A/N: I really just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for their reviews. I know you hear it time and time again, but I can't express to you how much I appreciate them. Even though I do not write for reviews, I write because I love this topic, I still so much appreciate and enjoy the reviews I do get. It makes me feel like the effort is worth it. Also, I have made a few good friends from this type of interaction and to me that is priceless.

I apologize that I don't respond to everyone, but I assure you I read and give great consideration to every single review. Thank you all again.

Also, a special thanks to Gladius for his beta work on this story.

I don't own Chuck either.

Chapter 4 - Awesome

{One Week into Mission Enduring Friendship}

Chuck had decided to have lunch with Ellie at the Hospital. There was a lot on his mind and he really needed his sister's advice on some things. She had told him to stop by around 11:00 a.m. and she would meet him out front.

Chuck wanted to do something nice for Ellie so he stopped by the local sushi restaurant and picked up lunch for them both. The hospital had a beautiful outside veranda where families and staff could eat, so he thought they could have a little brother and sister picnic. Just some time for themselves which seemed to be harder and harder to come by lately.

Chuck had only been waiting a few minutes when Ellie came out just a few minutes after eleven. "Hey Chuck, you ready?" She hugged her brother close and gave him a kiss.

"Wow, what was that for sis?" Ellie always hugged him but just something seemed different today.

"Just worried about my baby brother. Is that okay?" Ellie gave him a huge Bartowski smile. "I just miss this Chuck, I miss just you and I. I am really happy that you came to see me today."

"Well gee Sis, if I knew all it took to make you happy was to bring you sushi and come visit you at work, I would do that all the time." Chuck gave her a little nudge as he walked with her to the eating area.

Ellie wrapped her arm securely around Chuck's as brother and sister walked through the hospital to the picnic area.

. . .

"So talk to me Chuck. I assume this is about Sarah." Ellie looked at Chuck, giving him her full attention.

"Well Sis, you were right. It has only been a week and I already feel… well feel relieved? Not sure if that is the right word but I feel like a burden has been lifted and I can finally start being myself around Sarah."

Ellie put her hand over Chuck's. "But it is still hard to make the separation from boyfriend to best friend, especially with someone as wonderful as Sarah."

Wow his sister knew him so well. "And as you always do, you have hit the nail on the head. That is the reason I wanted to talk to you. I really am not sure how I can continue to make that separation. She can be very persuasive if you know what I mean."

"Well here is the thing Chuck. A girl like Sarah is not going to wait around forever. You need to be very careful how you want this plan of yours to play out. If you hold back or drag your feet too long, and she wants more, then you might end up losing her. You're a super guy Chuck, but I am sure there will be another super man out there willing to sweep her off her feet. Don't let that happen. What ever you do, whatever you decide, do not procrastinate. You can be her best friend, and that is a good thing, but don't accept that as your end game."

Chuck hated to hear it, but Ellie was right about other men waiting to sweep Sarah off her feet. There were plenty of other men out there that had a lot to offer. Chuck just had to figure out a way to show Sarah that he had the most to offer.

"Chuck, you have to show Sarah that you are different from other guys. I know she already cares for you and she might even love you. The problem is, right now, that love or caring isn't strong enough to overcome the fears and anxieties that she is having in her own life. Just think of what she has had to go through, her job, her childhood, everything. I only know a little and I can tell it is hard for her. She is afraid Chuck. She is afraid of losing the control that she has fought her whole life to gain." Ellie gave a sad smile towards Chuck. "And let's face it little brother, you are quite the handful. Whether you admit it or not, you are very needy."

"Wait a minute, how did this turn into a Chuck bashing session?" Chuck was sitting back, his hands up.

"Chuck, I am not saying being needy is a bad thing. But the things you need from her, she probably doesn't think she can give you. So you have to show her, at least now, the things you need, are the things she can easily give."

Chuck pondered this as he folded his hands out in front of him, staring at them as if they held the all knowing truth. Chuck spent most of his life trying to fill the needs of those around him that it didn't dawn on him how needy he could be. While most things he needed he thought were reasonable, love, loyalty, dedication, respect, there were other things that were just too much to ask of anybody. These were the things he needed to work on. In the end, he just wanted Sarah to know that all he really needed, the most important need, was her.

"So Chuck, tell me, what is the biggest need for you right now in relation to Sarah?"

Without even thinking, "I need her in my life." He continued to look down at his hands.

"Do you mean you just need her living right next door?" Ellie smiled as Chuck looked up to her.

"No. I need her to be the most important part of my life."

"And Chuck, what do you want most in this world?"

"I want her to need me to be the most important part of her life."

"So we start there. You have already come up with the plan. But your problem is you are too focused right now on the end game. You need to departmentalize the plan and take it one step at a time. Right now, you need Sarah in your life. You are taking the necessary steps to do that. So then it comes down to how can you become her biggest need?"

Chuck really did not know. He wished he had the 'Dummies Guide to How to Have Sarah Walker Need You', but unfortunately that book was not published yet.

"Sarah is a complicated girl Chuck. So you need to make this uncomplicated. Be there for her in everything she needs. But let her know that you are not going to be some push over that she can use and then throw away. You are more than that and even though I know she would never do that intentionally, you still need to make her realize that there is more than meets the eye with you."

Chuck lit up at this. "Wow Sis, and I thought the nerd gene skipped you, haha."

Ellie playfully slapped his hand. "Hey, I've had to raise you, and you're bound to rub off on me you know." Ellie became really serious. "Seriously Chuck and this will be my last bit of advice as you are going to have to do the rest on your own."

Chuck could see the seriousness in her face. "Okay Sis."

"Whatever you decide, don't you dare be rude to her, or treat her coldly in anyway. It is a fine line you'll have to walk. But don't ever treat her badly or be vindictive."

"Ellie I would never do that intentionally. I care about her to much to do that."

Ellie grabbed his hands in hers. "I know that little brother. You have a heart of gold and a brain the size of a watermelon. But with all that, sometimes common sense seems to elude you from time to time."

Chuck lowered his head. "Yeah tell me about it."

"Well okay, there was that one time in the fourth grade where you wanted to bring an apple…"

"Okay, okay. You made your point sis." Chuck started laughing, remembering what happened with that apple. Ellie was laughing to.

"Thank you Ellie. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you so much sis." Chuck felt so much gratitude for having Ellie in his life. He honestly didn't know what he would do without his big sis there to watch out for him.

"Chuck, I would do it a million times over. Never once did I regret what we went through together. Never. You were and always will be one of the most important things in my life. I love you Chuck."

{* * *}

Girls' day out huh? Sarah thought. She could not ever remember a girls' night out that didn't involve killing, seducing, or espionage of some sort. Yeah her old friends definitely made a girls' night out interesting. Tonight however it was just her and Ellie. Sarah knew in order for her plan to work, she had to involve the one individual that could provide the most intel on the target. And who knew more about the target then one Ellie Faye Bartowski.

The ladies decided to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant and then hit a movie later. Ellie had suggested a club or bar but Sarah did not want to take the chance of what might happen if she got a few drinks in her. For the first ladies night out, she wanted to be very conservative.

"So Sarah, are you still glad you decided to move here from D.C.?" Ellie was just trying to start normal conversation.

Sarah had to remember exactly what lies were what. "I definitely am. I was lucky to find such a wonderful tour guide of Burbank when I first got here."

"You definitely were a lucky woman to find Chuck. He is an amazing man." Ellie did not try to hide her pride.

Sarah looked down at her food. "I am very lucky to have Chuck in my life."

Okay, Ellie had anticipated pussy footing around, playing the back and forth game, or just ignoring the elephant in the room all together. None of that mattered now as she remembered her recent conversation with Chuck. "Sarah, I am just going to be blunt and honest with you? Do you want my brother in your life?"

Sarah was momentarily caught off guard. She was not expecting this sort of abruptness. "Well of course Ellie. Chuck means so much to me."

"But he doesn't mean everything to you does he?"

Wow was she forward. "Well that is really hard to say. Our relationship is… complicated"

"Bull crap Sarah. It really is easy to say because I have heard my brother tell me that you mean everything to him. So I guess it comes down to why doesn't he mean everything to you?" Ellie was staring Sarah right in the eyes.

Sarah had face down enemies the like no one had ever seen. Then why was it so hard to look in to the eye of Ellie Bartowski. "Ellie, it's just not that easy. There are certain things in my life that would keep me from answering your question."

"Okay Sarah, fair enough. So we know that although you mean the world to Chuck, he does not mean the world to you. Now that we have that squared away, what exactly is it that you want from my brother?"

"First off Ellie, please don't assume that your brother doesn't mean everything to me. Just because I didn't come out and say it or just because I might have things in my life that are more important, does not mean I don't care about him."

"I am sorry Sarah. Apparently you didn't understand the question. Either he does mean everything to you or he doesn't. It's not rocket science Sarah and I am not going to condemn you one way or the other. I just need to know where you stand if I am to help."

How did Ellie know she needed help? Sarah thought. "Fine Ellie. Chuck means more to me then anyone else. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Sarah was starting to get a tad frustrated.

"Look Sarah, you know how much Chuck means to me. I practically raised him like a mother, so he is more to me then just a little brother. You must know I will never allow something like Jill the slut Roberts to happen to him again. Never!"

Well they definitely had that in common Sarah, thought.

"With that said, you need to know something Sarah." Ellie reached across the table to grab a hold of Sarah's hands. Sarah was a little reluctant, but Ellie was not asking. "I want to help you and my brother work this out. I see how happy he is with you. I hear the love in his voice when he talks about you. I want you in my brother's life and that is something that I take seriously. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Sarah could see the determination in Ellie's eyes. She had just witnessed the conviction of someone like a mother to Chuck who would do anything to keep her brother from getting hurt. And here Ellie was, putting so much faith in Sarah. She had never seen so much faith for another human. Well that is not exactly true. There was another Bartowski that had seemed to have the same kind of faith in her. He was the reason she was here. "Ellie, please don't ask further questions or dig deeper, but I have to tell you the honest truth." Sarah took a deep breath. She knew she could not tell Ellie about her spy life, but the least she could do was be completely honest about Chuck. "The thing that means the most in this world is keeping Chuck safe. Protecting his life."

At that moment, Ellie knew that there was never another soul she would want to protect her brother then this woman that sat across from her. Ellie could see something in Sarah's eyes that just told her as long as Sarah breathed, no one would ever hurt Chuck physically. Unfortunately, physically was not enough. "Sarah, I truly believe what you are saying. But did you ever stop and think what kind of life you are protecting Chuck for?"

Sarah was confused. "I am sorry Ellie, I don't think I understand?"

Ellie sat up a little straighter, here it goes. "Sarah I know you would protect my brother, not sure how exactly. Not sure what they train you in over at the Orange Orange. Either way though I know you would. But if his life is misery and sadness, is that really your top priority? I mean if you died to save Chuck's life, and we already know you are the most important thing in his life, what exactly are you saving him for? What kind of life do you expect Chuck to have without you a major part of it? I understand the need for human life, but if you are asking me if I would rather live sixty years in sadness and misery over spending one to five years in complete happiness. I am taking the five years. Do you understand?"

Sarah was speechless. She did not know what to say. She thought in her head, protecting Chuck was enough. Keeping him out of a bunker, keeping him out of the hands of Fulcrum, keeping him safe. She thought that was enough to show him how much she loved him. He had to know already that she would die for him, but as Ellie said, would she be destroying the one thing that he loved the most?

"Sarah let me tell you about this wonderful, loving, caring, sweet man. When Chuck was a little boy, he absolutely loved our mom and dad. He looked up to his dad like he was a true hero, and his mom, although she was not the touchy feely type, he still loved her without end. The greatest thing to him was when mom used to lay in bed with him and read him stories. He cherished those times. Then one day, mom left, without a word, without anything, she was just gone. It ruined Chuck. Dad tried to be there but it was obvious mom's absence was devastating to him too. Eventually, he abandoned us also. Maybe not physically at first, but he was definitely gone."

Sarah sat there as this sounded a little familiar to her own upbringing.

"So the two most important people in Chuck's life just left him, abandoned him. It took him years to be able to even function. Luckily he had Morgan and myself to help. His best friend was huge in helping him deal with the sadness and pain. In all honesty, Morgan helped me too. Not the same way as Chuck but he did. So Chuck valued friendship almost as much if not possibly more then his relationship with his mom and dad.

Now fast forward to Stanford. He met a very close friend that became his best friend and then he met that which shall not be named. I had never seen him so excited and so in love before now. Well you know what happened next. So Chuck lost faith in his mom and dad, he lost faith in one of his best friends, and he lost faith in his girlfriend. It once again almost destroyed him."

Sarah could not help the pain as it emanated from her heart. She had known all this before, but had never heard it in this context. Her and Chuck were so much alike. The pain and sadness they both had to endure throughout their lives. She could not help it as the tears started falling. She realized where Chuck always had Morgan and Ellie to help him through the tough times, she had nobody. That was different now, she only wished they could have met each other long before their lives went to hell.

"Now listen sweetie, I am not telling you this so you can feel sorry for Chuck. I am telling you this so you understand my brother is not wired the same way as so many others out there in this world. People use terms like best friend, lovers, boyfriends, family, they use these terms as important titles in their life. Chuck uses them as life lines. These are not titles to him, they are his world. When you are a friend or family member of Charles Bartowski, you have someone in your life that would do anything for you. You have the most loyal human being there is. So Sarah, you have to ask yourself, how important is it to you to have Chuck in your life?"

Sarah was shaking her head. "But Ellie I want to show him he means everything to me. I want him to know how important he is…"

"Then do it Sarah. Just do it. Stop hiding, stop making excuses. If you care about my brother then take the leap. I will guarantee you it will not be something you regret. You just have to do it. Show him your true honest to goodness feelings and do it often."

"But that is the thing Ellie, I try to give him what I can, but it's never enough."

Ellie leaned closer, looking Sarah directly in the eyes, "Then try harder."

{* * *}

Chuck knew that it was girls night out with Ellie and Sarah so he figured, hey what the heck, why not have guys night out. Okay guys night out consisted of the Arcade on the board walk and dinner at Subway, but to Chuck and Morgan, it was the best night ever.

"So Chuck, you and Sarah? How are things?" Morgan did not always like to bring up his arch-nemesis, okay, his competition, but he knew how important she was to Chuck, and that made it important to him.

"Well little buddy, things are different now." Chuck sat across from Morgan as he was eating his foot long marinara meatball sub on white bread.

"How,so? Talk to me?" Morgan switched into to his therapist mode.

Chuck did a double take at how Morgan was acting, but he thought, why not. "Well, Sarah wants to take things slow, and I don't think she is all in. Things are complicated, with her career and such and I am just not at the top of her priority list. I just wish I meant more to her, you know man."

"I hear you Chuck. The yogurt business can be very lucrative and you have to understand, girls like Sarah, career always comes first."

Chuck looked at Morgan and realized he was completely serious. "Yeah, just can't compete with the greater yogurt."

"I hear you buddy, I hear you. So where do you want this relationship to go?" Morgan had his head tilted and his hand under his chin, encouraging Chuck to proceed.

"Well buddy, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. Besides you and Ellie of course. I want to always have her in my life."

"Do you see yourself being married, having kids, the whole white picket fence thing?" asked Morgan.

Chuck eyes were wide open. "To be honest, that has always been my dream before. But after I met Sarah, none of that seemed to matter as much. Yeah I would like all that stuff, but I just want Sarah."

"But she is not as committed in the relationship as you. Does that sound right?" asked Morgan.

"Well she is committed in certain areas, way committed, but in the areas I would like, not so much."

"Well I think Dr. Morgan has a plan." Morgan was in deep thought.

Chuck waited for a few minutes. "Well, do I get to hear this plan?"

"Sarah is a complicated girl my friend. You need to play hard to get. Trust me, if anyone knows the downside to playing easy to get, it's me. Take it from the pro, hard to get will make her want you more."

"What? What do you mean?" Chuck asked.

"You can not give in to the physical stuff right now. A woman likes the feeling of being pursued. Don't make it easy on her but yet do not be rude and cold. She will pretty soon figure out that what you want so badly is what she wants. It's like a diet man. People crave the most what they can't have especially after they have gorged on it for so long. You are going to need to be that chocolate croissant that Sarah loves but can't have. Pretty soon, if you hold out long enough, she will bring down the wrath of God to get a taste of that croissant."

Chuck had to wonder if he would have nightmares about being a giant croissant chased by the huge blond Sarah Walker. Of course now that he thinks about it. "Buddy, you're a genius."

"Yes, yes, it's a burden I must bear." Morgan was almost blushing. "Just remember, give her a crumb or two here and there. Don't let her turn to something as a replacement like an egg McMuffin or the cardboard container it comes in."

"So you think this will work?" Chuck was still a little skeptical.

"Hey, it's your buddy Morgan. When have I ever steered you wrong?"

{* * *}

{Next Day}

Sarah had been debating whether this would be a good idea or not. She had such a good talk with Ellie the other day that she knew she wanted to do even more. She wanted to try harder. Her mission plan was not just to show Chuck how much she loved him, she knew a lot of the problems were hers and hers alone. But she has gotten a taste of this true friendship thing and she wanted more. However, it was starting to wear on her that Chuck and her had lost the physical contact that came from being in a cover relationship. Yeah, she was to blame, but she did not realize just how much she needed Chuck's touch. It was like a drug to her and even though she knew there was still the 49B lurking out there, she had to do something to survive her current state. At this rate, she might just be willing to shoot Beckman herself just so she can make out with Chuck.

Sarah paused, actually a lot longer then she should have. But shooting Beckman would be a bad thing. Right?

Anyway, she had to figure out a way to balance her needs with Chuck's needs, without ruining this great relationship they were building. Its funny as Sarah thought about her need for Chuck. She never once in her entire life experienced anything like this. She never craved men's attention or touch, but yet they always seemed to offer it up so freely. She never realized what a true man was like until she met Chuck. That of course made it even worse because now he was not giving her the need that she needed for him to need to fill with his need. Oh man she was so screwed up.

So now she stood outside the home to one Morgan Grimes. This was a very slippery slope and she needed to tread carefully. Sarah knew she was not Morgan's favorite person, but she needed his help in this plan of hers. So the first part of her mission plan was to get enough information to figure out how to keep Chuck satisfied in knowing how much she cared for him until she could come up with a way to subvert her employer and show Chuck just how much she wanted him. Obviously the way things were before was not enough and something more needed to be done. So she had to rely on the one person that knew Chuck best, one Morgan Grimes. Here goes nothing, she thought as she knocked on the door.

. . .

Sarah sat uncomfortably on the couch while Morgan sat fidgeting right next to her.

"So Sarah, what can I do for you? I assume this is about Chuck?" Morgan was looking off at the far wall.

"Well Morgan, you and I don't talk much. I figured maybe we needed to get to know each other better." Sarah was feeling really awkward right now.

Morgan stood up, which surprised Sarah. He turned to her, "Look Sarah, I am just going to cut to the chase. You may have the looks, but let me be very clear, I will always be Chuck's best, best friend." Morgan folded his arms in front of his chest as he stared directly into Sarah's eyes.

Okay, that was a little unexpected Sarah thought. I just came here to have a friendly conversation. Why did he have to take this attitude? "Look Morgan, I did not mean to offend you, I just wanted…"

"No you look. You have been toying around with my best bud for way to long. I am tired of it. I have already had to pick up the pieces from Jill, and I am not about to let MY best friend go through that again." Morgan was not backing down.

Now this is getting ridiculous. Sarah was hoping to stay calm, but something in Morgan's tone was just begging her to react.

This time Morgan pointed right in Sarah's face. "Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. You think you can just play him, use him, and then throw him away when a bigger fish comes along. But you know what miss high and mighty Sarah Walker, maybe a girl like you just doesn't deserve a guy like Chuck."

Sarah had enough as she jumped to her feet and stared down at Morgan who now was not as confident as before. "Listen Morgan, I don't know who you think you are but don't you dare judge me. I care about Chuck and I would never do anything like that to him."

Morgan just shook his head. "You say that, but actions speak louder then words miss Walker. What exactly have you done for Chuck huh? Except string him along and then when it got to serious, you just broke his heart. And now you think you have a right to be called his friend. That is an honor that should not be taken lightly. And don't even think you will be ever considered his best friend, ever. I have earned that right. The way you have been treating him…" Morgan paused for dramatic affect, "you're no better then Jill Roberts." Morgan harrumphed as his bravery was somewhat coming back.

That was all Sarah could take, that was it. If she had her gun she would have put a cap right between his eyes. Of all the things to say, Morgan just pulled out the biggest bomb of all. Sarah was losing it and she knew she was better then this. But damn it, Jill Roberts? Really?

Sarah just wanted to punch Morgan now, looking at his smug little face. If this little runt thinks that she can't care for Chuck and show Chuck just how much he means to her, then Morgan can go to hell. Oh she will show him how close her and Chuck can be. Yeah, Morgan Grimes is about to get a rude awakening if he thinks he has sole claim to Chuck. Sarah just tilted her head. "I will show you and this whole damn world just how much I love Chuck Bartowski. And there ain't a damn thing anyone can do about it." Sarah then not so gently shoved Morgan aside as she stormed out of his house, slamming the front door so hard it almost broke the side window. "Jill freaking Roberts my ass" yelled Sarah as she got into her car and sped off.

About a minute after Sarah left, Morgan finally was able to breathe again. He checked his pants to make sure he did not need a new pair. Nope, everything's good, but that was close. Morgan then went and peeked outside the window making sure Sarah was no where to be seen.

He then turned and headed to the bathroom. He reached under the sink and pulled out the pay per use phone he had hidden there. He dialed the only number he ever would dial on this specific phone.

"Morgan Secure."

"Ellie Secure. How did it go Morgan?"

"Well, she is a tough customer but I did exactly what you said."

"Do you think she bought it?"

"Well judging by the broken hinges on my front door, I would say she bought it hook, line, and sinker."

"Very good Morgan. I owe you. But remember, not a word to anybody."

"No worries Ellie. I want Chuck and Sarah back together just as much as anybody. I just hope Sarah won't kill me. She can be very scary you know."

"I don't think you will have to worry about that Morgan. Now I have to run. Good job little man. This is going to work."

"Bye Ellie."

"Bye Morgan."

{* * *}

{Later that night}

Ellie sat in bed, fully awake while Devon, was not being awesome with his snoring. She was contemplating if she had done the right thing in speaking with Chuck and Sarah and initiating her own plan with Morgan Grimes. Of course she would never let anything hurt Chuck, and that is why she was taking the leap with Sarah. She knew Sarah was exactly what Chuck needed.

Her heart broke thinking of all the things Chuck had to go through. Sure she went through a lot herself, but she had Devon. Everyone Chuck had, usually hurt him in some way. It always came down to her and Morgan. They were Chuck's rock, but it was time to bring someone else aboard. Sarah was the game changer. The ultimate end game. It could go bad, but the chance at how great it could be out weighed any thoughts of it not working out.

Ellie loved Chuck so much, and she knew without a doubt that he needed Sarah, maybe even more then he knew. But she had to wonder if Sarah needed Chuck just as much or more then he needs her. How bad was Sarah's childhood? How bad was her life up to the point she met Chuck. Well maybe bad was not the word to use. But whatever Sarah's life was like, Ellie would bet the farm that Chuck could make it so much better.

She smiled as she looked over at Devon. There was one thing Ellie knew for sure. Chuck and Sarah together for real would be the greatest thing in the world. She giggled a bit, it would be Awesome.