A/N: Sorry (not sorry) to leave you all hanging with the last chapter. Let's get back to Chuck and Sarah's first meeting. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck

Chapter 5

As he rounded the turn in the path, he could see the bright lights bathing the pathway, highlighting his destination.

"OK, Chuck. Don't freak out and for God's sake don't trip," he whispered to himself as he continued down the path. Finally, the foliage along the path gave way to the clearing, the camera equipment, lighting and two chairs the only things visible. He cautiously proceeded, searching the area for any signs of the person he was to meet. Momentarily distracted by the lights, when he shifted his gaze back toward the chairs, he caught a glimpse of someone walking into the clearing from the opposite side. When she came into the light, his entire world nearly ground to a halt. The flowing blonde hair that bounced and swayed as she walked, the azure blue depths of her eyes, it all paled in comparison to the radiant smile that gleamed like a beacon in the night. He froze in place, gasping in surprise, covering his mouth with both hands. Of all the possible female celebrities they could have chosen, it never occurred to him that they would pick her.

Sarah Walker was not just a celebrity. To Chuck, she was THE celebrity. To say he was a fan of her work was an understatement. He owned every movie she had ever appeared in, seen every interview she'd ever given and, the pinnacle of his devotion, he attended the panel she appeared in at last year's Comic-Con. He couldn't get this close to her then, but her presence had been exhilarating. The fact that she was here, in front of him now, broke him.

Sarah took a deep cleansing breath before beginning her entrance. Putting on her practiced smile, she began her walk, the same walk she'd done twenty-four times before. Her experiences thus far made her apprehensive, unsure what to expect. Was this guy going to be another smirker, a hugger or an all-around lecherous creep? The glare of the lights obscured her view, barely able to make out the pathway. It wasn't until she rounded the bend that she saw him. She was used to men being surprised to see her, both here and on the street. However, she wasn't quite prepared for this type of reaction. He froze in his tracks, like a deer in headlights, his mouth dropping open, comically so, when he caught sight of her. She had to admit, it was rather flattering in comparison to what she'd experienced so far. There was something so disarming about him, she found she didn't have to remind herself to smile, it just seemed to come naturally.

He was tall, with dark, curly brown hair and a posture that didn't scream arrogance, unlike most of the men she met. He was handsome, but not as 'pretty' as some of the men she'd seen tonight. Still, there was a boyish charm about him. Perhaps it was the child-like exuberance he was showing as he covered his mouth. As Sarah approached, he was still rooted in place and she was beginning to get concerned. Was he going to faint, panic and run or throw up? Thankfully, he seemed to shake himself out of his daze and began to move toward her.

For what felt like an eternity, he stood locked in place, unable to move or even breathe. Eventually, something seemed to jar his addled mind, allowing normal brain function to resume. The world around him slowly seemed to return to normal. From the look of concern on her face, he must have been dazed for longer than he realized. The blush began to color his neck and worked its way up to his cheeks and ears. He proceeded to walk toward her, lowering his hands to his sides, wiping his hands on his pants legs. He imagined the smile threatening to break his face looked goofier than usual, but at this moment he didn't care.

He slowed his pace when he drew closer, not wanting to appear to rush her like the crazed fan he really was. Slowly covering the remaining few feet, he nervously extended his hand toward her. With all the resolve he could muster, he tried to steady his hand, but it was clearly shaking despite his best efforts. She glanced at his hand, and a small smile appeared, returning her attention back toward his face.

"Oh my God… Miss… Miss Walker. I… I can't tell you what… what an honor it is to meet you," he stammered out, the shakiness in his voice quite evident. He couldn't quite read the expression on her face, but she must be warm from all the lights, based on the slight color of her cheeks. She took his hand and shook it, but there was just something about it that he couldn't explain. He glanced down at their joined hands for a brief moment before returning his gaze to meet hers. The way her fingers gently curled around his hand, the soft warmth of her skin and the almost electric hum he felt radiating between them, it was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Perhaps it was his nerves or the overwhelming excitement of meeting someone he truly idolized. She averted her gaze for an instant as she looked at their joined hands before returning to look at his face. Her expression changed slightly, but enough that he noticed. It was at that moment that he realized that he was still holding her hand. With a sharp intake of air, he pulled his hand away, his already blushed appearance intensifying.

When he drew close enough that she could see his eyes, she was taken aback. The pure, honest adoration was frankly overwhelming. She had seen her fair share of adoring fans, some even a little too 'adoring', but this was something different. When he finally spoke, his quivering voice, the way he stumbled over his words, it was nearly too much. She felt a warmth rise in her, a sensation she was not familiar with. When she took his offered hand, she swore she felt a tingle or a hum of some sort between them. His hand was warm and soft, adding to the comforting sensation as his fingers gently wrapped around her hand. She tried to maintain eye contact, but the emotion she saw there, felt through him, overwhelmed her, forcing her to look away for a moment. As she looked down, Sarah realized that their hands were still joined, and she found that it didn't feel as awkward as it probably should. This was all so much. In just a mere moment with this man, she felt completely at ease. Sarah lifted her gaze back to his, searching his dark eyes for some sign that this wasn't her imagination.

"I'm... I'm so sorry. I normally have better manners than this. It's just… well… it's … you. I mean, of course it's you. Who else would it be, right? Of all the possible celebrities, it would have to be you… Oh God. That came out all wrong. What I meant was that I'm such an enormous fan of your work and you were the last person I would ever expect to meet and I'm rambling. I ... I realize that…" Sarah reached out and touched his forearm, and like a switch, he instantly stopped. He looked in bewilderment at her hand and then lifted his gaze to meet hers. She was smiling at him with what seemed to be a genuine smile, one that reached her eyes, adding an extra sparkle to them. He swallowed the huge lump in his throat as he held her gaze.

"How about we start over?" She released her grip on his arm and extended her hand again. "Hi. I'm Sarah." She looked at him expectantly, but there was understanding, compassion in her tone and expression. Looking between her eyes and her hand, he gave her a smile and nodded. Drawing in a shaky breath, he took her hand again, shaking it gently, that warm, humming feeling still present.

"Chuck. Chuck Bartowski. It's a pleasure to meet you," he managed to get out, the shakiness in his voice lessening. Her smile and the warmth of her touch seemed to bolster his courage, holding many of the butterflies at bay. He released her hand, less abruptly this time and gestured to the chairs beside them. "Would you care to sit?" She nodded graciously and took her seat, while Chuck took the chair opposite her. Sarah could see that he was still quite nervous, so she took pity on him and started the conversation.

"Well, it appears I am at a bit of a disadvantage. You seem to be quite familiar with me, but, unfortunately, I don't know much about you. So, 'Chuck', can you tell me a bit about yourself? What line of work are you in?" She crossed her legs, placing her hands in her lap, focusing her attention on him.

He blew out a breath before beginning. "Wow. Um… I own a small software company here in LA. Computer games so far, but I'd like for them to help fund future projects I'd like to pursue." He shrugged sheepishly, not taking great comfort in having to talk about himself.

"Really? What sorts of projects?" She shifted in her seat, seeming genuinely interested in hearing his response.

"Educational software mostly. Creative and interactive games to help make learning fun and engaging. We'd like to make learning fun, especially for those that learn differently. It would allow educators to set measurable goals that can be tracked and quantified. There are other companies doing similar things, but I think that we can bring a unique perspective. I hope that, one day, our computer gaming products will be lucrative enough that we can give the educational software to schools, free of charge, removing some of those barriers for overburdened school systems." He paused for a moment, rolling his eyes at himself. "I'm sorry. I just… I get a little impassioned about my work sometimes. I'd like to try to make a difference where I can. I mean, you of all people understand that. You've done so much for UNICEF and Make A Wish Foundation, though I don't suppose the people at home get to see that side of you very often, do they?" He grinned, gesturing with his head toward the camera.

Sarah ducked her head at the comment, brushing a bit of hair behind her ear. "That's nice of you to say. Like you, I'm just trying to make a difference where I can," she confessed, giving a small shrug.

"Well, you do make a difference. Not just in your charity work, but by entertaining the world. Forgive me for saying so, but you are one of the most bad-ass women to grace the silver screen. Despite that hard, cold persona, you're a very brilliant, kind and caring person. I loved your panel discussion at Comic-Con last year when you addressed some questions on female empowerment. You made a big difference that day for a lot of people. Probably more than you'll ever know." Realizing the conversation was getting a little too heavy, he felt a bit awkward and averted his gaze for a second, clearing his throat.

Sarah was quiet for a moment, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She gave him a bright smile, her eyes even appearing a bit glassy, though it could just be the lighting. "Thank you, Chuck. That was… that was very kind of you." She took in a deep breath, straightening in her seat. "So, um… Comic-Con. You uh… you saw that online or were you there…?" she asked trailing off, hoping to steer the conversation to lighter topics.

"Um, yeah, uh… both, actually." She raised an eyebrow, appearing curious, but didn't stop him. "Well, I did say I wrote computer games for a living, so … nerd, obviously. Naturally, I was at Comic-Con but I've also re-watched it many times online. I got to sit in on your panel, but I was way in the back unfortunately, so the mic never came around to me for questions," he admitted, giving a self-deprecating shrug.

"Really? Well, you're here now. What question would you like to ask me?" She gave him a wry smile, bouncing an eyebrow.

"Seriously? Right... Right now?"

"Sure. What would you like to know? If you had one question?" Her smile wavered a little after posing that challenge, the ramifications suddenly hitting her. This could go very badly. He sat, considering her for a long moment, cradling his chin in his thumb and forefinger. The longer he pondered, the more worried she seemed to get.

"Ok. I have a question... What movie is your favorite guilty pleasure? One that you wouldn't normally want others to know about?" He sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, waiting for her response.

"That… that's it? Of all the things you could possibly ask me, that's what you want to know?" she asked incredulously.

"We're enquiring minds, Sarah Walker. We need to know these things," he replied with a smirk.

"Hmm," she sighed, pursing her lips and squinting one eye as she considered him. After a long moment, she gave an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes, though her smile belied her amusement. "Alright. Fine…. Trolls. There, you happy now?" She gave him a faux pout, but the amusement clearly broke through.

"Trolls? As in the little fuzzy-headed dolls?" He tried to hide his laughter by covering his mouth, pretending to be in contemplation. It was no use when he let out a snort, giving it all away. She huffed and smacked him playfully on the knee.

"Don't make fun of me. I like that movie." She gave an exaggerated pout, trying hard to hold in her own laughter.

"Hey. No. No judgement here. It's a great movie. I own it on Blu-ray," he confessed holding up his hands in surrender. They both chuckled, Chuck letting out a hum as he regained his composure. "I can see it."

"See? See what?" she asked, uncertain of his meaning.

"Poppy. I can see it. I imagine that deep inside you, there is a little bit of Poppy wanting to get out. That infectiously happy, optimist that just wants the best for her people. As Branch says, 'Happiness is inside of all of us, right? Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it'." He gave a shrug, looking very sheepish, his ears and cheeks growing noticeably more colorful. She looked a bit taken aback, swallowing thickly, blinking a few times. She could just make out the gesturing from Roan out of the corner of her eye, indicating it was time to wrap it up. She shook herself from her thoughts and put on a smile.

"Well. It looks like our time's up." She stood and Chuck followed immediately after. She smoothed down her dress, clearing her throat. Chuck followed suit, wiping his hands on his pants legs. He couldn't help feeling a pang of regret, only getting to spend such a short time with her. "It was really great meeting you, Chuck," she declared, extending her hand. He nodded, taking her offered hand.

"If this is the last time we get to talk, I just want to say, 'thank you'. It's been both an honor and a privilege to meet you. They warn you to never meet your heroes. Well, I have no regrets. I truly hope you find the happiness you're looking for, Sarah Walker." He covered their joined hands with his left, squeezing them briefly before pulling away reluctantly and waving his goodbye.

"CUT! Perfect! Alright, let's wrap up here and head inside to set up for the next sequence," Roan commanded, standing up and heading toward Sarah. She looked over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of Chuck as he was heading toward the exit path out of the garden. Before he disappeared, he glanced back and their eyes met. Pausing for a moment, he gave her a bright smile, one that made the corners of his eyes and nose crinkle. Something about that smile warmed her, comforted her in a way she couldn't recall feeling before. A moment later, he was gone, that feeling fleeing with him.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When Chuck entered the house, he plopped down in a chair at the perimeter of the waiting area, still somewhat in a daze as he relived the last ten minutes over and over in his mind. He met, no, talked with, shook hands with 'THE' Sarah Walker. If all life as he knew it ended right now, he could die a happy man. He had fantasized about such a meeting with Sarah, only in his wildest of dreams of course. Meeting her in person was infinitely better. Sure, he had read everything he could get his hands on that pertained to Sarah Walker, but there was next to nothing about what sort of person she really was. There were some anecdotal reports in tabloid rags about her being a diva, terrible to work with, demanding and, most recently, cold and distant. He didn't buy any of that for a second. During her interviews, she was always kind and considerate, even when the interviewer was sort of a dick. She was always poised and calm, wearing a soft smile everywhere she went. He recalled watching her at a Comic-Con and she seemed so approachable, so kindhearted and genuine with all her fans. She had been all of that and more with him today, and he was still reeling from it.

The notion that he was even a part of this competition was surreal enough, but to have an opportunity to compete for a chance to date Sarah Walker, that was beyond ludicrous. She was so unbelievably far out of his league. Hell, he wasn't sure there was anyone in her league. Who could possibly walk arm in arm with her and not feel completely overwhelmed?

He daydreamed about having to take her on a fancy date for the show and inevitably he'd trip or spill something or say all the wrong things. He knew he was a train wreck of a person. He had been divested of what little self-confidence he had while in college. The few horrific dates he had been on in the five years since then were no help either. He couldn't even go out in public with someone like her, God forbid go to a formal event. Chuck Bartowski at the Oscars? She'd be drummed out of the academy purely by association.

Lifting his gaze, he panned across the room, taking in the sea of "chest puffers". They were all handsome, athletic, well-dressed, and no doubt successful, men. He had likely just made a complete and utter fool of himself in front of Sarah Walker, and after she had already had a chance to meet all these fabulously suave specimens. Even more than ever, he felt depressed, resigned to the fact that he had nothing to offer her that these men couldn't provide, and better. He blew out a long breath and pushed himself from his chair. Walking to a nearby window, he stood and stared out at the fleeting sunset, awaiting his final judgement.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sarah was back in the large study where she had previously been for hair and makeup. She was slouching in a leather wingback chair, staring at the ceiling. Absentmindedly, she repeatedly bounced her head off the back of the chair, lost in thought. She couldn't shake her meeting with Chuck out of her head. Out of all the men she met today, he was the most … authentic. She felt more at ease talking with him than any of the others. Hell, he'd made her blush, and Sarah Walker did not blush. It just felt so … effortless to slip into that playful banter. So much so, that she let her guard down and gave him the opportunity to ask any question he wanted. At first, she thought that had been a huge mistake, leaving herself that vulnerable to a man she had literally just met. But then he'd done the unthinkable. Of all the personal, probing questions he could have asked, he wanted to know about a favorite movie. Something so seemingly innocent yet, so personal and… intimate. The minor teasing aside, she didn't regret for a second sharing that with him. Sure, she had now shared it with all of America once this aired, but she felt safe sharing it with him for some reason. Perhaps it was because she knew he wouldn't judge her for it.

Another thing she found quite surprising was that not once did he mention her looks. All twenty-four of the men before him had made one or more comments about how 'beautiful' she was or how 'hot' she looked. Some of them seemed sincere but mostly it made her cringe. Chuck, however, didn't make a single reference to her looks. Sure, he had called her a 'bad-ass' but he seemed to see past all of that. She recalled him mentioning 'kind', 'caring' and even so far as to call her 'brilliant'. She wasn't so sure about all of that, but it was rather refreshing to have someone see beyond her characters, to see… her.

There had to be a catch. In the movies, when something seemed too good to be true, it usually was, and it would be the first sign to run. Admittedly, he wasn't as classically handsome as most of the other contestants. He was cute, unassuming, and didn't seem to take himself too seriously. Perhaps that was what made him seem so attractive. That and his smile. She had to chuckle at herself just thinking about it. The way his nose crinkled when he gave her that ear to ear smile...

"So? You ready to do this?" Zondra broke in, holding her leather portfolio in her crossed hands at her waist. Megan was standing at her left shoulder, looking on with a supportive smile.

"Hmmm? Oh… oh right. The list," Sarah replied, adjusting herself to sit upright in the chair. Zondra seemed to be trying to hold something back but Sarah wasn't sure what that might be.

"First, what are your thoughts? How did you think the meet and greets went? What are your takeaways?" Zondra sat down on the coffee table in front of Sarah, her elbows on her knees.

"Honestly? A lot of it was kind of a blur. There were plenty of bad… really bad options in there. There were some good ones too, though mostly, they were just… blah. They seemed insincere, fake maybe. Then there was-" Sarah stopped short, shaking her head and waving it off, not wanting to finish that thought.

"There was…." Zondra prompted, drawing it out, waiting for Sarah to continue.

"No. It… it's nothing. It's just…" she trailed off, ducking her head in a failed attempt to hide the blush that she felt creeping up her cheeks.

Zondra looked around the room, then shared a knowing smile with Megan before continuing. "Then there was Chuck. Am I right?" Her tone matched the smirk on her face, raising a questioning eyebrow at her friend. Megan couldn't hold back a giggle as she watched on in delight.

Sarah let out a huff, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I… I dunno. I mean… he was… he was a genuinely nice guy. Sincere, funny and a little surprising. He's just … he's so … different from the type of guy I would normally date. But he's just got this…. GAH. OK. I need to stop. I'm getting ahead of myself. He's a very nice man and let's just leave it at that."

"Ummmhmmm," Zondra droned, not buying her excuses. "Alright. Let's just focus on the ones that are gonna get the bad news tonight. I assume you know who those are?" She shot Sarah an expectant look and she nodded in return.

"Oh yeah. There's plenty of those. I just need to figure out which ones rate the top five slimiest of the bunch." The three women laughed as they formulated their list.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Chuck and the other contestants were eventually ushered into the large formal dining room. The grand table had been removed to make way for a set of risers on which the contestants would stand for the first round of "house cleaning". Chuck had never been more torn than he was right now. Knowing that the celebrity was Sarah Walker, he wanted more than anything to stay in the running. However, the reality of the situation seemed grim. None of the contestants had seen the meet and greets of the others, so they had no idea how well they went. Chuck could only assume that most of them fared better than him losing his shit when he first met her. He was trying to prepare himself for the worst, but the thought of leaving tonight caused his heart to sit like a lead weight in his stomach.

Roan and Zondra were present to go over the process so everyone knew what to expect. Some of it was kept a secret, only to be revealed when Sarah arrived on set. All they knew was that they needed to stand on the risers and not move until they were selected or told to leave. It seemed rather simple but invariably there were some who failed to grasp the concept and needed to have it repeated. It's a good thing they're pretty.

It was also the first time the contestants got to meet the host of the show. Alex Forrest was a tall, statuesque woman who seemed very down to business. She seemed a little too… severe for Chuck, so he stayed clear, which was easy enough to do given they didn't have to interact with her directly.

All the contestants were placed on the risers, taking care to place them in just the right places for balance of height, etc. Chuck just stood where he was told, not caring much where they put him. He was a little bit taller than most of the contestants, so he was placed in the back row. They called quiet on the set and Alex Forrest stepped out, walking into the camera's view.

"Welcome back to Off Screen Romance. In just a few moments, Sarah will be making her first choices as to who will earn a 'Backstage Pass'," she stated, raising what looked like a concert backstage pass on a lanyard, "and who will be sent home. There are only twenty Backstage Passes, so that means five of these men will be going home tonight." She gestured to the riser full of men, where it was likely a different camera was panning across them. Chuck tried not to look at any of the cameras, as he was instructed, so he opted to just keep his eyes on a painting that hung on the wall opposite them.

"Let's bring out Sarah and begin tonight's selection process." Alex turned to look at the entrance, which Sarah stepped through a moment later. Chuck's gaze immediately gravitated to her, doing everything in his power to hold his mouth closed. She was breathtakingly beautiful, wearing a brilliant blue dress that perfectly accentuated her eyes, her flowing blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. She stepped up to stand next to Alex, who placed a hand on Sarah's back as she gestured toward the contestants.

"So, Sarah. You've had an opportunity to sit down with each of these handsome men and talk with them. So, tell me, how did it go?"

"Right Alex. I was able to get to know each of the guys just a little bit today and let me tell you, each one is special in his own way." Sarah paused as she looked over the gathering of men in front of her. She had a hard time saying all of that with a straight face, so she needed a few seconds to maintain her composure. "I'm just so sad that some of them will have to leave us tonight." Again, Sarah was struggling a bit, especially given the lively conversation she had not that long ago with Zondra and Megan, bashing on all the clowns she was happily sending home. As she scanned over the group her gaze met Chuck's and she stopped. Her smile started to brighten just a bit before she caught herself. She couldn't show any favorites, especially at this stage, so she quickly shifted her attention back to Alex, who called her attention to the table filled with Backstage passes.

Chuck listened as Sarah expressed her sadness at having to send people home, and it was at that moment that he caught Sarah's gaze. He thought for a fleeting moment that her lips began to curl, as if forming a smile, but then it vanished. She quickly averted her gaze, seeming to look anywhere but at him. That was enough of an answer, wasn't it? She was sending some poor schmucks home tonight and she couldn't look him in the eye. It seemed evident that he was on that short list. He tried his best not to let his disappointment show, but he was no actor. He knew he wore his heart on his sleeve, but for the sake of the show, and his own dignity, he would keep it together. Nevertheless, he still felt an ache deep in his bones, one that would likely remain for a long time to come.

"Sarah, here are your Backstage passes. We ask that you call each contestant that you wish to remain and place a backstage pass around their neck. Whenever you're ready," Alex added, stepping back and letting Sarah have the floor to herself.

"Well, first, I'd like to thank all of you. I enjoyed meeting you all, which makes these decisions even more difficult." Picking up the first of twenty passes, she looked at the teleprompter to aid her with the names. One by one, Sarah called the names of contestants, exchanged some small pleasantry and then placed the lanyard over their head. Afterward they would walk out of the room, leaving the risers to slowly empty.

Chuck was focused on Sarah, trying to absorb as much of her as he could before he had to get back on the bus of shame and go home. Name after name was called, each one getting to share a smile with her, knowing that they would have at least one more opportunity to spend time with her. He hoped that if any good came of this, it was that Sarah would find a good man to treat her well, even if he knew it wouldn't be him. After all the failed relationships smeared through the tabloids, she deserved to find someone that would be good to her, put her first. As the numbers dwindled, the knot in his stomach tightened, making it harder to breathe. He tried to maintain a stiff upper lip, not wanting to show the world the swirling vortex of emotions raging through him right now. He just needed to hold it together for a few more minutes.

Despite the smile she wore, her insides were twisted in knots. While she went through the motions of hanging passes around the necks of contestants, offering them empty comments, her thoughts were on one contestant in particular. She had originally wanted to call Chuck in the middle of the group, hoping not to call too much attention to her interest so early. Zondra, however, had convinced her to put him at the very end. She said it would add drama. Many viewers would see Chuck as the underdog in this competition, so if he were to continue to progress through the show, it would increase viewership. 'Give them something to talk about' she'd said. That wasn't the reason Sarah was choosing him of course, but it was a win-win either way, so she agreed.

With six contestants left standing before her, she knew she had to make this look like a difficult choice, but it was anything but. Chuck was an intriguing man; she found his sincerity and openness refreshing. She was more than a little curious to learn more about him, far more so than any of the other contestants, who were all too happy to tell her how 'great' they were. She retrieved the last backstage pass from the table and took a few steps forward. Gazing thoughtfully at the pass clutched in her hands, she let out a long breath before looking up at the remaining men.

"It was really nice getting to meet all of you, and while I wish I had more to give, I only have one pass remaining. I want to thank you all and wish you good luck. I hope you find that special someone you're looking for." She looked at each person in turn as she spoke, trying to at least seem genuine even though the ones going home were real creeps. "My final choice is…"

Chuck felt like he was standing before a firing squad. How had he gone from wanting no part of being on this show to wanting so much to stay? That question was rhetorical obviously, because the answer was standing in front of him. He watched her intently as she gave her final address, hanging on her every word. He tried to tell by the looks she gave the others, which man she had selected, but her expression was difficult to read. They were all, objectively, attractive men that seemed to have a swagger, a certain confidence that he knew he didn't possess. He waited to hear which of their names she called, trying to etch the site of her into his brain. Something to remember her by.

"Chuck."

She turned toward him, capturing his gaze. It was at that moment that he realized he had been holding his breath, for how long he didn't know. His gasp was just as much in shock as it was an awakening; bursting through the surface after nearly drowning. He stood, shakily, mouth agape not completely certain this wasn't somehow a dream. He watched the corners of her mouth curl up more and more until she was beaming at him. His hand pressed to his chest, fearful his racing heart might escape, Chuck stepped off the risers to close the distance between them.

When he approached her, she could hear the shakiness in his breath and it somehow made her feel a little less anxious. To know that he was nervous too meant that they could commiserate on some level, strength in numbers. It hadn't occurred to her until this very moment what a stressful ordeal this must have been for him. Was he convinced that he might be going home tonight? Maybe that's why he seemed so shocked. That made her feel much worse for waiting until the end, but at the same time, she felt reassured. She was confident that he was not one to take things for granted, to expect things to always go his way. That humility was a quality that was sorely lacking in most of her past relationships. Just one more thing to add to the "win" column.

Sarah held open the lanyard as Chuck bowed before her, allowing her to drape it over his neck. When he raised back up, she ran her hands down the lapel of his jacket, as if smoothing away some imaginary wrinkles. She adjusted the pass, making sure it was even before clearing her throat and taking a step back. See brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear, giving him a rather sheepish smile. He could only blink, seeming at a complete loss for words but he did manage to return the smile before mindlessly walking off the set into the adjacent room.

Alex Forrest stepped forward to stand beside Sarah to address the remaining contestants. "Gentleman, we're sorry to see you go. Your things are being loaded on the bus to take you home. If you will please exit through that door, your bus awaits. We wish you all good luck." When the last man exited the room, Roan called "cut" and the crew began to busy themselves. They needed to move outside to film the sendoff for those going home.

Sarah found a nearby chair and plopped down, letting out a long sigh. With that portion over, she felt a huge weight lifted. She knew this journey was far from over, and it would only get worse from here, but that was a worry for another day. Five down, nineteen for to go.

A/N2: I really appreciate all your reviews/comments. You guys are amazing. Thank you. Please keep 'em coming!

A/N3: I have a confession to make. I hate reality TV. Hate it. Hate it, hate it, hate it. There is nothing real about any of it. So why write a story around it? Good question. I'll have to get back to you on that one. But since I dislike these shows, I have not tried to follow the format of any one particular show. I wanted to do my own thing, with my own agenda. I'm sure there are a lot of similarities but this is my own concoction with a little help from David Carner. Not that any of this is his fault, but if things go completely sideways... he did it!

See ya next chapter.

Joe