It's A Wonderful Cover Life
A/N: Welcome to second week of rereading. As always, Nervert has been totally awesome in doing this beta on very short notice. Thanks partner! Now let's read.
A/N: Happy New Year! And welcome to the first update on FFN for 2012, at least, I hope I'm quick enough. The benefit of that of course is that you'll probably be hung over when you read this, which kinda makes me wish I was drunk when I wrote it. Actually, I could've been, but because Nervert has done his magic beta thing you'll never be able to tell. Also thank you to quistie64 for your advice and support. I'll let you know when I get to babysit my niece so you can stay close to Twitter.
To all the readers, may the year ahead be awesome. On a sad note, we are losing our favorite show in a couple of weeks, but I'm sure I speak for a couple of fanfic writers when I promise that we will do our best to keep you entertained for long after that. Thank you so much for your continued support, it's a privilege to serve such an awesome community. Long live Chuck!
I don't own Chuck.
19. Letters to Santa
Chuck cut off another piece of rosemary lamb and popped it into his mouth, all the while keeping an eye on Maggie to make sure that she ate her cheesy scallop potatoes instead of decorating her dress with them. He still wanted to take a picture for Ellie and wished he had the guts to ask Sarah to pose with her. She and Maggie's dresses accentuated their eyes and, in Sarah's case, a few other assets, and he briefly wondered if the color matching was planned or merely a coincidence. If, like Beckman, he didn't know better, Sarah could easily pass for Maggie's mother. The thought caught him off guard and he reached for his wine, swallowing both down. He couldn't go there – his days of casual dating were long over and Sarah was his boss, two very good reasons to avoid almost kisses and fake ring exchanges.
He ventured a glance at her, seated at the opposite end of the table. She was deep in conversation with Carina and Diane over the economy and the possibility of a second recession, a topic for which, aside from how it affected him directly, he had limited knowledge. At least no one seemed to notice that he wasn't actively taking part in the discussion, so he didn't run the risk of making a fool of himself. Neither did he have to pay too close attention to his 'wife', which could result in the same outcome.
Casey stepped up to the table to refill everyone's glasses and when he walked past Chuck, the big man grunted something that sounded like a warning. Chuck couldn't make out what he man was saying, but it wasn't that hard to guess. His eyes dropped back to his half-eaten dinner and he didn't notice Beckman's attention turning to his daughter.
"Maggie," she said, waiting patiently until the four-year-old looked up from arranging her peas in a crooked half circle on the bottom of her plate. "Have you written your letter to Santa yet?"
The little girl's face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes," she replied, "Aunt Ellie helped me. I asked him for a baby brother."
Chuck's fork hit his plate with a clatter and his head snapped up. That was not what Ellie had told him. He struggled for something to say and looked over at Sarah out of desperation. She was trying to hide her amusement behind her wineglass, taking a large sip, but when she saw his shell-shocked expression the implications of Maggie's words must have dawned on her too as her eyes grew wide with panic and she almost choked.
"That sure is a big gift," Beckman said, struggling to hold in her laughter.
"I know," Maggie replied, a little less excited than a moment before. "Uncle Devon says brothers are awesome, but it takes time to make one."
"It's not so much the making that takes ti–" Carina started to say, but cut herself short with a wince, which Chuck attributed to a possible kick from Sarah under the table. Again he tried to come up with a response to salvage the situation or change the subject, but Maggie beat him to it, unknowingly saving him.
"I asked for a pink bike and a Barbie too."
"Well, Santa doesn't disappoint," Beckman said with a smile. "You just have to believe."
Chuck jumped at the opening. "And be a good girl," he said, "which means you have to finish your peas."
Maggie's shoulders sagged as she picked up a pea between her thumb and forefinger and stared at it before reluctantly putting it in her mouth. She chewed for longer than was technically necessary to turn the small green vegetable into mush before reaching for a second one and repeating the process. By the fourth one, Chuck caved. Keeping his eyes on his own plate, he snuck a forkful of peas from Maggie's.
"Thanks, Daddy," she whispered.
"Don't tell Aunt Ellie," he whispered back. His sister would have a fit, he knew, as she always said he was a sucker when it came to getting his daughter to eat her veggies.
Maggie shook her head. "I won't." The last word got lost in a yawn.
"And that's our cue," Chuck said. He pushed his plate away and gave the rest of the dinner party an apologetic smile. "If you ladies will excuse us, it's bedtime."
He rose and helped Maggie down from her booster seat. She rounded the table and said goodnight to 'Miss Carina' and 'Miss Diane' – like he'd reminded her to do while he was dressing her earlier – before pausing next to Sarah.
"I'll be up in a bit to tuck you in, sweetie," Sarah said, preempting a possibly awkward greeting.
Maggie cocked her head and fixed Sarah with a curious look. "Why?"
Chuck reacted first. He let out a low chuckle, grabbing Maggie around her waist and hoisting her up in the air. "Always the funny one."
20. Hallway Pass
Sarah massaged the junction between her shoulder and neck to ease some of the tension as she ascended the stairs. The night had turned out to be more stressful than she'd thought it would be and she welcomed the reprieve. Despite the couple of close calls, Beckman seemed to be buying the ruse. After Chuck had left the dining room, the older woman had even pointed out to Sarah the benefits of having a second baby and soon, especially since her husband was such an attentive parent. All she could do was to listen and agree, much to Carina's amusement. Sarah wished she'd kicked the redhead harder.
At Maggie's door Sarah stopped and checked her watch. At least they were almost done for the day – they only had to suffer through after-dinner drinks. She was about to enter the room when the door silently opened and Chuck almost walked into her.
"Sorry," he whispered as she stepped back, startled.
"No harm done," Sarah replied in the same hushed tone. She nodded towards the room. "Is she asleep already?"
"Yeah," Chuck replied. "I didn't think I was gonna get her down with all the excitement of decorating another Christmas tree, not to mention all the new toys, but she missed her afternoon nap, so that worked in my favor. Even bath time wasn't as messy tonight." He smiled, gesturing down his shirt, now minus the tie and with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "Not a spot on me."
"Impressive." Sarah smiled back, remembering how he looked the night she went over to his apartment.
Chuck reached for the knob and started to pull the door shut, stopping halfway. "You didn't really want to tuck her in, did you?" he asked. "If I'd known – "
"Oh, no, that was just for Beckman's sake." She realized too late how that came across and tried to backtrack. "I mean, not that I don't…Maggie probably wouldn't feel comfortable, I am a stranger after all. Sort of." Sarah wasn't even sure why she'd come up to the room in the first place. She could've used the time to refresh her make-up or something.
"You don't have to explain," Chuck said. "Let me just get my tie and jacket and we can head back downstairs and Beckman will be none the wiser." He'd already turned towards his room when Sarah grabbed his arm.
"You look fine."
"But you said it's formal – "
"No, really," Sarah cut in. "You look – " Her eyes traveled down his torso and back to his face while she weighed her words. "You look at home."
"Good for the cover," he concluded.
"Exactly." Sarah released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She was not about to admit that she didn't want to risk redoing his tie. Besides, she liked the look. "Unless you're cold? If you need your jacket – " She trailed off, scared she might say too much if she continued.
"Nope, I'm good." Chuck indicated for her to lead the way. Halfway down the stairs he stopped. "Unless you want me to get my jacket so I can give it to you because you are wearing a lot less than I am."
Sarah, two steps ahead of him, spun around, her mouth agape.
Chuck raised both hands in defense. "That was so not what I meant."
She believed him, but was worried that he would slip up in front of Beckman. "Chuck," she said, "you've done great so far. Just keep it together for another hour, okay?"
"Okay." He dropped his hands and rolled his shoulders. "Let's get this over with."
Sarah stayed ahead of him, but slowed her pace before entering the living room. When Chuck caught up to her she slipped her hand into his. They looked at each other, both took a deep breath and forced matching smiles.
21. A Friend in Need
"I think we pulled it off. Who knew the geek had it in him?"
"His name is Chuck," Sarah said. She folded her arms over her chest to ward off the cooler air in the foyer and waited for Carina to pull on her coat.
"I'm trying to pay him a compliment."
"You could have fooled me."
"Well," Carina said, "the important thing is that Beckman was fooled. I was worried that the rug rat…Maggie," she amended at Sarah's scowl, "was going to give it away, but Chuck handled her like a pro."
"So I take it you're willing to admit that you were wrong about him?" Sarah regretted the question the minute she'd asked it. She could practically see the wheels in Carina's head turn.
"I stand corrected," Carina replied, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across her face. Her fingers that were tying the belt of her coat had stopped. "Hey, do you mind if I spend the night?"
Sarah cocked her head to the side and fixed Carina with an apprehensive glare. "Why?"
"For the deal, of course." Carina shrugged, as if the answer was obvious. "That way I can beat traffic in the morning and not risk being late for our breakfast appointment."
The mirth in her eyes, however, did nothing to convince Sarah. "That's lame, even for you."
Carina huffed. "Okay, fine. I think the nerd is kind of cute, so I figured I'll make sure he's not lonely. It is his first night in a strange house after all."
"Absolutely not." Sarah realized she'd raised her voice and dropped it an octave. "He's supposed to be my husband. You can't just…stay over."
"C'mon, Sarah, we both know you're not going to fulfill your wifely duties," Carina replied. Then she winked. "Even though you want to."
"You're being absurd. I'm not interested in Chuck. This is business."
Carina gave a disbelieving snort. "I saw the way you were cozying up to him back there."
Sarah bit back a reply. She hadn't thought anyone had noticed when she'd moved a fraction of an inch closer to Chuck after he'd casually draped his arm on the back of the sofa. There was no way of explaining that to Carina without her making a federal case out of it.
"I'm just trying to be your friend in need here, Sarah. All I'm saying is that you could use a good roll in the hay as much as he can. I seriously doubt he's gotten any since…you know." Carina jerked her head in the direction of the stairs. "He should be good, or at least grateful. Maybe a little eager even."
She smirked when all Sarah could do was stare at her in shock.
"Just make sure to use protection," Carina continued. "He was probably caught unprepared the last time and I'm not dragging a pregnant woman around Europe with me. They're hormonal and need to pee every five seconds."
Sarah finally snapped her mouth shut. "I take it back," she said. "You're seriously disturbed."
"So you keep telling me," Carina replied in a sing-song voice as she grabbed her purse with one hand and slipped around the door. Sticking her head back in, she wiggled her eyebrows at Sarah and mouthed "I want details." Then she shut the door before Sarah could get a word out.
Sarah took a moment to push Carina's taunting from her mind before returning to the living room where she'd left Chuck and Beckman. His face lit up when he saw her and the memory of Carina's sudden interest in Chuck started to gnaw at her. She had bigger things to worry about though, wondering what Chuck and Beckman had discussed in her absence.
"Diane was just telling me about her trip to Aspen," Chuck said, as if reading Sarah's mind. "We should really consider taking a holiday there when Maggie is old enough to learn to ski."
"Sounds like a plan," Sarah replied, taking a seat next to him, but making sure not to get too close this time. If Carina had noticed before, Chuck might to as well.
"You're never too young to learn," Beckman said. "I think she'd be a natural. Remind me to give you the details of the lodge we stayed at. They have a rather tame bunny slope and the instructors are the best in the business. Did you go skiing often before she was born?"
"Oh, no." Chuck let out a nervous laugh. "I'm all limbs when it comes to outdoor activities, so it would probably be for the best if I stay on the bunny slope too."
"Ah." Beckman turned to Sarah. "Maggie gets her poise from you, I see."
Everything inside Sarah froze for a split second. "I guess so," she replied. "Her smile and natural charm is all Chuck, though." She caught his surprised expression at the compliment and gave him a playful shoulder bump, a silent message for him to focus.
"You two did a fine job then," Beckman said, oblivious to the undertones of the gesture, and rose. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's been a long day and I think I'll turn in. Thank you for a lovely dinner."
22. What Would Bond Do?
Chuck slumped back against the couch cushions and ran his hands down his face. "I can't believe she bought all that."
"People tend to see what they want to see." Sarah scooted back, turned sideways and tucked one leg in under her. "Thanks again, Chuck," she said. "I couldn't have pulled this off without you."
He lifted his head to look at her, giving her a lopsided smile. "Just doing my job." His eyes darted to the corner of the room for a moment. "Besides, it's not like pretending to be married to you is a hardship."
Sarah let out a humorless laugh. "Thanks, I guess." She stifled a yawn. "Are we gonna call it a night too?"
"That was my thinking." Chuck pushed to his feet and waited for Sarah to the same before they crossed the room. "Do you want me to check the doors and get the lights?" he asked.
"No need," Sarah replied. "Casey normally takes care of that after everyone had gone to bed."
"Is that part of his butler duties or does he moonlight as a security guard? He's not hiding a Rottweiler somewhere in the house, is he?"
"He prefers Major of the Manor actually," Sarah joked back, "and he's Casey, he doesn't need a vicious dog."
"Touché."
There was a lull in the conversation as they made their way to the stairs, but unlike before, Sarah found the silence comfortable. The easiness ended when, halfway up the steps, Chuck casually draped his arm over her shoulders. Her muscles tensed and she stopped walking and breathing. She refused to look at him, but in her peripheral vision she didn't miss his head dipping towards her and she closed her eyes as her heart rate sped up. The last thing she expected Chuck to do was to come on to her. He'd been a gentleman all night.
"Someone's up there," he whispered close to her ear. Sarah's eyes flew open.
"Oh." She slipped her arm around his back, just in case. The little shiver that ran through him made her feel less like an idiot. "C'mon," she whispered back and tugged him along with her once her legs started working again.
They found Beckman on the landing, fingering through the titles in the bookcase. "This is quite the collection," she said when she spotted the couple.
"Please feel free to take a book to bed," Sarah offered, hoping no one picked up on the slight shakiness in her tone.
"I think I will, thank you." Beckman's attention turned back to mini library. "Goodnight." She waved over her shoulder.
"Goodnight," Chuck and Sarah replied as they ascended the rest of the stairs.
When they reached Sarah's door, their arms fell to their sides. Chuck took a step in the direction of his own room at the same time Beckman turned around, book in hand. Acting quickly, Sarah grabbed Chuck's arm and pulled him into her room with her and shut the door.
"That was smooth," Chuck said.
"Not as smooth as you," Sarah replied, walking over to the dresser. She made quick work of her earrings and dropped them into the jewelry box.
Chuck remained close to the door, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He wiggled one shoulder. "I just imagined what Bond would do in that situation."
Sarah acknowledged the comment with a small smile, focusing on removing her necklace and watch. She could still smell a hint of his aftershave, the scent of pine and something she couldn't lay her finger on, even though he was standing on the opposite side of the room. Even with her back to him, she was very aware of his presence.
"Well," Chuck broke the silence, "I guess she should be gone now, so goodnight." He opened the door before Sarah could respond. She did turn in time to see him take a couple of steps backwards, shut the door again and slump against the wall. "That was close," he said.
"What happened?"
He gestured in the direction of the hallway. "Diane has made herself at home in your library sitting area thingy." Then he frowned. "Seriously, what do you call that space?"
"Reading corner," Sarah replied automatically, her mind frantically searching for a solution to their latest predicament.
"Really," Chuck said, "I wouldn't have guessed, seeing as it's not actually in a corner."
Sarah ignored his quip and walked to the door to check for herself. She opened it just a crack. Beckman was indeed settled into a chair, her nose in a book, and it didn't seem like she'd be going to bed soon.
Sarah cursed under her breath and quickly closed the door when Beckman's head turned.
"Now what?" Chuck asked, looking up at her. He'd slid down the wall and was sitting on the floor, his knees drawn up. "Do I wait here until the coast is clear?"
"It could be a while." She stepped around Chuck back into the main area of the room and paced to the bathroom and back. They only had one viable option. She bit her bottom lip in an effort to stall and maybe come up with a different plan. She couldn't.
"You're gonna have to sleep here tonight," she finally said.
Chuck's eyebrows shot up. "What? I don't think that's a good idea."
"Do you have a better one?"
He thought it over for a moment. "I could climb out the window," he said. "Surely there's a ledge or a trellis or something I can use to get to my room. All I need is someone to open that window from the inside – "
"Chuck," Sarah cut him off. "You're being ridiculous. We're on the second floor and you yourself said you're not athletic. How am I supposed to explain your broken neck to Beckman in the morning?" She planted her hands on her hips. "Not to mention your daughter."
Chuck's disappointed gaze dropped to the carpet, his shoulder sagging. "It's what Bond would do."
A/N: And spcr71 thought it couldn't be done *wink*. When this story started out, I told you it was based on a movie called Random Hearts. I sorta lied. Thank you to Tamara Jane who pointed out that it's actually called Borrowed Hearts.