Chapter 10: The Dance

Sarah opened her eyes and blinked a few times. The sun shined through the windows, and she turned her head. A calm rushed over her as she turned her eyes to meet Chuck's face. He was still asleep. Exhausted.

Sarah ghosted her fingers across Chuck's cheek, smiling. She gently slipped out of bed, padding to the living room. Her target: a picture.

Sarah found the picture, and smiled. It was after Ellie's wedding. She was standing next to Chuck, and she had her arm around him.

That's when she saw the look on Chuck's face…and the look on her own. Chuck smiled, but his eyes betrayed his actual emotion at the time. Heartbroken.

Sarah stared at her own face, and that's when she saw what she was looking for. Longing.

Sarah took a seat on the sofa, and wiped away a tear. The longer she stared at the picture, the sadder she felt.

"He thought I was leaving…with Bryce." Sarah whispered. "He was wrong…I had…decided to stay with him. Just…us. No spies…no lies…just…us."

Sarah leaned back into the sofa, pulling the picture to her heart. The sob escaped her lips audibly, but softly. She heaved as her cry deepened, her heart shattering in her chest.

Sarah felt warm arms around her from behind, and she automatically hugged Chuck's arms to her chest, wet tears now soaking his arms.

No words were spoken for several moments, as Chuck held Sarah while she cried. She took a ragged breath, and silently handed the Chuck the picture. She heard a soft sigh, and Chuck walked around the sofa, taking a seat next to her. He reached for her hand, and she interlaced theirs hands.

Wiping her face with her other hand, Sarah stared Chuck in the eyes, and spoke barely above a whisper. "Our dance…after Ellie's wedding…you thought it would be our last."

Chuck nodded. "Yeah…I thought you were leaving."

"With Bryce." Sarah said, finishing the statement.

Chuck sighed heavy. "That's the night Bryce died."

"I remember that part…and you uploading the Intersect…saving me and Casey…earlier I…dreamed about our dance…"

Chuck smiled. "God you were so beautiful that night. I was glad you asked me to dance."

Sarah nodded, smiling through her tear soaked face. "Your…father interrupted us…as we were talking."

"I remember. Dad flashed on a Ring agent. They had…intercepted Bryce to steal the Intersect. We went to help Bryce…but we were too late." Chuck said, staring at the picture.

Sarah took a long breath. "Chuck…in my dream…I was about to say something. You told me I belonged out there…saving the world with Bryce. I said…I didn't want to save the world." Sarah stared Chuck in the eyes. "I was trying to say…I don't want to save the world. I want you."

Chuck smiled solemnly, nodding he understood. "Funny. You never got a chance to finish that statement...but your eyes said it for you."

Sarah leaned closer, resting her hand on Chuck's cheek. "I feel the same now, as I did back then. I don't want to save the world, Chuck. I want you."

Sarah closed her eyes. "When we were searching for Quinn…the dance we had in the Russian Consulate…do you remember?"

"Yeah." Chuck said, giving Sarah his full attention.

"When you…told me how beautiful I looked…and I adjusted your tie…I remembered how I used to…enjoy…touching your shoulder…and your hair…or adjust your tie…just touching you calmed me."

Chuck nodded. "Did you remember anything else?"

Sarah nodded. "I remembered other dances…we were on a mission in Costa Gravas…and…the night of Ellie's wedding. I remember…dancing with you."

"Did you remember anything at the Mexican restaurant?" Chuck asked curiously.

"Yes." Sarah said softly. "I was scared to say anything…after you…left to go to the bar…I remembered telling you that I like you. I…panicked, and…deflected. Saying we needed to remain professional."

Sarah sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you…I just…didn't know how."

Chuck smiled. "Sarah…you always struggled with…expressing yourself when we first met. When I found you on the beach…when I saw your eyes…I knew you were starting to remember…and were probably scared…wanting to..." Chuck trailed sighing. "…run."

Sarah nodded. "You were right. I was terrified. Fact is…that kiss…confirmed what I was already feeling. I felt…that kiss, Chuck. I can't explain it. That night…after I left…I remembered our kiss in the hotel in Paris…and…how relieved, and happy I was we were finally together."

Sarah smiled. "When I dreamed about our dance…that was the moment I wanted to tell you…that what we had was real. I didn't just want you…I wanted to spend my life with you." Sarah laughed softly. "I'm a little sad we didn't get to finish our dance."

Chuck brushed Sarah's hair out of her face, and held up a finger as he rose from the couch. He walked over to the stereo, and removed a disk, placing it in the CD player. He walked back to the couch, and held out his hand.

"Sarah…may I have this dance?"

Sarah smiled as she took Chuck's hand. Chuck pulled her to the center of the living room, and took her in his arms. They held each other in exactly the same way as the dance long ago. Chuck closed his eyes, and basked in Sarah's scent.

"Chuck…what's the name of this song?" Sarah asked, her tone soft.

"Blind Pilot…3 Rounds and a Sound." Chuck replied.

Sarah smiled. "They're playing our song…"

Chuck laughed softly. "Indeed they are."

"I didn't realize that was the lyrics the first time."

"Me neither, truth be told…I was so lost in you."

Sarah tightened her hold. "I…didn't want to go, Chuck. I didn't want to leave your arms."

"I wanted to hold you all night, Sarah." Chuck replied.

Sarah rested her head on Chuck's shoulder, closing her eyes. "I wanted to hold you for the rest of my life."

Chuck felt wet tears on his shoulder, and his own tears began to fall as the song continued. Chuck smelled Sarah's scent, reliving that night in his mind, as Sarah did the same.

No words were spoken for several moments, as the song played through the speakers. Sarah raised her face, staring Chuck in the eyes. Her eyes shining in the light.

Chuck pulled her hand to his lips, kissing her hand softly. The couple listened to the lyrics, swaying to the music.

As the lyrics "This was our song" echoed through the speakers, Sarah closed her eyes, nodding softly. "Yes…this was our song."

Chuck leaned down, kissing Sarah on her forehead.

Sarah's breath hitched when the line "You know me" met her ears. She bit her lip, trying not to break down in Chuck's arms. He held her closer, as she buried her face in Chuck's chest, crying softly.

"You…you did know me…and you love me…just as much as I love you…" Sarah said softly.

The song ended, and the couple came to a stop, but held each other close.

Sarah pulled back, keeping her hands around Chuck's waist. She smiled at her husband, and spoke, her tone soft, but clear. "I hope you still realize you are that guy. I don't want to save the world…I just want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you with all my heart, Chuck."

Chuck blinked, tears pouring from his eyes. His reply was soft, straight from his very soul. "I love you with every beat of my heart, Sarah. Always."

Sarah's face softened, and she smiled, resting a hand on Chuck's chest. Chuck returned the smile, as no words were spoken for several moments as the couple stared in each other's eyes.

Sarah moved closer, her eyes never leaving Chuck's gaze, and kissed him softly on the lips. Her breath caught as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Sarah whimpered low as Chuck's hand found the side of her face, holding her gently.

Sarah moved her mouth to the side, allowing Chuck to kiss her along her face. Her voice came out soft, but wanting.

"Chuck…please make love to me."

Chuck nodded. He was in tune with her. This wasn't about lust. He knew that. This was about needing to express their love for one another. To feel the closeness, and connection their hearts and bodies were screaming for.

Sarah gasped as Chuck grabbed her hips, pulling her in his lap. Sarah wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him tight in her arms. She found his lips, and smirked as she felt his desire for her between her legs as he carried her to their bed.

Chuck turned, Sarah still in his arms, and sat on the bed. Sarah helped move her husband to a sitting position against the headboard. She was right in tune with him. Helping him out of his clothing, Sarah undressed herself quickly, and climbed on top of her husband, wrapping her arms around Chuck's neck. Their lips met again, as they slowly made love.

After the love making finished, the couple continued to hold on to each other, their lips softly touching, as their post coital pant brought smiles to their faces.

Sarah sighed audibly, her tone voicing her satisfaction. "Wow…" Sarah said softly. "Um…that was really nice."

Chuck nodded, trying to catch his breath. "Yes. Very nice."

Sarah kissed Chuck softly on the lips. "Thank you. I needed that. It just felt...we were so in tune with one another."

"No, Sarah...thank you. I think we both needed that." Chuck said softly.

Sarah sighed in content. "Let's just stay like this for a little while. Just...hold me."

Chuck swallowed. "I'll never let go, Sarah."

"Neither will I." Sarah said softly. "Chuck...I never knew it was possible to fall in love with someone all over again. I feel bad I left."

"Don't." Chuck said, caressing Sarah's hair. "I knew with all my heart...what we had wasn't over. It couldn't be over. Not...after everything we've been through."

Sarah rested her forehead on Chuck's, smiling. "I'm glad we finished our dance...and I got to finish what I wanted to tell you back then."

"Me too." Chuck said sincerely. "Thing is...I heard you. Even though you never got to finish the statement...I heard you."

"You've always heard me." Sarah said sweetly. "You knew me...just like the song said. You know who I am. You're the only one."

Sarah licked her lips in deep thought. "The first night we made love after I lost my memories…God, Chuck. I couldn't remember my own name. And...the times I remember making love to you...it was always...magical. It always like that?"

Chuck smiled softly. "Funny. You had the same effect on me. And...yes. It just got better and better each and every time. I'm not saying that to boast...I'm saying that as a compliment to you. You always take my breath away, Sarah."

"Good." Sarah said, kissing Chuck again. "You have a way of...making me feel beautiful...and loved...just with your eyes, and your words...and...everything you do, Chuck."

Sarah smiled, her tone angelic. "I love you with every beat of my heart, Chuck."

Chuck blinded Sarah with his smile. "I love you too. Always."

Sarah sighed. "I needed this. We...needed this."

Chuck smiled. "You're right. We both needed this. I will always be here for you."

Sarah smiled, glancing at the clock. "It's Saturday. Would you…like to go to the beach today?"

Chuck nodded. "I could pack us a picnic if you like?"

Sarah removed herself from Chuck's lap, giving Chuck a coy look. "First…let's shower."

Chuck lifted himself out of the bed, his tone courteous. "You can go first, if you like?"

Sarah turned, smirking. "I said…let's…as in…you and I. I'm, uh…not quite finished with you just yet."

Chuck swallowed hard. "Oh…okay, um…sure."

Sarah grabbed Chuck's hand, and led him to the bathroom. "Lunch sounds nice, sweetie…but first…I want to…um…work up an appetite."

Sarah shoved Chuck in the shower after turning on the water with a coy grin.

Chuck shivered at Sarah's touch, as she kissed him softly. She stared at him expectantly, biting her lip. "We were trying to have a baby...I'm, uh...ready to resume trying if you're okay with that?"

Chuck stared at Sarah in awe. He gently took her in his arms. Sarah felt his soft sobs. "Absolutely. I'm ready to start our family."

Sarah's own tears were now falling as the water rushed over them. "Me too."

Sarah sighed, gently pulling away. "So. We have our next mission."

Chuck grinned. "It appears so."

Sarah bit her bottom lip, and lifted herself into Chuck's arms, wrapping his legs around his waist. Her hot breath sent chills down Chuck's spine. "Let's get started, babe."

Chuck kissed Sarah softly, gently holding Sarah in his arms.