A/N: BOO-YAH...Wow…how does I do it?…I have absolutely no f***ing idea…really…totally clueless…anywho…on to the really important ramble…wait…what was I gonna say?…oh yeah…hope you like this chapter…I think I may have stretched…a little, maybe…let me know what you think…havn't decided where to go next…more swimmer…walkabout…the scary thing I stated called 'Last(ish)'…decisions, decisions…screw it…I'm gonna declare myself pope of the world…screw the elections…I know you all would have voted for me anyway…seriously though…I'm now accepting applications…cardinals, deacons, priests(but not the creepy kind) and…of course…my backup singers…the pope etts…give them all a big round of applause…aren't they bitchin'?…I know, I know…so, back to reality…crap, this place is boring…except for all of you, of course…you guys(and gals) keep me grounded…sorta…so, back to the earlier ramble…are you liking the story so far?…not?…well then, tell me about it…I promise to read all reviews…and respond to some…hey, just being honest…I think this pope gig is gonna take up a bunch of my time…no, don't worry…I promise to make time to write…see…a kind and benevolent pope…who'd a thunk it…talk to ya soon…..JT aka Pope JT da first aka that ramblin moron.
Hey Jim…yeah, I'm saying it again…get better…I'm holding a very high position in my inner Pope circle for you…hey Nic…inner circle or Pope ett? Inquiring minds want to know.
Sure…I'm now the pope of the known universe but I still don't own Chuck…crap…I really thought that this gig would offer that perk…should've read the fine print…stupid Pope fine print…and now(that pope idiot waves his hand around) go forth and review…for me and of course for all the other writers here…hey, don't discriminate…just because none of them are Pope, they still deserve your love and adoration…that's right…C-ya soon….JT
Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer Chapter 11
The party had lasted until almost ten o'clock but Chuck had napped, off and on, for the last two hours. Despite his threats to call the police, Casey had actually joined the party for a couple of hours. At one point, he walked over to Chuck and almost complimented him, telling him that he was glad he hadn't screwed up the meeting the day before. The highlight of the party, as far as Chuck was concerned, was the appearance of Big Mike. His former boss had arrived with Jeff and Lester in tow. After forcing the two 'Buy Morons' to apologize to Chuck, Big Mike had actually embarrassed Chuck by getting down on his knees and begging him to come back to work. The tears almost caused Chuck to burst out laughing and thankfully, Casey chose that moment to appear and help the rotund man back to his feet. Shaking his head, he led the three away and, even though he'd deny it, spent the rest of the night on guard duty.
Sarah spent the entire time either in Chuck's lap or standing at his side, making sure he always had something to drink and feeding him when she thought he was looking hungry. A couple of times when she had to take care of something, Ellie seemed to appear and take her place, clearly looking out for her little brother. Morgan had even appeared and spent about a half an hour talking to Chuck about nothing…and everything. Chuck had to admit to himself that he'd missed talking with Morgan and decided that it was time to put what happened behind them.
"Morgan…buddy, listen…I know you weren't trying to help those idiots with that prank and…I'm sorry for being such a big jerk to you."
"Chuck…you had every right to be pissed off…I did give them the password and I'm really sorry. We both know that I can't guarantee it won't happen again but I promise I'll try to not screw up again."
"That's fine, buddy. I was planning to call you before this happened…we actually are getting a little busy and we might be able to throw a little work your way…but, that would involve you doing…work."
"Say no more, Chuck. For you, I'll put aside my mad work avoidance skills. Now, I saw Big Mike earlier…let me find him so I can tell him I'm quitting…"
"Morgan…Morgan, buddy…calm down. Don't quit your job…" Chuck had told him, already a little worried about the wisdom of telling Morgan about possible work.
"Yeah…good call, Chuck." he'd answered, clearly a little disappointed.
Sarah chose that moment to join the conversation, telling Chuck that she thought that maybe they should start saying their 'goodnights' so they could head to their apartment. Morgan surprised her by catching the hint and saying goodnight after promising to call him the next day. Chuck smiled at Sarah as she began pushing him around so he could thank everyone for showing up. About a half hour later, they arrived at the front door of their apartment and Chuck insisted on walking in. Sarah had just smiled and , after helping him to his feet, wrapped her arm around his waist and walked with him. Once through the door, Chuck noticed the exercise bike that was now set up in their living room.
"What?" he questioned, looking from the bike to Sarah and then back again.
"You are going to start exercising …and we are going to be walking together every day. I need to stay fit during my pregnancy and I need you to get back into shape…and maybe a little more."
"Ok" he said, wondering just how much exercise he'd be getting. "Can we go to bed now? I'm a little tired."
"Tired?" she'd asked, giving him a little bit of her very own eyebrow dance. "Maybe we can start some of the exercise tonight?"
"We'll see…first I want to take a shower."
"No…no shower tonight." she said with a twinkle in her eyes. "You're gonna get a sponge bath…don't you say a word, Mr. Bartowski…this sponge bath will be very different from the ones I gave you in the hospital." Sarah said as she pulled herself into his arms and attacked his lips. After breaking the kiss, Sarah grabbed the waistband of the scrubs that Chuck had worn home and began pulling him towards their bedroom.
"Sarah…what about…" Chuck started before Sarah stopped and turned to look him in the eyes.
"Shhhh" she said after placing a finger to his lips. "I meant what I said…I'm taking charge tonight and I want you to stop talking…unless I ask you something…got it?"
"But what about…"
"Didn't you hear me? No talking. You'll be fine. I asked Ellie and she said that…"
"What? You talked to my sister about our sex life?" Chuck blurted out, the blush already starting to climb up his neck.
"No, Chuck, I didn't talk about our sex life. I asked one question and she answered…that's all. Now, shut up…and follow me." Sarah said as she turned around and resumed dragging him towards their room. Once through the door, she guided Chuck to the bed and helped him take his shirt off. As he began to reach for the waist band of the scrubs he was wearing, Sarah slapped his hands away. "NO! If I want your help, I'll ask for it…otherwise, just stand there and look cute. It's been fourteen days and I'm going to do this my way…understand? Just nod your head unless you want me to stop. That's what I thought."
After Sarah had removed the slippers from Chuck's feet and pulled the scrubs off, she stood back up and leaned in, lightly nipping at his neck. Chuck reached his arms around her back and started to pull her in closer.
"No…I meant it Chuck…I'm in charge…tonight anyway. I want you to lie down while I go to the bathroom and get my 'supplies', ok?" Seeing Chuck nod his head, she turned around and walked away, starting to remove her own clothes as she went. A few minutes later, Chuck watched in amazement as Sarah walked back into the room. The sight of her naked body making him realize just what a lucky man he was.
"Well" Sarah said huskily, "it appears that you're not too tired, after all"
Chuck remembered Sarah's instructions and stayed quiet while she gave him the most amazing 'bath' he had ever experienced. After she had finished drying him, she climbed atop his waist and slowly bent down to whisper in his ear. "Fourteen days, Chuck…fourteen days! Don't you ever make me go that long again…" Chuck almost whimpered as Sarah licked and nibbled at his ear lobe while grinding herself against him. "I even tried taking care of things myself with you asleep next to me…it just wasn't enough." Seeing the question in his eyes, she leaned down and told him to go ahead and ask. After listening to him whisper into her ear and loving the feel of his warm breath against her neck, she leaned back so she could look into his eyes. "Yeah…one night I will…as long as you do it for me too…now, I'm going to finish using you…and then we're going to get a good nights sleep."
-000-00-00-00-0-
Chuck awoke to the sound of a blender running. Glancing to the side, he found that Sarah was already up and gone. Stretching his arms above his head, he slowly rolled over and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Glancing down he realized with a start that he'd slept in the nude, something that he couldn't recall ever doing. Seeing the scrubs that Sarah had pulled off of him last night, he found himself smiling as he reached for them. Having pulled the scrubs on, he slowly stood up and started to make his way towards the bathroom. After walking through the door, Chuck looked into the bathroom mirror and noticed the huge smile on his face, a smile he hadn't realized was there. After finishing of his morning routine, he returned to the bedroom to find Sarah sitting on their bed, a tray balanced on her thighs.
"Morning, beautiful…what have you got there?"
"Morning Chuck…how are you feeling this morning? Tired? Sore?"
"No…I actually feel great. Last night was just what I needed…thank you."
Sarah just smiled and patted the bed beside her. "Sit down, silly…if anyone should be thanking anyone…it's me. Last night was so special for me…I can honestly say that I've never had a night like that before. You were wonderful…twice."
Letting his smile answer for him, he nodded his head towards the tray. "What's that?"
"It's our breakfast…cereal, fresh fruit and a protein shake for you. Now, sit your cute butt down and let's eat. Afterwards, we'll go for a short walk and then we'll see about getting caught up on work for 'aunt' and 'uncle'."
Reaching out, Chuck snagged the glass that Sarah had told him was a protein shake and, lifting it to his lips, took a couple of big swallows. The taste wasn't too bad and Chuck put the glass back down before reaching for a bowl of fruit. Sarah watched in amazement as chuck seemed to inhale the fruit and the bowl of cereal as well. After finishing the protein shake, he reached for her bowl of fruit and that got him a smack on the wrist.
"Hey…piggy…if you're so hungry, go out to the kitchen and get some more food. This is ours" Sarah said as she placed a hand on her stomach. Chuck smiled and slowly reached his hand out, gently placing it on top of hers. "That's right…daddy…I'm eating for both of us. I can't believe you were going to take food away from the 'incubator'." Seeing the sudden look of concern and guilt that swept over his face, Sarah had to laugh. "I was only teasing you, Chuck. I'm sorry if I wore you out last night and you can't walk to the kitchen on your own…" Seeing him slowly get to his feet, she held out her glass, "Yes, I would love some more milk, please"
"How did you know what I was going to ask" he said with a smile as he reached to take her glass.
"I'll never tell." she answered with a smile. "Remember, we're going for a walk after breakfast…well, hurry up…we're waiting for our milk." She smiled as he turned and walked out towards the kitchen, "Hey Chuck…you really do have a cute butt" she yelled after him, adding a wolf whistle. The blush that crept up his neck caused her to smile. "Hurry up…I've decided that we're gonna work off a few calories…before we go for our walk."
"Damn, woman…I'm not a machine. I just got shot." he mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"That's what I thought you said…now hurry up!"
-00-000-0-0-000
The next two weeks passed quickly with them settling into a comfortable routine. Mornings would start with breakfast, exercise and a walk. Afterwards, Sarah would leave Chuck to go through the dailies while she scheduled any installation or repair calls. Every morning, Casey would join them for a video conference with General Beckman and Director Graham, during which they would go over anything that was deemed pertinent. After lunch, Sarah would make Chuck spend thirty minutes on the stationary bike…insisting that he work up a good sweat, after which she would usually drag him off to the shower. The afternoons were for service calls and it looked like their business was really starting to pick up. She made sure that she didn't overwork Chuck because, despite his improving stamina, he was still a little weak from the hospital stay. Chuck had flashed on several reports and she and Casey had run four ops in the last ten days…all of them successful.
Casey had volunteered to take Sarah's place in the afternoon walks and had slowly been picking up the pace until, by the end of the second week, Chuck was actually jogging. No one was more surprised by this development than Chuck. Even Sarah was proud of his increased activity and would usually have a reward waiting for him when he returned from his afternoon session with the growling Major. The reward was almost always a shower and Chuck was becoming convinced that he had the cleanest skin in Burbank…not that he was complaining.
The beginning of the third week found Chuck and Sarah discussing the need for a third person to help with the business. Chuck had suggested they hire Morgan and Sarah just wasn't sure.
"I'm telling you…Morgan would do a good job. I know that you don't like him…"
"Chuck…that's just not true. I like Morgan just fine…I just don't know why you think we should hire a salesman…"
"Sarah…Morgan just does sales because it's less work than Nerd Herding…he really does have 'mad work avoidance skills' as he is so fond of saying."
"So, you want us to hire someone who actively avoids work? Does he even know about computers…besides his x-box, of course."
"Sarah…Morgan knows almost as much as me. All we would have to do is offer him the job…"
"Would we have to pay him more than the BuyMore does?"
"No…that's the beauty. We offer the same amount and then throw in a official sounding title…like assistant manager of outside sales and service, and then…boom, we got him…and with his new title will come a desire to work…so he doesn't lose that title."
"And that's all it will take?"
"Well…no…you'll have to find him a smoking' hot girlfriend…"
"What? Really?"
"No…not really…just kidding…OW! I thought we discussed the no pinching policy."
"No Chuck…you discussed it and I ignored you."
"Just wait…in a few months you won't be able to outrun me and then…OW!"
-000-00-0-0-000-
That night Chuck invited Morgan over for dinner and he and Sarah offered him the job with the shiny title. As predicted, Morgan jumped at the opportunity, telling them that he had vacation time saved up with BuyMore and he'd take part of it as his two week notice. Chuck smiled at the thought of Big Mike's face when Morgan told him he was leaving to go to work for him, almost wishing he could be there to see it happen…almost.
The next morning, Casey almost grunted a cow when he found out that the, as referred to him, moron's moron would be coming to work for Chuck and Sarah. "Don't worry, Casey…you still have Jeff and Lester…" Chuck managed to say before Casey had his hand around his throat.
"Let him go…" Sarah said, her 'magical knife already in her hand and against Casey's neck.
"Jesus, Walker…I was only kidding" he said after releasing his hold on Chuck's neck and stepping back slowly.
"I guess the pregnancy hormones have killed my sense of humor…don't touch him again…unless you're saving him from some threat…understood."
"Yeah…yeah…I got it." he grunted, putting his hand to his neck. 'Jesus, how does she move so fast?' he asked himself as he checked his hand for any sign of blood.
-00-000-0-0-000
By the end of the week, Sarah had to admit that Chuck had been right. Morgan had indeed, turned out to be a great worker and his help was proving invaluable. On Friday afternoon, when Sarah handed Morgan his first paycheck, she had been surprised when he hugged her and thanked her profusely, promising that he wouldn't let her down.
"After all" he said after glancing down at her stomach, "I have to make my niece or nephew proud of their Uncle Morgan."
"What?" Sarah blurted out.
"Shhhh…let it go, honey" Chuck whispered from behind her. Stepping up, he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'll explain it all later…OW!"
"What's wrong, Chuck?" Morgan asked, suddenly pulled from his mental images of 'cool uncle Morgan'.
"Nothing, little buddy…nothing at all. Now, how about I take us all out to dinner? Sarah? Morgan? C'mon…we'll take the wagon."
"Shotgun!" Morgan shouted, already heading towards the door.
"What does Morgan think he's doing" Sarah asked.
"Well…calling 'shotgun' means…OW!"
"I know what 'shotgun' means…you big doofus.. Morgan can't seriously think he's sitting in the front seat." Sarah replied.
"Well…technically…he did call 'shotgun'…OW!"
"And…technically…who is letting you butter their 'muffin'?"
Chuck released Sarah and quickly stepped to the front door. "Morgan…buddy…sorry, but you're going to have to ride in the back seat" Chuck yelled out the front door while Sarah smiled behind him, obviously happy that her boyfriend got the hint…finally.
-00-00-000-00
Monday afternoon, Chuck had insisted that he accompany Sarah to her first regular appointment with the doctor Ellie had set her up with. As they sat in the waiting room, Sarah had to put her hand on her boyfriend's knee to get him to stop bouncing his leg up and down.
"Chuck…relax. You're not the one who's getting examined."
"I know, Sarah…I'm sorry…I just can't help it."
A few minutes later, they were shown to one of the examination rooms and shortly there after, the doctor wandered in. "Hi Sarah" she said as she extended her hand and Sarah shook it. "This must be Chuck" she added as she released Sarah and then offered to shake Chuck's hand. "Wow…sweaty palm there…you nervous?" Chuck answered with a shake of his head. "Well, don't be. We're just going to do a few tests and then we'll take a listen with a heartbeat monitor."
Sarah took a seat on the exam table and Chuck found a seat on a small stool near the wall. The doctor explained all the tests as she went along and then, after finishing them up, she pulled out a odd looking device with several leads attached, Placing it on Sarah's stomach, she played with a few dials and then they were treated to the sound of a heartbeat. Chuck and Sarah exchanged glances while the doctor appeared to be listening intently.
Chuck spoke first. "That seems really fast for a heartbeat…isn't it?"
"Well yes, Chuck…that would be very fast…even for an infant heartbeat…however" she added as she tweeked a few of the dials, "it's perfectly normal for two sets of heartbeats."
Sarah's eye got very big. "Twins?" she choked out.
"Yes Sarah…congratulations…you're going to have twins." the doctor answered with a smile.
The loud crash beside her caused Sarah to look to her right. She found Chuck flat out on the floor. The doctor got to her feet and rushed over to check on Chuck.
Don't worry doctor" Sarah explained, "I'm pretty sure that he's just fainted…again."
P/N: (c'mon...you caught it...Pope/Note...hardee F***ing har...) Please review. Thanks. JT