I still don't own Chuck. But one good thing. You don't have to pay I-tunes to read this story.

Thanks to Happydayz for the ideas and for holding my virtual hand through all the angst on the show. And, of course, thanks to BrickRoad for keeping me on the straight and narrow. And even though she likes Cole, I forgive her.

If you enjoyed this or any of the stories on this site, please take a second and send the author a review. It's the only reward that we get for putting ourselves out there. I want to thank everyone who has sent me a review. I really appreciate the support that you've given me. It really helps me stay motivated.

If you're a Chuck fan (and if you're not, boy are you reading the wrong story), join us in the forum on this site. We would love to hear your thoughts on the show and where it's going. Since we've talked about every possible outcome, someone is sure to be right.

Wild Oats

- - - -

Chuck could tell that Sarah was nervous. It was pretty easy for him to see. Sarah always got really chatty when she was nervous. And now she was really chatty. She had thrown on Chuck's t-shirt and was pacing the room like a caged tiger.

"Sarah," Chuck said. "What's wrong?"

"Sweetie," Sarah began nervously. "We would never be able to make it on our own without help. I always knew that. Whenever we would have to get groceries someone would eventually recognize us. So I got us some help."

"What kind of help?" Chuck asked.

"I have a friend," Sarah said as she continued to pace. "She was my first partner in the CIA. We worked together until she got hurt on a mission in Columbia and had to retire. She lives a couple of miles away. She is going to help us. She'll bring us groceries and stuff until the heat goes away."

"That sounds nice," Chuck said. "Why is it bothering you so much to tell me this? Don't you trust her?"

"It depends," Sarah said sadly. "I trust her with my life. I trust her to help us and to not betray us to the CIA."

"But…" Chuck asked.

"I don't trust her with you," Sarah finally blurted out after a long pause. "You don't know her. She's not going to rest until she gets you in bed."

"She sounds like Carina," Chuck said with a smile.

"Sweetie," Sarah said with a sigh. "Carina is a virgin compared to her."

"Wow," Chuck said softly. "Are all spies like that?"

Chuck could immediately tell by the look on Sarah's face that he had said the wrong thing.

"Sarah," Chuck said as he quickly walked over and put his arm around her. "You know that I didn't mean it like that. I don't think you're like that at all."

Sarah simply buried he face into Chuck's shoulder.

"Sarah," Chuck said softly as he wrapped his arms around her. "You can't seriously be worried about me cheating on you. I hope you know that I would never do that."

Sarah was silent for a long moment. Chuck, not knowing what else to do, just rubbed her back.

"I know," Sarah finally whispered. "Just don't under estimate her, ok? She'll try anything and she is very good at what she does. And she's going to consider you a challenge."

"How do you know that?" Chuck asked as he continued to rub her back.

"Trust me," Sarah whispered. "I just do. She's coming over in a little while."

"So," Chuck said with a smile. "What is this super seductress's name?"

"Janice," Sarah said as she looked Chuck in the eye for the first time. "Janice Beckman."

Sarah saw the look on Chuck's face and for the first time a slight smile came across her face.

"Don't worry. No relation."

- - - -

General Beckman was conducting the morning briefing. She was not in a very good mood. As a matter of fact, she was downright surly.

"Are all you people going to sit there and tell me that we don't have a single damn lead?" Beckman said as she pounded the podium in frustration. It was far more accusation than question.

"Yes, ma'am," The FBI representative said. "We haven't had a peep since the gas station sighting."

"How could that be?" Beckman growled. "We have a description of the vehicle and the plates. There is no way they could avoid being picked up for very long."

"No ma'am," the FBI agent agreed. "They must be holed up somewhere."

"Then they have to buy food sometime." Beckman said. "Let's redouble our stories to the local media. Make them sound very dangerous. Somebody must see them."

"Yes ma'am," the agent said quickly.

"You're dismissed," Beckman told the group. "Agent Casey, could you please stay for a moment?"

"Yes, ma'am," Casey said after everyone else had left the room.

"Major," Beckman said. "If they are holed up somewhere, they must be checking the news."

"Makes sense, ma'am," Casey agreed.

"I want to ratchet up the tension a little," Beckman said. "Have the sister picked up. We'll plant a story that says we've arrested her as an accomplice."

"Isn't there a better option, ma'am?" Casey said softly. "Dr. Bartowski is innocent here. She is not even aware that her brother is the intersect."

"We have no choice," Beckman snapped. "We need to find these two as soon as possible. The more tension we can put on them, the sooner they will make a mistake."

"Ma'am," Casey said with a sigh. "At least, can I go personally? She knows me. It might ease her fears a little."

"Fine," Beckman said. "Just make sure it's done right away."

- - - -

Chuck and Sarah were sitting on the couch relaxing. Chuck had finally been able to calm Sarah down. But it took some doing. Chuck had never seen Sarah anywhere close to this worked up. It was actually more than a little disconcerting. After all she was the best agent in the CIA. She routinely faced bombs and men with guns, and much worse without fear. So why was she afraid of this woman who she claimed as a friend? It couldn't be that she was afraid that he would cheat on her. That just wasn't possible. And how was she so sure that this woman would try and seduce him? Suddenly the light bulb in Chuck's head went on.

"So," Chuck said softly. "How wild were you anyway?"

Sarah jerked her head up in surprise and immediately looked back at the floor.

"You're not worried about me cheating on you," Chuck continued. "You're worried about what she is going to tell me."

"How did you know?" Sarah whispered.

"Pretty easy," Chuck said with a smile. "I can't imagine you sitting by knowing that someone was going to come on to me. For you to be so sure that she is going to try something, you must have had a contest."

Sarah nodded sadly as she continued to look at the floor.

"Why don't you tell me the story," Chuck said. "I'd much rather hear it from you."

"I'm embarrassed," Sarah said softly.

"All the more reason to tell me before she does," Chuck said softly. "It'll be ok, Sarah. Just tell me."

"There was a time in my life where I was pretty wild," Sarah began so softly that Chuck had to strain to hear her. "After Janice and I graduated from the academy, we went through a lot of men. It was crazy."

"What about your contest?" Chuck asked.

"Whenever either one of us would bring home a guy," Sarah continued sadly. "The other would have three days to seduce him. I'm ahead by one. So she's going to pull out all the stops."

"Well, I've got good news," Chuck said as he put his arm around Sarah's shoulder. "You're going to win."

"I'm so sorry," Sarah said as she buried her head in Chuck's shoulder. "I don't know what came over me there for a while."

"I do," Chuck said.

Pure surprise caused Sarah to look at Chuck for the first time.

"Bad family life, awkward teenage years, suddenly beautiful, daddy issues, and on your own for the first time," Chuck said as he ticked off the points on his fingers. "I'd be stunned if you didn't get wild for a while. You're a walking stereotype. What made you stop?"

"It started to feel empty," Sarah whispered. "It was just a bunch of people using each other."

"I know,"

"You're not mad at me?" Sarah asked.

"Of course not," Chuck replied. "Sarah, that was years ago."

"Thank you," Sarah whispered as she buried her face deeper into Chuck's neck.

"I'm not going to be seeing you in a Girls Gone Wild video, am I?" Chuck said with a smile.

"For one thing," Sarah said as she looked up at Chuck. "Why on earth would you be watching a Girls Gone Wild video?"

"Good point," Chuck was forced to agree.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"You know that you don't have anything to worry about," Chuck said to her softly. "I would die before I would hurt you."

The smile that Sarah flashed was all Chuck needed to know that she was ok. Sarah carefully checked out the window before opening the door. But when she finally opened the door, Chuck was looking at one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. If not for Sarah, it would definitely be the most beautiful. Her long blond hair hung over her shoulders much like Sarah's had before she went brunette. The blouse and matching skirt that she wore looked right out of a fashion magazine.

"Janice," Sarah said as she led the visitor into the room. "I would like you to meet my husband, Chuck. Chuck, this is my friend Janice." The way Sarah emphasized the word husband left little doubt as to her intent.

"It's very nice to meet you, Chuck," Janice said as she flashed him the most stunning smile that Chuck had ever seen. "Any husband of Sarah's is ok in my book."

"Thanks," Chuck said as he stood and took her proffered hand and shook it. Chuck noticed that Sarah's eyes were burning a hole through him as he had to almost forcibly withdraw his hand.

"So, Chuck," Janice said as she sat next to him in the spot that Sarah had just been occupying. "Who is this and what have you done with Sarah?"

"What do you mean?" Chuck asked in confusion.

"I've been here for two minutes and I still don't have a drink," Janice said with a smile. "That doesn't sound like the Sarah Walker that I know and love."

Sarah went into the kitchen and found the bottle of Scotch. "Do you want something, Chuck?" Sarah asked as she poured a liberal amount of the liquor into a glass. "I see that you stocked the house with your favorite Scotch."

"No thanks," Chuck said.

"Oh come on," Janice said as she put her hand on Chuck's arm. "Ladies don't like to drink alone. Have just one."

Sarah poured a drink for Chuck without waiting for his response. As soon as Sarah handed Chuck and Janice their drinks, she sat down on the chair opposite from them."

"Well, Sarah," Janice said with a grin as she stared at Sarah. "Husband, huh?"

Sarah's smile was noticeably forced as she nodded.

"You do realize that it isn't going to make a difference?"

- - - -

Ellie was just getting ready for work when she heard the knock at the door. Devon had an early surgery scheduled and had already left for the hospital. When Ellie opened the door she saw Casey standing there.

"Hello, John," Ellie said as coldly as she could muster. "What do you want?"

"I'm looking for Chuck," Casey said softly. "Ellie, it's important that I find him. If you know where he is, you need to tell me."

"I've heard a rumor that he might be on his way to hell," Ellie said sarcastically. "Why don't you go there and wait for him?"

"I'm sorry," Casey said so softly that Ellie had to strain to hear him. "I'm just following orders. I'll try and make this as easy on you as I can. Please don't hate me."

For the first time, Ellie noticed the two State Troopers standing behind Casey.

"Eleanor Bartowski," Casey said loudly, obviously for the trooper's benefit.

"You are under arrest for Obstruction of Justice."

- - - -

Chuck sat on the couch in stunned silence as Janice told him story after story of her years as Sarah's partner. And with each drink her stories got louder and wilder. And with each new story, Sarah's face got redder and redder. It turned out that Sarah indeed had a very wild side at one time. And that alone kept Chuck's interest. Part of him wanted to save Sarah the embarrassment. But he had to admit, he was enjoying the stories.

"Sarah's probably told you that I intend to sleep with you," Janice said with a wicked grin as she took another sip of her scotch. Chuck couldn't help but be impressed. She could really hold her liquor. If Chuck had that much to drink he would be passed out by now.

"She told me that you might try," Chuck said with a smile directed toward Sarah. "I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen."

"Not tonight, maybe," Janice said confidently, even though her words were starting to slur a bit.

"But I've got two more days."

- - - -