Since all the cool people are doing it I don't own Chuck.

A/N (Post Beefcake) Also unbetad all mistakes are my own.

Chuck Vs Rest

Chuck looked horrible she'd tried to approach him several times but he'd shrugged it off. The phrases "It's nothing" and "I'm fine" were likely to get the next person who uttered them shot right about now.

Heaving a disappointed sigh she let her head bang lighlty on the counter, she'd only moved in with him 4 days ago and already something was wrong.

She was brought out of her reverie by a sudden bang as someone walked into the glass door. Chuck! she was outside in an instant "are you okay" she asked worried, helping him to his feet.

"Bit dizzy" he groaned.

Helping him into the shop she sat him in a chair and went to grab an ice pack she kept in the freezer. By the time she returned his head was in his arms and his even breathing indicated a trip to dreamland. Not wanting to disturb him but needing to see how badly he'd hurt himself she gently lifted his head. Even that small movement was enough to wake him with an agonized moan "I'm sorry Chuck I need to see how badly you hurt yourself."

With a resigned sigh he lifted his head wearily his red bloodshot eyes staring back at her slightly unfocused. "Chuck you need to tell me what's wrong you look terrible."

"It's .." he started to slur before she cut him off.

"It's not nothing and your not fine you look like you haven't slept in days." Suddenly it clicked "Chuck have you been having trouble sleeping are you having nightmares?"

She heard him mumble something under his breathe.

"I didn't catch that Chuck?" when he refused to look at her she grabbed him by his hair yanking his head up so she was looking directly into his eyes. Her worry and frustration however made her use more force than she'd intended.

Chuck let out a sharp yelp of pain and she saw the anger flare in his eye's her grip loosened as he burst to his feet. "Fine you want to know why I can't sleep, it's you happy, god dammit your to close even with my eyes closed I can smell you hear you breathing I can't fall asleep when everything I want is so tantalizingly close but yet out of reach." He yelled slamming his fist onto the table. With that he turned and stormed out of the Orange Orange towards the Buy More.

Sarah just sat there stunned a strange mixture of shock, guilt and pleasure coursing through her mind. This confrontation was so out of sorts for Chuck the lack of sleep had clearly left him frayed and out of control. She had to fix this.

When Sarah returned to Ellie's apartment she found Chuck asleep on the couch she couldn't bear the thought of waking him even in sleep he was clearly exhausted. She paused thinking how things had gotten this far without anyone noticing Casey usually just ribbed him, Morgan was busy with Anna, Ellie and Awesome at the hospital and she well she had been distracted by being around Chuck constantly. Waking up next to him instead of to an empty bed in an empty hotel room had felt fantastic. Agents often had trouble sleeping haunted by the nightmares of there past and the bleakness of there futures. Those factors made an untroubled night's sleep hard to come by. Drugs provided some relief but an agent couldn't risk them when on assignment, being trapped unable to respond for several hours was far to risky. Yet falling asleep had seemed easier as she lay there staring at Chuck and when she woke from a nightmare he was there and she'd been able fall back to sleep again not doomed to spend the rest of the night afraid to close her eyes.

A yawn brought her back to the present as Chuck sat up stretching his hair in disarray. Looking around while still rubbing his eyes his vision finally cleared, he focused on her.

"Sarah, I'm sorry I don't know what came over me it's not your fault it's mine I shouldn't have taken it out on you. .." He was babbling.

"It's okay Chuck" Sarah cut him off "I should have noticed this earlier and fixed it I'm sorry I was so preoccupied."

"Don't worry I'm sure Cole will be okay" Chuck mumbled still drowsy.

Sarah took a moment to process it she hadn't even thought about agent Barker since she'd moved in with Chuck the fact was he'd been rescued the next day and she'd been to distracted to remember to pass it on. "I'm sorry Chuck I should have told you earlier agent Barker was rescued 3 days ago your identity is safe."

"Does that mean we don't have to move in together?" the hope so apparent in voice hurt she really didn't want to let this go. It was a small enough part of a normal relationship but god damn it was hers.

"I'm sorry Chuck we need to continue now that we've told Ellie there would be to many questions otherwise but I have some pills I promise you a good nights sleep tonight."

Chuck's sleep deprived state led him to ignore her rather flimsy excuse instead focusing on the promise of rest "Really?"

She couldn't help a fond smile he was so childlike at times so innocent. "Yes Chuck I promise."

That night found her lying awake in the dark listening to the steady sound of his breathing. He seemed dead to the world but she wanted to be sure. Scooting closer to him she raised herself up to look at his face her hand resting gently on his chest. Yes definitely sound asleep she couldn't help a small smile at his peaceful face. The rhythmic beat of his heart under her palm was hypnotic.

She knew she shouldn't but the temptation was irresistible Chuck was asleep and Casey only had ears. Scooting closer her body pressed against his side she lowered her head to his chest listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

Sarah had woken later than usual, she felt strange, calm, safe, loved. Snuggling deeper into Chuck's chest she let out a contented sigh. Suddenly it hit her bolting upright she felt a pang of loss as she left the safe confines of his arms. Chuck thankfully remained asleep although he murmured something incoherent at the loss of contact.

Sarah still reeling in shock, a storm of emotions surging through her struggled to regain her self control. The sound of an alarm clock going off shook her back to reality as Chuck awoke "morning" he mumbled wiping sleep from his eyes.

Hastily Sarah got out of the bed the few moments gave her enough time to regain some of her composure "Did you sleep well?" she asked desperately trying to buy more time.

Thinking for a second "yea actually" a slightly dazed expression on his face. He hadn't gotten all that much sleep over the last few days but he felt refreshed. "you" he queried.

Sarah paused for a second an automatic yes poised on her lips. It was strange she hadn't slept that well in .. dear god how long had it been since she hadn't been plagued by nightmares.

"Sarah?" Chuck asked pulling her out of her reverie.

"Yea umm good." She said as she beat a retreat to the bathroom.