A/N: Jill….What can I say? She is trying hard, but I promise you, that is her LAST win….and it wasn't really even a win. Currently writing Ch 15, so I thought I'd give you something while I constantly hit refresh waiting on May Your Walls Know Joy….I give you Pros and Cons, Ch 10, Does Everyone Deserve a Second Chance?

Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck, and who hasn't tossed a carrot before…confused? Read on.


Chuck opened the door to his house, and Sarah followed him inside. It had been a long night and it was now morning. They two had been at the beach all night, talking about the past, laughing, and trying to not think about Jill. The subject of them being together was never broached, but it was right there, on the tip of their tongues all throughout the night. There was a silent agreement to deal with it later, whatever it was. Make no mistake, it was something, they just wasn't sure what. Before the night was over, they had talked about Jill. No decisions had been made, but Sarah had him thinking.

"Where have you two been!" Casey yelled. Chuck just shook his head and kept walking, slowly. He plopped down on the couch.

"I'm going to bed," Sarah said. Chuck nodded and she flashed him a smile and headed toward her bedroom.

"Bartowski," Casey began.

"Lay off, Casey," Bryce said. There was something going on with Chuck and Sarah, he didn't know what, but it was different between them, he found himself smiling. Casey gave Bryce a look, but there wasn't much in it. Bryce and Ellie shared a look. Ellie sat down beside him.

"Are you two okay?" Ellie asked. Chuck turned, confused. "You and Sarah?"

"We're fine, El," Chuck said. "We went to the beach and talked about old times. We had some laughs, and then she asked me if I really believed it. I asked her what she meant and she asked if everyone really deserves a second chance."

"Does she mean Jill?" Ellie asked, worried. Chuck nodded. "Chuck, you can't date her!" Chuck looked at her like she had two heads.

"Who the hell said anything about dating her?" Chuck asked. "I'm not ever dating Jill again, not seeing Jill in any sense but business, and I…." he trailed off. Ellie started to squeal. "Ellie, please, not now, please." Ellie nodded, but she look like she might explode. "I assume she's contacted you, Bryce?"

"It's a whale of an offer, Buddy," Bryce said. Chuck nodded, and stood.

"I'm going to bed. You do whatever you want with it." With that, he got up and headed toward his room. He paused in front of Sarah's door and started to knock. He never let his hand hit the door, as he clenched it in a fist and winced. There was so much he wanted to say, to talk about, but right then, he just needed her. Needed her to hold him, protect him even, because things were reopened he thought were healed. He didn't miss Jill, not one little bit, but what she had done to him still hurt. It still hurt all this time later, and he hated himself for it. He hated that she affected his life one little bit. He blew out a breath, ran his hand through his hair in frustration, turned and went to his room. He opened the door, went inside, closed the door behind him, and began to take off his clothes.

"Wow, you get right to it, don't you, Bartowski," Sarah said from his bed. Chuck jumped in fright. "Scared of little ole me," she said, a hand to her chest, smirking. She was in one of his tee shirts, he knew she had stolen some to sleep in. He had to admit Star Wars looked better on her than on him. He was standing there shirt half unbuttoned, and she was eyeing him and not even trying to hide it a little. "I guess we should get back to that conversation we started at dinner." She saw the look on his face, and knew he was as tired as her. "Later, right now, we sleep."

"Sleeping, here?" he got out, gesturing vaguely toward the bed. She nodded.

"Is that a problem?" she asked. He pressed his lips together and blew out his cheeks a bit. His eyes were a little wide, and he shook his head slightly.

"Nope, not a problem at all, no siree," he said, taking a step towards the bathroom, realizing he had no clothes, spinning back to his night clothes, grabbing them and heading into the bathroom. "Not a problem in the world."

"So if I get too turned on while I sleep and attack you?" she asked with a cheeky grin. His head shot out of the door, and she laughed. He made a shushing sound. "Oh, don't want them to know I'm in here?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. He shook his head with a grin of his own.

"I don't want them to think you're laughing at my sexual prowess," he replied, ducking back into the bathroom. She burst out laughing and a few minutes later, they were snuggled up together. "I know this is one of those times where I should just keep my mouth shut, but why are you in here."

"Because neither one of us really wants to be alone right now," Sarah said. "I think we've had two and a half years of being alone." Chuck nodded. "We also need to talk about Jill later." Chuck shut his eyes and groaned. Sarah snuggled against him. "We both know you, it's already bothering you, and at some point you'll want to take the job, so it's fine if you do, I'm not upset. I don't see it as you picking her over me."

"I'm not taking the case," Chuck said. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Sarah looked at him, and grinned.

"Sure, Bartowski, if you tell yourself that long enough and you might believe it," Sarah said.

"I'm pretty good of convincing myself of things," he replied smugly.

"Like you haven't been crazy about me since you met me?" she asked.

"I'm so tired," he said. Sarah shut her eyes, grinning.

"I've been crazy about you too since I've met you," Sarah said softly. She should have been scared by that, but she wasn't. What would happen, would happen, she just had to make sure Chuck understood how serious she was. She grinned. She thought if she really put her mind to it that wouldn't be too hard.

-ooooo-

Casey went to the "boardroom" and looked at the big TV. He still hadn't quite figured out how the general had contacted him. He looked at the TV and grunted. If this worked, it might be a little scary. On that TV, Beckman might be bigger than him.

"General Beckman," he said. Nothing happened. He grunted and turned to leave when he felt the TV come on the way you do when an electrical appliance kicks on. He turned and saw the NSA symbol and then Beckman was there. "How are you doing that?"

"It's a smart TV, Casey," Beckman said. Casey raised an eyebrow. "Nevermind. Is there a problem?"

"Bartowski," Casey said. "Roberts approached him last night, with Uncle Bernie, they want to hire him."

"Mr. Bartowski is objecting because..."

"We have so many choices," Casey began. "When she was his girlfriend she was getting her biscuit buttered by someone other than Bartowski." Beckman closed her eyes. "She figured out who Walker was and got her thrown in jail." Beckman pinched her nose and looked to be in pain. "And, from best I can tell, after 30 months or more of pentup ladyfeelings, Bartowski and Walker were about to mix their peanut butter and chocolate when Roberts showed up."

"Good God," Beckman said, starting at Casey. "Did I walk into a bad Telemundo episode?"

"Any advice, General?" Casey asked.

"Do you think we could appeal to them to help their country?" Beckman asked. Casey grinned.

-ooooo-

Chuck was having the best dream. There was a weight on one side of him, but not too much weight. It was soft and smelled good, and it made him smile. He felt the weight press up against him and straighten, as he opened an eye and saw Sarah stretching. His eyes got wide and he quickly shut them.

"You're such the gentleman, Bartowski," Sarah said, her voice thick and crackly with sleep. Chuck thought he could get use to that voice upon waking every day for the rest of his life. "Someone ought to break you of that." His mind nearly exploded hearing that and he opened his eyes to make sure he wasn't having some type of dream. He saw her, tired but happy eyes, hair a little mussed, but God was it sexy. He couldn't help himself, wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She giggled as she found herself right against him. She sighed contently.

"I could get used to this," she said in a soft hum.

"I don't know, I might be a serial cuddler," Chuck replied.

"I'm seriously okay with that," Sarah replied.

"Just remember that when you wake up alone in your room, missing this," he teased.

"Chuck," Sarah began.

"Can we do this later," he asked, almost pleading. "Because once we start that talk, this ends."

"Why?" Sarah asked, looking up at him. He looked down at her, confused. "Why should it have to end? Why should anything we want to do have to end? Chuck, we get to do what we want, nobody tells us what to do." She scooted up and sat up. She was propped up on one elbow and she put a hand on his jaw. "Chuck all this is about what we want, we've gotten too worried about not being good enough, but maybe if I think you're good enough for me, and you think I'm good enough for you, that's all that matters."

"Sarah," he began, but she started to move slowly toward him, and he lost his train of thought.

"Yes, Chuck," she asked, he lips inches from him.

"GUYS!" Carina said, throwing open the door.

"YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!" Sarah yelled, rolling away. Chuck groaned as he buried his head deeper into the pillow. "Why, why every time we get close to figuring this mess out does someone interrupt us? There have better be a damn good explanation." Casey stuck his head in.

"The NSA wants to talk to you," Casey said. Sarah blinked.

"THE NSA?" she asked. Casey nodded. She and Chuck shared a look.

"That is pretty important," Chuck admitted. Sarah groaned and put her head in her hands.

-ooooo-

Chuck and Sarah entered the "boardroom" both looking more than a little irritated. Carina, Casey, Bryce, and Ellie were all there. Chuck looked up at the screen, and saw General Diane Beckman who he had worked with a few times over the past couple of years.

"General Beckman, what can we do for you?" Chuck asked.

"I think we can help each other, Mr. Bartowski," Beckman replied. "Some time ago, we made a deal with an inmate if he were to take care of some things and it led to the downfall of a corrupt organization, we would free him from jail." Sarah stood there, arms crossed, looking annoyed. "The inmate in question is Mr. Jack Burton." Sarah looked at the screen, irritation clear on her face, and she stormed out of the room. Surprise filled Beckman's face. "Maybe I misjudged how that would go."

"Ya think?" Ellie said.

"We are prepared to pay for this entire endeavor plus Bartowski Solutions can keep the fee it earns from Roberts Pharmaceuticals," Beckman said, trying to carry on. "We need to know what they have to do with this enemy organization."

"Excuse me," Chuck said, leaving and going after Sarah.

"Chuck, what do we do?" Bryce asked.

"Mr. Bartowski, the clock is running on this offer," Beckman added.

"I guess then we'll pass," Chuck said, shrugging. "I have one concern right now, and that's Sarah. Now, if you'll excuse me," and with that he left. Bryce turned to Beckman and shrugged.

"I told you trying to force this wouldn't work," Casey said. Beckman raised an eyebrow at Casey and he shrugged. Outside Chuck found Sarah in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" she asked, still upset, but surprised. "Don't you have business to discuss?"

"No, I have to make sure you're alright," Chuck said. Sarah gave him a look.

"Chuck, I'll be fine, besides, I don't have to like every deal you make to work for you," she said, turning and getting something out of the fridge. When she turned around, he was there, and lightly placed a hand on her arm.

"No, you don't have to like every deal, and let me make something crystal clear. You don't work for me, you work with me," Chuck said. Sarah rolled her eyes and grinned.

"Okay, Bartowski, but successful businessmen don't give up big deals for friends," she said, pointing a carrot at him.

"I do," Chuck replied softly. "Plus I think of you as more than a friend." She couldn't stop the smile that came to her face. She didn't know if it was the words, the nervous look on his face admitting that, or some combination of the two. She took a bite of the carrot and leaned in toward him, while chewing, making him take a step back.

"Really, Bartowski? So what is more than a friend? Friend with benefits?"

"Sarah," he began nervously. She laughed. She didn't mean to, but the whole thing was just so Chuck. He was nervous because of her, and he had no reason to be. She wanted him, and he still didn't understand. She tossed the carrot over her shoulder, grabbed his shirt with both hands and pulled him in for a kiss. He was shocked, and confused, but his mouth opened slightly and when their tongues touched, the nearly three years of pushing down feelings roared through them. She twisted his shirt, pulling him closer which she really didn't think was possible. Their bodies collided, and both of them felt more shockwaves. His hand found her back, and the touch sent currents up her spine. He moaned into her mouth. It was low, wanton, and full of nearly three years of yearning. She pulled away from him, her eyes searching his.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"What for?" he asked, worry on his face.

"For wasting that carrot," she said with a grin.

"Walker, you can toss the entire contents of the refrigerator on the ground after that," Chuck said smiling.

"Did I give you two long enough this time?" Carina asked. Sarah turned towards her.

"Yeah, probably best we didn't put on a complete show here in the kitchen," Sarah replied. "We can save that for later." Chuck gulped. Carina winked at them and headed back toward the "boardroom." Sarah turned to Chuck. "We should probably get in there and discuss the deal with my dad. We can revisit this later." Chuck nodded. "Chuck, we WILL revisit this. Understand?"

"I understand, and I agree with what you said earlier in the bedroom," Chuck began. He stopped. "There's a lot I need to say, but later." Sarah nodded, patted his chest, and started to move, when she noticed Chuck had her hand. "But," he said with a worried look. "Before we go in there, I need to tell you something about your dad."

"There was no deal back then for dad. You got him to say that so I'd take my deal," Sarah said. Chuck's mouth dropped, and she bounced a shoulder, grinning. "Chuck, I'm very grateful for what he did, but what father raises a daughter in that life?" Chuck shrugged, and knowing what she knew about her family, it made her wonder. "You think he should get out, don't you?"

"I've not really had a dad around so I don't know how one does," Chuck answered honestly. "What I do know is, I've been visiting your dad. There has never been one attempt to con me, it's always been about you, about how you are. So, does he know he's done wrong, yes, but while it was awful and wrong, I think he came from a place of love with what he did."

"You're a good man, Chuck Bartowski, but I don't know if he deserves a second chance," Sarah admitted.

"Yet, you'll give Jill one?" Chuck asked, confused. Sarah was quiet for a second.

"Chuck, there is no blood tie between Jill and myself. My father got me into the con game. My father," she emphasized. "Led me into a life of crime. Did I go? Yeah, and that's on me, but what kind of father does that? I meant that earlier. What kind of Dad puts a kid in that position? A selfish one, that's who."

"Where was your mother?" Sarah crossed her arms and looked away. "Let's change the subject."

"No," she said. "I just don't talk about it much." Chuck pulled her in, gently put his crooked finger under her chin, and gently lifted her head to look him in the eye.

"Then, later," he said. "When you're ready. Sarah, if you say no, then I say no to this, it's that simple." She shook her head.

"No, it really isn't that simple," Sarah replied. "This is dredging up things I though I didn't have to deal with anymore. It's my dad, and Jill, all over again." She put her head against his chest, her nose buried against him, feeling safe and secure. Her forehead rested against Chuck's chin. "This doesn't end well for me." She closed her eyes. "It didn't last time, and I just worry…"

"Hey," he said softly. "There is a difference this time." She looked up at him. "This time, I'm with the girl who won't cheat on me, and you're with the guy who thinks you are so out of his league it isn't funny, but he's going to believe you, and he's with you, no matter what." She squinted one eye, a slight smirk on her face.

"I feel like I should yell at you for that, but for now, it's okay," she said. "Chuck, I need you in this."

"You got me, Sarah," he said, and pulled her tight.

"You two are clothed, right?" Carina yelled.

"Getting dressed now!" Sarah yelled back. Chuck turned red. "I'm really going to enjoy this," she said, smiling at him.

"Not as much as I am," Chuck said honestly. They both exploded in laughter as they walked back to the "boardroom."


A/N: We're *takes fingers and thumb and holds them together with just a smidgen of light coming out between them* from these two *really* getting together. But next, a bit of a false step when Sarah has a bit to drink, says what she believes is the truth. Chuck goes on his own bender….and Sarah straightens him out. Next time is HUGE. Come on back for Ch 11, In Vino Veritas Perhaps. Hope you liked it, reviews and PMs are always welcomed…Take Care

DC