A/N: Thanks again for the wonderful reviews on the last Chapter.

This Chapter deals with Chuck vs. Lethal Weapon and the time around that episode.

Thanks to gladius as always for his tireless help.

I do not own Chuck.

Chapter 6 - The King

Chuck was sitting at his computer. He was actually in a pretty crappy mood right now. It had been a couple days since finding out that the mark from the seduction mission was actually an MI6 agent named Cole Barker, a modern day James Bond. Cole seemed like a great guy but his pining and constant badgering of Sarah made Chuck's previous advances look like something Casey would try. Chuck was actually proud of himself that he really was not that jealous, he was just upset because today was supposed to be their "friend" day and after the other night, he just had hoped that they could spend some time by themselves. But he knew Sarah had her hands full with Cole and that whole situation.

It was okay though, at least they still got to spend time together on their jog yesterday. Sarah really seemed to enjoy it and she was so proud of him for being able to run without passing out at the end. Then the night that he stayed over with her was one of the most special times they'd ever shared. He still couldn't believe she opened up to him like that. It meant so much to him. He was just finishing up some new configuration for his search program when the theme song from FireFly started playing on his phone. He sighed as he got up and went into the bathroom.

He held the phone in his hands and he just prayed that he would not sound so depressed when he talked to Sarah. He finally got the courage to call.

"Bartowski Secure."

"Walker Secure. Where the hell are you Chuck?"

"What happened? Damn it did I miss a mission briefing? I am so sorry Sarah."

"What the hell Chuck? What is tonight?"

"It's Friday?" Chuck was stunned as he realized why Sarah was so upset. Could she really be that upset about friends night? He had to make sure.

"Why aren't you here?" He could literally feel the anger in her voice.

"Sarah, I am not quite sure where here is supposed to be. I mean I am racking my brain trying to figure out what national security issue I missed." Chuck smiled as he could tell this was important to Sarah.

"You are such a nerd you know that right?"

"What?" Chuck, feigned ignorance.

"Tonight is our night Chuck. Remember "friend" night. Why aren't you with me?"

He was so happy to have confirmation on what he hoped was the reason for her reaction. "Well I thought. I thought you… you know…"

"Actually you didn't think did you Chuck? Do you know how much this day means to me? Huh, do you? And you just blow me off."

Oh man, well he sure knew now. He would definitely never make this mistake again. "Sarah it's not like that at all. I've been sulking around all evening because I missed you and thought you didn't want to get together tonight."

"I know you have been. But you have to know how much this means to me Chuck. It's our night, yours and mine and no one else's. Just friends as you always tell me."

"I am sorry Sarah I really did… Wait a minute, how did you know I was just sulking around?" Chuck had a very strange feeling.

What did Chuck think she did all day at Castle baby sitting Agent Barker? Of course Sarah watched surveillance of Chuck. "Just put the phone back and come to your room. Walker out." The phone disconnected.

Chuck hurried to put the phone back and ran into his room. He looked around but no one was there. Then he heard the tapping on the window. He saw her there and she was such a sight for sore eyes. He ran to the window and unlocked it letting her in.

"When did you start locking the Morgan door?" Sarah grabbed Chuck's hand as he helped her through.

"I just thought it'd be safer. I just wanted to make your job easier." Of course Chuck knew all someone had to do was break the window or shoot him through it, but still, every little bit helps.

"Well good thinking Chuck. Might take me a few extra seconds to pick the lock when I need to get in, but at least it's safer."

Wow, the way she said that just made him a tad uneasy. "I'm sorry again about tonight. I just figured you were busy with James Bond and all. Ouch," Chuck rubbed his arm where Sarah just slugged him.

"Chuck I know what you said last time but could we just have movie night tonight? Just stay home and relax?" Sarah then held up her three fingers. "I promise to behave and stay on my side of the couch."

Chuck almost said no. Not that he didn't want to have movie not alone at his apartment, but Sarah was still having a hard time with the fact that they were not "cover" dating. She was so good at the cover thing that sometimes she forgot that there was no cover any more. It was just friends. But he also knew the whole Cole thing had been weighing heavily on Sarah and he really just wanted to be there for his friend. "Alright, we can do that. But I swear if you grab my butt again I'm calling Casey." Chuck boldly teased her as he ran out the room.

Sarah just stood there shaking her head with a grin, her eyes shining with happiness. She had just gotten back from Castle where Agent Barker had been going out of his way to prance around naked save only for his towel. If Agent Barker only knew how lacking he was, and of course not just physically, compared to a certain nerd she was in very close proximity to right now. He may have thought differently about putting on his little circus act. Chuck may have just been joking, but after spending all day babysitting Agent Barker in Castle, and left wanting, she had greater desires than just grabbing Chuck's butt. Oh he had no idea.

. . .

Sarah decided tonight would be episodes four through eight of FireFly. She really loved FireFly but absolutely hated the Jayne character. She also was not too thrilled with the River character, which Chuck seemed to have a fondness for.

They had ordered pizza and began watching the show. Of course Sarah had naturally during the movie night tried to migrate closer and closer to Chuck. It was purely subconsciously or so she told Chuck, old habits you know.

"Here, you lay down over there and give me your feet." Chuck had actually thought she might put up at least some resistance but within seconds her beautiful, silky white, well pedicure feet were laying in his lap. He intertwined his fingers as he stretched them out, cracking his knuckles. He then turned to Sarah who was facing the TV but he had a strange feeling she was actually watching him. "Agent Walker, prepare…"

"Chuck. We talked about this. Especially on our night." Sarah gave him a stern look.

Chuck continued bashfully. "Sarah Walker…" he looked to her for approval and she smiled. "Prepare for the Bartowski special. You're about to be amazed."

Sarah just threw one of the couch pillows at his head. "I swear Chuck you are so conceited."

Chuck had a devilish grin. "We will see my pretty. We will see."

. . .

Within minutes sounds were coming from Sarah that if Chuck had to admit it, kind of made him blush. He had been massaging her feet for a good five minutes and he had her purring like a cat. He actually tried to stop for a minute to get a drink but Sarah shot him a look like she was prepared to run him through with one of her knives if he even thought about stopping.

It was a good fifteen minutes more and Chuck was getting very worried about the way Sarah was acting. Her body was doing things that was somehow affected the thermostat in the room. That had to be what it was as Chuck definitely felt the heat rising in the room. It was then Sarah's phone rang. "Oh thank God." Chuck said before he could think about what he was saying.

"What did you say?" asked Sarah.

"I said I need to get a new game mod." Chuck could not look at her.

She stared at him, trying to gauge the truth in his eyes. The phone rang again, damn it, it was Casey. "You even think about stopping and I will make life very unpleasant for you Bartowski."

Oh crap, she called me Bartowski. Not good.

"What do you want Casey? I'm busy." Sarah asked irritation in her voice.

Chuck could not hear Casey but he could tell something was up.

"But he knows Chuck's the Intersect?" Sarah was becoming very serious and this in turn made Chuck freeze what he was doing.

"Yes, he is here with me now." Sarah looked to Chuck as she got up.

"Fine. Keep me up to date." Sarah hung up her phone.

"Sarah, is everything…" Sarah cut him off.

"Not now Chuck. I'll be right back." Then she was out the door bare feet and all.

Chuck never had a chance to ask her what was wrong. She was just gone.

Minutes later she came storming back into the house and started pulling the shades down and securing the windows. She also now had a gun and was checking the clip to make sure it was full.

"Sarah please talk to me." Chuck was standing in the middle of the room, begging her to tell him something, anything.

"Cole's been captured by Fulcrum. You can't leave my sight. We're in lock down."

"But why did you just leave me then?" Chuck was confused.

Sarah just gave him a forced smile. "Chuck I needed to go get my gun from the car."

Chuck just shook his head, "But you always have a gun on you and in your purse."

Sarah stared at him like he hadn't a clue. "Not on our night Chuck. You know that."

Well actually he didn't but it made him smile none the less. "Thank you Sarah."

Sarah walked over to him as she was now sure the house was secure. "For what Chuck?"

"For this night meaning that much to you. I hoped I was not the only one that looked forward to these nights."

Sarah reached up a hand to his face. She knew she was crossing the line but it was to comfort her as much as him. "This is the most important night of the week for me. It means everything to me."

Chuck lowered his head. "You don't know what that means to me to hear you say that."

"It's the truth Chuck, and don't ever forget that okay?" There was no denying the truth in Sarah's eyes.

"I won't."

"Now we wait for Casey…"

{* * *}

After meeting with Beckman at Casey's apartment, it was determined that Chuck would have to be in twenty four hour protective care. Beckman instructed Sarah to have Chuck move in with her until they could determine the severity of the threat.

"Excuse me General." Oh man please don't screw this up Chuck thought to himself. "I really think due to the current circumstances involving Agent Walker and myself, I believe it'd be best if I stayed with Major Casey." Chuck hated to do this but they had to sell it to the General, at least for now.

Sarah had to do everything to school her expression.

Casey looked to Sarah and could tell this cut her deep. It was what had to be done though; this would be a huge step in convincing Beckman that the compromising feelings between Chuck and Sarah were no more.

The General turned to look at Casey. "Major, is this arrangement agreeable to you?"

"Yes Ma'am. We've already talked about this with the asset's sister. She believes I am struggling financially and that Chuck wanted to find a place where the guys could hang out. This arrangement would seem best." Okay, that was a lie but after all, he was a spy.

"Very well then Major. Have fun and good night." The screen in Casey's apartment went blank.

Casey turned to Bartowski. "Why don't you go get your stuff and I'll move my guns from the spare bedroom. Walker, stay close to him." Then Casey left the room.

Sarah wasn't happy as she and Chuck walked out of Casey's apartment. They walked silently over to Chuck's apartment. Chuck wanted to say something but he knew the damned surveillance was everywhere. They walked into the house and headed towards his bedroom to pack. Chuck could feel the venom looks coming from Sarah. They were passing the bathroom when suddenly Sarah pulled him in and slammed the door.

"Why the hell do you hate being with me so much?" Sarah had fire of anger and betrayal in her eyes.

Chuck held up his hands. "Okay first of all Sarah, please calm down." Why would she even say something like that? There's no one in the world he loved being with more than Sarah. She was just being foolish now. "Look Sarah, when you want to ask me a question that actually makes sense, then I'll try and answer it."

Oh he did not just say that. She put her hand to her mouth and started pacing back and forth, she was beyond pissed right now. Sarah couldn't hold it in any longer, "Just when I think we're friends and we are getting along. You go off and pull something like this. Not to mention, you don't want me to drive you home. You always seem to like having someone around when we're together, and now we have a chance to spend more time together, you'd rather stay with Casey? I mean really Chuck, do I disgust you that much?"

"Sarah we've been through this. You know what you mean to me " Chuck paused for a moment. How exactly did she know? Had he actually done enough yet? "You'll never disgust me and I really would appreciate if you'd stopped saying things like that." Chuck was not going to say another word until she became more rational. Instead, he did the only thing that came to his mind, he started humming the theme to FireFly.

Sarah stopped dead in her tracks, checking that her gun was still in her back hip holster. She might just need it in a second. "Chuck, I have my gun and I will shoot you if you don't talk to me."

Chuck just kept humming, trying his best to ignore her.

"Fine damn it. Okay, God you drive me insane some times." Deep breaths, deep breaths. I have got to find my calm center. "Okay. Chuck, I know you enjoy being with me. I know you cherish the times we are together." She could see Chuck turn to face her now. "SO WHY THE HELL DID YOU JUST PULL THAT STUNT IN THERE?"

"Sarah come on. Think about this. Just please think for one second. I can't lose what we have now. I can't and I won't. I am sorry, but do you want to lose this?" Chuck gestured to emphasis the 'this' was their current relationship.

Oh she felt like slapping him. Why can't he get the fact that best friends can do everything together. So why does she feel that Chuck is isolating her from him unless he is in control? Does he realize that a relationship not in motion will become stagnat? Can't he see it is her fighting for what they have not just him? She could not even answer him, her frustration over flowing.

"Okay, that's what I thought. So what would happen if we moved in together huh? Sarah, we can barely make it through movie night without wanting to be all over each other. How exactly would we survive living together? You tell me that, could you control it? Because I sure know I couldn't. Then all this would be gone and that is not even mentioning the real reason. We have to continue to show Beckman that we aren't compromised because you know what will happen if she thinks we are. You'd be gone on some assignment in Jakarta, and we would never see each other again. How would you feel then?"

How did we become so screwed up? Sarah thought. Shouldn't she be the one making these arguments? "I get it Chuck. But it hurts that you make me feel like you don't want to be with me. As embarrassing as it sounds, no one has ever made me feel like that."

"Sarah can't you see how hard this is for me too? You mean more to me than you may ever know. We just can't fall into the same conundrum that we've been wallowing in for the past two years. You deserve so much more and I want to give that to you. I want to be different than every other man you've ever met. I am different and I want to prove to you that you are so much more than what the world sees. You are way more to me, and I just want the opportunity to prove it to you without you thinking I need something more."

She had to fight off men at every turn, deny gifts from chocolate candies to pristine yachts, and here stood a man that she would give anything to just so he would want her more. Well he was right at least about one thing, Chuck was different than other men. No other man had rejected her as much as Chuck. Oh my God I really am screwed up?

Chuck grabbed her hands. "Nothing is going to change between us this way, can't you see that? I will still run with you, and you will still be able to level with me in our game. In a couple weeks, we will be doing something else. But now that is what we get to look forward to. Just having fun with each other and not worrying about all the crap we had to go through for the first two years we were in a cover relationship."

Sarah was so annoyed at this point. Did they really go from a cover relationship to a cover friendship? Was that what this was to him? His latest comment just made it worse, "So you're saying what we went through was crap?" Sarah tried to pull away. To her, that time meant everything.

"That's not the way I meant it. All the jealousy, the fighting, my whining, that was crap. Our time together was anything but."

Sarah calmed down a bit. She knew Chuck cared for her, which was obvious from the other night he stayed with her. And he was right. It was just too soon to throw everything away with even the slightest chance that this could backfire. For all she knew, Beckman could have been testing them. She was not about to take those kind of chances. "Okay Chuck but next time we talk about this first. I don't want to be blindsided again in a meeting. Especially something that means this much to me. No lies, no secrets remember?"

"I'm sorry for doing that to you Sarah. I should have talked to you first but this kind of happened so quickly that I didn't think it through."

Sarah still was not completely satisfied.

"Do you forgive me?" Chuck gave the 'I'm so sorry' look.

Sarah shook her head no. "Not now Chuck." She could tell he was trying to play her.

"Please Sarah…foot massages for a week?" Chuck gave her the eyebrow dance.

"You're such a jerk you know that?" Sarah playfully pushed him.

"But hey, at least I am your jerk right?" Chuck turned to open the door, laughing now at how funny he thought he was.

Sarah rolled her eyes as she shoved him through the open door. "Gee, I am such a lucky girl."

{* * *}

{Two days later after Cole broke free of his captors}

Thank goodness for both Casey and Chuck that Cole was able to escape his captors. Chuck was a very acceptable roommate and if you asked Casey, he really did not mind the nerd staying over. However Chuck was horrified. Seeing a half naked Casey walking around was more than he could handle. And oh man did Sarah tease him tirelessly about it."Well Chuck, I hope you're happy seeing Casey half naked as opposed to me. I guess you got your just due."Oh she was so right and she was still ribbing him for it even now. Bad ankle and all.

Chuck was making his way down to Castle; he was of course having a hard time with his badly sprained ankle from the window attacking him when Cole and he tried to save Sarah and Casey. That wasn't even the worst of it. Oh man did Sarah get pissed at him when he was chased down by the scientist he'd accidentally shot, and in the process, almost getting Cole and himself shot. Even so, Sarah seemed even more upset he could not run with her, at least not until his foot healed. He did however glean some very important information from that scientist and he needed to talk to Sarah about it when she finally got some free time.

He was painstakingly making his way down the steps of Castle when he saw Sarah and Cole engaged in what looked to be a heated kiss. Chuck lowered his head and took a deep breath, he never noticed Sarah break the kiss, a look of pure anger on her face. Chuck knew the jealousy thing got easier as time went by but it still was awkward. Chuck continued down the stairs. "Geez guys, can't you get a room?"

Both agents were already separated, Cole a little farther after seeing the look in Sarah's eyes just moments before they noticed Chuck coming. "I've been trying to get her to agree but she just won't listen." Cole responded tentatively, trying to ease the sudden tension in the room.

Chuck was standing near Sarah now, trying his best to seem like this didn't bother him. He had to admit, he admired Cole. The guy was the new age James Bond and Chuck couldn't help but think how great he and Sarah would be together as partners. He caught a glimpse of the charm bracelet around Sarah's wrist and for a moment, a slight anger rose in him. He quickly squelched it as he took solace in the fact that at least she was wearing it. Whether he thought it was appropriate to wear while making out with another guy is just something he would have to deal with. Chuck could see that Sarah was obviously a bit irritated. Great Chuck thought, she is pissed at me for interrupting. "So Sarah, is he any good?"

Sarah had to do everything she could not to shoot the MI6 Agent. "Well, he's nowhere near king status that your kisses are, Chuck." Sarah was still upset about the kiss. She did not even want to kiss him, he just caught her off guard. She had no other excuse except that she got caught in a moment that she wished desperately had been with the man she was looking at now with the injured foot. She was starting to get even more frustrated as she knew if it had been her and Chuck doing that in Castle, Beckman's alarms would have been going off and she would probably been reassigned already. She let her guard down just a bit and the Brit took advantage of it. Of course Chuck would just happen to come in at that time, right before Cole kissed her and right before she was about to tell Cole the real reason why he never stood a chance with her.

"Are you honestly saying that Chuck Bartowski here is a better kisser than I am?" Cole wasn't use to being second in anything, although Sarah never gave him even the slightest chance to show her how good he really was.

"I just deal in facts Cole. The nerd has got the lips." Sarah was smiling now, she couldn't help it as she was looking up at the huge goofy grin on Chuck's face. She swore she'd never seen so much pride on his face before.

Cole was sizing him up. Chuck could tell his life was hanging in the balance on what happened next. "You know what. An honorable man will always fall upon his sword. Who would have thought it, Cole Barker loses the girl to Chuck Bartowski."

Sarah just looked at Cole, "It really isn't that hard to think about." Sarah wanted to say more, tell him how amazing Chuck really is, but she would not take the chance of Beckman having more ammunition.

Cole shot her a look like explain no more. "Well it was a pleasure working with all of you. Good day." And with that, the agent was off not even looking back.

Sarah and Chuck just stared at each other for a long time. Then Sarah started smiling. Chuck could not contain himself. "You're such a player Walker. I didn't realize you had it in you."

"Well he needed to be put in his place. I can't stand those arrogant jerks." Sarah was preparing to leave, making sure security systems were active for Castle.

"Well it looked like you two were getting along just fine before I showed up to ruin all the fun." Chuck was just kidding around but apparently Sarah had thought different as she stormed up to get right in his face.

"That was a mistake and extremely unprofessional. I would never do that to you intentionally no matter what our current arrangement is." Realizing the cameras, she whispered, "Your feelings mean more to me than that."

"Sarah relax, I was just joking. You guys would be good together. I mean the guy is James Bond."

Screw the cameras. "NO! No he is not damn it. He will never be that guy. There is only one James Bond, and Cole or Bryce will never be it. Do you understand me? Never!" Sarah was so mad right now.

Okay, that was weird Chuck thought. "By the way Sarah. Which James Bond did you mean? Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, now that's a guy I really don't like."

Sarah just stood there shaking her head. He is really going to be the death of me Sarah thought. "You ready to go Chuck?"

"Well yeah but please give me a minute. This cast is a real pain to walk in. Mind helping me up those extremely long set of stairs?"

"You're lucky you're so damn cute Chuck." Okay that one slipped.

"Well it is a burden, but you know…"

"Lord help me please." Sarah just rolled her eyes..

"So, King of the kisses huh?" Chuck looked at Sarah as a smirk spread across his face.

"Just shut up will you?" Sarah playfully punched him in the arm as they prepared to leave Castle together.

"I mean is there a statute of limitation I need to watch out for? I really would not want my reign as king to end because of inactivity."

Sarah stopped and pulled a very surprised Chuck not so gently into the near by supply closet. Slamming the door shut, she leaned in close. "Let me make something perfectly clear Bartowski. Another Agent just kissed me who in no way compares to your kisses. I do not like the taste of him on my lips, and I want that taste replaced by someone that is standing really close to me right now. So if you want to keep up this 'agreement' of yours, then I suggest you shut your mouth, and stop teasing me. We clear?"

Chuck swallowed deeply. "For the record, you were the one that actually started all this." Okay that was not exactly true, oh crap, Chuck thought for sure they were going to go at it right here in the closet. Sarah had actually moved into him pressing him against the door.

Chuck was having a hard time concentrating. That may have explained what came out of his mouth next, "Uh Sarah, so is there a reward or achievement for this king of kissing thing? Just saying…"

He never finished as Sarah grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into a very deep and passionate kiss. Sure it may not of been the most thought out move of hers, but he just didn't know when to let up and she was serious about what she said before. Let him analyze this for a while, she thought as finally she felt in control of this relationship again.

"Come on you two. I am hungry." Casey boomed from just outside the door.

Sarah broke the kiss. "I swear I really hate that man." She then opened the door dragging a stunned and amazingly speechless Chuck out the door and up the stairs. Sarah gave Casey a glare as she passed him. Luckily Casey was such a good partner because his timing always seemed to suck.

A/N: I have to admit, this was probably my least favorite of all the chapters. I am sure my writing showed it but I needed this chapter to set some future things up. Hopefully no one was too disappointed.

I will say, the next Chapter coming up was one of the funnest I had writing. I think you will enjoy that one.