A/N: I know, I know, I never gave you a preview. Listen this chapter…it's really important. I know, you here for banter and Charah, and while it's here, there's some more character building going on, some explanations if you will. Again, not to forgive, but to understand. I told my beta I thought this story was gonna be 15 chapters max. His reply, at this rate it may be exponents of 15. Next chapter more banter, more what you're here for, I promise. This chapter…we're gonna really explore Stephen.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

"Are you gonna tell us more, or you two just give each other googly eyes?" Molly asked. The waitress dropped off their food at that moment, giving the table some relief.

Sarah took a bite, finished chewing and began. "Take your car, for example," she began. Chuck looked up. "You tried to give it back, right?" Chuck nodded. "And then you paid for it." Chuck nodded again.

Sarah took a deep breath. "ISFJ's families are the recipient of expressions of affection. When it comes to gift-giving, ISFJs have no equal, using their imagination and natural sensitivity to express their generosity in ways that touch the hearts of their recipients."

"Damn it," Chuck muttered. "I hurt him." Sarah reached over and squeezed his hand. "I did," he insisted.

"You did," Sarah replied. "But you didn't know." Chuck nodded, sadly. "ISFJs also consider many of their coworkers to be their personal friends."

"Teddy," Ellie groused. Sarah raised her eyebrows, and nodded. She started to speak again, but stopped. "Just say it, Sarah… we know you're not trying to hurt us." Chuck reached over and squeezed her hand.

Sarah nodded, and cleared her throat. "ISFJs are all about helping worthy causes."

"His low-income computer program," Ellie murmured. Chuck nodded in agreement.

"They can connect with others on an intimate level. Which is crazy, considering they are introverts," Sarah continued.

"I know an introvert that connected with me pretty well," Chuck said softly.

"Oh, Jesus," Molly groused. "Dude, you've gotten in her pants already. Lay off." Chuck sputtered, making Molly and Ellie laugh. Sarah shrugged as if to say, she's right.

"Okay," Sarah said, as if trying to prepare them. "The biggest joy they experience in using those connections is to maintain a supportive, happy family." Chuck closed his eyes. "Hey, she said softly. "You are being supportive. He just doesn't see it that way."

"Keep going," Chuck said. "We need it all out there."

Sarah took a drink of water. "They may never be truly comfortable in the spotlight, and may feel guilty taking due credit for team efforts. But if they can ensure that their efforts are recognized, ISFJs are likely to feel a level of satisfaction in what they do that many other personality types can only dream of."

"Dad is damn proud of his company," Ellie said softly. Chuck nodded.

"ISFJs are the universal helpers, sharing their knowledge, experience, time and energy with anyone who needs it. And all the more so, with friends and family," Sarah continued. Chuck looked at Ellie, and they both knew that was their father. "Those with this personality type strive for win-win situations, choosing empathy over judgment whenever possible."

"I swear I feel like I'm the exception in every one of these," Chuck muttered.

"It's because you're so special," Molly said, batting her eyes at him.

"These personality types are reliable and patient," Sarah went on. "Instead of being sporadic, and leaving things half finished, they are meticulous and careful. They take a steady approach and bend with the needs of the situation, just enough to accomplish their end goals."

"Like offering you what he thought was a win-win compromise," Ellie pointed out to Chuck.

"Exactly," Sarah said. "ISFJs not only ensure that things are done to the highest standard, but often go well beyond what is required."

"Quality of our products is very important to him," Ellie said.

"That's why this whole thing is screwy," Chuck replied.

"ISFJs are very imaginative," Sarah said. "They use this quality as an accessory to empathy; observing others' emotional states, and seeing things from their perspective. With their feet firmly planted on the ground, it is a very practical imagination, though they do find things quite fascinating and inspiring." Chuck gave her a look. "Unless, of course, you're messing with his company." Chuck dropped his head, making Sarah chuckle. She reached over and ruffled his hair.

"Remember Chuck, she's talking in normal circumstances," Ellie reminded him.

"I know, I know," Chuck replied.

"So, this will really get you," Sarah said. Chuck raised his head. "When an ISFJ is locked in on a goal," and she paused, as she watched him mentally brace himself, "they will take all this support, reliability and imagination, and apply it to something they believe will make a difference in people's lives."

"Orion Industries," Chuck muttered.

"You stepped in it, Curls," Molly told him. Chuck gave her a look. "Listen, I love ya, but you stepped in it."

"Did you hear that, my sister loves you," Sarah said, giving Molly a droll look.

"I mean, I totally love you, soooo," Ellie said, making Sarah blush.

"Can you quit embarrassing her?" Chuck asked, smiling at his sister the entire time.

"Anywaayyyy," Sarah said. "Loyalty."

"I was wrong, please embarrass her," Chuck begged. Ellie backhanded Chuck.

"Thank you," Sarah said to Ellie. "ISFJ personalities often form an emotional attachment to the ideas and organizations they've dedicated themselves to. Anything short of meeting their obligations with good, hard work fails their own expectations." She turned to Chuck. "And those attachments can be formed with others who share – or appear to share – the same ideas."

"Okay, but that's the thing; Teddy is lowering the quality," Chuck pointed out.

"But for how many years has he been right there with your dad?" Sarah countered.

"Point," Chuck conceded.

"People like your dad thrive in the mundane," Sarah went on. "If there are routine tasks that need to be done, they can see the beauty and harmony that they create." Sarah paused, and took Chuck's hand. "They know that it helps them to care for their friends, family, and anyone else who needs it."

"So, rocking the boat?" Ellie asked.

"Gets you kicked out of the family," Chuck muttered.

"Hey," Sarah said gently.

"I was trying to make light," Chuck replied. "I know I'm not kicked out. But I will tell you, things are making more sense. Not totally, but more sense."

"Well, think about it Chuck… Here's a man who is so concerned with others that sometimes they refuse to make their own thoughts known, or to take any duly-earned credit for their contributions," Sarah said. "Your dad sees Orion as this company that's doing all this good, providing for so many others…" Sarah trailed off.

"He's right, it is," Chuck admitted. "It's just not for me, the way he has me, there."

"Exactly," Sarah told him. "This is a man that has such a high standard that knowing he could have done some minor aspect of a task better, he would downplay his successes entirely." Chuck nodded. "And, ISFJs have real trouble separating personal and impersonal situations." Chuck shook his head. "In their head, any situation is an interaction between two people. So, any negativity from conflict or criticism can carry over from their professional to their personal lives, and back again."

"Crap," Chuck muttered.

"Should I stop?" Sarah asked. "This is what Barry used to accuse me of, getting so wrapped up in my work that I didn't see what it was doing to people."

"So, to clarify, you see what it's doing to me, and are concerned?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded. "Sarah-"

"Of for crying out loud, you two," Molly grumbled. All three turned to her, Ellie trying to stifle a laugh. "You're perfect for each other." She affected a Monty Python-ish British accent. "Do get on with it!"

Chuck turned to Sarah and widened his eyes comically, making her laugh.

"ISFJs are private and very sensitive, internalizing their feelings a great deal."

"Bro, you sostepped in it," Molly said.

"Yeah, ya think?" Chuck replied.

Sarah grimaced but continued. "These personality types not only protect others' feelings, they must protect their own. And this lack of healthy emotional expression can lead to a lot of stress and frustration." Sarah paused, looked from Chuck to Ellie, and continued, softly. "Their strong senses of duty and perfectionism… they combine with this aversion to emotional conflict, to create a situation where it is far too easy to overload themselves." She paused. "Or to be overloaded by others, as they struggle silently to meet everyone's expectations, and especially their own."

"Jesus," Ellie breathed.

"ISFJs are reluctant to change, they value traditions and history highly in their decisions. A situation sometimes needs to reach a breaking point before they are persuaded by circumstance, or the strong personality of a loved one, to alter course."

Sarah went silent.

"Mom," Chuck said to Ellie.

"You," Ellie told him. Chuck pulled back his chin.

"You," Sarah agreed. "You've rocked his world, and his core. He has lashed out, but if what you said was foundless, would he react like this?"

Chuck didn't know what to say. "Sometimes an ISFJ is too altruistic." Sarah stopped. "Guys…"

"Just say it, I think I know where this is going," Chuck told her.

Sarah took a deep breath. "This is all compounded and reinforced by ISFJs' otherwise wonderful quality of altruism. Being such warm, good-natured people, they are willing to let things slide, to believe that things will get better soon, to not burden others by accepting their offers of help, while their troubles mount, unassisted."

"This has been going on for a while," Chuck said softly. "I mean the fact I've found so many already…"

"That's him," Ellie said with a shrug. "It's who he is, Chuck, and we know it."

"We've let him down," Chuck told Ellie.

"No," Sarah said quickly. "You two have pointed things out to him. Now, he may not be ready to deal with it, but you have done nothing wrong."

The four sat there, quietly.

"I guess you don't want to hear about romance?" Sarah asked. Chuck nearly spit out his drink. "One thing about ISFJs; when in a romantic relationship, their kindness grows into a joy that is only found in taking care of their family and home. In being there for emotional and practical support whenever it's needed." Chuck and Ellie smiled at each other. "Home is where the heart is for them, and in no other area of their lives do they strive with such dedication to create the harmony and beauty they wish to see in the world."

"That's why he wants you at Orion," Ellie said.

"I think I'll skip the part about sex," Sarah said.

"That's not what Zondra and Carina said," Molly interjected. Sarah gave Molly a glare. Molly blew her a kiss.

"Want me to have her talk about your mom and dad in bed, in relation to their personality types?" Chuck asked. Molly blanched. "Please continue," Chuck said to Sarah.

"ISFJs are trustworthy, loyal, loving, and faithful," Sarah told Chuck and Ellie. "Nothing brings them more joy than the commitment of an appreciative and thriving relationship." She paused, seeing the look on Chuck's face. "I'm not talking sex, I'm talking relationships with anyone."

"Whew," Chuck said, mock wiping at sweat.

"Most of ISFJs' friends are made not by random encounters on a wild night out, but through comfortable and consistent contact, as in class or in the workplace," Sarah said, mock glaring at Chuck. "There, they have the time to get to know each other, little by little. As their friendships develop, this sense of loyalty may push them to lean ever more on themselves to meet their friends' needs, to the point of neglecting their own."

"Here we go," Chuck said, leaning back against the seat. "Damn it, Teddy."

Sarah gave him a sorrowful look. "ISFJs show this in a few ways, from going clearly out of their way to stick to even trivial commitments, to simply not wanting to disagree or say no for fear of causing turbulence. More cynical types would call this naïve, and may even take advantage of this altruism." Sarah paused. "I wouldn't call them friends, but someone like your father might."

"So, what do we do?" Ellie asked.

"Give your father some space," Sarah suggested. "Let your mom talk to him. I know the first thought is to get involved and point things out, but… Stephen has to see Teddy for who he is, and that is going to take a lot."

Ellie sighed in frustration, and saw the look on Sarah's face. "Please know, I'm not upset with you, it's just… this is my dad, and he's going through hell."

"I know," Sarah assured her. "It is frustrating, but until he's ready…" she trailed off and spread her hands. "If you try and push him now, all he'll do is resent it."

"You're right," Ellie said, nodding. "I mean I've lived with him being that way my whole life, and you're right."

"So, what do I do?" Chuck asked.

"My sister," Molly replied. Ellie shut her eyes and laughed. Chuck looked at Sarah. "She's not saying no."

"I've noticed," Chuck told her. "I guess for a bit, I stay away."

"Yeah," Sarah said. "For now, stay away."

"You need to have lunch with Mom," Ellie told him. Chuck nodded. "And I have hard drives in the car for you." Chuck smiled at her. "He can just get over it."

"I need to go home and get to work," Chuck told Sarah.

"I know," Sarah told him. "Uh," she looked over at Ellie and Molly.

"See, this is where a polite person would make up some excuse to get up and leave these two alone," Molly said to Chuck. "Obviously, I am not polite."

"What if I call you later?" Chuck asked.

"That will work," Sarah told him. He reached for the check, and she slapped his hand away. "This is on me."

"It works better when he is on you," Molly told her. Sarah turned to her. "Too much?"

"I like her," Ellie said to Chuck.

"I do to, but don't tell her that," Chuck replied. He kissed Ellie on the cheek, slid out, helped Sarah stand and planted one on her, in front of God and everyone in the restaurant.

"Get it, Curls," Molly murmured.

"Love you," he said softly as she pulled away. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," she said, putting her hand on the table to steady herself.

Chuck looked at Molly. "Thanks for having my back." He winked at her, turned, and headed for the door. Sarah tried to shake her head to get her thoughts back, when Ellie pulled her into a hug.

"I'm so glad he has you," Ellie whispered into her ear. "Call me later, okay?" Sarah nodded, as Ellie took off.

"I think they like you," Molly told her.

"Yeah, it's their dad I'm worried about," Sarah admitted.

"Sar, what are they gonna do?" Molly asked.

Sarah hated it when Molly called her Sar, but today, the way she said it, it wasn't to tease her.

"I don't know, Molly. I just don't know."

A/N: What? Oh, preview? Fiiinnnneee

"Hell, why is that? I'm serious. Why are we doing what we think we should or what others think we should. Why aren't we moving at whatever pace we want?"

"What pace do you want?" Chuck asked.

"I think I've proven I'm good with any pace with you," she replied. She thought she heard him drop the phone.

Great googly moogly. Well…reviews, PMs, yada yada.