A/N: Just a little reminder of the time frames. The current time frame is in between the time when Cole left (vs. Lethal Weapon), to the time Orion came online (vs. Predator). Not a lot happening so I wanted to take that time frame to build the relationships. As I mentioned before, time line will be somewhat AU as if you didn't already notice.
Now for all those shippers out there, yeah the ones just like me. I know what you are wanting, but story wise it has only been a little over three weeks since suburbs, just have some fun for the next couple chapters. I promise you I am not delaying; I am not going to add unnecessary angst to slow down the inevitable. I am just trying to build a Friendship here although I agree with a lot of you; it really is hard to keep our favorite couple apart, even when you aren't doing it on purpose. Hopefully at least you enjoy this way better than the angsty stuff out there. But just relax, you will not be disappointed.
As for Sarah showing Morgan, the explanation is coming and the showdown will follow.
Also wanted to give a heart felt huge thank you to tshdow for even considering this story for one of the awesome awards. I sincerely hope that I do not disappoint you or anyone else that is still reading this story. I commit to all of you that although I am not perfect, I will always give 110% to my stories (just ask my beta, Gladius).
Speaking of my awesome beta, thank you Gladius for keeping me on track with this story.
I don't own Chuck or anything in this chapter.
Chapter 8 – This, Could be Good
Chuck was sleeping restfully in his soft, warm bed as the Californian sun was starting to pour through his window. Chuck groggily opened his eyes, a strange feeling of euphoria overcoming him as he snuggled comfortably in his blankets. "Hmmmm, this is such a nice dream…" Chuck mumbled as he saw a beautiful blond leggy goddess lying in his bed next to him.
"Uh Chuck, this isn't a dream. This is your very hungry best friend that is expecting breakfast."
Chuck shot up to a sitting position in bed, sleep no longer a problem as embarrassment seeped into every part of his body. He quickly looked at Sarah, her beauty radiating the room as the sun just accented her soft white skin. Is this really not a dream? She looked perfect right there lying in bed in her Orange Orange outfit, her back propped against the backboard. He pinched his arm just to make sure this was not a dream. Yeah, no dream.
Sarah was smiling from ear to ear at her nerd's reaction. "Chuck? Breakfast's not going to make itself, and we have to get into work for the morning shift today." She was so comfortable lying in his bed. She could definitely get used to this.
Chuck double checked to make sure he had his pajamas on, as his bed sheet was still in place. He's not Morgan who sleeps au-natural, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. Yep, all good he sighed reassured. "You know, you're lucky I don't sleep in the nude. These early wake up calls might get a little awkward if that was the case."
Oh she wasn't even about to tackle that one. "Will you just get your butt out of bed? Geez Chuck, you take forever to get going. I want my breakfast." She smirked.
Chuck just looked over his shoulder and gave her 'the look.' "Hey some of us aren't born with heavenly looks. It takes time to get presentable. I have a routine you know." He grabbed a pillow and threw it at Sarah.
Sarah easily caught the pillow before it hit her face. "Oh you don't want to start this you jerk. You're lucky I 'm hungry and don't want to injure you with the possibility of missing my breakfast." She launched the pillow back towards his head.
Of course Chuck wasn't near as quick. Damn, even when playing she can really hurt a guy…literally. "Well I am glad my well being is solely based upon the needs of your stomach. It's nice to know my handler protects me strictly because she's hungry. I mean, you could probably stand to skip a few meals if you know what I mean." Chuck tried to jump out of bed as Sarah leapt on him in the blink of an eye.
Oh it was on now as Sarah mused as she securely wrapped herself around Chuck. Her head was right next to his, "Are you saying I'm fat Bartowski? You do know I'm trained in a hundred ways to kill you?" As if to encourage his response, she tightened her legs around his abdomen. Apparently her tactic did not work.
Chuck was standing, holding on to her thighs as he tried to keep her secured around him… "But then who would make you breakfast and continue feeding that insatiable appetite of yours, Miss Piggy?"
Sarah started tickling him in the ribs. "You are so in trouble I swear you're going to get it…"
Chuck was spinning her around, trying his best to remove his beautiful vise from his back when an alarm rang on Sarah's phone. "Damn it," she growled as she reluctantly unwrapped herself from her secured position on Chuck's back. Once back on solid ground, she checked her tank top to make sure it was still on straight and then she adjusted her white work pants.
Chuck turned to her confused, a slight disappointment in his voice as he suddenly felt the separation. "What was that?"
Sarah just looked at him, trying to send the message to him she did not want there playfulness to end. "Damn surveillance will be back on shortly. Casey gave me a thirty minute window before they'd be back on."
Chuck tilted his head as he thought of his program, "Well you know Sarah…" Sarah quickly stopped him, shaking her head to let him know not to go there.
"Chuck I know we have already talked about what you can do with surveillance but you have to be very careful. Apparently you have quite a number of fans at headquarters, and they've been paying very close attention to your surveillance videos." Sarah suddenly realized she needed to pay a little visit to the analysts at headquarters next time she was at Langley. Oh yeah, they were going to learn real quick the consequences of being a 'Chuck Fan'. She quickly regrouped her thoughts. "For now, with that much scrutiny we can't risk constantly altering the surveillance too much. Beckman would definitely throw you in a bunker, or at least try to, if she found out surveillance had been compromised."
That thought had completely ruined the mood. Chuck look defeated as he stared at the floor and sighed, 'so close.'
"Hey, I'm not saying we never can, just that we have to be extra careful." It warmed her heart to see Chuck's reaction. He is learning.
"Sarah?" Chuck wanted to tread very careful here. But he could not hold in what he wanted. "You know, it would make it a lot easier if… well if you just stayed the night during the length of our bet. That way you could sleep in a little longer." Chuck did not want to look at her. He had never been this bold since he began his plan and he didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
Sarah could see his discomfort and it was hard enough to hold in her own excitement. She had hoped he would be okay with that. I mean just friends of course, besides Casey actually looked like he was coming down with something. Might do him good if she took over watching the 'Asset' during the night. "I think that would be a good idea actually. Casey could use a break." Sarah shot him a playful look as he was now looking at her with a huge smile on his face. "As long as you can keep your hands and lips to yourself." Sarah gave him a wink then turned and walked out of the bedroom.
Chuck just stood dumbfounded. Me? Keep my hands and lips to myself?
"Come on Chuck! I'm hungry." Sarah yelled from the hallway.
. . .
Chuck usually considered himself proficient and very organized in the kitchen. Of course breakfast usually consisted of a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice. But on the rare occasions that his considerable (well if you only really wanted pancakes) breakfast cooking skills were called upon, such as for a beautiful elite CIA agent in charge of protecting his life, then he was pretty good about getting the breakfast done quickly and orderly.
However, having said CIA agent present while preparing and cooking the breakfast was quickly becoming a distraction. A very welcome distraction, but nonetheless, a distraction. "You know Sarah, if you keep eating all the chocolate chips before they actually get in the batter, then chocolate chip pancakes will kind of lose their meaning and part of their name."
Sarah nudged him with her hips with a playful grin. "Just shut up and make me breakfast." Sarah then fed Chuck another chocolate chip.
'Oh man,' Chuck thought with a smile, 'I'll never get this done.' He looked over at Sarah. "Why don't you go get the fruit and syrup from the fridge and I'll finish taking care of this." Chuck noticed Sarah paused as a wicked grin filled her face. He mused, 'man this woman's so complex she's like an Assembly Language client server program.
Sarah walked over to the fridge, gathering the syrup and fruit out after some very inappropriate thoughts raced through her head.
"So what do we have planned for today?" Chuck was checking the eggs while making sure the pancakes were finally able to start cooking.
"Well we have our normal training, and as long as we're not stuck in a mission, then that's pretty much it." Sarah was carefully preparing the table for breakfast.
"Hey I was thinking, you know what would be cool is to take one of our jogs on the beach. We both love the beach and I think it'd be a nice change of pace."
Did that just sound like the best idea or what? Chuck did it again. "That sounds nice Chuck. Wow, never thought I would see the day when you actually look forward to running."
"Well one of us has to stay in shape." Chuck instantly felt a sharp object pinned up against his rib cage.
Sarah leaned into him. "You know Bartowski; we're really going to have to have a talk about this teasing thing going on between us."
Chuck was frozen in fear. He had a horrible feeling that he had gone too far. So he was completely shocked to find out that the object in his side was a banana that Sarah quickly peeled and teasingly fed it to him as she moved around in front of him.
She caressed his cheek with her free hand. "Don't ever stop." Then she kissed him on the lips and headed back to the table.
'Wow, that was a weird feeling,' he thought as he watched her sensually walk away. 'Nothing like having your life flash before you because of a banana,' he mused. If anything, there was never a dull moment when you spent every minute with Sarah Walker. The adventure, the excitement, the fear, the sadness, everything. In a strange way Chuck frowned thoughtfully, it felt more normal than anything he had ever experienced before.
{* * *}
{One Week Later at Casa de Bartowski}
Chuck was sitting at his computer thinking about all the fun he and Sarah had been having. Especially the week she stayed over. It was hard to believe the time had already passed but they really had no choice for right now. Not until they could come up with a way to convince Beckman. Chuck had one of those hindsight moments. Maybe we could get lucky and Cole will get captured again. Okay, that wasn't very nice, but still, what he wouldn't give to go back in time.
Even though the bet was over, life was still so good right now. He and Sarah spent so much time training that Sarah actually seemed to enjoy the gaming nights. Since Morgan had been suffering from so many strange sicknesses lately, and that rash he had for a week, oh man that was bad. Anyway, with Morgan out of commission so much, it allowed for a lot more time with Sarah.
Chuck was really looking forward to tonight's friend's night. He was taking Sarah to a club that Morgan had told him about a while back. He thought it would be nice to take a walk down memory lane and hopefully this time the club would not be invaded by NSA agents out to kill them. It was close to 8:00 p.m. and Sarah would be picking him up soon. Sure enough, a knock on the door.
Chuck hurried to open it. Chuck just laughed when he saw Sarah.
"Something wrong Chuck?" Sarah gave him a quizzical look.
"It just amazes me that's all." Chuck was smiling, as he looked Sarah over.
Sarah just stood there hands on hips. "And what is it that amazes you ole mighty king?"
"I have seen you pretty much every day for the past two years, give or take a few days. And no matter what, I swear you get more beautiful each time I see you. Are you working out?"
Sarah slapped his arm. "Oh, my goodness Chuck. Do you have your Hulk costume on or are those real muscles?"
"Funny Walker. These are the real deal." And as if to demonstrate, Chuck gave a quick pose.
Sarah's breath caught, but she quickly schooled her expression. "Well you finally put away your nerf dumb bell set I see."
"Oh yeah traded up to the big boy set. That and I have this real hard ass trainer. I mean a real task master."
"Well she must be brilliant to be able to turn your skinny ass into what you are today."
"Yeah, I really like her. But I think she has a crush on me. I always catch her staring at my butt."
Sarah punched him again. "I really hate you Bartowski, you know that don't you."
"Of course. But you're part of a new test experiment the government has instituted for their top agents. It's called slow torture by nerd. It is supposed to be the worst kind and no one has been able to resist the effects. Everyone eventually cracks you know." Chuck gave her the eyebrow dance.
Oh if he ever really knew what that did to her. "Well, time for another night of torture I see. What painful experience am I going to have to endure tonight?"
Chuck could not stop smiling. Sarah had opened up so much over the past month and their back and forth was something he cherished. He knew she enjoyed it as much as he did and it was something they did all the time. The only time it was different is if someone tried to come between them. God help that person because they did not stand a chance. Many an enemy had fallen at the hands of the mighty Charah team. Yeah, he figured it out.
"Tonight, we enjoy a night like no other. We are going to a dance club, even though yes, I can't dance."
"Well you do know the lady's part of the tango don't you?"
"Very funny, haha." Chuck faked a deeply hurt look.
"Just saying Chuck. You're actually pretty good at it." And with that they were off.
. . .
Chuck leaned over to Sarah. "I swear I am going to kill Morgan." Chuck tried to say over the off key music of another person's fail attempt at karaoke.
"Oh Chuck it's not that bad. Besides, how was Morgan supposed to know tonight was karaoke night?" Sarah just gave him the biggest smile. They could be watching grass grow and it would not matter to her as long as she was with her best friend.
"I know but this is our night. The one night we get to put everything behind us. I just always want this night to be special."
"Chuck. Were together, that is all that matters to me." Sarah had her hand over Chuck's.
She did have a point he thought. But then as if he thought the night could not get any worse. It happened.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, now its time for random choice karaoke. Where will the spot light land?"
Please dear god not me, please not me. Chuck prayed as he closed his eyes. He felt a squeeze on his hand and then the warmth of a very bright light.
"You sir, with the brown hair and the super hot girlfriend. It's time to karaoke."
Chuck was waving his hands and shaking his head no as he now saw clearly where the spot light was. "No way. Sorry, can't do it."
The crowd got into it as they started cheering him on at the urging of his now mortal enemy, Sarah.
"What are you doing?" whispered Chuck as he sent a sideways glance to Sarah.
"I want you to sing for me Chuck." Sarah was just laughing at how cute Chuck was when he was embarrassed. It seemed the crowd caught on to as they kept cheering for him to get up.
Chuck had actually contemplated running, but figured Sarah might not approve. So reluctantly he caved and walked up on stage to stand behind the microphone and the monitor. He squinted his eyes a bit as the spotlight adjusted. He could see Sarah sitting right down in front and she had such an evil grin. Oh man was she going to get it.
"Okay ladies and gentleman. For tonight's number we have chosen a very special song for…"
"Chuck" Chuck responded when prompted for his name.
"We have selected a very special song for our new friend Chuck. Chuck is there anyone you would like to dedicate this song to?"
Oh he will get her now. "Yes, my best friend Sarah. She is sitting in the front row." Haha, gotcha was Chuck's expression as Sarah gave him a dirty look.
"Okay Chuck. The song is Terrified from Kathy McPhee. You can begin when the monitor counts down."
Chuck remembered this song all to well. It was one of his favorites on his iPod. He knew the words by heart and didn't need to look at the monitor. He was still nervous though; the last time he sang was a little over six years ago while he was dating Jill. When she broke up with him, it was the last time he had ever sung for someone other than the shower head. Well now that was about to change.
The beginning melody started playing as the words came on the monitor.
You
By the light
Is the greatest find
Chuck stumbled at first as he tried to gain his singing voice. He was looking at Sarah, trying to gain confidence from her. It was not long after that he became lost in the song. His voice gained strength quickly as he continued to sing,
Sarah stopped breathing when Chuck began singing. She swore her heart actually did skip a beat. Silence fell over the crowd as the sweet melody of Chuck beautiful soothing voice captured everyone in the room. But he was not singing to everyone. He was singing to her, and she had lost all reasoning.
Chuck was going with the flow of the song, feeling the steady rhythm of the song and getting caught in the importance of the words. The next line started playing as he slowly walked over to Sarah, microphone in hand, he was right in front of her now as he began the next verse,
This
Could be good
It's already better than that
And nothings worse than knowing you're holding back
I could be all that you needed
If you let me try
The next part was the chorus as Chuck reached out a trembling hand and grabbed a hold of Sarah's hand. They were looking into each other's eyes as Chuck sang the chorus. Chuck looked at her with all that he had in him as the words came,
And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time…
Sarah could not hold back her emotions this time. His voice, oh my God his voice. It felt like his voice seeped into every part of her body and just held her in its warmth. Chuck's singing was eliciting emotions she did not even know she had. She could not control the feelings inside of her as the words were sung to her. It was the most beautiful sound in the world and she wanted every last bit of it.
Chuck went back on stage and when the song ended, the crowd erupted into what could only be called pandemonium. Chuck actually feared woman might start throwing their panties at him. Seriously, the look in some of their eyes said just that. He only cared about one woman in this room though.
Sarah finally gained her composure as the song ended. She was left wanting more and her body was doing some strange things as she stared at Chuck. She was a spy though and it did not take her very long to notice the other woman in the room. She knew those looks and they were all directed at Chuck.
Chuck walked off stage and came to sit down next to Sarah. "So did you like it Sarah? I can't even… Sarah where are we going?" Sarah was dragging him out the bar.
"I don't think I paid the waiter Sarah."
"Just be quiet will you. I took care of it. Now get in the damn car, we're leaving."
Chuck looked at Sarah. He had seen mad and angry before, actually quite a few times. This was neither of them. This was actually something he had not seen. She was not mad at him, he knew that. There was no denying the fact she loved the song. But why was she acting like this? Chuck finally got the nerve to ask as they were rolling pretty fast down the high way.
"Sarah, did I do something to make you mad. I am sorry if you did not like the song…" Oops, wrong thing to say. Wow the woman could even kill with just a look.
"Don't you ever say that." Her look just bore right through him.
"Then why are you acting like this Sarah?" Chuck was actually quite concerned. Their friendship was so strong right now and he hated to think he screwed it up some how.
"How come you never told me you could sing?" Sarah would not look at him.
"Well I can't and I don't." Chuck was clueless.
"That's bullshit Chuck." Sarah was shaking her head.
Chuck reached a soothing hand over and laid it in on her leg. She tensed at first, but Chuck knew this is one way he could calm her. "Sarah, I used to just sing for fun when I was a kid. Then I sang a few times for Jill but she acted like I was an idiot when I did so. I just sort of stopped singing because I was embarrassed. You are actually the first person I have sung to or heard me sing in over six years."
Damn that bitch Jill. 'I swear when I have time, I am paying a visit to that loser.' She grimly promised herself. An accidental stabbing in the washroom happens all the time. What's one less bitch?
"I am sorry to bring it up. That is why I never sing anymore." Chuck nearly smashed his face into the dash board as Sarah's Porsche came screeching to a stop. Luckily no one was behind them.
This time Sarah looked right in to Chuck's eyes. "Charles that was the most amazing thing I have ever heard. Please don't ever stop singing to me. Ever."
"But why are you so upset Sarah? That's what I can't figure out." Chuck put his hand on her shoulder.
"It's because damn it. I wanted that all to myself tonight. All to myself do you hear me? But trust me, I saw the way those sluts in that bar acted. They thought you were singing to them. That pissed me off."
Chuck had to admit he was a little stunned. The way Sarah was acting completely caught him off guard. But if definitely made his heart swell that she cared so much. "You know Sarah, you're really cute when you're jealous." Uh oh, wrong thing to say.
"Don't" Demanded Sarah as she stuck a finger in Chuck's face.
Wow is she really taking this seriously. Why the hell didn't I sing to her before? "I'll tell you what Sarah. I promise you that you will be the only girl I ever sing to. Pinky swear." Chuck held up his pinky.
Sarah was biting down on her lip. She was better at hiding her emotions than this. But damn it Chuck had changed her in this last few weeks. She never felt the need to hide anything from him so she didn't. Now however, she was not quite sure that was the best thing. Either way, there were some things she just would not give in to. His singing to other woman was one of them. "You better not ever break that promise Chuck. I am dead serious. If I ever find out you have been singing and I am not around, I will find you and torture you. Do you understand me?"
"Yes Agent Walker. And that's going to leave a mark. Sarah, what's with all the punching?" Chuck was rubbing his arm where she had just slugged him.
The finger was back in his face. "No one do you hear me?"
"So where are we going?" Asked Chuck, still rubbing his sore arm.
Sarah started the car back up and headed off down the highway. "I'm dropping you off early and then I need to head back to my hotel and… and finish some reports." Actually, take a very, very, very cold shower she thought to herself.
"You want me to come with you?" Chuck was looking at the night sky as the wind blew by his face.
"Sorry Chuck, this is something right now that I have to do on my own." Sarah regrettably replied.
"Fine Sarah. Have it your way. Besides, I need to scrub through some code for my search program and massage some areas of the code that need to be inserted back into the mainframe. I should be able to grind through the remaining configurations and bang out some new interfaces. What's wrong Sarah?"
Sarah about had a coronary. 'Are you freaking kidding me?' She glanced momentarily at him sidelong. 'Did Chuck just say…? I mean are you freaking kidding me?' She took a breath. "I really hate you right now. I really do Chuck."
A/N: I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I absolutely love Zach's singing and I can't believe they have not found a way to get his singing in the show. This was sort of my way of bringing in what I would have loved to seen.
Next chapter will be at least to me, one of the most touching chapters I have ever written. It will be Chuck/Casey chapter with of course Sarah there for her man.