A/N: First off I've got to apologize. I really don't even know how to explain it but I'm going through a real down time in my Chuck writing. I know it's not fair but the spark that I always seemed to have when it came to writing about my favorite show seems to be dissipating. Maybe I'm subconsciously preparing myself for the end, maybe it's something else. Whatever it is though I apologize.
This chapter has not been officially beta'd but I just felt I was losing touch with everyone out there and I just wanted to feel that inspiration again and quickly. Thank you Coreymon for pm'ing me. It reminded me that I still have some fan's out there that actually like to read my stuff.
Hopefully no one will be to disappointed with this chapter. I wish it could be better but I just wanted to get something out there.
As always, I don't own Chuck.
Chapter 22 – Dancing To Your Own Rhythm
Chuck was sitting at his Computer in his room, finishing up some things he was working on with Carina and catching up on missed emails. Sarah was in the kitchen cooking dinner and this gave Chuck a few minutes to finish up on his computer. He smiled thinking about how comfortable Sarah was now that they lived together. He remembered at one time thinking that she might want some privacy, being a spy and all. But that was the farthest thing from what she wanted. She was like a different person when they were in their apartment together. Chuck paused in thought as nervousness crept upon him.
He couldn't help the thoughts in his head. If he had to put a word to the way Sarah acted around their apartment, it was… well it was motherly. Okay maybe motherly was not the best choice of words, but it was definitely different. It had nothing to do with kids or even the thought of what it would be like to have kids, it was something different. Where when they first met, she protected him but there was still this separation between protecting and actual caring.
Now it was different. Sarah still protected him but now it went beyond that to now they both cared for each other. Where little things in the past might not have meant anything; now it was like everything they did together, everything that was theirs together, just meant so much more. Sarah acted so natural in this environment, and it caused Chuck to think of what it would be like if they took the next step in their relationship.
He knew they were never going to leave each other. In actuality, he had no doubt that if he asked Sarah to marry him that she would. Quite a long way from that day where he originally put his plan into motion. But were they ready for that step? Was it to soon? Would it be fair to them especially after the upload of the Intersect 2.0? Not to mention, even if the time was right, how should he do it?
Chuck knew without a shadow of a doubt that Sarah deserved something special. A proposal was important to him, and he did not want to cheapen it by not putting thought and effort into it. He had a proposal plan from before but he burned it when Jill broke his heart. After the first six months of being with Sarah, he actually thought about bringing it back. Of course the spy life and certain events had caused him to keep putting it off, but maybe now was the time to seriously put together a proposal plan like no other.
Either way though, no matter what he did, he had to make it special because Sarah meant more to him than anything ever had.
Chuck leaned back as he smiled looking at the Tron Poster. Yeah his plan had finally worked and this was just the last step. He couldn't help but feel so relieved at the thought of asking Sarah to marry him. He was nervous only in the fact that he wanted it to be perfect. How great was that? Chuck thought to himself at the fact their relationship was so strong that these things, things like getting married would not cause any unnecessary angst…
"Hey handsome, what are you thinking about?" Sarah came into the bedroom and leaned down to kiss the top of Chuck's forehead. She smiled seeing the look on his face. "Chuck?"
Chuck let out a brief laugh. "Just thinking about our future. Thinking about how lucky I am to have you in it."
Sarah leaned over to wrap her arms around him, placing her chin on his shoulder. "I've never been happier Chuck. This is perfect and I love you."
"Love you to." Chuck turned to kiss the side of her face. "So tell me beautiful, what's for dinner tonight?"
Sarah stood up and put on her best Martha Stuart impersonation. "Tonight we're having meatloaf with corn on the cob and mashed potatoes."
Chuck stomach instinctively started grumbling at the sound of that. "You know Sarah, you keep up this cooking and I'm going to be one overweight Intersect." Chuck was patting his rock hard stomach.
Sarah was heading back to the kitchen but stopped at the door to their room. "Don't worry Charles. You will be burning a lot of calories after dinner."
Chuck just smiled as he gave her the eyebrow dance. "Oh am I looking forward to it."
Sarah laughed at what he was thinking. "Yep, we're going for the big ten mile run tonight don't forget." She then headed back to the kitchen.
Chuck nearly fell out of his chair. "Oh you are so going to get it." Yelled Chuck as he smiled thinking about the fast one she pulled on him.
"Counting on it babe." Chuck heard Sarah yell from the kitchen. He had to admit, in a way he was looking forward to the run tonight. They had been training for this and besides the little hiccup with the whole Intersect 2.0 being uploaded, they had been running together pretty consistently. It was something that they both enjoyed and it was a way to just... well to just get away.
Chuck finished up some things on the computer and then headed out to the kitchen for dinner. Well not exactly for dinner. There was something else out there he couldn't wait to eat.
{* * *}
{Next Morning at Castle}
"Colonel Casey and Agent Bartowski, you are being sent to Milan for the annual Wep Con event. We believe there is a possible person of interest trying to sell a very dangerous Intersect device. Chuck and Casey you two will go undercover as weapons buyers to try to find this person of interest."
Chuck actually thought Casey was going to jump out of his seat at the mention of Wep Con, the annual convention for everything to do with weaponry. He smiled as he looked over at the big guy and the look of excitement on his face. Well as much excitement as the hardened agent could show.
"Excuse me General. But what will my role in this be?" Sarah questioned the general.
"Sorry Sarah, but you will be needed back in at Langley for re-certification."
Chuck quickly looked to Sarah and saw the slight hurt in her eyes at the General's dismissive tone. He knew how much Sarah loved Milan. She had told him numerous times how she loved the fashion shows and just the glamorous atmosphere of the city. This fact, and not to mention, he didn't want to leave without her, he decided to speak to the General. "General, ma'am. If you don't mind, I have some very legitimate intel that one of our close friends, DEA agent Carina Miller, is actually conducting a high stakes mission in Milan. Might it be a good idea for Agent Walker to accompany Casey and I to Milan to see if she can help? Agent Walker is definitely a vital member of my… our team and Agent Miller could probably use some help herself. Also, I think it would be beneficial for me to accompany Agent Walker for her re-certification. If I am ever to be the best, then I need to see how the best does it. And there is no better than Agent Walker."
Besides the fact that she wanted to know how Chuck knew this information concerning Carina, even so, Sarah wanted to do him right there on the table. To hear him speak up for her and to find a way for her to come with them, just made her love him even more. Oh he'll not regret this she thought with a small mental grin she kept off her face.
"I see your point on both accounts Chuck. The DEA has been complaining about the lack of support from both the NSA and CIA for some of our overseas ventures. This could be a huge step towards repairing the fragile relationship between our agencies." The team could tell Beckman was very proud of Chuck for suggesting this. "Good job Chuck on your quick thinking on this and your analysis of mission objectives. Your recommendation is very much appreciated and I will contact the DEA to let them know. I will also set up a new re-certification time for Agent Walker so that you may attend also. I will send you the details when we get them. Have a good trip Team." Beckman disconnected.
"I'm going to go pack. See you in a couple hours." Casey was already out the door, his excitement clearly evident on his face.
That left Sarah and Chuck in the room alone, silence their only companion. Sarah just stared at Chuck with undisguised longing in her eyes as she got up from her seat and walked over to Chuck. "Mind if I sit here?" Sarah pointed to his lap.
Of course he never had a chance to answer as she straddled him, interlacing her fingers behind his head. She kissed him tenderly before she began to speak. "Do you even know how much I love you? How very blessed I am to have you in my life?"
Chuck could not help but feel Sarah's true emotions as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. "Sarah, even though I'm selfish in the fact I want you with me every second of every day. You need to know that this wasn't just about that. You're the best at what you do. I have so much respect for all your accomplishments and how successful you are in, well in everything. I know this sounds sappy, but I meant it before when I said you're like a hero to me Sarah. The world needs you, and I don't ever want to hold you back from what you were born to do."
Sarah could once again feel the tears coming on. She would not cry, but the lump in her throat and the warmth in her heart was overwhelming right now. Sarah could see the pure admiration for her in Chuck's eyes and it was the most incredible thing. He was wrong though in his statement. "Chuck, thank you so much for saying that. You don't know how special you make me feel." She paused to kiss him. "But if I can be completely honest, I don't care about what the world needs. I only care about what you need. You're the one I want to be the best for, not the world. You, Charles Irving Bartowski, are the most important thing in this world to me."
Chuck smiled as he held his girl tightly. He would never grow tired of hearing her say those words. "I love you Sarah, and I don't mean just love, love. I mean without a doubt, love for eternity, marriage, 2.5 kids, giving up everything for, dying without you, living, breathing, everything for you kind of love."
Okay, one tear wouldn't hurt as she was filled with such emotion. "2.5 kids Chuck? You mean you wouldn't want enough to start your own WOW raid? I mean at least five right?" She just smiled at how freely they could talk to each other. Chuck knew that she would never be the stay at home type, walking around barefoot and pregnant. Two kids would probably even be pushing it, but she loved teasing him just the same. She knew that building their relationship on such a strong friendship had helped them both with their ability to communicate with each other. They would kid around, but the talk of children, marriage, the whole nine yards was not as taboo as it used to be. After all, they were both pretty smart people. They both knew they would never leave each other and it didn't take a genius to figure out what that meant.
"Hey, I would be happy with just a little girl. Got to have Daddy's little girl you know." Chuck could see Sarah smiling now. Wow how that brightened his day. Especially when they could talk like this without some hidden anxiety.
"Well, I want my Chuck Jr. Have to have a Chuck Jr." Sarah was kissing Chuck on the side of the cheek now.
"Are you saying we try until we have a boy? I mean what if we have all girls?" Chuck was quickly starting to lose his playfulness as Sarah's kisses were eliciting some very strong emotions.
"Well maybe they could make a reality show about us. Fifteen and counting or something like that." Sarah slowly started to grind into Chuck as for whatever reason, this conversation was really turning her on.
"Holy crap Sarah. Fifteen and counting? I guess we better get started soon." Chuck could not take much longer of this flirting before he needed a release.
"Well how about we practice right now." Sarah quickly removed her shirt as she reached down to unzip Chuck's pants.
"One sec." Chuck grabbed the remote that was luckily in reach. He entered the code to lock down Castle. Okay, maybe it was not the best use of government property, but some things just were out of his hands.
{* * *}
The team arrived in Milan late that night. Chuck was quite tired but it was obvious his partners were like kids in a candy store. Both were always good at hiding their feelings and to the normal eye, you would not be able to tell one way or the other. But Chuck knew his partners better than anybody else, and he knew they were both beyond excited to be here. Chuck smiled as he thought about what he had ordered for Sarah before they left. Wait till she finds out what it is.
"Well guys, I am kind of beat. I think I'm going to call it a night. Casey, just call tomorrow when you are ready to head to the convention." Chuck and Sarah headed into their room where once the door was shut, Sarah grabbed Chuck and spun him around on the door.
"You know sweetie, Casey is well aware of what we do. We don't have to hide it from him." Sarah was kissing Chuck on the neck as she was practically melting into him.
It took a second for Chuck to realize what Sarah meant. "Sarah, believe it or not, I was actually serious. The flight just wore me out and I really am tired."
Sarah stepped back, a complete look of disappointment on her face. "Are you saying you're too tired for this?" She seductively removed her shirt.
Chuck just banged his head against the door. "You know Sarah, I think I found something that is more potent than caffeine. I mean who needs Mountain Dew right? Although I wouldn't mind if you Mountain Dew me right now."
Sarah had already removed her top and her bra quickly followed. She was right back in Chuck's face again. She may not understand his nerdism's, but she knew what she wanted right now. "You know Chuck, there is nothing I want more right now than for you to make love to me."
Chuck just shrugged his shoulders, "Hey, who needs sleep anyway?" Then Chuck lost his thought process as Sarah took him.
{* * *}
"Come on Chuck. Let's just go down to the club. I promised Carina we would meet her." Sarah had a disappointed look on her face as she lay next to Chuck in their hotel bed.
Chuck reached over to brush a stray blonde curl from her face. "Sarah, I really want you to just go hang out with your friend tonight. Have a girls night out. I want you to just have fun. I really think you deserve to let your hair down once in a while." Chuck actually couldn't even believe he was suggesting this. Six months ago his jealousy would have prevented him from even thinking about encouraging Sarah to go to a club. He really did want to go with her, but he wanted even more for her to just enjoy time with Carina.
"Are you serious Chuck? I mean how much fun do you think I would have at a club without my boyfriend there? It's a club Chuck, don't you get it?" Sarah still could not understand why Chuck would not go with her.
"Sarah, I want to go with you, really I do. But I would much rather you just go out and have some fun with Carina. Maybe go somewhere else besides a club. I just have not been feeling well and I want to get some rest before our mission." Chuck was pleading with her to understand.
Sarah sighed as she retrieved her phone. She started typing a message to Carina.
Chuck could see she was contacting Carina. "Seriously honey, just have fun. I'm just going to sleep anyway. I want you to do this."
Sarah completely ignored him as she hit the send button, put her phone back on the night stand, and turned off the light. "Good night Chuck." And then she cuddled in close to him.
Chuck was a little confused. It had been almost five minutes and Sarah had made no attempt to move. "Uh, Sarah? Isn't Carina expecting you?"
"I love you Chuck. Let's just get some sleep."
Chuck quickly sat up. What was she doing? Before Sarah could react he grabbed her phone and looked at the message she had just sent.
Car, this is Sarah. Not going to make it tonight. Going to stay in bed. Luv yah.
Chuck could not believe what he just read. "Sarah, what are you doing? Why did you do this? It's Carina, you haven't seen her since the blue diamond thing."
"Chuck, just shut up and go back to bed. I'll see her tomorrow."
Chuck turned on the light and got out of bed. He stood right in front of Sarah. "Sarah will you please just have some fun tonight. Go see Carina and just hang out. You deserve this."
Sarah just ignored him.
"Sarah, are you even listening to me?" Chuck was starting to get irritated.
"When you have something interesting to say, maybe I will start listening." Sarah turned on her other side. Her back now to Chuck.
"Damn it Sarah. I have never met a more stubborn person in my life. Fine, WE can both go down together."
"Okay Chuck, if you insist." She then quickly grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom.
Chuck just shook his head as he walked over to get his own clothes. "You know woman, you are going to drive me crazy." Chuck made sure Sarah could hear him.
"Just one of the reasons you love me Chuck. Now make sure to wear your jeans and the white shirt I packed for you."
"Anything else darling?" Chuck was laying the sarcasm on pretty thick.
Sarah popped her head out of the bathroom door. "Yeah, you need to shave. Your whiskers were tickling my thighs earlier and while you look sexy all the time. I do prefer my man to be clean shaven."
"What if I told you I forgot to pack my razors? Huh?" Chuck responded as he gave her the raised questioning rebellious eyebrow.
"You can always borrow mine. They are in my bag, left side, next to the tampons."
Chuck froze at that word. "Uh, it's that time already?"
"Not till the end of the week, but a good spy is always prepared." Sarah was back to getting ready.
"Do you realize how far gone we are that we are even talking about this stuff?" Chuck headed to the bathroom to get changed. He kissed the back of Sarah's neck as they both were now getting ready.
"Hey that comes with being my lover slash boyfriend you know. You couldn't just settle for best friend. Noooo, you had to be the whole package didn't yah." Sarah gave him a shove.
Chuck brought her into his arms as he held her close. "Wouldn't change it for the world."
Sarah got real serious now. "Me either Chuck. Me either."
. . .
Sarah and Chuck headed to the club where they were to meet Carina. While Chuck was tired, he had to admit it was nice to get out with Sarah and he was looking forward to talking with Carina. They had been working together quite a bit, and he needed to talk to her about some technical stuff.
Sarah was securely nestled in Chuck's arms as they walked into the club. It didn't take them long to find Carina. She was on the dance floor with three guys hanging all over her.
Chuck leaned over to Sarah. "Maybe it's a good thing I did come with you." Chuck did not like the way the guys were already staring at Sarah. He didn't blame them, Sarah was absolutely the most beautiful person in the club. He was just grateful she was more than showing everyone that she was taken. "
Sarah knew he was joking. A few months ago it may have been the truth, but he trusted her completely and she knew there would never come a time where that trust would ever be put in question. Sarah knew jealously in a relationship is not a good thing; of course if that brunette slut didn't stop looking at Chuck she was going to go over there and pop her in the mouth. Anyway, she was grateful that Chuck knew she would never betray him, ever.
Carina finally noticed them and moved quickly yet sensually towards them. Sarah was about to hug her when Carina went right to Chuck and gave him a fist bump and then a high five. "Heya SG909. How are ya?"
Chuck just laughed as Carina used his screen name. "Not to bad LadyVixen69. I see you're having fun as usual." Chuck and Carina just laughed.
Okay, Sarah could handle some things. Like that brunette bitch in the corner eying Chuck was not dead yet, that was okay. But she knew Carina, and the fact that Carina was suddenly all buddy-buddy with Chuck was really starting to freak her out.
Carina then turned to Sarah and burst out laughing. "Oh girl you got it bad don't yah? I see SG over hear has you under his spell huh?" Carina tried to give Sarah a hug, but Agent Walker would have none of that. Carina just turned to Chuck, "You want to tell her or should I?"
Chuck could almost see steam coming out of his girlfriends face. "I'm thinking I should handle this. You have a way with explaining things LV and I really would like to keep my testicles in tact."
Sarah was not pleased right now, especially with their little code names for each other like they were buddies all their life. She had just about had enough of this back and forth and anyone around her could definitely see that.
Chuck looked around for a quieter place. He knew his life depended on finding something quick. Sure enough, far corner. "Let's go somewhere quieter." Chuck looked at Sarah's face. "But yet somewhere there are witnesses." Chuck gave Sarah his look at me I am joking look. It wasn't working as Sarah grabbed his arm and pulled him to the far corner.
Sarah just stared at Carina and Chuck, but most of her anger was at Chuck.
"Ok, I can tell you're pissed but I kind of wanted to surprise you. Obviously, I didn't really think this through too carefully."
Sarah folded her arms across her chest and gave Chuck the 'you got ten seconds to explain or people will get hurt' glare.
Carina could see Chuck was struggling. She knew she had to help him out. "Blondie, before you get your panties in a bunch, let me tell you what you're man here did for me." It was at that moment something rarely ever seen before happened. Carina got deadly serious.
Sarah noticed the change and she could tell something was definitely wrong.
"A few months ago I was deep under cover in a major drug sting. I was working with a group of men who were supposed to be under cover agents. Chuck, sent me an email containing information on some of these men." Carina paused as she collected herself. She never let her emotions show, ever. But it was tough to contain them now thinking about what could have happened. "The information Chuck sent me literally saved my life. And I don't mean just saved it, I mean what these men would have done to me would have been worse than being killed. If Chuck would not have sent me that information…" Carina lowered her head not able to continue.
Sarah completely forgot what she was mad about. It could be from being completely converted to Chuck's girl, but whatever it was; she had to comfort her friend. Sarah walked over and held Carina in her arms.
Carina was finally able to control herself to continue. She lifted her head to look at Sarah. "Sarah I will be forever grateful for what Chuck did for me. He saved me Sarah. And for no other reason than I was your friend, and he wanted to help me because of you. So my friendship with you means more to me than anything. Without it, I would have been destroyed."
Sarah tried to apologize for jumping to conclusion but Carina stopped her. "You need to know Sarah how lucky I am to have you both in my life. I'd never ever do anything to jeopardize the friendship that we have. I just want you to know what a wonderful man you have." Carina turned to Chuck and smiled. Then she looked back directly into Sarah's eyes.
"I once told you spies don't fall in love. That's horse crap. Whoever thought that stupid idea up had obviously never met someone like Chuck. You love him Sarah. I mean you love him with everything you have and don't ever give that up. I swear to you I won't let you do that. You two deserve each other and I will be damned if I let anything or anyone come between you two."
Sarah was speechless. One, she had never seen Carina like this. Two, whether she already knew what Carina was telling her or not, to hear it from someone like Carina just reinforced every single feeling she had for Chuck, her man, her hero. Sarah looked over at Chuck who was just staring at the ground. He would never accept recognition that he did anything heroic. But everything he did was heroic. He was the true hero. He was her hero. Sarah motioned for Chuck to come to her.
He slowly came over and hugged both women. They stayed that way for what felt like hours. Carina thanked Chuck again for what he had done for her.
The three finally regained their composure. Sarah still had one question. "So what is this SG909 and LadyVixen69?"
It was Chuck's turn to speak. This was actually what he originally wanted to tell Sarah. He and Carina had been conversing a lot but he did not want recognition for how their friendship started. He was just going to tell Sarah what they had been working on.
"Well, back when we first became true friends, I wanted to do something special for you." Chuck was looking Sarah in the eyes as he held her hand tight. "Well after the incident with Carina and her mission, Carina and I started keeping in touch a lot more. I told her about my idea and she just ran with it."
"What idea Chuck?" Sarah was still trying to figure out what was going on.
"Well I found out from Carina and also knew a little bit about what you really enjoyed, fashion. Carina told me about how you guys always talked about starting a fashion business when you retired from service. Well, I kind of put the wheels in motion just a little sooner."
Sarah was completely shocked. He would do something like that for her? Of course he would, he was Chuck.
"So I handled the technical stuff. It's amazing what bargains my software can find. Anyway, Carina handled setting up the inventory and I handled everything else. Our screen names as we communicated was SG909 which of course is short for Sarah's Guy. And since September ninth was when you first came into my life, I just added the 909. I am pretty sure you can guess why Carina chose her name."
Sarah wanted to be alone with Chuck so bad right now. Nothing sexual, she just really wanted to hold him in her arms and do her best to show him how much he meant to her.
"So we three actually have a pretty lucrative on-line retail store called Charina Fashions. It's still kind of small now. But when you guys decide to quit the spy life, at least you will have something, you both love, to fall back on."
Carina just smiled at Sarah. "See what I mean. This guy is amazing."
Sarah just gave Carina the look like duh, I am well aware of that.
"Oh one more thing." Chuck quickly dug into his pocket and pulled out two tickets. "Here are some tickets I got for you two to attend the Milan fashion show Friday and Saturday. I figured you two could maybe do some research or whatever."
Carina and Sarah both looked at each other. Each had been trying to get tickets for this but not even the government could score them some. But here Chuck had done this for them.
"You know Sarah, I would definitely be willing to experiment in a three way with Chuck over there if you wanted."
Chuck immediately wanted to run and hide. Although he thought Carina was very beautiful, and yes any other man would call him crazy. But his intimate moments with Sarah was something he took very seriously. He learned his lesson with Jill and it changed his views completely. Call him old fashion but those intimate moments witch meant more to him than anything in the world, and he would never allow it to be cheapened. I mean he knew how Carina was, after all they had been communicating for several months now. But for whatever reason, what she said just bothered him. Even more then usual.
Sarah knew what Chuck was thinking. She had joked with him before about this and was instantly put in her place. It actually made her feel so special even though Chuck got extremely pissed when she joked about it before. Her man always made her feel special, and this was just one more reason she loved him so much. "Carina, that's something we don't joke about. Sex is something very special between Chuck and I and it's not something to make light of."
Wow could they be such party poopers. "Well, just saying I'm willing if you are."
Chuck was still embarrassed, but he was thankful that Sarah at least was not joking about this now. That really would have made him even more uncomfortable.
Sarah pulled him to her. "Baby just don't worry about it. You know how Carina is. And you know how much what we have means to me. How much you mean to me." She smiled knowing that Chuck would never think sex with her was casual. That was one of the reasons she didn't even realize what sex could really be like until she met Chuck. Not that she had many experiences anyway, but nothing came close to what she had with Chuck, it was not even in the same universe.
Chuck didn't want to ruin the moment. He may not understand Carina's views on sex, but Carina was Carina after all, and he wanted to make sure Sarah had a good time. "So anybody want to dance?"
Carina was about to accept, when Sarah gave her a dirty look. "You got your own groupies. You're not taking mine." Sarah grabbed Chuck's arms and pulled him onto the dance floor.
It was not long and Sarah and Chuck were lost in the moment. Both were so tightly wound together that it would take an army to pull them apart. Carina was having a blast as she was dancing with everyone. She even joked with the two who were oblivious to their surroundings. "Uh guys, this is techno music. There hasn't been a slow song all night." Carina just shrugged as the two just stayed in each others arms, apparently dancing to their own rhythm.
Sarah just looked up into Chuck's eyes; nothing else mattered in this moment. "Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being my best friend Chuck. Thank you for being my boyfriend. Thank you for being my everything." She then pulled him down for what must have been the millionth kiss of the night. But hey, who's counting.
A/N: For all my American readers, may you all have a wonderful Independence Day.