A/N: Back with more of my AU! CHUCK to me, is one of the most philosophically powerful shows ever created. It forces the viewer to think in deeply meaningful and profound ways to understand character depth and motivations. Chuck Bartowski is the best of human nature and how a selfless person can truly affect lives. Even it's lowest moments in Season 3 have merit because the goal behind that mess was to show Chuck's choices through Sarah's POV…it took sifting through a lot of contrived writing to realize that. A valid idea, terrible execution, and TPTB's failures prevented the show from living out a standard tv contract (seven years) and beyond.

Forced angst is the worst thing for a show like CHUCK because the unspoken commitment between Chuck and Sarah is the heart of their relationship and I wanted to remove the angst and make their commitment verbal in a natural way. I am sure there are people who read the first chapter thinking a month is too fast, but I am a big believer that anything that happens more than once is fate. That's why I think the finale is a brilliant piece of philosophical writing that has deep meaning.

I hope to achieve a similar effect with this story and the response from my first chapter lets me know I am on the right track. The action is still at least one chapter away and so is a lot of the other characters. Given my college schedule, it is just easier to manage the story in smaller portions and I consider these first two chapters a prologue.

Reviews are always appreciated, know that I read them all even though my time does not allow many replies.

Love is the most powerful aspect of what it means to be selfless. Not sure if past thinkers have said that but I am saying it now😊

Don't own CHUCK!

Chuck Versus the Real Undercover Relationship

Chapter 2: Dinner Do-Over

Chuck did not finish with the storage cage inventory until close to the end of his shift. Many of the computer problems were hardware related: broken or faulty parts that needed replacing, or cosmetic repairs with the outer casing; some were operating system related: viruses, malware, trojan's, and other infections that left the OS in need of repair. He was working on this with the final computer when Sarah came in; she pulled up a chair looking around.

Sarah's voice was casual and laid back, "The stacks around here say you had a long day?"

Chuck answered but did not break his contraction. His voice was lazy and casual, "Today was a rare occasion where I spent all day in the storage cage fixing computers. I am on the last one now, infections everywhere." He sighed with frustration.

Sarah smiled with a tiresome nod, "Don't mind me, Tuesday is the only day I work all day, I cannot wait to get home and get a shower, my uniform always smells like sausage."

Chuck laughed a bit sounding confused, "Why not just head straight home?

Sarah dropped her head against his shoulder, "Well, I have not seen you since this morning." She gave a small whimper of sorts and then continued in a much more serious tone. "Taking you home, but there's no rush, I like watching you do your thing with computers."

Chuck was a bit surprised, "Is that necessary? I mean, I have made the trip plenty of times by myself."

Sarah acknowledged this with a nod, but responded pointedly, "Not with what's in your head. You are as important as the President which means I escort you from location to location. The bosses made it clear your protection off mission is my responsibility. The only reason I leave you alone at work is that Casey is around, and I need to keep my cover job. I would apply here, but I did not know enough to replace a screw in my phone, so my knowledge of electronics is obviously severely lacking."

Chuck shrugged this off; he was dismissive as the computer screen continued running several command prompt commands from safe mode while typed speedily. "So, you could not be a nerd herder; you would make a killing on the sales floor. Big Mike would hire you in a second, and if Casey can make a sale, I think you could work here." Chuck's actions rooted out several points of infection stopping several hostile processes running on the system.

Sarah smiled with an appreciative blush, "Maybe if Jeff and Lester were not here, I would consider it."

Chuck laughed, "They would not be that hard to get fired, just saying…"

Sarah grinned turning her attention back to this morning. She became apologetic and whispered, "I will not be able to give you much space—sorry about that—I had to manipulate things, so it was possible to the higher-ups for me to publicly be your girlfriend in their eyes. I exaggerated your fear and dependency on me…"

Chuck had just rebooted the computer and turned around to face Sarah while he waited for it to startup typically. He shrugged shaking his head, "Not an exaggeration, the fear is always in my mind. Tends to kick in when the bullets are flying by, hence the girlish screams. You are all that gets me through those moments."

Sarah kissed him; he underestimated the difference in kissing her in public as part of a cover compared to a public and yet private moment like now with their relationship real. She put her whole self into it; there was nothing of the spy she was; this was all the girl he'd met on that first date, the one he made love with last night, whom woke up with a girlish carefree smile and seemed content to stay lying there with him. He relished it. The welcome chime from the computer told Sarah to pull back and let him finish.

Sarah smiled as she watched him again, "You love all this tech stuff, don't you?"

Chuck smiled as he ran a system check. His voice emphatic, "I do, have since I was a kid; always wanted to know how things work and what made them tick, the truth is most of my experience comes from trial and error. YouTube was not around back then, so I would spend hours just tinkering. In five to ten years YouTube will be the ultimate teaching tool, and everybody will have a smartphone."

Sarah smiled engagingly, "So now you are a seer?"

Chuck shrugged again, "The future of technology is pretty easy to predict; mine, not so much."

Sarah was further apologetic draping her arms across his chest. "I am sorry-I tweaked things, but the last thing I want is you stuck in this situation."

Chuck sighed, "Thanks, at least it is not working at the Buy More. Speaking of getting out of here, my day is finally over." He stood up stretching, and Sarah put her arm around him.

She sighed too, "Let's get you home then."

Chuck was thinking out loud and then stopped, "First time I have been home since…oh man. He turned and looked right at her in a lightbulb moment and spoke with a pained expression. "With everything going on I have not seen Ellie in almost 24 hours."

Sarah raised her eyebrows, "is that bad?"

Chuck sighed with lax anticipation, "You may have to stick around a bit, but I will check her temperature first."

Sarah grinned, "Sure Chuck."

II

Chuck entered the apartment with mild trepidation. He was not surprised you find Ellie already sitting there. She seemed to have been waiting; he just hoped it was not for 24 hours straight. Her expression offered no clarity. When she spoke it was calm, "Chuck."

He nodded agreeably, "Things have been crazy."

Ellie smiled, but it was still unclear how she felt, "I would think so, there are only two possibilities why you would not be home at night Chuck, and one of those has only been a possibility for about a month."

Chuck sighed calmly figuring it was best, to be honest, and leave out unnecessary details. "I know I told you I was going over Sarah's and would be home later, but I was busy falling in love." He smiled modestly.

Ellie could not help herself she rushed Chuck in a very tight hug. She quipped with a mocking sarcasm, "Wait, you and Morgan are not taking that bromance to the next level, are you? Her expression after asking the question showed a very slim part of her brain thought this could be true.

Chuck had a dry response, "Oh very funny El; Morgan has the flu you know. I told him to take time off last week after locking himself in the storage cage for like 12 hours without food last week, but he worked straight through to the end of the week, and now he is a mess."

Ellie giggled apologetically. She dove in excitedly, "Sorry I could not resist, but you are in love…that's great Chuck. Does she love you too? Sarah seems like a mystery. Hard to figure out." Chuck smiled turning his head in the direction of the door.

Ellie seemed to think she put her foot in her mouth and became quickly apologetic. "Oh Sarah, I did not mean to-I mean it has only been a month, so I just wanted to make sure; his last girlfriend put him through a lot, and I have been a little overprotective."

Sarah strode next to Chuck looking at Ellie reassuringly, "It is okay Ellie, I have many secrets, but how much I love your brother is not one of them. I know a month is fast, but I fell for him right after he fixed my phone."

Ellie smiled brightly, "Chuck's never had a problem approaching girls, but when they find out about the Buy More things go off the rails after that. I hoped all the tech know-how would pay off for him with a job better than the Buy More, but the last thing I expected was he would sweep someone off her feet with it. Let alone someone as amazing as you." Chuck was sure Ellie meant beautiful but was grateful she did not restrict Sarah in that way; she was more than her looks.

Sarah leaned against Chuck smiling, "Thanks, Ellie."

Chuck turned casual toward Ellie, "Where's Awesome?"

Ellie sighed, "Evening shift; I could start dinner, you are welcome to stay Sarah, I am sure it will go better than last time. Chuck tends to get jumpy and nervous on the initial attempt at a family meet and greet."

Sarah nodded, "That sounds great." She looked sideways at Chuck and then continued apologetically, "Could I borrow Chuck for a few more hours and come back? See I just moved into Echo Park, and I am not so good with electronics, so I need his help setting up everything."

Ellie gave a renewed squeal of excitement, "I wondered why there was so much noise around the complex today, it sounded like someone was doing renovations for a new tenant, I did not think it is you!"

Chuck reassured his sister. "See you later El, and this time I mean it!" As they left Ellie was mentally preparing her famous pot roast, all this news was the perfect occasion for that kind of meal.

III

Sarah led Chuck to the apartment farthest from the one Casey occupied and stopped at the door.

He smiled with a playful expression, "Is there spy stuff behind this door?"

Sarah tilted her head with a small smile, "Not exactly…" She unlocked the door and pulled him inside.

Chuck thought he was in some parallel universe. He wasn't standing in a living room. He was standing in a dojo. A wide mat covered the floor where they were standing. There was sparring equipment where the kitchen should have been. The typical tv wall extended by several feet and seemed to be a shooting range. The only other area was off to the right which Chuck assumed was a typical bedroom and bathroom for rest and facilities. That the government could remodel an apartment into all of this in about seven hours was…impressive.

Chuck was amazed; he turned to Sarah in shock. "Just how much can the CIA and NSA do undetected? His eyes were still scanning over everything.

Sarah was smiling, but her response was dry. "too much…"

Chuck was curious, "How do you keep them from spying on your when your off mission? It would be annoying to have to bug proof everywhere you stay?"

Sarah smiled with satisfaction pulling her hair back; After my last mission, I had a nano-jammer embedded in my temple on the right side of my head. My brain activity powers it; the cybernetic scientist I found did a very good job." She took Chuck's hand and guided one finger to a very minimal horizontal scar; it was not noticeable unless you were looking right at the spot up close.

Chuck marveled at Sarah's add-on. He sat stunned, "Wow, could I get one?"

Sarah gave a somber smile, "I wish, but somehow I don't think even I could pull that off. I would need to smuggle you to Hungary Chuck. When I said, I did it after my last mission; I meant right before I came back stateside, and they assigned me to you. It's powerful enough to jam anything but covert enough to stay undetected. Speaking of the government…the last thing I want to do is give you something else to worry about, but Graham also said that if I lose control of you." She wore a bored, mocking expression at those words, and then continued calmly. "That he will place you underground."

Chuck thought momentarily, "So you figured if I could fight there is less of a chance that things will blow up?"

Sarah locked eyes with Chuck nodding calmly. "That, and I can't take you being defenseless on missions anymore. I need to teach you self-defense; for my sense of self and yours, it will give me peace of mind knowing that you can hold your own and if you ever have to stall you can fight back."

Chuck sighed, "I'm no Bryce Larkin."

Sarah met his eyes, and her head fell against his chest. Her voice turned quiet, and she pleaded with him. "No, you're not, you're my Chuck. I need you."

Chuck melted kissing her head and turned to look at the room uncertainly. "Where do we start?

Sarah smiled gratefully at him as they shared a kiss and then she led him to the punching bag that was hanging in the upper left corner of the room. She gave friendly instruction. "I think simple is best. Let's see how much strength you have, move this just by punching it."

Chuck shrugged and took up stance, "here goes nothing! That turned out to be a literal statement. Chuck threw his right fist at the bag, but it barely moved an inch, he threw his left, not much better. He threw both at once, more than an inch but no real momentum. Chuck sighed with a dull expression. "There goes that experiment."

Sarah smiled consolingly and turned instructive, "it's okay Chuck, you've got the right idea, but your execution is off. In fact, it is a trap most people fall into when they do this initially. She nodded for him to watch and showed slowly with a relaxed expression. "So many people think the power in a punch comes from the hand, but the real source is our feet and pushing through the same side we want to punch with our feet as we strike with our fist." She proved this explanation and the bag flew forward far enough to swing back in their direction.

Sarah stopped its momentum with both hands and then turned encouragingly to Chuck, "Give it a try." He took up stance again.

The result was much better the bag moved quickly forward, though its reverse momentum was considerably less than when Sarah hit it. She was smiling broadly nonetheless, "Great Chuck, try a few in a row."

Chuck nodded calmly, "Just like Ali…" Except it wasn't.

Chuck struck well enough on the first punch, but each successive punch was more erratic and less powerful. He managed seven in a row and lost his footing after that, the bag caught him, and he landed on his back. Sarah knelt over him with concern as he groaned.

Chuck gave a forced cough, "Guess not…"

Sarah was hovering over Chuck frantically, "Chuck, I was not expecting you to throw that many in a row…you need footwork more than anything else, so at least I know where we will be focusing first, are you okay." She checked his head kneeling.

Chuck talked with a sigh, "Fantastic…"

Sarah stayed subdued helping him up with a smile, "You did fine Chuck, we just won't be doing more than punching until you can retain footwork. That will come, but we've done plenty for now. Besides, I have a dinner to do over."

He smiled at her, "Sounds good to me, even what little I did just now, it took everything out of me."

IV

The contrast of dinner two weeks ago and tonight was night and day. Chuck's anxiety over trying to pass off a fake relationship as real severely impaired his judgment. Chuck lamented that he let Casey influence his way of thinking. The idea that an inner agency competition for the Intersect would become deadly was stupid because as he pointed out, they needed him, or at least what was in his head. Chuck resolved to make smarter decisions after that, which was why he always readily apologized to Sarah, what sense was there in creating friction with the one person that was his best chance at protection given the situation. That thinking spurred his olive branch that turned things into what they were now. As they walked back in and sat down at the table with Ellie's prepared pot roast, both Chuck and Sarah felt a sense of normalcy for distinct reasons. Chuck found it odd that he was even sitting down to a regular meal without having to lie about his relationship with Sarah; not in the sense of being nervous but he felt free of that burden which was funny given the broader situation he kept secret for his family's safety. Sarah, on the other hand, was nervous, this was the first time she experienced anything like this since she was little more than a toddler and those few moments were little more than a fragment now, nothing to draw on when eating with your boyfriend and his sister, just to eat. Chuck and Sarah exchanged a complacent smile.

Ellie broke the ice with a happy smile and spirited enthusiasm, "So, Sarah what's your family like?"

Sarah laughed quietly, "Dysfunctional…"

Ellie smiled at the irony. "You only used one word which means you haven't had a family in a long time."

Sarah was impressed, "You sure you're not a spy Ellie, you guessed without even trying?"

Ellie chuckled, "Secret agent, no; I just read people. You may be hard to figure out, but that much was on the surface."

Sarah nodded sadly, "I have been on my own since I was seventeen, money problems with my father led us to lose the house, and my parents divorced…let's just say he liked to gamble and that caught up to him. I have been working odd jobs ever since some are boring like the Wienerlicious some are…odd, but my life has never been stable." Sarah was grateful to tell any truth even if it was a partial truth.

Ellie seemed interested and enjoyed the irony. "We have experience with being on our own. I raised Chuck and myself because our parents decided they had better things to do…what that could be I have no idea, but we've looked out for each other since they left which is why I can be overprotective of my little brother. He hasn't had a reason to be gone for 24 hours in 5 years; unless you count Morgan and their late-night gaming sessions." She wore an indifferent expression, Morgan was not that bad, but his long-time stalker-like interest in Ellie and the fact that he seemed to be a lot farther behind than Chuck regarding maturity made her less than enthusiastic about him.

Chuck nodded with a certain level of agreement, "There's a lot of reasons to love him, but maturity is not one of them. His sense of self is a bit lacking too but so is mine, so I think that's why I tend to brush off his quirks. Besides if he did not push going out, I would have lost my nerve."

Sarah smiled at Chuck, "I would have stuck around until you said yes no matter what happened." Chuck grinned broadly.

Ellie returned to the topic of Sarah's family, "So any siblings or kids?"

For the first time, Sarah found it hard to answer a question for legit reasons. More than anything she was just unsure. The baby now with her mother could be a sibling. Somehow the connection felt deeper than that. She supposed if she had emotionally detached herself from her, reunited years later that sibling would the right association. She tried constantly, and could not detach herself from that innocent and helpless baby girl crying inside the house of slaughter that Sarah found her, so daughter felt right, but how would she say that she had and did not have a daughter? If she was going to be a part of Chuck's family his sister deserved the whole truth.

Sarah stopped eating looked deeply at Ellie, and then at Chuck before addressing his sister with a serious voice, "Can you keep a secret Ellie?"

Ellie raised her eyebrows, "What kind of secret?"

Sarah sighed, "The life or death kind…"

Chuck hesitated, "Sarah are you sure, I mean you said that-"

Sarah continued calmly, "I know what I said, but this situation will be long term and I can't, won't ask you to sacrifice your relationship with your family to keep this secret, you'll need to keep it in-house though, amongst yourselves."

Ellie was worried now, "What is going on?"

Chuck sighed, "Ellie, I am a government intelligence asset I have been for a month because Bryce sent me an email that embedded the CIA/NSA database into my head…" Ellie opened and closed her mouth several times and when she finally spoke, what was all she could say.

Sarah continued calmly, "I was assigned to protect your brother from all manner of people who will come after him. I have been a CIA agent since I was a senior in high school. That is my real job."

Ellie's voice rose accusingly, "So everything about you is fake?"

Sarah absorbed the word fake but calmly continued, "The most important thing that is true is I love your brother, just as much as I love my daughter."

Chuck spoke through several coughs as he stared at Sarah, "I did not expect that to be your big secret? Did you and Bryce…" Ellie's eyes went wide, but Sarah addressed Chuck before she could process this additional information.

Sarah was emphatic, "No Chuck I have never been pregnant." She turned to Ellie consolingly. "Bryce was my partner at the CIA, and we dated for a while, but I did not love him…I know I have thrown a lot at you, but this is me being honest." Ellie said nothing, but Sarah knew she was thinking.

Chuck meanwhile, felt relieved and moved to his next assumption with a relaxed expression, "So she is adopted?"

Sarah sighed shaking her head, "Rescued actually; her family was slaughtered by warlords in Hungary who took over their manor she's barely six months old. The CIA sent me to Hungary to claim her because the family has a massive fortune that they could have claimed with her in their possession."

Chuck noted the past tense; his expression was curious. "Could have? I take it this is what changed your perspective on government service?"

Sarah nodded grabbing Chuck's hand, "I left her with my mother, and then was assigned to the Intersect, to you."

Ellie spoke, but it was just a question. "The what?"

Sarah addressed her with a pointed look, "The computer in Chuck's head is called the Intersect; Ellie are you okay?"

Ellie crossed her arms looking uncertain, 'Just trying to get through your iceberg of information."

Chuck looked at Sarah with a panicked expression, "Um Sarah are you sure they can't hear us?"

Sarah nodded, "Yes, jammer or not I had the bugs removed from your apartment."

Chuck's face brightened, "I love you!"

Sarah squeezed his hand, "I love you too" They kissed.

Ellie made an awkward noise and looked at Sarah, "Do you really because after Jill if you hurt Chuck…"

Sarah looked sternly at Ellie. She was calm, "I won't, why do you think I have told you what is going on with him, about my daughter…I want a future with him, and you are his family. I love him, Ellie, …even if you're not thrilled with what I told you, know that part is true. I need you to do one more thing for me?"

Ellie stared at her; she seemed subdued now. "Yeah?"

Sarah fixed her with that same calm look, "Trust me, Ellie."

Ellie did not respond to the plea, but her next question showed she did. "Can I tell Devon?"

Sarah nodded calmly, "Yes, but never discuss anything outside of the apartment. My jammer only works within a small radius mostly for individual rooms same goes for the Buy More; be careful of Casey too, I shifted things pretty favorably, but something tells me he's watching. You know nothing except when amongst yourselves or me. If Chuck is out of contact, he is helping us with a mission or with me."

Chuck cut in, "Can I tell Morgan?

Sarah considered this and shook her head sadly, "No, I need a better read on Casey before we start stirring the waters at the Buy More. He can smell things to exploit."

Chuck nodded he fully understood that Morgan would be fish food to someone like John Casey. Sarah had carefully loosened the noose around Chuck's neck, and Morgan's immaturity was still high enough to outweigh his loyalty even in Chuck's view. Though he hoped that would change one day.

Ellie sighed, "Casey is part of this too?"

Sarah nodded, "He is the NSA's handler for Chuck he will protect him, but his job comes first."

Ellie looked at Sarah quizzically, "So how do I know you're not just doing your job?"

Sarah let her head fall on Chuck's shoulder, "Because, Chuck fixed my heart when he fixed my phone."

Ellie finally melted, "You're a double agent then, who do you work for?"

Sarah smiled, "I guess I work for this family, one I would like to be a part of if you'll have me?"

Ellie grinned, "You already are, Chuck would not sleep with just any girl after a month unless he knew she loved him."

They both turned red, "You knew?"

Ellie laughed, "Pretty easy to figure out he is in the same clothes as yesterday which tells me you do love each other because neither of you anticipated falling in love. I still can see that gushing from both of you. He takes his relationships seriously which is why Jill was so hard for him to get over. Ironically the night before he met you I told him to get over her, and he has. I was worried for a while."

Chuck mocked her, "I would quit while your ahead sis; I'm training to fight, and besides aren't you and Devon going to our Halloween party as Adam and Eve?"

Ellie smiled, "Aren't you and Morgan going as a sandworm?" Chuck shut up at once. Ellie turned to Sarah with a serious look, "Sarah I don't need to the details of what Chuck stumbled into but how serious is it?"

Sarah did not sugarcoat things, "Serious enough that he could be placed in isolation if things go sideways and that means controlled captivity. I won't let that happen, but there may come a time when my superiors realize I have no interest in serving their needs any longer and if that happens their restraint with Chuck will evaporate, and I will need to run with him indefinitely. I don't think that will happen but just in case, is there someplace you can go?"

Ellie thought carefully, "Devon's parents."

Sarah nodded, "Good, I just like to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Ellie turned to Chuck exasperatedly, "So there's a chance I will never see or hear from you again?"

Chuck consoled his sister with a smile, "Come on El, I am the Piranha remember even if the worst happens you will hear from me regularly."

Ellie's fear turned into a chuckle, "I haven't heard that name since you were in high school. Sarah, protect him please he's the only family I have left, and maybe I have inherited dad's paranoia, but I think the situation you fell into is a strange one little brother, dad always said you had a knack for getting into trouble."

Sarah nodded at Ellie and then turned to Chuck curiously, "Why would anybody call you the Piranha? You are the most laid-back person I have ever met."

Chuck smiled mysteriously, "Turns out I have my secrets too."

The truth of Chuck's situation came as a shock to Devon. He was too tired from his later shift to ask too many questions and reacted similarly to Ellie. Sarah stuck around to help bring him into the fold and eating Ellie's pot roast seemed to help him cope. The truth was he seemed dead on his feet, though the notion that Sarah was awesome enough to rescue an infant from that level of slaughter, left him with the impression that Chuck was in perfect hands and he was grateful she more or less hired herself to protect them all. When he went to bed as the clock hit ten, he gave Chuck and Sarah props for not screwing around with their feelings and just screwing each other. Ellie, of course, scolded him for his complete lack of subtly. Sarah left to her new apartment a short time later, and Chuck went to bed exhausted from the day's events and revelations.

V

Unfortunately, Chuck dreamed disturbingly vivid that night: a lot of running and dodging bullets, which morphed into failed training sessions and that morphed into a cell stuck in isolation. He woke up sweating and panicky. His fears were on the surface. Chuck was surprised but not surprised to find Sarah sitting in a nearby chair watching him. She looked wide awake, and he guessed that she had been sitting there for hours. She wore a light blue t-shirt and grey sweatpants, no doubt more comfortable than her non-casual clothes.

Sarah wore a concerned look, "Bad dreams?"

Chuck sat up dully, "The art auction stuck out, but at least in the dream, I was not tied to a chair. How long you been here?"

Sarah's tone was sympathetic, "All night, I only managed about an hour or two of sleep after you went to bed and snuck in here to watch over you. You have been fine except for the last two hours or so, a lot of tossing and turning. I did not want to wake you up."

Chuck gave a sharp yawn, "Ellie's pot roast helped me get some sleep at least. What time is it?"

Sarah dropped to a knee next to his bed. Her concern was clearer now, "Almost three are you sure you are okay?" She hid the fact that his movements were more like thrashing and though he had not screamed his mumbling was frantic.

Chuck looked at her with an uneasy expression. "No, how am I supposed to survive what my life has turned into when a punching bag gets the best of me and things could get worse anytime? I try not to think about it and just go with the flow, but PTSD is getting to me."

Sarah stood up pulled back his quilt and climbed into bed with Chuck. She put a hand on his face, "I'm here Chuck no matter what happens I will protect you."

Chuck looked at her gratefully, but spoke practically, "I appreciate that I think we both know you can't watch me all the time."

Sarah wrapped both hands around his back and locked eyes with Chuck. "You are my Chuck. I love you so much and can't believe my selfish luck that you were the one who read that email, but I would protect you for a lifetime, be with you for a lifetime. Your handler, your guard, your girlfriend, your wife. Until we met I did not realize how much I need you; so, you have me forever no questions asked."

Chuck grinned with raised eyebrows, "Did you just propose to me? That could throw a kink in this plan of yours; somehow I think the government draws the line at a handler marrying their intelligence asset."

Sarah sighed deeply "I know given the situation we can't do it, but I wanted to let you know that I am more than willing to take the step someday. You see past my walls to the real me. The girl who was born Samantha Lisa Summers; a record on a piece of paper. Only ever uttered by my parents when I was little. I have had many names on the road with my father as I got older, but Sarah Walker is—like CIA was from the time I was seventeen until I rescued my daughter—my identity, and my legal name. So yes, I am asking you to Marry me, not tomorrow or the next day, maybe after months or years of hard work, but one day I will be your wife, Chuck Bartowski. That much I can promise you right now."

Chuck was touched by her openness, to him it seemed laughable that he could affect her life this much. Chuck Bartowski change the life of a super spy so much that she was willing to share a life with him? Then Sarah kissed him passionately, and the questions vanished from his mind.

Afterward, Chuck whispered uncertainly, "Sarah what do we do about everything? Is your daughter safe?"

Sarah whispered back calmly, "The same way that people are still looking for the Intersect; Others are looking for her. My mother will keep her safe; somehow, I think she knew I saw her as my daughter. Her name is Molly by the way. It was in the crib where I found her. For now, someday will have to be enough; in the meantime, let's get some sleep while we still can because you will need rest."

He started to talk again but Sarah cut him off gently, "One mission at a time Chuck."

It was no coincidence Chuck finished what was left of his sleep soundly, with Sarah by his side. As they drifted off, both hoped that he would not need protection for the rest of his life, but knew it was best to do exactly as Sarah said and go to sleep.

A/N: I love moving series dialogue around😊 Also think it was unrealistic to ignore PTSD throughout the series. I even updated my post-finale story with it, chapter 3 is the earliest place where I put it, regardless of if you've read the story already. I think you'll like how I present it.