was looking at when he caught a glimpse of the man that had walked into the diner. Chuck's eyes went almost as wide as Sarah's. He watched as Sarah raced across the diner. She practically leapt at the man, who easily scooped her up and spun her around in a huge hug. The two laughed and, as he set her down, she grabbed his face and kissed him on the cheek, after which he did the same.
"My God. Let me look at you." The man took her hands but stepped back to get a good look up and down, a very approving expression grew across his face. "You look absolutely breathtaking," the man exclaimed.
"Awww. Thank you! You look amazing as always," Sarah beamed. A part of Chuck really hated this man. He looked like he'd just stepped off the cover of Men's Health, even his jacket couldn't hide the muscular physique of his tall frame. His bronze skin, million-dollar smile and perfectly quaffed brown hair even put Bryce Larkin to shame. On top of that, Sarah was gushing over the exact same comment that Chuck had made earlier this morning, that barely got a response. God, he wished he could earn a greeting like that from Sarah. Chuck knew he needed to stuff that green-eyed monster away. Harboring those types of feelings wouldn't do him any good. Jealousy wasn't a pretty color on anyone. He just took a deep breath and blew it out.
"Wow. That's some stiff competition there Bartowski." Chuck jumped at the unexpected comment from behind him. Casey was setting some plates of food in the kitchen window and caught the scene unfolding.
"No. I don't think there's any competing with that," Chuck replied with a dejected tone. Casey gave a grunt that Chuck couldn't quite translate yet. Sarah lead this 'Ian' character to the counter to have a seat. Chuck caught part of the conversation as they took a seat.
"...and I'm a volunteer firefighter and lifeguard in my free time," he said matter-of-factly, with no hint of bragging. Of course he is. I bet he saves puppies as an encore.
Sarah finally noticed that Chuck was standing behind the counter. "Oh, hey. Could you get us a couple of coffees?" She immediately turned back to Ian and started in with more questions. "So what are you doing back? When did you get in?" Chuck was a bit taken aback that she'd barely acknowledged his existence, though, given her present company, he could hardly blame her. Chuck decided to turn the other cheek and get her two coffees as she requested.
"I just got in this morning. I decided to take a couple weeks off and come home, spend some time with the family...friends." He gestured to Sarah, a grin on his face. Chuck felt like someone had a vice-like hold on his insides, twisting them as he witnessed the conversation unfold. He set the two mugs on the counter a little more forcefully than he intended.
"Your coffee." His tone was very flat but not bitter. He fought hard to keep that bitterness out and it was quickly becoming a losing battle. Sarah could see a flash of something in Chuck. He definitely seemed...off. He wasn't his normal talkative, happy, smiling self.
"Thanks Pal. Here. Keep the change." The man slid Chuck a five-dollar bill across the counter without really paying him much attention, then turning his focus back on Sarah. She tried to interject, but was cut short by Chuck.
"Gee. Thanks Mister," he replied with a forced smile and a bit of sarcasm. He took the bill and placed it in the donation bucket on the counter near the cash register. Sarah looked between the two men, beginning to get concerned over Chuck's mood. Chuck turned to head back into the kitchen, any semblance of a smile having vanished.
"Uh. Hey, wait. Um… Chuck, this is... Ian. He's um...an old friend. Ian this is Chuck." Chuck turned at hearing her speak and decided to be the gentleman he always tried to be and extended his hand toward Ian. The man accepted and shook Chuck's hand firmly but not in a challenging manner. Chuck could see that Sarah was worrying her lower lip and seemed very nervous. He watched her eyes shift between the two men and could see the uneasiness in her posture. "Chuck's my um...my…"
Chuck saw she was struggling, but wasn't sure about which aspect of this whole scenario. It hurt more than a little that she couldn't just say it, but he couldn't stand to watch her like this. So he just looked Sarah in the eye and, without missing a beat, interjected, "Cook. I'm one of the cooks here at the diner." Sarah just looked at Chuck in shock and disbelief. She didn;t quite know what to make of his comment. Is that how he saw himself? As just her cook? Or had she stumbled over the answer too long and he was trying to save face? "It's a pleasure to meet you Ian. I'm sure you two have some catching up to do, so if you'll excuse me… I have some work to do in the kitchen." Chuck gave a small smile as he gestured toward the kitchen with his thumb over his shoulder. Chuck spun on his heel and pushed through the kitchen door without another word. Sarah watched him disappear into the kitchen, her heart sinking a little. Before she could get too lost in her thoughts, she was pulled back into Ian's conversation.
As the door swung closed behind him, he blew out a long breath. She seemed so nervous trying to explain who Chuck was to Ian that he assumed the worst. Given their initial meeting, she certainly seemed to have feelings for Ian. And why not? That guy was a 'sports car' if ever there was one. His thoughts drifted back to the notion that maybe she was 'taking things slow' in case something better came along. Well, 'something better' was sitting out at that counter talking with Sarah right now. How prophetic. If this was the guy that would make her truly happy, he couldn't get in the way of that. It would kill him, but her happiness was worth more to him than his own.
Chuck busied himself for a few minutes but then decided he needed some space. He walked past Casey on his way to the back door. "I need some air. I'll be back." Casey just grunted and nodded, not taking his eyes off the flat top griddle. Chuck pushed open the back door and walked into the cold. He took in a deep breath through his nose, allowing the cold air to fill his lungs. It felt refreshing, the frigid air almost had a cleansing property. He walked to a nearby milk crate and sat down, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands pushed through his hair. He was so lost in his thoughts that the cold November air didn't really register with him any longer. The only sense of the cold was the fog of his breath dissipating in the light breeze. He sat there in deep contemplation, wondering what all of this meant for his well-orchestrated plans. There were still things in the works but would a ...dissolving of their relationship alter his plans? No. No, the plans he'd set in motion were not for his gain, but for those he cared about. Regardless of Sarah's feelings for him, he still cared about her and her family.
After nearly fifteen minutes, the back door creaked open, pulling Chuck from his thoughts. He didn't move, just sat, waiting. A deep clearing of a throat meant it wasn't Sarah. Chuck had mixed feelings about that. On one hand, he didn't know if he could face talking with her right now, and on the other, he wished that she might have the desire to discuss the situation with him, maybe even offer an explanation. Apologies meant you were admitting to some wrongdoing and he couldn't really convince himself that she was in the wrong. The heart wants what the heart wants. In Ian's case, it was likely more than just the heart that was wanting.
"Hey, uh Bartowski. Lunch rush is startin' to ramp up. I could really use a hand in here when uh… when you're done." Casey sounded far less gruff than usual, almost sympathetic. Chuck realized that he needed to get out of his head and stop feeling sorry for himself. Brooding about it wasn't going to solve anything. He had promised to do a job and he wasn't about to break a promise. Chuck stood to his full height, blowing out a long breath.
"Yeah. Thanks. I'm comin'." Chuck turned to follow Casey back into the kitchen. He immersed himself in work, hoping that he could keep his mind focused on those tasks so as to prevent it from wandering further. Chuck finally had his groove, his mind cleared, when Sarah burst through the kitchen door, her arms full of dirty dishes. She gave Casey some new meal orders, explaining some of her notes and started to head back out. Just as she was about to push the kitchen door back open, she stopped herself. Chuck had completely lost his focus, but had still kept his head down, appearing to be engrossed in the task at hand. Sarah turned and walked over to the prep table, standing opposite Chuck, and watched him for a few seconds. Finally, she stilled his hands with her own, gently taking hold of his wrists.
"Chuck, the salads don't have to be shredded that small," she commented calmly. He looked down at her hands and finally noticed his handy work. In an effort to keep his focus he was repeatedly tearing up the greens for this one bowl of salad so much that it looked more like ground up waste from a juicer. He let out a huff of frustration, his shoulders slumping in resignation.
"Chuck...c-can we talk after work? Please?" He could sense concern in her voice, a sense of urgency. He could only risk a quick glance up to meet her gaze before returning back to where her hands still grasped his wrists. He could see the concern in her voice mirrored on her face. He knew he'd never be able to deny her anything she asked, so, without a word, he just nodded his agreement.
"Thank you. I'm sorry, but we're swamped, so I need to get back out there." She squeezed his wrists before letting go and backing away. "After work. I promise," she reaffirmed as she backed through the kitchen door into the dining area. Chuck let out the breath he had been holding. bracing himself on the table. He was so sure this was it. The 'talk'. He wasn't sure his heart would come out intact on the other side.
"Don't pass out on me now kid. You got lots more salads to mutilate," Casey bellowed over his shoulder. Chuck could hear the smirk in his voice but decided to let it go. He dumped the mess of a salad in front of him into the trash and started again.
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Chuck was finishing mopping the floor of the dining area when he heard Sarah dismissing Gerty and Casey, saying she would lock up. Chuck dumped the dirty mop water, rinsed the bucket out and did his last minute straightening in the kitchen. All day he had been playing through the possible outcomes of his meeting with Sarah and most of them were not great for him. He was caught in a death spiral it seemed, unable to pull himself out. When he walked out of the kitchen, Sarah was sitting on the counter waiting for him, staring at her hands in her lap. Chuck paused for a moment, trying to take a calming breath to settle his nerves before moving closer.
"Chuck, there was a lot of stuff that happened today that I need to talk to you about. I need you to let me get it all out before you say anything. OK?" She spoke softly and didn't pull her gaze from her hands. Chuck nodded his acceptance but, since she wasn't looking at him, he followed with an "OK". She nodded as well, still fiddling with her fingers.
"Ian and I were very good friends in high school. When we went off to college, we barely kept in touch and I haven't seen much of him since. So I was naturally shocked and surprised to see him today, in the diner of all places. I realize now how it may have looked when we ...greeted each other. I'm sorry about that. I got a little carried away, but I was really excited to see my friend. Now...about the coffee." Sarah swallowed a lump in her throat before she continued. "I'm sorry I was so dismissive with you at the counter when I asked you to get us coffee. I was caught up in the conversation with Ian, and looking back I can see how disrespectful that was. Then Ian followed my lead by giving you that tip. I was so embarrassed." Chuck waved it off, indicating that it was no big deal.
"No. Don't do that Chuck. Don't dismiss my rude behavior. It was thoughtless and you have every right to call me on it. Again, I want to say I'm sorry. Lastly, we need to talk about...us. Chuck… you've been incredibly patient and supportive every time I've told you I need more time or to take things slow. I can't … I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for you. Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't run screaming by now. I-I mentioned there were things about my past that I wasn't ready to share quite yet. Well ... Ian is one of them. I… I really want to talk to you about it, but I really can't, for a number of reasons. I don't know what to say Chuck. I-I wish I could tell you that someday all this craziness will all be worth it to you. I just don't know that it will. I…" Chuck's heart was plummeting as he listened to her confession. This was starting to sound a lot like a 'it's not you, it's me, even though it's really you' speech. Before it got to that point, he needed to stop her. He needed some way to keep one foot in the door.
"Sarah." Chuck held up his hands, pleading for her to stop. "Look… I promised myself that I would be a good friend to you above all else, and I feel like I've failed you in that. I've let my own feelings get in the way, and I've pushed too much. I told you that 'I'm here' and I meant it. For as long as you need me to be, in whatever form that takes. I… I really have no idea what it is that you need, or even want for that matter. Maybe you don't either, but I think you should take some time to figure that out for yourself. Not what Molly needs, or the diner, or Gerty, or even me. Figure out what it is that you want from life, what you need to be happy." Chuck paused for a moment and reached out, putting a hand on hers. She raised her head to look at him with tears in her eyes.
"Hey. Hey. No. No. No. This shouldn't be a sad thing. I'm not suggesting any parting of ways. I… I couldn't imagine my life without you in it, even if it ends up being just as your friend. I'm here for you, someone you can talk to, someone to share with as much or as little as you want. You've had to worry and care for others for so long, it's time for you to take care of 'Sarah'."
"Chuck, if this … if this is about Ian, there's-"
"No. No. It's not about Ian...Well, I mean it could be. N-not like that … Look. The bottom line is that I want nothing more than for you to be happy. I don't want you to ever settle for second best. If Ian, or some other fitness model type, is what makes you truly happy, that's great. Admittedly, not so much for me, but that's beside the point. I think when you're finally comfortable enough with someone to talk about some of those fears and concerns that are holding you back, things might become clearer. Do you understand what I mean?" Chuck craned his neck to catch her gaze, since she was still looking down at the floor.
"Chuck. I… I don't know what to say. I…" Sarah was interrupted by a knock on the front door of the diner. The two looked to see none other than Ian peering through the glass of the door. "Shit. I forgot. I told him we could get together after work. Chuck. Listen, you have to know that…."
"Sarah. No. You don't have to explain anything to me. The less I know the better probably," he muttered. "If you want to go out and have fun with an old … friend, you're an adult and nobody should tell you what you can and can't do. So go." Chuck gestured with a 'shooing' motion toward the door. "Go and have a good time. I'll lock up here." Sarah just stared at Chuck for a few moments, her expression unreadable. Eventually, she gave a long blink and nodded. She slid off the counter and approached Chuck. She reached up and placed a soft kiss to his cheek at the corner of his mouth.
"Thank you," she whispered, giving his arm a squeeze. She turned toward the door and gestured with a finger for Ian to give her a minute before heading to the office to collect her things. When she was safely out of sight in her office, she braced herself on her desk and blew out a long breath. She had no idea what had just happened. On one hand, it sounded like he was breaking up with her, but they weren't really dating were they? Or were they? On the flip side, he was professing how much her happiness meant to him. Something that nobody had ever done before. No one had ever put her happiness, her wants ahead of their own; sacrificing their happiness for hers. He did make a point that she needed to find out what it was that she wanted. Or was it what she needed? What was the difference? She wasn't so sure she knew the distinction anymore at this point, but she was fairly certain the answer to both of those questions would be the same. The amazing man standing out there in her diner. If he were going to make this sacrifice for her, she could at least honor his wishes and give herself some time to sort her feelings.
Sarah put on her jacket and grabbed her purse, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. She left her office and began to walk toward the front door, looking over to Chuck. He stood there watching her walk, a look of pure adoration on his face. It made her heart melt, eliciting an honest smile from Sarah. As she neared the door, she waved and offered a "Goodnight Chuck" before turning to leave.
"Sarah?" Chuck called out just as she reached the door. She peered over her shoulder at him, her smile brightening a bit more. "Would it be alright if I went to your place and read to Molly before she goes to bed?" Sarah's smile changed, becoming a little tighter and her eyes a little glassier. This wonderful man never ceased to amaze her with his selflessness. Without a word, she nodded her approval and left. Chuck could see Ian and Sarah give each other side hugs before vanishing from view toward the parking lot.
Chuck's shoulders slumped as he let out a long sigh, the smile fading from his face. "Bartowski, I hope you know what the hell you're doin'."
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Gerty opened the door to see Chuck standing on the porch. She looked around in confusion. "Um...where's Sarah?"
"Oh. She must have forgotten to mention it. She uh… she went out with Ian. I just stopped by to read a story with Molly before bed. Is it OK if I come in?" Chuck asked a little sheepishly. Gerty stepped out of the way, gesturing for him to enter.
"What do you mean she went out with Ian?" Gerty asked a little more pointedly. She'd have to ask Sarah what the deal with that was later. She didn't really get the vibe that there was any 'romantic' entanglement between her and Ian when she saw them talking at the diner. Still, she was a bit concerned that it may be pushing Chuck to the wrong conclusions.
"Ian's an old friend of hers and they're going out to catch up I suppose." Chuck just shrugged and took off his jacket. Gerty could see a hint of dejection in his face and some sadness in his voice that wasn't usually there. She wasn't sure what the deal was with Chuck and Sarah. They seemed to really like one another. On their 'girls day out', Sarah had talked about Chuck quite a bit. It was pretty clear from the look on her face that she had feelings for him. Maybe they just couldn't see it or maybe they just sucked at telling each other how they felt. Normally, she wasn't in the habit of meddling in other people's relationships, but she really cared about these two people.
"You just let her go out with that Greek god, without knowing anything about him?" Gerty questioned, sounding a bit exasperated.
"Well, first. 'Let her'? Have you met Sarah Walker? I did not 'let her' do anything. Second, what am I supposed to say?" Chuck raised his hands, sounding a bit defensive.
"Well, you are her… her…" Gerty stammered a bit, not really knowing what to call 'them'.
"Friend. I'm her friend, Gerty. And I'm not gonna try to tell her who she can and can't spend her time with." Chuck tried to relax, realizing he was starting to get rather tense. Gerty eyed him and couldn't help but smirk, which she tried to hide.
"You're unbelievable. You throw all this money and things at her and then claim you're only 'friends'? You really expect me to believe that's all you want?" she chided.
"When have I thrown money at her?" Chuck's exasperation was returning and Gerty could see that her plan was working.
"Oh, I dunno. That little black card you gave her? Who do you think paid for our little make over and shopping spree, huh? You're telling me you just gave her access to all that money because she's your 'friend'? Without expecting anything in return?" Gerty was baiting him and hoping that he would bite.
"OK. First off, I gave her that card to take YOU shopping. To get you the things you needed when you first got here. If she did something nice for herself with it, something that made her happy, then all the better. So, YES. I gave it to her because she IS my friend, and so are you. And furthermore, I learned a long time ago never to expect anything from anyone," he huffed indignantly.
"Ok. Ok. Point taken… and thank you," she added a bit sheepishly. Chuck just nodded, putting his hands in his pockets.
"But you can stand there and tell me that her going out with him doesn't make you jealous?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow in anticipation.
"OF COURSE I'M JEALOUS!" Chuck exploded, launching his hands in the air. "Have you seen that guy? I mean, Jesus. Where the hell did they manufacture him? There's no chance in hell I can compete with that. The guy's a firefighter and lifeguard in his spare time and looks like he's straight outta Magic Mike. Christ, I'd date him." Chuck had begun pacing, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "She clearly has feelings for him and I don't believe for a second that they were just friends in high school." Chuck stopped pacing for a moment to let out a sigh before starting to pace again. "It's none of my business really. The point is, I want her to be happy, and if that guy makes her happy then I'm not going to try to get in the middle of it and make her miserable." Gerty could see that she had him on the ropes. She knew that if she could get the two of them to admit their real feelings, even if just to themselves, everything else could be worked out. Everything Chuck and Sarah had done for her, she hated to see them stuck in this limbo. She needed to push Chuck just a bit more to drive it home.
"Yeah. He is quite the specimen, if you're into that sorta thing. OK, let's be honest. How isn't? I suppose it's probably for the best. I mean, if you're willing to give up on her that easily, you clearly didn't love her enough anyway." The line was cast...now she just needed to wait.
"How DARE You! I love that woman more than anything in this world! There's not a damn thing that you, he or anyone else can do or say to change that. There will never be anyone who loves her more than I do." Chuck had reached his boiling point and started pointing his finger at Gerty as he spat the words out. His anger suddenly deflated to confusion as he watched Gerty start snorting and breaking into laughter, a huge smirk on her face.
"What?! I'm glad I amuse you. What's so funny?" Chuck's aggravation had still not fully extinguished.
"Do you hear yourself?" she asked.
"What? Wh-what do you mean?" Chuck sounding more confused.
"What did you just yell at me, Chuck?" She crossed her arms and gave him a challenging smirk.
"I..I said 'How dare you.'"
"Mhmmmm…"
"And that I love that woman more than… Oh. Oohhh. Right." Chuck's eyes grew as large as saucers and his ears fire engine red.
"Yeah, 'Oh'. Is that the first time you've admitted that to yourself?" Gerty grinned at him.
"Well, at least out loud, anyway," he replied sheepishly.
"Don't you think there's someone who might need to hear that?" she continued with a raised eyebrow.
"No..no. I-I can't. She keeps saying she wants to take things slow and that she needs more time. That is definitely NOT taking things slow. I…I'd scare her off for sure with that kind of admission. Then I'd risk not even having her as a friend after something like that. No. I-I can't tell her that. Please. Please don't tell her Gerty. Please?" She could see the fear and desperation in his eyes and quickly realized her job was going to be a whole lot harder than she first thought.
"Ok. Ok. I… I promise. I won't say anything. But what's your plan? You're just going to sit back and watch her date other men in the hopes that she doesn't find 'Mr. Right' and then comes running back to you when all her other options are exhausted? You'd really be happy being in her life if she was with someone else" Chuck sighed, his shoulders slumped.
"The first day I met her, she came up to my table in the diner and she smiled at me. Her beautiful, happy smile that she gives to everyone. In that moment I knew I was gone. It probably sounds creepy but I knew right then that I needed her in my life, to see that smile every day. Before she left the diner tonight, I told her that I would be here for her in whatever way she needs. If that's just as a friend, then so be it. It would crush me to see her with someone else, but not as much as never seeing that smile again." Chuck blew out a breath and cleared his throat, but the tears that streamed down his cheeks belied how strong his feelings were.
In all her years, she had never seen a man cry. All of the men in her life had only been willing to show hate, anger or lust. She realized that not only was he a far better man than any of them, but none of them had ever loved like this man did. She suddenly felt a mixture of pride and envy. She was proud to know this man, to call him a friend, family even. Someone who could love so easily and so completely. But she was also envious that she would likely never know that type of love. Never be the focus of the love of a truly good and caring man. She certainly couldn't fault Chuck for that, it was just the nature of things.
Gerty reached up and wiped the tears from his cheeks with her thumbs before embracing him in a huge hug. She caught herself sniffling a bit, the emotions of the moment running away with her. She pulled back and looked Chuck in the face, gripping his shoulders for support, though who was supporting who was up for debate.
"Chuck, together we'll help her find her way. Ok? Family sticks together right?" She gave him a wink and a wry smile. That brought on a true 'Chuck Bartowski' smile as he nodded. "Good. Now, how about you go up and read that story with Molly? She's playing in her room before bed."
"Thanks Gerty. I really owe you one. Oh, and by the way. I really like the new look. You were already a very attractive woman, but now I'd say you look... 'happy'." He gave her a broad smile. "I'll see myself out when I'm done. Night." With that Chuck headed upstairs to Molly's room. He missed the teary smile that spread across Gerty's face as he disappeared up the stairs.
Chuck quietly knocked on the door frame to Molly's room, seeing her playing on the floor, brushing the hair on some toy horses. "Hey Mr. Chuck. Where's Sarah?" The jovial demeanor of the young girl was missing, replaced by a seriousness that seemed well beyond her years.
"Oh, she's out with a friend from school. She'll be home later. But I still wanted to come over and read a story with you, if that's OK?" Chuck put on his best happy face, hoping to bring the girl out of her funk. She seemed to brighten a bit at the prospect of reading a story with Chuck, but not as bouncy and excited as she normally was. "Are you feelin' OK, Peanut? You're not really acting like yourself tonight." The little girl shrugged.
"I guess… I guess I'm just tired. Could you just read a story to me, instead of me reading too?" The sad look on her face made it impossible to refuse, so Chuck agreed and helped the little girl into bed and tucked her in. He pulled out 'Goodnight Moon' from her book shelf and read it to her in a calm and soothing voice. When he concluded with 'Goodnight noises everywhere', she was fast asleep. Chuck tucked her in again and placed a kiss on her forehead before returning the book to its shelf. Chuck cautiously looked at Molly and the hallway before removing the book that he had made for Molly, "Peanut and Sam: An Earth and Beyond Story". He smiled when he looked at it, then turned it so that the binding was face up. He removed his phone from his pocket and launched an app, before placing the phone on the binding of the book. A soft ping emanated from the phone as a progress bar displayed within the app. A soft chime sounded when the bar reached 100%. Chuck then placed the phone back in his pocket and returned the book to its spot on the shelf. With a smile, he headed out of the room, turning briefly to whisper "G'night Peanut" before leaving.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"So 'Rooster's' huh? Must be new. Either that or I've really been gone a long time." Ian chuckled to himself. Sarah gave a small chuckle in return, stirring her drink, seeming lost in thought. "Ok. Spill. What's goin' on with you?" Ian folded his hands on top of the table, leaning in a bit closer.
"What? Nothing's going on." Ian just gave her a flat look then raised an eyebrow. Sarah tried to wait him out but clearly he wasn't going to budge. "Fine," she relented.
"Ok. What's his name?" he inquired.
"Who says it's a guy?" she replied indignantly, taking a sip of her drink.
"Because if it was anything else, you'd be willing to talk about it. You forget how well I know you, Ms. Sarah Walker," he smirked taking a sip of his own drink. She huffed, realizing he was right and she hated it.
"Chuck," was her only reply.
"What? The coffee guy? Tall, dark and lanky?" Ian grinned incredulously.
"He's not the 'the coffee guy'. And yes, he is tall and kinda lanky. And yes, he's got dark hair and these...these chocolate eyes. It's like he can see into my soul or something. It's kind of unnerving sometimes." She huffed again, shaking her head and dropping it to the table. "God, what is wrong with me? Chocolate eyes?" Ian starting laughing out loud at her exasperation. "It's not funny. Why are you laughing at me?" Sarah sat back up, giving Ian a stern stare.
"It's just funny to see 'The Sarah Walker' so smitten with this guy. I mean, I'm sure he's nice and all, kinda cute in a nerdy way. You have to admit he's not exactly your type," he snickered, taking another drink.
"What d'you mean, 'not my type'? I don't have a type," she challenged.
"Oh, Sweetie. Really? Let's see, there was Mike Simmons sophomore year. He was cute, popular, played football and basketball. Never met a mirror he didn't like. Then there was, well, me. Let's see, then in college there was … Steven, was it? That guy was too pretty if you ask me. Then that asshole Bruce or Brit or whatever the fuck his name was. Sister, you have a type. Not to sound arrogant or anything, but the handsome, superman types. So why the change? Are pickins that slim in Grady? Gettin' a little desperate?" He smirked, figuring that would set her on fire.
"Fuck you, you conceited ass. No, I'm not desperate." She could tell he was trying to push her buttons. He'd already succeeded. "He's a good man. He's smart and funny and he's one of the kindest people I've ever met."
"I see. So he's a cook in a diner, huh? Are those his life aspirations or is he hoping to sleep his way up to an assistant manager job," he bounced his eyebrows as his smirk grew.
"God, you're such an asshole." She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. "He's not a cook. Well, I guess 'technically' he is, but he doesn't actually 'work' for me. I was in a bad spot when my only cook left and he volunteered to step in and help until I got back on my feet. He won't even let me pay him."
"So he's unemployed then? Is he sponging off you? Or maybe he expects some … 'Non-monetary compensation'?" He was smirking less and starting to get a little more concerned as this situation sounded odd.
"What? No. He's a software developer. He's just taken some time off to help me. He certainly doesn't need any money from me," Sarah groused.
"So that's it? I was thinking either he's great in bed or he's rich. I guess that answers that." Ian's grin returning.
"Oh my God. No, that's not it at all," Sarah exclaimed.
"Oh, so he IS good in bed then," Ian smirked, finding the back and forth quite amusing.
"No! Well. I mean...I don't really…" Sarah started to blush as she stumbled over the question.
"Holy Shit. You haven't slept with him? How long have you two been dating?" Ian asked with a look of astonishment.
"Well, a few weeks I guess, but it's … it's complicated." She focused on her drink again, not looking up at him.
"Ok, so uncomplicate it for me."
"I… I dunno. It's just… he's not like anyone I've ever known. He's so kind and open and caring. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He's had it broken more times than I care to think about, but he still keeps putting himself out there. You know what he did tonight?" Ian gestured her to continue, his impatience evident.
"He basically broke up with me. Sort of...I guess. I mean, we never said we were dating, officially anyway. He… he said that he wanted me to be happy, even if that was with someone else. He said I should take the time to find what I need, what I want. That he would be my friend through it all. He seemed to be under the impression that you had come back and were going to sweep me off my feet or something," Sarah confessed with a half smile.
"He what? You didn't tell him about our …'history' together?" Ian exclaimed, scooting even closer.
"No! Of course I didn't tell him. For one, it's not exactly one of my happiest memories, thank you. Second, I've never told anyone, especially not around here." Sarah blushed a little, looking more intently at her glass.
"You...you've never told anyone? After all this time?" Ian asked incredulously.
"No. Of course not. What happened between us is nobody's business but ours." Ian's expression grew serious, staring at Sarah for a long moment.
"So this guy is willing to go back to being just friends, to clear the road so that you can come back to me, because he believes that would make you happy? Does that about sum it up?" Sarah just nodded quietly, taking a long sip of her drink. "And on top of that, he put his life on hold to help you with your family business?" Sarah nodded again. "So what? He hates kids? Molly coming between you two?"
"No! He loves Molly and she adores him. In fact, he made us a book. One that Molly and I can read together." The thought brought a smile to her face.
"The man loves kids and wrote you and Molly a book?" he asked, disbelief coloring his tone.
"Yeah. 'Peanut and Sam: An Earth and Beyond Story'." Sarah chuckled at the name.
"Hold on. You actually told him about your dad and his nickname for you?" he questioned, seeming thoroughly surprised.
"No. I didn't tell him anything. That's the funny part. He just... picked it. And I always call Molly 'Peanut' so he just wrote a story based off one of his games," she shrugged.
"Whoa. Whoa. Wait a second. Did you say one of 'his' games? Earth and Beyond?" Ian's eyes got wide with anticipation.
"Yeah. Molly played the game on his laptop and she really loved it. So he wrote a story based off the game." Ian pulled out his phone and started frantically browsing the Internet. He stopped on a website and then turned the phone to face Sarah.
"Is this the book?" he asked pointing to the image in the article.
"Yeah. I mean ours is a hardback, but the name and cover art are the same." Sarah looked back at Ian. "I don't understand. He just gave us this book. There's no way he could have gotten it published and distributed already. Unless… unless he made it a while ago. I… I guess I thought he made it just for us. Silly to expect that I suppose," Sarah confessed, sounding a little disappointed.
"Look, it's not available yet, but people can pre-order it. Listen to this. 'Intersect Media, a sister company to Intersect Games, announced on social media this morning that they are releasing a new book in the Earth and Beyond series, Peanut and Sam: An Earth and Beyond Story that will ship in time for Christmas.' I saw this on Twitter this morning. You've got the first edition of this book. People are going crazy over this thing. Holy Shit! That means… Noooo."
"What? 'Holy Shit' what?" Sarah asked, a bit concerned.
'
"Are you telling me that 'Chuck' is actually Charles? As in Charles Carmichael? CEO and Founder of Intersect Games? Are you fucking kidding me?" Ian was getting a little loud from the excitement, so Sarah was forced to cover his mouth with her hand. She gave him a death glare that screamed 'shut up'.
"Will you be quiet. He likes to keep his private life just that, private. Can you please not broadcast it to the whole world?" she chided.
"Ok. Ok. Sorry. But why the hell are you still sitting here? Do you know that he's worth like… hundreds of millions? ... Oh my God…" Ian covered his face with both hands. He repeated in a much higher pitched voice. "Oh my God. Oh my God. ohmygodohmygod. I can't believe I gave Charles Carmichael a five dollar tip. Oh my God. Just shoot me right now."
"Will you get ahold of yourself. Jesus. Look, he doesn't care about the money. In fact, I only found out who he really was by accident. He just said he was a software developer with his own company. It wasn't until we ran into some nerdy fans of his in the Large Mart that he finally came clean. He's just a normal guy. Well… not 'normal'. He's better than normal, but he doesn't flash his money around. Promise me you'll be cool about this. You can't go around telling people or his cover will be blown." She looked at him with pleading eyes, grabbing his wrist and squeezing.
"Hey. You're good at keeping secrets. The least I can do is return the favor. I gotta ask though, if this guy walks on water like you say, why are you holding out? I mean, I know you've moved a lot faster with guys in the past. And before you give me that look, it's not an indictment or anything. Lord knows I've had my share... and your share... and...his share," pointing at a waiter walking by, "of meaningless, one night stands. So I'm not suggesting there was anything wrong with you moving a little quickly with The guys you were with, you were at least in a relationship at the time."
"I...I dunno," she shrugged, looking a little despondent. Thoughts began to swirl in his head as he put all the pieces together. He knew what needed to happen and the old adage about eggs and omelets bubbled to the surface.
"If you want my opinion, I think it's just your mind's way of telling you that this isn't the guy for you. Like I said, he's clearly not your type. You don't really care about this guy do you? I mean seriously? Can you really see yourself with this nerd? Do you honestly believe that he could ever make you happy?" Ian pounded his finger into the table with every question, literally trying to drive them home. He could see from the tensing of her jaw that he was getting to her.
"YES! DAMMIT! I do believe that. You know why? Because he DOES make me happy. Every minute of every day. God! I thought I knew what happiness was, you know? Then I met this man and he ruined it completely. Maybe I had a type like you said. That's only because I never knew I could ever feel like this. Like...like I'm not alone anymore. Like I can do anything because I know that someone will be there to catch me if I fall. No one has ever made me feel like that until… until Chuck."
"Then why are you holding back? Why are you fighting against it if he makes you so happy? Do you even know?" Ian's voice sounding more accusatory, hoping to elicit the emotional response she was keeping hidden. Sarah pondered for a few seconds then looked away, mumbling a response, but it was inaudible to Ian. "What? Just say it. Why are you hiding?!"
"BECAUSE I'M SCARED! OK?" Sarah's lower lip was quivering, her eyes glassy. "I'm terrified. Terrified that if I get … if I get too close to him… that if…'when', when he leaves, I...I don't think I could come back from that. Not...Not this time. On top of all that, I'm scared that when he finds out how … how damaged I am and about the things I've been keeping from him, that he won't see me the same way. That he'll want to get as far away from me as possible. And why wouldn't he? I mean, I'm little more than a small town waitress and he's… he's…" Sarah trailed off, her tears flowing freely down her cheeks onto the table below. Ian reached across the table and took one her hands in his.
"He's in love with you. That's what he is. Everything you've told me so far sounds like a man who really loves you. Putting his own life on hold to help you. Putting your heart ahead of his own. Does that sound like someone who'd bolt at the first sign of trouble? Does it?" Ian craned his head to get into her field of view. She looked at him, tight lipped and shook her head.
"For someone you talk so highly of, you sure seem to have a strong lack of faith in him, if you think he'd bail on you that easily. Now… I know I've never seen you this worked up over a guy before. You need to be honest with yourself and with him. Tell him how you really feel. Tell him everything." Sarah's head shot up, eyes wide in shock.
"E-Everything? Even? But…" Sarah seemed flustered and more than a little apprehensive.
"Yes. Everything. He deserves to hear the truth from you. All of it. How will you know if he truly accepts you for who you are if you don't let him in, and I mean completely let him in? Plus, I'm a big boy now. I'll be fine. You need to tell him what you just told me. Sweetie, life is full of risks and rewards. Often times the bigger the risk, the sweeter the reward." Sarah pondered his words for a moment as a small grin grew across her face.
"When the hell did you get so smart?" Sarah smirked.
"Well. I did a lot of growing up. I...I had some help along the way. I… I met someone." Ian looked a little sheepish as he confessed his news.
"What? That.. that's wonderful. How'd you meet?" Sarah inquired, her mood improving quickly.
"We met through mutual friends and we hit it off. We've been together for about three months and it's… it's pretty serious. We're talking about moving in together after the new year." Ian was beaming as he talked with Sarah about his new relationship. 'So we're doing the 'meet the parents' thing at Thanksgiving. It'll be a disaster, I'm sure."
"If you need to get away from the family, you're more than welcome to come by my place. It's just gonna be Molly, Gerty and I, I imagine. You met Gerty at the diner. If all goes well, Chuck will be there, I hope." Sarah crossed her fingers and let out a sigh. "I'm really happy for you. And to prove it, I'm gonna let you buy me another drink," she giggled.
"Oh, Wow. You're too kind. Can I? Really? How nice of you." The sarcasm was oozing over every word but the huge grin showed Ian was enjoying it. He waved the waitress over for another round. The two talked and laughed for another hour, catching up on their years apart.
Ian dropped her off at her car, still parked at the diner, and made sure she got on her way with no troubles. As she drove, her conversation with Ian kept playing through her mind. Without realizing it, she had driven and parked outside the house where Chuck rented the garage apartment. It was only 9:43 PM but the lights were all out. Part of her was really hoping to talk to Chuck tonight, although there was still that nagging fear inside. It seemed that Chuck was either not home or was already asleep, so she would have to wait until tomorrow. As she was about to pull away, her cell phone rang. Fishing it from her pocket, she could see that it was Chuck. More than a little surprised, she answered the call.
"Hey Chuck." She couldn't help but smile when answering the phone.
"Oh. Sarah. Hey. I'm..I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your evening. I was gonna leave a voicemail.
"No. No. I was just on my way home actually," Sarah confessed, feeling better at just the sound of his voice.
"Oh that's good. I mean… n-not the going home part. The...the not interrupting part. I-I hope you had a… a good time." Chuck stammered over himself, internally cursing himself.
"Yeah. Yeah I did. Thanks. It was good to catch up and relive some of the old days."
"Oh. Well… th-that's great. I'm glad. Um… look Sarah. I'm … I'm sorry to do this over the phone but...I-I have to go away for a little while. Something came up and I… I have to fly out to LA tonight. My flight leaves in about an hour."
"Oh. Wow. Um… I-is everything alright?" Sarah was starting to get very concerned. Not only was Chuck leaving, but he was going to be gone for a while. She desperately wanted to talk with Chuck, but not over the phone.
"I...I don't know Sarah. Things will likely be pretty hectic, so I don't know how much I'll be able to talk. When I know more, I'll let you know. OK?" Chuck asked, his voice sounding strained. She was really starting to get scared now. Was this just his way of distancing himself from her? Had she done it? Had she finally pushed him away?
"Chuck. Are ...are you coming back?" Her voice almost broke as she choked out the question.
"Sarah, of...of course I'm coming back. I-I just don't know when exactly. I promise, I'll let you know when I find out more. OK? Will you give Molly a hug for me?"
"Y-Yeah. I'll … I'll do that. Be … be safe, Chuck. OK?"
"I'll be in touch sometime tomorrow. I promise it won't be too late. I-I have to get going." There was a long silence before Chuck spoke again. "G'night Sarah. I'll miss you." Sarah's tears started to flow.
"G'night. I-I'll miss you too." With that the call ended as she sat in her car, not moving. What had happened to drag him across the country at such short notice. Was it work? Maybe his sister? She had finally gotten the courage to talk with him, and now this. It was like the fates were trying to tell her something. She finished her drive home, entering the house as quietly as possible, everyone already having gone to bed. On her way to her bedroom, she slipped into Molly's room to check on her. She crept over and placed a soft kiss on her head and tucked her in. Sarah turned to leave when a sound halted her exit.
"Sarah?" a small voice called through the dim light. Sarah turned to see Molly sitting up, a concerned look on her face.
"What's the matter Peanut? You should be sleeping." Sarah moved to sit down on the bed.
"Is...is Mr. Chuck gonna leave us?" she asked, a pitiful look on her face.
"What? Wh-Where is this coming from? What makes you think he's gonna leave, Sweetie?" Sarah brushed the hair out of the little girls face, then began stroking her hair.
"I… I'm sorry. I heard Ms. Gerty and Mr. Chuck arguing earlier. I was supposed to be playing in my room but I heard them from the stairs," she glanced down at her comforter, looking apologetic.
"You know, it's not nice to listen in on people's conversations, but what did you hear that made you think he was leaving?"
"Well, I couldn't hear all of it. I heard them talking about someone named ... Jill I think. It kinda sounded like Jill. They both kept saying that Jill is this and Jill is that. But I didn't understand very well. Then I heard Mr. Chuck say that he …" The little girl searched her thoughts, peering at the ceiling thinking. "Oh. I remember. Yeah. He got really mad and said '"How dare you. I love that woman more than anything in this world.' They were too quiet to hear after that so I went back to my room. I know I wasn't supposed to listen, but I couldn't help it. Then Mr. Chuck came up to read me a story but you weren't here. He seemed sad and he said you went out with a friend." She and Sarah were both quiet for a long moment, both deep in thought.
"Sarah, are you and Mr. Chuck not boyfriend and girlfriend anymore? I...I don't want him to go. Please." The little girl was in tears and Sarah's heart was breaking at the sight. Sarah couldn't quite piece together what her sister had heard, or, more accurately, believe it. If Molly had heard them talking about Jill and professing to love 'that woman', was it related to Chuck's abrupt leaving for LA? She didn't want to jump to conclusions. That had not worked well in her dealings with Chuck so far. Still, she had her concerns. She'd have to talk with Gerty to get the real scoop.
"Oh. Sweetie. I did go out with an old friend from school tonight, that's true. On my way home, Mr. Chuck called me and said he had to go away for a little while for something important. Now, before you get upset, he promised me that he was going to come back. And he specifically asked me to give you a hug for him. OK? He said he's gonna call us and text us as much as he can. Then he'll be back before we know it. Alright?" The little girl thought for a moment then nodded her understanding.
"But are you and Mr. Chuck still boyfriend and girlfriend?" Molly asked, looking up at her older sister through her lashes.
"It's… it's complicated Peanut. We'll talk more about it tomorrow. You need to get some sleep." Sarah tucked the little girl back into bed and gave her a hug 'from Chuck' and one from herself. Kissing her head, Sarah said her final goodnights and walked out into the hall. She began to head to bed, but the conversation with Molly and Chuck were eating at her and she knew she'd never get to sleep with all that rattling around in her head. So she instead moved to Gerty's door and knocked. A few seconds later the door opened, Gerty standing in her pajamas, a book in hand.
"Sarah. You're home. How'd the date go?" She gave Sarah a wry smile but Sarah either didn't care or didn't notice. Her look of determination made Gerty stand up straight, preparing for a confrontation. In a flat, commanding tone, Sarah spoke.
"I wanna know what's going on with Chuck."
A/N2: Annnnnd CUT! That's a wrap. Everyone take lunch. More Waitress coming soon.
I want to thank david,carner and michaelfmx for their invaluable help with being great sounding boards and voices of reason. And thanks to all of you that take the time to review. It means a lot and is really a great motivator. So keep those reviews and PMs coming.
Until next time. Peace.
JW