A/N: Happy thursday and thanks for reading. I don't know how but here's another one...just for you...and you know who you are...thanks for helping me change that tire...wait...that was someone else...dang nabbit...where was I?...oh yeah...thanks for reading...can't promise but maybe another chapter or two before the weekend is shot in the ass...and maybe we'll see what's going on in Sturgis...yeah...that's right...that other story I'm...oh never mind...if you know...hooray!...if not...well...I really think that you might like it...go on...give The Walkabout a try...I promise...it won't bite...just nibble a little...you know you like that...yes you do...oh yeah...back to the ramble...this chapter just wouldn't let me put it down but then left me hanging...yeah...the end wasn't strong...could have been better...I promise I'll try to do better ...next chapter...see ya.
I say it because I mean it...Jim, keep getting better!
So what if I don't own Chuck...you wanna make something of it? what was that? That's what I thought...you heard me right...I don't own Chuck and there's nothing you can do about it...unless you own Chuck and are just tired of that burden...that's right...I'll take it off your shoulders if I must...you don't want thet mantle...I'll take it...just let me know when...I'm ready to carry it for you.
No beta...surprise surprise...what, you aren't surprised?...hey, that's just not nice to say...I can't help it if I'm beta-less...that's just the way it is...and I'll try and carry on...without one...a beta that is...you know what I mean...you don't...crap, neither do I! JT
Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer Chapter 7
Dinner had been a success despite Sarah's fears about her involvement. Everyone had raved about the meal…well, Chuck and Devon raved while Ellie tried to downplay the work involved and Sarah tried to take as little credit as she possibly could, claiming that Ellie did all the important work and her own involvement was limited to handing ingredients to her when needed. As Sarah started serving out the dessert, Chuck decided that it was time for some news.
"Ellie, Captain…I…uh, we have some news. Don't freak out but Sarah and I have decided to go into business together." Chuck watched as Ellie almost vibrated off of her chair. "And, I'm going to be moving into a place of my own." And that was all it took to get Ellie upright and yelling.
"Chuck…What?…When?…How?"
"Ellie…calm down" Chuck wheezed, trying to slip out of the arms that were threatening to squeeze the air from his lungs.
"Ellie, please don't damage him…I need him intact for all the plans I have for him."
"Plans?…What plans?" Ellie asked, releasing her hold on him and turning her attention to the blond standing next to her. "Spill it…what's going on with you two?"
Giving Sarah a quick wink, Chuck used Ellie's shoulders to guide her back to her seat at the table. "Well, Ellie, Sarah and I are going to open our own computer repair and installation business. Her aunt Diane has some government contacts and we might…no, we will be getting her help getting work from some local government agencies. I expect we'll be busy…actually, as busy as we want to be. That's why I've decided to rent that big apartment across the courtyard…you know, the one that just opened up?…that way Sarah and I won't disturb anyone else with us coming and going all the time."
"Wait…you and Sarah…you're moving in… together?" Ellie asked, clearly already making connections.
"Slow down, El. We're just going to be roommates…"
"Chuck…roommates don't make the noises that the two of you have been making…no offense, Sarah."
"None taken" Sarah replied, a blush rising to her cheeks, "but, yeah…we're starting out as roommates…for now."
"But Chuck…what about start up money…I know you have some saved up but is it enough?"
"Well, Sarah's uncle Graham left her a bunch of money and she's decided to invest some of it…in us." he said as he walked over and slipped an arm around Sarah's waist.
"Chuck, that sounds great…I really hope everything works out. I promise that I'll send any work your way that I can." Ellie said as she pulled the two of them into a hug.
"Yeah Chuck, that's awesome, bro." Devon added, "When are you going to start moving?…If I'm off duty, I'll be happy to lend a hand."
"Thanks Devon…that would be great. El…can you let us go now?…We're gonna take a walk…after we help clean up, of course."
"You guys go ahead" Ellie said, finally releasing her hug. "Devon and I will handle the clean up. You guys have a nice walk…we'll see you later."
"Alright guys" Chuck said, taking Sarah's hand in his and leading her towards the door. "We'll be back in a little while."
-00-00-00-0-0-
They had been walking for almost half an hour when they stumbled across a small, neighborhood park. Leading Chuck over to a bench, Sarah waited until Chuck sat down and then made herself comfortable in his lap. Looking into his eyes, she decided that he needed to know everything that was on her mind.
"Chuck" she started, "after you left the briefing, the director asked if I'd decided if I was going to keep the child and I told him that I hadn't decided yet."
"But, I thought you said that you were going to keep it…the child, I mean."
"I did say that…and I am. I was just afraid…afraid that he might re-assign me or…that they might try and hold it over our heads if they were to find out that you're the father…I'm just not sure how to handle it."
"Sarah…it's easy…tell 'em. I won't let you be re-assigned. I need you and once we get the business up and running…well, we'll show them what a great team we can be. After that, we'll be ok. So, tell them you're going to keep the child and if you want, tell them it's mine…or you can wait a little on that news. Sooner or later we'll have to tell Ellie…why not wait and tell the powers that be at the same time…if you think that they really need to know.
"You're right Chuck. We'll do that. I'll wait on telling them that it's your child…until we both agree that they need to know. The same with Ellie…now, let's go back to your room. I'll try and keep the noises down to a minimum."
"Maybe, if I put in a little less effort…OW! What the hell was that for?" Chuck said, rubbing his shoulder.
"To remind you that I won't tolerate less than your best, Mr. Bartowski" Sarah said with a stern look before laughing after seeing the look on Chuck's face.
"Well…in that case, maybe I should get you a gag…OW! Sarah, please stop hitting me…if my shoulder hurts too much I won't be able to do that little twist that you like so much."
"Chuck" she whispered into his ear, "don't ever give me less that your best…because I'll know…and you won't like the results" she finished, sucking his earlobe between her teeth and giving it a nip. "Understand?"
"Yes ma'am" he said, torn between fear and desire…with desire winning out. :Let's go home."
-00-0-000-00-0-
The briefing the next day went fairly smoothly. General Beckman and Director Graham had reached their own accord and offered Chuck a joint CIA/NSA contract with terms that he found acceptable. They even created a job description to cover his unique skill set…analyst/operative with a pay rate that left a smile on his face.
When the briefing seemed to end and both the General and the Director excused Chuck, saying they needed to speak to Agent Walker separately, Sarah spoke up, saying she didn't mind her partners hearing what she had to say.
"Well then, Agent Walker" the director said, obviously not happy to have the extra ears in attendance, "what have you decided to do about your situation?"
"I'm going to keep the child…my child." she said, almost daring anyone to object.
"Ok" Director Graham answered, "I'll arrange for an agent to replace you…"
"That won't be necessary…sir…at least not right away. I'll be able to do my job…until I can't…and I will be happy to step aside when that happens."
"Agent Walker…" the director started before Chuck cut him off.
"Director…General…I need Sarah here. The business, and the cover, require her. So, I would appreciate it if we could work this out."
Before the director or General Beckman could say anything, everyone was surprised by John Casey, who suddenly joined the conversation. "General…Director…do either of you have an agent with the skill level of Agent Walker? I could be wrong but I don't believe that you do. I think it would be in everyone's best interest to leave Agent Walker in her current position until such time as her job performance slips below it's current level."
"Major Casey" the general began, "are you willing to take responsibility for evaluating Agent Walker's performance and keeping us appraised of it?"
"Yes ma'am" he answered, never looking at his partner.
"Agent Walker…Mr. Bartowski…is this arrangement satisfactory to both of you?"
"Yes ma'am" they both answered.
"Alright…I suppose that will be acceptable…for now."
"I agree" added the director before the monitor went dark…the briefing evidently over, leaving Chuck, Sarah and Casey…shocked and speechless
"So Walker…is it Bryce's little troll?" Casey asked, obviously the first to recover.
"Not that it's any of your business but…no, it's not Bryce's child…" she said, clearly unhappy with Casey's question. Before she could add anything else, Casey spoke again.
"Oh great…moron spawn…this assignment just keeps getting better." Casey grunted before walking over to the front door. "Well, enough chit chat…get out." he said as he threw the door open. "I have something I really want to do."
As they made their way out the door, Chuck just had to ask, "so, Casey…what's so important?…"
"Ronald Reagan movie marathon…now get out!"
Sarah followed Chuck out and then turned back…"Casey, thanks a lot, I won't let you down."
"Ok…whatever…bye" and just like that the door was closed.
-000-000-0-00-
By the end of the week the CIA/NSA tech wizards had set up everything in Chuck and Sarah's new apartment. Chuck had surprised Sarah by offering her first choice of a bedroom.
"Chuck…I thought we would be sharing a room…aren't we?"
"Well, I'd hoped so but…honestly, we're sorta new as a couple and I didn't want to make assumptions…"
"Chuck, That's sweet…but we are going to have a kid. I think that sharing a room would sort of be implied…don't you?"
"I wasn't sure. It makes sense though…that leaves a room for my work area and , I guess, a nursery?"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well." she said as she leaned in and gave him a light shoulder bump. "Want to go shopping for a new bed with me? Maybe we can scandalize some poor salesperson with our wildly inappropriate behavior?"
"I like the way you think, Agent Walker…plus, it might help me with my aversion to PDA's."
"Oh yeah…we'll have you over that in no time. Let's go…time for some PDA therapy."
After their shopping adventure, during which several salespersons were scandalized, they retuned home to find Devon standing out on the sidewalk, admiring a 1957 Chevrolet Station wagon. Chuck walked up and stood beside the 'Captain' and admired the beautiful piece of work. Chuck honestly wasn't much of a car guy but he knew a work of art when he saw one.
"So, Devon…buy a new ride…er, an old ride…you know what I mean."
"No, I didn't…evidently, Sarah's aunt Diane did. She had it delivered this afternoon with instructions to give the keys to you…something about it being a great work vehicle. Here's the keys and here's…" and Devon paused to pick up a thick notebook from the ground at his feet, "the owner's manual. I'm guessing that this baby isn't quite original."
"Devon…knowing Sarah's aunt Diane like I do…you're probably right. Hey, after I skim through the manual tonight, we'll take her out for drive tomorrow. Sound good?"
"Sounds awesome, bro. Just let me know. Oh yeah, Ellie wants you two to come over for dinner and a movie…Ok?"
"Let me check with Sarah but I'm guessing it won't be a problem. Unless I call, tell El to plan on us being there."
"Ok bro, got to go."
Sarah had gone inside to drop off the few bags of supplies that she had picked up while shopping. Having accomplished her mission she had returned and was standing behind her boyfriend.
"Hey Chuck" She said and had to giggle when the keys in Chuck's hand were suddenly airborne with Chuck struggling to catch them.
"Sarah…please stop sneaking up on me…it just doesn't seem manly when I screech like that."
"Sorry Chuck…but I am a spy…sneaking is part of the job. But I promise to try and cut back. So, did I hear Devon say something about aunt Diane having this thing delivered…for you?"
Chuck let the keys, which he had miraculously caught before the hit the ground, dangle from his finger. "Yes…it seems that she sent along this 'owner's' manual and the suggestion that this might make a great 'work' vehicle. Seems sorta flashy to me but it would certainly make a memorable advertisement for the business. Plus, I'm sure it's got a lot of extra features…you know how those techs get…that 'herder' sure was loaded. I can't wait to read the manual…wanna go for a ride later?" he asked, giving a little wiggle of his eyebrows.
"Chuck…you just want to check out the back seat…right?"
"Well…Yeah!…I mean look at all that room…just look at it."
"I heard Devon mention dinner and a movie…that's what's on deck for tonight…tomorrow night?…as long as you've gone through the manual and there's no surveillance inside the car…we'll see. But you're right…there sure is a lot of room." she finished, giving Chuck a little taste of her own eyebrow dance. "Now, come on and give me a hand getting all that stuff I bought, put away." She said turning and starting to walk away. Turning back, she reached out and grabbed Chuck's hand. "C'mon…it'll still be there tomorrow. Time to help me put our stuff away." she said, putting the emphasis on our…liking the way it sounded to her and smiling as she lead Chuck back to their apartment.
-00-0-0-0-0-
By midweek, Chuck was reviewing the dailes from his 'office' in their apartment and also starting to get some actual work for the business. Sarah was happy to see Chuck starting to really open up...both to her and to customers. His years at the Buymore had left an impression on quite a few people and slowly but surely, he did just what he told Big Mike he was going to do...he took people away from the Buymore. Big Mike noticed it right away...calls for tech service and repairs that suddenly lost interest when they were informed that Chuck wasn't available for the job. His first step , after Chuck refused his first offer, was to go to Morgan and ask him to talk to Chuck...which led to his second failure. Morgan informed him that although he and Chuck were talking again and he was pretty sure that Chuck had forgiven him...he had also been informed that, under no circumstances, was he to talk to Chuck about returning to the Buymore. Besides, his new business had really taken off and maybe, just maybe...Chuck might hire him, part time, to run errands and make deliveries.
Sarah was also happy to see the business taking off...it helped keep her busy and teenage boys weren't constantly trying to look up..or down her dress. Nope...Sarah walker didn't miss the Weinerlicious at all. Scooter missed her...a lot...after all, her shifts were the busiest ones and, although he didn't see it himself, he had to admit that Sarah had her followers. He'd tried once to get her to come back to work but evidently she laughed at what he considered a more than generous offer of one dollar more per hour. Scooter wasn't going to grovel and that was the end of Sarah, the 'Weinerlicous Babe', as far as he was concerned.
Casey didn't care how the business was doing as long as it worked in conjunction with their real job, which he was pleased to note it did quite well. The General still hadn't decided on a new cover job for him so he continued to work at the Buymore...moving BeastMasters and other appliances. He watched with some humor as Big Mike sweated the loss of the moron and slowly came to the realization that Bartowski had been the backbone of the Buymore and slowly, but surely...Big Mike was finally realizing just how badly he'd screwed up when he let corporate convince him to fire the nerd. Haryy Tang just wasn't going to cut it and if he didn't find some way to get Chuck Bartowski back...Big Mike was in a world of trouble.
A/N: duex - I can't believe I forgot to say...Please review...I'd really appreciate it. JT