I know what you are thinking... "Oh my god! Coffee (or Starbuck) updated! Oh my freakin' god!" Well, thank you for the wonderful thoughts :P

Song this chapter is Skinny Love by Bon Iver. Listen to it of you haven't ;-)

Thanks to Wep again for beta editing!

Come on skinny love just last the year,

Pour a little salt we were never here

my my my my my my

Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

…

Sarah woke up to the orange tint of the setting sun leaking through the blinds on her window. She stretched; slightly annoyed that she'd fallen asleep. That hadn't been her plan. She almost groaned when the events leading up to her retreat into her room came flooding back into her thoughts. She'd blown it, once again. She didn't want them to fight; so why did she continually provoke him to anger? She sighed as she stood. She was going to try this one more time and this time she was determined to have a quiet talk with her husband. As she turned the knob on her door, she saw Chuck lying on the living room couch, his arm over his eyes and snoring lightly. She sighed. Well so much for her plan to talk.

She came out of her bedroom anyway, wondering what the other two occupants in the house were up to. She entered the kitchen, finding Emily sitting at the small table eating a bowl of cereal. Sarah cleared her throat and made her way toward the coffee pot and then started scooping coffee into the small filter. The normalcy of the scene was very strange. l. Emily eating cereal; Sarah making coffee. Sarah stood quiet at the coffee pot, as if staring at it would make it brew faster.

Say something! "So, how are you doing?" Sarah asked, still at a loss for what to say.

"I heard your fight," Emily said quietly and Sarah turned her head to face the younger woman. Emily met Sarah's electric blue eyes with her own. The blonde was suddenly uncomfortable and turned back around to face the coffee pot. What was she supposed to say? Say anything! That's your daughter sitting there, dammit! She turned back around and sat at the table across from Emily.

"I'm sorry," Sarah managed to get out. How did she start? She swallowed. "For everything. I - I didn't want to fight with your father and I never wanted to leave." Emily was quiet, simply staring into Sarah's eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, Sarah could bear the silence no longer. "Say something." She said, leaning forward onto the table with her elbows.

"Like what? Oh, you said "sorry" everything is better now?" Emily looked back down to her frosted flakes. She hadn't sounded angry -or even bitter- when she said those ten words, but Sarah could see the flame in Emily's eyes and assumed this girl in front of her was doing everything in her power to hold back her rage.

"Emily," the dark haired girl's head shot up, as if surprised Sarah said her name. That drew a curious look from Sarah, who then continued. "There are bigger things in play right now than our problems. I want to work things out, I really do. What I did hurt everyone...a lot. And I carry the full responsibility for my actions." She paused as Emily looked away from her. "Emily, look at me." The girl looked back at her, almost defiantly. "I want to make things right; but I can't if you won't give me a chance."

"Were you with, Bryce?" Emily asked, taking Sarah by surprise.

"Huh?"

"I can never get any answers from Dad; he's too secretive about his real past." She paused and played in her cereal with her spoon. "Everything he's told me has been a lie so far." Sarah could imagine that Emily had many questions. Emily was so much like Chuck. She looked back up at Sarah making her shift uncomfortably. Her daughter was not going to let her get out of this. "Were you with Bryce?"

Sarah hesitated a moment. She didn't want to bring Emily into this whole stupid Bryce situation. It was ridiculous really, all the crap she had to put up with involving Bryce. "No," Sarah replied. Emily doesn't need to know about Bryce. That was twenty years ago and there is no chance of it ever happening again. Emily looked at Sarah, as if she didn't quite believe her.

"Why did you leave?" Emily asked, pushing away her cereal.

Sarah sighed. Hopefully she would handle this better than the last time. "I left because I had to protect you guys," she began. "They wanted your father and I refused to let the CIA have him."

An awkward silence fell between the two and Sarah shifted. She felt like this girl before her could read her like an open book. "I heard the fight." Emily stated. "One thing bothered me. I never heard you deny sleeping with another guy. You don't have to tell me, but you sure had better tell Dad the truth. You've hurt him enough; don't hurt him again."

Sarah nodded, her eyes falling to the table in front of her because she was too uncomfortable staring in Emily's eyes. "Emily, I swear I will make you and Chuck safe. My job was always to protect your father; and sixteen years ago when you were born I swore to keep you safe as well and I won't fail now." She stood and strode out, seeing Chuck still sleeping on the couch Sarah couldn't help but stare at him longingly. How badly she wanted to hold him, even if he was asleep. She just wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her. She'd not felt his touch in ten years; now she was so close to him, but so far away from what she wanted.

She went towards the basement to check up on Bryce. She hated being in this house with nothing to do with regard to protecting Chuck and Emily. She felt like she was just waiting for CHAOS to find them and she hated it.

Sarah thought it was ironic; Emily telling her not to hurt Chuck again, for it had been Sarah who used to say the same thing. She'd never thought that her daughter would be telling her the same thing. It caused her even more pain, realizing that in Emily's eyes, Sarah was the ex who had reappeared in their lives wanting her father back. In Emily's eyes, Sarah was just like the woman Sarah had resented.

Jill.

Sarah entered the basement, feeling the stuffiness of the enclosed space make her slightly uncomfortable. She immediately saw Bryce off by the corner in lotus position, his breaths deep and rhythmic. He opened his eyes and stared at Sarah a moment and then stood.

"Sarah," Bryce started. "I need to tell you something…" He paused a moment.

"What?" Sarah asked, slightly puzzled.

"I asked for Hardy to send another agent," He said the words carefully. Sarah figured he was afraid she'd be upset. She was.

"What?" Sarah exclaimed. "Why the hell would you do that? The more agents start showing up here the more likely CHAOS is to find us! What are you thinking?"

Bryce raised his hands slightly. "Sarah, be honest with yourself. You're so emotionally entangled that you wouldn't make the right decisions under pressure. If Chuck and Emily were threatened, and it came down to them or this nation's safety, we both know who you would pick. I want someone around who will have my back, and ensure that the right decisions are made. Plus, having another agent around will on increase the safety of Chuck and your daughter."

Despite Sarah's anger, she could see the logic behind Bryce's statement. Yes, she was emotionally entangled and yes, she valued their safety over the countries and damn anyone who thought she was stupid for doing so! Sarah exhaled deeply. "Who are they sending?" Sarah asked, deciding she didn't want another fight and what was done was done.

"I don't know, Sarah; most likely someone who has a background with us. Probably someone who has saved our lives more than once."

"Fine, but you had better be right about this, Bryce. If this puts Chuck and Emily in danger…" Sarah trailed off, knowing she didn't have to finish her threat. Bryce nodded and then stepped closer to her.

"Sarah, I still trust you. I'm thinking about your safety." Bryce smiled slightly. "Plus, you won't have to stress over their protection so much and will be able to actually get down to reconnecting." Sarah was stunned by Bryce's sensitivity to the whole situation. Even after he had come to warn her about Chuck being in danger of being taken by the CIA she had never once thought that maybe he still cared about her in the way they both used to. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. He'd always been so careful and caring towards her, even on the few missions they went on together. The realization made Sarah feel slightly awkward as Bryce's eyes were locked with hers.

She cast her eyes down towards floor, unable to stand the look he was giving her for much longer. "Bryce," she started. "I love Chuck." She said, and when she looked up Bryce's smile was gone and he nodded.

"I got it, Sarah." He turned around and went back to the corner he'd been in before. Sarah swallowed and went back up the stairs. She didn't want to see the fallen look on his face. What else did he think her answer would be? Did he think for a moment that she would go through all this hell for Chuck, attempt to return and then get with Bryce? She shook her head. Surely not.

She went over to Chuck's sleeping form on the couch. She bent down and placed a hand in his hair, smiling at the familiar feeling of his hair through her fingers. She knew he should sleep; that she should leave him be, but she just wanted to have some contact with him and she could fight it no longer. She ran her hand back and forth through his mop of hair, smiling to herself. Chuck stirred and his eyes fluttered open; surprise and what Sarah thought was pleasure crossed his face.

"Hey," Sarah greeted, giving him a slight smile.

"Hey," Chuck repeated, wiping his eyes with his hand. Sarah continued to run her hand through his hair.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," she started. "I reacted wrong. You have every right to be mad at me and I have no right to get angry with you." She was whispering now. "I want to make it up to you, Chuck; and I will by making you two safe again."

"Sarah," Chuck began, reaching up and grabbing her hand that was in his hair. "I know you will." He brought her hand to his chest and squeezed it gently. Sarah smiled slightly, glad he wasn't telling her to get out of his sight and leave him alone, which she had to admit, the thought he would had crossed her mind once. He brought his head up slightly and Sarah's breath caught in her throat. She glanced at his lips then back up to his eyes. The look in his eyes told her he was certainly intending to kiss her and she closed her eyes and waited to feel his lips press against hers.

When their lips did meet, Sarah could no longer breathe. It was a short kiss, very gentle and not rushed. It wasn't a kiss which signified their problems were over; more like a comforting one, where they could express themselves openly. When they parted Sarah opened her eyes to see Chuck staring at her. She offered him a slight smile and squeezed his hand. He pressed his forehead against hers and sighed, still grasping her hand.

Despite the feelings rushing through Sarah, she could still sense the edge in Chuck's body. He didn't fully trust her, and it showed. It stung Sarah and not for the first time she cursed the CIA and the havoc they had and made and caused her to make in her and Chuck's life.

"Trust me, Chuck." Sarah whispered and felt Chuck stiffen just a little. I'm not Jill.

Chuck didn't respond, just laid another kiss upon her lips and cupped her face with his hands. After another soft kiss Chuck pulled away and Sarah felt the emptiness of his absence.

"Can I really trust you, Sarah? As much as I want to...I have another person I protect now, I won't subject her to more pain than she's already experienced. I'm not the only one you need to rebuild trust with." With that he stood, leaving Sarah squatting by the couch.

I tell my love to wreck it all

Cut of all the ropes and let me fall

my my my my my my

Right at this moment this orders tall

…

Smith was a patriot.

He grinned to himself. It was something he did very rarely. This was going too well. Walker was so distracted with trying to reconnect with her family he seriously doubted she'd be too much trouble when push came to shove. All he'd have to do is threaten the idiot and their spawn and Walker would be putty in his hands. He lowered his binoculars when Bartowski walked away from Walker and he watched her sit there by the couch for a moment before standing. From his vantage point, he could see into the living room. From the others he had strategically placed, he had almost a complete view, minus the Bartowski spawn's room. That was the one blind spot. Not that he cared to even see the girl; she looked too much like Walker. Smith loathed Walker. He'd never met her personally, but he had heard plenty of stories about the female agent that made him hate her. He didn't even think she was a bit attractive, though he had seen other men drool over her. He scowled.

"Red leader, come in." He spoke into his watch.

"Red leader," A man greeted, and Smith looked over to his right and could barely make out the small outline of the sniper.

"Stay in position. I'll have some food and water brought up to you. In the meantime, stay here until ordered otherwise" Smith ordered. He wanted to keep the sniper nearby, just in case he had to make a quick kill on one of the agents. One thing Smith loved was the knowledge that if he had wanted to blow Walker's or Bartowski's brains out, he could have. It was only his training that kept him from killing the Intersect; and only the fact that his superiors wanted to test Bartowski kept Smith from killing the male.

"Affirmative, sir. Red out."

"I want everyone in ghost mode," Smith started. "The last thing we need is for the occupants inside to have the slightest suspicion we're here."

A chorus of "roger that's" filled Smith's ear. Soon everything would be in place and they'd secure CHAOS' place as a world power; and he'd get everything his superiors had promised him. He'd get the revenge on the government that had ruined his life, he'd finally show his scum of the earth father that yes, he really did hate the United States of America.

Smith was a patriot, just not of the normal kind. His allegiances lay with CHAOS.

I told you to be patient And I told you to be fine

I told you to be balanced And I told you to be kind

In the morning I'll be with you

But it will be a different kind

I'll be holding all the tickets and you'll be owning all the fines

…

Chuck shut his bedroom door gently. Sinking onto his bed, he sighed. He wasn't sure why he'd done that; he had just needed to. Emily had been right in the kitchen; what was she thinking right now?

Chuck wanted to trust Sarah, he really did. He knew she was ready to make amends with him and Emily but he just couldn't trust her even though he had tried when they kissed. His heart was still in defense mode, ready to cower at the first sign of betrayal from the woman he loved.

Their kiss hadn't been very romantic. It was more like Chuck's attempt to show her how he felt about everything. He hoped it worked, because he needed Sarah to understand him. He needed her to understand his motives. He simply couldn't trust someone who'd hurt them so badly. We need more time.

Come on skinny love what happened here?

Suckle on the hope in lite brassieres

my my my, my my my

Sullen load is full, so slow on the split

…

Emily sunk into the kitchen chair, staring blankly at the floor. What was her father doing? Was he really going to get back with Sarah so soon?

Emily had thought her dad had said something, but had only seen his lips move. He'd been speaking too quietly. Sarah had said something too, her hand in Chuck's hair.

Then they had kissed. Emily had been so angry she had to turn away from the sight. Her father was opening up to this woman? She'd barely been around twenty four hours and he was already locking lips with her?

When Emily had turned back around her dad had been whispering to her mom. Emily had tried to hear his words, but just couldn't. What was he saying that he had to whisper? Maybe Emily was paranoid, but she didn't want her dad getting reattached her mother because in the end, Sarah would desert them again. She'd probably just make up another excuse about why she had to leave to "protect them" and then be gone for good, causing her dad even more pain.

Emily wasn't sure that Sarah had been telling her the truth about Bryce, but what else did she have to go on? She'd need to ask her dad. She wanted to find out if her mother was telling her the truth or not.

Whether it was the truth or not, Emily knew that she was about to lose her self control.

I told you to be patient And I told you to be fine

I told you to be balanced And I told you to be kind

In the morning I'll be with you

But it will be a different kind

And now all your love is wasted

And who the hell was I?

I'm breaking at the britches

And at the end of all your lines

…

Sarah looked out the living room window just above the couch. She was still crouched there; wishing the spot before her still was occupied by Chuck; but he'd gone into his bedroom. Was he regretting kissing her? She hoped not. That was one of the best things she'd felt in ten years. She felt like they actually had a chance now; that maybe he would forgive her and let her come home at some point.

We can do this, Chuck. Just give us time. Sarah thought, her hands resting on the couch in front of her. She wished she could go into his bedroom and show him how she felt, but that was a bad idea.

I'm not the only one you need to rebuild trust with. So Chuck was looking out for Emily. Sarah was proud of her husband despite the fact they were on the rocks. He was taking care of Emily the way she always knew he would. He was keeping her from danger.

That's what Sarah was, wasn't she? She was danger; knocking at their door. But, Sarah would regain their trust, and then never leave them again. This was her chance to vindicate herself and really make it up to them. She would show them how much she really loved them by taking down the people threatening their lives. She was much better with actions than words. What better way to show someone you love them than by keeping them safe?

Sarah stood up just as the secure gate in the front yard opened and a black convertible Solstice pulled through the driveway. The driver wore a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. Who the hell is that? Sarah thought.

"Bryce," Sarah yelled and heard Bryce begin running up the stairs, gun it hand. Sarah gestured towards the window and Bryce stepped up to it, letting out a smile and putting his pistol down. "Who is it?"

Bryce chuckled. "You should be able to tell, Sarah" he stated and opened the door to the new agent who took the cap off and shook out her hair. She pulled her sunglasses off and gave Sarah a smirk.

"Hey, Walker." She greeted.

"Carina?"

Who will love you?

Who will fight?

Who will fall far behind?

Ooh, ooh

…

Btw, I also know what you are thinking now. "How can i get her to update faster?!" Well, the simple answer is...Review!! And make sure to tell me how wonderfly awesome I am :p In all seriousness though. Please review :-)