A/N: Been a while…I know, I know…hope this was worth the wait…and if not, hopefully at least worth reading. Let me know. Big shout out to DocinOz who contributed a chapter to the Sarah Walker : Broken Beyond Repair challenge...if you haven't had the chance to read it...now's the perfect time...it's ok, this will be here when you get back...thanks to all of you who offered ideas for me and my blockage...it really means a lot...it's still there but maybe this will help me push through it...have to wait and see. JT

Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer - Chapter 30

Sarah was instantly awake, the familiar vibrations of her husband's voice as he sang to the twins filling her with a sense of completeness that left her smiling. Listening intently, she found herself drawn into the narrative that Chuck was spinning for their unborn children, the 'song' recapping the previous day, and night, of their honeymoon. She'd been there of course, enjoying their time together, but loved re-living the events thanks to the beautiful voice that serenaded them.

They had been shut away from the world for almost ten days, spending their time doing as little as possible. The small home that overlooked a beautiful but very secluded stretch of California coast had been a last minute destination for them. Originally, they'd planned to spend their 'vacation' at a small bed and breakfast in Napa Valley but a small envelope left with the rest of their wedding gifts had changed their plans.

Sarah had been sitting on her husband's lap as they took the time to open all of the gifts that they'd been given when an envelope had fallen from the pages of a book of love poems that had been given to them, anonymously. After exchanging puzzled looks, Sarah had opened the unmarked package, pulling out a thin packet of papers and unfolding them. After reading the top page, she'd gasped and then turned to look into Chuck's eyes, a look of shock on her face.

"You better read this" she said, handing the sheaf of papers I n her hand to the man who's lap she was currently occupying. She watched as her husband's eyes grew wide with surprise when he'd realized what he was holding in his hands.

"Holy sh…shoot" Chuck had whispered, catching himself at the last moment before he could utter one of the words Sarah had put on her 'list' of things she didn't want them saying around the their unborn children. They'd both heard Ellie laugh at them, assuring them that despite the fact that eardrums developed at three months, swearing posed absolutely no possibility of being remembered. That in fact, words in general meant nothing but vocal tones could have an effect on the unborn so they shouldn't yell, keeping their discussion 'happy and upbeat'.

Chuck had laughed when he'd been presented with the 'list' but quickly agreed to do his best when Sarah had glared at him and mentioned the couch as a possible sleeping place if he went to the 'list'. Deciding that reminding Sarah that she swore with much greater frequency than he did and that she wouldn't be able to sleep without him wouldn't be the best idea, he simply promised to do his best to curtail his bad language.

Looking up from the papers in his hand, he stared into the blue eyes that always brought a smile to his heart, sure that the shock he saw there was a perfect reflection of the look in his own.

"How?" he managed to get out.

"I don't know. Maybe it was seized in some legal action?" Sarah offered.

"But why would our 'Aunt and Uncle' give us what must surely be worth quite a bit of money?" Chuck had asked before looking back down at the deed in his hands.

"Don't you know that you should never look a gift horse in the mouth?" Casey's voice had asked, making them both look up to find both of their partners standing in front of them.

"Plus, it'll be a great place for a honeymoon" Carina had added with a wink. "There's no neighbors within miles and we'll be able to keep an eye on you without being intrusive. And I'll be able to do some nude sunbathing…whenever I'm not watching Chuckles, that is."

"What?" they'd both blurted out at almost the same time.

"You didn't seriously think that you'd be going somewhere without someone there to keep an eye on you?" Casey had asked after taking a quick look around to make sure there were no ears close enough to overhear something that they shouldn't.

"So, we won't be alone…for our honeymoon?" Sarah had asked, suddenly looking less than pleased, "and you will not be doing any nude sunbathing around my husband or you'll be finding out just how close the nearest hospital is."

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, Walker" Casey had replied, ignoring the glare that was shot his way when he failed to address her by her new last name. We'll be staying at a residence that's about a mile away, just to make sure that the two of you are safe."

"Plus, Chuckles will get to run each day…on top of whatever exercise you put him through" Carina had added with a smirk and a wink. "He's really come along nicely and I'd hate for you to spend two weeks ruining all of the hard work that Casey and I have put in."

"And what makes you think we're going to cancel our plans for Napa Valley?" Sarah had asked, trying to split her 'glare of death' equally between Casey and Carina.

When neither of their partners moved to say anything, the blonde in his lap was suddenly on her feet, blindly reaching a hand behind her, obviously trying to find something on the table. Just as her hand neared a knife, Chuck moved to pull his wife back into his lap, hoping he was fast enough because the last thing he wanted was to have to explain to some paramedic how the person they were treating had ended up with a butter knife in their esophagus.

"Let me go, Chuck" Sarah had hissed at him, struggling to free herself from his arms but not putting her best effort into the action. "I'll kill 'em! I swear I'll break her nose…again!"

"Sarah, sweetheart" he'd whispered into her ear, "I know you're not happy but please put the killing on hold until we see what our wedding gift looks like…please?"

"Chuck" Sarah had almost whined but seemed to ease up on her efforts to get loose.

"Mrs. Bartowski" he'd said softly, bending in and placing a light kiss on her neck. "I don't remember it being on your 'list' but I have to imagine that killing our partners wouldn't be a good thing for them to witness…"

"Chuck, they wouldn't witness anything."

"I know that but you being so upset can't be good for them" he replied while moving a hand to gently rub her belly.

"It won't take much, Chuck" Sarah explained, almost pleading as she continued to weakly struggle against his hold on her.

"It wasn't their idea, was it?" Chuck replied, giving a pleading look to their partners, hoping that even if, by some long shot, it was their fault, they'd be smart enough to disavow any knowledge of the change to their honeymoon plans.

"No, uh, that was all the General" Casey spoke up quickly while moving to pull Carina back from the table a few steps, sure that Chuck might be able to control his Sarah but believing it would be better to ere on the side of caution.

Before anything else could happen, Morgan did something that he almost never did…he interrupted at exactly the right time, taking Carina's hand and turning to lead her towards the small area where another couple were already dancing. After turning to watch the 'odd couple' walk away, the big man turned back with a look on his face that wavered between confusion and disgust. Using the interruption as a perfect opportunity, Casey offered his quick congratulations, thanked them for the invitation and was about to leave when Sarah wobbled to her feet and moved to pull the Major into a hug.

"Thanks, Casey" she said softly and after surprising him with a quick kiss on his cheek, returned to her place on Chuck's lap.

"Are you alright?" Chuck asked, breathing a little easier now that his angel had returned to her place in his lap, glad that their wedding reception hadn't been marred with un-necessary bloodshed.

"I'll be just fine, no matter what, because I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world" Sarah answered, her brilliant blue eyes locked onto his while she leaned in to capture his lips in a searing kiss.

While she was lost remembering the kiss, Chuck finished his song and then moved to reclaim his place next to her, his head settling into the pillow they shared. His eyes had just started to close when he felt his wife move and he smiled when he realized that his wife obviously wanted some 'wake-up magic', her slow and sensuous movements as she worked her way atop him leaving no doubt that she wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer.

"Again?" Chuck asked. "Da…darn, woman, I'm not a machine" Chuck said, trying without success to give her a 'put upon' look on his face. "I need time to recharge."

"Oh really? And what's that I feel? Seems like your re-charger is working just fine" Sarah growled as she started to grind against him.

"But I have to go for my morning run."

"Well, Casey and Carina are just going to have to wait until I'm through with you" Sarah explained with a wicked smile before bending down and nibbling at the spot, directly below and slightly behind Chuck's ear, that always seemed to drive him crazy. Thrilled to feel his immediate response to her assault on his neck, she couldn't help the evil sounding chuckle that escaped her lips. "Don't worry, husband of mine, I promise not to break anything" Sarah murmured before shifting her hips slightly and moaning as she slid down onto Chuck's length. "I like this to much to ever risk breaking you…although you might feel worn out" she added before beginning to increase her pace.

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Chuck couldn't believe his eyes. He and Sarah had decided to spend a day in San Francisco before heading back to Burbank and they'd decided to have lunch at a tiny deli that they'd stumbled across. No sooner had they taken the seats that the hostess had lead them to when a voice called Chuck's name. Turning to look across the crowded room, he was shocked to find Jill Roberts making her way towards the table he and Sarah were sharing. Turning quickly, he knew right away that his wife had seen who had called his name and her hand was already inching towards the cutlery that the hostess had left after showing them to their seats.

"Sarah?" Chuck said while moving quickly to grab the hand that was almost at the butter knife.

"I'll kill her" Sarah hissed. "She hurt you Chuck, and I can't let that pass."

"But if she hadn't, I never would have found the love of my life" Chuck answered, hoping the truth would be enough to calm his obviously nearly homicidal wife.

Before Sarah could say a word, the blast from his past, without waiting for an invitation, pulled out one of the table's chairs and made herself at home.

"Chuck, it's so great to see you. I've always wondered how you were doing…" Jill said before being interrupted by a sharp, bark of laughter from the blonde who was staring daggers at the woman who'd taken the seat next to her husband…without her permission.

"Jill, this is my wife, Sarah" Chuck blurted out, hastily moving his chair as close to the blonde bundle of potential death that seemed to be waiting for some signal to launch herself at his ex, hoping he'd be able to stop any bloodletting.

"Nice to meet you" Jill told the woman, offering her hand across the table, completely unaware of how close she was to a very serious beating.

"Please, Sarah" Chuck whispered under his breath, giving Sarah his best 'puppy dog' eyes.

"Nice to meet you as well" Sarah managed to grit out, somehow resisting the urge to grind Jill's hand in hers when she took the brunette's hand. After giving the other woman's hand a quick shake, she pulled her hand back into her lap and looked to her husband, her eyes leaving no doubt that she was being 'nice' for him and that he'd be making it up to her later…probably multiple times.

After pulling her hand back, Jill turned her full attention to Chuck, speaking rapidly about 'the old days' and friends they'd had in common and what those people were up to currently. She kept talking even as Chuck and Sarah both placed their orders with their servers, rattling on about her own life, explaining how terrific she was doing and asking questions of Sarah but never giving her a chance to answer.

"Chuck, would you please be a dear and go to the bar and get me a virgin Mojito?" Sarah asked, smiling at her husband but leaving no doubt that her request was really much more than a request, in fact, it was bordering on a command.

"Excuse me, ladies" Chuck said, getting to his feet. "I'm going to get a virgin Mojito from the bar. I'll be right back." He was almost half way to the bar when her heard a loud thump and turned back to see Jill slumped over, her head resting on the table, her arms hanging lifelessly at her side. By the time he'd retraced his steps and was back at the table, Sarah had gotten to her feet and was gently shaking Jill's shoulder while calling her name.

"What happened, Sarah?" Chuck asked as he moved to stand at his ex-girlfriend's other side.

"I don't know, Chuck. She was explaining how she was your first love and how she was sorry that you'd probably never get over her when she just fell asleep. Do you know if she has history of narcolepsy?" Sarah asked with a look of innocence that immediately had Chuck couldn't help being worried about Jill and her current status when it came to things like breathing and stuff like that. Reaching down and placing his fingers against the brunettes jugular, he breathed a deep sigh of relief when he felt the steady pulse that told him that, thankfully, Sarah hadn't added to their honeymoon memories by killing his ex. Just as he was about to pull his hand back his fingers brushed against a object that jutted from the side of her neck and, before anyone could notice, he pulled the tranq dart and slipped it into his pocket, his eyes never leaving the blue eyes that watched his every move.

"What? You don't think I would just kill her?" Sarah asked, keeping her voice just above a whisper while ignoring the looks from just about everyone else in the deli. "What? Well, not with this many witness's" she admitted with a shrug, watching as their server was making her way towards their table, dragging a worried looking older man, who Sarah guessed was the manager, with her.

"Is everything ok? Should I call 911?" the fearful looking gentleman asked, his eyes moving from Sarah to an unconscious Jill to Chuck to the cel phone held in his hand.

"I think she just fainted" Sarah said, smiling at the manager in an attempt to lessen the tension that seemed to be radiating off the man. "Give her a few minutes…I'm sure she'll be just fine" Sarah added as she grabbed the strap of her purse that was hanging from the back of the chair.

"You aren't going to just leave her here, are you?" the manger asked incredulously, watching as Sarah moved to stand next to Chuck, slipping an arm through his. Before he could add anything else, the sound of Jill sliding out of her chair and landing on the floor caught his attention and when he turned back, after giving the still unconscious woman a quick look, he found the young couple heading towards the front door, the stunningly beautiful and obviously pregnant blonde dragging her companion behind her.

Feeling the eyes of the rest of the customers on him, he knelt down and put his hand around the brunette's wrist and, after finding a steady pulse, he looked up just as the front door swung closed. "What the hell?" he mumbled to himself before turning his attention back to the woman sprawled on the floor.

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"Sarah did what to Jill?" Ellie asked, standing just inside the front door of their apartment, the smile on her face threatening to split her head. "If I didn't already love her, that would have definitely done it for me."

"Please Ellie, don't encourage her" Chuck pleaded, remembering Sarah's explanation for the 'bitch incident' as she had started referring to her encounter with Jill Roberts. They'd barely left the deli when Casey and Carina came jogging up, concern mixed with humor evident on both of their faces.

"She wouldn't shut up and she was staring at Chuck's ass when he went to get me a drink" Sarah had said and then shoved past their partners, her hold on Chuck's hand tightening slightly when he attempted to slow down. "We're going home" she announced and that had been that. The ride back to Burbank had been a little quiet until Sarah had surprised him by apologizing and promising that she wouldn't tranq any other women who happened to look at his ass. Knowing his wife, he took the promise with a grain of salt and was just grateful that the rest of their trip was made in better spirits.

"I'm not encouraging her, little brother" Ellie explained while winking in Sarah's direction, making no effort to hide it from Chuck. "I think it's just terrible and I'm so sorry that it happened."

"Ha ha, very funny, El" Chuck said with a frown that he just wasn't able to hold when Sarah threw herself into his lap and started batting her eyelashes at him while she offered her sexiest pout.

"Maybe you should give me a sound spanking?" Sarah whispered into his ear, "after all, I was naughty and…"

"I'll close the door behind me" Ellie said, turning to go after seeing the look in her sister-in-law's eyes. "Supper in two hours. See you then" she added before pulling the door shut.

"C'mon, honey. I've been bad and I need you to show me the error of my ways" Sarah said, getting to her feet and, after grabbing Chuck's hand, started pulling him towards their bedroom. "We've got two hours to work up an appetite…"

A/N:2 Sorry this took so long…I'm trying. JT