Sarah vs covers, lies and ticking time bombs

A/N Thank you for all the reviews guys. Just a note, we are wrapping this up in a week and there are lots to do, so I probably won't be back for a week or two. I am working on Chapter 3 of 'Inconvenient Truths' though, as well as the WAY challenge story.

So how cool is this – we went straight from season 3 into season 4! Not sure if we're taking a hiatus too, but if we don't, we will only be four episodes behind the US. I think it's the first show ever that will follow so close. If you haven't heard (hope life doesn't suck in that bunker) go vote for Yvonne to be nominated for an Emmy – www dot yvonne4emmy dot com. Finally something worth voting for.

I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 4

Sarah entered the BuyMore and spotted Chuck. She took a deep breath and motioned him with her head to the home theatre room.

"Look, Chuck, I've been thinking about our breakup, and I'm not so sure it's the best idea." Truth is, she couldn't think about much else and she knew it was a bad idea. And not just for the cover.

"Miss me already, huh?" Sarcasm really didn't suit Chuck.

"Well, just, you know, for the cover. It makes things easier." One lie, one truth.

"Then I guess your job's gonna be a little bit harder." The job wasn't her major concern. If she could only tell him that, things will be a lot easier. And even more complicated.

"Look, I'm sorry if you thought there was something between us. It's very common in these situations to perceive a connection that isn't there." Three lies in two sentences. That was a new record.

"Of course. I get it. It's the old story, you know. Guy gets supercomputer in his brain...beautiful CIA agent is sent to protect him. Then she tells him while under the spell of truth serum that's she's not interested. I get it. But for me, the emotional rollercoaster is a little much. So I think I'd rather find something a little less common...like say, I don't know, a, uh...a real relationship." Sarah's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time Chuck called her beautiful. Sure he told her she was pretty under the spell of the truth serum, but like he said, he kinda didn't have a choice. This time he said it without even realizing. And he had no motives other than…oh yeah, breaking up with her.

"Okay, Chuck, if that's what you want, then I'm gonna have to sell it." Tears were the second best thing a woman could use to manipulate a man. Part of her hoped it would be that easy, part of her hoped it wouldn't. She expected more from Chuck. It wasn't too hard faking it, mainly because she didn't.

"You okay?" He was immediately concerned. This was working. Without a word she turned and left. Chuck followed.

"Sarah?" She didn't stop. That would make it way to easy. He would follow soon enough.

Sarah felt like ripping out Casey's throat. She had a hard enough time standing up for Chuck to the general and all Casey could say was "She got dumped". Several times. The worst part was – she got dumped. And it wasn't just her pride that got hurt. After her display this morning she really thought Chuck would come after her, but he didn't. It's been nearly thirteen hours. Not that she was counting. Lie.

It was twenty six hours, give or take, when the bell over the Wienerlicious' door rang. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but she put an extra swing in her hips before turning around. It was Larry. No, Lester, with a really sleezy come-on. She scared the crap out of him, just because she could. The morning went from bad to worse when she spotted the brunette heading for the BuyMore. Well, seeing as she was already wearing her fake smile…

"Hey Lou!" She cautiously entered the store. "Hi."

"Hi. Nice to see you again." Lou was being nice. She probably was nice. Sarah spent the night going through her file. Would it kill her to get the occasional parking ticket?

"You know he's a great guy." Sarah got straight to the point.

"Yeah, um, I've had the same opinion so far too."

"It's not an opinion. It's a fact." If she couldn't see that, she didn't deserve Chuck. She doesn't deserve him. "Don't hurt him."

"Okay. Wasn't planning on it." Sarah gave her another fake smile. "Thanks for the heads up though."

"We're only on our second official date and already I'm lying to her."

"Relax, it's dating in L.A. Everyone lies." Casey was fiddling with the computer. "We're gonna be tapped into the club's surveillance feed. All we need is audio."

Sarah had her game face on. She focused on the mission, trying to forget that this was an actual date for Chuck. The operative word was trying.

"This has an RK-7 mini-mike that works up to twenty feet. I want you to keep it as close to Stavros as possible."

"Are you kidding? Are you kidding me with this? I can't wear this. This looks ridiculous." She knew that. It was a little mean on her part, but all is fair in love and war. Lester was right about that.

"The alternative is we join you on your date," Casey responded. Sarah was hoping it wouldn't come to that. She wasn't sure if she could fake being Casey's date for the evening or being that close to Chuck and Lou and seem okay with it.

"Fine," Chuck conceded and stuck the guitar pin on his jacket.

"Earwig."

"It never stops with you people, does it?" She didn't appreciate his tone. She get that he was upset about the intrusion on his date, but was it really necessary to be an almost jerk about it?

"Aren't you forgetting something, Romeo?" Casey handed Chuck a red rose.

"Oh, of course. Let me guess, this is equipped with some kind of microscopic, infrared tracking device that determines her mother's communist affiliations?" Sarah frowned. Casey didn't brief her on what the rose was for.

"No, idiot. It's so you can get laid." Sarah was shocked. She wasn't expecting Casey's help in this, but she didn't think he would actually work against her. She also hadn't considered that Chuck would actually…not after only two dates. Would he?

For the first time since she landed in Burbank, Sarah actually hated this assignment. If Chuck was with a mark, it might have been easier to listen in on the date. But he wasn't. He actually liked Lou. At least they were now having drinks with Stavros. Three is always a crowd.

Things got progressively worse. Casey called her on falling for the guys she worked with. Bryce was a mistake. Granted, she hadn't realized that until she met Chuck. And even though she had fallen for Chuck, she wouldn't admit that to Casey. She couldn't risk be reassigned. All the lying to Chuck would have been for nothing. She ignored Casey's comment that he wasn't interested. Stavros just threatened Chuck.

The minute Sarah entered the club, she knew she was overreacting. As she made her way towards him she tried to come up with a reason for explaining her presence, but then he met her half way and she suddenly got an idea. Leaning in close to hear him over the music, she placed a hand on his shoulder. Though the conversation wasn't exactly a friendly one, she knew what it looked like to Lou. Especially when she felt Chuck's hand on her shoulder. It had the desired effect. Fate was on her side too. Just as Lou left, Stavros' father showed up, preventing Chuck from rushing after her.

Sarah felt a little stab of guilt when she saw Lou's taxi sped off, so she congratulated Chuck for successfully completing the mission. He was not thrilled. She quickly turned her head away when Casey asked him how the date was, afraid that he would realize just how jealous she was. Chuck's response caught her off guard.

"Is it me or does our government never want me to have sex again." She cleared her throat involuntarily. The government didn't care as long as it was with someone besides her. She on the other hand cared very, very much.

A/N Don't get frustrated guys. I've figured out the perfect place to break canon and it will be worth the wait. Trust me. This is a short chapter, but I went to a spa today. I think it's unnatural to be this relaxed. The brain's mush and I'm going to bed. The next chapter is going to be awesome to write. There's the fight and that kiss…