A/N: I just wanted to thank you all for the awesome amount of reviews this has received. In case you missed it, a good number of my stories have been updated in the past week, and I've published my newest one, "Hardly Working". It's got a unique setting to it, and hopefully you'll give it a try and end up enjoying it. So this chapter right here is angsty, though not about Charah. It's something else. This will all tie in with the planned storyline, so please please bear with me. Other than that, enjoy guys.

Chapter Nine:

"Intersect Gaming, Mr. Bartowski's office. How may I help you?" Sarah was perfect on the phone, just as Chuck had suspected she'd be. She'd been an amazing addition to his office, despite the fact that most of his workers (Morgan not included), were completely distracted, jealous, and taken with the golden goddess.

Chuck watched as she dealt smoothly with the twentieth call that morning, unable to truly focus. He leaned in her doorway, watching as she grinned upon seeing him, finishing the call promptly.

"Hard day?" He grinned coming over.

Standing, she gently put her arms around his neck, kissing his lips gently. "I think I'll break now….don't tell my boss."

"Something tells me he wouldn't mind." Chuck replied, arms wrapping around her slim waist, the two getting very comfortable very fast.

"Mr. Bartowski!" There was a tone of urgency laced with the voice of John Casey, Chuck's head of security, and occasionally, his personal body guard.

"John, I'm in Sarah's office!" he called, the two immediately disentangling.

"We've got a code nine." He replied, pushing the heavy door open.

"Huh?" Was all Chuck could manage, straightening out.

"Sir, we've found this man….messing….with our in house vault."

Casey stepped back with another man at gunpoint. Sarah gasped.

Chuck glanced at the man, taking in his gray hair and features, which oddly resembled…..Sarah's.

"Dad?" Sarah was in utter shock, leaning on Chuck for some support. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Hey darl." He grinned lazily, holding Chuck's wallet in one hand casually. "Figured I'd pay my now famous daughter and her apparent new schnook a visit."

Casey immediately let go, though his gun was lowered, he remained on high alert.

Chuck nodded and mouthed a thank you, and Casey took it as his cue to leave the room and give his boss some privacy.

Sarah wasn't sure how to react. Her fight or flight instinct told her to get the hell out. But she fought it, remaining beside Chuck.

"Now, let's not get too angry-"

"-not get too angry?" Sarah snapped. "The things you said….the things about mom…"

"I was being stupid, Sarah." He sighed. "You ought to know that by now."

"I know." Sarah agreed, forgetting Chuck was there momentarily.

"All that aside…." He waved his hand. "We can talk about all that….later." he narrowed his eyes as Chuck.

Sarah put a defensive hand over Chuck. "He's treated me ten thousand times better than you ever could." She snapped. "Don't forget how you kept a roof over my head all these years." She spoke with sharp sarcasm.

"Sarah, listen up." Jack shook his head. "I'm no sucker. And I can see what amazing work you've done here, darlin."

"Dad, I-" Sarah began to

He handed Chuck his wallet, dangling a credit card. "I think I'll keep this."

"It's yours, sir." Chuck replied finally, and very politely.

Jack raised a brow. "You okay, kid?"

"You're Sarah's family. Of course I'll offer you anything I offer to her."

Jack stood still, listening to Chuck's words, analyzing them. He finally let out a breath. "Well damn. My daughter's a sucker for the schnook."

Sarah didn't cut him off this time. After all, he'd gotten it right.

"Do you know what it's like to pick up the magazine and see your daughter, kissing one of the richest men in the world?" he asked, weary. "I thought you actually managed to con the kid."

"Con?" Chuck questioned. "No, sir, everything you've seen or heard about Sarah and me…its all true, sir."

"You're pregnant?" Jack asked, remembering what he'd read two days before.

"NO!" The two of the cried at the same time, laughing.

-0-

Jack whistled as he stepped into Chuck and Sarah's place, leaning against a pillar. "Nice place, Schnook."

"It's your daughter's home as much as it is mine….and you're welcome to call it yours too." Chuck offered kindly. Sarah took a breath, watching Chuck with a loving expression. He was the greatest man she'd ever know.

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable in one of the guest rooms….upstairs, down the hall, first door." Sarah was thankful Chuck didn't offer her guest room instead….not that she slept there anymore anyway.

"Thanks….I uh….I'll be down in a little bit." Jack seemed tired; god knows where he'd last been.

"Sarah, you want to open some wine or-"

"-Actually…. Can we talk? Our room?" She bit her lip, pulling him ever so gently.

"What? Yeah, of course." He followed, worried by the expression on her face. She was his top priority. She had to be happy at all costs. He cared about her too much for it to be any other way.

Sarah shut the door, sitting beside him on the bed with a sigh. Chuck was patiently waiting, gently rubbing her back.

"Chuck…..you don't have to be so nice to him…." Sarah told him, leaning on his shoulder. "He's testing you…..that's how he is."

"Let him…..He's doing what's best for you, sweetheart."

Sarah took a deep breath, comfortably positioned. "I'm torn, Chuck." She admitted.

Chuck's expression of concern was immediately deepened. "Why?"

"Chuck, I told you why I left him….I was tired of his games, his lifestyle…..we fought, and I swore I could make it without him."

"And you did." Chuck supplied kindly.

"But I didn't." she insisted. "I've been lucky to have you, lucky that you've felt sorry for me enough to help me…"

"Sarah." Chuck sighed, holding her tightly. "I feel MANY things for you." He began, causing her to laugh quietly. "But sorry…..isn't one of them."

Sarah couldn't believe it. Could this man be any more perfect?

"Look, I know you're a strong, independent woman…..god, everyone knows that." He chuckled. "And I know that you can take care of yourself however you damn well please."

The two shared a laugh.

"But I didn't give you all these things….because I felt sorry for you." He shook his head to reinforce his statement. "I did it because…I Love you, Sarah Walker." He admitted, placing a gentle kiss on her lips, as she let tears finally come down.

"I love you too, Chuck Bartowski." She replied, hugging him tightly.

The sat there for minutes, content in each other's arms. Sarah suddenly remembered her dad was downstairs.

"We should go." Chuck sensed her feelings.

"Yeah….probably…."

"Sarah…" Chuck froze. "No matter how you choose to end things with your dad…..just know…..I'll support you one hundred percent."

Sarah gave him a beautiful smile, handing him his wallet.

Chuck laughed. "How did you?-"

"-once you know all the cons…." Sarah smirked. "You can never be a sucker."

A/N: Okay, so a little heavier, I apologize, but now it's back to somewhat smooth sailing for our favorite couple. Let me know what you think! Sorry it was so short….it was a little difficult to write, honestly. Thanks a million for reading and reviewing and as always….have a great one!

P.S.: There should be a new chapter of "Hardly Working" up today, so be sure to check that out!