Chuck vs Life

by marybr

The fic fits right after the last episode aired 1x11, and it basically picks up after those events. It’s nothing more than Chuck and co. moving on with their lives, and especially centering on how Chuck and Sarah will deal with their mutual feelings.

16. Chapter 16

Title: Chuck vs. Life

Author: marybr

Characters: mainly Chuck/Sarah (but the regulars are there – Casey, Ellie, Morgan, Awesome, etc.)

Chapters: 16/17

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters portrayed in this fic. I'm gaining nothing with this, except the sheer joy of being Chuck/Sarah's puppet master.

Summary: First of all I suck at summaries, so regard this fact as you read this. The fic fits right after the last episode aired (1x11), and it basically picks up after those events. It's nothing more than Chuck and co. moving on with their lives, and especially centering on how Chuck and Sarah will deal with their mutual feelings. I know, this summary blows… Just read the first chapter, and you'll get a sense of what is actually about.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and all the love this fic received along this long ride! You guys rock, really. I know it's been a while since I don't update, things are getting busier by the day, but I'm making up to all of you and posting this über new chapter. I hope you enjoy as much as I did writing it :D

Chapter XVI

Casey watched as Chuck took a seat on his sofa without ceremony.

"I need to speak to the General," Chuck simply stated with confidence in his voice.

"What? Why? Did you have a flash?" Casey asked while moving to stand next to the sofa, interested all of the sudden, after taking a look at the satellite images on Chuck's lap.

However, Chuck had no interest to keep chit-chatting with Casey. He had a resolution, for once in his life. So, he ignored the agent's questions.

"Is she up already?" the geek asked, while glancing at his watch.

Casey wanted answers, but he didn't want to waste the opportunity to exalt the Agency. He never passed on those.

"The General is always up. U.S.'s National Security never sleeps," the agent stated as a matter of fact and proudly so.

"Good. So, uh, do your thing with the tv, and put her on," Chuck said, motioning to Casey's flat screen.

"Tell me what's this all about first," Casey firmly put it.

Chuck was getting impatient. He needed to do this, and he needed to do this now.

"Casey, please. It's urgent," he pleaded with a serious look on his eyes.

Casey looked back at Chuck, and sensed he meant it. After a few seconds of inner debate he decided to oblige. Not without stomping all the way to the tv of course, to make sure Chuck got that he was doing this despite his will.

After Casey did his magic General Beckman appeared on the screen.

"What is it, Major?" the General asked from behind her desk.

"Bartowski needs to speak to you, General," Casey replied, pulling his robe tighter, and regretting being dressed this casually.

"What is it, Mr. Bartowski? Do you have something new for us?" the woman asked, shifting her focus from Casey to Chuck.

"Yes General, but first I have another thing to tell you," Chuck began, and felt his mouth go as dry as the desert.

General Beckman continued to look straight at him, waiting for what he had to say.

"Uh, I wanted to say, well… I wanted to tell you, or inform you," Chuck was clearly nervous.

"Sarah, well, agent Walker and I… we, uh, we have feelings for each other. And we have had them for quite some time, but we won't, we will not deny them anymore. I don't know exactly what we have, I don't know if it will ultimately amount to anything, all I know is that I care very deeply for her, and all I want is the chance… the liberty to try to figure us out. Without any interference from you and the government that is. I don't think it's too much to ask, is it?" Chuck let it all out at once, catching his breath by the end of the monologue.

Chuck downplayed a little the "thing" he and Sarah had. He always believed that certain particulars of a couple's relationship should stay between the two of them, and between the two of them only. Both of them knew exactly the depth of their feelings for one another, there was no need to splash all over it. Especially in a situation such as this one.

Casey was shocked, and his eyes grew wide. Not that he hadn't notice the "situation" between Walker and Bartowski before. One must have been blind to miss that. But he was surprised that the geek had the nerve to bring this up to the General.

The General was surprised as well. Not that she let it show through her James Lipton façade. Unlike Casey, she truly had no idea this was going on.

"Well, Mr. Bartowski, clearly agent Walker is compromised. There is no possibility to your request, I'm afraid. I'll get in touch with the CIA immediately, and have agent Walker reassigned…" the woman said dictatorially, before she got cut all of the sudden.

"No, no! Wait a minute!" Chuck interrupted her speaking louder, while standing up from the sofa.

Casey just watched the whole scene attentively. He would never believe it if he weren't seen this with his own pair of eyes.

"I've never asked for this, I've never asked to have the Intersect stored in my head. From day one all I've ever done was be nice, and help you and the government out with whatever you needed. I don't even get paid to do so!" Chuck began to get worked up.

General Beckman was about to say something, but Chuck was on a roll.

"I've never asked for anything before, and the only thing I'm asking now is for you people to just let me live my life normally. It seems to slip your mind that you need me, not the other way around. If you don't let me live or if you reassign Sarah you might as well count me out. No more cooperation from me. You'll have to look for another Intersect; the problem is, this is the only one available. I don't care what you may do to me, not anymore" he finished, letting his body fall back onto the sofa.

"Are you blackmailing us, Mr. Bartowski? We don't negotiate with blackmailers," General Beckman replied steadily, but visibly taken aback.

"No, not at all, General. All I'm asking is for a little respect, since I've always shown you nothing but," Chuck delivered, much more calmly now.

Casey was, dare he think, impressed. No matter how wrong and unprofessional he thought this situation between the lovebirds were, he had to hand it that at least CIA was helping Bartowski to grow a pair. He had worked under the General's orders for many moons, and it was extremely rare the times he witnessed a man standing up to her like this.

Chuck felt a knot in his stomach, but at least he felt relief as well. Either way, he came and he said what he wanted. The situation needed resolution, for better or for worse. It was a price he now knew he was willing to pay.

The General thought for a few seconds. She hated to compromise, but she also felt cornered. Maybe this was one of those situations you have to weight how much you will gain, and how much you will lose.

"Fair enough, Mr. Bartowski. But at the very first minute this thing between you two has the smallest effect on a mission, our deal is off. And Major Casey will be sure to let me know," Beckman said with her reinstated James Lipton façade.

"Great," Chuck stated, unable to wipe a wide grin off of his face.

He couldn't believe he had done it.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to share what I got from these images," he added, while holding them up.

The rest of the briefing went quite smoothly, and Casey headed to open the door for Chuck.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Casey warned him, holding the door up.

"I do," Chuck replied simply, but knowingly.

Chuck would ask Casey to check if he hadn't peed himself after the tense talk with Beckman. However, he felt the NSA agent didn't share of the same awesome mood he was in. So, he just turned around and headed home. In utter bliss.

He tried the front door, but it was locked. He had forgotten about coming out from his bedroom's window. So, Chuck made his way over there and climbed back in. He had his back turned to the bed, and he was closing the window when Sarah woke up and noticed where he was coming from.

"Hey," she said huskily, in a freshly-awake low tone.

Chuck turned around startled by her sudden awaken.

"Hi, good morning," he replied with a sweet smile on his face.

"Where were you?" Sarah asked getting situated, and propping her head up with her left arm as support.

"I was at Casey's," Chuck answered directly, making his way to the bed and hovering above her from his side of the bed.

There was no need to hide anything from her, he thought.

"Why? Something happened? Did you have a flash?" she bombarded him with questions, while sitting up in worry.

"No, no. Everything's fine," Chuck answered calmly, while taking a seat on the bed.

"I just needed to talk to the General…" he added quite nonchalantly, and couldn't keep a grin out of his face.

Sarah shot him a concerned look with a hint of pissed-off in it as well, he assessed. Before she could say anything, which Chuck was sure she was about to, he thought it was best to lay it all out straight.

"…about us, I mean," Chuck finished to make it perfectly clear.

"What?! Why?! What did you tell her?! What did she…" Sarah started to fire the questions at him, clearly angry and worked up by that time.

"Hey, hey… Sarah," Chuck cut her off, and tried to hold her hand, but she was reluctant and pulled her hand back.

"Listen, uh, remember that day? When we had just met? By the beach?" he added, trying to lock eyes with her, albeit to her reluctance.

"You asked me to trust you? Remember? And I did, I really did. Despite the circumstances… And I still do," Chuck said softly, finally managing to catch her gaze.

Sarah seemed calmer somehow. And she remembered. How could she forget?

"Now, all I'm asking is for you to do the same for me. Trust me," he finished with an even softer voice, holding out his hand for her on top of the bed in hopes she would take it.

Sarah looked from his warm brown eyes to his outstretched hand on the bed, over the bed sheets she laid beneath, and she couldn't help herself. She placed her hand on top of his, and he closed it caressing hers gently. There was something about this man that could simply disarm her, and she knew she was in trouble.

Chuck smiled softly at her.

"I just needed to talk to her and put the cards on the table. No more secrets, no more pretending. If we're gonna make it, it will be like this. And I got it; I got what I wanted from her. We're free to explore this," Chuck chuckled while motioning back and forth from him to her.

A sparkle crossed through Sarah's eyes as she heard that. And all the thoughts of "how could this be", and "how did he pull this off" suddenly seemed unimportant.

"'Cause I'm not playing here. This is it for me, Sarah. I'm in this for real, 100 percent. Body and soul, as cheesy as it sounds," Chuck delivered in this sexy, deep, assertive tone, looking straight into her eyes, which would have made her knees buckle if she were standing up.

"And if by any chance you don't feel the same. If by any chance you're not this invested, this would be the time to say it," he added not quite so empowered, but wanting to cover his bases, all without losing eye contact.

Sarah was… speechless. Was this guy for real? It simply was too good to be true.

Chuck got worried with her silence.

"Please, say something," he almost pleaded, unconsciously holding her hand a bit tighter.

"I'm sorry… I'm just…," Sarah tried, facing some trouble to sound coherent.

Chuck stared at her expectantly. Like a convict waiting for the jury to read his sentence. I mean, deep down he knew how she felt for him, but Chuck was never the type of guy to cockily take things, or people, for granted.

Sarah was fairly new at this putting-feelings-into-words thing. It never came naturally to her. The natural for her was putting walls up and securing her heart as if it was a fortress. From her past experiences things never turned out the best when you allowed anyone in. All you accomplished was a big heartache. However, with Chuck, she found herself willing to improve those types of emotional shortcomings. She felt compelled to try and that said a lot about the depth of her feelings for the nerd. The walls were slowly coming down.

"It's just, you never cease to amaze me," she added coyly, slightly blushing afterwards.

Chuck opened up his trademark mega watt smile for her.

"Of course I'm in. Body and soul," Sarah finished smiling, teasing Chuck by hitting with a sarcastic tone her last phrase.

"Do I detect a hint of sarcasm there?" Chuck rhetorically asked, raising one of his eyebrows for comic effect.

"Yes, I think I do. I'll show you…" Chuck said before flanging himself on top of Sarah.

He started to tickle her, she tried in vain to escape – not with all her might, of course, otherwise Chuck would be no match for her -- and they both laughed out loud. Then the tickling naturally gave room for some light kisses, which gave room for some deeper ones, which transformed into a full make-out session. A few moments later the couple was interrupted by Chuck's alarm clock, which went off playing a weird music.

Chuck swiftly hit the snooze button midst the make-out. However, Sarah, against her will, mustered up the strength to pull apart.

"I need to… get… to work," she stated softly in between stolen kisses by Chuck.

"And so do you," Sarah added more resolutely, successfully managing to get up.

"No, come back," Chuck whined adorably, rolling around and laying on his back.

"I have to go home to pick up my Orange Orange uniform," she said while taking off Chuck's 'Working Class Hero' t-shirt -- she had a white tank top underneath.

"I so liked the Wienerlicious's uniform better," Chuck unconsciously mused.

"Were you allowed to keep it?" he joked light-heartily midst a smug.

Sarah merely laughed out loud. Then she turned her back on him, and proceeded to his dresser to put the t-shirt in it.

Chuck just kept watching her like she was the best movie he had ever seen. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

"You can keep it," Chuck softly said, watching her fold the t-shirt and open his top drawer.

"It's ok, I'll have other chances to snag it," Sarah replied flirting, looking briefly back at him.

Both couldn't keep the sort of stupid grin one has when in love out of their features.

As Sarah carefully placed the t-shirt in the drawer, her face reacted to something she found in it. She grabbed it and turned around to Chuck.

Without saying anything, and with a blank face, Sarah just held it up, showing it to Chuck. It was a picture frame, with a photo of her and Chuck in it. The one she had taken herself with him in this same bedroom many moons ago. After the whole bug issue. This one had no bugs in it, of course; and it was a present from Sarah after the fore mentioned Comic Con fiasco. She had one just like that, 'though hers was still on display.

"Oh, that… I had to put it away," Chuck calmly said.

He would have stopped there for mild saving-face purposes, but Sarah's still blank face clearly awaited more.

"It was taunting me, ok?" he added, not quite as shamefully as he previously thought it would be seconds before.

Sarah's blank face quickly shifted into a smiling one. Well, a bit of a smirking one, Chuck assessed.

Could he be any more adorable? Sarah thought, turning her back on Chuck again to close the drawer.

"Hey, don't gloat!" Chuck protested with a smile after she had closed the drawer, and was placing the picture on top of the dresser.

"I'm not. I'm not gloating," Sarah softly protested back, midst a laugh, while squatting down to pick up her trench coat and shoes.

"Well, it seems like gloating to me," he lightly joked, stacking another pillow under his head to watch her better.

Sarah, with shoes and coat in hand, placed the latter on the bed, and sat down next to it – and next to Chuck – to put her shoes on.

"It's adorable, actually," Sarah confessed, stealing a quick look to her right at Chuck.

Chuck couldn't help but smile wider at that.

Successfully putting her shoes on, Sarah got up, and also put on her trench. All under a dutifully watch on Chuck's part. His fascination was beyond evident to anyone with a pair of eyes. Actually, a single eye would do just fine as well.

"I'm ready," Sarah stated, running a hand through her Bündchen-like blonde locks.

"Don't go. Let's just blow off work and spend the whole day in bed, under covers. Now that's a type of 'undercover' I can live with," Chuck joked, outstretching his arm and offering her his hand.

She obliged and took his hand, but both knew this was a possibility with no possibilities. So, they just knowingly smiled at each other.

"I know the way out," Sarah said before leaning on, and planting a soft kiss on Chuck's lips.

After the smooch both lingered a bit longer touching foreheads. Eventually, Sarah pulled back.

"No, I'll walk you," Chuck replied smiling softly, and letting go of her hand so he could get up.

Chuck got up, and started to lead her out of his bedroom. His hand made its way to the small of her back. Sarah liked that feeling. So did he.

"By the way, how did you get in the house last night?" Chuck asked with a puzzled look on his face, even 'though he positively knew the answer to that; while he opened up his bedroom's door for her.

"Oh, I… uh, I picked your lock. I'm sorry," Sarah answered a bit embarrassed, while they entered the living room.

"Well, I'm not," Chuck stated smiling, and looking directly into her eyes.

Sarah smiled back, a tad shyly at that, but surely pleased.

"Sarah… hi!" Ellie called out from the kitchen in surprise, seeing the lovebirds on the living room.

The couple stopped their walk towards the front door for a minute.

"Hi, Ellie!" Sarah called back.

"Aren't you staying for breakfast?" the brunette enthusiastically asked, while stirring something that couldn't be seen from where they stood.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I have to get home fast to get ready for work," the blonde explained with a friendly smile on her face.

"Are you sure? I'm making blueberry pancakes," Ellie tempted her, holding a pot with batter up so she could see it.

Chuck watched his sister and his real girlfriend interacting, and it made him even happier, if that was at all possible.

"Oh, I wish I could… Rain check?" Sarah over dramatized, then politely and charmingly asked.

"Sure, anytime," the big sister politely answered back.

Ellie looked from Sarah to Chuck and was happy to see her brother this happy.

"Nice seeing you," the brunette added with a wider smile.

"You, too," Sarah replied mimicking Ellie's manners.

Chuck smiled at Ellie, appreciating his sister's sympathy towards his girlfriend, and the couple resumed their walk towards the front door.

"So…" Chuck slowly said, opening the door.

"So…" Sarah replied in the same tone, and with a smile.

"I'm glad you dropped by," he stated charmingly and softly, holding the half-open door.

"My pleasure," she flirtatiously replied, making his knees buckle.

Chuck leaned forward and kissed her. Gently, but meaning business. Now her knees buckled a bit.

"See you later?" Chuck asked on cloud nine.

"Sure," Sarah replied, before turning around and leaving.

Chuck watched her in awe. When Sarah reached the gate she turned around and gave him a cute wave before disappearing entirely from view. Chuck finally closed the door, and made his way to the kitchen.

Ellie placed the last two perfectly-shaped pancakes on a medium sized stack, which sat on a big white plate. Then she turned off the oven as Chuck crossed from the living room to the kitchen. He went straight to his sister and gave her a caring side hug that lingered more than your regular normal one.

"Someone is feeling chipper," the brunette assessed midst a genuine smile, after Chuck let her off the hug.

"Well, I guess you could say that," he replied matching her smile.

Ellie took the plate of pancakes and headed for the dining room table, which was already sat for breakfast. And Chuck followed her.

"Either way, I'm glad to see you like this," Ellie stated, while sitting down at the table.

Chuck sat down as well, and pondered what she had said for a few seconds.

"Yeah, I feel like I'm finally getting back on track here," Chuck responded honestly, with a peculiar introspective sort of smile on his face. Suddenly feeling a sense of direction he hasn't felt since he was expelled from Stanford.

At that moment he felt so good on his skin. Comfortable yet again, and it hit him like a ton of bricks how much he had missed that feeling. How much it really mattered to him. He was lost and now he was found… he could grasp the real concept behind those lines in that instant.

"Good," Ellie simply put, pouring them some oj, and taking the time to properly assess the new glow on her brother's face. This was better than she had imagined.

"Which leads me to another topic I've been wanting to talk to you about," Chuck said, forking a pancake and putting on his plate.

Ellie nodded a 'go-ahead' and forked a pancake for herself.

"You know, you and Awesome are engaged, which I'm very happy about," he started slowly, before taking a sip of his juice.

Ellie simply offered him a tight-lip smile in appreciation, as she chewed a mouthful of pancake. He quickly smiled back.

"And you guys need your privacy, I mean, I don't think my heart can take another run with you lovebirds on the shower," Chuck added with a light-hearted joke, midst a chuckle.

Ellie could see now where this was going.

"So, I think it's time for me, uh, you know… Start looking for my own place," the younger brother finished softly.

"Oh, Chuck. You don't have to, I mean, we love to have you…" Ellie started genuinely in a distressed tone.

"I know, I know… really, sis. You see, I don't know what I would have done without you," Chuck interrupted her softly, placing a hand on top of hers on the table.

"You were really there for me when I needed you the most, and I know that I can count on you for anything. But I know what I want to do now, with my future I mean. You probably don't know this but I've been working on a project for quite some time, and I truly think I have something good," he added in the same tone, taking the chance to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Ellie was touched and surprised; she really had no idea about that.

"And even if it doesn't amount to anything, I still got a job at the Buy More for now to pay the bills. But the important thing is I know where I'm headed, and I know I have to do this. I need to find my own place. Who knows? Maybe I'll make you proud," Chuck finished with a wide smile, giving a quick rub on her hand, and finally letting go of it.

"Oh, Chuck," the older sister let out in between a sigh and a head shake.

"You already do," she added softly, touching the side of his face, and trying to keep some tears at bay.

Chuck covered the hand on his face with his own, and smiled sweetly at his sister. He must have done something good to deserve a sibling like Ellie, he thought to himself.

"I want you to know that you'll always have a home here. No matter what," the brunette finished, retrieving her hand.

"I know," was all Chuck answered. They needed nothing more.

They took the moment in for a few seconds, before Chuck got up from the table.

"I have to get ready for work now," Chuck stated, gripping with both hands the back of his now empty chair.

"Ok," Ellie replied with a small smile, while holding her glass of oj.

Chuck smiled back, turned around, and started walking towards his room. Ellie took a look at his vacant chair, and couldn't help but feel a bit sad. She had gotten so used to have Chuck around all the time… Since a young age they were both very close to one another, especially due to their upbringing circumstances. She sure was happy for him, she sure knew this was going to happen eventually, but another thing was for sure: she appreciated her brother's company.

"Hey, Chuck," the older sister called out, making him turn around.

"I'm going to miss you," Ellie added softly, bitter sweetness in her eyes, and a graceful smile on her features.

Chuck smiled back at her. His trademark mega watt smile.

"Don't I know?" the younger brother joked in reply, morphing his smile into a smirk.

Ellie laughed while grabbing a scone from the breakfast table, and throwing it at Chuck. Who swiftly – and uncharacteristically – managed to catch it, and proceeded to take a big bite, before turning around to leave again.

The brunette woman, still with a smile on her face, turned all her attention back to her plate of pancakes. Reason why she was surprised when she heard Chuck's call coming from the small corridor that led to their rooms.

"Hey, sis," came his call, which made Ellie turn around to face him.

Only Chuck's head was visible as he merely peered from behind the corridor's wall.

"I'll miss you, too," he added softly, and with a tender smile gracing his features.

Ellie matched his smile. It looked natural on the Bartowskis's faces.

"Even 'though I'll probably be in the same neighborhood, that is," Chuck finished with a wink, before finally, and successfully reaching his room.

It didn't take long for Chuck to get ready to work, and having the Nerd Herd mobile with him made commute even easier.

Chuck sat at the Nerd Herd station, going through the newspaper he bought on his way in, as he tried to find a place to rent. The day couldn't be slower for the herders. He got interrupted by the ring of his iPhone 'though. Chuck grabbed the sharpie from his mouth, dropped it on the counter, and checked the screen. Sarah's picture was displayed, which was enough to bring a foolish grin to Chuck's face.

"Missing me already?" he answered the phone in playfulness, unable to wipe the grin off.

"Sure, who wouldn't?" Sarah played along, leaning on the Orange Orange counter and displaying a similar grin on her face.

"So, I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch or something," she added softly, with a hint of shyness in her tone. Vulnerability was still something new to her.

"Of course, in fact I was planning on giving you a call to ask the same thing," Chuck categorically answered, squashing any uncertainties she had without even realizing.

"Oh, I'm glad we're in sync, then," the blonde replied joking light-heartily, unconsciously letting the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"The pizza place at noon?" she gently added in question.

"Perfect, I'll swing by to get you," Chuck answered more enthusiastically than he had planned. He couldn't help.

"No, the pizza place is closer to the Buy More. I'll drop by to meet you," Sarah countered politely.

"That's fine," the nerd said midst a smile.

"Ok, it's set. I have to go now, someone's here," the woman started to reply.

"I don't know how these people can eat this much frozen yogurt," she added in a whisper volume, after facing away from the costumer.

"See you in an hour," Sarah finished, returning to her normal level of voice, and sounding sweeter.

"See ya," Chuck replied with a chuckle, before turning the phone off.

The pleasant feeling of talking to Sarah lingered on for a bit while Chuck stuffed the phone back into his pocket, and retrieved the sharpie from the counter. The marker soon found her way back into his mouth as he continued the hunt for a place to live. Shortly after Morgan approached him.

"My life couldn't suck any harder," Morgan stated gloomily from outside the Nerd Herd station, letting his head fall to the counter for dramatic effect.

"Care to elaborate, bearded friend?" Chuck asked without taking his eyes from the paper.

"I just attempted my sixth sale today and yet no successful outcome. 0-5 to team Morgan, I'm afraid, buddy," he said with his head still down.

"Don't blame yourself. Blame the economic crisis," the taller man replied with a smirk, looking from the paper to his friend's back of the head, and back to the paper.

"You're right. Yes, I think I will. Thanks!" Morgan said enthusiastically, after lifting his head up.

"Not for that," Chuck replied with a smile, circling something on the paper with his sharpie.

"What's with the paper?" the shorter man asked, noticing the item for the first time.

"Oh, I'm looking for my own place. I'm moving from Ellie's," Chuck normally answered looking at his friend.

"What?! Hold the phone! You're moving? When did this happen?" Morgan asked rather franticly.

"It's been a while since I decided, but now I'm actually going for it. I thought I had mentioned something," Chuck replied casually, putting the sharpie back into his mouth.

"This is wrong. Morgan doesn't like changes," the bearded man stated, shaking his head for emphasis.

"Well, Morgan should stop talking about himself in the third person. It's creepy. Plus, it's not a big deal. It's not like I'm moving to another country, or even another city. I'm just changing street names in the same zip code," Chuck said patiently, giving his friend his whole attention this time.

"I don't know…" Morgan said unconvincingly, tracing the counter with his index finger.

"Think about all the fun we could have without Ellie telling you to get lost," Chuck joked to soothe his friend.

"Plus, this will never change," he added, pointing back and forth from him to Morgan to signalize their connection.

"You might be on to something, my friend. This situation has potential," Morgan stated, caressing his beard for comic purposes.

"Alright, it's approved," the man declared finally, slamming his hand moderately on the counter.

"Really? Jeez, I appreciate your approval," Chuck let out ironically, midst a good-natured smile.

"Now, see that woman?" he added, pointing at a middle-aged lady.

Morgan simply nodded in confirmation.

"Well, it's the third day I see her come in here to buy that fridge. She's been romancing the thing since day one. Who knows? Maybe today is the day she will actually buy it. It might as well be from you. So, go ahead before another salesman catches her," Chuck finished firmly.

Morgan rushed towards the lady.

"Thanks again, buddy!" he called out from afar, to which Chuck just smiled and shook his head.

After assisting two customers with their digital camera and cell phone, Chuck sat once again going through his paper when Sarah dropped by. He watched her walking, well, swaying from the front door all the way down to the Nerd Herd station. She moved as in slow motion, blonde locks bouncing up and down with each step. Truly one of God's masterpieces, Chuck mused inside his head.

She reached the station, rested both folded arms flirtatiously on the counter, leaned over and placed a soft kiss on a gob smacked Chuck. His eyes stayed closed quite longer than hers, which brought a smile to Sarah's lips.

"We should definitely always greet like this," Chuck stated softly with his trademark mega watt smile on his face.

Sarah just smiled at his remark.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked nicely, smile still in place.

"Yeah, let me just…" Chuck replied, getting the lid of his sharpie on, and folding his newspaper to put it under the counter.

"Keeping up with the world's events?" Sarah good-naturedly enquired with a hint of sarcasm on her tone and a Cheshire grin on her face, while she eyed the paper on his hand.

"This? No, I'm just looking for a place," Chuck said straight forwardly, successfully putting the items away.

"I'm moving out from Ellie's, like I told you before," he added in the same tone, walking out of the station and joining Sarah.

"Really?" the blonde rhetorically asked, assessing the features on the face of the man beside her.

He looked happy, ergo, she was happy.

"Well, I'm happy for you," she honestly added, with the sweetest smile on her face.

Chuck put one arm around her shoulder, and both started walking to the front door.

"If you knew the price tags on those rents you wouldn't be so chipper," Chuck joked, putting on a fake serious face.

"I wonder if you'll still have me when I'm living in a cardboard box," he added in the same tone, and demeanor.

As they walked Sarah looked to her side at Chuck, and there was a palpable moment of locked eyes action.

"Do you really have to ask?" Sarah rhetorically asked. It was like her beautiful blue eyes were smiling to him.

Chuck felt a shortage of air, and he was certain this woman would be the death of him. Truth was: he didn't care. If it was the case, he would die the happiest man. Like that he offered her the brightest smile, and kissed her softly on the temple.

As the couple was about to reach the front door, Casey discretely approached them.

"Hate to rain on the sweethearts' lunch parade, but we have some place else to go," the NSA agent ironically said.

"There's a van parked on the back. Follow me," he added in a firm tone.

As they walked to the van Casey briefly explained that General Beckman contacted him to inform of their new mission: Jaime Garcia Andes. A 45 year-old, Spanish bioterrorist, who sold viruses on the black market to the highest bidder. The guy was extra low key, didn't trust a soul -- reason why he had no body guards whatsoever – and there were no pictures of what he looked like. Except in the Intersect.

A CIA source gathered that Andes would be in LA for the weekend. He had a meeting with one of LA's most notorious playboy, Douglas Carlton. Son of US's automobile mogul, Callum Carlton. Let's just say that they wouldn't be wining, dining, and chatting. Andes had in his hands a new, powerful and deadly variation of the variola virus.

US's National Security was after Andes for many years, and now they were able to pin him down. The game plan was: Chuck would enter the bar of Monte Carlo's (the fancy hotel Andes was staying on) and identify the man. Sarah would come in – from the little they knew about Andes it included his weakness (pretty ladies) and his passion for tacky clothes – charm him and spike his drink with a sleeping substance. Casey would stay monitoring in the van.

As Casey put it, the heavy lifting would be done by the NSA tac team that was assembled almost a year ago to get this guy. They would be the ones "extracting" an unconscious Andes from Monte Carlo's, without making a fuzz that could scare Carlton Junior. Then an agent of the same team would be the one impersonating Andes on the meeting with Junior to safely – and with proof beyond shadow of doubt – apprehend this playboy with high connections, and a flare for being a sociopath.

Sarah, Chuck, and Casey reached the van. The latter started to drive on to their destiny, Sarah sat beside him and Chuck got stuck with ridding in the back.

"There's a change of clothes for both of you in the bag on the back. You can't walk into Monte Carlo's wearing… that," Casey stated, taking the chance to look beside him and scrutinize Sarah's uniform.

"Always so full of compliments," Chuck joked, scooting over to make room for Sarah, who was moving from the front to the back to change.

Both jumped to the far back of the van, where the bag and the whole spy paraphernalia were. Sarah opened the bag and started to hand Chuck his clothes. A pair of classy khakis, a light blue long-sleeved dress shirt, and caramel shoes.

"No peaking, huh, Casey?" Chuck joked again, and started to change.

Casey was about to deliver a snarky innuendo regarding the reason behind Chuck's jolly mood, but instead he just cocked an eyebrow and grunted.

Sarah took the items meant for her out of the bag. There was a micro, loud tangerine dress, and a pair of aged metallic bronze sandals. Chuck, who was in the middle of taking off his pants, took a good look at the dress and wondered where the rest of it was, but didn't say anything.

Chuck finished changing first, and Sarah was not far behind him. By the time Chuck saw the tiny tangerine dress -- which barely reached the middle of her thighs – on Sarah, it was too late to control the words that came from his mouth.

"You're not seriously wearing that," he let out more subconsciously than anything else, while ogling her dress.

Chuck noticed how Sarah's face sort of reacted to that comment. A far from pleased reaction. He also had the chance to briefly assess Casey's eyes on the rear-view mirror from inside of the van. It didn't look good either, to say the least.

"Is, uh, the exact type of comment you'll never hear me saying. Ever!" Chuck tried to mend what he had said, and appease the situation. He laughed awkwardly after delivering the line.

Casey and Sarah didn't… laugh, that is. Aside the tension in the air, he just proceeded to drive, and she proceeded to gear herself and Chuck with ear comms and the latter with a pair of neat glasses, which had a tiny camera that would allow Casey to see whatever Chuck was seeing.

As they sat in silence in the van, Chuck let his mind wander how this new situation with him and Sarah would work when they were in missions. This was so very new to him that he hadn't had the time to really wrap his mind around the whole idea. From the little incident that just happened, he was certain it would be difficult. Difficult in more ways, shapes and forms than this. What would happen when life and death were in play to be dealt with? Questions aside, the real point was: did it matter? Deep down, did it truly matter? All it took was a stolen glance to the lady in tangerine by his side, and the answer couldn't be clearer. He never thought his little bearded friend would be coming through his mind at that time, but the man was right. In the end nothing else mattered 'cause he, Chuck Bartowski, would be the one coming home to that. And at that point he could surely stand by the fact that, as miraculous as it sounded, the feeling was mutual. All the others facts paled in comparison.

They soon arrived at their destination, and everything went by smoothly as planned. Casey was right: they were back in time to grab a quick lunch, in fact, they had 10 whole minutes to do so. Not that Casey cared to join them, of course.

Chuck and Sarah, back in their uniforms, walked side by side towards the pizza place for a quick bite. Apparent to Chuck was this substantial space between then, literally not metaphorically.

"Ok, come on… Are you mad at me, or something?" Chuck asked unable to contain himself for another step, and in consequence not taking another.

Sarah took another two steps before realizing Chuck had stopped. He took another step to talk face to face.

Sarah stayed for a moment in silence just looking at him point blank. Chuck stared back trying to assess what was going on up in her head. It goes without saying that he felt apprehensive.

"I don't know. I'll have to think about it some more," Sarah finally replied, trying unsuccessfully to disguise a malicious smirk.

With that she started walking again. It took a few seconds for her line to sink in, and Chuck had to run a bit to catch up to her with a grin on his face.

"Right, thinking about it. I can live with that. Is there something I could do to, I don't know, speed up this process of yours?" Chuck asked charmingly, flashing his mega watt smile.

"You can start by buying lunch," Sarah replied with a wicked smile on her face.

Chuck laughed, and held her hand as they reached the pizza place. She held his hand back.

1 Month Later

Chuck looked at the reflection of himself in his bedroom's mirror. He didn't look bad in his dark gray suit, white dress shirt, and dark aubergine tie. He took the time to smooth his hair with both hands one last time, and after taking a long, deep breath he was done with the mirror.

The tall man walked through a sea of cardboard boxes arranged on the floor of his bedroom. It took him, Sarah, Morgan, Ellie, and even Awesome, a while but they managed to successfully pack his lifetime belongings. Chuck looked around and spotted his paper in professional binding. After grabbing it he left his room.

"Hey, you look nice!" Ellie exclaimed enthusiastically from the dining room table, where she was sitting with a bunch of papers and magazines spread across it.

"Thanks! For the tie as well," Chuck replied with a smile on his face as he held the item in question for effect.

"It suits you quite nicely, plus it makes you look professional," the brunette said midst a sweet smile, while getting up and coming to meet her brother.

"How are the wedding plans and sitting charge coming along, by the way?" Chuck asked with honest interest, and a sympathetic smile.

"Giving me a headache that's for sure, but enjoyable nonetheless. If that makes sense," Ellie replied with a smirk, standing face to face with Chuck.

Chuck nodded and widened the sympathetic smile.

"Ok, I should go now, sis. Don't want to keep the woman waiting," he stated, gripping the thick paper a little tighter. Not due to nervousness, but to ensure he got everything he needed.

Ellie straightened her little brother's suit jacket with both hands, and kept them placed on his chest for a bit.

"Be calm, and be yourself. I'm sure everything will turn out great. You're aces, Charles. You've always been aces," the big sister motherly said looking deep into her brother's eyes, and then she finally brought her hands back down.

"You always know the right things to say, sis," Chuck replied touched by his sister's words, and kissed the top of her head before turning around to head for the door.

"Do you want to take Devon's car?" Ellie asked concerned, always looking out for her little brother.

"No, it's fine. Sarah is giving me a ride. She must be getting here anytime, I'll just wait for her outside," Chuck replied while opening up the door.

"See you later, sis," he added, turning around to smile at her, and then closing the door behind him.

When Chuck passed through the front gate Sarah was pulling up in her black Porsche. He smiled at the sight of her, and made his way to the car.

"Punctual as a clock," Chuck stated with the smile still on his face, leaning down to the open passenger's window.

"Well, I try," Sarah replied looking to her right at him, and matching his easy smile.

Chuck got in, and they rapidly arrived at their destination: an impressively high and modern building. Chuck unbuckled his seat belt and looked at his watch.

"We're here… and early. 15 minutes," he stated, turning a bit to Sarah's side.

Sarah followed his lead by also unbuckling her seatbelt, and turning to Chuck's side.

"Early is always better than late," she pointed out flashing him a knowing smile.

"Are you nervous?" the blonde enquired with interest.

Chuck pondered the question a bit before answering it.

"Surprisingly, not really. This is actually something I'm good at, you know. In a long time I feel like I'm stepping into something I have a certain domain over," Chuck replied with a pensive face, but in an assertive, confident tone.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. I'd wish you good luck, but you won't need it," Sarah said midst a sly smile.

Chuck offered her an appreciative, sweet smile in return.

"Ok, then. Thanks a lot for the ride, and I'll see you later. Hopefully with good news," he said, clutching the paper that sat on his lap, and leaning in to kiss her goodbye.

Sarah stopped him midway 'though.

"Let me just…" she said, and proceeded to affectionately fix his tie knot. To which Chuck merely watched her intensely while keeping a grin through the brief execution of the task.

"Thank you… Again," Chuck replied smiling, and leaning in to kiss her gently. This time successfully.

He got out of the car, paper in hand. When he was already at the curb he turned around as Sarah called out to him.

"Knock them dead! And just to be on the safe side: good luck!" she delivered, peeping from the open driver's window.

Chuck's legs worked before his brain as he did a quick jog back to the car, and planted a peck on her lips. He couldn't help it. As fast as he came he went back to his walk towards the building, leaving behind a grinning Sarah.

As Chuck waited for the lift to drop him at the twentieth floor, he felt quite relaxed. Not a bad feeling to have before an important meeting. The ring from the lift brought him back from his thoughts. It was his floor. After a polite nod at the three people riding with him, Chuck stepped out.

He went straight to the man sitting behind the big, oak reception desk.

"Hello, I'm Charles Bartowski and I'm here for an appointment with Mrs. Helen Cain," he politely informed the receptionist.

"Right, please, just take a seat and I'll take you to her shortly," the young man replied also politely, after punching a few keys on the computer.

Chuck barely had the time to take a seat on the elegant, white leathered sofa. The young receptionist – who had just phoned Helen -- apologized profusely for the waiting, even 'though there wasn't actually one, and guided Chuck to Helen's office.

Chuck managed to score this meeting with the successful Helen Cain after getting in contact with Harry Fielding, one of his professors back at Stanford. The only one who actually believed Charles Bartowski could not have cheated on his exams. A kid as bright as Bartowski simply didn't have the need to. Fielding did not have the pull to keep Chuck from getting expelled, but he made it clear that if he ever needed something he didn't have to hesitate to ask. After mustering up the courage Chuck called in the favor and Fielding gladly made sure Chuck's project got to the hands of one of his old Stanford pupils: Helen Cain.

The receptionist opened the door that read 'Helen Cain' in classy, silver metallic letters, and let Chuck in. There was a quick greeting, hand-shake, and all the standard business meeting pleasantries. After Chuck declined the 'any beverage' offer the male receptionist left the two people alone.

"So, Mr. Bartowski, Fielding really advocated a chance for your project. He had the nicest things to say about you," the brunette woman in her early forties said from behind her oak, shiny desk. Behind her was a not-so-shabby view of LA's downtown and its high buildings.

"Well, I could say the same about you, Mrs. Cain. Not that Fielding needed to state the notorious, of course," Chuck replied midst a smile, sitting across from her on a comfortable, white armchair.

Helen smiled back in her upscale, white black pinstripe pantsuit, meticulously matched with a charcoal, feminine dress shirt; which combined – or not, frankly -- surely coasted more than most people's monthly rent.

"Please, call me Helen," the woman asked friendly.

"Only if you call me Chuck," he politely retorted.

"Alright, Chuck, the thing about Fielding is that he always had an eye to spot talent. And this…" she said holding her own copy of Chuck's project.

"This proves the man didn't lose his gift. My colleagues and I here at Pierce Company are very enthusiastic with this program you created. We've read all about it, now we'd be glad if you would show it to us live in action," she added in her best professional excited tone.

Chuck smiled at her positive reaction.

"I'd love to," Chuck succinctly answered.

Helen escorted Chuck to their big, presentation conference room. He retrieved the disc from the back of his binding, and presented it very thoroughly and efficiently to Helen plus her two colleagues. Chuck came across as confident and competent, someone who knew exactly what he was talking about as he pointed out everything with ease in the enormous HD screen they had connected at their PC. He even surprised himself. By the end of the meeting everyone was more than sure that this program had to be acquired by the company. It had many advantages on its current competitors, and every small business would want to switch to Chuck's program, as it would cut substantially the amount of time used on logins, inventory, and other matters such as.

After great feedback from all, Chuck and Helen were back at her office to talk real business. Meaning: numbers, or even better, figures. Helen was surprised when Chuck revealed he was not only selling the program but also the rights for it. Chuck figured the less people knew who Charles Bartowski was, the better it would be for him to stay incognito and protect his identity under his current shaky circumstances. And the less people knew who Charles Bartowski was, and could actually put the name with the face, even better. So, he would relinquish the big spotlight, and also the chance to score even bigger by cashing in for the whole thing at once, instead of cashing in forever per unit. After all Chuck Bartowski were many things, but greedy never was one of them.

"Well, Chuck, product and rights… This is an entirely different talk now," Helen stated with a pensive face and a sparkle in her eyes.

"Considering the magnitude of these numbers, I'll have to run this by Mr. Pierce. Do you care to accompany me to his office right now?" she added decisively. The business woman knew a great opportunity when she saw one.

"Definitely," Chuck quickly replied in enthusiasm.

The pair of them took the lift to the top floor of the 30 storey building. Chuck waited outside as Helen painted the picture to her mogul boss. On the best case scenarios Chuck never imagined having the opportunity for a face-to-face with the powerful man himself. He knew he had something good in his hands, but this was quite surreal.

Pierce's secretary informed Chuck his presence was required, and then she guided him through the door that read 'Guy Pierce' in the same classy metallic letter. The only difference was that his were golden.

The same business introduction ritual took place, and Guy confirmed with Chuck everything Helen had just briefed him. After they engaged in some more meaningless talk.

"So, Mr. Bartowski, let's cut straight to the chase here, shall we? Do you have a number a mind?" the man in his mid fifties asked in all his businessman glory.

If the view from Helen's office was good, the view behind Guy was a sight to behold. The back wall was covered with large windows from top to bottom, and Chuck mused that the view from the top could be lonely but it looked pretty damn exquisite. You could see all of LA, as far as your eye could reach.

Chuck fidget on his luxurious seat. He had never been in this position before, but he had seen enough movies to know exactly how to act this out… He hoped so.

"Well, Mr. Pierce, why don't you make me an offer and we'll go from there," Chuck managed to come up with, midst a sly smile.

"Fair enough," the gray haired man conceded in his black power suit.

"How about this? I think you'll find sufficient," he added midst a smirk, writing a number down on a piece of paper from his desk with an expensive looking golden pen, and smoothly sliding it to Chuck.

Chuck carefully lifted the paper up, trying to look as smooth as Guy. Suddenly, he felt nervous and had to control himself to not shake. His eyes hit the paper, and Chuck yet again had to get a hold of himself when he read the seven figures number. He felt his heart as it began to race, a rush of adrenaline made its course through his body, and he disguised the deep breath he felt complied to take. Chuck had been working on this project for over a year, plus the years he spent on it while in college, but he never expected this much.

"Uh, yes, I think it's a good number, sir," Chuck replied meticulously getting himself gripped, before swallowing hard.

Helen smiled at him in support.

"Great then! I'll have my secretary contact legal to draw the papers immediately. In a couple of days she'll call you to drop by to sign them, and get your check at finance," Guy enthusiastically said, swinging his chair from side to side.

The older man got up and shook Chuck's hand with a friendly smile on his face. Chuck's smile matched the man's.

"It's been a pleasure, sir," Chuck stated, smile still in place.

"Likewise, Mr. Bartowski. Helen will walk you out," Guy simply said, directing his gaze from Chuck to Helen and back.

Chuck walked out of the building still sort of unsure of everything that just happened. It was so good that it didn't feel real… but it was. Here he was, actually making something of his life. And it felt good, it felt right. Chuck Bartowski was finally going places. However, at that moment, he was glad to be going home to spread the great news.

The champagne – courtesy of Chuck – flowed at the Bartowskis household. Sarah, Ellie, Awesome, Morgan and even Casey – who bumped into Ellie on the patio and was coerced by her to drop by – were all there to celebrate Chuck's achievement.

"I always knew you had it in you," Ellie let out midst a huge smile, while hugging her brother's side and balancing her champagne glass.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Chuck replied jokingly, unable to not match his big sister's smile.

"Here's to my soon future brother-in-law! We do expect a big wedding gift," Awesome good-naturedly joked out loud in his toast, raising his glass and chuckling.

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses with him. Casey tried to hide his discontentment in being at the silly commemoration. Chuck made his way towards Sarah; he always wanted to be next to her. And like that the celebration went on with booze and chatting. Casey came up with an excuse to leave early. Morgan had to be thrown out by Ellie.

By the end of the day Chuck and Sarah were hanging out in his room, listening to Ryan Adams and talking.

"So, what's next for you?" Sarah asked as she sat on his bed watching him remove his tie in front of the mirror.

"Well, for starters give Big Mike my notice, that's for sure," Chuck replied midst a laugh.

"Then, I don't know… I've always thought about opening my own small company, you know, program development, with maybe some web design also," he added, placing the tie on top of his dresser.

"It sounds very… you," the blonde stated with a knowing smile, after searching for the right way to put it.

Chuck grinned at Sarah, and sat facing her on top of two piled cardboard boxes filled with his stuff.

"The great thing about this whole situation is that this…" Chuck hesitated for a second whether he should finish his train of thought.

"…love is the real deal 'cause it came way before the cash," he teased with certainty and a playful smile on his face, looking directly into her blue eyes after deciding to relinquish any sort of armor he still might had on.

Sarah's eyes widened. She was completely surprised by his statement.

"Yes, there, I said it. I love you. I knew that for a long time, and you probably knew it too. I might have been trying to avoid the subject, the feeling, whatever, within myself but it's there. And now it's out here as well. Please, don't feel the obligation to say it back, there's no press…" Chuck began to babble incessantly until Sarah shut him up with a deep kiss.

Sarah didn't know what to think. Well, she felt great hearing the words coming from his mouth, and she definitely felt the same way. But she didn't know if she was ready or able to say them out loud.

They tumbled onto his bed, and the kiss evolved into making-out.

"Another great… thing," Chuck started to say in between kisses.

"I don't… have to move… to that cubicle I… rented," he added, rolling Sarah over and landing on top of her.

Chuck pinned her down by the wrists, and broke the kissing off.

"I can search for a decent place," he said quickly with a wicked grin on his face, and resumed the battle of tongues as soon as the sentence was uttered.

Sarah escaped the pin-down position and rolled him over, just to show who was really in charge. Chuck found that a massive turn on, and the kisses kept increasing on intensity. Their hands ran up and down, and all over the other's body. Sarah took his suit jacket off and threw it on the ground. They pulled their mouths apart an instant for air, and then Chuck moved his head forward to restart but she moved hers back to tease him. He smiled, and rolled her over to be on top again. Their lips crashed yet again.

"I should get… a dog, too," Chuck said in between quick kisses again.

"Peaches… 3?" Sarah replied midst a wide smile.

"That's an idea," he stated, matching her smile.

The making out continued, and more pieces of clothing started to hit the floor. Chuck delicately ran his hand through her face to remove a chunk of blonde hair that had fallen over it. At that moment her deep blue eyes met with his warm brown ones, and the connection was indescribable. Sarah felt like if she didn't say it, it would choke her to death. She needed to spill it.

"You too. I love you, too," it simply overflew from her mouth, and she felt relief.

They kept their eyes locked for a while longer. Their bodies hit with motionless, and genuine smiles splashed on their faces. Chuck was completely taken aback by her words. He knew the fact, but it meant a lot for him to hear it from her mouth. Chuck slowly went back to kissing Sarah. From where he was coming from he didn't think he'd reach this state so soon… He had the girl, the future, the family, and the friends. He had it all. It wasn't perfect but it was his.

FIM.

A/N: I don't know about you all, but I've always hated when writers (books, movies, tv shows, plays, fics, doesn't matter) finish off their pieces right after the star couple get together. I often go like "Hey, now that I wanted to see (read) the good stuff you come up with 'the end'!" That being said, I'm sure not doing this with my fic. You can expect an also über long epilogue with great C/S stuff, I don't want to give away too much; so, make sure to come back for the final (for real this time) installment of Chuck Vs. Life. Oh, and I hope you enjoyed this massive chapter!