A/N: Ch 9

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Sarah was typing away when her phone rang. "Sarah Walker," she answered, never looking at the caller ID.

"Isn't that Dr. Walker, if you're nasty?" the teasing voice said from the other end.

"And we both know you are nasty," Sarah quipped back. "Z, how are you?"

"I'm good, and you?"

"Fine, in fact…" she smiled. "I'm more than fine."

"Jesus Christ, did you get laid?"

Sarah stared at her phone, a bit of a pissed look on her face. "What is it with you and Molly, and my sex life?"

"So, you didn't, is what I'm hearing?" Zondra replied. She sighed. "Well, I guess I'm still gonna do this."

"Do what?" Sarah asked, confused.

"I had a cancellation at the conference," Zondra began, a teasing tilt in her voice. "Annnnnnd, I was calling to see if you're busy."

"When?" Sarah asked quickly, sitting up, hopeful.

"You'd have to fly out tomorrow, and be here all week," Zondra replied. She was smirking on the other end, waiting for the snap answer of yes that she was certain to be forthcoming. Instead, there was silence. "Sarah? You there?"

"I'm here," Sarah replied. "You see… I made plans."

"Oh, you have a client?"

"Uh, not exactly," Sarah said, wincing, and biting on her thumbnail. Why was she nervous? Why didn't she just say she had plans with Chuck, and she wanted to talk to him first?

"Sarah… do you have… a date?" Zondra asked. Silence. "Sarah, do you have a date and you're considering taking the date over… a conference?" Silence. "Sarah Lisa Walker!"

"It's not a date," she said, hurriedly. "But…" she trailed off, not sure how to explain. "I have gone on a date with him. But this is work. At an off-site location."

"This sounds like the set-up of a murder movie," Zondra muttered.

"Hey!" Sarah snapped. Zondra pulled the phone away from her face, shocked. "This guy has been shit on by his dad, then left his cushy job to do exactly what he wanted to do, risking failure. And he's still a good enough guy to help me try to understand the dynamics of his former workplace."

"But it's not a date?" Zondra asked, grinning.

"It's not. He's actually a consultant, hired by my father," Sarah replied, a bit smugly.

"Your father bought you a date?" Zondra countered.

"Shit," Sarah muttered, dropping her head into her free hand. "That's your take-away?"

"If I didn't give you hell, who would?"

"You seem to forget I have a sister who does, on a constant basis," Sarah reminded her.

"Hey, let me call you back," Zondra said, and quickly hung up. Sarah looked at her phone, shrugged, and went back to work. She was at a good stopping point and was considering what to do when her phone rang again. "Okay, first, I love you."

"So, you called my sister to check up on Chuck," Sarah said. It wasn't a question.

"Yeaaaahhhhh," Zondra admitted. "And, here's the shocker: Molly approves."

"She does?" Sarah blurted out. She shook her head. "I mean, of course she does."

"Sarah," Zondra replied but didn't say anything else. Sarah could just tell Zondra was shaking her head at her. "Listen, if this is for real, then stay."

"No," Sarah replied. "I need to talk to him about what to do."

"Out of curiosity, are you two dating?" Zondra asked.

"Yes," Sarah replied.

"And there's no one else?" Zondra asked.

"Welllll," Sarah said. "We talked about it, but we didn't exactly define it."

"Who the hell are you, and what have you done with Sarah Walker?" Zondra asked, making Sarah chuckle. "You define everything."

"We were talking about stuff, and with Chuck… you just sort of go with it," Sarah said, a little dreamily.

"Oh?" Zondra asked, her curiosity piqued. "And just how far did you go?"

"Zondra!" Sarah replied. "That is none of your business!"

"Right, you didn't get laid," Zondra retorted. Sarah started to reply but realized no matter what she said, that would go badly. "Listen, you have a ticket at the airport under your name. If you can't go…"

"I'll let you know tonight," Sarah told her.

There was silence for a moment. "You're heading there now, aren't you?" Zondra accused her, teasingly.

"Well, I'm doing it for you," Sarah replied, grinning.

"Uh-huh, keep telling yourself that, Blondie," Zondra said, and then hung up the phone.

Sarah hung up, then sat there a moment, grinning. "I mean, I'm not upset I have to go see him," she said to herself.

}o{

Morgan sat there, glaring at Chuck. "Buddy," Chuck began.

"No, no, I get it," Morgan replied, shaking his head, disappointment on his face.

"Did you want me not to do it?" Chuck asked.

"I just thought you wouldn't do it at such an unethical time," Morgan said, huffing out a breath.

"Buddy, you've done it to me, several times," Chuck reminded him.

"Trying to teach me a life lesson here, Chuck?" Morgan asked. "Pointing out how hitting someone with the red shell just before they cross the line in Mario Kart is really uncool?"

"I was just trying to win," Chuck admitted, shrugging. There was a knock on the door, causing Chuck to look up.

"I thought it was just you and me tonight," Morgan said, rising, disgust on his face.

"It is," Chuck assured him. "I don't know who that is."

"I see," Morgan said. "Well. Then you won't mind me answering," he said, already to the door. He pulled open the door, and turned. He didn't say anything, his eyes going wide.

"Vicky Vale, Vicky Vale," he muttered.

"Hi, I'm Sarah Walker, is Chuck here?" she asked.

Morgan slow turned to Chuck, mouthing That's Sarah?! and turned back to Sarah. Chuck was standing, his hand raised in a wave. "He's right there," Morgan said. "I apologize for my behavior a second ago. I wasn't expecting someone as beautiful, but I should have known my life-partner would have stolen the heart of a supermodel."

"Life… partner?" Sarah asked.

'Either member of a couple in a sexual or romantic relationship that is regarded as permanent, Miss Sarah," C3PO chirped. Chuck slammed his hand to his forehead.

"Heterosexual," Morgan clarified.

"Ohhhh," Sarah said, doing a slow nod. "I see."

"Oh, well that does make a difference," C3PO replied. "I will say, Miss Sarah, that Master Chuck's heartrate is much faster when talking or thinking about you."

"I think it's time for you to power down, C3PO," Chuck said quickly.

"Very good, Sir."

Morgan took this moment to put the focus back on the most important person in the room, from his point of view. "Yeah, I'm sure he's told you all about me." Sarah's eyes darted around, not sure how to answer. "I see," he said, turning to Chuck, disappointment back on his face. "Apparently this relationship only runs one way." Chuck shrugged helplessly.

"Actually, he told me he had time with you tonight," Sarah said, making Morgan turn back around quickly. "And I do hate to interrupt, but something has come up, and I do need to speak to him about it."

"Well, say no more," Morgan said, opening the door wider, taking her hand and leading her to the couch. "How can we help you?"

Sarah took a seat, looked at Morgan and then to Chuck, pleadingly. "Morgs, buddy," Chuck said gently.

"Right, this is a part that I'm not needed," Morgan said, heading to the door. Sarah reached out and started to say something when Chuck put his hand on Sarah's shoulder. She turned to him, and he gave a quick head shake. Morgan turned back around, somewhat dramatically. "I just ask you be careful with him. He's been hurt, and I can't put him back together again. It just hurts too much."

"I'll be very gentle with him," Sarah replied.

"But firm. If he gets out of line, a good whack to the nose, like a puppy," Morgan continued. Chuck gave Morgan a What the hell? look.

Sarah turned to Chuck. "Right… so I need to be gentle, but firm," she said, winking at him. Chuck looked away.

"Have a good night," Morgan said, shutting the door.

"So… that's Morgan," Chuck began. "I'm guessing we're breaking up now."

"Why would we break up?" Sarah asked.

"I mean… Morgan," Chuck said, gesturing toward the door. "He's right, I'm his heterosexual life-partner."

"Good," Sarah chirped. "Actually, it's interesting you say breaking up." Chuck felt his hands go sweaty. "I have no plans on it, but to break up, don't we have to be together?"

"Aren't we together?" Chuck asked. "We are, right?" Sarah twisted her lips. "Oh, God, we aren't, I just assumed-"

That's as far as he got. Sarah had stood, and pulled him into a kiss. She broke it off some time later.

"If we're not together, I am so confused."

"We are together, but I don't mind it if you're still confused," she told him, smirking, and smoothing his shirt. She let out a breath. "So, I have been offered something, but I'm afraid I'm doing you like I did my last boyfriend, and I don't want to do that to you… my boyfriend."

"I'm sorry, would you say that again?" Chuck asked, grinning. "Not all of it, just the part about being your boyfriend, specifically the my boyfriend."

She had an amused smile on her face. "Chuck, I consider you my boyfriend." She twisted her lips and found herself playing with his shirt. "Annnnd, I hope you consider me your girlfriend."

"If that's what you want," he said, lowering his lips to hers. He pulled away. "Is that what you came here to say to me because… that's pretty awesome." She widened her eyes and grimaced a little. "But if not, that's okay."

"No, it's part of it. It's a big part of it, because I don't want to do you like I've done past boyfriends," Sarah said. "I've been offered to speak at a conference in San Francisco."

"That's amazing!" Chuck said, taking her by the arms and smiling at her. "That's awesome."

"It is, but I have to leave in the morning, and be gone a week," she explained.

"Okay," Chuck said, still not sure what the problem was.

"Chuck, aren't I putting work ahead of you?"

Chuck was silent for a minute. "Okay, old boyfriend, what would you have done?"

"Got on a plane and gone," she replied shrugging. "I mean I'd have told him before I left." She was silent for a few seconds. "I think," she added. "But absolutely as soon as I got there."

"And you seriously don't see how this is different?" Chuck asked her. She gave him a look, and then it dawned on her, excitement on her face.

"Oh my God," she said softly. "I wouldn't even have thought about him." She turned to Chuck who was slowly nodding. "And now, it's the first thing I worry about, and I wanted to tell you, because I knew you'd understand and be happy for me and…" she grabbed his face by her hands and pulled him in for a huge kiss. She pulled away and looked him in the eye. "I promise you, you mean so much more to me than I ever realized people could… or should."

"That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, Sarah Walker," Chuck told her, gently pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want you to go to that conference, and kick its ass, okay?" She nodded. "And when you get back, I'll pick you up at the airport if you want."

"Would you drive me in the morning?" she asked shyly.

"It would be my honor," he told her.

"I would love nothing more than to sit here, talk with you, make out with your face-"

"I vote for all of that, but especially the last part," Chuck told her. She gave him a slap on the shoulder, laughing. Chuck shrugged. "I mean, can you blame me?" She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

"…But, I really need to pack," she finished. She looked up at him. "I'm gonna miss you, a lot."

"Well, you can facetime me," Chuck told her.

"I will," she agreed. "But only if you don't kiss the screen."

"I'm not sure I can make such a promise," Chuck admitted. She grinned, patted his cheek, kissed him softly, and headed to the door. "Be safe."

"I will," she said. She reached for the handle and turned back to him. "I don't want to go," she said, turning around.

"So, I have to be the good boyfriend, and tell you that you need to, for you," Chuck told her. "But don't think for a minute I'm not a little bit happy that you don't want to leave me."

She crooked a finger to him and he crossed the distance quickly. She kissed him solidly, and finally had to push away before she overheated. "I wished I was packed already."

"Oh, so you could stay here later and talk to me?" Chuck asked. Sarah grinned at him. "Make out with my face?" She smirked and then raised an eyebrow. "Sarah Walker!" She chuckled. "Are you suggesting…"

"I'm not suggesting anything," she said, turning the door knob. She started out the door and paused. "I'm saying." Chuck nearly fell over where he stood. "Good night, Chuck."

"Night," he choked out, as the door shut.

"I'm Sarah Walker's boyfriend." He paused for a second and grinned. "I'm Dr. Sarah Walker's boyfriend, and she wants me to stay after school to clean the erasers." He shook his head. "Bad, Chuck," he said and headed to the bathroom to take a shower… a cold one.

}o{

A few days later found Mary sitting at her desk, working on some paperwork that Stephen didn't quite understand. She was making a note on a potential contract, when a knock on her door made her jerk her head up, a hopeful smile on her face. "Well, that's something I've never seen."

Chuck lifted up the visitor tag with his finger. "I hope you mean this," he said, waggling it.

"I do, although that smile on your face is something I haven't seen in a while." She stood, started toward him, and met Chuck halfway, the two hugging. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Chuck said. "I'm really good." Mary pulled away, gripping his shoulders, looking at him.

"I can see," she confirmed. "Please, sit." She gestured toward a chair, and grabbed one nearby, leaving her chair behind her desk unoccupied. "What brings you by?"

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about some stuff. But before we begin, I need you to know, I'm not coming back. What I have to say is necessary, some of it an apology… but I think I've found what makes me happy," Chuck began.

"Okay," Mary said, nodding. "What's on your mind?"

"I think I handled things wrong," Chuck began. "I should have come to you about-"

"Whoa," Mary said, holding up her hand. "No, you don't apologize for that." Chuck pulled his chin back, shocked. "Chuck, you did exactly what you were supposed to do in that employment situation." Chuck thought about that. "I get it, if you and I had talked, maybe we could have found a way to get through to your father, but your employment issue was with him."

"This is really complicated," Chuck muttered.

"Don't let Ellie hear you say that," Mary said, grinning. "But," she said, sighing, "you are right." There was silence for a moment. It was comfortable, as both tried to figure out how to say what needed to be said next. "Your father is terrible at running this company."

"Thank God it's not just me who sees it," Chuck said, blowing out a sigh of relief. "I say this with all the love, respect, and kindness I can toward my father. Why the hell aren't you running this company?"

Mary was silent for a moment. "We started this company in the eighties," Mary began. Chuck just looked at her, not sure what that had to do with anything. "Chuck, sweetie, I love you, but you know what some men are like, especially those that are technologically proficient."

"Oh," Chuck said, nodding. "They wouldn't accept a female CEO." Mary nodded. "Good grief," he muttered. "That is wrong on so many levels."

Mary smiled at him. "I'm so glad you see that." Her smile faltered. "How do you tell the man you love that his pride and joy, the thing he worked so hard to build, is being hampered by his own leadership?"

"You bring in an outside consulting firm?" Chuck asked. Mary grinned and looked away. "You knew what was gonna be determined, didn't you?"

"I suspected," Mary admitted. "Is that their conclusion?"

"We haven't gotten that far," Chuck admitted. "Sarah is at a conference right now."

"Ah," Mary said, nodding. "She did email saying an unexpected opportunity had come up and asking if it would it be okay if she came in next week." She gave Chuck a long look. "And how are you two?"

"I mean… we're good. Consultants. Consulting each other." Chuck pulled his lips in, not sure if he was supposed to tell his mother that they were together or not.

"Did she consult you before she left?" Mary asked, an amused grin on her face.

"She told me about it, since we were supposed to meet here for me to give her a tour of the place, explaining what everything is and its usefulness," Chuck replied.

"So, she didn't ask you what you thought?" Mary asked.

"In a professional setting about how it would affect you, no," Chuck replied.

"What about other settings?" Chuck squirmed in his seat. "Oh, come on, son! You are as happy as I've ever seen you. And I know some of it is your job, but you can't tell me some of that," she said, making a circling gesture toward his face, "isn't because of her. I saw you two… there was something there."

"I think it best that I keep whatever is or is not happening to myself, until I confer with my implied…" Chuck trailed off looking for the right word.

"Girlfriend," Mary said.

"Yes," Chuck replied. "No!" he added quickly. "I mean… I'm not saying she is my girlfriend or is not. It's just that you seem to be implying that she is… in fact…"

Mary was nearly crying from holding in the laughter.

"Ah, screw it. We're dating," he said, defeated.

"I know. She told me," Mary said, making Chuck jerk his head up. "She felt that was information I needed, and if I wanted to not work with them, she understood." Fear covered Chuck's face. "Chuck, we hired Burton Consulting, and we're gonna stay with them unless there's a reason to not. And you two dating is not a reason to not."

"She's really good at what she does, and I'm not just saying that because I like her," Chuck insisted.

"Sweetie, I know," Mary said. She chuckled. "I also know that you like her… a lot."

"I do," he admitted. He looked up. "This was nice."

"It was," Mary said. "So, with her out of town, what about dinner tonight?"

"I would, but…" Chuck pressed his lips together, not sure how to explain things to her.

"Morgan," Mary said in a flat voice, shaking her head. She saw Chuck's face. "Not Morgan?" She thought for a second. "Charles Irving Bartowski!"

"Eep!" Chuck squeaked.

"Are you dating someone else behind Sarah's back?!"

"No, Mom, I'm not, I swear! It's just… I'm building Burton Consulting some computers," Chuck said, wincing.

"I thought they had computers… ours?" Mary asked. Chuck grimaced and nodded. "Okay, then why new computers?"

"Mom, yours are top of the line, don't get me wrong," Chuck began.

"Son, just tell me," Mary said, exasperated.

"Your computers are a good catch-all," Chuck said. "They do a lot for everyone, but what the Burtons need…" He took a deep breath. "I can build one that's better for them, for what they need, more customizable."

"But that takes longer," Mary countered.

"Yeah, but I also don't need some of the big-ticket items you use," Chuck pointed out. "They don't need a next-gen video card, they don't need all the bells and whistles."

"So, you're building to their needs and wants," Mary said, nodding. She was silent for a moment, pressed her lips together and smiled. "Okay."

"You're not mad?" Chuck asked.

"Not at you," Mary replied. Chuck looked confused. "You are literally doing what you wanted to do here, aren't you?" Chuck nodded, making Mary sigh. "Chuck, don't ever stop being you."

"Wasn't planning on it," Chuck admitted, standing. Mary stood and gave him a hug. "Love you, Mom."

"I love you. And I'm proud of you, for doing what was right when it wasn't the easiest thing to do," Mary told him. She gave him another hug. "But you're going to have dinner with me soon, or at least lunch."

"Tomorrow?" Chuck asked. Mary nodded. "I'll have my people call your people." She gave him a look. "Me… I'm my people."

"I could always call her, Master Chuck," C3PO pipped in.

"Still haven't mastered that app, have you?" Mary asked.

"Or have I?" Chuck replied, his eyes going wide, making Mary chuckle. He paused at the door. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For believing in me," Chuck said.

"Chuck, your father does, too," Mary said.

"He believes in my skills… I'm not so sure about me." He pressed his lips together, and bounced his eyebrows. Mary sighed, and nodded. Chuck gave a wave and walked off, leaving Mary to think.

A/N: Next time, on Just Two People; Carina and Zondra get involved, and Molly throws Chuck some business his way. Want a peek?

"Chuck, it's legit. You're getting paid, and I promise you, this will help you in the long run," Molly insisted.

"Okay, good-night," Chuck told her. "And, Molly…thanks, I need a win with this business. I don't want everything I do to be Burton related."

"Buddy, we both know for a while all you're gonna do is Burton related," Molly told him, giggling.