A/N: My normal editor hasn't read over this and there hasn't been any beta readers, so I hope there aren't too many mistakes. I also apologize for the short chapters, but it works for me at the moment.

I'm not sure why, but this has turned into a dialogue heavy project. I hope it helps capture the characters and I've succeeded in being true to each of them. It's providing me with a good way to get a feel for them for later stories.

Also, thank you to everyone who has read, favorited, added to their story alerts, and commented. You rock!

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck. Luckily, I can at least play in his world until I'm officially told I can no longer do so. I hope that doesn't happen, especially since it's all for fun and no money is being made.

Home for Christmas

"Big Mike!" Chuck slapped the Buy More Assistant Manager on the shoulder as he peered behind him. "I think you're a little over dressed. And where's the future Mrs. Tucker?"

"Bartowski," Big Mike growled, staring at Chuck's hand on his shoulder. Chuck looked in confusion for a second before hastily removing his hand from the big man.

"Ah, sorry about that. Come on in." Chuck stepped aside as Big Mike entered. "Here, let me take something for you," Chuck offered, taking one of the bags.

"Thanks," Big Mike said, dropping his head as he followed Chuck into the kitchen. "Sorry about that. It's just that the clothes make the man, and these threads don't make the man feel all that he could be."

Chuck set his bag on the counter and then took the other bags and placed them next to the first as Big Mike continued.

"Don't get me wrong, I love that woman with every bit of my soul, but I wanted to do after getting home for work was get into something comfortable and enjoy a party with friends." Big Mike shook his head and motioned to the suit with a wave of his hands. "I get home and she has bought me this off the rack suit and decided to use the opera tickets Grimes gave us for a special Christmas Eve performance of The Nutcracker."

"Harsh," Chuck offered sympathetically. "That's too bad; I know we were all looking forward to tonight, especially Morgan. He and Alex are going to be really disappointed." He expected Morgan's disappointment may be slightly overshadowed by relief. His best friend still got the heebie-jeebies over Big Mike and his Mom being together.

"I know," Big Mike nodded. "Anyway, I couldn't let these go to waste, so here they are," he said, turning to empty the contents of the bags onto the counter.

Sarah, Ellie and Devon appeared from down the hall, each carrying a large box marked Christmas decorations in red marker on the side. Seeing Big Mike, they all offered a greeting and a Merry Christmas wish as they passed by on the way to the tree. Big Mike greeted them back and turned back to Chuck.

"Four sandwich platters, each with five foot long subs for a total of twenty feet of mouth-watering creations that can make a grown man weep pure tears of joy," Big Mike said, motioning to four of the platters. "And three dozen cookies so divine they had to be baked in heavens oven to top it off."

"They should fire Jared and hire you," Chuck quipped.

"They should," Big Mike said as a smile spread across his face. "I could be their George Foreman. A lean, mean, sub-eating love machine."

Ah," Chuck searched for words as he fought a sick feeling in his stomach.

"Those look delicious," Sarah said, appearing at Chuck's side and wrapping an arm around him. Chuck breathed a sigh of relief. She always sensed when he was in trouble, be it a madman with a gun or a boss who shared too much information.

"They do, don't they?" Big Mike answered as he looked longingly at the subs and cookies. "You will have to enjoy them for me, though. My lady and the opera await me, as well as a rash from this suit." He turned to leave, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas as Chuck and Sarah followed him to the door.

"Maybe for New Years," Chuck told him, as he opened the door for Big Mike. "Remember, no torture is too great if it means being at home with the one you love at Christmas."

"No truer words have been spoken, Bartowski." he said as he gave Sarah a hug and shook Chuck's hand. "She'll owe me New Years after tonight, so you can count on us being here."

Chuck and Sarah stood arm in arm in the doorway until he was out of site. They shut the door, giving each other an amused smile before turning their attention back to the tree, where Ellie and Devon were sorting through ornaments.

"I have to agree, Bartowski," Sarah said, pulling Chuck close. "No truer words have ever been spoken."

A/N the 2nd: More to follow!