A/N: Hello…how is everyone feeling today? Good? Glad to hear it. Anything new going on? Really? That's so cool for you….sorry, just can't do it…need to ramble…must confess…nobody seemed to catch the reference to Pen and Teller Are Dead in my Shnuff fic…sure, an obscure film…well, homage?…any way…before you go further, please be advised…the is a little bit of fluff ahead…just a teensy, weensy, amount…no more than I usually do…maybe less than I've done before…ok, you've been warned…Changing topics…phuq, it was a hot mother f…shut your mouth…see that?…another sorta movie reference…does heat stroke make you want to wear lederhosen while filming your own re-imagined video for Safety Dance featuring even more short people?…No?…then what the hell is my excuse? Gotta go…midgets are so expensive to rent…probably would've been cheaper to just kidnap them…enjoy and review…or just enjoy…or, don't enjoy and then review…ah, do whatever you want…I just want you to be happy…is that too much to ask? JT

Because I don't own Chuck, I don't make any money from this…and I won't get good seats at Comic-con…pffffftttt.

Thanks Jim.

I also would like to thank all of you who offer such kind words when you review. Those reviews really do help. Also, thanks to all of you writers who keep us all entertained with your stories...they really do make life a little better, a little more fun.

Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer Chapter 20

Chuck watched as Sarah slid out of their bed and headed towards the bathroom. Pausing at the doorway, she looked back over her shoulder and smiled when she saw the look on her nerd's face. She loved the fact that her fiancé clearly enjoyed watching her, a mixture of adoration and lust in his eyes.

"Scrub my back?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Before Chuck could answer, a knock at the front door caught their attention.

"That's probably Morgan" Chuck offered while reaching for a pair of shorts. "Let me go see what's up. I'll get him started with one of today's jobs and then I'll join you." He paused to give her a quick kiss before heading towards the front of the apartment.

Opening the front door, Chuck was surprised to see Carina standing behind Morgan. Standing aside, he waved them both in and watched as his oldest friend suddenly realized that someone had been standing behind him. The look on the little man's face, after doing a classic double-take, was priceless.

"Morgan…Carina, come on in. Hey, buddy…why don't you get some coffee started while I get today's work orders together" he said as he guided Morgan with a hand on his shoulder. He looked back over his shoulder and mouthed the word 'civilian' to Carina, hoping she'd pick up on the need to watch herself and what she said.

"So, Chuck…" Morgan said as he took a step to the side and turned around to look at the woman behind them. "…how do you know…Carina?" he asked as he took one of Carina's hands and tried to kiss it, only to find his own hand beneath his lips after the red head slipped her hand out of his grasp. Not deterred at all, Morgan simply reached for Carina's other hand, determined to show his 'smoothness' to the beautiful woman who towered over him, a smile on her lips.

"Morgan…I'm sure Carina doesn't need her hand kissed…by a stranger, so early in the day…"

"I'm not a stranger, Chuck…"Morgan blurted out, a hurt look on his face, "…you've known me since fifth grade…"

"Not a stranger …to me…you're a stranger…to her…"

"And who's fault is that? If you keep butting in, she can't get to know me, can she?" Morgan tried to explain, using his own, special brand of logic. He started to turn back to Carina again when Chuck grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Listen, buddy…go into the kitchen and get some coffee started while I talk to Carina."

"But I…"

"Morgan…are you here to work?"

"Well, yes…but I…"

"Morgan…go make some coffee…now"

"Ok Chuck" he finally said, giving another look in Carina's direction before heading back towards the kitchen.

"I'm sorry about that, Carina. Morgan's harmless…he just gets distracted by shiny objects and beautiful women" Chuck said with a small shake of his head. "So, what brings you to Casa Bartowski?"

"I got a call from Casey…he said you needed a girlfriend for some charity event. I was in the area so I thought I'd stop by. So, where's Walker?…she still pissed?"

"Shit…she's waiting for me. I'll be back in a little bit…please, don't break Morgan. He's harmless…and totally unaware of what we really do…and I want to keep him that way."

"Alright Chuckles…whatever you want. I've gotta say, I'm really enjoying the new you…" Carina said as she stepped back and allowed her eyes to roam over his body. "Your workouts are really starting to show."

Chuck glanced down and realized that he'd answered the door in just his shorts. Looking up, he saw the smile on Carina's face and he felt the blush that he was sure now covered him from head to toe. Turning quickly, he'd taken a step when a thought occurred to him and he turned back. "Well…glad you approve. I'll be sure to tell Sarah that, after a close visual inspection, you've given me your seal of approval" Chuck said before turning and heading towards the back of the apartment.

"Hold on partner…that's not really necessary" Carina said after Chuck had turned back to face her. Why don't we just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Well, if you think that's best" he replied before turning to leave, hoping Carina hadn't seen his smile.

"Yeah…that's a good idea. I'll be in the kitchen helping Martin."

Ok…oh…and Carina?…his name's Morgan" he said over his shoulder. A few moments later, he knocked lightly before opening the bathroom door. Letting himself in, he closed the door behind him and was greeted with one of his favorite sights…Sarah Walker sans clothes. His fiancé was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, her breasts cupped in her hands. Moving closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist and allowed his chin to rest on her shoulder.

"Chuck…" Sarah said before he had the opportunity to say anything. "…are my tit's getting bigger?"

"I…uh…" Chuck managed to stammer out, wondering if this was a trick question, asked by his very pregnant, very hormonal and sometimes very scary fiancé. Before he could answer his own question, Sarah had grabbed his hands and, using her own hands as guides, wrapped them around her tits.

"Well…are they getting bigger?" she repeated with a serious look on her face.

"I…uh…I believe they are…maybe just a little" he finally managed to choke out, unsure how she would react to his reaction to her…'and there it is' he said to himself when Sarah began to grind back into him. "Um…Sarah…honey…we have company. Morgan and Carina are out in the kitchen."

"Good place for them. They won't die of thirst or starve to death while we're busy…now, you know darn well that if you light the fuse, the dynamite goes boom" Sarah said with a snicker as she began to guide one of Chuck's hands below her waist.

"Sarah…as much as I love you making a Family Guy reference…how on earth did 'I' light the fuse?"

"Don't you play innocent with me, stud. You walk in all shirtless and then you start getting all handsy while you're grinding up against my ass…now, you have a choice…do me right here on the counter and then we'll take our shower or…I'll make you do me right here on the counter and then we'll take our shower."

Leaning forward, Chuck gently licked Sarah's earlobe before he started nibbling on her neck. Pausing, he whispered into her ear. " Better turn on the radio…someone's gonna be screaming someone's name pretty soon."

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Carina glanced up from the game controller in her hand to find that Morgan had once again killed her and now stood triumphantly over her character. Looking to her side, she saw that her opponent was trying, with little to no success, to hide a smirk. Reaching out, she smacked him in the back of the head. Using one hand, she removed one of her ear plugs and motioned for Morgan to do the same. After thirty seconds of silence, they both sighed in relief and removed their other earplugs.

"Are they always this loud?" Carina asked, a look of curiosity and wonder on her face.

"I honestly don't know. Thanks for the ear plugs, by the way. Want to go another round" he asked, motioning towards the television screen with his controller.

"Morgan…to be honest…if a guys gonna dominate me the way you have…I usually have a lot less clothing…and a lot more fun. Maybe some other time?" Carina replied before getting to her feet and heading towards the kitchen. "More coffee?"

"Yeah…I'll be there in a minute." Getting to his feet and grabbing his cup, Morgan was half-way to the kitchen when Chuck and Sarah appeared, arm in arm, their hair still damp. "Hey guys...Carina and I were playing video games…with the sound turned up…and ear plugs…so we didn't hear…uh…anything…much"

"Smooth, Morgan" Carina said as she took a seat at the kitchen table, a smile on her face. "So Walker…are your boobs getting huge or what?"

Chuck snorted while Sarah just glared at the red head, ignoring the fact that now, Morgan, was trying his hardest, and failing miserably, to not stare at Sarah's chest. Giving up, he walked past them onto the kitchen, his eyes locked straight ahead.

"So, Chuck" he said to the cabinet in front of him. "You wanna tell me which job you want me to get started on…I'd be happy to get out of here."

"Sure Morgan" he answered as he let go of Sarah's arm and made his way into the kitchen to stand beside his friend as he filled his own coffee cup. "We've actually got two installs for you today so it should be an early day."

Sarah watched the exchange for a few moments before turning her attention to Carina. "So…you like staring at my boyfriend when he's shirtless? I'm so glad you approve of the workout plan I have him on" Sarah said as she led Carina out into the living room.

"He ratted me out?'

"No…Chuck didn't say a word…I just know you. I'll let it slide…this time. Now, I'm guessing Casey called you…what did he tell you?"

"Not much…just that you guys needed a third for some charity auction thingie…and that you wanted to talk to me about some possible future gigs."

"Listen…I'm gonna get Morgan and Chuck out of here so we can talk."

"Getting rid of any witnesses?"

"No, Carina…just getting the civilian out of the way. Some of the stuff we have to talk about is…above your current clearance level. Once I've talked to Graham and Beckman…then we can talk about something besides this 'charity auction thingie' as you called it. Ok?"

"Sure thing. I'll just grab a seat until you're ready."

"Great…oh, and one more thing…no more staring at my fiancé…are we clear on that?" Sarah asked, somehow managing to sound calm and threatening at the same time.

"Yeah…got it" she answered, suddenly finding something fascinating on a bookshelf on the far side of the room. She remained 'studying' the titles of a couple dozen books until Chuck and Morgan had finally exited the apartment. After the door closed, Carina actually breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to find Sarah watching her from her seat at the kitchen table. Walking over, she pulled out a chair and took a seat.

"So…Walker…your ass is getting bigger too."

A knife suddenly appeared in Sarah's hand and she proceeded to use it to peel an apple she picked up from the bowl in the center if the table, never once making eye contact with the agent on the other side of the table. "Perhaps you might want to reconsider how you word your 'compliments'…at least until this whole pregnancy 'thing' is over and done. Of course, after that, you'll be so busy thinking up nice things to say about the twins and how quickly I'm getting back into shape, that you won't have time to say…or do, anything stupid…right?"

"Crap, Walker…Casey's right…you have gotten scarier. Hormones, right?"

"That's what my future sister-in-law tells me…but I have to believe…even after I've given birth…I won't like you staring at Chuck's ass…or any other part for that matter. Now, I'm gonna make a quick call and after that…well, then, you and I are gonna have a long talk about how you're going to keep my baby's daddy safe…understood?' Sarah finished and smiled as Carina watched her finish peeling the apple, keeping an eye on the knife in her hands.

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As she had expected, Director Graham and General Beckman agreed to push through the upgrade in Carina's security clearance, also promising to expedite her transfer from the DEA to Team Intersect…until such time as she was no longer needed. Sarah then spent a couple of hours bringing the 'Team's' newest member up to speed on Chuck, and the Intersect. The conversation was sprinkled, liberally, with Sarah's promises of extensive bodily harm if anything where to happen to Chuck…again.

Carina was shocked, to say the least. Of course she, like just about any other intelligence operative, had heard the rumors about a 'super spy-type computer' but the rumors were just that, rumors. Most of what she'd heard she'd written off as new recruits making wild 'sci-fi' shit up and older agents not bothering to tell the 'newbs' just how crazy, and wrong, they were. As she sat at the table, she now knew that the crazy stories hadn't been crazy enough. She was now part of the team that included the human being who'd downloaded, and could sometimes recall, all of the governments secrets. That certainly explained why Chuck was considered such an amazingly important asset…but it didn't explain why Sarah Walker…someone she'd gone through basic training with and who she knew to be one of the best in the 'business', had gone 'cuckoo for cocoa puffs' over said asset. Sure, he was cute…and, thanks to Sarah and Casey's physical training, was becoming much more…well, 'hunkier', she told herself…but that still didn't explain the change in Sarah. Her curiosity getting the better, she decided she'd just ask.

"So, Sarah…I get the whole 'Intersect' thing…and why both you and Casey are 'taking care' of him…but what is it about Chuck that's got you engaged…and preggers?" she asked as she readied herself in case 'psycho Sarah' suddenly appeared. Having one's nose broken…twice…usually left one with a healthy respect for the 'breaker's' abilities. Sarah didn't move. She saw a small smile appear on her face as she appeared to be thinking of an answer. Minutes later, Sarah still hadn't spoken so Carina reached across the table and gently placed a hand on her arm and watched as Sarah's eyes seemed to come back into focus.

"I honestly don't have a clue. There is no 'one thing', Carina. There's so many little things but I couldn't begin to list them all for you…and I wouldn't try. Ever since I met him, it's been like a slow motion explosion…and he and I are caught right in the middle of it. I don't know what causes it…I just know I want to spend the rest of my life, caught up in it, with him. Now, we're bringing two brand new lives to join us…and if we can show them the same love we show each other…well, they'll be the luckiest kids in the world…sappy, huh?"

"Oh, definitely, sickeningly sweet. If you don't mind…if anyone asks me, I'll just tell them that he's hypnotized you with his ability to recall…and use to devastating effect…every page in the Kama Sutra…unless they're cuter than you…in which case I'll just tell'em to mind their own frakkin business."

"Perfect" Sarah replied with a smile. "Now, how about you give me a hand getting some food together for tonight. I'll call Casey and we can all have a little mission briefing with lasagna."

"Sarah…you're learning how to cook? He really must be 'devastatingly good' if he's got you cooking…hell, if I remember correctly, you once burned water trying to make ramen noodles…"

"I did not burn water…just everything else in the general vicinity…and yeah, he is…"

"Tell me more…" Carina said with a laugh.

"Well…remember that guy from training…the one you swore made you pass out from pleasure?"

"Yes…that's one memory that's kept me warm on more that a few cold nights."

"Well…you will never repeat this…understood?'

"Repeat what?" Carina asked with a smile.

"Well. After hearing you brag about him, when he asked me out, I said yes. Now don't go getting pissed off…this was months later…anyway, as good as he was…being with Chuck?…that agent couldn't hold a candle to my future husband…and that's all I'm going to tell you."

Carina smiled as she looked into her friend's eyes, secretly envious of the truth she saw reflected there. Whatever Chuck and Sarah shared, she hoped that someday she'd find something close because she'd never seen such happiness in anyone's eyes. "Alright…what can I do to help…besides actual cooking, that is."

Sarah turned around and pulled a pen and a notepad from a drawer. A minute later she put a list into Carina's hand. "There's a market a few blocks away…make sure you get everything on this list. When you get back, I'll show you what Ellie showed me. We'll have fun and I promise not to burn anything. Oh, wait a minute…I'm in the mood for olives…pick up a bottle…actually, make it two."

"Sarah…you hate olives…you've always hated olives…you once threatened to maim an old boyfriend of mine when he tried to eat olives at the same table as you…he still has that scar where you pinned his hand to the table with a fork."

"That's all true…but I've learned to never argue with the twins.." she said as she placed her hands on her stomach, a strange smile on her face. "Oh…and get a loaf of banana bread as well…something tells me that olives and banana bread…"

"Please, Sarah…not another word. I'm outta here…be back soon…"

she said with a shudder before bolting for the door.

'Good thing I didn't mention the pickled herrings' she said to herself as she started to gather up all the pots and pans she'd need once Carina got back.

A/N: Please review…thanks oodles. No, really…I'd appreciate it.