A/N: Wow, looking back at this story and the journey we've been through, it really is amazing to me. Although I love reviews, I'm not a numbers guy and I don't judge success on the amount of reviews the story gets. But it sure is hard not to acknowledge the numbers behind this story. It's very humbling to know that so many people have enjoyed this story and I can't thank you all enough for taking this journey with me.

Although this chapter was not beta'd, I have to give huge props to the guy who kept me on track, Gladius Grimm. I can't began to thank him enough for all he's done. This story would be nothing without his help.

The location of their honeymoon was inspired by the video from Rhianna, "California King Bed". Check it out if you want a better visual.

As I've said from the beginning, I don't own Chuck, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.

Chapter 31 – Why Me?

Sarah awoke to the peaceful sound of the Ocean and the cool, wistful breeze that was blowing through their open villa. For a moment, she thought she had awoken on their own beach, as if they had fallen asleep there after such a wonderful marriage ceremony. She quickly realized this was no dream, although in her waking thoughts, it sure could have been.

She peeked over to see if Chuck was still a sleep and sure enough, his eyes were closed, and she could hear the slightest snore, letting her know he was sound asleep. She smiled at the look of peacefulness on her husband's face. She knew it must have reflected her own as she was lost in this moment. There was no sounds of traffic, no electronics, no surveillance, no human beings for miles as this was their own slice of paradise. She couldn't believe Chuck had found a place so incredibly beautiful and romantic.

There was only one wall and that was right behind their bed, the rest of the villa was completely open. Sarah looked around the room and became mesmerized by the see-through lacy curtains that adorned their entire room. Each of the beautiful curtains swayed in the wind from the Ocean, almost as if they were dancing to the steady beat that the Ocean winds provided.

There was one bed, which really wasn't a bed as opposed to a luxurious pit of endless pillows that felt as if they were made from the most expensive satin and the softest cotton from around the world. There was also a sitting area off to the far side that held a soft, comfortable couch and a single lamp. This was pretty much the entire inside of the villa. Outside of their villa was an expertly crafted standalone shower that looked as if it had been masterfully carved out of the nearby trees. She couldn't wait to give that a test run she smirked as she started rubbing her hand across Chuck's bare chest.

Sarah continued looking out over the villa where one side of the villa was was completely open to the ocean and the blue sky beyond. The other sides were surrounded by knee high, green foliage, and trees that looked as if they had been there thousands of years protecting this small piece of paradise, comforting it in their giant limbs. Sarah couldn't help but bask in the colorful patterns of the leaves growing on the trees surrounding their location. The leaves were an orange tint and as the sun shown down through the trees, it just accentuated the beauty of the changing colors.

Sarah's attention was brought back to the breath taking view of the Ocean. From her vantage point, it looked as if the moment you took a step off the villa's porch, you would be amongst the white clouds as you walked off into the clear ocean blue. If Sarah was a religious person, this would definitely be her idea of heaven. She smiled, of course it wasn't just the view that made her think that as she reached up and kissed the chin of her husband.

"Hey Mrs. Bartowski." Chuck was trying to open his eyes as the remnants of last nights 'Wedding Night' had him up a lot longer than he was used to.

Sarah hugged him close as she snuggled into his side. "Please say it again." Sarah in her most innocent way, pleaded with Chuck.

"Mrs. Bartowski." Chuck smiled as he felt her hug him even closer as he said her new name. "I love you, you know that."

Sarah could only nod her head as words were escaping her right now. She breathed in Chuck's scent as it mingled with the misty Ocean air and foliage around them. It seemed to seep into her bones, caress her muscles with its tenderness, as the feeling just consumed her. She finally understood what feeling like mush was like.

Chuck was finally able to come fully awake as he took in his surroundings. They had arrived at the location quite late do to the forty five minute private boat ride to the island not to mention the three hour plane ride. "So do you like this place?" Chuck was finally seeing it for the first time as he was completely blown away at the sheer beauty of this place. They would only be here a couple days, but they would be definitely taking full advantage of what the island had to offer.

Sarah looked up towards Chuck with a look of longing in her eyes. "I love it Chuck, and I love being here with you."

Chuck's heart just melted looking in to the beautiful blue eyes of his wife. He truly felt so blessed to be here with her. "You know honey. There is a huge downside to being on this island, in this villa with you." Chuck was trying to keep from laughing.

Sarah's head shot upward, not exactly liking the sound of where this was going. "Oh?"

Chuck knew he had her. "Having you around, the beauty of the island seems like not such a big deal."

Sarah playfully slapped him. "Nice pick up line Bartowski. Have you been waiting to use that one."

Chuck got really serious for a moment. "Only since the day I met you." Chuck brought Sarah up towards him so that he could give her a proper kiss. Apparently the 'pickup' line was working really well as Sarah took matters into her own hands.

{* * *}

Chuck and Sarah had spent most of the day snorkeling and just hanging out around the villa. The island was a private island and only at a specified time of the day would a ship come to drop off meals, supplies, and anything else the vacationing couple needed. Other than that, they had the whole island to themselves, which of course Sarah took as an invitation to not wear any clothes.

Chuck on the other hand was a little more reserved. After going the last two years without a private moment or without someone watching him on surveillance, it tends to put you on edge. Of course the way his wife was acting, even if he had clothes on, they would quickly find a way back off again. But hey, not like he was complaining.

The supply boat had dropped off dinner and Chuck and Sarah were sitting out on the edge of their villa, cuddled up in blankets and laying leisurely amidst the pillows as the sun was just starting to set. Neither had talked much as words seemed to betray the beauty that was around them. It was these peaceful moments where everything just seemed right in the world.

Sarah was sitting between Chuck's legs with her back to him. Some important things had been on her mind lately and she wanted to take this moment to get them out in the open. Now was the time as she took a deep breath and turned to face him. Her words caught in her throat at the site of her husband sitting there, in the nude. "Chuck, uh would you mind covering yourself with a blanket." Sarah motioned towards her favorite appendage. She knew she was trained enough to withstand his chiseled chest and toned stomach. But traveling south from his absolutely sexy belly button was a site she had no defense against. No amount of training would ever be able to help her think straight as long as that certain appendage was showing.

Chuck could see the desire in her eyes, well he could if she would look up at him instead of staring down near his groin. Chuck regretfully covered himself up and that seemed to snap Sarah out of whatever trance she was in. "Uh, same goes for you too Mrs. Bartowski." Chuck made a head bob towards her beautiful, perky breast that he noticed her nipples were now hard as rocks. Yeah, if she wanted his full attention, she would definitely have to be covering up to.

Once out of her day dream, Sarah could see the desire in Chuck's eyes and she smiled. She reached near him for a blanket, just pausing long enough for her husband to see how turned on she was. She had actually thought about postponing this talk until after, but this was important and she wanted to talk to Chuck now.

Once they were settled, and both were able to pay attention to each other without distractions, well as much as their training would allow, Sarah began. "Chuck, I want to talk about our future, not job wise, but our family and where we want to be in five years."

Chuck did a double take. What exactly did she mean by family Chuck thought to himself. "What do you mean family Sarah? Like kids and such?"

Sarah just shook her head like how could he be so dense. "Of course kids Chuck. We are both getting close to our thirties, and I just want to know what our plans are for when we want to start a family." Sarah could see the complete shock in him, which she was not quite sure why. It's not like they kept anything from each other, and they have always joked about having kids before, this should be no different... minus the joking of course.

Chuck was blown away. While of course he wanted to have kids, he never thought in a million years Sarah would be the one bringing it up, and so soon. "Well what's the rush sweetheart? I mean we still have time and we just got married. Plus, I don't want you to rush in to anything you're not ready for." Chuck could instantly see the hurt in Sarah's eyes. He realized his last statement should have been worded much differently.

Sarah's demeanor changed as she heard those words. She lowered her head. "So you don't think I'm ready to be the mother of our children?"

Chuck was instantly holding her in his arms. That wasn't even close to what he meant. "Sarah oh my God please don't ever think that. Look, I'm barely on solid foods myself and we're in the prime of our spy life's. I just don't think we are ready to bring a child into this life right now." Chuck tried to raise her head so that she would look into his eyes. It was no use as she turned to look out over the ocean.

"I understand. I'm sorry you don't think we are ready for this." Sarah was fighting the tears that were forcing themselves to come out.

Chuck was not known for his great comedic timing. A lot of times he had found himself with the horrible case of foot in mouth disease. This possibly would qualify as a major outbreak. "Hey Sarah. Besides, your my kiss ass Ninja Spy girl, we have..."

Sarah instantly stood up and turned on him. "Stop that!"

Chuck almost tumbled backwards at the force of her reprimand. He was stunned into silence.

Sarah was shaking her head as she squeezed the blanket she was holding with a tightened fist as if she was ready to rip something apart. "I swear to God Chuck, if I ever hear 'Wild-card Enforcer', 'kick ass ninja spy girl', or any other freaking acronym about my past life I will... I will just scream okay."

Chuck really could not understand where this was coming from. He had used those names all the time and it never seemed to bother her before. "Sarah where is all this coming from?"

Sarah was still so angry at him. "Don't you get it Chuck? That's not me and that definitely is not who I want to be. I want to be known as Chuck's wife, I want people to look at me and say that is one kick ass mom. I'm sick and tired of you seeing me as anything but those things. That stopped being me, or at least stopped being me the moment we talked after the suburbs mission."

Chuck understood somewhat, but he still knew she loved being a spy, going on missions, and she loved the adventure. There was no way he would make her give that up. "Sarah, I'm sorry okay, but you're the best at what you do. How could you say you don't want to be that kick ass spy? It's what you do best." And once again, Chuck closed his eyes realizing what he just said. Disease control would soon be called in as bad as it was getting for him.

Sarah was hurt once again by his words. But her anger was subsiding as she realized Chuck just wanted her to be happy. Even after all they have been through, he still didn't realize what that was. "Chuck. I want you to really think about what I'm going to say. My job when I was assigned to you was to get the information about what happened to the Intersect. It wasn't long when I figured out what happened. So I was given a choice, throw you in a bunker and head off to some exotic country for my next mission, or baby sit some nerd that worked at the Buy More. Guess what I chose. Then, after you broke up with me for the umpteenth time, I had a chance to run away with Bryce on a very high profile mission that would have been huge for my career. Guess what husband of mine, I decided to stay. So you tell me Chuck, what really is more important to me? What do you really think I love doing? Let's hear it Chuck because to me it's real simple. Judge me by my actions, not by what crazy ideas get into your head about me as a spy."

Wow was she adamant about this, Chuck thought. I mean he knew she loved him and cared for him and everything else he could think of. But he always associated that with the proverbial, if he was just a man on the street, would a guy like him have a chance with a girl like her. Chuck really couldn't use that argument anymore. She had plenty of opportunities to be the adventurous spy that he thought she was born to do, but she always chose him. It really made him think if maybe she wasn't born to just be a spy.

Sarah took a step closer to Chuck. "I can see those wheels spinning in that big old brain of yours. You know I love you Chuck. But you have to know I chose this life, this life with you. With only knowing you for two days, I gave up all I thought I ever wanted, just for a chance to care for you. I promise you Chuck, our children will be no different. I will protect them, care for them, and be the best kiss ass ninja mom this world has ever known. I just ask that you please give me a chance to prove that I am that girl."

Chuck's heart literally burst at that point. They had both been through so many emotional moments lately that he was surprised one of them hadn't gone into a relationship coma. But to hear his wife speak so openly about this, in reality pleading with him to let her be a mom, he was speechless. His love for Sarah was just like a muscle. He had just been through a major workout and now it was ripped open, filled with all the nutrients it needed, and was now about to grow twice as much as before. He had to hold her in his arms and so he did.

Sarah let the sheet fall as her husband picked her up into a strong embrace. She nestled her face right into the side of his neck as she got lost in the moment. She didn't want to be so angry, but she had just got so tired of people seeing her as someone she wasn't. She was never meant to be the spy or the con artist. That was just a product of the environment her life provided. No it was Chuck Bartowski who found the real Sarah and that is who she would always want to be. "I love you so much Chuck."

He couldn't hold back his loving laugh. "Oh man do I love you so much. You don't know what it means to me to hear you say those things Sarah. I just always wanted you to be happy, never once did I really realize what it was that did make you happy."

"It's always been you Chuck. It's always been you."

{* * *}

After their talk, the two had made love right there on the spot. It was a special moment as each felt as if they were exploring a whole new level to their relationship. There was nothing raw or animalistic about it, it was the embodiment of what making love really means. Their bodies were just the conduit to the connection both their hearts needed to find with each other. The souls were as one just as their bodies became one.

The sun had already set and it was getting close to midnight when they finally had to rest. Their bodies were still intertwined as they held on to each other like life lines.

"So honey, when did you want to start trying to have kids?" Chuck really didn't know where it came from, but considering his previous problems with that fatal foot and mouth disease, he figured he might want to work on the cure.

Sarah pulled him closer as she kissed his chest, loving the sound of that. "Well I'm not completely sure how the Birth Control shot the CIA gave me last year works, it was the first time I've ever used it, but I believe it lasts about every 14 weeks. I didn't renew the shot last month so I'm thinking in a month or so."

Wow that was a little quicker then he thought. He needed to tread... "Wait a minute. What do you mean the shot they gave you last year… for the first time? Haven't you had this shot before? I mean you've been in the CIA for almost ten years right?"

Sarah just laughed. "Chuck, has anything I told you previously ever sunk in? I never needed a shot before because... well I never needed the shot."

Chuck was still confused. "Okay, even though I still find that hard to believe... and ouch, that hurt." Chuck was rubbing his ribs where Sarah punched him. "But the whole year thing." Chuck began calculating in his head when that was. His eyes bulged out. "Sarah Lisa Bartowski."

Sarah couldn't help the mischievous smile that spread across her face. "Yes Chuck?"

"A year ago would have been about the time of the suburbs mission. I thought we decided to be just friends."

Sarah just shook her head. "First of all, that was your mission plan to just be friends. Did you really think after that first few days together, following the suburbs, that I was not going to be prepared for 'it' to happen."

"I... how... you..."

"Oh no, I think I broke you again Chuck." Sarah started tickling him as Chuck finally realized just how mischievous his wife had been. Chuck was about to give some payback.

They wrestled around a bit longer but once again found themselves in each others warm, tender embrace. "You know Sarah, it would have made things a lot simpler if you would have just stated your intentions for me from the beginning."

"Well I had my own mission plan and I thought my plan was rather brilliant don't you think?"

Chuck was insulted, well not really. "Your plan? Excuse me but I'm the brilliant master mind here who had the best plan and if I do say so myself, executed to perfection." Chuck gave Sarah his smolder, as he couldn't help but exude such confidence in his own plan.

Sarah had to admit, the smolder was definitely competing against the eyebrow dance in the category of what turned her on more. She was done with playing around now as her right hand started to wonder down towards Chuck's midsection, almost as if it had a mind of its own. "Chuck, I think it's time we came to an understanding."

Chuck had to keep his voice from cracking as he felt the warm hand of Sarah now wrapped securely around him. "And what would that be my love?"

"Your wife is always right, isn't she?" Then she started kissing her way towards where her hand was currently positioned.

Chuck just smiled as he looked up into the stars. Before his mind was completely engulfed by the sensuality of what Sarah was doing to him, he had one last coherent thought. At least he would always have the last word, he smirked to himself. "Yes Ma'am."

{* * *}

{Five Days Later Back at Castle}

Jill sat alone at the conference table fuming about what had been happening these last few days. One side of her, the human side, was envious, knowing that this could have been her, out there with Chuck on his honeymoon. The other side, the one most dominant now was thinking how she would love nothing more than to ruin their perfect little honeymoon. She prayed that it would rain, or maybe even an earthquake would come... She paused as the doors to the top of Castle suddenly opened. Her heart filled with admiration and love as she saw her hero standing at the top of the stairs.

"Daniel." Jill immediately stood up and was about to run up the stairs to help the man who meant everything to her. She could see the pain and suffering he was going through. It was a testament to his superman like strength that he was even able to stand on his own. Sure he was using crutches and his left leg was in a brace. He looked battered and bruised but he was there, panting heavily at the top of the stairs.

Jill stopped at the bottom of the stairs as she saw the strained outstretched hand of Daniel Shaw, motioning for her to stop. She tilted her head and smiled at just how strong he was. He wanted to make the walk down the long flight of stairs without any help. "You can do this Daniel, I believe in you."

Shaw was trying everything in his power not to throw up from the effort it took to even walk from the parking lot, through the Orange Orange and to the top of the stairs. Luckily his catheter was secured as he already felt himself relieving his bladder, or what was left of his bladder. The internal catheter was still very uncomfortable but he could deal, he was Daniel Shaw after all.

. . .

Chuck and Sarah had pulled up to the parking lot of the Orange Orange. "Babe, I need to run and get my phone from Castle okay." Chuck gave a quick kiss to his new bride as he was getting out the door.

"Chuck, you sure it's not with us?" Sarah was checking around their new Cayenne Turbo minivan, looking for his phone.

"No I'm pretty sure I left it down in Castle before we left for our honeymoon."

Sarah did not want to be away from him for long and she would have gone with him but she had planned something special waiting for him when he got back. "Just hurry up sweetheart." Sarah gave him her seductive look. "I want to give you a special present before we go back home."

"Oh boy." Chuck practically sprinted from the car and through the door to the Orange Orange. He was running like a man possessed as he keyed in the code. He slammed the door open when he felt a strange vibration in his pocket. "Oh damn it! I had the phone all along. Oh well no need to go into Castle." Chuck quickly shut the door, realizing he better call someone to get it fixed. The door seemed to be stuck when he first tried to open it, but it didn't matter now as he quickly ran back to the car.

. . .

Jill screamed in horror from the bottom of the stairs as she witnessed the door to Castle being ripped open, hitting Daniel right in the side. She covered her mouth in shock as Daniel was launched forward, tumbling down the steps. Jill cringed as the sound of breaking bones and the painful screams of Daniel filled all of Castle. It was like slow motion as her hero tumble downward like a broken slinky. The last words she heard Daniel speak were "Why me?"

A/N: So this ends the next arch to the story. I was debating whether to end it for good or not, although I still had some things I wanted to do with this story. Unfortunately, or fortunately for some, I'm going to take a little break and recharge the old mechanism. So this might be it for a while. The next arch would be dealing with Jill/Sheryl, Shaw, and Orion, not to mention Chuck and Sarah trying to start a family. Yeah, a lot I know and we are already at Chapter 31. Still debating on what I should do.

If this is the end, I want to say again just how great it's been hearing from you guys every step of the way. It's a journey I will never forget.