A/N: Life is crazy here in 2020, and it seems everyone wants an escape. Every time I ask what should I write, this fic is what I hear about. I have through chapter 10 written, my beta is working hard, so there is more coming, have no fear. Last we left our heroes, they were on a date…the date continues. I'm pretty proud of this date, I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

"Brave choice; a personal pizza, after cheesecake, salad, and breadsticks," Sarah said, as she watched him happily chewing. Chuck was grinning at her. "What?"

"Can I say it's nice," Chuck told her. She gave him a look. "Listen, do you know… no, scratch that, I haven't been on that many dates," he groused.

She laughed at him. "Go ahead, I want to hear this."

"Your food," he said, pointing toward it. "You're actually eating. Like, legitimately eating. You got the Tour of Italy. Most women that I've been out with would have stopped after the salad."

"I have no time for that bullshit ridiculousness," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "I mean, I honestly like lasagna, chicken parmesan, spaghetti, and manicotti."

"Go on," he said, loving the roll she was on.

"Not only are all four good, but it's freaking practical," she continued, grinning at him. "It was two dollars more to get this, than one of these as an entree by itself."

"Preach," he said, goading her on.

"Plus, I'm paying, so if I want to treat myself, I'm gonna treat myself," she finished.

"I would hope that if I were buying, you'd do the same," Chuck said softly.

"Well, next time we go out, and I see something I want on the menu, I will buy it, even if you're paying," she told him. There was silence, as it dawned on both what she had said.

"How do we want to play this?" Chuck asked, confusing her. "Are we gonna take the low hanging sexual innuendo, that I hope I'm the something you see on the menu that you want?" Sarah sputtered laughter. "Or, are we going with the fact you basically said you want to go out with me again, and I'm down with that."

She studied him a second, brought her right elbow up, placed it on the table, and pointed at him. "I see what you did right there."

"I did what where?" Chuck asked.

"Instead of letting me wallow in my own embarrassment, you did two things," she pointed out.

"Oh, I did?" he asked, grinning at her, taking a bite of his pizza and clearly enjoying the banter.

"One, you tried to make a joke to make me feel better," she began.

"Tried?" Chuck asked.

"Tried," Sarah replied, grinning at him. "Two," she said, as she reached her hand across the table and took his empty one. "You low-key asked me out with that statement, and the answer is yes, Chuck."

"You sure you want to answer that now?" he questioned. "I'm only asking, because there is every chance I could make a mess out of this one before I am done. It is still early."

She shook her head. "I'm pretty sure there is nothing that you could actually do that would make me not go out with you."

"Interesting choice of words," Chuck pointed out. "You being a doctor of psychology and all, I'm sure you said exactly what you meant."

"And what exactly did I mean?" she asked, not letting go of his hand, while reaching with her other for her drink. "If you think you really know, and aren't just fishing, that is."

"Okay, so we're doing this, huh?" She shrugged. "You said nothing I could actually do." She grinned. "So, you admit there are things that could be done – or said – that might make you not go out with me again." She nodded. "But you don't think I'm capable of doing those things."

"It's not in your nature," Sarah told him. "You could tell me I'm ugly, smelled funny, and didn't want to be around me."

"But those would all be lies; in fact, the exact opposite of the truth," Chuck told her.

"So, you like the way I smell?" she asked.

"Safe pick of the three choices," he replied. She held his gaze.

"You think I'm pretty?" she asked softly.

Chuck shook his head. "No, I think you're breathtakingly gorgeous," he replied, as he watched her have a hitch in her breathing. "And I find I really enjoy being around you; to the point I don't know how I functioned before I met you, and we've only just been to dinner." Sarah just stared at him. "Maybe you were wrong, maybe I said too much." He went to pull his hand away from hers when she tightened her grip on it.

"No," she said just above a whisper. "You didn't say too much. It's just no one has ever said that to me before."

"Then you've been dating idiots," Chuck blurted out. "Sorry, I shouldn't disparage other-"

"I have," she said, holding his gaze. "But I'm done with those."

}o{

The two walked down the street, holding hands, and just enjoying each other's company. "I know some music," Sarah said. "I would find something I like and listen to it, on repeat, while working."

"Okay, I can work with that," Chuck told her, grinning. "Hey," he said, stopping on top of a bridge and looking off into the distance at the skyline. She followed his gaze. "Listen, about earlier… you don't have to feel like you have to go out with me again-"

"But I do feel like I have to go out with you again," Sarah said, shrugging. "Sorry, that's how I feel."

"God, I am so good with that," Chuck told her. "This is nuts, right?"

"What, the way we're clicking?" she asked. "Or are you looking for a reason for that straightjacket?"

"I have so many reasons for needing a straightjacket," Chuck said with a straight face. His sincerity made Sarah twist her lips and look away. "But this… us… it's not just me?"

"No," Sarah said. "But, you promised me dancing, and the beach, mister. And I still get ice cream."

"You get all the ice cream," Chuck told her. "Come on, there's a place I know to go dance. Just don't slide down the banister."

"Got it. Safety issues?"

"What? No," Chuck replied. "It's my rail to slide down, and we aren't there yet," he told her, making her laugh.

}o{

True to form, Chuck slid down the rail, making Sarah laugh again. He introduced her to the bartender, paid for her drink along with his, and found them a spot to sit to listen to the indie band. She began to sway to the music, and after a little bit, she took his hand and led him to the dance floor. The two danced, lost in each other. The band took a break, and a pop song was played on the radio: Carly Rae Jepsen.

The two continued to dance, barely breaking eye contact, moving closer and closer to each other. The beat was up-tempo, but when the chorus hit, Sarah found herself in Chuck's arms, the two staring at each other.

That's why we got to hold on, baby

We could believe that this love isn't crazy

This loving could save me

This love isn't crazy (This love, it isn't crazy)

Her arms went around his neck, his around her back, the two slowly swaying together. He tried, honestly, to keep a respectable distance between them, but gave up as she grinned and moved closer.

You gotta stand where (Stand where) I stand

Who could believe that you're holding my hand now?

This loving could save me

This love isn't crazy (This love isn't crazy)

She leaned up, her lips touched his… and then someone behind them crashed into them on the crowded dance floor. Chuck spun around to make sure they were okay, and when he turned back, the moment was gone.

"Let's get out of here," Sarah said softly. Chuck nodded, and the two made their way out of the club.

}o{

Chuck plopped down beside Sarah at his spot on the beach, handing her ice cream. "Rocky Road, two scoops."

"Two?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide.

"What can I say, I like to treat my girl," he said. His eyes widened. "Not-not that I have any ownership of you, or that we are dating exclusively or… Jesus, I'm gonna shut up before I stick my other leg in my mouth."

Sarah took a bite of her ice cream, a grin on her face. "You think of me as your girl?" she asked, clearly enjoying herself.

"I do not," Chuck said. "I think if I were honest, part of me wishes you were, even if you have a deep dark past as a serial killer. A cannibal clown. An ex-CIA assassin sent to watch me because of computer secrets I downloaded from a friend on my birthday."

"You watch too much TV," Sarah said, taking another bite.

"You laugh, but that show would be amazing," Chuck responded. She looked at him. "No, you're right," he said, making her laugh. "Yeah, in this moment, I think that I do, I think of you as my girl. And that's probably inappropriately forward, and not cool, and-"

She reached across, cupping his cheek furthest away from her, turning his mouth towards her, as her lips captured his. He wisely quit talking, afraid he would squeal… plus it was bad form to talk while someone was kissing you. She pulled away. "Hmmm," she hummed, as if trying to decide something.

"God, tell me it wasn't like kissing your brother," Chuck told her.

"Don't know," she replied shrugging, taking a bite of ice cream. "I don't have a brother, but if I did, I'd hope he wouldn't use that much tongue." Chuck barked a laugh. "So?" she asked.

"I have no brothers, so I couldn't tell you," Chuck replied, looking straight ahead. She shoulder-bumped him, both chuckling. "We're going to have to be very professional together at work."

"So very professional," Chuck told her. They sat quietly, watching the moon reflect off the ocean, listening to the crashing waves, and just being comfortable near each other. "You know," he began softly, "I know I live a very privileged life." Sarah turned her head, watching him as he spoke.

"And I get that a lot of people would love to have the job I had, the life I had. And I have made things harder on myself, in some respects."

"You have," Sarah concurred.

"But, I felt used… discarded," Chuck said, going on. "I was always doing what everyone else thought I should, what they thought I was good at, and I just felt like an old coat you shoved in the back of the closet, only pulled out when you need it." Chuck was silent. "This is ridiculous."

"Chuck, it's not," Sarah told him. "It's what you feel, and you get to feel what you feel."

He looked at her. "You're the first person that I feel like has ever seen me, and knows I have more worth, professionally, than a seasonal coat. That I have so many things I can do, so many different things I am good at. Thank you."

She gave him a warm smile. "Out of curiosity, is that something a girlfriend should do for her boyfriend?" Chuck grinned at her. "I ask, because I was once told I was the worst girlfriend ever. In the history of the world."

"Wow, that covers a lot of territory," Chuck told her. She bumped him again, grinning at him. "What if you were, though, for him?" She thought about that for a moment and Chuck sat there quietly.

"It's like you doing the job you were doing," Sarah said. Chuck nodded, watching her get it. "You could do the job, you just didn't enjoy it, and it's not what you wanted."

"Did you just say you want me?" Chuck asked.

Sarah took another bite of ice cream and shrugged, not answering him, her eyes sparkling.

}o{

A few hours later, Chuck pulled up in front of her house.

"Well, this is me," Sarah said. She turned to him, leaned over, and kissed him soundly. "I don't want this to end."

"Me either," Chuck told her. The smile on Sarah's face fell, and she looked irritated. "Orrrrr, I'm glad it's over?"

"Chuck, no," she said, laying her hand on his arm. "It's my sister, and her shit." A grin crossed her face. "How do you feel about coming in for a bit?" A look of panic crossed Chuck's face.

}o{

Sarah led him into the basement section of the house. "Wow, this is nice… basically, you two have your own apartments," Chuck said.

"What the hell?" Molly asked, sitting on the couch. "I could have naked."

"Why would you be sitting on the couch naked?" Sarah asked. "Seriously, what is a good reason for you to be sitting on the couch without any clothes on?"

"Why does it have to be a good reason?" Molly retorted. Sarah rolled her eyes. Molly shook her head and tsk-ed. "So, he wasn't any good, huh?"

Sarah spun toward Molly, and Chuck stepped in between Sarah and Molly. "While I do appreciate it, I don't need you to defend my honor," he smiled down at Sarah. "I'm a big boy."

"Maybe I like defending your honor," Sarah told him in a low voice, a smile on her face. "Maybe I don't like anyone saying things about my…" she looked over at Molly and then back to Chuck. She started to open her mouth when his finger went to her lips.

"I have a good idea what I think you're about to say," Chuck said, grinning. "I'm going to say this, and go: I have no problem with your saying what I think you're about to say, but please, for me, only say it because you believe it… not to get back at your sister. Okay?" She grinned and nodded. Chuck removed his finger and leaned in to gently kiss her. She flung her arms around his neck, Molly's eyes going wide watching the two.

"Get it Sarah," Molly muttered appreciatively.

Chuck pulled away from her. "I need to go, I have a client in the morning. Would it be okay if I called you after work?"

"I think that would be wonderful," Sarah told him. He gave her a peck on the lips, dodging her outstretched arms that tried to pull him in.

He turned to Molly. "Good night, Molly," Chuck said, and then he turned and walked to the door. He paused and spun, looking toward Sarah. "Thank you, for the best date I have been on in my life. Good night, sweet dreams."

"They will be if they're of you," she blurted out. Chuck winked at her, turned and left.

"Holy shit, sis!" Molly said, looking at Sarah. "Holy shit!"

Sarah walked toward her bedroom, a silly smile on her face. "What can I say, when you're good, you're good." And with that, she went inside her bedroom, leaving Molly alone, stunned.

}o{

The next morning, Molly headed upstairs for breakfast, quiet. She had heard Sarah up that morning, which was not unusual. Sarah did get up early, because she liked to have the morning to herself to contemplate the previous day's activities. Molly often wondered would Sarah have done that, if she lived a different life.

From the time Molly was young, she recognized what her sister was; special. To find she was such a rare personality type wasn't surprising to Molly. The fact of two percent of the population being this type, and only .8 percent of women, didn't surprise Molly either.

For someone to take the time to think about the previous day, how it had affected her… Molly shook her head, and really wondered had Jack headed down another path in life, how it would have affected Sarah. How would she deal with being a con-man's daughter? Would she still get up early, and think about the previous day, and how those actions were going to affect the upcoming one? Or would she sleep late, avoiding the thoughts in her head… the dissection of life's previous events. Would she dwell?

Molly knew the answer to that one.

Molly knew Sarah saw her as a pest sometimes, but Molly was calculating in her peskiness. She gave Sarah small shoves. Sarah didn't like surprises, anything unexpected; no INTJ does. INTJs are ambitious, curious, but at the same time, private and focused. They concentrate on a task, but also have moments of wonder that would rival any dreamer.

Molly came upstairs to find her sister sitting at the breakfast table. The happiness radiating off Sarah was noted by everyone. The smiles on Jack and Emma's faces made Molly's heart soar. They worried about Sarah, about her being alone, lost in her work, lost in herself, sometimes.

Not that Sarah couldn't have fun. Molly knew there were many times when the four agreed to go out, no guys, and Sarah could and would dance Molly, Zondra, and Carina under the table. Molly was glad to be part of the squad, but she knew she was the outsider. The other three had met in middle school… well, there were four, then. Amy had been a member, but in high school she had stolen Sarah's boyfriend, getting ostracized from the group.

"Hey, I'm glad you had a good time last night," Molly told Sarah, earning her looks from her parents. "I'm sorry about what I did beforehand. I was just trying to get you to loosen up."

"I get that you were trying to help," Sarah began.

"Did you tell him about it?" Molly asked, a smile on her face.

"I did," Sarah said, shocking Molly. Molly never thought Sarah would share that prank with Chuck. What was going on? "And do you know what he said?" Molly shook her head. "He stuck his foot in his mouth, trying to make me feel at ease."

"Okay, but he did make a comment about using them, right?" Molly asked. Sarah shook her head, making Molly sit back in her chair, her brow furrowed.

"Can we not talk about condoms and sex at the breakfast table?" Jack asked.

"Got it, Dad," Sarah replied. "No condoms when we talk about sex at breakfast," Sarah said, watching her father nearly choke on his orange juice. She got up, kissed him on the forehead, and headed for the stairs. "I'm gonna grab my stuff and head to the office. I have some ideas of things I'd like to do."

"What's got into her?" Jack asked. He looked at Molly. "Do not even say it." Molly didn't say anything. "Hey, he's a good guy."

"No one is that good," Molly said softly. "I know, I know, she can take care of herself, but Dad, if someone breaks her heart now…"

"Then we have to be there for her, to pick her up, and help her put the pieces back together," Jack told her. "Which reminds me, I have some forms for Charlie to sign."

"I'll take them to him," Molly said. Jack gave her a look. "What, I can't do my job?"

"She's happy with him," Jack told Molly.

"Dad, I promise you I will not make a pass at him or anything like that, okay?" Jack studied her for a minute, sighed, and nodded. "Great… you have his address?"

}o{

Chuck was sitting in his apartment, typing on the computer, finishing all the required paperwork. "I clearly didn't think this through," he muttered. "It's gonna take weeks for all of this to process."

"You do still have your Orion stock, available for you to sell for living expenses," C3PO reminded him.

"Am I in that bad of shape, financially?" Chuck asked.

"Master Chuck, I have your finances figured for the next year, and have even given you a budget for comic books and video games. You have enough money to get by for the next twelve months. After that…" the voice trailed off.

"That's more than enough time to get this off the ground," Chuck told the computer. "Is that the last form?"

"It is," C3PO chirped. There was a knock on the door. Chuck got up, walked over, and opened the door.

"Molly," Chuck said, as she walked in, pushing by him. "Please come in."

"Okay, buddy, playtime is over. You and I need to have a long discussion about my sister, and whatever your intentions are for her. Because I promise you something, Bub… you hurt her, and I'll rip your nuts off, and feed them to you for lunch."

"My word," C3PO said. "Powering down sir."

"Fine," Chuck said, his eyes wide. Shutting the door, he turned to her. "Apparently, we need to have a talk."

Molly nodded.

A/N: If you haven't guessed, I use a lot of personality trait info in my job trying to help students decide what they should do in their careers. This deep dive is kinda fun for me. I hope I'm not boring you or losing you. Next time. Molly vs Chuck. Wanna peak?

Chuck stood. "I understand exactly how serious it is."

"I don't think you do," Molly said, frustrated. "I think she's falling in love with you."

"Huh," Chuck replied. "Well, that is unexpected."

"You gonna bolt?" she asked, but it sounded more like an accusation than a question.

He looked Molly in the eye. "Why would I bolt if the woman I'm falling in love with is falling in love with me?" Molly blinked.

*sips tea*