A/N 1: So for two weeks I have been holding in the bragging on the AMAZING fic Steampunk . Chuckster has written. Guys, it is finished, it is AWESOME, and it is nothing but TROUBLE. If you aren't reading it, add it to your favorites, because it is SOOOOOOOO good. The fun I had reading it...thanks SC for making me a part of that process, it was a blast! What are you still doing here? GO READ IT!
A/N 2: Thank you all for the many notes and reviews asking about Grace…her foot is officially NOT broken. There was something that showed up on the growth plate in the foot that scared them, but after further review, it is a sprain….a SLOW healing sprain. (And that boot hurts if it should "accidentally" catch you in the shin) (She was more upset then me after it happened so I'm sure it was an accident, but dang it hurts!)
I would like to reiterate that AngelGurl0 has been basically co-plotting, if not co-authoring this fic. However, michaelfmx has generously offered to dip his big toe into this one, and beta it for us, so thank you so much sir! I'm not sure how fast to move these two, if I'm honest, and I'm just writing what I feel. There is a bit of a spy thing coming up, this isn't the same Chuck we saw in the show, and it's not the same Sarah, because they changed each other. Last chapter we put some things on the table, this chapter, we talk about them. Welcome to Wanting It All Ch 5, Dealing With the Past
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and don't we all need a proposal plan...
Chuck picked up his phone and grinned when he saw who it was. His tone was teasing as he answered, "You know. Morgan needs his Chuck time too." Chuck had promised Morgan he would go over and play video games Thursday evening. It wasn't going to be a long session, ending around 9, but after that Sarah had suggested he text her to see if she was awake so he could stop by if she was. He REALLY hoped she didn't fall asleep.
Sarah giggled into the phone. "Oh, I'm aware, he's been bitching to me for the past several nights. I mean, would it kill him if we had some time alone?"
Chuck looked over at Morgan. He smiled at his friend. "I'm willing to risk it." Morgan grinned at him, thinking Chuck had just defended him to Sarah.
She grinned, laughed, and looked over at her four-year-old, the reason she was calling. "Better not, I kinda like the little bearded guy. Look, there's an actual reason for my call. My son refuses to believe me, because I don't know much about Spider-Man. I tried to tell him that just because I don't know Spider-Man, it doesn't mean I don't know other stuff."
"How do you not know Spider-Man?"
"Chuck, focus." She was grinning and felt like he was as well. "Anyway, he thinks you or Morgan would know."
"Okay." Chuck was curious about what this could be about.
"He was mentioning Captain Marvel, and I asked if he meant the DC one or the Marvel one. He told me there was no Captain Marvel in DC. I then explained that Captain Marvel was in DC, due to Fawcett comics being shut down over a copyright lawsuit by DC, and then the characters were leased and later purchased by DC. In Marvel, he was actually aptain Mar-vell of the Kree, who developed cancer and died. Later, Ms. Marvel became Captain Marvel and…." She stopped when her door flew open, startling her. Chuck took three steps toward her and kissed her, soundly. She had forgotten this, both how it felt and how he would react when she started "nerd-talking" to him. In fact, this kiss would probably make her remember her entire life if she ever forgot it. Note to self, kiss Chuck if you ever have some weird amnesia. She had done this to him before. Sometimes she would learn something nerdy just to get him to kiss her like that, passionately, not-thinking, just pure love. He pulled back a little, his eyes searching hers, and she grinned saucily. "Have I told you what I thought of the Solo movie?" His eyes crossed. He shook his head to clear his mind and looked over at Jordan.
"Whoa," was all the boy could say.
"Jordan, you need to know women know just as many things, if not more, than guys," Chuck told him. "Including nerdy things." Jordan nodded.
Sarah wasn't about to let this go. "You know the silliest thing about that lawsuit, if the lawyer had any sense he would have pointed out that he wasn't actually Superman because Superman gets his powers from the sun and has a weakness of magic. Then Fawcett's Captain Marvel, now SHAZAM's powers are magic based so it would be an impossibility for the two to be the same," Sarah said behind him.
Chuck raised a finger to Jordan. "One second." He stood up, turned, and kissed her again. When they broke this time, he looked into her eyes. "Seriously, do you know what you're doing to me?"
She nodded, grinning. "Fully aware."
"Sarah, your door's open," Daniel said coming in. "Oh, I'm sorry. You must be him."
"Him?" Chuck said, confused. He shook Daniel's hand when offered.
"I know you rushed off the other day when I showed up unannounced, but I wanted to meet you. You've made a big impression on my son." Jordan nodded. Daniel looked at Chuck kindly. "He thinks a lot of you."
"I appreciate that," Chuck said.
Daniel studied Chuck for a minute. "You'll take care of him, won't you?"
Chuck was taken aback. "I don't understand," Chuck said. "Are you going somewhere?"
"No, when you two get married," Daniel explained like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Married?" Chuck asked, turning to Sarah, who shrugged like she didn't know what was going on. He turned back to Daniel. "Married?"
-ooooo-
"Does he hate me?" Morgan asked, drinking a grape soda.
Chuck had left Sarah's a few minutes after the debacle and returned to Morgan's. Daniel wanted to spend some time with his son, and Chuck, knowing how important it was to spend time with your dad, gave them some space. Sarah told him to call her, but from the frustrated look on her face, he didn't think he'd be seeing her anymore tonight. He'd told Morgan everything that had happened. Morgan hadn't said anything. He'd gone to get a six pack of soda, sat, and drank before he'd asked Chuck his very confusing question.
"Hate you?"
Morgan looked at Chuck like he'd grown a third head. "Yes, hate me. You know I had your wedding all planned out, the one to Jenny/Sarah." Chuck just shook his head. "PLUS the proposal plan is now back in play, and he just throws that out there. Does he know how hard I've worked on the whole thing?"
Chuck saw they were heading to Morgantown so he just sat back and enjoyed the ride. "Didn't Sarah nix the DeLorean?"
He shook his head, disgusted. "She just didn't understand how important it was."
Chuck really admired the bearded man's commitment. "And the horses on the beach?"
He shrugged at that one, he had to concede her point. "She said she didn't want to have to clean up after them, and to be fair, they do tend to just do their business wherever they wish."
Chuck was hoping this one would stop him. "What about the balcony at the winery up in the Valley?"
Morgan looked at him like he had lost it. "She was good with that but she wasn't waiting three years until you could propose to her." Chuck turned to look at him. Shock covered his face. "Dude, you can't get in until you're 21."
This was news. Was there actually a chance for them back then? He knew how he'd felt, and she had told Morgan this information. "Uh, she was serious?"
"What does it matter if she was or not, I was…I mean am…you know what I mean!" Chuck gave him a look. He thought about asking if Morgan knew it wasn't about him but decided that would be a waste of breath. "Dude, did you not get how much she loved you? Still loves you?"
He shook his head. "I mean, I thought I knew, but then…" he blew out a breath. "Her dad screwed up so much."
"He did, but you can go forward now."
It was so easy for Morgan, he didn't understand. He had to understand, and it was up to Chuck to show him. "Morgan, she has a kid."
Moran stared at him. "Chuck, did she seem bothered by what Daniel said?"
"Morgan, you make it sound simple, it's not that simple. It's actually quite…complicated."
Morgan lost it. "Oh, so for over eight months you two grew so close you could talk about all that stuff at seventeen. But now, now that you're adults and you've found out all the negative stuff that caused you to split was a lie, and you can go forward and be happy, your answer is it's not that simple." He sat up and looked Chuck right in the eye. "Dude, I told you a long time ago, she's the one, and nothing has changed." Morgan stood up and looked out the window. "He's gone, Chuck." Chuck gave Morgan a look. Morgan looked at him. "For someone so smart, you sure are stupid. I'm throwing you out, go over there." Chuck left Morgan's and walked across the yard. He stood on the doorstep, fist raised. He pulled his hand down, got ready to leave when then the door opened, a phone in Sarah's hand.
She did NOT look pleased. "Nope, he didn't knock," she said into the phone. "Thanks, Morgan. Yes, I agree the balcony is still a fine idea." She snapped the phone shut, turning her attention on him. "Any reason you were about to run away?"
"The sight of that ancient phone was too much for me." he deadpanned.
She shook her head, not laughing or smiling. Chuck knew things were about to get serious. "Get in here, I'll put Jordan to bed and we'll talk."
He nodded and followed her through the door. "Sorry about Morgan." She gave him a look, shook her head, and headed off to put Jordan to sleep. She didn't look happy. Great. Now Morgan had her upset. He sat down on her couch, nervous. What was he nervous about? It was Sarah. He knew things were different now. She had a son. It wasn't as simple as it used to be.
"Chuck, Morgan isn't the problem," she said as she came back in. "Lot of things look good on you, Chuck; curls, short hair, rolled up sleeves, and so many other things, but the one thing that doesn't is self-doubt."
Chuck was surprised by that. "I have no self-doubt."
"Really? Huh, well then I guess it was someone else sitting there thinking how complicated things are now."
Who was she, and when did she learn to read people. Had she always known? "I never said those things."
"Chuck, are we really going to argue only to agree in the end that you're wrong?" She didn't wait for an answer, sat down right beside him, took his left arm, put it over her shoulders, and leaned against him. She sighed contently. "I missed this," she said softly. "We watched many a movie like this." He leaned over and kissed her head like he used to, and she melted inside. "You'd better not be thinking of rescinding that invitation for tomorrow afternoon."
"I love you, Sarah, that hasn't changed, but other things have," he said softly. She snuggled closer to him. "But they don't seem to concern you." She shrugged.
"I love you, you love me, everything else, we'll figure you," she said.
"Yeah, but," he began.
"Chuck, shut up. Baby, I love you, but you worry about too much." She sat up and looked at him. God he missed that look. He missed her calling him baby. He missed it all. "Do you love me and want to be with me?"
"Sarah, I do, but-"
"No buts, Chuck, either you do or you do not do, there is no try." She winked at him. He leaned forward to kiss her but she backed away, eyebrow arched.
"I love you."
"You once told me we had forever, remember?" He nodded. "What's changed?" He didn't answer. "Do you like Jordan?"
"Of, course, Sarah."
"So what's the problem?"
"It's not that easy," he replied, as seriously as he could. She shook her head, pushed his face back and leaned back into him.
"Yeah, it is. Now, if you think it's too complicated we just won't come over tomorrow." Chuck started to say something. "Zip it, Bartowski. We've wasted eight years and I'm not gonna waste any more time because you think it's complicated."
"Sarah," he began.
"I'm not mad, Chuck, I'm just telling you how it is. Now are you going to let me enjoy my Chuck snuggle time?"
"You know I'm all about the cuddle and the snuggle." She lifted up and looked at him, shaking her head.
"That's cruel, teasing a girl with some cuddling like that. That's serious stuff, Bartowski."
He took a breath. "I'm serious."
She leaned in and kissed him. When she pulled back she was inches from his face. "Then start acting like it." She winked, and leaned back against him, enjoying her Chuck time.
-ooooo-
Chuck was sitting by his pool. He had been thinking all night since he'd left Sarah's, and she was right. He was pondering lunch when his phone started ringing. He picked it up, saw who it was, smiled, and answered. "Chuck Bartowski, man who realizes loving Sarah Walker is very uncomplicated, speaking."
"Now that's the proper way to answer the phone," she said giggling. "How would you feel about your two weekend house guests showing up early?"
Chuck sat up, grinning. "Sarah, you're always welcomed at my place."
"Not at 3 AM," she countered.
"Sure you are," he insisted.
"Then why don't I have a key? See you in an hour," and with that she hung up as Chuck sat and processed that.
-ooooo-
"If you don't want me here, you should change the code." Morgan had shown up, unannounced, again. Chuck was nearing freak-out levels of spiraling.
"Morgan, it's not that, Sarah and Jordan are coming over."
Morgan hadn't seen Chuck this upset in some time, he was determined to be the pillar of support Chuck needed. "I'm very aware, I'm here to babysit."
"Morgan, I need to do this."
Morgan looked at his friend and it dawned on him what Chuck was saying. "That's what this is about, you're scared of kids?"
"Scared? I wouldn't say scared, it's just I have no idea what I'm doing."
Morgan shook his head. He stared at his friend. "I want head nods and shakes only." Chuck nodded. "Do you love Sarah?" Chuck nodded. "Are you willing to be the father that boy needs." He thought for a second and nodded. Relief showed on Morgan's face. "THEN WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?" Chuck just stared at him, and it dawned on Morgan he had told Chuck to only nod and shake his head. "Go ahead."
"Have you seen that kid's dad? It's not like he's dead, it's not like he's not in his life. In fact, he is working hard to be in Jordan's life." Chuck was beginning to spiral and didn't see Sarah enter the house. She was hearing all of it and grinning. "It's not just her, it's her and Jordan, and that makes things complicated." Chuck noticed Morgan glancing past his shoulder. "Oh God, she's right behind me, isn't she?"
"Well, that explains the complicated remark last night. What are you gonna do about it, Bartowski?" He turned towards her and there it was. The smirk on her face. He had missed that so much.
He spoke as honestly as he could. "Try really hard?" Sarah nodded. "You'll be patient?" She nodded again. Chuck turned to Jordan. "Buddy, can you and I talk." Jordan nodded. Sarah and Morgan gave them some privacy. They sat on the couch. "So, I love your mom."
"I love her too." He thought for a second. "But you kiss her different than I do."
"Right. You kiss her like you kiss your mom or your sister."
"YOU KISS YOUR SISTER!"
Sarah chuckled in the other room hearing that. "Yeah on the cheek, and I hug her too." He looked at Jordan. "So, my mom and dad left when I was a little older than you, and my sister raised me. So she's my sister, but she's more, you know?" Jordan nodded. "I was thinking about, if it's okay with you, taking your mom on dates and sometimes bringing you along, because it's the two of you, not just her."
"Where could we go, because I don't want to see one of those kissing movies."
Chuck nodded. He had to admit he agreed with the kid. "Me either. How about just her and I go see them, that way you don't have to."
Jordan was thankful for Chuck taking the bullet on that one. "Can we go watch Marvel movies?"
"Is that okay with your mom?" Jordan was quiet. "See, that's the stuff you can't do to me. Whatever your mom and dad says goes." He took a deep breath. "And also, I understand, I'm not your dad, I'm not trying to take his place. I never would, but I do love your mother, and I have for a very long time."
Jordan was quiet for a moment. "I like you, and my mom really likes you." Chuck grinned at him. "I won't try to trick you."
Chuck reached over and ruffled Jordan's hair. "Jordan, you're a kid, of course you'll try and trick me, just know the punishment will be the same as if you tried it on your mom." Chuck looked up and saw Sarah standing in the doorway, a happy smile on her face. "I need a minute with her, if that's okay."
"Yep. What do I call you?"
"How about Chuck?" He held his hand up, and Jordan gave him a high five. "I bet if you ask Morgan, he can get the wii out." Jordan took off to find Morgan. Sarah came in, grinning. She sat down beside him, and Chuck reached in his pocket and pulled something out. He handed it to her. She took it and looked at it, confused. "Like I said, you're always welcome here. You need to get away, use the pool, whatever, you're welcome. Even if I'm gone somewhere."
"Did you just invite me to move in with you?" she asked, the teasing tilt evident in her voice.
"I'm not saying I did or didn't, but don't you think that would be a bit much, especially for Jordan, who just moved?" She nodded and grinned. "Also, you two have rooms right beside each other." She cocked an eyebrow. "Sarah…."
"No, no, you're right. Last time probably did scar us both a bit."
Chuck looked a little down. "Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. That night was amazing. The next day, not so much."
She thought about that night, the limo, the music, the dancing, but as great as all of that was, none of it was as great as one Charles Bartowski. He told her he loved her, but didn't expect anything that night. Her face got dreamy for a second thinking how she had finally found someone who loved her for her. Not for how she could run a con, or be a partner for a scheme, but be a partner in life. The plans they had made for Barsoft, the future they had talked about, the house she wanted that she told him about that no one else knew about….And then the next day….she shuddered and blinked back tears thinking about how her world had shattered. She had been devastated with that letter, and, for a moment, she hated herself for ever believing Chuck Bartowski could do that to her. She pulled herself out of her thoughts, saw his face, and knew he'd been thinking similar things.
She ran her hand through his hair. "That night was amazing. The next day was the worst of my life. I promise you the next time it happens," she paused, to let that sink in. He grinned, turned a little red, but didn't pull away. "I'll be right there beside you the next morning and day."
"Oh, great, you're gonna go 'Basic Instinct' on me." She burst out laughing. He took her hand. "We're adults, we're in charge of our actions now, and we can make this work."
She held up the key. "Last chance, Bartowski, take it back, or forever hold your peace." He made a zipping motion over his lips. Sarah found her key chain and put it on her key ring. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
"The security code is your birthday, two-digit month and two-digit day."
She had a sad look on her face, and rubbed his neck with her hand, her thumb just touching the skin below his ear, the way she used to comfort him when he was upset. "You never did forget me, did you?" He shook his head. "Okay, that's in the past, let's move forward." He nodded. "So, any plans?"
"Well," he said grinning and grabbing his laptop. He pulled it open and showed her what he was thinking. She grinned and turned toward him.
"Jordan too?" Chuck nodded. She pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you, Chuck."
"I love you, Sarah." He kissed her again, neither of them noticing the two sets of eyes on them.
"Do they always do that?" they heard Jordan say from the hallway.
"All the time," Morgan admitted. "All the time."
A/N: Next time, the chapter I did the least amount of work on because it was basically all written by AngelGurl0, The Aquarium. (It has been read and approved by halfachance). (PSST! GO READ MAY YOUR WALLS KNOW JOY!) Hoped you liked it, reviews are always welcomed…til next time.
DC