A/N: I just told my beta I didn't know if this thing was ever gonna end. He was fine with that. Zondra, Chuck, Molly, shopping for a tux for Chuck…yeah. It should be something. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

"What do you think, Zondra?" Molly asked, holding a bright lime-colored tux.

Zondra rolled her eyes at Molly. "Look at him, Molly," Zondra said, gesturing at Chuck. "We just need to get him in a suit that fits, and he'll do the rest."

"We are in Hawaii," Chuck countered. "Why don't I just rent a Ferrari 308 GTS, drive up with the top down, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and some Ray Ban Aviators to go with my Dodgers cap and fake mustache?"

"Okay, first, we both know that Sarah would drive that, not you," Molly began.

"Chuck, try on the suit, that's all I'm asking," Zondra told him.

"Zondra, I can't," Chuck argued.

"Is this about who's paying for it?" Zondra asked. Chuck looked away. "Curls, Guy Lafleur is, since you had to do all the wiring. Well, not him, but his conference."

"Oh," Chuck replied. "Well."

"What do you think?" Molly asked, slipping on a suit jacket. "Is it me?"

"We both know you're not the one to wear that, it's not your style," Zondra told Molly. Molly grinned at Zondra.

Chuck was silent, watching the two of them. "I really wish neither of you would wear a suit," Chuck said softly. They both turned to him. "There's already gonna be so many guys that look better in suits than me, but you two looking better than me in a suit…" Chuck trailed off. "God, I'm sad. I want to show her how bad she screwed up, and I'm really trying not to be that guy."

"Hey!" Zondra and Molly barked at him at the same time. He jumped.

"Fine, both of you get suits, and I'll stay in the hotel room and not go," Chuck told them.

"Chuck, it's okay to occasionally be that guy," Zondra told him.

"Yeah," Molly agreed. "Besides, you have a better ass for a suit than me… maybe not Zondra, but me."

"Thaaannnksss?" Chuck replied. Zondra was looking at his back side. "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

"Blondie would kill me if I did," Zondra muttered. She walked over to one of the suits. "Molly?" Molly moved to join her, and they both studied it, looking back at him. They said something, moved down to another suit, and continued to size him up.

"May I help you?" a sales associate asked.

"We're trying to color match," Molly said. "I'm trying to decide if this will clash or compliment a friend's dress."

"We'll let you know," Zondra said nicely, but her tone was quite clear.

"Very good, ma'am," the associate said and walked off. Chuck looked up at the ceiling and blew out a breath.

}o{

Molly stood, waiting on Chuck. "Molly," Zondra whispered. She came around the corner, and Zondra stepped out of the dressing room. She had on a three-piece black suit, and a white button-up shirt with bright blue button at the neck in place of a tie.

"Dang," Molly said, as Zondra spun.

"Ladies," Chuck said, walking out, and caught sight of Zondra. "Damn," he said softly. "I was wrong, you should totally get that. You look amazing."

"Chuck," Zondra said, the one word crisp and clear. "Where in the blue hell did you find that?" Chuck had on a tiger-print suit with a white shirt.

"So that's a no?" Chuck asked.

"That's a hell no," Zondra said. "Take it off, now."

"Only if you get that for you," Chuck told her. She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "See, the problem is you're only as scary as Sarah, and while I don't want you mad at me, she has other weapons."

"Sex," Molly told Zondra.

"I knew that," Zondra replied, shaking her head. She stepped up to the mirror and looked herself over. "I do look good."

"Yeah, you do," Chuck told her, grinning. Molly spun Chuck and pushed him back toward the dressing rooms. "I hope she appreciates this," he grumbled.

"You will," Molly told him.

}o{

"You sure it won't clash?" Zondra asked Molly, waiting on Chuck.

"It might, but we're going for dayuuuummmmm. And I'm telling you that Chuck, in that burgundy suit, will do it," Molly insisted. The door to Chuck's dressing room opened, and Molly grinned.

"Well?" Chuck asked.

Zondra looked at Molly, fist-bumped her, and then back to Chuck.

"Dayuuuummmmm!"

}o{

"How was shopping?" Sarah asked, as he walked into the room. He flopped on the couch, his head going directly into her lap. She chuckled, and ran a hand through his curls. "That bad?"

"No, but… it was a lot," Chuck told her. "I felt a little objectified, when they were talking about the cut of a pair of pants, and my ass."

"Those two are really good at what they do," Sarah told him.

"They make a great team," Chuck admitted. "Why isn't Molly working with Zondra and Carina more?"

"I think that's a question for one of them, and not me," Sarah answered, grinning. Chuck shrugged, closed his eyes and tilted his head a little.

"If I fall asleep," Chuck began.

"Just don't drool on my lap," Sarah told him.

"I don't drool," Chuck replied.

"You will when you see my dress," Sarah told him. Chuck looked up at her. "Hey, I love you."

"I know," Chuck replied. "I love you, and I'm gonna get out of my feelings… is that what the kids say?"

"I have no idea," Sarah admitted. "And it's okay to be upset about seeing her. I get it."

"Do you?" Chuck asked. She pulled her head back in surprise. "Sorry, that came out wrong. I really am asking, because I have no idea why this is bothering me so."

"Because you let her into your heart, and she hurt you," Sarah replied. "And I know I made that sound simple, and it is. But just because you know why something is hurting, doesn't suddenly make it better. Chuck, she used you, tried to take something from you… she tried to make you not you."

"Like my dad," Chuck said softly. Sarah didn't answer. He looked up at her, and she was slowly nodding. "I'm getting really tired of all of that."

"I am too," Sarah admitted. "Listen, I need to admit something." She was silent for a moment. "I may not be nice to Jill."

"I don't want you to lose this gig over me," Chuck began.

"Chuck, Zondra wanted to burn the damn place to the ground when she figured out it was you Jill was talking about," Sarah told him. Chuck sat up and spun to face her, an incredulous look on his face.

"Why?" Chuck asked. "She's worked hard to get this gig."

"She considers you a friend, Chuck," Sarah told him. "Carina, Molly, Zondra, my parents; they all love you, and consider you part of my circle… their circle… you're part of their tribe, and no one gets to talk shit about part of the tribe, except part of the tribe."

"Tell me she didn't do anything stupid," Chuck said.

"She didn't, but she nearly told Guy to take this gig and shove it," Sarah told him. "However, Molly and I told her how bad that would make you feel. Plus, all of us like this place."

"I like this place," Chuck admitted. Sarah giggled. Chuck looked down at the floor. She could see him thinking.

"Just ask," she told him. He shook his head. She, in turn, smacked his leg. "Ask."

"What about Carina?"

Sarah laughed, and he turned back to her. "She wanted to seduce him. Get him in a compromising position, get some photos, and show them to Jill." Chuck burst out into laughter. "Z told Carina about the mini-shot Jill took at Guy, and Carina said, 'Serves the idiot right being with her.'"

"He really didn't do anything wrong," Chuck told Sarah.

"Yeah, we know, but know this: We know who you are, and we love you. All of us," Sarah said to him, taking his hand and squeezing it.

"I feel like I should go say something to them," Chuck said.

"No… Carina's on the prowl, if I know her," Sarah began. Chuck's eyes widened as he chuckled. "What? It's who she is."

"Molly and Zondra out at a club?"

"No, I think they both wanted a low-key night," Sarah told him.

"Wait until you see the suit I convinced Zondra to buy. She looks amazing in it," Chuck told Sarah, standing.

"I saw, they sent me a photo," Sarah told Chuck. "Where are you heading?"

"The shower," Chuck told her. "I've tried on a lot of clothes and just feel…"

"Want any help?" Sarah asked.

"Well, I do have trouble reaching my back," Chuck told her. She grinned as she stood.

The two headed to the bathroom.

}o{

"Do you two know where Chuck is?" Sarah asked Carina, Zondra, and Molly at breakfast the next morning.

"I didn't ask him to," Zondra began. Sarah's eyes widened.

"Did he come to your room?" Sarah asked.

"No," Zondra told her. "He sent me a text saying he wanted to double-check everything. That was a few hours ago. I assumed he was done, and went back to your room."

"He never made it," Sarah said, worry on her face.

"I got this," Molly said standing. She glanced at Zondra and Sarah, seeing the looks on their face. "I'm the only logical one."

"How do you figure that?" Zondra asked her.

"Carina thinks Chuck's a big boy, and will work it out," Molly began.

"I do," Carina agreed.

"He's worried about everything being perfect, where you two are concerned," Molly continued.

"Wait, what?" Sarah said. Molly gave her a look. "I mean… I guess I get it."

"Well, I don't," Zondra said. "Why does he think I need things to be perfect?"

Molly gave Zondra a soft smile. "Z, you told him how big a deal this was, and if it was to go wrong because of him…" She trailed off, as Zondra groaned and slumped forward, her head in her hands. "So, that leaves me to clean up this mess."

"Wait, what did I do?" Sarah asked.

"You wanted a dog instead of a sister," Molly told her, sticking her tongue out at her, and heading toward the conference room.

"What are you smiling about?" Zondra asked Carina.

"I didn't do anything for once, and I'm just trying it on and seeing how it feels," Carina told them. Sarah and Zondra shared a look and chuckled.

"And?" Zondra asked.

"Eh, it's too… Blondie," she said with a shrug.

"I know you love me," Sarah told Carina.

"Now you're just being mean," Carina retorted.

}o{

Molly entered the conference room and heard him before she saw him. "Anything, Three-Pee-Oh?" she heard Chuck ask.

"Nothing sir, it is all working perfectly." There was a pause, and Molly could hear the irritation in the AI voice. "Would you like me to run it… again?"

"Please." Chuck sounded like he was begging.

"Okay, Chuck, where are you?" Molly called out. She saw one of the tablecloths move and his head stick up. "Come over here." He gave her a look, and she glared at him. Hopping up, he ran over. "Sit," she commanded, pointing to a chair. He complied, and she sat down beside him. "What is it?"

"I got all up in my feelings…" Chuck began. "Am I saying that right?" Molly motioned for him to move it along. "Anyway, Zondra took a huge risk bringing me out here, buying me clothes, and just… being a friend for me, and what am I concentrating on? Jill."

"So, you feel guilty? You took advantage of Zondra? What?"

Chuck sighed. "All of it, and for concentrating on me, when there's a much bigger picture here." He was silent for a moment. Molly was starting to learn Chuck and his tells, his moods, and she knew he was searching for what to say. "I… it's not fair. Zondra's out here, busting her ass for me, and she's…" He trailed off, closing his mouth, as if he'd said too much.

"Go on, finish," Molly encouraged him. "I promise, what you say is between you and me."

"Sarah told me about Zondra," Chuck said softly.

Molly didn't say anything for a minute. "What about her?"

"How's she's in a relationship… and it's complicated… like they don't get to see each other much, and here I am, working for her-"

"With," Molly cut in. Chuck gave her a look. "No. When you're with us, it's with, not for. We're a team."

"I like that," Chuck said. "It's not just words either, is it?" Molly shook her head. "So I'm working with her, and I'm literally with my girlfriend, and Zondra…"

"Zondra has made the choices she has made," Molly said. Chuck nodded, looking at the ground, feeling guilty, not seeing her face. "I promise, you have nothing to feel guilty about. But what you do have to do, is make my sister happy."

"That's all I want to do," Chuck replied with a shrug. He turned to her. "I do… don't I?"

"Hey, don't let Jill throw you off," Molly said softly, laying her hand on Chuck's upper arm. "Don't let her win like that."

"You're right," Chuck said, nodding.

"Master Chuck," C3PO chirped. "I have run the diagnostics for the fifth time, and again, I find… NOTHING out of place. The system is working optimally."

"Thank you, Three-Pee-Oh," Chuck replied. He turned to Molly. "Thanks," he said gratefully.

"Hey, you're family, you big goof. And that's not me pressuring you to get married, that's because you are." Molly stood, and gestured for him to do the same. He did, and she pulled him into a hug. "You two kill me," she muttered. "Come on," she said pulling away. "Let's head back to the others."

They walked back to the dining area, and Molly led him to the table. "Look who I found wandering the halls, crying for his Sarah."

"He shouldn't leave his Sarah all alone in bed," Sarah said, giving him a look, but grinning.

"Sorry, had to-"

"Be you," Zondra said, cutting him off. Chuck nodded. "Thank you, but I trust you." She looked at the table. "We trust you." Molly cleared her throat and Zondra glanced at her. "On all things business, we trust you."

"And everything else is not my business," Chuck replied. Zondra shook her head, grinning. "Big time party tonight."

"Want me to seduce Jill's boyfriend?" Carina asked.

"No," Chuck said in a shocked voice, looking around. "That could cost you all business."

"No, it could cost us business," Zondra corrected him. "I still don't think you get it, Chuck. You're a part of us, now." Chuck glanced at Sarah, who shrugged. "For the first time, we are five."

"Thank you," Chuck said, sitting up straight, pride on his face.

"You're not concerned about being the only guy in a group of women?" Carina asked.

"No," Chuck replied, shaking his head. "I'm with friends. Who cares what gender they are?"

Carina grinned at him. "This is gonna be so much fun tonight."

"Hey, don't do anything stupid. Seriously, I'm not worth losing a contract over," Chuck began.

"You are if we say you are," Zondra told him.

"I thought I was a member of the group?"

"You are," Sarah told him. "But you're at the bottom," she said, grinning. "There's a hierarchy, in these things."

"I don't mind being on the bottom," Chuck said with a shrug.

"That's what Sarah keeps saying," Carina quipped, just as Chuck took a drink of orange juice. He made a choking sound.

"This is gonna be fun."

A/N: I have only got a few hundred words of the next chapter done, and if I show you that…well…that just wouldn't be right. I'll be back with this when I can. Getting the vaccine soon, hear that it hurts your arm so I may not be typing for a day or three. Take care of yourself, seriously.