A/N: Okay, so you guys got lucky! Turns out I found some gap time between workloads to write this up. I also just wanted to say; a friend of mine was watching the Chuck season finale clip and I felt a renewed feeling….well, a few feelings. Some nostalgia, but mostly dissatisfaction at that depressing ending. So I just felt like venting with some (hopefully) sympathetic ears. Back to our story: things are going to get a little fast now that Jill's in the picture. Here we go:

Chapter Ten: Cocktails and Cover Dates

Sarah Walker wasn't new to dating, but romance was a completely different level, and she could admit that Chuck was perhaps the first person that had "swept her off her feet". She wasn't just attracted to him, (though there was plenty of that), her thoughts were constantly of him, and anything to do with him. Luckily though, he hadn't left her side since last night, and she wasn't sure how they could get their acts together and show up for the meeting instead of fooling around. Despite the incredible lack of sleep…and less than peaceful shower…she felt energized, happy. She hadn't been like this in a long time.

Maybe Carina was right. Maybe the "ice queen" was melting.

The two somehow managed to get dressed, grinning or teasing the entire time. They were unable to conceal the happiness they both felt.

Finally, Sarah reached for the handle of her door. She felt Chuck's arms wrap around her, followed by the faint scent of his cologne. She leaned back into him, closing her eyes for a second.

"When you open that door….we'll have to stop." Chuck reminded, as Sarah took in his very essence and feel. She didn't want to leave either. And Sarah Walker was never late for work.

"Says who?" She smirked. "I do have an office."

"But that wouldn't be professional, Ms. Walker." Chuck teased, giving her chills.

"Well Mr. Carmichael…." She began, turning to meet his lips, about to kiss him when her cell phone buzzed. Sighing, she glanced at it in her right hand. It was a text from Carina, telling her to "hurry the hell up".

"Duty calls." Chuck grinned, stealing a quick peck before opening the door for her.

-0-

Upon arriving at the building, Chuck and Sarah split for a few minutes, each going to their respective offices. Carina nearly bulldozed Sarah into the office, shutting the door with lightning fast reflexes behind her.

"I need details, Walker."

Sarah rose a brow, dropping her purse on the chair. "Good morning to you too, Carina."

"I'm sure it was." Carina smirked, yanking her best friend down on the chair facing her. "Now spill."

"About what?" Sarah began. "The date was romantic, we talked about our-"

"Yeah yeah save it." Carina rolled her eyes. "How was he?"

Sarah flushed immediately, averting her gaze.

"Walker….."

"Fine." Sarah rolled her eyes. "It was amazing. Happy?"

"Really now….." Carina drawled, smirking. "Your very best?

"What? Yes. Can we not….."

"So the geeks packing between the sheets…." Carina mused. "Mind if I have a go?"

Sarah's glare was a reply itself. "He would."

"Aw….come on." Carina rolled her eyes. "So he's a keeper?"

Sarah gushed just a little. "Carina. I've never had such strong feelings in my life."

Carina knew exactly what she meant, but nodded. It was too early to say anything. "Well….our meeting is….now." she rose, extending her hand to her best friend. Fun was just getting started.

-0-

"So, Chuck here has an inside connection with one Jill Roberts." Jack announced, and the team watched as the screen filled with an attractive brunette who was holding some sort of award, smiling.

Chuck simply glanced away, while Sarah huffed out. Her view on this had changed even more since last night….now it was a completely different dynamic. Long story short: she didn't want any other skank on her Chuck.

Bryce whistled. "Bartowski, you were a player."

"No….no definitely not." Chuck corrected awkwardly.

"Anyway…."Jack could care less, especially because he was largely unaware of his daughter's relationship with the kid. "Chuck will be an old flame. She frequents the Starbucks on Carol Street. It's part of her routine…Chuck here will sweep her off her feet."

Sarah held back an eye roll. How ironic that it was the exact same god damn wording she'd used earlier.

"Then what?" Casey grunted. "The kid gets a date with her…" he smirked. He wasn't completely unaware of his relationship with Walker. "Maybe a little panty dropping…"

Sarah choked on her coffee.

"But what's his main objective?" Casey finished, quite pleased with himself.

"Well, there's supposed to be Fulcrum's annual gathering in a week. It's formal and Doctor Roberts here is single, so our biggest shot is getting Chuck to escort her as a date." Jack decided. "I mean…look at that smile."

Chuck however, was about two seconds away from squealing in terror. A relationship with Jill, fake or real, was bad news.

"Another party?" Hannah sighed aloud for the first time.

"hey, beats getting shot at." Bryce remarked.

"It's how Fulcrum does its networking, for new recruits." Jack replied steadily. "Chuck, kid, you start tomorrow. She will walk through those doors at approximately eight forty-five."

Chuck nodded. He wasn't sure how to do this, but for Sarah, for her team, he'd risk life and limb.

"Well….then better scram, kids." Jack announced, watching them all rise and leave.

-0-

About an hour after the meeting, Chuck casually made his way to Sarah's office, shutting the door behind him. "Hey…" he began wearily.

"Hey…" Sarah rose, meeting him halfway.

The first thing Chuck did was pull her to him, arms wrapping around her as he placed a sweet kiss on her lips. When the two finally pulled apart, Sarah was slightly short of breath. "What was that for?" she asked lightly.

"I just missed you." Chuck replied, watching her smile.

"Well….I'd better enjoy this while I can." Sarah sighed, thinking of how he'd be with Jill at this hour tomorrow.

"Hey…."Chuck fell back into a seat, watching his girlfriend do the same. "I'll be thinking of you the whole time anyway…"

"No Chuck…"Sarah gave him a half smile. "You won't just be you, tomorrow. You'll be Charles Bartowski. Only difference is; you'll be an entrepreneur. An investor and video game fanatic."

"What?" Chuck raised a brow. "Is that my cover?"

"Yes." Sarah nodded. "And it means you won't have to report to work, or explain your abundance of money…."

"My what?" Chuck couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Chuck…" Sarah began slowly. "We have to allow you a budget to spend on wooing her….it's top priority romance." The words coming from her were bittersweet.

"I'd really rather shower you with impressive gifts and affection…" Chuck pointed out with a sigh.

"Chuck, there's nothing I'd rather do more than take you back to my room right as we speak, but I guess national security matters these days."

Chuck gave her the Bartowski smile, which made her heart rush.

"Well…." Chuck started. "It'll be Jill by day, and the gorgeous, mysterious Sarah Walker by night."

"If you're lucky…." She teased.

"That's if you don't move on to Shaw…." Chuck pouted, which Sarah couldn't resist.

She rose coming to sit on his lap seductively, sensing the change in him immediately. "Somebody's jealous…" she smirked, arms falling around his neck seductively.

"Sarah Walker, I could search the earth in its entirety and never find a woman as perfect as you." Chuck reminded.

Flattered, Sarah turned red in the cheeks.

"All the more reason to be jealous…" Chuck smirked, hands sliding up her leg as their lips met. Sarah felt her heart throb as did Chuck, the two finding it harder and harder to breathe.

The sudden arrival of Carina through the door caused Sarah to leap backwards, managing to land gracefully on her heels as usual.

"Whoa there…" Carina's brows were raised. "Nice….but in the workplace?"

"We weren't-"

"Maybe you would've." Carina seemed persistent, if nothing else. "Had I not been here to so conveniently stop you."

"What do you want?" Sarah demanded, annoyed.

"Ease up there, boss." Carina rolled her eyes, not at all threatened by Sarah. "Just doing my job."

"And that is?"

"I'm just informing you that…..I got bored and I enjoy bothering you." She absolutely adored bothering the two of them. "So when will you be going public?"

"Soon enough….after this Roberts girl gets taken care of."

"As in….caught. Humanely." Chuck added.

Carina saw her quick flash of opportunity to "strike" as she pleased. "Why not killed?" she asked, watching Sarah's demeanor change. "I mean, that's our expertise, right?"

"No." Sarah interrupted. "It's not. Productivity is."

"Oh please, that's such a corporate answer." Carina rolled her eyes, flopping nonchalantly in Sarah's desk chair. "Now…you still have feelings for this girl?"

"Wh…what?" Chuck seemed taken aback. "No way…"

"Good, Chucky. You know what?" She seemed to remember something suddenly. "Walker may be blinded by puppy love-" At which point Sarah gave her an eye roll. "-But I'll be able to see right through you if you try something. Remember….she kills for a living."

"And that's enough out of you, Carina." Sarah shook her head. What a great way to get her boyfriend up to date. "You're not exactly helping."

Carina shrugged. "I enjoy making things awkward."

Bryce knocked on the door, which Carina opened reluctantly. "What?"

Bryce rolled his eyes. "I'm here to talk to the people. Down girl."

"So funny Larkin, why don't you go tell your boyfriend about it."

"Hey!" Sarah brought them back to reality. "….Stop flirting." She added with a grin that only Chuck caught.

After a series of nasty remarks, the two settled. "What are you here for anyway, Bryce?" Sarah finally asked.

"Just here to give Chuck the 'courting 101' lesson." He grinned.

"Oh…I'm uh….solid as a rock in that department." Chuck shrugged it off.

"And who made you the king of romance?" It was a tiny stab, coming from Sarah. But Carina grinned and jumped for it.

"Yeah Larkin." Carina snapped. "Who made you Romeo?"

"Both of you shut up." Sarah demanded, trying not to smile at Chuck's laughter. The group hadn't been so loose and free in a long time…Chuck was really changing the atmosphere. Just two months ago, she was the "queen bitch" as they so nicely put it. "If both of you are so great….kiss her."

The other three had their eyebrows raised, as Chuck nearly fell over in his chair.

"Huh?" Bryce looked dumbfounded. "her?"

"him?" Carina demanded.

"Wow….I guess you're really not the man, Bryce…" Chuck started. Sarah knew how well he could manipulate Bryce. She hid her smile.

"Huh?" Bryce repeated, standing and pulling Carina up. "I'm not chickening out…"

"Neither am I…" Carina challenged.

And then it happened. The two met in a fiery kiss, one that started out for show, and then quickly turned into something more. Sarah's jaw dropped, mirroring Chuck's. Then the two smart asses pulled away unsurely, breaking away from any eye contact.

"What's that?" Carina called. "Coming!" She turned on her heel and left.

Bryce didn't even come up with an excuse as he darted away.

Chuck turned to Sarah, smiling. "Oh, you're evil. Was that payback?"

"And a little something extra." She grinned.

A/N: Short one, but more coming, hopefully in about 2 to 3 days' time! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed….it was awkward to me….but ah well. Jealous Chuck is coming…trust. Please leave a review as it speeds up the process. Thanks a million for reading and reviewing and as always, have a great one guys.

-LLC