A/N: First and foremost, thank you for all the kind reviews and suggestions; they really contribute a large amount to the story and the writing process. So, if you haven't already noticed, I'm alternating between this and A Lucky Misfortune for the time being. I'm hoping to finish some more stories of before I venture in to any new projects. That being said, I've noticed how many PM's and Reviews are asking me to update "All over again" and "Chuck vs. the Harvard Girl". Problem is, I can't think of anything. So, if you'd like to become a beta of co author one either of those, please send me a PM and we can get to work. Thanks a million for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter Eight:

Chuck Bartowski, loved by most, was certainly not loved by everyone. He was a powerful figure, at the head of the tech and gaming world. His company was successful, and his ideas always proved to be bullet proof. Finding himself in a very advantageous and lucky position, he took time to give to the less fortunate, in hopes of changing their lives.

No matter how much good he did, he'd always have enemies. Some were media related, always trying to dig into his personal life and matters, like the Jill debacle. Some were trying to steal his fortune or secrets, often trying to pose as designers at the company. Some were CEO's of other somewhat successful gaming companies. And no one hated Chuck more than Bryce Larkin.

-0-

Sarah was out on the deck with Chuck the next morning, both enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee. Sarah couldn't believe what had happened.

"So, when do you return to work?" Sarah asked with a smile, holding his hand.

Chuck blinked. "Oh…..tomorrow I guess…." He realized he was giving all his time to the brilliant girl before him.

Sarah nodded, leaning back in her chair, absorbing as much sun as she could. The unasked question still hung in the air, so Sarah tackled it.

"Chuck…..would you be comfortable with me….working with you?" she finally asked, watching him carefully, looking for signs of discomfort.

"Hmm? Of course I would…." He grinned. "If you'd like to…"

Sarah sighed, closing her eyes for a moment, in thought.

"That's not exactly the reaction I was hoping for…" Chuck admitted gently.

"It's just…..I know NOTHING about game design, or gaming….or anything, really." Sarah pointed out, feeling futile.

"Well, no one said you had to be part of the game development." He pointed out kindly. "You could be my assistant….Or the ed.

The thought of that made Sarah smile. Working an honest job, safe from harm, side by side with probably the greatest man in the world? "How could I refuse…?" she asked with a smile.

Chuck smiled in half relief, half excitement. "Awesome. There's an empty office beside mine, so it's all yours. We can buy your stuff and get your papers in, and you can start tomorrow."

"Oh….Chuck." Sarah remembered, feeling slightly ashamed. "I don't need to be paid for this…." She felt bad for taking his money.

Chuck shook his head, standing. "C'mon Walker. Who do you think you're dealing with….?" He grinned, helping her up.

Sarah smiled, rising. Setting her mug down, she leaned up and placed a sweet, soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Chuck….." she sighed. "For everything."

-0-

Sarah read the engraved name plate over her door in Chuck's building. It read: Sarah Walker "Admin/Manager". Sarah stared unsurely. She had a lot of learning to do.

"Chuck…" She began, staring at him, then back to the door. "Won't your employees mad….if they see you promote your girlfriend to one of the highest positions you gave to offer…..on her first day?"

Chuck simply laughed. "No, they're all tech and design….they're happy where they are…" he explained, holding open her door, which had been fully furnished while she and Chuck visited Ellie.

Sarah gaped at the large, beautiful office. There was her desk in the center, with the latest model computer and multiple phones all lined up and ready to go. There were a few paintings on her walls, a small minifridge, a couch, and large file cabinets behind the desk it's self.

"So…." Chuck began with a smile. "I had them make something of a copy of my office….so it's livable?"

Sarah turned and laughed, unable to really do much else in response to the amazing man before her. "Chuck….I…..This is beautiful….and insane."

Chuck hugged her, the two glancing into each other's eyes warmly. "You deserve the best, Sarah. Especially about your past…..you really do." Chuck admitted, leaning to capture her lips in a flurry of passion.

They were interrupted by an awkward cough in the doorway. Chuck glanced up to see Morgan, staring at them with a smirk and a hint of embarrassment to back his apologetic glance.

"Glad to see you like the room…" he commented with a smile. Sarah thanked him with a genuine smile.

"Everything's great buddy…" Chuck sighed contentedly. He kept an arm around Sarah, who relaxed against him casually.

"Well, this isn't candy land just yet…" Morgan replied, unhappy to be the one to say it.

"Why? Is it about Sarah?" Chuck had told him most of her information in order to keep her safe at work and home.

"No…..The Douche convention is in…" Morgan glanced at Sarah's brand new calendar hanging on her wall. "-a week…" He finished grimly.

Chuck's eyebrows rose. "Already? It's been six months already?"

"And with the douche convention, comes trouble in the worst form." Morgan sighed, leaning against Sarah's door.

Chuck sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't say it….."

"Bryce Larkin and Daniel Shaw….." Morgan regretfully informed him. "Sharkin…..or Law, if you will…." Morgan mused, seeming to forget the subject almost entirely.

"I completely forgot to get the presentation started!" Chuck suddenly remembered, fear seeping into his tone.

"Ah, not to worry, buddy." Morgan replied confidently. "While you busied yourself with project Walker…" he motioned to Sarah with a joking smile. "-I got the team to create a lengthy clip of our hits and make them show worthy."

Chuck seemed to deflate in relief, sighing. Sarah swore she felt his heart beating.

"What the hell is a douche convention?" Sarah finally asked.

Morgan bade them a good day and left, shutting the door behind him. Chuck sat beside Sarah on her new couch, sighing.

"Well, every six months, there's an exclusive gaming expo, where the biggest company buyers, sellers, stock holders, and investors all join up to discuss the latest and trade or purchase new game rights, ideas…..you get the idea." Chuck finished.

"And…..what's a Sharkin….." she asked, unsure if she even wanted to know.

"Huh?" He was puzzled for a moment, then began to laugh. "Oh! Morgan was talking about two different rival CEO's, Daniel Shaw, and Bryce Larkin."

"You hate them?" she guessed amusedly.

"Hate is a very strong word." He quipped.

"What do you have to worry about?" Sarah smirked. "I'm sure if they were half as successful as you are, I'd have heard about them by now." The two came closer, though they weren't quite aware.

"And…." Sarah smirked. "I don't day dream about doing this to them."

The two were grateful Chuck decided to get her a couch.

-0-

"You've got Shaw." Came a voice on one end of the line.

"Daniel….It's Larkin." Another smooth voice replied. "How would you like to make a deal…..to move Bartowski out of the way?"

"Go on…." Shaw smirked, drumming his fingers sharply over his desk. "You have my attention."

-0-

Meanwhile, Jack Burton was speeding over to Los Angeles. He was on the run from some weird building owner….he'd probably never even find him….maybe it was time to pay his now famous daughter a visit anyway.

A/N: Again, I know, it was short. So, be sure to let me know what you thought. Please do PM me if you're interested in co writing or beta-ing "All Over Again" or "Taking Risks" or one of those. Next to be updated is Change of Heart! See you tomorrow, and until then, have a good one, guys.

-LLC