It's a Wonderful Cover Life

A/N 2013: Back in the day when I first posted this I thanked you for the almost 200 reviews. Now I want to say a big thank you for the nearly 600 – it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside that even after the long hiatus of not updating you guys are still around. A further thanks goes to AdmiralK for proof reading this chapter while Nervert took a little break, much appreciated.

A/N: I know, I know, I skipped a week – had work and some other stuff going on, but thanks for bearing with me. You'll be spared the ramblings today so you can jump right into the chapter. The only other thing I'd like to say is thanks for the reviews (almost 200, wow!) and thank you Nervert for being my ever awesome beta and soundboard. Yeah, that was two things, so forgive me for adding a third – Nervert hadn't seen the last two paragraphs. I figured I'd surprise him.

I don't own Chuck.

36. Dressed For Success

"Hey, Sarah," Chuck said from the bathroom door. "Please help?" He looked up from fumbling with his cufflink and his hands froze. "I'm overdressed, aren't I?"

"A little," she replied with a smile. He did look quite handsome in the dark suit and she was amazed at how easily he transformed from sweet and nerdy to suave and confident, at least on the outside.

"Not saying that you don't look nice," he clarified, seemingly misinterpreting her silence. "You do…always look nice, I mean. Better than nice even."

"Thank you, Chuck," Sarah replied to the rather awkward, but sincere, compliment. Yip, she thought, definitely just on the outside. "Last night was a business dinner, kind of," she explained, "but now we just get to be ourselves."

"So I should change, huh?" he asked needlessly and headed for the dressing room where he and Gertrude had moved his stuff to earlier. At first he'd balked at the suggestion, but Sarah had pointed out that the stakes had been raised and that it would be good for the cover.

She slipped her earring into place and followed Chuck.

He was standing in front of his row of clothes, staring, as if waiting for the right outfit to just jump out at him. For the first time it dawned on Sarah that she was sharing her closet. She'd never done that before. The odd item Bryce had left behind sometimes found its way into a forgotten corner, but she hadn't given him as much as a drawer. Had her and Chuck's relationship been remotely real, this would be a big step. But it wasn't, she reminded herself as she reached for a pair of designer jeans, courtesy of Signor Anthony, and a red turtleneck. Then she changed her mind and exchanged it for a black button down.

"It's been a while since someone picked out my clothes," Chuck quipped as he took the items from her.

"It's been a while since I've picked out clothes for someone," Sarah replied, and in an effort to forget how she had done that for her dad after her mother had abandoned them, she added "You don't have to wear that if you don't want to." Maybe she'd been a bit presumptuous.

"No, it's fine," Chuck assured her, "you have great taste. Plus you're paying me to look the part." He immediately held up his free hand in a peace offering. "I'm sorry, that didn't come out right."

Sarah shrugged a shoulder, pretending that it was no big deal. It shouldn't have been. Ignoring the unfamiliar twist in her chest, she bent down to retrieve his converses. Chuck accepted them with a quirked eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"It's you," she replied before leaving him to get dressed.

"Sarah," he called her back. She turned, looking at him expectantly. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Of course."

"I'm gonna run slightly late, having to change again, so do you mind helping Maggie get dressed?"

Sarah shook her head feeling a spurt of trepidation. "Chuck, I'm not sure how – "

"It's easy, like playing dress-up with a really squirmy doll." He shot her a reassuring smile. "You have played dress-up before, right?"

She smirked. "Apparently so have you."

Chuck gave her a pained look. "I have a sister. She's older, I had no choice."

37. Not So Fast, Dora

Sarah paused in front of Maggie's door and took a calming breath. "It's easy," she repeated Chuck's words before pushing it open. The little girl was lying on her stomach, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth as she concentrated on turning an elephant orange. As well as the grass, the trees and the clouds, Sarah noticed, as Maggie scribbled across the page.

"Five more minutes, please Daddy," she pleaded without looking up from her coloring book.

"It's not your dad, sweetie."

Maggie's head snapped up and a smile blossomed. "Kitty! Do you want to color with me?"

"Not today, sweetie, we need to get ready for dinner." The little girl's smile disappeared and Sarah felt a hint of dread settle in her stomach. "You can pick out what you want to wear," she offered quickly.

The placation seemed to work and Maggie rolled to her feet, making a beeline for the closet. She emerged seconds later and Sarah tried her best not to cringe. The red corduroy pants were fine and the pink Disney princess top was cute, but together they were a fashion disaster.

Maggie, however, beamed proudly. "It's what Dora wears," she said, "but she doesn't have princesses."

"Who's Dora?" Sarah asked, still a little stunned.

Maggie tilted her head and looked at Sarah as if she'd just asked if the sky was blue. "You've never watched Dora?" she asked, exasperated.

"Can't say I have," Sarah mumbled and made a mental note to talk to Chuck about Maggie's TV habits. Judging by her fashion sense, this Dora did not sound like a good role model for little girls. Instead of pointing that out to Maggie, which would probably not go down well, Sarah stooped to her level and brushed her hair out of her face. "Hey, sweetie, don't you want to wear pants like mine?" she asked. "We matched last night and Daddy thought we looked pretty."

That would've been reason enough for Sarah to consider an outfit, but Maggie had to think about it. "Okay," she finally said and Sarah walked with her to the closet to make sure she selected something in black.

"Good choice." Sarah smiled down at her once the clothes were laid out on the bed. "Now lift your arms please."

Maggie shook her head. "Daddy washes my hands first," she told Sarah.

Something he forgot to mention, Sarah thought as she marched Maggie to the en suite bathroom. At least the process went fairly painlessly, as did getting Maggie into her clean clothes. Then the little girl scooted back onto the bed, holding her feet out so Sarah could put on her shoes.

"That's not how Daddy does it," Maggie pointed out once Sarah had tied one of her sneakers.

Sarah looked from the securely tightened laces up to Maggie. "What do you mean?"

"You're supposed to make bunnies," Maggie replied. "Then one bunny chases the other bunny around the tree and into the hole."

Again Sarah was at a loss. "Can you show me?" she asked. Maggie just shook her head. "In that case, I think we'll go with how I do it."

"But it's wrong," Maggie protested, her lower lip sticking out in what Sarah had a feeling was not a good sign.

"It's not wrong, sweetie, it's just different." She tugged on the lace. "It's still tied, see?"

Maggie tested the knot for herself, her pout not completely gone. Then she looked at Sarah who was still hunched down in front of her. "Is that how mommies do it?"

Sarah felt her chest tighten, but forced a smile. "I think so." She couldn't remember her mother ever tying her shoes, that's what nannies were for, but the answer seemed to satisfy Maggie and she held out the other foot.

"Kitty," Maggie said once Sarah was done and helping her down from the bed, "do you want me to call you Mommy?"

Sarah didn't miss the longing in the blue gaze. Despite what Chuck had said that Maggie had told him in the car, she felt like the villain for putting them in this situation. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"Okay," Maggie replied, leaving Sarah no clue as to what she had decided.

Needing to get off the subject, Sarah asked "What do you think we should do with your hair?"

"Can you do it like yours?" Maggie asked, referring to Sarah's French braid.

Sarah blew out a relieved breath. Finally, she thought, something she could do. She smiled at Maggie, tucking a stray hair behind the little girl's ear. "No problem," she replied.

38. Dinner – Take Two

Maggie skipped on ahead to the dining room with Chuck and Sarah following closely behind.

"I must admit I'm surprised," Chuck whispered under his breath. "She has a pair of red pants that usually goes with that shirt."

"They don't go," Sarah replied in the same tone.

"But that's how Dora wears it," he said, halfway mimicking his daughter's earnest expression.

Sarah gave him a mock scowl. "Don't you start."

He chuckled. "Seriously, though," Chuck said, "you have to let me in on your secret. Both Ellie and I have tried to break the pink-red combo with no success."

Sarah didn't immediately answer, but he didn't miss the pink tinge on her cheeks that hadn't been there a few moments ago. His curiosity was piqued, but before he could pry further, they reached the dining room. Carina was already seated and Casey was pushing Beckman's chair in.

Chuck scooped Maggie up on one arm and pulled out Sarah's chair with his free hand.

"Thanks, honey." She smiled at him and he returned it instinctively with one of his own before settling Maggie into her booster seat.

"So Chuck," Beckman suddenly addressed him directly and he looked up sharply. He caught Carina in his peripheral vision, warning him with her eyes to not blow it, and he conjured up a smile as Beckman continued. "I'm curious, how did you and Sarah meet?"

The question caught him off guard. He cleared his throat nervously as he sat down, wishing Casey would hurry up and pour the wine already. "Well," he started, not really knowing how to follow that up. His eyes flickered to Sarah who just gave him an encouraging smile, which wasn't helpful at all. He tried to stall. "I guess…I guess like everyone meets."

"Oh, I don't believe that," Beckman replied. "Everyone has a story."

Chuck was given a small reprieve when Lou served the first course. Unfortunately for him Lou was very efficient at her job.

"We met in college," Chuck went with the first thing that came to mind. He reached for his glass of wine and took a sip in order to buy a few more seconds.

"You attended Harvard as well?" Beckman asked. Mindful that his daughter was sitting to his right, engrossed in building what looked like a dodgy teepee with her carrot sticks, Chuck couldn't force the lie past his lips.

"No," he answered, "I went to Stanford." At Beckman's frown he quickly added "We met over the summer, freshman year. Sarah – " He paused, sending another glance her way. "Sarah tells it so much better." He didn't miss the apprehension in her eyes when she looked at him and he felt like a jerk, throwing the ball into her court like that, but this was her business deal after all.

Beckman's attention shifted to Sarah.

"Actually we met at the Buy More," Sarah said. "I went to the store with my dad because I needed a new stereo for my dorm room and Chuck was very helpful." Chuck almost sighed in relief. She was so much better at this than he was.

"Was it love at first sight?" Beckman asked.

"Yes," Sarah replied with a smile at the same time Chuck shook his head and said "No."

"Of course she caught my eye," Chuck quickly amended, not dwelling on the fact that now he wasn't lying. "But I didn't think she'd ever be interested in a nerd like me."

Sarah stared wordlessly at him for a second. "I thought he was charming and sweet and rather cute, in a nerdy sort of way," she finally said. "So I went back the next day and asked him on a date."

"And here we are," Carina interjected, looking from Chuck to Sarah. "Marriage right after college and a very memorable honeymoon." She nodded in Maggie's direction.

The math didn't quite fit, but Chuck didn't point that out. "That's pretty much it," he replied instead, his gaze still locked on Sarah's.

In a parallel universe he could totally see it playing out that way.

39. Sisters Before Misters

"That was very smooth, guys," Carina said, throwing a glance over Sarah's shoulder to ensure no one had sneaked up on them.

"Well, Beckman was watching," Sarah responded. She could tell Carina wanted to say more, but was deterred by Chuck's company. Frankly Sarah was surprised herself when he'd joined them in the foyer after checking on Maggie.

"It was mostly Sarah," he said, unhooking Carina's leather jacket from the coatrack. He held it open for her before meeting Sarah's gaze over the redhead's. "I'm sorry I put you on the spot like that."

"Don't worry about it," Carina replied on Sarah's behalf. "Sarah's legendary for thinking on her feet, amongst other things." She winked at Sarah, getting a sarcastic that's-nice groan in return. Carina ignored it as she zipped up her jacket. "You know, Chuckie," she continued, "if I hadn't known better, I'd think you were trying to get rid of me. Hoping to get lucky tonight?"

Chuck almost swallowed his tongue. "I think that's your cue," he said when he got his voice back. "Goodnight, Carina."

Carina raised an incredulous eyebrow. "Nice try, but why don't you run along instead? Give us girls a chance to talk. Who knows," she winked, "maybe we'll discuss you."

Chuck rolled his eyes, but when he opened his mouth to retort, Sarah stopped him with a hand on his arm. "I'll be up in a bit."

"What was that?" Carina asked once Chuck had left with an almost sincere "drive safe".

"I should be asking you that. Why can't the two of you just get along for a week?" Sarah was not in the mood for Carina's antics. It had been two tiring days and she was running on very little sleep. But more than that, she didn't want Carina to find out what exactly the sleeping arrangements were. She knew she'd never hear the end of it.

"He started it," Carina said, sounding like a petulant child.

"Then you end it."

"This isn't about me and Chuck." Carina finally poked the ten foot gorilla in the room. Sarah wasn't in the mood for playing with primates either, but sometimes Carina just didn't know when to let it go. "I can't believe you actually told that story."

"I didn't."

"You did. Granted, you changed some of the details to fit you and Chuck, but c'mon Sarah, this is me. I know the whole reason behind this sale is to get rid of everything that reminds you of your mother, but have you looked in a mirror lately? There are some things you can't outrun."

"You're reading way too much into this," Sarah said.

"Then why don't you just let your VP run Walker Industries? Leave the Buy More in Fat Mark's incapable hands like it's been for years…"

"Big Mike," Sarah interjected.

"Whoever. The bottom line is you're obsessed with this. You can pack your bags tomorrow and leave and everything here will be fine."

"I don't like leaving loose ends," Sarah replied.

Carina threw her hands up in surrender. "Like I said, you're obsessed." Sarah glared at her again and this time Carina took it as a cue to change the subject. "What's the deal with Chuck?" she asked, jerking her head in the direction of the stairs. "How does a guy who went to Stanford end up in a Buy More?"

Sarah had been wondering the same thing ever since she'd read his personnel file. She figured that maybe he'd dropped out to find work to support his child, but Maggie had been born after he was supposed to graduate. He must've realized that he'd get a better job with a college degree. There had to be more to it.

"I don't think that's any of our business," she finally answered, not wanting to give Carina the impression that she actually cared. Another lecture would be sure to follow.

Carina accepted her callousness as she just shrugged before digging through her purse for her car keys. "I'll see you tomorrow at ten," she said as a greeting. "Then we can start hacking out the terms of sale."

"Sounds good," Sarah replied. She held the door open and sent Carina off with a small wave. At the edge of the porch, the latter turned and the mirth dancing in her eyes gave Sarah ample warning that trouble was brewing. "Goodnight," she said quickly and practically closed the door in her best friend's face, but not before she spotted Carina's shocked looked. With her hand on the knob she waited for a knock. It never came, and when she heard a car engine roar to life, Sarah locked the door and switched off the light.

40. A Plan Falls Apart

Chuck had been staring at the same page of his comic book for the past ten minutes. He couldn't help but wonder what Sarah and Carina were discussing. Obviously business, he tried to convince himself, or gossip about…he actually had no idea who they would gossip about. Surely not him though. He sincerely doubted that Sarah would tell Carina about the kiss. It wasn't even a proper kiss. It was more like a brother-sister… He abruptly halted the thought and shuddered. It was definitely not that.

It was a friendship kiss, he decided. Granted, he was more of a hugger himself, but maybe that was Sarah's thing. Chuck was torn between hoping that it was true and praying that it was not. He would love to kiss her again, but if she caught on that a mere touch of her soft lips against his made his insides flip over, their friendship could quickly turn awkward. Though, if he was completely honest, he wasn't as interested in his newly founded friendship as he was in his newly found friend, despite all his reservations. He'd refrained from dating, mainly out of concern for Maggie. The last thing he wanted was for her to get attached to someone, only to be abandoned all over again, but with Sarah it had already been set in motion and there was nothing he could do to stop it. What if this was his chance? And what if he blew it with his spur of the moment let's-be-friends proposal?

Chuck squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. "Worst plan ever," he mumbled to himself.

"What is?" Sarah asked beside him, causing him to jump. Apparently he'd been too caught up in his thoughts to notice things like doors opening and closing.

"I…uh…" Chuck stammered and nearly dropped his book. Then, in a moment of desperation, he pointed to the open page. "The villain's plan to take over the world." Sarah tilted her head, waiting for him to elaborate. He would have, had he actually read the damn thing. "You…uh…you need to read the whole series to really understand," he replied. "It's a rather complicated plot."

"I see. Well, I guess the best plans are the simple ones."

Chuck nodded in agreement, deciding that if he didn't open his mouth, it would be harder to put his foot in it.

"You really take this stuff seriously," she said when he didn't speak. Again Chuck just nodded, causing Sarah to frown. "Chuck, is everything okay? You're acting a little strange."

"Fine," he half-croaked.

"Okay good," she replied, though she didn't seem totally convinced, "because if something's bothering you, you can tell me. If I've said or done anything to make you feel uncomfortable – "

"Nope," he lied and cleared his throat. "It's completely comfortable on my end."

Sarah regarded him for a few seconds, looking like she wanted to say something more but then she apparently decide against it. She shot him a small smile and turned towards the dressing room.

After she disappeared from sight, Chuck blew out a long breath. "That was close."

"Did you say something?" This time Chuck yelped when she spoke beside him.

"How did you – " he attempted to ask, gesturing between her and the dressing room.

Sarah held up her pajamas. "I just grabbed these to change in the bathroom," she said. "Wouldn't want you to walk in on me if you decide to go check on Maggie."

Chuck opened and closed his mouth, but Sarah was already crossing the room, saving him from a response. Which was a good thing, because the words got lost in the image she'd just put in head. The heat rose from his toes, but he kept absolutely still until Sarah had closed the door behind her. Then, with a groan, he dropped the book to the floor and rolled over, settling in as close to the edge of the mattress as humanly possible without falling out of bed.

-o0o-

Sarah gripped the basin, puffing her cheeks and slowly releasing the air from her lungs. She eyed the edge of the sink, wondering if it would hurt to bash her head against it. Perhaps if she gave herself a concussion she would stop saying the first thing that popped into her head. She wasn't much of a talker, but around Chuck her brain-to-mouth-filter seemed to be permanently on the blink. As was her kissing reflexes it seemed. At least she'd come to her senses quickly, and had managed to stop herself from bringing it up a moment ago, but then she just had to go and make a comment about him seeing her naked.

Embarrassment colored her cheeks again, but this time, instead of fleeing, she opened the tap and splashed water on her face. It didn't help matters much, so she turned on the shower with the full intention of taking her time to get ready for bed. She had a feeling that, despite her exhaustion, she was in for another long night.

A/N: Totally unrelated – if anyone had read my blog recently, I apologize for that last post. First let me say it is all tongue-in-cheek and the result of a little Twitter banter between me and mxpw. If you haven't read it, please don't. Like one reader has told me: I cannot unsee that!