Authors notes: Decided to continue this story. Look forward to all your reviews. Thank you so much to those who reviewed my first chapter and my first fanfiction ever. I don't own Chuck.
Chuck and Sarah stayed locked into each other for what seemed like an eternity. Neither one wanted this moment to end, to have to face the reality of the long road ahead of both of them. As they broke their kiss they sat with their foreheads touching neither one wanting to open their eyes. Finally breaking the silence Chuck said, "So not so magic huh." Sarah laughed, "I wouldn't say it wasn't magical just not memory magical." They slowly separated and stared off into the sunset. Sarah knew she had a job to do. She had to reassure Chuck that she was in this for the long haul. That running was no longer an option. That finding her would be impossible without him by her side. With a slight sigh Sarah spoke, "Chuck, I know things have been crazy over the last weeks, and I wish more than anything that the kiss would have brought it all flooding back, but we both know Disney princess stories aren't real life. I want you to know that I am not going anywhere. With you I feel whole. I am starting to feel things again, and I know I want you here to help me todiscover all of them. But I need to take things slow." As Sarah said these last words a since of déjà vu ran over her, and then like a wave crashing into the shore a memory hit her. She could see her and Chuck in castle talking about taking it slow. Talking about tooth brushes and using the bathroom. Then Chuck got down on one knee and proposed, or did he. Something told her that wasn't his intention at the time. Just as sudden and the memory flooded over her it was over. She sat in a daze only to by shocked back into the moment by Chuck's voice. "Sarah. Earth to Sarah. You there? "Sarah looked over at Chuck and couldn't help by feel a cascade of emotion running over her. Yes it was small memory, but it was something a starting point on the road to recovery. "Chuck, did we have the taking it slow conversation before?" Chuck just smiled with the realization that a she had just remembered something. "Yes…Yes we have. It was down in castle. What do you remember?" Sarah told Chuck what she remembered about Devin's comments from the night before all the way up to the awkward proposal in Castle. Chuck helped to fill in some of the small blanks, but Sarah recalled almost everything from the night.
When they finished talking and watching the last little bit of sunshine fall beyond the horizon they both stood holding each other's hands not sure of what to do next. "So we can go home and get something to eat if you would like." Chuck said while staring out at the ocean. Sarah could since his nerves and angst. "That sounds like a good idea." Chuck took these words and turned them into his trademark Bartowski smile. Seeing this couldn't help but make Sarah smile as well. They started towards the parking lot hand in hand. Both excited and scared about how this journey would go and where it would lead. They both just knew that they had to do it together.
"Where is your car Chuck?" Sarah asked. "Well I am kind of in between rides right now. We sold the buy more, so no more nerd herder. Guess I am in the market." Sarah just looked over at her car and said "guess I could give you a ride" giving him a little nudge with her elbow. Chuck laughed, "Something's never change." They got in the lotus and took off. During the drive Chuck started cataloging everything that Sarah had remembered so far. He was making a mental list so that he could keep track of her progress and keep Elle abreast of the information. As the approached the apartment Chuck started to worry that maybe going to their home was pushing the envelope too much for one night. "Sarah if you are not ready to go the house that is fine. I understand. I don't want to push you or force you into something you aren't ready for. We can have dinner out, and then go from there." Sarah thought about what Chuck said, but something about Echo Park felt like home, and she wanted to see what it was all about. "No it's fine Chuck. I think it is a good idea. I felt familiarity there even when I thought I was on an op for Quinn. I feel like it is a good place to start." Chuck nodded in agreement and opened his door running to the other side to open Sarah's door for her. They left the car grasping hands with intertwined fingers walking home for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Morgan was staring out the window the entire night. Since he had given Chuck his pep talk all he could do was wait. He wanted so badly for his best friend to be happy, and he knew Sarah was the key to that. While watching in the window he reflected back on their lives from five years ago. They both were completely different people back then, and now here they were all grown up. Heck they had saved the day multiple times. Who would have thought that was possible. As Morgan saw Chuck and Sarah walking up hand in hand an ecstatic look crept upon his face. He started to rush to the door, but then thought better of it. Sarah and Chuck deserved each other and tonight they deserved to be alone. He turned around and yelled to Alex in their apartment, "Alex I think everything is going to be ok you will never guess who just walked in together." He said as he went running to find her.
As Chuck reached for the door he could feel a slight hesitation coming from Sarah. He turned to face her and she was just standing there. "Penny for your thoughts." He said. "I was just thinking about the last time I was here in this court yard. I caused you so much pain Chuck. If I am being honest with you I felt something that day. I didn't know what it was, but I did feel something. It scared me, and so I did what I do best. I buried those feelings and jumped into my next mission." Chuck stood and listened recalling that night in the court yard and the heartbreak it caused. He could see the hurt in Sarah's eyes, and he wanted nothing more to take her pain away. "Sarah I can only imagine what you were going through. You just found out everything you had been told was a lie, and that the last five years of your life had been erased. You did what you thought was best for you, and I understand that. I won't lie to you and say it didn't hurt, but I understand. None of it matters now because you are here, and together we are going to get through this." Sarah listened to Chuck and took in every word. She knew some of it was just a front to help her feel better, but she appreciated it. He cared so much for her that he would endure pain just to help her. "I say we go in and eat Chuck. I am starving." With those words another milestone was reached. For the first time since all of this had happened they were home together.
They walked in the apartment and Chuck immediately headed towards the kitchen. "We don't have much, but I think there are a few things in the refrigerator that I can warm up." He shouted. "That sounds great." Sarah replied from the living room. She was slowly taking in her surroundings. Her spy training was kicking in and she was observing every inch of the place. She saw touches that were definitely from her and some that were obviously from him. With the combination of the two and the items that reflected both of them she could see why she felt at home here. She continued to slowly walk throughout the room taking it all in. Hoping something might spark another memory. She could hear Chuck working away in the kitchen and it made her laugh. He was spiraling a little bit. It was one of the traits she loved about Chuck. It showed just how much he cared that he would worry about the smallest detail. "Don't do anything to fancy Chuck. " Sarah yelled over all the commotion in the kitchen. As she walked past the kitchen catching a small glimpse of her nerd at work she saw their bedroom door. She slowly approached it and ran her hand along the wood. Memories had happened in this place, and if she had to guess pretty important ones. She knew that they had probably happened everywhere in the apartment, but the bedroom just represented so much. She quietly pushed the door open and peaked through the small crack that she had created. She saw pictures of them, comic books, posters, and so many other things that she couldn't remember. She had been here not too long ago, but that was all part of the lie. She didn't take the time to take it all in then, and now she was. As she gathered the strength to open the door the rest of the way and venture into the room she couldn't help but fell something in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't quite place it, but she knew the only way to figure it out was to push on. She walked through the room taking in the aromas, the views, and the overall feel of everything. She went through her drawers and saw all the usual items. She opened their closet and again saw nothing that surprised her. She sat on the end of the bed just looking at everything and taking in the moment. She heard Chuck approaching. "Hey Sarah where did you run off to?" "In here Chuck." She replied.
Chuck approached the bedroom. He saw a beautiful angel sitting on his bed and it took his breath away. His Sarah was sitting in their room again and nothing could have made him happier. "Dinners almost ready." Chuck slowly sat down next to Sarah trying to keep a little distance between them. He didn't want to push. "I was just giving myself the tour." Sarah stated. That sat in silence for a few moments. "Sarah I know you have been through so much, and I want you to know that I meant what I said on the beach. I don't want anything from you. I just want you to be happy. "Sarah was thinking about so many things. "I know Chuck and I appreciate that more than you know. I haven't had many people in my life that actually put me first. Who actually cares about what I think or feel. Knowing that you are one of them is very important. I know you keep saying you don't want to push, but I don't want to push either. In my past I have been too quick to push people away when they started to get close. I don't want to do that again." They smiled at each other realizing that they were both trying to do the same thing just in different ways. "Well let's go eat." Chuck said as he took Sarah's hand and led her to the kitchen.
Dinner was simple and quick with simple small talk exchanged and just the enjoyment of each others company. Upon dinner wrapping up Chuck started cleaning the mess. Unsure of what to do next he started to clean. "Chuck I think I am ready for a shower and some sleep" Sarah stated. Chuck wanted Sarah to stay. He wanted to be in their home together again, but he wasn't sure if Sarah was ready for this. Yes she was regaining memories but had she regained enough to feel comfortable here. "Sarah. I would love for you to stay here. I can sleep in the quest room. I can make sure to give you your space when needed. I just want you around, and I know it might be selfish, and you might not be ready but it just feels right." Chuck continued to ramble on and Sarah couldn't help but smile. He was spiraling again and it just warmed her heart to see this man in front of her. She knew she shouldn't feel this strongly already, but she did. She wasn't ready to vocalize it yet, but she could give him another sign she was moving forward he deserved it. "Chuck "she said interrupting him mid rant. "I think that it would be a good idea if I stay here with you. I also think the guest room idea might be a good start. I want to be with you to, but I am not ready to start things up where they were. Chuck I still don't remember much, but I know that I can trust you, and right now I need to be with people I can trust. Someone else could easily play on my situation again, and I can't risk that. How about I go get in the shower and get ready for bed while you finish up here." Sarah kissed Chuck on the cheek and slowly headed off to the bathroom. Chuck just smiled ear to ear without a word. He was so happy he couldn't muster a single sound. Sarah completed her shower and got ready for bed. She came out of the bathroom to see Chuck sitting on the living room couch reading a book. When he heard her open the door he quickly set the book down and approached Sarah. "Feel better after some food and a shower?" he asked. "Very much so" she responded fighting back a yawn. "Well I would say it is time for bed there pretty lady" he replied fighting back a yawn of his own. They wrapped each other in a slow embrace and just stood there for a moment taking each other in. "I will let you get some sleep, and tomorrow I will make you a beautiful breakfast, and maybe call Ellie and see what she thinks about everything that has happened." Chuck said worryingly. He had thought about how to broach the subject while Sarah was in the shower. Elle was one of the few doctors that he trusted that also had intimate knowledge of both the intersect and his wife. Sarah thought for a moment and reluctantly agreed. As much as it scared her to see Ellie again so soon she knew that she had to eventually. "As long as you promise to be with me for whatever tests she wants to run" Sarah replied. Chuck just light out a small chuckle and sighed. "You are stuck with me no matter what" he replied. With that they both just laughed a little and gave each other a quick kiss goodnight. "Goodnight Chuck." "Goodnight Sarah." They slowly separated from their embrace and went to their separate rooms. Neither was ready to be away from the other, but they knew today had been special in so many ways and they at least had that for now.