AN: This is actually a happy ending, just not necessarily a happy Chuck/Sarah ending.

Relationship Speedwagon: Time For Me To Fly

I've been around for you
I've been up and down for you
But I just can't get any relief
I've swallowed my pride for you
I've lived and lied for you
But you still make me feel like a thief

You got me stealin' your love away
'Cause you never give it
Peeling the years away
And we can't relive it
I make you laugh
And you make me cry
I believe it's time for me to fly

You said we'd work it out
You said that you had no doubt
That deep down we were really in love
Oh, but I'm tired of holding on
To a feeling I know is gone
I do believe that I've had enough

I've had enough of the falseness
Of a worn out relation
Enough of the jealousy
And the intoleration
I make you laugh
And you make me cry
I believe it's time for me to fly

The weeks following my discovery of Sarah's wanderings were some of the hardest I had ever experienced. Everything was turned upside down, inside out. She sat on the apartment floor apologizing for over an hour. Apparently, she never got closure with Bryce. He showed up a few weeks after we got together. In her words, our relationship scared her and my nemesis offered safe familiarity. She bemoaned her weakness, promising to end it. Her love for me was vocalized profusely.

She asked me to forgive her.

I walked out of the hotel, brushing off her grasping hands.

Not wanting to face my sister's worrying gaze and probing questions, I drove to Morgan's place. He opened the door, saw my face, guided me to the couch, and put a game controller in my palms. We played well into the night. Gathering courage around 1AM, he asked if I wanted to talk about it. I was in no way ready to let someone else in on my pain, so I collapsed on the couch. When I woke up the next day, there were ten messages from Sarah on my phone.

I ignored them, deciding to take a walk.

Thoughts aimlessly flew through my mind. Feelings welled up and disappeared, only to return minutes later. The pain was so much more intense than it had been six years prior. Sarah's betrayal cut in a way that I didn't think was possible. I was so distracted by my musings that I didn't notice their object standing outside Morgan's apartment door, until she spoke.

She wanted to know where we stood, if I could forgive her.

I told her I needed more time.

I stayed with Morgan for days, mulling over my options. There was a large part of me that still loved her. Despite the fact that she had been disloyal in the worst way, I wanted to give her another chance. It went against all sense of male pride. People would think I was crazy. What kind of guy takes back the girl who cheats? I guess it's a guy who has a very large heart, as my sister would say.

Sarah was elated when I told her. She promised that things were over with Bryce and she was willing to work through her issues. I told her I was not moving back into the apartment until I felt more comfortable about our situation. Her face fell at the condition, but she acquiesced. In concern for her status among our circle of friends, I decided not to tell anyone about her transgressions. It hurt to lie to them about why I was living with Morgan, but it was nothing new.

We took our relationship extremely slow. It was almost like the awkwardness that surrounded us during our first few fake dates. Sarah wanted to continue from where we left off, as if nothing had happened. I was not comfortable being overly physical or affectionate. Every time she touched me or muttered terms of endearment, I had a painful flash of her saying and doing the same things with Bryce. I had near panic attacks every time she went off to do something, thinking she wouldn't return.

Eventually I got over my problems. I was still distant with Sarah, but it was for an entirely different reason. She seemed bored, tired, and unsatisfied. My time spent among international operatives did nothing if not improve my power of observation. Her words told me that she was where she wanted to be. However, her body language told a different story. It hurt to think that she was silently yearning for Bryce, for her former life. I may have been able to forgive the cheating, but there was no way I was going to stay with someone who clearly did not reciprocate the same level of investment.

She was in the Weinerlicious when I confronted her. There was a distant look on her face. Sensing my entrance, her gaze locked with mine. A smile came to her face a second later than it should have. She was putting up a front. My chest ached.

"Hey," she said, leaning against the counter.

"Hi," I responded, coming to a stop in several feet in front of her. It was farther away than I normally stood. Her eyes narrowed in concern, sensing the difference.

"What's wrong," she asked.

"We need to talk," I said, making no move to change our positions.

Accepting my terms, she said, "Ok." The two letter word was stretched out in such a way that conveyed her obvious confusion as to what issue could be so serious.

"I want you to leave."

Her jaw literally dropped. "What," she asked incredulously, moving out from behind the counter.

I took a step back at her movement, sitting in the nearest chair. Sarah remained standing, her hands on her hips. I swallowed, trying to gather my thoughts.

"I want you to go back to Washington. I've requested a new handler," I whispered.

Deflating at my words, Sarah took a seat across the table from me. "Why?"

Lifting my head, I said, "You're not happy here. I can tell. You miss being out in the field and doing worthwhile things."

She looked down at her clasped hands. "I want to be with you."

I shook my head. "It's not a strong enough desire."

She didn't argue further. I was astonished by her lack of protest. Apparently, my assumptions had been more true than I realized. Anger and disappointment coursed through me. I had just spent a year of my life with a women who felt very little need to fight for our relationship. My hands clenched into fists. My eyes scrunched, in anguish.

Rising from my seat, I put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me. There was sorrow in her eyes. I leaned down to give her one final kiss. It was short.

"Goodbye Sarah," I said, slowly walking to the door. I heard a muffled farewell, as I ventured out into the dreary LA weather.

Sarah was gone the next day. It was hard to get over the breakup, even though it was my own doing. Casey said that the new CIA agent assigned to my detail would remain uninvolved in my life. That was fine with me. Morgan asked me to be his semi-permanent roommate. I accepted, hoping that living with another human being would allow me to move on quicker. It beat wallowing in my own pity parties every night.

One of the many downsides of living with my friend was that he did not know how to grocery shop. That meant that every Sunday I braved the frenzied isles of the nearest chain. It was on one afternoon shopping trip, weeks after Sarah's departure, that I met a very intriguing woman.

My cart had a damaged wheel, which I had not noticed upon picking it at the store's entrance. I was so engrossed in watching the wobbly contraption that I didn't realize my carrier was on a collision course. There was minimal damage, but I was more than embarrassed.

"I am so sorry," I said, bending down to pick up the displaced food products.

"No problem," said a very soft voice.

I finally took the time to make eye contact with the victim of my attack. She was average in just about every way, but there was something about her face that struck me. Her smile was infectious.

"I'm Chuck," I said, holding out my hand.

"Lily," she said, grasping my offering.

She fiddled with her hair. I suddenly realized it was bright red. I had never before dated a redhead. It would be interesting.