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Chapter 2
That night Chuck came walking up to Ellie's apartment with his shoulders hung low and his feet dragging as he walked. He had seen Sarah's car, and that the Morgan door had been left open, so he knew his guests had beaten him home. As he opened the door he saw Sarah talking to Ellie while Morgan was moving the XBOX 360 to the big screen in the living room.
"Hey buddy, Ellie said we can play out here on the new tv." Morgan's comment got the attention of the women in the room.
Sarah looked over at Chuck and smiled. He had not gotten his hair cut. She was hoping that meant that she had gotten through to him today. "I thought you were getting your hair cut today," Ellie asked. Sarah couldn't help but look at Ellie, a little upset.
"I was going to but…but big Mike had me too busy all day." He showed no emotion as he said so. "I think I am going to try again later in the week." Truth of the matter is he could not decide if he wanted to do it or not and just skipped the appointment.
Sarah was crushed. She had not reached him after all, or so she thought. She was unable to respond and could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "If you would excuse me, I need to use the restroom," Sarah had to leave before anyone saw her cry.
Sarah came back from the bathroom to find Chuck and Morgan already completely enthralled with the game. Ellie was sitting at the table watching. "Hey Sarah, I was wondering if you would like to go shopping with me tomorrow morning. I need a new swim suite before we head to the beach tomorrow for Morgan's birthday party."
Morgan yelled back without taking his attention from the screen, "Birthday party makes it sound like I am 10, it is Morgan's birthday Beach Bash 2008."
"My bad," Ellie laughed. "Anyway I need a new suite, you want to go."
Sarah remembered being told about the party last week, but Chuck had not mentioned anything since. She was not even sure she was still invited. "I don't know Ellie, I am not sure I am going to make it." She looked at Chuck hoping for a response. Chuck looked at her as he walked to the kitchen to get more sodas, but he did not really respond.
"Of course you are going to go," Ellie demanded. "I need someone there to talk to. You will be my only real friend there."
"Hey!" Morgan acted hurt by her comment.
"Besides Morgan," Ellie added though not too enthused.
Sarah looked at Chuck who then nodded. "Sounds good to me."
"Then we can go check out some suites at around 9. I want to know that if I am going to be parading around half naked all day that I will be able to keep Devon's attention where I want it."
Sarah knew that this choice of words was not helping her situation with Chuck, but was saved from any further remarks when she heard Morgan, "Damn it. I died."
"What happened you were doing so well?" Chuck asked.
"I don't know. I was going along fine then I hear Ellie say something about being half naked and boom…Dead."
Everyone laughed, though Chuck's laugh stopped short when he made eye contact with Sarah.
The night continues on and Ellie finally gives in and goes to bed. Sarah was getting tired but was determined to talk to Chuck before going home. Morgan had just begun his most recent solo mission, when Sarah decided to try get Chuck alone.
"Can we go get some air?" She asked Chuck.
He looked nervous but decided to go. They walked out to the fountain in the courtyard.
Sarah really had not figured out what she was going to say, "Tonight was fun. That game is actually not too bad. It's not as much fun as shooting the real thing but hey." She just smiled at Chuck. "And at least you found something that you can beat me in," still no response. Chuck was fidgeting and not making eye contact. He was nervous.
"Chuck what can I say to fix this?"
"There is nothing to say. I know what you only did what you needed to do. I don't blame you and am not mad at you. Well…I am still a little mad, but I'll get over that. You were just doing your job."
"Chuck I was not just doing my job. I do care what happens to you the person, not just the asset."
"I wish I could believe that. I just don't know how to."
"I am telling you the truth."
"That's the thing Sarah. How do I know you are telling me the truth? If someone has been lying to you and you ask them if they are lying. They can say no, and that is just the most recent lie. You are so good at making people think whatever you want them to. I don't know what to believe."
"I don't know what to say or do, so I will just say this. I am not lying to you and I am going to continue to show you that I do care about you until you can trust me again." There was a sincerity in her voice that was beginning to get to Chuck.
Chuck was about to respond when the door to the apartment opened. "Sorry to interrupt you two but I am going to head home," came Morgan.
"Done already? I thought you would be crashing here tonight?" Chuck asked.
"Well, I am getting some serious cramps in my hands so complete annihilation of my enemies will have to wait till tomorrow, and I would have crashed here but I need to get some things together for the bash which may just go down as the greatest day in history." Chuck just smiled and patted Morgan on the shoulder as he passed him. When Morgan got to Sarah he looked as if he were going to say something then just hugged her in much the same way he did earlier, though this hug was not as long. "Thank you so much, you are the best."
"Your welcome Morgan happy birthday," Sarah smiled at him.
Morgan walked away and Chuck took the opportunity to end the conversation for the night. "I am going to go to bed to. I guess I will see you tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow," Sarah had taken a small step towards Chuck to kiss him on the cheek like she normally would when she left, but he recoiled. She dejectedly looked at the ground and turned to walk to her car as Chuck sadly walked into the apartment.
Sarah sat in her car thinking before she could bring herself to leave. A year ago things would have been very different. She would have thrown herself at Chuck making it impossible to resist her to give her control over her asset. Then again, a year ago Chuck would have never been this stubborn. Well maybe stubborn is a poor word choice. He is just so much stronger now. He proved to be brave the first night they met when he defused the bomb, but that was different. He was only ever strong or brave when someone else was in danger. When it came to his own safety or in resisting her he was…well he was not so brave or strong. He was adorable to be sure, but not exactly confident in himself. Now, Casey has even mentioned that the "Kid seems to be growing somewhat of a spine," of course never in front of Chuck. The thought brought a smile to her face. He was still the sweet and innocent man she met, but now he was developing an inner strength that was making him even more attractive to her. He would still gush over her when he first saw her, and she hoped that that would never change, but she liked that he could stand up for himself. She allowed her head to fall forward hitting the top of her steering wheel. "Ow," she chuckled as she rubbed her forehead. That was the same thing Chuck would have done. She was falling for him, and falling hard. I'm in trouble She thought to herself.
If Chuck was confused before, he was down right baffled now. She really seemed sincere when she said she cared and that she was going to keep showing him until he could trust her again. He wanted so much to believe her. He wanted so much to have her care about him. He walked to his bedroom and flopped face first onto his bed, letting out a large sigh as he did so. He knew that he couldn't stand to be sloe to her for too long or his will power would disintegrate into nothing. He was lucky that Morgan came out when he did. He was not sure what he would have said, but he new that she still had way to much control of him. She still had way too much…of his heart. I'm in trouble he thought to himself.