A/N: You ever feel like you miss on something? That's the current status of this fic. I get not everyone likes everything, but what I was hoping to do I don't think I accomplished. Let's just be honest. I'm a fluff writer. I can do serious, but me trying to do angst...didn't work. I'm really glad my beta yanked most of the angst out of the unpublished one. I'm not telling you this because I'm begging for reviews or anything like that, I just think I missed on this one. For those of you who do enjoy it, I'm finishing it, never worry, because honestly this one is one of my favorites, although Hotel California is gaining ground in a hurry. I've got a lot going on the rest of the week, so this may be the last thing I post until Monday of next week. (Not a ONE of you believe me.) I give you Pros and Cons, Ch 8, Von Hayes Remix
Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck, and I believe it's possible more to have an Intersect in your head than to just talk about that dress the way Chuck did on the show.
Ellie and Bryce walked out of Al's office, both of them scratching their heads.
"El, what do you think?" Bryce asked.
"It's a wild goose chase and you know it, if we tell everyone we're gonna make 10 mil they're going to know something is up," Ellie replied. Bryce grinned.
"But if it works, Ellie," Bryce said. "If it works…."
"It will be worth every penny," she said.
"El, we're not making a dime," Bryce replied. She grinned. "Oh," he said, understanding. Twenty minutes later they pulled into Carmichael Solutions. They both walked inside, and found everyone minus Chuck and Sarah in the conference room. "Where's Sarah?"
"She's in there trying on dresses," Carina answered, pointing toward the factory. "What have you two cooked up?" Ellie gave her a look. "Oh don't give us that, those two are so in love and don't know what to do about it, it's making Casey nauseous on a continual basis." Casey grunted in agreement. "What are we doing?"
"You know Sarah's dad went to prison," Ellie said. Everyone nodded. "He has an idea that he believes will force the two of them together, plus get a little revenge on some people. We're to tell Chuck we could get as much as 25% finder's fee for a $10 million reward on a missing Mongolian artifact of Genghis Khan. Fifteen years ago it was stolen from Bernie Ominsky's home when he was trying to move it. That information is very private, and it would embarrass someone if it got out."
"Who is Bernie Ominsky?" Carina asked.
"Jill Robert's father's best friend," Ellie said. "A part of Roberts Pharmaceuticals."
"I don't need to know anything else, I'm all in," Morgan said.
"Me too, Chuck deserves better," Anna added.
"Good," Ellie said. "Anna, I'm going to need you to send some untraceable emails to get things going. You can do that, right?" Ellie shrank back at the look Anna gave. "Right. We need to hide the info. There is an exclusive auction taking place sometime in the future in Europe. We need Roberts Pharmaceuticals to believe the artifact that was stolen will be there. We have an email here that needs to be sent to Roberts Pharmaceuticals. There are enough questionable contacts in their past that an anonymous email shouldn't raise any red flags."
"The plan is for Jill's company to request us, we're being suggested by the anonymous emailer," Bryce explained. "Our initial job is to find the email list of the auctions and possible holding places of the items in those auctions. One of them is supposed to be the home of our missing artifact."
"Right," Ellie said, continuing. "We'll be promised payment, plus a possible future contact to recover the artifact. The belief is that Bryce is greedy, and the amount offered will get his attention." Bryce grinned.
"Oh, believe me, it has my attention," Bryce said. "Much of the recovery world has no idea how much Chuck plays into this part of the company, so it should not be an issue with them. We hope." Ellie nodded. "So, tomorrow night, I'm afraid the CAT squad will have to put a hold on their dancing plans, because we have to crash the Von Hayes party, intercept a copy of the email, and get out. We'll have Chuck go in as the playboy, and Sarah as his girlfriend."
"Larkin, he won't do it, he always takes the waiter job," Casey said. Ellie nodded.
"Plan B is to send in Bryce and Sarah together," Ellie said. Everyone looked confused. "Ladies, I need you to find something for Sarah to make my brother's eyes pop out of his head. We need to convince Chuck to come in this time as himself, maybe steal Sarah away from Bryce, that way Bryce can leave like he's upset, creating a distraction and get we can get ahold of the email."
"Is there an actual email?" Anna asked.
"Yes," Ellie said. "We have to get this email or the plan is dead in the water." Ellie looked around. "Listen the entire key is to get Roberts Pharmaceuticals drawn in. Could we come up with something to get them together? Probably. But this, Guys, this is our chance to get back at Jill for the time that was stolen from Chuck and Sarah."
"Any actual monetary pay out?" Zondra asked. Ellie shook her head.
"No, and that's the other problem," Ellie said. "We can probably get costs covered by Roberts Pharmaceuticals, which is a hair unethical and I'm not crazy about, but we need to find a way to make some money during this time, so anything you can come up with while running this op, we could use." She looked around. "Listen this is volunteer only," she began. Every hand shot up except Casey's. Ellie looked at him.
"Oh, hell, this is going be fun, watching those two idiots try to figure out how they feel about each other," Casey said, nodding he was in.
"Casey, was that sarcasm?" Bryce asked.
"Ya think?"
-ooooo-
"So?" Sarah asked, turning around in her red dress, with the thinnest straps over her shoulders that crisscrossed on her back.
"Is that red or salmon?" Carina asked.
"It's going to be Chuck's mouth on the floor," Zondra replied. "I think you make that dress."
"It's a shame Chuck won't be joining us," Ellie said, walking into the factory as it was known at Carmichael Solutions.
"Why not?" Sarah asked. Sarah couldn't see Ellie, so she missed the smile on her face.
"This isn't Chuck's thing," Carina said. "Which is a shame because getting him a ticket would be simple for him, Bryce, and two dates."
"Yep, Chuck only likes to be the waiter on these gigs, which is a shame because the man can fill out a tux," Zondra said. "Plus, I worry one of these days he's going to be caught because he's getting a little famous."
"It would work you know," Carina said looking at Zondra. "Multi-millionaire and his new girlfriend hitting the scene. It's the perfect cover."
"No, Carina!" Ellie said. "It wouldn't! They'd have to be fake dating, and that would be a lot of pressure on them!"
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked. Zondra walked up and laid a soft hand on Sarah's shoulder.
"You know, touches, looks, the whole nine yards," Zondra said. "Chuck, well everyone knows his aversion to PDA but his stunning new girlfriend…it would be great."
"Plus it would slow down all those girls hitting on him," Carina added. Sarah felt an anger rise she had to push down. She walked over to her things and pulled out her phone. She stared at it for a second before she made a call and put it to her ear.
"Chuck, it's Sarah," she said. "Sorry, you knew that from the caller ID. Is your tux here at the factory? Naeiou, you're not waiting tables tomorrow night. You told me my job was to keep people off of you and let you be able to do the things you need to do. I'm going to play the part of your girlfriend. No, Chuck, you have an aversion to PDA. Luckily I don't," she said with a saucy smile on her face. "Chuck, this is my job, are you not letting me do my job? That is correct. Can you tango, Chuck? Don't worry, I got you," she said. "See you soon," and with that, she disconnected. She looked up at the grins on the other three's faces. "Don't you three say a word, I know you're up to something with the two of us." The three gave their best innocent looks. "Not buying it, from any of you."
-ooooo-
"Ellie, no, I'm not going as Sarah's date, do you know what they'll say about her if I go with her?" Chuck asked.
"That she snared Chuck Bartowski?" Ellie replied.
"No, that she's doing so because she was paid to or she felt sorry for me," Chuck replied. "Which would be correct…but not the way you all are taking it. Ah, crap, I'm just gonna stop." Ellie shook her head and walked out. She was mad at Chuck, she didn't know why he was this down on himself. Sarah and Bryce had both talked to him, but he was lost in his own world. She knocked on Sarah's door, and walked in when Sarah yelled it was open. Ellie opened the door and whistled. Sarah grinned as she finished up her lipstick. Her hair was up, and Ellie thought she looked stunning.
"My brother's an idiot," she muttered.
"Don't talk about my favorite idiot that way," Sarah said, grinning.
"He wants you to go with Bryce instead of him," Ellie explained. "He thinks people are going to think you feel sorry for him, or are paid, or something." Sarah nodded. "You don't seem upset." Sarah double checked everything, and turned to Ellie with a smirk on her face.
"Ellie, Bryce said something to me today. I'm not convinced I'm what's best for Chuck, but I'd at least like the chance to figure it out." Ellie nodded smiling. "He's more afraid of being hurt than losing me. Why don't I show him what he's losing out on?" Ellie smiled.
"I'm so glad we're gonna be sisters," Ellie said, pulling her into a hug.
"Ellie, I think you're a little ahead of things," Sarah said. Ellie shook her head.
"The only two that haven't figured it out, are you two," Ellie said. Sarah blushed. "Okay, let's go blow his socks off." Sarah and Ellie left the room and headed into the living room where everyone was ready. Chuck was turned away from the hallway she came out of. The room went silent, everyone looking at her.
"Chuck, you ready?" Sarah asked softly. Chuck turned to tell her what he had decided and his tongue suddenly wouldn't work. He tried to make his mouth move. "You look dashing."
"You pretty," he mumbled. Ellie put her fist over her mouth to keep from laughing. "I'm sorry, you're very pretty," he got out. "Is that red or salmon?" Sarah looked at it, shrugged, and went up to Bryce taking his arm.
"No idea, I just thought it would work for something like this," she said, and turned with Bryce to leave. Chuck was in absolute shock.
"You made the absolute right call, numbnuts," Casey said right beside him. "You're a moron."
"Who pays you," Chuck countered.
"Still doesn't change the fact you're a moron," Casey replied, and walked off.
"He's right," Ellie said leaving the room, leaving Chuck the only one in there.
"I am," Chuck said. Outside, Sarah was extremely worried as she got into the passenger side of Bryce's car.
"Did I do the right thing?" Sarah asked. "I don't want to hurt him."
"Sarah, do you want him?" Bryce asked.
"Desperately," Sarah admitted. Bryce grinned and nodded.
"I'm with you on this all the way," Bryce said. "We owe him. He needs you, and I promise you have no chance of having your way with me again." Sarah laughed.
"You're right about that," she said, grinning. They watched Chuck walk out dejectedly and get into the other car. Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the party. Bryce and Sarah were a hit, mingling with everyone, Chuck looked miserable.
"Dude, what the hell was that?" Morgan said over his ear.
"Morgan," he whispered. "Not now."
"If not now, then when? Huh, Chuck Bartowski, when?" Morgan was seething mad. "Dude, that is freakin Vicky Vale! Vicky! Vale! You only get to pull that if your Batman, and unless you've been doing some serious training no one knows about, you aren't Batman. I mean we know Carina, Casey and Zondra trained you, but that's not exactly Batman-"
"No Batman training, Morgan," Chuck said, cutting him off.
"If you two can cut the chatter, we need a distraction," Casey said.
"Is Sarah still open to the cover she mentioned earlier?" Chuck asked.
"What are you gonna do, Bartowski?" Casey asked.
"Profess my idiocy and undying love," Chuck replied. Casey grunted.
"Watch enough 80s John Hughes movies?" Casey asked. There was silence. "What? I wasn't hatched."
"I think I've got this part down," Chuck said. There was silence for a minute.
"Sarah is a go," Casey replied. "But she says you better bring your A game."
"She's right, Dude, your A game and nothing less," Morgan added.
"I got this," Chuck said, taking his glass and sitting it on the tray as a waiter walked by. He walked up to Sarah and Bryce. "Bryce, can I have a minute?" Bryce nodded. "Sarah can we talk?"
"I'm right here," she said, sounding a little put out. He watched her eyes. She was enjoying this.
"Look, Sarah, I apologize," he said, trying to sound like he was talking in a hushed whisper, but not, drawing people in.
"For what, exactly," Sarah said.
"For not asking you to come with me tonight," Chuck said. Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Really? Right here? You're going to make me say it all, right here?" She nodded. People were scooting closer to listen. "Fine," he said, looking a little uncomfortable. "You are incredible, you are amazing, and frankly, I'm a lot intimidated by you." There was truth in what he was saying, and she knew it by the look on his face. "I want nothing more than for there to be an us, but I feel like you're being forced into this. What are people going to think, you working for me? What are they going to suggest? I care too much about you to let people talk that way about you."
"No, Chuck," she said softly, forcing more to move closer to hear. "You don't need to worry about a single person and what they think about except two people, me and you." She stepped toward him, and all those around moved a little closer. Casey was quite impressed, but he'd never tell them. "We are what matter. We have to see how this goes. You and I, no one else. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work because we couldn't make it work, not because of us worrying about people we don't know." There was a mummering agreement in the crowd, and a challenge in her look. Chuck was beginning to think none of this was a show. "So here's the one question, the only question, Chuck, and you need to answer it honestly and truthfully." He nodded. "Do you trust me, Chuck?" He gave her a soft smile.
"With my life," Chuck replied. She smiled at him. "With my heart," he added and oohs and more murmurs filled the room. "Can we try this?" She nodded and went to him, putting her hands on his shoulders.
"I know you hate PDA," she said, and gave him a peck on the lips.
"I'm beginning to not hate it as much," he said with a wink.
"Good job, kids, we got it," Casey said. "Get out of there and really cement it."
"Wanna get out of here?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded, and the people moved to make a path for them to leave. In the truck Ellie and Devon were laughing.
"I mean, Chuckster, way. To. Go," Devon said. Ellie was laughing.
"They're 'cover dating'" Ellie said, using finger quotes. "How long until they 'cover date' when they're not supposed to?" Devon was laughing as well.
"How far does the cover go? Under the covers?" he asked, his hand up for a high five. Ellie shook her head and high-fived him anyway. This whole crazy scenario just got interesting, she thought.
-ooooo-
"Was that so bad?" she asked him, sitting at the bar beside him. They had changed clothes, were ready for bed, but they both just felt like talking. There was so much said, as so much of it was real and raw. They wanted to talk now, before they went to bed and the moment had passed.
"No, not at all," Chuck said. "You sure you're okay with all of this?" She gave him a look.
"Chuck, do you trust me?"
"With my life, Sarah," Chuck replied, honestly. "I just want you to be okay."
"Why wouldn't I be okay around you?" she asked honestly.
"What if you really wanted to date someone?" Chuck asked. She gave him a look.
"Chuck, I just got out, there's really no one," she began. "Listen, if some guy comes along, I'll tell you. Hey, what about you? You're telling me there's been no one all this time?" He shrugged and looked uncomfortable. "Chuck, you're amazing, why haven't you dated?"
"I don't know," he replied. "I just, I just don't want to get hurt again." The look on his face was unreadable. He turned to her. "I mean, I can't even tell you the last time I asked someone out."
"Chuck, I was in jail for over thirty months, are you telling me you went on as many dates as I did?" Sarah asked, shocked.
"AH-HA!" Chuck replied. "Nothing did happen in the pen."
"I don't think I'd classify those as dates, Chuck," she said with a wink. Chuck laughed and fist bumped her. "Let me see what you got."
"What?" he asked, surprised.
"I'm your PA, I can't have you going out there and embarrassing yourself," she said grinning. "Now consider I'm single, and I know it's a stretch but pretend your attracted to me."
"How attracted?" Chuck asked. Sarah thought for a second.
"Not quite Princess Leia in a metal bikini," Sarah replied.
"Okay, I want to have your children right now I'm so attracted to you," Chuck replied. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and shrugged.
"What can I say, it's a curse," she said, giggling. "So what would you do?"
"I guess first I would give you some of the bedroom eyes," he said, trying to give her the bedroom eyes smoulder. She struggled with not laughing. "Then, the tried and true Bartowski eyebrow dance. Now you've been in the pokey for a while, so try and control yourself." He gave her the eyebrow dance and it was all she could do not to laugh out loud. A few chuckles broke through. "And then, be ready for the piece de resistance, the old finger pistols," he started pointing his fingers at her like pistols. "Hey baby, what's going on?" as he kept firing them off. Sarah stared to laugh out loud. "And then," he said, his voice dropping to a warm and caring tone, and taking her hand. She swallowed. "I'd say, hi, I'm Chuck, nice to met you." Sarah shook his hand, and shook her head, a soft smile on her face.
"Chuck, I think you'd do just fine," Sarah said.
"Yeah, but where do I go from here?" Chuck asked.
"Well, you should probably ask her out," Sarah said. Chuck nodded.
"So, I haven't seen you around, are you new in town?" he asked. She grinned at him.
"Yeah, I just moved here," Sarah said. "I got a new job."
"Oh?" he asked, grinning. "You're boss is a jerk, isn't he?"
"Actually he's one of the sweetest guys I've ever met," she countered.
"Maybe you should go out with him," Chuck said.
"Maybe I would if he asked me," she replied, putting her elbow on the bar, and resting her face on her hand, looking at him and grinning.
"Why hasn't he?" he asked softly.
"I figure he's not interested," she replied shyly. Chuck reached his hand across and took hers. She stared at her hand in his and then looked up at him noticing him staring at her.
"I bet he is," he replied, his voice threatening to crack. "Maybe he thinks you're out of his league." Her face changed. It has an, "are you serious" look on it.
"How in the world could he think that?" she asked. "He is kind, generous, caring, handsome, giving, and just the best damn person I've ever met in my life. Do you know what his smile does to me?"
"Do you know what your smile does to him?" Chuck asked. "Do you know how frightened he is that he's going to be all alone if he screws this up?" She squeezed his hand she still held.
"Chuck, I'm not Jill," she said softly.
"No," he said with a laugh. "You definitely are not." A sly grin grew on her face.
"So, are you asking me out?" Sarah asked. Chuck's eyes got big, and he tilted his head to the side as he blew out his cheeks.
"I know this Mexican restaurant, so I was thinking maybe you and I could try it," he said, grinning at her.
"What about tomorrow night?" she asked. Chuck was looking down as she spoke, trying to calm his pounding heart in his chest.
"Oh, I don't know, that's like a real date night, a big date, like …a DATE," he said, slowly looking up at her, his smile growing. She was smirking as he spoke, and it turned into a full blown smile.
"Then I think that is exactly when we should," she replied.
"Really?" he asked, the smile hopeful and boyish on his face.
"Mmhm," she replied. "Nothing fancy, just you, and me, and dinner."
"Would you maybe like dancing after?" Chuck asked. Sarah grinned. "I'm not real good at dancing."
"Bartowski, you act like I don't remember you at Stanford," she replied. Chuck ducked his head.
"Well, usually if I was dancing, I was drunk," Chuck explained. "Just so we're clear, this isn't for the cover, right?"
"Nope," she said, popping the "p". "It's for us, Chuck, because it's been a long time coming." With that, she got up, kissed him on the cheek, and went to bed. Chuck sat there a minute.
"Yeah, it has been a long time coming," he said softly.
A/N: Writing that scene after the party was so much fun. Next up, this is not a drill. David actually wrote a date. (Long time readers of my fics will know I set them up and usually forget to have them go out.) But like anything with Chuck and Sarah, there has to be something to make it...complicated. (Oh boy, I just felt Ellie's eye twitch) Hope you liked it, reviews and PMs are always welcomed…Take Care
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