A/N: It's been quite a few months since I last updated this one. First of all, thanks to all that left reviews and PMs for it. I'll try to update again quicker.
And thanks to Captainrick944 for the beta.
In this chapter, Sarah continues undergoing physiotherapy sessions but also moves into her new apartment…
Shot
Chapter 6: Moving
She'd attended the physiotherapy on Wednesday but said she couldn't on Friday as she was moving into an apartment that day. The physiotherapist, Pam, said that waiting until Monday felt too long and persuaded her to go in on Thursday. Sarah didn't object. She wanted this over as quickly as possible. It did mean that she had no time for any private exercises between them, but she was okay with that.
At the end of the session on Thursday, Pam looked at her. "I'm impressed at how much progress you're making already." As she sat panting and glaring at her knee, Sarah didn't share that feeling, but it was good to hear the expert say it.
"Do your own exercises over the next three days before you come back on Monday." Pam narrowed her eyes. "But be careful not to strain the knee. Do you have someone helping you move tomorrow?"
Sarah grinned. "My boyfriend has taken the day off. The way he fusses over me, I'll be surprised if I get to do much."
Pam smiled. "Good for him."
Sarah got a taxi home, just as she'd got one there. The session was in the morning, and she didn't want Chuck to take time away from work that day as he was off the whole of the next.
She felt less grumpy on the taxi ride home. Tomorrow was a big day for her, and the excitement was quite intense.
She thought back over the last few days.
= ! = =
Monday evening, after the revelations they had both shared and knowing none of them affected their relationship, they had spent the rest of their time together, either embracing and kissing or just holding each other. Sarah had never wanted either experience, not that she'd been offered it, but she found she loved both with her new boyfriend.
She knew that most girls would have experienced this in their teens. The fact that she was in her late twenties and only just experiencing it was not lost on her. She had achieved a lot in her ten years in the CIA, but a healthy, loving relationship was not one of them. She didn't care though. Thanks to meeting Chuck Bartowski, she had it now.
Sarah knew that if her body had been up to it, she would have pulled back the bed covers, and they would've made love. She was sure that it would have been more than just sex. The emotional connection was already intense.
She knew that they could pleasure each other, but also knew that if they did, they may not be able to resist what her knee and shoulder couldn't cope with. Just one more reason for her wanting to recover quickly.
She had never felt so desperate for a physical relationship before. It was a bit frightening.
Of course, Chuck was fantastic. It was obvious he wanted her in that way too, but he assured her that he was not upset. In fact, he was nervous as it had been over five years, and he worried that his performance would disappoint.
That got her angry with the woman who had made him feel that way. She was convinced that their first time would be magical. Even if it finished quicker than he wanted, she would love it, just as she loved him. However, she had to stop thinking about that as it was still a way off.
On Tuesday evening, he came over and helped her order the essential items for her apartment. That was basically furniture she needed for the living room, dining area, and bedroom, along with bedding, bathroom and kitchen equipment. The kitchen already had fitted electrical appliances, so she didn't have to order any of that, but she did need a kettle.
Everything would be delivered on Friday from mid-morning. She would stay with Chuck in his apartment, waiting for the deliveries.
Wednesday afternoon, Chuck collected her after her physiotherapy session. She'd had enough time to shower before he arrived and for that to ease her mood.
Her rushed out of the car to help her in, as he usually did, but she waved it off. "Much as I love you touching me, Chuck, I have to do this myself." She then noticed his blush and realized her words had triggered it. She grinned. "I can't wait for your hands on me when I'm over this."
"I can't either, Sarah." His look was full of lust.
She felt a tingling where she most wanted him to touch her and wished she'd not said anything. She quickly climbed into the car. She felt the flush coloring her cheeks.
He climbed in and leaned over to kiss her. It was a brief kiss, but after those words, all she wanted to do was deepen it. Somehow, she resisted.
As he pulled away, it was Sarah that had her eyes closed and her lips in a pout wanting more.
He chuckled, which made her open her eyes and look at him with a raised brow.
"We're quite a pair, yearning for kisses," he said.
She sat back and thought about that. "It's been nearly nineteen hours since our last kiss, Mister."
He grinned. "I love that you're counting the hours, Sarah."
She huffed. He was right, but what else had she to do? "I really need to find a job, so I don't spend all day pining for you."
His grin grew. "I've got a job, and I spend a lot of time there longing for when I'll see you next."
She grinned. "As you say. What a pair!"
As Jane had told her that she would hand over the keys at 9am on Friday, Chuck had suggested she stay at his place overnight. She loved the idea but wasn't sure of the message it gave to his sister, so had declined. She would have one last night in her hotel room.
Chuck then surprised her by suggesting he stay with her there. His blush indicated he realized what that implied, as there was no couch for either of them to sleep on.
She found the bed very comfortable, and it was quite large. "Chuck, we can both sleep in that bed without any contact, so if you're okay with it, I would love that."
His huge smile was dazzling. "My first time sleeping with the woman of my dreams!"
She thought about the dreams she'd been having since meeting him. Not one nightmare. The more recent ones had woken her, but for a different reason. Was this taking a chance? Would she be able to resist him when she woke?
She squashed those thoughts down.
Now they were on their way to their first night sleeping together. It was just two adults sharing a bed, but it felt so much more to her.
Thinking back to the only time she had shared a bed, brought up the painful memory with Bryce. They'd had sex more, but he had only stayed the night with her once. Her nightmares waking her had affected his sleep, particularly as finding she was not alone had triggered her defense response. Apparently, waking with a knife at your throat wasn't that appealing.
She no longer slept with a knife under her pillow, and not only that, she'd had no nightmares since meeting Chuck.
They would be fine.
After they'd eaten dinner, she felt she needed to explain how she'd been the last time she spent a night with a man.
"Chuck, I haven't shared a bed with anyone for over a year. In fact, I've only ever done it once."
He looked at her, surprised. "I don't really want to hear about your past lovers, but… only once?"
She blushed. "I mean sleeping together. I have done… that more." She didn't want to rub it in that she'd had sex with others, as she knew how sensitive he was. She rushed on. "Sleep was never undisturbed for me."
The light of understanding appeared in his eyes. "Nightmares?"
She nodded. "Bad ones."
"I'd love to help you with those," he said.
She gripped his hands. "You already have. I haven't had a nightmare since I met you. I don't know how, but you seem to have stopped them."
He grinned. "Must be because I have a soporific effect on you."
She scowled at him, and he sobered up. "I think it's because I go to bed happy."
"Why are you telling me this? Have you changed your mind about sleeping with me?"
She tightened her grip on his hands. "No!" She really wanted this. "I just want you to know how I used to be. That one time, waking with someone else in the bed, triggered my defense response." She looked away. "I could've killed him."
"And you're worried you might kill me?" She looked back at him. He had paled.
"Chuck, I no longer sleep with my knives under my pillow, so you're safe from that, but you might have to talk me down."
He gulped. "Knives?"
She nodded. "A spy has to have weapons readily available. But I don't anymore."
He hated asking this but felt compelled to ask. "Was that the end of the relationship?"
"No," she answered. "He just never slept in the same bed with me again. Ours wasn't really the same sort of relationship as I have with you?"
Chuck didn't fully understand. He just frowned.
She felt she had to explain. "We were partners. We had to work on missions together, often as a married couple." She hesitated but wasn't going to hide anything from him. "We had sex, but no love." She saw the pain in his eyes and gripped his hands. "Chuck, when you and I do, there will be love as well. Bryce and I weren't in love."
"I knew a Bryce at college. He stole my girlfriend," he grumbled. "We'd been friends before that."
She frowned at the thought of anyone hurting her boyfriend. "I hate him already!"
He laughed at that. "You probably wouldn't have if you met him. Women were desperate to be with him. Bryce Larkin was the most charming man I have ever met."
She gasped. "Bryce Larkin?"
He nodded and realized how she had reacted. "It can't be the same person. The Bryce I knew is an accountant now. Or at least he should be."
"No. He's a CIA operative. Charming the pants off women as he does his job."
He frowned. "So, you were one of them!"
She grabbed his face with both hands. "It was more tension release after missions. I'm sorry I mentioned it. Chuck, I never loved him like I do you."
He was thoroughly pissed now. "But he still got to have sex with you, which I haven't!" He tried to turn away, but she held him where he was.
She leaned in and kissed him. He kept his lips shut. She pulled away. "Chuck, he was the one that left me to be tortured. It was the right thing to do for the mission, but it still hurt. I've never seen him since. He doesn't care about me, and I have no feelings for him. He could be dead now, for all I know."
Chuck realized how stupid he was being and pulled her in for a kiss, a full kiss. When he pulled away for air, he said, "I'm sorry, Sarah. He brings out my insecurities and self-doubt, along with a lot of anger. He nearly destroyed me."
She held his gaze. "So, he's hurt both of us. We're better off without him in our lives."
She looked at her watch. "We have a busy day tomorrow. Let's just go to bed."
He nodded. "You use the bathroom first," she said.
He went to his overnight bag and pulled out a t-shirt and shorts, along with a toiletries bag. She watched him go, regretting what she'd said, hoping it wouldn't spoil things between them.
She cleared away everything from their dinner and was still in the kitchen when he came out and called to her from the bed. "Bathroom's all yours."
Without thinking, she grabbed her nightie and clean panties and went into the bathroom.
As she brushed her teeth, she glanced at herself in the mirror.
She stepped back and took in what she saw. Her arms and legs were bare. The wound on her shoulder had healed, but the scar was visible as was the bruising. Her knee was still covered in a bandage. Apart from those, she looked healthy. She had nothing else to wear to bed. Pajamas would still be uncomfortable on her knee. Maybe she should have worn a t-shirt and shorts as Chuck had, but she decided to just get into bed quickly. She knew Chuck would react to her body in this and really didn't want to remind him what they couldn't do.
She turned off the light after reaching for the door handle. She opened it and walked as quickly as possible to the left side of the bed. Even so, Chuck's gasp halted her. She looked over at him, staring at her with his mouth open. "I'm sorry, Chuck. I didn't think about what I was going to wear."
"You are so gorgeous, Sarah!"
She climbed into bed and covered herself up before replying, "Thank you, Chuck. I love hearing you say that, but I didn't want to remind you what can't happen tonight."
"I'm just so happy that I got to see you like that," he replied.
She knew she shouldn't ask this, but she couldn't resist. "You liked what you saw?"
"Are you kidding? The most beautiful woman in the world, with those gorgeous arms and legs fully on show, along with a body only hidden by a flimsy nightie. A vision that will fill my dreams and daytime thoughts."
She leaned over and kissed him. "You fill my dreams, Chuck. I can't wait until we can sleep together in all senses of the word."
She felt him shiver. "Me too. But this is wonderful too, Sarah."
She pulled back so they were on separate sides of the bed. "I love you, Chuck." It felt really good saying it.
He beamed. "I love you too, Sarah. My dream girl."
She turned off the light to try to get to sleep.
They both lay there thinking about the short distance separating them.
She could tell he was lying there awake, just as she was. Both on their backs staring at the ceiling.
She reached out the nearest hand to him, and without words, he sensed it and reached out to hold it.
"Sleep's difficult when your body is responding to the proximity of the person you dream about," she said.
"Your dead right there," he said.
"How do we get past this?" she asked.
"Hugging won't help," he said.
She was going to ask why but then guessed what he meant. "Oh." It made her want that hug even more, but he was absolutely right. Both would find holding back too hard. "My god, Chuck. I want you so much!"
"Maybe I should go home," he said and started to release her hand, but she tightened her grip.
"Chuck, we can get through this. As soon as my whole body can cope, we'll spend a whole weekend in bed, but until then, we'll control ourselves and prove to each other that we can."
He rolled over to face her while still keeping his distance. He was still holding her hand. "I just want to look at you before I try again to get to sleep."
She stretched out, switched on the light, and then rolled back to face him. She was lying on her bad knee but not putting any pressure on it. She looked into his eyes. Those gorgeous brown eyes of his. She felt dreamy looking at him. The fact she could only see his face helped, and sinking into his eyes took her mind off everything else.
Chuck could stare into her beautiful blue eyes forever. It stopped him from thinking about the proximity of her near-naked body. He still wanted to make love to her when he could, but for now just going to sleep with this vision would be enough.
She could feel sleep creeping up on her, so she rolled back, switched the light off, and lay facing away from him. "Goodnight, Chuck."
He rolled over to face away from her. He was starting to feel ready. "G'night, beautiful."
His words made her smile as she drifted off.
Sarah woke gradually from a dream of sex with her boyfriend.
She was warm, and her pillow was rising and falling underneath her. It also smelled different than usual.
Her eyes snapped open as she realized why. She had her head resting on a man's t-shirt-covered chest. Panic started to take hold until she remembered who it was and why he was in bed with her. Her wonderful boyfriend was staying with her prior to taking her to her new apartment.
She also realized that it wasn't just her head on him. Her right leg and arm were splayed across him too.
She lifted her head to see if he was awake and found he wasn't. She knew she should move before he woke, but the feeling of his bare legs on hers was so damn good!
Unfortunately, he then woke up. Damn!
He took one sniff of her hair and hummed. "Morning, Gorgeous. I wish I could wake like this every day."
She shifted away from him and back onto her side of the bed. And shivered because she was so cold compared to before.
Chuck rolled onto his side and pulled her to him, enveloping her in his left arm.
She felt warm again but knew this could quickly get out of control.
She whispered into his neck. "I love this, Chuck, but.…"
"Just until you're warm," he replied.
She stayed still and hummed.
Then, she thought of the time and pulled away to see what it was.
"Chuck!" she gasped. "I have to get up to have a shower!"
She quickly moved over to the cold side of the bed and slid out. She grabbed the clothes she planned to wear and headed into the bathroom.
"I really wish we didn't have to get up," he muttered.
They made it to the apartment block just in time. Jane got Sarah to sign for the keys and handed them to her. "Enjoy your new home."
As she watched the woman walk away, Sarah said to herself, "my first home." She suddenly couldn't believe it was happening.
She walked to the door and opened it. This felt a big deal, so she paused and took a deep breath. She was about to enter when Chuck whispered in her ear, "If your knee was better, I'd pick you up and carry you across the threshold."
A shiver ran up and down her spine. She turned and looked at him. She couldn't help teasing him. "You'll have to at least propose before that, and we should really be married."
He sputtered and she burst out laughing. She leaned in and kissed him while trying to contain her laugher.
"I don't have a ring yet," he finally said.
That shut her up. She took a step back and just gasped at him. "Chuck, we haven't known each other for very long."
He focused his eyes on her. "I don't need long. You're it for me. You're the one."
She was definitely surprised at this revelation, but as she thought about it, she'd never felt like this before. The happiness he'd brought into her life made her want to spend a lot more time with him. But marriage was a big step. She didn't want to upset him, so she kissed him again before saying, "I think we should wait a while. You hardly know me."
"I know you enough to know I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He looked at her earnestly.
"Not yet," she said. He looked crestfallen. She held his head in her hands. "I'm only just getting used to being in a relationship, Chuck. I love the idea of being with you, but please let me get used to this first." He still looked downcast, so she gave him a deeper kiss. A kiss that really showed how she felt about him.
When she released him. She ducked into her apartment and looked around. This was really hers!
She pulled Chuck in and wandered around with him by her side. He was quiet, but she was so excited.
After a while, she felt the need for a coffee. They hadn't had any food or drink that morning.
"Can we go over to your place and have a coffee?" She looked at him. He was blushing and not looking at her. "What's wrong?"
"I made a fool of myself suggesting we should already get engaged. Of course, it's too soon!"
She took his hands in hers. "Chuck, I just don't think we should rush into it so quickly." He couldn't look at her. "Chuck, this is one of the happiest days of my life. My amazing boyfriend has found me a place to live. Even better, it's only a stone's throw from where he lives. I'm in love with him. When my knee is better, I'm gonna make love to him. I can't wait for that. Everything is wonderful. Please don't spoil this day."
He was silent for a moment. "I love you too, Sarah." His face smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. At least he was trying, though. "So very, very much."
She kissed him again. "Now let's go over to your apartment, and you can make me a coffee, my love."
The furniture had been arriving in dribs and drabs. It was late afternoon, and the only thing that hadn't arrived yet was her bed. She phoned the store that was supplying that.
Chuck was in her kitchen making coffees for them both. They had everything they needed, so they had moved over here.
Sarah was sitting on her new couch.
Chuck was startled when Sarah's voice raised. "Haven't you got another?"
Chuck placed the coffee on the table in front of her.
"So, when will you get one to me?" There was a pause, then she yelled, "Monday!?" Chuck could almost see smoke pouring out of her ears. "I will be out at the hospital on Monday, so that means Tuesday before you can deliver. And what am I supposed to sleep in until then?" After another pause, she slammed her phone down on the couch.
"I can answer your last question, Sarah. You can sleep with me in my bed. We can wake in each other's arms each morning."
She smiled at him. "I planned on doing that in my new bed, Chuck, but you're right. Sleeping with you anywhere will be great." She stood and pulled him in for a kiss. "Sorry you got to see me getting so riled up."
"Whoever you were talking to is just lucky you no longer carry weapons," he joked.
She grinned. "My body is a weapon, Chuck. I can kill with it."
He shivered. "Remind me not to get you mad with me."
She chuckled.
They sat down to drink their coffee.
"There is a problem with the sleeping arrangement, though," Sarah said.
"Oh?"
She held his gaze. "I've already demonstrated an inability to keep away from you."
He grinned. "Well, I am so gorgeous!"
Sarah could hear the mocking tone in his voice and told him in all seriousness, "You are to me, Chuck."
He blushed and was going to say something disparaging about himself, so she placed a finger over his lips. "I have a confession. I don't think I'll last until my knee is fully recovered, Chuck. I want to make love to you sooner than that. Tonight, in fact."
He frowned. "Sarah, are you sure? The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Especially not with something so intimate."
She grabbed him and kissed him deeply. This wonderful man cared for her so much. It was almost overwhelming sometimes. "I know you'll be gentle. I want to do it right now, but let's wait until we go to bed tonight."
"So much pressure!" he said. She couldn't tell if he was stressed or not, so she decided to joke about it. "I don't think it'll need much pressure, Chuck."
He hugged and kissed her.
They were disturbed by a knock on the door.
Chuck was going to answer it, but Sarah stopped him and got over there as quickly as her knee would allow her.
Ellie and Devon were at the door. "Welcome to Echo Park, Sarah," Ellie said. She was holding a vase of flowers.
Sarah had never had flowers bought for her and was taken aback. "Ellie, they're beautiful. Thank you. Would you mind bringing them in? I don't want to drop them."
"I guessed that. It's my sneaky way of getting in to see the place," the older woman said with a huge smile.
As she walked past Sarah, Devon gave the blonde a quick hug. "It's wonderful that you'll be so close."
Sarah chuckled at that. "Well, for the next four nights, I'll be even closer. I'll be sleeping in Chuck's bed."
Ellie quickly turned back to her. Her eyes sparkling. "So, you two sealed the deal last night?"
Chuck nearly choked on his coffee, and Sarah burst out laughing but also flushed. "My body wasn't up to that, but I had the best sleep ever. That's not why, though. The bed they were going to deliver was damaged, and they can't get a replacement to me until Tuesday."
Ellie had put down the vase and walked back to her. "Sorry to hear that, Sarah, but at the same time, happy that you'll be with us." She gave Sarah a brief hug.
Devon and Chuck had unpacked the other furniture and made it up. Sarah and Ellie had unpacked all the other items and put them away. Sarah now had a home to live in. She could hardly believe it.
Ellie and Devon had gone to their apartment to make dinner, leaving Chuck and Sarah to finish in hers.
These people never ceased to amaze her with their willingness to help her.
She changed her clothes and walked over with her boyfriend to spend the evening with his family.
The dinner was as good as the last one. "I hope you realize that meals I cook won't be this good, Chuck," Sarah said.
Ellie beamed at the compliment. "You're always welcome to eat here, Sarah."
Sarah had to look away to avoid tearing up. She'd told them a bit about her life before coming here, so they knew she was a loner. Being taken into the warmth of this family was a bit overwhelming.
Ellie continued, "Sarah, you've made a huge impact on Chuck's life." She looked over at her brother, who was blushing, wishing she wouldn't say so much. "It's true, little brother. I've never seen you so happy."
Sarah saved him from having to reply. "Happiness was not part of my life before meeting you, Ellie. You introduced me to a whole new world. Bringing Chuck into my life is the best thing anyone has ever done for me." She gazed fondly at him. "I didn't think I would ever be in love before I met him."
She looked back at his sister, who was looking teary-eyed.
When Sarah felt the need to sleep, she headed to the bathroom. "I'll join you in a bit," Chuck said.
When she was out of earshot, he turned to his sister. "I messed up, El."
She looked at him. "How?"
"I sorta proposed to her, and she said it was too soon."
She looked shocked. "Chuck, you've only been together for just over a week! It's far too soon."
"But we're so right together," he said in a whiney voice.
"Chuck! Think of the changes she's going through. This is all new to her. Don't push her. Give her time. Give her a chance to be in a loving relationship before taking the next step." He nodded. "Chuck, she will want to marry you. I can see she wants you in her life. Just don't get ahead of yourself."
They stopped talking when Sarah called down that the bathroom was free.
"Go. Be there for her," Ellie said.
He walked down to his bedroom to collect his clothes. As he walked in, Sarah stood waiting for him, in her short nightie.
"Oh my god!" He just froze, looking at her. Her beautiful long legs and arms fully on display. The nightie left little to the imagination.
She beamed at him. "You like?"
"Sarah, you're not just beautiful. You're sexy as hell!"
"Just for you, Chuck." She handed him a t-shirt and shorts. "Go get changed. I want us to have a night to remember before I go to sleep."
He rushed to the bathroom and was back in no time. Sarah was lying in bed waiting for him.
"Are you sure about this, Sarah?"
She nodded and sat up to take off her nightie. As she had her clean panties by the side of the bed, she lay back down completely naked.
Chuck's eyes nearly popped out.
"You're overdressed," she said, grinning at him. Once he stripped down, she admired his naked form for the first time. She liked what she saw.
He climbed onto the bed and immediately started to kiss all of her exposed body. He paid more attention to some of it. Sarah had never been worshiped like this before. She gasped and moaned as he did. It was the best experience of her life.
As she lay in a haze, she begged, "Chuck, make love to me."
He was incredibly gentle and very careful not to put any strain on her knee or shoulder. If anything, it was her that had to restrain herself.
All the sensations were wonderful, and the fireworks at the end made it hard for her not to cry out in ecstasy. Nothing had ever felt so good before.
After, lying next to each other, she knew this was something she needed to experience more. No more just dreaming of it. "Chuck, I want us to do this every night. When I've fully recovered, more than once." She rolled onto her side to face him. "I'm not sure if it's just you or the fact we love each other, but that was the best I have ever experienced. By a long way."
"Same for me, Sarah."
She leaned over and tenderly kissed him.
Shortly after that, she fell asleep, still naked.
Waking up with a naked Sarah Walker sprawled across his equally naked body was definitely the best early morning for Chuck.
She was still fast asleep. God, he loved this woman, with or without clothes.
If this was indicative of their future together, he was the happiest man on Earth.
Of course, his sister had to spoil it by knocking on the bedroom door. "Do you two want some coffee and breakfast?"
Sarah started to stir, but he held her in place and pulled the covers over them, just in case Ellie came in. Thankfully, she didn't. "We'll join you soon," he said, and he heard her walk away.
"Morning, lover," Sarah sleepily said.
"Morning, my love," he replied.
She moved sufficiently to look at him. "Naked wake-up is even better."
He wanted to make love to her again, but they needed to get up. He gave her a quick kiss, and she slid her gorgeous body off of him and got out of bed.
This was the first time he'd seen her naked ass, and he gasped.
She looked behind her and grinned. Then, she grabbed her clean panties and her nightie and quickly slipped them on before heading to the bathroom.
As she stood in the shower, Sarah thought about the most wonderful night of her life. She also thought if the conversation earlier in the day with Chuck. He was the one for her, just as he said she was for him. Her fear of commitment was stupid and she'd completely overreacted. She needed to tell him how she really felt. Stop putting it off. When he decided to propose, really propose, she wouldn't stall. She'd say what her heart was telling her.
A/N: I knew as soon as we got together that my wife was the one for me. When I proposed, she accepted instantly. However, I had waited nearly a year before I did that.
Thoughts?