A/N: Welp…that happened. A lot of you need a hug, a lot of you think Chuck needs a hug. A lot of you are wondering about Jenny. She was 21, the guy she cared about said to get lost, she was drunk, and Bryce was pretty, AND she was not in a relationship with Chuck. A mistake yes, cheating, no…BTW Rob M….you may be in my brain cheating…that's a few chapters away, but, yeah, nice call. Now I said last chapter was as bad as it gets, and I meant emotionally on that. It does get worse as far as circumstances go…what do I mean by that? It's easier just to let you read. I give you Pros and Cons, Ch 4, Changes

A/N 2: I will not confirm or deny that Sara Smile by Boyz II Men is on repeat when I write this one….I will say Grace can now lipsync every word…FYI currently writing on Chapter 11

Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck, and I'm stunned she hasn't gotten engaged to him yet either…


She awoke with a start and looked around, terrified. Her heart was racing, and the surroundings were unfamiliar. The bed was too soft, the room too quiet and too dark. She blew out a breath, and realized she was out of there, out of the prison, both the physical one, and the one that she built around herself by working with her father for all those years. She was free, and she was scared. She sat there quietly, trying to calm herself, and slow her heart. She had thought more about the past today than she had in her entire life, and it all came back to one person, Chuck Bartowski. He had made her realize she could be more, and she would be. She was now Sarah Walker. Her life was moving forward, but she didn't know if this night would. This bed seemed so comfortable earlier, but now…now it bothered her. She was used to sleeping on her side, with her back against the wall to protect it. She was used to a thin mattress, and she couldn't sleep.

She blew out a frustrated huff. She was too comfortable and that made her nervous. She thought for a second, grabbed her pillow and headed out of her room. She went to her bathroom, and glanced at the tub, it would work, but there was something that would work better. She went to Chuck's room, peeked in, and saw him curled up in his bed, his hair tousled everywhere. She thought about running her hand through it, but changed her mind. He looked happy, content, and she thought for a split second about giving some stupid excuse about bad dreams and crawling in bed with him, but if she did that, she didn't know if she could ever not sleep with him. Instead she when into his bathroom, and spotted her prize. She felt the bottom of the tub and it was dry. She thought she'd get a couple of hours sleep, and get out of there before he woke up.

-ooooo-

Chuck woke up, smiling. His friend was out of jail. It's funny, he'd always said Bryce and Morgan were his best friends, but somewhere along the line, the woman who today going forward, would be know as Sarah Walker, had taken that title from them. Chuck could talk to her about anything, because she wouldn't judge him, and not because of where she came from, she just wouldn't judge him. There was a small part of him that was very jealous of Bryce, because he wondered what it must be like to have her think of you the way Sarah did of him. To be in a corner talking about something private, to have those hushed tones. She was absolutely amazing, and of course all she could ever see was that she was a conman's daughter, not the incredible person she was.

There was more than that though, and he knew it. He thought two years of seeing her for a bit here and there while she was in jail would end this longing, but it had done the opposite. Since Jill, there had been no one, because it wasn't fair to anyone else. It just wasn't. He was hung up on her…no hung up wasn't the word, two years wasn't hung up. He was in love, and it killed him. She had feelings for someone else, at least he hoped she did, because otherwise that night she and Bryce shared meant nothing, and Chuck wasn't sure how to feel about that. He hoped they meant something to each other, he hoped they didn't, but neither left him with complete satisfaction.

He would have laid there longer, contemplating everything that was now Sarah Walker, but nature called, and he needed to heed it. He threw back the covers, stretched, and got out of bed. He headed into the bathroom. As he headed to the toilet, he glanced over at the tub and saw Sarah asleep in there. He stopped in front of the toilet, lifted the lid, when his mind processed what he had seen in the tub. He spun around, and saw her laying there one eye open.

"Bed was too soft," she said, drowsily, with a just woke up morning voice. Something in Chuck reacted that never had before around her….okay that was a lie, it had before but he had pushed it away, they were friends. That's all, just friends. Sure, she was smart, witty, funny, was one of the kindest people he knew, regardless of her past, and had this beauty in her that was indescribable, but they were just friends. He thought for a second, and if he was honest, she might have been the most attractive woman he had ever seen in his life. She was wearing a pair of shorts and one of his old tee shirts and he had to admit it looked 1000 times better on her than it ever had on him.

"Well, I apologize," he said, with a grin. Whether it was for seeing her first thing in the morning and it filling him with happiness he didn't know he was missing, or the strangeness of the situation, he wasn't sure….okay, he was sure, he just wasn't ready to admit it to himself.

"S'okay," she said, sleepily, stretching. Oh good lord, he didn't realize how long that woman's legs were…again, a lie. He was well aware, he just tried his damnedest to not think about it. "I slept half the night in it. I'm used to having my back protected."

"That makes a lot of sense," Chuck said, a thoughtful look on his face. "Did you have to do that a lot?" he asked, his voice softer and maybe a little strained, with worry. "Watch your back?"

"All the time when I was in there," Sarah replied, being honest. "You do know I feel safe here, it's not you, just for two years…" Chuck looked a little flustered and waved it off.

"Pffft, whatever," he said. "I know you're not scared of me. We both know if I tried a thing, you'd tie me up like a pretzel, plus, you've been inside," he said, using finger quotes on the word inside. "I know you're all buffed up and can snap me like a twig."

"Chuck, I'd never snap you like a twig," she said, grinning. Chuck glanced behind him at the toilet. "Go ahead, don't mind me," she said her grin growing. Chuck looked a little disgusted. "Remember I've been inside, we've had to do things." He gave her a look. "Oh, it didn't break me, and I wasn't hurt." She said shaking her head, she flipped over on her side facing away from him. "I'll give you more privacy that I got." Chuck looked at her, and back to the toilet.

"You know I do have another bathroom in this house," he said, heading out the door, as Sarah burst into laughter.

"So we're not that close," she said. He paused at the door and turned to her.

"We could be making love multiple times a day and we'd never be that close," he replied. He blinked. What the hell did he just say? Sarah gave him a look he'd never seen before.

"Well, I guess we know where you stand on this issue," she said. Chuck nodded. She shook her head at him. "I thought you were different Chuck," she said giving him a wink, letting him know she was playing. "Like all the men I've ever met you all think you're such a gift I'd want to have you multiple times a day." Chuck turned red, and left. She grinned, knowing that was probably a bit too far, but it was Chuck, they'd made jokes about sex for a long, long time. She was startled because suddenly he was standing in front of her, looking serious.

"Sarah Walker," he began. "There is something you need to know, you deserve." He paused. "DESERVE," he emphasized. "The best in this world. You deserve to be revered by a man and loved so much that you know you are that man's sun and moon and stars. I know you, Sarah, you don't think you deserve it, but remember this, whatever your past, you served your time, and as of yesterday, it is a new life for you. You deserve a man in your life that makes you happy, that makes you want to enjoy life, and that makes you understand that are worthy of all the happiness in the world. You served your time Sarah, find you a guy that you want to be with, multiple times a day, find you a guy that makes you his world." His look was setting things in her on fire. She wanted to jump out of the tub, grab him, hold him, drag him into that tub and make love to him. She kept herself calm, and instead, asked the question that was on her mind.

"Let's say I believe you. Let's say I do, and he doesn't realize what I want? Then what, Chuck Bartowski?" she asked. "Then what do I do?"

"Then you make him understand what you want. Ellie always told me when you love someone, you can't go far enough, so go further," he said. She nodded. He looked quite uncomfortable. "Now I really have to go the bathroom," and with that, he leaned down, kissed her forehead and rushed off. She sat there a minute, not sure what to say.

"Chuck, be careful what you wish for," she said, grinning. After a minute the smile fell from her face. "I can't do it to him. I can't, he deserves better. He deserves the best, and I can't be what he deserves." She sat there, as one stray tear fell from her face, and she thought back to Jill, and how she destroyed Jenny Burton's life.

-ooooo-

"Hey, Kiddo, where have you been?" Jack asked as she walked into the front door. She looked at him, tears in her eyes. The look on her face was something Jack had never seen in his life. He suddenly found himself both very uncomfortable and concerned. "Jenny…did someone…" he couldn't finish the sentence. She shook her head.

"No, no one did anything to me…I messed up Dad, I messed up so bad," she said. "I slept with Bryce." Jack stood their uncomfortable.

"Uh, you didn't have to," Jack began but wasn't sure where to go with it. She sat on the arm of the couch, and looked at the ceiling, exasperated.

"Dad, it wasn't for the con," she said.

"Oh, great, you've got feelings for him, that's not smart, Sweetheart," Jack said. Jenny huffed.

"Dad, like I said, I messed up," she repeated. "You know what, you don't want to hear this, and frankly I probably shouldn't be discussing it with you."

"Hey, Kiddo, I'm not great at this, but I'll listen," he said. She turned, looked at him, and he pulled her into his arms. For the first time in a long time, Jenny felt like her dad had her back. "This life, huh?"

"Dad, it sucks," she said. "I want out."

"Okay," he said softly. "I don't really have a choice in life, but you, you do. Now what happened?" She told him about the whole problem with Jill and Chuck, and then what happened. He listened, for once he listened without comment. When she finished, he pulled her in for a hug. "What a schnook," he said.

"Bryce didn't do anything wrong, Dad," Jenny said softly.

"Not him, the other one, Charlie," her dad replied. "Too dumb to know my little girl loves him." She started to protest, but he stopped her. "Listen, I read people, Darlin', I know." Jenny smiled, and looked away. "You get out of this life, and you get your man, okay?" She nodded. "Now, get some sleep, I'm gotta see a guy about a thing." She shook her head and headed to her bedroom. Jack headed out of the apartment thinking about how maybe it was time he got out as well. He was lost in thought and never saw the man watching the apartment.

Two days later, Jill Roberts's phone rang. The man that had been watching the apartment, Private Investigator Slade, had run the pictures of Jack and Jenny and knew who they were. He was ready to call the police, but Jill told him not yet. Jill wanted Jenny embarrassed, worse than when she was embarrassed. She told him to keep an eye on Jack and she'd let him know the right time.

Two weeks later, Jack was at home in his apartment, and Jenny was out with Bryce and Chuck at the movies. They had dragged her to a science fiction movie, and there had been significant eyerolling on her part. Bryce and her were working on a plan to get her alone with Chuck to see if the two of them could make this thing work, and Jenny was believing she had a future. That was until she stepped outside the movie theater and saw all the cops. Her heart dropped and she knew her days as Jenny Burton were over.

"Officers is something wrong?" Bryce asked.

"Samantha Lisa Garrett?" one of the officers asked Jenny as he approached her.

"No, this is Jenny Burton," Chuck said. "You have the wrong person."

"AKA Jenny Burton," the officer added. Jenny blushed, but held her head up high.

"Good evening officer," she said, and held out her wrists. The officer put the cuffs on her, as she gave Bryce and Chuck a sad smile. "Sorry, guys," she said softly.

"Wait! What are you doing!" Chuck said, trying to stop the officer. The second one pulled him away.

"Don't make me arrest you too, Son," the policeman said.

"Don't!" she yelled to the officer. Chuck looked at her. "Hey, Chuck, it's okay," Jenny said. "Listen, thank you. You are truly the closest friend I've ever had."

"Tell them, Jenny, tell them you aren't her," he said.

"I can't," she replied, tears in her eyes. "I am, Samantha, I'm sorry." The officer started to lead her away.

"Wait!" Chuck yelled. She turned, crying. "Samantha, we're going to get you out." Sam couldn't help herself and smiled.

"It's Sam," she said softly. Chuck nodded.

"We'll fix this, Sam, I promise," Chuck said as they led her away. He watched her go, feeling like a part of him was leaving. Chuck spun around realizing that Bryce must feel awful. "Bryce, man, are you okay, that's your girl."

"Chuck, she's really not my girl," Bryce replied. "She's-"

"A lying con artist is what she is," Jill said, smirking as she appeared. Chuck hadn't seen her approach. "I can't believe her lies. Chuck, you have to believe me, she was lying about me." Chuck stared, at her, not believing the gall Jill had.

"You have got to be kidding me," Bryce grumbled. "You were banging some other dude, and you're mad because she caught you!? I knew it, everyone but Chuck knew it. I convinced Jenny, I mean Sam to help me, she caught you, and this is how you react?"

"She's a con artist," Jill said.

"She's a better person than you," Chuck said softly, but loud enough for Jill to hear. It was like a smack in the face. Jill stood there, and Chuck had had enough. "Leave, Jill, I never want to see you again."

"Chuck," she began.

"LEAVE!" he yelled. She took off. Chuck turned to Bryce.

"Dude, I don't care who she is, Jenny, Sam, or some other name, she has never played us," Chuck began. Bryce looked away. "Bryce, we can't turn our backs on her, promise me, we won't turn our backs on her." Bryce studied his friend. Chuck was in love with Sam and he didn't even know it, or if he did, he was denying it to himself. Bryce shook his head.

"Okay, Buddy," Bryce replied, grinning. "I know a lawyer that can help her. We'll do what we can, okay?"

"Yes," Chuck said, pumping his fist. "Then we'll get you two back together!' Bryce shook his head. Of course Chuck fell for a con artist and she fell for him. That's what Chuck did, make everyone believe they deserved a second chance, and maybe, just maybe these two would get it.

-ooooo-

The cell door buzzed and Jack walked out to the visitor area. One thing about that schnook, he kept his word, especially when it concerned his daughter. He saw him as he turned the corner. Chuck stood there with his curly hair, and a dopey smile. Jack shook his head.

"Kid," Jack said. "How is she?"

"Sam is fine, Sir, she took a new name, Sarah Walker," Chuck said. Chuck showed him a picture of the two of them celebrating last night, her first night out. "She slept in the bathtub this morning." Jack's eyebrows shot up, surprise apparent on his face. "Apparently she had to watch her back every night while in prison and she was having a little trouble adjusting to a real bed." Jack nodded.

"She know you're here?" Jack asked. Chuck shook his head.

"No, I did what you asked," Chuck replied. "I really think you should tell her."

"I am well aware of what you think," Jack replied. "Where does she think you are?"

"I told her I had some business to attend to," Chuck replied. "After this week it's going to be hard. She starts as my PA on Monday."

"Then I guess this is it," Jack said. Chuck shook his head. "Charlie, take care of her."

"Don't worry, Sir. She's staying with me for as long as she wants, and I plan on working on getting her with Bryce," Chuck said. "Those two will be magnificent together." Jack studied him for a second.

"You'd do anything to make her happy wouldn't you?" Jack asked.

"Absolutely," Chuck replied.

"I'll never forget what you did for her, and for me," Jack said, patting his arm. "You saved her life." Chuck looked down at his hands.

"If I hadn't been an idiot when it comes to women, you two would have never gotten in this mess." Jack nodded and smiled at the irony of his statement. "She's my best friend, and I care about her."

"I know you do, Charlie," Jack said. "But, perhaps, you should listen to her and figure out what she wants." He winked at him, and stood. "I'm betting on you, Kid," and with that, Jack went back to his cell, taking the picture of his daughter and the schnook with him. Chuck stood there, wondering exactly what that meant.


A/N: Next time, a double date, a deal that will blow your mind, and Ellie gets involved. Chuck…you aren't ready for what's coming. Hope you liked it, reviews and PMs are always welcomed…Take Care

DC