It's a Wonderful Cover Life
A/N 2013: Well, if your Christmas trees and stockings are still up, you might want to see someone about that, right after you've read this chapter.
A/N: Hi folks, I hope your Christmas trees and stockings are still up. Thank you for sticking with this story, unseasonal as it has become. I'm humbled by your support, especially those of you who have taken the time to leave a comment, I think chapter 5 was a record. As always, Nervert and quistie64 worked their magic, helping me to weave this tale. Thanks guys.
I don't own Chuck.
23. It Happened One Night
If it hadn't been for the fact that Carina had gotten them arrested in their sophomore year of college, Sarah would have put this down as her worst idea yet. Technically she knew she was to blame as well – she could've stopped this before it had gone too far. She could have forced Carina to tell Beckman the truth or withdrew the offer of sale altogether. But it was Carina, Sarah decided, who had started all of this. And it was Carina who kept putting inappropriate thoughts in her head.
Sarah sighed as she dropped the used piece of floss into the trash. Chuck had finally accepted that he had no other choice than to stay, but not before he'd insisted on using the bathroom first, stating bluntly that he wanted to get in there while it was still nighttime. She'd agreed, figuring that at least he'd be asleep by the time she was done and they could avoid any further awkwardness. To be on the safe side, she'd taken her time going through her nightly hygiene ritual, all the while perking her ears for movement from beyond the door. It had been quiet for a while, so she figured it was safe to emerge from the bathroom.
Sarah immediately noticed the distinct lack of two things, one of them being a lanky, curly haired nerd. Her first thought was that Beckman had finally turned in and that Chuck had returned to his room, but that would not explain the absence of her favorite pillow.
Sighing again, Sarah padded in her socks to her dressing room.
"What are you doing?" she asked from the doorway.
"Trying to sleep," Chuck replied, as if it wasn't obvious, and pulled the blanket higher over his shoulder.
"Chuck, you can't sleep on the floor."
"Well, you don't have a couch." He lifted his head and punched the pillow twice before lying back down again.
Sarah bit back a complaint about the blatant abuse she'd just witnessed. "Why would I have a couch in my bedroom?" she asked instead.
"All master bedrooms in mansions have couches. Don't you watch TV?" His snarky remark threatened to dissolve Sarah's last thread of patience. "At least the floor isn't gross," he continued while trying to shift into a more comfortable position, "though this Persian does nothing in terms of lumbar support."
"You could always sleep in the bed."
Chuck propped himself up on his elbows and tilted his head back to look at her. "But where would you sleep?"
"The other side of the bed," Sarah replied. His jaw went slack as he shook his head from side to side. "Can't we just be adults about this?"
"I am being an adult and I'm choosing to sleep on the floor."
Annoyed by his insistence, Sarah hunched down to reason with him. Chuck tried to scramble away, but he quickly ran out of space.
"Okay, Chuck," she said, "play it your way, but this is my pillow – " She grabbed it before he could make a move to stop her. "And if you're all stiff and sore in the morning, I'll tell Beckman it's because we spent the night working on Maggie's Christmas present."
In a move that would make a professional gymnast jealous, Chuck twisted around and jumped to his feet. "You wouldn't."
"Well, I can't really tell her the truth now, can I?" Sarah rose and spun on her heel, and just because his constant rejection was getting the better of her, she added an extra sway to her hips as she walked away, wishing she was wearing her normal boy shorts with her t-shirt, instead of the sweatpants she'd thought would make Chuck less uncomfortable.
Not waiting to see if he followed, she pulled the covers back, slipped into bed and switched off the light. She rolled onto her side facing the window and flipped the pillow around, catching his scent on it. Several minutes passed before she heard Chuck shuffle towards the bed.
Sarah winced when he bumped into the nightstand. "Are you okay?" she whispered without turning.
"Fine," he groaned. She felt the mattress dip and the pull of the covers as he settled in. A triumphant smile crossed her lips as she closed her eyes.
24. Midnight Spooning
Sarah watched the digital clock as it changed, indicating that yet another minute had passed. She rolled onto her back and lolled her head to the side. Chuck was sleeping peacefully. He wasn't snoring, per se, it was more like having a giant cat in her bed, but she was used to silence. She'd elbowed him in ribs once, to which he'd responded with a mumbled "five more minutes, El" without so much as opening his eyes. Blowing out a frustrated breath, Sarah pushed herself up on her elbows and leaned over to his side.
"Hey, Chuck," she whispered in his ear.
He swatted at her. "Not now, Morgan," he muttered and burrowed deeper into the pillow.
Sarah pulled back and glared at him.
"Chuck Bartowski, if you have a girlfriend you haven't told me about, I swear – " She shook her head in disbelief. This could not be happening again. Yes, it was only a business arrangement, but he had almost kissed her. That was almost cheating. Just because she wasn't on the receiving end this time, didn't make it better. She tossed the covers aside and got out of bed. "We are so gonna talk in the morning, Chuck," she huffed, getting only a snuffle in response.
Sarah was hit by rush of cold air when she entered the kitchen, realizing for the first time that she hadn't pulled on her robe. She briskly rubbed her arms and went over to the cupboard where Casey kept the single malt. She poured herself a generous shot and downed half of it, the liquid burning all the way to her stomach. Then she went over to the fridge for what she had actually come down for – Rocky Road. It would cancel out the warming effect of the whiskey, but she didn't really care. There was nothing ice cream couldn't cure. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer and made herself comfortable at the kitchen table.
She'd barely eaten a second spoonful, straight from the container, when a noise from the door made her jump. Her heart rate, slowing down after being startled, sped right back up when saw Maggie, dressed in yellow footie pajamas with the words "My daddy is a nerd" in black lettering across the front, rubbing her eyes with her fist. The other had Mr. Oink's ear in a death grip as she dragged him behind her.
"Kitty," she drawled sleepily, "whacha doing?"
"Uh – " Sarah was stunned for a moment. She looked down at the ice cream and then back at Maggie. "I'm having a midnight snack." It was way past twelve, but she highly doubted Maggie was old enough to tell time. The little girl shuffled across the floor and clambered onto the chair next to Sarah who instinctively reached her hand out to steady her. Unsure of what to do next, Sarah asked "Can I get you anything?"
"Do you have warm milk?" Maggie asked with a yawn. Sarah had hoped she would ask for her dad and debated whether or not to go wake him anyway, but she was fairly certain she could handle this simple task.
"Yeah," Sarah answered lightly as she got up. Maggie rose to her knees on the chair and then to her feet and Sarah's heart skipped a beat. She turned and grabbed the girl by the waist. "Sweetie, I don't think you should do that."
"I just wanted to see what that is," she explained, pointing to the container on the table.
"It's ice cream. Would you rather have some of that?"
Maggie's head snapped around to Sarah. "Really?" she asked.
Sarah nodded, pleased with herself that she seemed to have done something right. "I'll get you a spoon," she replied.
The toothy grin she received prompted one of her own, but it faltered slightly when she realized she couldn't hold onto Maggie and reach the silverware drawer. Sarah tried to figure what Chuck would do and got an idea. She picked Maggie up and sat her down on the table. Then she slowly pulled her hands away.
"Just sit still, okay? Don't move."
"Okay."
Maggie complied, but Sarah didn't take her eyes off of her as she backed towards the drawer, ready to leap forward if need be. With the second spoon delivered without incident, she pulled her chair in front of Maggie's legs. She held the container out to the little girl who peered inside and then at Sarah.
"What's wrong, sweetie?"
"I don't have a bowl," Maggie replied.
"Have you never eaten ice cream from the carton before?" Sarah asked.
Maggie shook her head.
"It's the best." To prove her statement Sarah scooped up a spoonful of Rocky Road, eating it under the watchful gaze of the four-year-old. Still chewing, she offered Maggie the container again and this time she dug in without hesitation. Her face was a picture of pure delight as she licked her spoon clean.
Sarah held the carton between them as they ate in silence, stealing glances at one another in between bites.
Sarah cleared her throat uneasily. "Maggie, who's Morgan?" she asked before she could talk herself out of it. It was a cheap shot, prying for information from a child, but the question had been nagging her since Chuck had uttered the name.
"Uncle Morgan is Daddy's bestest friend. He has a beard," Maggie stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh." It hadn't even occurred to her that some people evidently still named their boys that, but it didn't mean she was completely wrong. "Does your daddy have a girlfriend?" Now Sarah just felt pathetic. She was actually stooping so low as to interrogate a four-year-old.
"Uh-huh," Maggie nodded and licked her spoon clean with keen concentration. "He's got you."
The answer floored Sarah. "Oh, sweetie, I'm not – "
"Daddy said you're his friend," Maggie cut in, "and you're a girl. Do you play videogames?"
"No," Sarah replied dumbfounded. Or should that be yes, yes, no, she wondered. Or no, yes, no? They'd told Maggie that she and Chuck were having a sleepover at his friend's house, but that didn't actually make them friends.
"What do girlfriends do?" Maggie asked curiously, tilting her head to the side as she studied Sarah.
"Uh…wow," Sarah managed to choke out. "I suppose it depends on mutual interests and where the relationship is heading and how serious – " She stopped talking when Maggie's expression turned to one of confusion. "They go to the movies," she ventured hesitantly.
"Oh, okay," Maggie replied, seemingly content with the answer. She opened her mouth for what Sarah assumed would be another awkward question and Sarah quickly diverted her attention.
"You know, it's really late. We should probably go back to bed."
Sarah got up and was ready to help Maggie down from the table when the little girl looked up at her with her innocent blue eyes. "But I'm not sleepy anymore."
25. I know Kung Fu
Chuck yawned as he felt around for his phone on the nightstand. He located it and brought it up close to his face before prying one eye open. As he'd suspected, it was still very early. He rolled over on his side to go back to sleep, flinging his arm across the mattress. The covers on the empty side of were a mess, something that was very odd. He opened his eyes again and then realized he was in a strange bed. It took him a second to focus before he recalled the events of the previous night, including getting into bed with Sarah, who was now absent. Had she not been –
He cut off the thought and quickly retracted his arm.
Despite it being too early to get up, he did so anyway and quietly padded to the bathroom. Finding it empty, he used the opportunity to brush his teeth again, hoping it would help with his morning breath, seeing as he his mints were in the other room. He finished up quickly, not wanting to be caught in the act should Sarah return.
Before getting back into bed he decided to check on Maggie. He poked his head out the door, making sure no one was in the hall as he was lacking a robe. Sarah had lent him a pair of sweatpants which he suspected belonged to an ex-boyfriend at some point, but the wife beater undershirt made him a little self-conscious. Awesome often hinted that he could work out more.
Satisfied that he was alone, he snuck to Maggie's door and frowned when he found it open and the bed empty. He checked the en suite bathroom and, seeing nothing, made his way downstairs. In the kitchen he came across two spoons and half a glass of whiskey on the center table. Then he spotted Mr. Oink in the doorway to the living room. He was about to stoop down to retrieve the pig when he noticed Monster's Inc. playing on the TV with the sound muted, and a bunny slipper clad foot on the armrest of the couch. He approached quietly, careful not to trip over the board games and spare couch cushions that were strewn all over the floor.
Sarah was sprawled out on her back, her head pushed off the couch by a tiny foot pressed against the side of her neck. Her fingers were wrapped around Maggie's ankle and her other hand pressed between her shoulders, Sarah's arm forming a barrier between the little girl and a possible meeting with the floor should she roll over in her sleep. Maggie had latched onto Sarah's leg with a chokehold, one which she mostly reserved for Mr. Oink.
Chuck's heart melted at the sight and he wished he had his phone with him to capture the moment.
"If you wake this child, I will hurt you." Sarah's voice sounded gravelly, like she'd gotten too little sleep. Her eyes were still closed and for a second Chuck thought he'd imagined her speaking, but then she mumbled "I know Kung Fu."
"Thanks for the heads up," Chuck whispered back, hoping she was actually referring to a panda. "What are you two doing down here?"
"One of us couldn't sleep." Sarah finally opened her eyes and peered down at the child who'd apparently decided she made a comfy bed.
"Would that have anything to do with the ice cream stains she wasn't wearing when I put her to bed?" Chuck asked, struggling to keep a straight face.
Sarah gave him a pained look.
Taking pity on her he leaned closer to move Maggie's foot so Sarah could get more comfortable. She carefully shifted her head back onto the couch.
"You could've called me," Chuck said.
"You could've warned me not to feed her after twelve."
"She's not a gremlin," he replied, smiling despite himself, "but in the future you might want to watch her sugar intake."
"Thanks for the heads up," Sarah said, repeating his earlier words but with a touch of sarcasm. Then she yawned. "Please tell me you brought a blanket with you."
"I can do one better." He reached down to lift Maggie, but Sarah stopped him with a hand on his arm, slightly panicked. "Relax, Sarah," he said, "she's out like a light. She won't even stir, I promise." Sarah didn't look totally convinced, but nodded anyway and let him proceed. "Okay, now could you please move your leg a little?"
Chuck untangled Maggie, trying not to touch Sarah too much in the process. It would've gone smoother had Sarah not tried to help. When Maggie was finally settled against his shoulder, he dared to breathe again. He could still smell the mixing scents of Maggie's strawberry soap and Sarah's vanilla shampoo, but it wasn't so strong now that he'd put some distance between him and the blonde on the couch. He took a few steps before realizing that Sarah wasn't following. Turning back to the couch he saw that she'd rolled into a ball to compensate for the loss of the little heater that was now nestled into him. She had one hand tucked under her cheek and the other between her drawn up knees.
"Sarah, what are you doing? You'll freeze."
"You're a noisy sleeper," she replied drowsily.
"Oh, sorry." He gave her a sheepish grin. "I'll let you fall asleep first," he offered, getting a dubious look in return.
"I'll take my chances with the couch," she said.
Chuck considered letting her be, but then she shivered and pulled her robe tighter around herself.
"You don't want Beckman to think we had a spat, do you?" he asked.
Sarah huffed and pushed herself upright. "Convenient how that works out for you," she grumbled.
A/N: Now you're asking "Where's the fourth scene?" Well, the good news is that it's not in an alternate universe – yeah, I've discovered Fringe and am going through the episodes at an alarming rate. This was the logical point to end the chapter, but I'll make it up to you. See you soon.