A/N: One shot?

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

"It was a dark and stormy night." Sarah turned her head slightly to her right to stare at her partner. Chuck was holding the parabolic mike, one ear bud in his ear, the other one dangling near her in case she needed to listen. She leaned forward, scanned the sky, leaned back, and looked at him again. "What?"

"It's dusk at best, and it's not stormy at all," Sarah told him, grinning.

"Fine," he said, sighing dramatically. "It was hot," he said in a low tone.

"It is hot," Sarah agreed.

"The kinda hot that made you want to sleep without a stitch of clothing on. But not just hot. The air was alive…and oppressive. It was thick enough to cut with a knife, and then pull back the knife to see it had rusted."

"It is pretty miserable out there, but we are in an air conditioned room," she pointed out, peering through her camera lens again at the window across the street. The lights remained off in the apartment. She didn't think anyone would show up for another hour at least, if not much longer.

"The window was open to try to cool the office, but the streets still radiated heat and it wafted like the smells of a bakery below, covering you, enveloping you, and squeezing you until you could just barely breathe. The heat had caused a thunderstorm to break, and the rain was coming down, providing a bit of relief."

Sarah looked around. "What window, what office, what rain?"

"I'm trying to set to mood, the ambiance of a noir type mystery," Chuck hissed, making her giggle.

"Chuck, there is no noir type mystery," Sarah replied. Chuck blew out a frustrated breath. "Listen, we were hired for one thing and one thing only."

"I know, I know," Chuck groused.

"I know you want to have better jobs than this. I know we both feel a little slimly about it, but we do have bills to pay," she reminded him.

"I'm aware," Chuck replied. "It's just…when you came to me two years ago, I never thought we'd be on a case like this."

"You meant getting the goods on a cheating wife?" Sarah asked.

"Sarah, we have already got the goods," Chuck reminded her. She giggled. "This dude wants to see…and hear…" he paused dramatically. "Everything." Sarah started to speak. "Every. Thing," Chuck added.

It was true. State representative Mark Fulcrum had hired the two investigators to find out if his wife was cheating on him. Within twenty-four hours, Chuck and Sarah had found his wife had her own apartment. Chuck had wanted to call it her "she-shed" but Sarah had pointed out that "she-shed" tended to mean a place where one would go to pursue their hobby….alone. What Beverly Fulcrum was doing…it did not appear it was being done…alone.

Chuck couldn't argue that point. They went back to Mr. Fulcrum with the evidence, but he wanted more. And not just more, the whole enchilada. He wanted it on video and with the sound. Chuck felt a little queasy with that and started to protest when Sarah replied with what she thought would put an end to everything.

Sarah had explained, at length, how that they would need to rent an apartment or office space with a view of his wife's apartment. She continued with how they didn't have the equipment to do the kind of thing that Mr. Fulcrum wanted done. They would need a high powered camera and a parabolic microphone.

Mark had sat quietly for a moment, turned to Chuck and asked him if money was no option, could the items be acquired. At that moment, Sarah regretted telling Mark that Chuck handled the electronic parts of their investigations. Within minutes of Chuck shrugging and saying, "yeah, it shouldn't be a problem," Mark had acquired the office space that gave them the vantage point they needed. A black credit card was thrust into Chuck's hand to purchase what they needed, and to keep the equipment, once they were done.

"You're mad at me, aren't you?" Chuck asked, pulling Sarah out of her thoughts.

"No," Sarah said, shaking her head. "I know you, Chuck. With the information we gave Mark, you would have accepted that was enough. I'm not sure what our client's endgame is, but we agreed to do this."

"We could walk away," Chuck told her.

"We could, but we've both looked into Mark, and he does seem to be on the up and up. This doesn't seem to be a serial cheater trying to catch him wife and make her seem like the bad guy," Sarah reminded him. "Plus, we turn this down…" she trailed off. Chuck nodded, understanding that turning this job down, could anger those that had been sending Chuck and Sarah cases.

"Our cushy gig with the…" Chuck paused. "The different alphabet agencies that send us stuff below their pay-grade…it might dry up."

"Yep," Sarah chirped. "And if you want to walk, I am willing to risk it." Chuck gave her an amused smile. "What? I would, in a heartbeat. I know when we started this…"

"Sarah," Chuck said gently, to stop her from searching for the words. In the two years they had worked together, and became friends, he knew she still struggled with putting her feelings and thoughts into words. "I appreciate you putting your financial well-being at risk because I feel icky taking these pictures and recording what is about to happen." She chuckled at him. "But it's not necessary. Beverly Fulcrum appears to be doing what she wants, how she wants. Now, if she's being coerced…"

"Chuck…how in the world could she be coerced, and don't bring in some noir movie thing you saw," she added quickly. She grinned at how he ducked his head. "I think Beverly is doing exactly what Beverly wants to do."

"Don't you mean who she wants to do?" Chuck asked. Sarah snorted at that. "Speaking of people doing what and who they want." Sarah groaned, and looked up at the ceiling. "How is Bradly?"

"I have no idea," Sarah replied, shaking her head and chuckling. "We aren't seeing each other any longer."

Chuck looked over at her, and tried his best to look like it was the most terrible news he had ever heard. He was failing miserably. "I'm sorry, Sarah."

"You're sorry?" Sarah asked, a little confused.

"I am so sorry, it took as many dates as it did for you to dump his sorry ass," Chuck told her, making her laugh.

"There he is," Sarah said, shaking her head.

"I need to stop, your life is your life," Chuck began.

"Why stop now, you didn't the entire time I was dating him," Sarah replied. To be fair, Chuck's complaints about Brad were valid. Chuck pointed out how Bradly took her for granted, and that he wasn't putting as much effort into dating Sarah as Sarah was into dating him.

"I mean, first, the man bun," Chuck began.

"Listen, I liked it, okay? You can like Nickelback, and I can like a man bun," Sarah retorted.

"I have so many questions about your judgment," Chuck replied.

"As do I," Sarah agreed. "I did pick you to be my partner."

"I wish I could say that was the best decision you ever made, but you have me on that one," Chuck admitted, making Sarah laugh. Chuck grinned as he continued. "So, first, there was the man bun, and then the name…Bradly," he said with an air of grandioseness. Sarah couldn't stop herself from laughing. Both at his antics, and how Chuck was right. "That man thought the world of himself, and we both know why."

"The hair," Sarah said with a shrug.

"Exactly," Chuck agreed, making her laugh again. "I mean, I get it, he was PRETTY."

"He was," Sarah agreed, nodding. "A bit vapid."

"A bit?" Chuck asked her, making her sputter in laughter. "A bit? That's like saying a six hundred pound ox is a small animal." Her laughter intensified. "That man is the reason there are blond jokes." Sarah raised an eyebrow in warning. "You're making my point, you are one of the absolute smartest people I know." She rolled her eyes. "Sarah, come on, you are so freaking intelligent, and I know, people look at you and think things they should not about how you got to where you got. But I know. I know how hard you work. I know how you sacrifice. I know the strength and intelligence that you posses and how some days you want to beat people up for the way they dismiss you." Sarah was staring at Chuck. "What?"

"If you were anyone else I would think you were saying that stuff to get me to sleep with you," Sarah said softly.

Chuck blinked. "Would there be cuddling?" She shook her head and shoulder bumped him.

"The kinda 'sleeping' that's going to be going on over there," Sarah told Chuck. |

He cleared his throat. "We don't know that is what is going to happen over there." Sarah gave him an amused look. "We don't," he insisted. "I mean, it probably is exactly what is going to happen," he continued, in a much quieter voice, again, making her laugh. "In fact, I suspect little to no actual sleeping is going to be involved."

"Chuck," Sarah said shaking her head.

"And then, when we get the evidence, you know what I get to do to our client?" Chuck asked.

Sarah shook her head. "No, what?"

"LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH!" Chuck sang.

"Oh, God," Sarah muttered. "I'm sorry about the Nickelback crack."

"I don't know why you kink shame me like that, just because I like a Canadian alt rock band," Chuck continued.

"I don't think that's what kink shaming is," Sarah argued.

"I mean, you like a man bun," Chuck continued.

"On him," Sarah stressed. "I thought it looked good on him. And that was the problem, he was good to look at."

"And then he opened his mouth and ruined it?" Chuck asked. Sarah leaned forward, nearly passing out from laughing so hard. "So, was that your 'sit there and be pretty phase'?"

"You know Carina even said she thought he would be terrible in bed," Sarah continued. Chuck looked away, wondering things, but dare not asking her. Sarah studied him, amused. "We didn't."

"It's none of my business," Chuck blurted out.

"Oh, I am well aware of how much it is not your business," Sarah told him, making him chuckle. "But, I had plans for us to…tonight." Chuck couldn't stop himself from laughing. "It's not that funny."

"Oh, you are wrong," Chuck told her. "You literally are not having sex, to film someone else having sex." Sarah's shoulders slumped. "Oh my God! You told him what we had to do!"

"Yes, I did," Sarah admitted, setting her jaw. Chuck sobered up quickly, knowing her signs. That move, meant she was pissed.

"Sarah?"

"He accused me of trying to have the two of us watch this to, and I quote, 'Get it on with the geek.'," Sarah told him, her eyes blazing.

"I'm sorry," Chuck told her.

"For what?" Sarah asked. "He was an asshat. Him being upset with me, for breaking our date….fine, I can get that, even though he had to reschedule three different times with me."

"Three?" Chuck asked, holding up three fingers, shock on his face.

"The. Ree," Sarah confirmed. Chuck let out a low whistle. "I cancel ONCE, because I have to work, to make money, to continue to have a place to live, to put food on my table, and he has a hissy fit."

"Is that like a conniption?" Chuck asked. Sarah shook her head and looked away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her smile. "Or a come-apart?"

"A conniption, is actually more violent and longer than a hissy fit," Sarah told him, setting her jaw, making herself not laugh.

"See," he said warmly. "Highly intelligent."

"Chuck," she said, her shoulders slumping, defeated.

"I know, I know, I have my damn gall to point out how amazing you are," Chuck told her. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Anyway, I am sorry that he said that you were a geek and made it sound like I was trying to seduce you," Sarah told him.

"Hey, you are welcome to tell him that I am in the mood for no one since the Lou incident." They sat there quietly for a moment, and Sarah started to speak. "I don't want to talk about it," he rushed out quickly. She nodded. "While I don't think he's worthy of you, and frankly, I may not think anyone is worthy of you, I don't want it to be my fault that you broke it off with him."

"Chuck," she said softly and warmly.

"I want it to be because you came to your damn senses on him," Chuck finished. She shoved him away, both of them laughing. They sat there for a few minutes, quietly. Sarah again started to say something. "I really don't want to talk about it," he hurried out. Sarah nodded.

"Hey, look," Sarah said, noticing the door open and the lights flip on in the apartment they were watching. "Showtime," she breathed, pulling up her camera, and flipping the switch to record. She checked the monitor, to make sure that she was receiving the file on the computer beside her.

"You're good," Chuck said, watching the monitor as well. "Well, I see Beverly has found herself a younger gentleman."

"So the cougar has caught herself a cub, huh?" Sarah asked. Chuck looked at her, and blinked. "Is she not a cougar?"

"I have no idea," Chuck admitted. "I'm not sure of the age brackets." Chuck turned back to watch the apartment in front of them, and his jaw dropped. "Sarah?"

"Uh…" she muttered, looking up from the camera. "I'm gonna hate myself for this." She reached over and grabbed the dangling ear piece and put it in her ear. The two sat there quietly, listening. They both gave each other a look and then turned back to what was in front of them.

"How much of this do we need?" Chuck asked, in a strained voice.

"He said all of it," Sarah replied. "Chuck…"

"My God, I am not ashamed to admit, I am feeling a bit inadequate here," Chuck muttered.

"Chuck, it's a prosthetic," Sarah said, unable to take her eyes away from what she was seeing. "How in God's name does it fit?" she muttered. Chuck looked at her, his eyes wide. She glance at him. "Oh, you know you were thinking the same thing!"

"How long is this going to go on?" Chuck asked.

"It just started," Sarah pointed out.

"I may never sleep again without having nightmares," Chuck muttered. Sarah couldn't help but agree.

}o{

The two sat in Mr. Fulcrum's office the next morning. The…incident went on for over an hour. Both went back to their respective homes, but neither was able to sleep, and when sleep did come, weird dreams accompanied the sleep.

"You have the evidence?" Mr Fulcrum asked, as he walked into his office, the two already sitting in chairs waiting for him.

"We do," Sarah said, handing him a flash drive. "Both the video and audio are on there." Mr Fulcrum nodded, sat, plugged in the flash drive, and began to watch. He left the sound on, and both Sarah and Chuck couldn't help but wince. "It just goes on like that for a while."

"How long?" Mr Fulcrum asked.

"One hour, seventeen minutes, and forty-seven seconds," Chuck blurted out. Sarah glance over at him. "I was the one who had to make sure everything worked so…." Chuck trailed off, wondering if there was enough brain bleach in the word to scrub away what he had seen. "I don't know if it helps," Chuck began. Mr Fulcrum looked up at him. "I mean, she wasn't the one….you know…she….." Chuck shook his head.

"What Chuck is trying to say, is this doesn't seem to be a traditional affair," Sarah said, trying to smooth things out, all while giving Chuck a look that screamed, "WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

"Right," Chuck nodded. "I mean…he's not having sex with her….per se…I think?"

"Are there any other copies of this?" Mr Fulcrum asked.

"No," Sarah said quickly.

"God, no," Chuck said at the same time. They glanced at each other.

"Good," Mr Fulcrum said, nodding. "I warned her." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry about this, Mr Fulcrum," Chuck said, trying to find a way to make their client feel better.

"I am as well," Mr Fulcrum said. "I warned her over and over she was getting sloppy." Chuck and Sarah exchanged a look. "I am not into being…pegged."

"Oh God," Chuck muttered.

"As an elected official, I need her to be discreet about these things," he continued. Chuck blinked, and sat up, beginning to think this wasn't the affair he thought it was. "I need her to be more discreet."

"Wait," Chuck began, before Sarah could stop him. "You literally contacted….someone in an intelligence branch about spying on your wife and her…."

"Entanglements," Mr Fulcrum said. Both Chuck and Sarah shuddered. "My wife likes what she likes, and I don't shame her."

"Listen, I'm not shaming her…at least I'm not trying not to," Chuck replied. "Is it for me? No. But what I'm trying to make sure I'm understanding is…you wanted someone to spy on your wife because….?"

"Because she has to know she isn't being discreet," Mr Fulcrum said with a shrug. "People might vote me out if they knew of her…proclivities."

"Proclivities?" Sarah asked. "How often does she do this?"

"Oh, at least once a week…no more than three times a week," Mr Fulcrum told her. Chuck and Sarah exchanged a look. "I take it you're offended."

"No, not at all," Chuck told Mr Fulcrum. "And I mean it, it's just I'm gobsmacked that you would contact someone in intelligence about this."

"It actually worked out," Mr Fulcrum replied with a shrug. "By you, a private firm taking this one, it shows her how indiscreet she has become." Mr Fulcrum handed Sarah a check. "I take it this covers your expenses."

Sarah looked up at him. "This is more than we quoted."

"I am hoping that you will keep what you learned to yourself, including your friends, and know that any business that I think you might be able to assist in, I will send your way."

"Sounds good to me," Chuck said, slapping his hands on his legs, standing.

"One condition," Sarah said, making Chuck pause. "Any business you send our way that is like….that, the client gives us a heads up, and there is no hard feelings if we pass."

"Fair enough," Mr Fulcrum said, standing. He shook Sarah and Chuck's hand, and walked them to the door. "Again, excellent job." Sarah started out of the door. "Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to edit that all together?"

"I had a program mix it together so it did it instantaneous," Chuck told Mr Fulcrum.

"I'm no prude but….that's not for me," Mr Fulcrum told Chuck.

Chuck paused and Sarah closed her eyes knowing what was coming out of his mouth next. "Does that thing ever make you feel….you know…a bit inadequate?" Mr Fulcrum gave Chuck a look. "Nope, just me? Okay, bye." And Chuck took off. Sarah said her goodbyes again, and after the door shut, heard Mr Fulcrum laugh. She thought about telling Chuck, but decided against it. The less said about this case, the better.

}o{

"Hey, Morgs," Chuck said, answering his phone as he entered his apartment. "Nah, I'm home. The case went late last night, and Sarah and I both agreed we needed a day off after that."

He listened for a minute. "She broke it off with Bradly, so you can quit poking your voodoo doll." He listened again for a second. "Morgs, it's Sarah, man. You know how awesome she is, and if I say something to her….I don't want to lose my friend and my business partner." He listened for a second. "Yeah, it sucks, but it's what I have to do. Listen, I need some sleep. Night buddy."

Chuck hung up the phone. It wasn't even noon yet. He thought he'd sleep for a few hours and get up later in the day. Maybe have a movie marathon. He would have to do something, anything. He just needed to keep his mind off the fact he was in love with Sarah Walker and there wasn't one damn thing he could do about it.

}o{

"That you, Blondie?" Carina called out as Sarah walked into their shared apartment.

"Yeah," Sarah replied. "We got paid, a LOT, and then since neither of us slept last night, we decided to take the day off."

Carina walked into the living room, a knowing smile on her face. "Oh, neither of you slept?"

"Don't," Sarah said, holding up her hand. "You know how he is since the Lou incident.

"Yeah," Carina said, for once in her life showing a hint of remorse. Or was it gas? Sarah was sure it was gas. It was Carina after all. "So, what can you tell me about the case?"

"Not a word," Sarah told Carina.

"I won't tell a soul, I swear," Carina promised.

"No, you won't," Sarah agreed. "Because it would be in your blog or in the paper in thirty minutes after I told you."

"I mean, you're right," Carina replied. "You didn't have to say it like that, but you're right." She gave her friend a look. "What about Chucky?"

"What about him? I'll see him tonight, it's Tuesday," Sarah said with a shrug.

"Do you think that might be why Bradly called it off?"

"If he can't handle me having a male friend," Sarah began.

"Sarah, he's stupid, not dumb," Carina said, cutting her off. "You're in love with him."

"He's a really close friend and my partner," Sarah replied, heading to her room.

"You didn't say I was wrong," Carina called after her.

"Oh, you're wrong, Carina," Sarah said, shutting the door.

"I mean, I usually am wrong," Carina admitted softly, to herself. "Not about you being in love with Curls though."

A/N: Thanks for reading.