A/N: Time to continue the story. It's nice to see people posting new stories and/or continuing existing ones, even though the show is over now. Also, many thanks for your wholehearted support so far.

Chapter 16

"We should be getting back," Chuck said.

"Huh?" Devon removed his earbuds and looked at Chuck. "What was that?"

"I said we should be getting back. We need to shower, grab a bite and head for work."

"Personally, I could go a couple of extra miles," Sarah butted in on the conversation.

"Oh, I'm not tired. But I don't want to be late for work."

She checked her watch. "Damn! I lost all track of time. Chuck, you're right. We should be heading home."

They hadn't bothered to stop running while talking, so they simply changed direction and headed back to Echo Park and Franklin Street. They ran harder over the last quarter of a mile. Upon entering the courtyard, they all did some stretching and relaxing exercises by the fountain before disappearing inside their respective apartments.

"Chuck, I have a suggestion to make," Sarah said as she kicked off her running shoes and rummaged in the dresser and the closet for clean underwear, a bathrobe and towels. She then laid out a crisp, neatly pressed business suit on the bed.

"Go ahead."

"You know how much I enjoy running with you, right?"

"And I enjoy running with you, too. Why, do you want to run alone?"

"On the contrary, I want us to keep running together as often as possible. In fact, I want us to run more."

"More?" Chuck echoed.

"Yes. More and harder; I seem to have an excess of calories to burn lately."

He muttered something sounding suspiciously like 'women' under his breath.

"Did you say something?"

"No, but I don't think you need to work out more."

"I beg to differ."

"Sarah, your body is perfect. Keep your workout regimen as it is. I can swear on a stack of movies and games that you have not put on an ounce of fat."

"Are you willing to swear on your Tron poster?"

"Like you have to ask. Of course I am."

She stripped off her tracksuit and examined her profile in the mirror. Her body seemed firm as ever. But she still had a nagging uncertainty. "Hmmm…"

"Okay, that's enough, Sarah." Chuck took her by the arm and led her to the bathroom. "You are beautiful. I don't care if you put on a few extra pounds. If anything, there will be more of you to love."

"But…" Sarah began to object.

"But nothing," he said firmly. "Plus, I know how to put your mind at ease. After work I'm taking you to the Westside Medical. There, Ellie and Devon are going to run some tests to prove once and for all that you have good metabolism. From what I've noticed so far, it's almost as good as mine."

Sarah thought about what she'd just heard. "You have a point – I think."

"You don't think, you know." Without further ado, he pulled her into the shower and turned the water on, before she even had the chance to take off her sports underwear.

"CHUCK!"

"Allow me to demonstrate another and very pleasurable way to burn calories," he said, attacking her neck with his lips.

"Now that's something I can get behind," she said breathlessly as she locked her legs around his waist.

-o-

Even with the not-so-quick shower quickie, they made it to the office with time to spare. Chuck went up to his office to see if there was anything requiring his attention. Sarah clocked in and went to her cubicle, where she got to work on the final details of the launch event for the game, as it was only weeks away. Finding everything to her satisfaction, she compiled and sent a progress report to Mr. Watkins, Chuck and Mary. Until Chuck came to take her to the cafeteria for lunch, she called accounting and made sure they'd received her memo about sponsoring the reenactment club's calendar as well as making a small donation to them. She wasn't really surprised to learn that the person handling it was none other than Bryce Larkin. After all, he had been working for Orion before she'd even heard about the company, even if it had been off the books at the time.

Morgan and Bryce joined Chuck and Sarah at their table for lunch. While enjoying the Chinese style offering, they talked about Chuck's idea for a children's computer line. Bryce confirmed that using existing and proven components would keep production costs to a minimum, while Morgan suggested selling the computers with the option of factory installed educational programs. The Software Division had already developed some and they were available.

"So, setting up a production line is not going to cost us, as it will essentially be a simple assembly line, taking components from other lines and using them to build the new model," Chuck summarized.

Sarah paused just as she was about to bite into a spring roll. "All this so far amounts to a feasibility study."

"Yes, and it's feasible," Morgan said.

"And economical," Bryce added.

"Guys, I'm not questioning the conclusions of this feasibility study. I'm more concerned about potential sales. Before going ahead and presenting the project to Chuck's parents, we should do market research. We need to find out how well the proposed line will sell. If there is potential, then we proceed."

"She's absolutely right," Chuck agreed. "I'll fire off a memo to Watkins as soon as I hit the office and have him refer the matter to the Market Research section. In the meantime, I can work on making prototypes. And that's where you come in, Sarah."

"Why, what do you mean?"

"Obviously, the computers in the children's line must have the appropriate appearance. Sarah has a good eye for colors and shapes, plus she's a decent amateur artist as well."

"I saw the artwork she did for 38th Parallel," Bryce said. "It was amazing."

"Still, the market is awash with comparable products. Okay, not exactly awash, but there will be competition."

"Morgan, buddy, since when are we afraid of a little competition? Besides, we can corner the market on the preschool to mid-elementary school age range, taking a huge chunk out of the toy companies' sales. For older kids and students, we can offer competitive packages at very attractive prices. We'll milk the production economy resulting from the common component concept for all it's worth, thus selling reasonably priced products with a good profit margin."

"And the development costs have already been covered, as the components are already well established in production."

"Precisely," Chuck agreed. "We offer top quality with low acquisition and minimal life cycle costs."

"I'll let you know as soon as I have the market analysis report in my hands. Getting back to the 38th Parallel, it occurred to me that we've been marketing it for a very short time. I mean, are two months from announcement to release enough time to…?"

"Most companies go for longer promotion times, but we play by a different set of rules, Sarah. The trailers we posted online have gone viral in the gaming community. The demo has been downloaded millions of times and we've been getting the best possible publicity from magazines and sites all over the world."

"Production is going smoothly. There will be no shortage at the stores for the days after the release. The game cannot be pirated, either."

"You didn't!" Chuck exclaimed.

"I most certainly did!"

Sarah was confused. "What are you guys talking about?"

Morgan smiled. "I bought a highly illegal Q36 game copier, Canada's greatest gift since Shania Twain. Even this top of the line gadget cannot bypass our copy protection."

"I see. So far we have everything covered. Chuck took care of the rating issues. The promotion campaign is going smoothly, so all we have to do is focus on the planning for the launch event." She was enjoying some fried rice when her phone rang. "Excuse me, I have to take this." She got up and moved a short distance from the table to talk. "Hi Mom. No, you're not interrupting. I was on my lunch break. Did you talk to Mrs. B? Sure, I'll tell her. It's OK, I can handle it, don't worry."

"Everything OK, Sarah?"

"Yes, but I'll have to go see your mother. It was my Mom on the phone and she asked about certain products of ours."

"We won't hold it against you if you sit down and finish your lunch first, you know."

"I'd be a fool to leave this delicious lunch half-eaten. But I can tell you it's going to be a big contract. I'll be handling it."

"You like to have your fingers in many pies, don't you?" Bryce joked.

"What's wrong with a little variety at work?" Sarah shot back.

After lunch, Chuck and Sarah went to see Mary together. She was with Stephen in his office, going over project budgets and sales reports. They both looked up as their son and his girlfriend entered.

"Just give us a minute and you'll have our undivided attention, kids," Stephen told them.

"Take your time, Dad." Chuck sat on the couch and Sarah followed suit, allowing him to pull her close with his arm. They didn't have to wait long.

"What can we do for you kids?" Mary asked.

"My mother called," Sarah replied. "They want to install a new state of the art vault in the hotel, where customers can safely store their valuables. Naturally, she wants an Orion security system for it."

"Tell her not to worry. When we're done, security will be tighter than a nuclear missile silo's."

"I promised her that even I would be completely unable to break in."

"I'll let the Security Systems Division know. Do you want to be the lead on this?"

"That goes without saying, Mrs. B."

"Mom, Sarah and I were also discussing the potential of launching a new product line, computers for kids. We think there is a good potential market and we can make short work of the competition. Sarah already put in a request with Market Research for a market analysis report."

"And Chuck said that he'll develop educational and entertaining games and other programs for kids to go with the computers."

"Exactly how did you get such a great idea?"

"Sarah's niece is spending a lot of time with us. Her parents had to travel abroad for work and Emma's taking care of their little girl."

"She wanted to play with my computer. Chuck came up with this great idea and also gave her an old laptop of his to play with in the meantime."

"I completely sanitized it first. She won't find anything inappropriate for her age in it."

"You have my approval on everything," Stephen said.

"Mine too," Mary added.

"Thanks. Right now, we're going to get some preliminary work done on the security system for the Miller Hotel's vault. We'll be in my office."

"I'll call Mr. Watkins and let him know where he can find me," Sarah added.

-o-

"Your parents are very thorough," Chuck commented when he and Sarah opened the email with the plans of the vault.

"They're running three very successful businesses. They have to be."

"And it looks like they hired the best construction engineers to build it. We've worked with them on many occasions. About our part in this, it's time for you to become a thief again, Sarah. How would you plan to rob the vault?"

"Give me some time to think about it."

"Okie-dokie." Chuck saved the plans to a tablet computer which he gave to her. She made herself comfortable on the couch and began studying the blueprints, making notes with a wireless electronic pen. Occasionally, she would get up and review her progress on a huge wall mounted touch screen system. Having a multitude of gadgets to play with was another of her job's perks, in her opinion. Chuck's nerdiness must have been rubbing off on her big time. Sure, she'd worked with top of the line electronics before, but now she was enjoying it immensely, too. She and Chuck really got into it. By the time a comprehensive package was ready, it was quite late. Chuck was very surprised to see it was nine in the evening already.

"Well, we're done here," he announced. "Let's go home. Your place, or mine?"

"Shouldn't we get something to eat at the cafeteria first?"

"It's past nine, Sarah. The cafeteria closes at eight."

"Huh? We stayed here so late?"

"I'm afraid so. We lost track of time working on coming up with the best possible system configuration for your folks."

"Let's go to my place tonight, unless you want to spend the night on your couch bed."

"Your place is fine. We can get pizza on the way."

"Pizza sounds just about right." Then her smiled turned sly. "But we really should spend a night here some time in the very near future."

"You are a very naughty girl, Sarah."

"Only with you," she said.

"Don't I know it…" He leaned in and kissed her. Then he remembered something. "I have a little something for you." He reached for his discarded suit jacket and pulled something from a pocket. It was a charm bracelet, which he put on Sarah's wrist and did the clasp.

"It's beautiful."

"Mom gave it to me. She said it was for The One. And you are The One for me, Sarah."

She couldn't take her eyes off of it. "Thank you. It really means a lot to me. I love you."

He lifted her chin with a finger and lightly kissed her lips. They looked into each other's eyes and were sorely tempted to make love right there on his office couch. In the end, the day's fatigue and hunger won out and they made their way to the parking garage where Chuck's car was. Fortunately, traffic was light, so getting to their favorite pizza parlor and then to the Maison 23 did not take them long. They had just entered the building when Sarah spotted her sister in the lobby.

"Hey Carina!"

"Sarah, Chuckles, hi," Carina replied.

"You look like hell. Long day?"

"Something like that." Carina was obviously tired. Her attire, a DEA jacket and a tactical holster on her hip, told them that she'd probably been out in the field.

"Big bust?" Chuck asked.

"Oh yeah. Three major players, ten tons of marijuana and enough cocaine to keep a small town high for a week," she beamed. "And the credit for the bust is almost all mine."

"My big sister, in all her modesty, says that she's bound to get a deputy director's position at the very least in the future," Sarah informed Chuck.

"She'll deserve it. She's very good at what she does, you know."

"Is that pizza?" Carina asked, changing the subject and reaching for a box.

Sarah slapped her hand away. "Get your own pizza," she growled.

"As a matter of fact, I got one for her, too. I didn't know if we'd find her here, but I kind of had a hunch." Chuck handed her the bottom box. "It's just as you like it."

"Yummy! Thanks guys! I'll leave you to enjoy your dinner and whatever dessert you have planned." She winked meaningfully at the couple and skipped to her apartment.

"She's not terribly subtle either," Chuck remarked.

"Hell will freeze over first, before Carina becomes subtle, modest and chaste. She's got her faults, but being a bad sister is not one of them."

Later, they were cuddling in bed together, having finished the pizza, watching a movie. Sarah had to admit that Chuck always seemed to somehow know how to keep her entertained. It was one of the many reasons why she loved him so much.

"Chuck," she began.

He silenced her by gently placing a finger on her lips. "Just don't talk about work."

"I was definitely not going to talk about work, Chuck. Molly has a soccer game on Saturday and I was wondering if we could go together and cheer her on. She's very fond of you."

"And I really like her, too. I'd be honored to go to her game with you. Plus, I can also tell Morgan about it. He can come with Alex. You know how fond of Molly they both are. Come to think of it, Awesome and Ellie and Bryce and Jill could come as well. Is Carina going to be there?"

"She said she'd come if she doesn't have to work."

"Good. The more the merrier, as the saying goes."

"Molly is going to be so happy. Thanks Chuck."

"Maybe we can all go to an amusement park afterwards. And for the grand finale, Morgan, Bryce and yours truly will play with her on my kickass gaming system."

"You're spoiling her, you know."

"I'm spoiling you even more." *kiss* "You sure like it."

"Sure I do. You can spoil me all you want."

"Are you up for some more spoiling?" He performed the Bartowski Eyebrow Dance.

Instead of replying she draped herself all over him and they burrowed under the covers together, shedding articles of clothing in the process.

-o-

Following their now customary morning shower quickie, they drove to the Miller to see Sarah's Mom. Emma's secretary let them in right away.

"Good morning," Emma greeted them. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Chuck and I finished the proposal for the security system configuration. The way we configured it, even an insect will need an access card and a pass code to get in." Sarah opened her briefcase and extracted a bulky folder, which she gave to Emma.

"Sarah's exaggerating, of course, but we did make it as secure as humanly possible. It would take a major operation involving heavy construction equipment to break into it. Not giving the clients direct access to the deposit box storage was also a smart move."

"The budget with its detailed breakdown is in the appendix, Mom," Sarah pointed out.

Emma scanned the document with an experienced eye. "I get the feeling we are going to be getting excellent value for money. Other companies we asked for information offer much less for the same price."

"And the pièce de résistance is the configuration of the boxes. Each will have both mechanical and electronic reprogrammable locks. Call it an additional security feature. A universal pass key will be issued for use by you or whoever in the hotel's management you designate in case of an emergency or if law enforcement officers need you to open a box for them. The rest you can discuss with my parents."

"Now that's what I call first class service."

"The customer is always right, Mom."

"Sarah's right. The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes only a little longer. It's one of the company's unofficial mottos."

"I'll get in touch with Mary and go over the contract terms. Right now, I can offer you breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, assuming you haven't had any yet."

"No, we just had a coffee before coming here. Thanks Mom. Let's go, Chuck."

"It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Walker."

"Chuck, for the thousandth time, you can call me Emma."

"I'll try to remember that, next time."

-o-

They had delivered the good news to his parents and were on the way to his office when Sarah remembered something she'd been meaning to ask Chuck about for a few days now.

"Chuck, can I ask you something?"

His reply was very simple. "Shoot."

"What are those two rooms next to your father's office?"

"Come on," he smiled. He led her to the first door and punched an access code into the pad by the door. "This is Dad's workshop. He does his best work in here. He has another, smaller, workshop at home, but there he likes to restore old computers and tinker with home electronics."

"It's very impressive," she said, taking in the sight of the very well equipped shop. "It could be tidier, of course, but I guess people find a little mess inspiring."

"Ha-ha, you described Dad to a T. Let's go next door now." He locked the workshop again and used another code to open the door to the other room. "This is an airlock. Leave your cell phones on this shelf." They left their phones next to a rack holding a few pairs of dark goggles. Then he led her into the main area.

"What is this place?" The room was large, all white and had a fancy looking computer terminal in the center.

"It's a clean room."

"Should we be here without the proper protective wear? I, for one, want to keep my job."

"It's not a medical clean room, Sarah. It's more like an anechoic chamber to test electronic equipment. The ventilation system here keeps it dust-free all the time. It's been ages since I last came in here and obviously Dad has been testing a new project."

"And you're curious to see what it's all about."

"Knowing him, it's something really cool. What do you think? Shall we take a look?"

"I really don't know if we should…"

"Don't worry. I'll take full responsibility. And don't tell me that you are not the least bit curious."

"OK, fine." She followed him to the terminal. He pressed the power switch. The computer hummed softly and began booting up.

TO BE CONTINUED