A/N: Welcome to our one chapter "mini ep." This is a chance for a bit of a breather before we launch into our next episode, titled, Week of the Living Bernie. But for now, please enjoy, Liberty for All.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

I am not happy with you.

They hadn't had a chance to speak privately since she'd said those words to him, after Dr. Black's arrest. He knew what was wrong. He knew why she was upset, and he understood. He understood what he had done had probably placed a target on his back.

She kept glancing at him, and the look on her face… he couldn't read it. It had been a long time since he couldn't read her actions and emotions. He knew he was in trouble. He knew what he did was reckless, especially after their whole no secrets, no lies pact.

The video feed shut off as he sat in his office, watching Sarah, Carina, and Casey both straighten, their session with Beckman over. "You really fucked up, huh?" Anna asked. Chuck had forgotten she was in there with him.

Casey had exiled him to his office with Anna because, as he said, "The adults need to take care of things." Sarah and Carina had both glared at Casey over that, and Casey had quickly corrected himself by saying that they needed to talk, and the civilians wouldn't like what was being said.

"I guess I did," Chuck admitted.

"You know she's not mad at you for taking the money out of his account, right?" Chuck turned to Anna. "She's mad because you put a target on your back."

"Yeah," Chuck said, nodding. "She's really not happy about that."

"You did the right thing," Anna told him.

"Thanks," he replied.

"It may get you killed, but you did the right thing," she added. Carina and Sarah walked into the office. "Welp, gotta run."

"You're just gonna leave me to face these two?" Chuck asked, jokingly.

"Probably best I do," Anna admitted. "While I understand, I agree with them." With that, she took off. Chuck turned to look at the two women staring at him.

"So, who wants to yell at me first?" Chuck asked.

"You know how you read me the riot act about nearly doing what I did as a DEA agent?" Carina asked. Chuck nodded. "What's the difference here?" Chuck swallowed.

"You're not gonna like the answer," Chuck said.

"Try me," Carina told him.

"I never actually took real money from anyone before," Chuck began.

"Jesus Christ," Sarah muttered, rubbing her hand against her forehead.

"Also, no one else could take his money, except me," Chuck added quickly. "That gives us leverage."

"What leverage?" Sarah asked.

"Leverage to get to a whole lot of bad guys, with Dr. Black flipping," Chuck said, blowing out a breath, a sad look covering his features. "I'm not naive. I know that this was a big operation, and he's a minor player."

"He is," Carina said, nodding.

"If he has no money to fight this… to hire the lawyers he needs to win this… delay it… he might deal quicker," Chuck told them. "I know Rene is not going to like this."

"You know who else doesn't like this?" Sarah asked him, leaning down, her palms on his desk, her staring directly into his eyes. Chuck had never felt so loved feeling the emotion pouring out of her… and simultaneously terrified out of his mind.

"Is that rhetorical?" Chuck asked. She slapped her hand on the desk making him jump in his chair. "Asked and answered."

"He knows you did it, Chuck!" she snapped. Chuck nodded. "And how do you keep him from killing you?"

"He has nothing," Chuck replied. "All funds are frozen by the government, or moved by me. His best shot is to cut a deal for witsec, move across the country, and forget I exist. Because if something happens to me… those that he turned on will know that he flipped on them. And they… they will kill him."

"And how exactly will he find all of this out?" Sarah asked.

"I was hoping maybe you or Carina could make sure he knew all of it," Chuck said with a wince. "Listen, I get it… you're all worried about me, and that's making you quite angry. I get it. But there wasn't time to let everyone in on this. There literally was no one else that could do this. I had to get Rene the most justice I could, and this… this is absolutely the best we can get, and you both know it."

Sarah straightened, turning to Carina. They looked at each other for what, to Chuck, felt like hours. He was sure it was just a few seconds. Carina barely moved her head, but it seemed like a move of acceptance. Sarah sighed and nodded once. They both turned back to Chuck.

"You do this again, and I'll tell Ellie," Carina told him.

"I won't," Sarah said softly. "I will take care of it myself. And no, that doesn't mean break up with you."

"I have never been more scared in my life," Chuck told her. "I'm serious."

"I know you are," Sarah said. "And," she looked pained to say the next words, "we both know that you're right. But we don't have to like it."

"I want you to take him and hide him at your place for a few days, until everything is done," Carina told Sarah.

"When you say her place," Chuck began. Sarah glared at him, and he mimed zipping his lips.

"You legit want me to take him there, with all the windows?" Sarah asked.

"You know people can't see in," Carina told her, grinning.

"Fine. How long?"

"Give it the weekend," Carina said. "Johnny is going to make damn sure he doesn't hurt Chuck."

"I told you he liked me," Chuck said, beaming.

"It's more that he's scared shitless of Ellie," Carina said.

"Uh-huh," Chuck replied. Carina rolled her eyes, grinned, and left. "Thank you, Carina."

"Listen, nerd… never again on your own like that, okay?" Chuck nodded. "Be gentle with him Sarah." They watched Carina leave.

"I am sorry," Chuck told her. "Not that I did what I did, but that it scares you."

"I know," Sarah said, nodding. "And let's be honest, it's exactly what I would have done, if I had your ability."

"I mean I literally asked myself, what would Sarah do in this situation," Chuck told her.

"Let's go to your place and get some clothes," Sarah told him. "One thing," she said, stopping at the door. "We're not going to my place." Chuck raised an eyebrow. "It's booked this weekend." Chuck couldn't help but laugh.

}o{

She stood at the hotel window, looking out. She stood there in the moonlight, no clothes on, wondering how she ever thought she could not do this with him. How she thought she couldn't have a relationship with him.

She loved him.

No one else had ever made her feel this way. No. One. She had never felt more joy, more sadness, more fear for someone's safety, more arousal… more wanting to choke someone. She was a hot damn mess, and she at least had the good sense to know it.

She knew what had to happen. She would speak with Dr. Black. She would put the absolute fear of God in him, and then… then she would make sure Chuck was safe. She grinned. She couldn't help herself.

She had mentioned the Friday night dreams, but she had never told him her favorites. They had come in many flavors and variates… more variates than Baskin Robins. Some of them had been nearly lewd… like the one where he picked her up at a bar, and they had banged like crazy in the dark alley behind it.

Some of them were full of romance. She looked back into the hotel room, where he was lying in bed, the covers pooled around him. She wouldn't lie; she made sure and got the honeymoon suite tonight, to make that particular dream become a reality. And as was almost always the case with Chuck Bartowski, the reality had been worlds better than the dream had ever hoped to be.

But her favorite – the recurring one that left her nearly floating for hours after she woke up – was the one where they came home together after a long day. Where dinner was made, household chores were done. Where she sat and drank a glass of wine while reading a book, as Chuck played a video game, and then… a smile spread across her face. Then, either he or she began to… tempt, the other. The temptation, no matter how small, always worked.

They would make their way into the bedroom… feeling comfortable… familiar. God, just thinking about dream made her buzz with desire. She had no idea what about that dream was so compelling… of just being, with the person she loved. Living with him. The intimacy. Of allowing him into all of her life. Of no longer wearing socks to bed because her feet were cold, because he wrapped his feet around hers for the warmth. Of waking up on his shoulder… or waking up with his head on her shoulder.

She supposed some psychologist would tell her it's because she didn't have a happy childhood. Or being in the CIA. Or being a con man's daughter and always moving, and never being in one place. Her father would call it being domesticated.

She remembered the night she had told Chuck about Jack. They had been sitting on the beach, after a hard day at work. They had found a father who had run off with his little girl. The father had taken the little girl because he was tired of paying child support.

She was sitting there on the beach, fighting down the emotions, when he spoke. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts of Jack, she had never thought about Chuck and the relationship he had with his parents.

"Some people just shouldn't have kids, because all they do is use them against others, or worse, find them to be a burden."

Chuck's words had cut through her own thoughts, hitting her right in her heart. She didn't even try to stop the tears falling from her eyes. All that pent up emotion, that she had held in for years, just escaped her. She told Chuck everything about Jack and Emma, and how Jack used her in his… well, his cons.

At some point during the telling of this, she found herself, leaning against Chuck. She had begun sitting beside him, but he must have moved, because she found herself sitting between his legs, her head on his chest, his hand slowly running up and down her back comfortingly.

When she awoke the next morning, on the beach in that exact same spot, she questioned her reservations regarding having a relationship with Chuck.

She shook her head and looked back to the bed, seeing him lying there. Turning back to the window, she looked out at the night sky. She grinned as she heard the faintest noises behind her. "Enjoying the view?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," she bantered back. Her grin grew as she heard his breath hitch. She turned toward him. "Sorry, I had a lot on my mind." He tried to speak, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"I am trying to be the good boyfriend here and ask what's wrong, but my brain is currently malfunctioning," Chuck admitted.

"Well, that's fair, because what you did to me made my brain malfunction," she told him, walking back to bed. She lifted the sheet and slid in, snuggling up beside him. "I never asked, but do you think the receptionist really thinks we're married?"

"I don't know why you'd ask such a question," Chuck replied. "I mean I'm sure the fact you told her that we were Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, and I had a dopey look on my face, only solidified that I was happily married."

"Or that you were about to get laid," Sarah replied, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Such coarse language," Chuck chided her.

"I can get coarser."

"Oh, I know, I was there," Chuck said giving her a pointed look. She blushed just the tiniest bit.

"You are taking some liberties," Sarah told him.

"Iwas taking liberties?" Chuck replied. "I… Me? Chuck Bartowski was taking… liberties? Exactly what kind of liberties we talkin' about?"

"I'm talking about a deviation from standard practice," she said, snuggling closer.

"So, I shouldn't deviate from what you've experienced from others?" Chuck asked, grinning. She snapped her head up quickly, trying to glare, but failing miserably. "I thought you liked those… deviations?"

"Okay, we need to talk seriously," she began.

"Then for the love of God, put some clothes on, because if you tell me things in this state of dress, it won't be a discussion. It will be Sarah Walker getting what she wants," Chuck told her. She nodded, and hopped out of bed. "Oh, shit, this is serious." She grabbed a robe, put it on, and came and sat down beside him.

"Chuck, I am a little worried about Dr. Black, and what he might do to you."

"I thought you were going to explain things to him," Chuck replied. Sarah chuckled. "That sounded very mafioso, didn't it?"

"It did, and maybe I will, but… I have a proposition for you." She was silent for a second, then gave him a look through her lashes. "Move in with me."

"What about Carina?" Chuck asked.

"She's going to live with Casey," Sarah told him. "But… I wasn't talking about the apartment."

"You want to live in my apartment?" Sarah shook her head. "I'm confused."

"My house won't be rented out after this weekend," Sarah told him. "I've never lived in it, so… what if we make it ours?"

"Sarah, I don't know," Chuck began. "I mean…" He trailed off. "I need to say this the right way. How much of this is you protecting me, and how much of this is you really wanting me there? Because I know how you like your space."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Oh, I do, huh? Chuck, when we weren't dating, how many nights did I fall asleep at your place?" Chuck thought for a second, and then blinked. He looked at her, confusion covering his face. "More than half the week, right?" Chuck nodded. "And did I ever seem bored?"

"Well, I question how much you enjoyed me playing my video games," Chuck began.

"You mean when I read, drank wine, and had my feet in your lap to be massaged between games?" Sarah asked. Chuck thought again, and blinked… again.

"Sarah…" he began, and then stopped. "Sarah…" He shook his head.

"Spit it out, baby," she encouraged him.

"How long have we been together?" Chuck asked, real confusion on his face, making her laugh. "I know, I asked that badly."

"No, no, you didn't," Sarah told him. "That's the thing… we have. We both tried to do this thing where we didn't think us being together was a good idea. But damned if we weren't together, just not having sex."

"Huh," Chuck said, sitting there. "And you're sure you wouldn't need space? I mean, we'd be working and living together."

"Don't tease me like that," Sarah told him, giving him a longing look.

"What?"

"Chuck, some of my favorite dreams of us, are about us just going home together," Sarah told him.

"I sure am a wild man in your dreams," Chuck muttered.

"Do you want to hear the one about where you pick me up at a bar and we end up having sex in an alley?" Sarah asked. Chuck's eyebrows nearly shot from his head. "You can get wild."

"But, come on, you know me," Chuck told her. "I wouldn't do that." Sarah began to chuckle. "I mean, there are many nasty things in alleys." Her chuckling intensified. "Plus, I wouldn't want to expose you like that for someone else to see."

"God, I love you," she said, shaking her head and laughing. "Chuck, move in with me. Help me make my place a home."

"Seriously?" Chuck asked.

"Please," Sarah said to him.

"Okay," he said, nodding. She leaned forward and kissed him. "But, what if I picked you up in a hotel bar and took you back to my room?"

"Ah, the good ole Wednesday night dream," Sarah said.

"Wait, Wednesday?!"

"You thought those dreams just happened on Fridays?" she asked him.

}o{

Casey walked up to Carina and Sarah's apartment door. He took a deep breath. He had talked to Dr. Black. Sarah had talked to Dr. Black… Dr. Black may have pissed himself after that talk. Dr. Black would not be bothering Bartowski. That, Casey was sure of. He also knew something else. He pulled the ring box out of his jacket, sunk to one knee, opened the box and taking a deep breath, rang the doorbell. He looked down.

Casey heard the apartment door open, and blurted out what he had to say. "Listen, you know I'm terrible at this stuff, so I just need to say this. And I can't look at you, or I'll blow it."

There was no reaction, so he just plowed ahead. "I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, would you please marry me?" Casey blew out a breath and looked up. The worried look on his face fell off and one of disgust replaced it.

"Is this because I make you coffee?" Chuck asked. Casey groaned. "See, I think it is, because while everyone thinks you like it black, I know that you like just a hint of sweetener in it. That's why I use honey." Chuck looked around, conspiratorially. "And I'm gonna let you in on a secret: I use local honey, and that helps you not have allergy problems."

"Wait, what?" Casey asked, his irritation gone. He hadn't been having allergy problems in the past few months like he had before. "Is that true?"

"According to the guy at the farmer's market where I buy it from, it is," Chuck said, shrugging. "You have to make sure it's actually local, and not made in another part of the state, but yeah."

"This is because he puts honey in your coffee, isn't it?" Casey heard Sarah say from behind Chuck. Casey looked past Chuck and saw Sarah standing there, shaking her head. "Carina, come get your man. He's proposing to mine."

"I wasn't-" Casey began, as he stood up.

"It's over that damn coffee, isn't it," Carina said, walking up, reaching over, and snatching the ring from Casey. She slipped it on her finger and looked at it. She looked back at Casey, winked at him and sliding past Chuck, wrapped her arms around Casey and kissed him.

"New record," Chuck said. "Proposed to, and tossed over for another, in five minutes."

"Come on, Chuck," Sarah said, grabbing his arm and leading him back into the apartment. "Let's finish packing my stuff, go home, and let me soothes what ails you."

"Good God, you're amazing," Chuck muttered, as he was led away.

"I know," Sarah said, sighing dramatically.

"I know."

A/N: I know what you're thinking…okay, I don't. But what if you were thinking, "David, do you think we could have something a little lighter next time?" See, see, I knew.

Next time:

"Steal a body?" Bradly asked.

"See, there you go," Chuck said, turning to Sarah. "He stole a body." Sarah's eyes were about to pop out of her head.

"He stole a body," Sarah repeated. Chuck blinked as if he just understood what Bradly had said. Sarah stared at Bradly, and looked him over. Of all the things that she thought of that could bring Bradly to her for help, stealing a body was not on the list.

"You stole a body?" Sarah asked, her voice raising. "YOU?! You stole a body." Chuck winced at what was implied in that tone.

"Well, I took a body," Bradly clarified. "I mean, I have a body."

"We all have bodies," Chuck began.

"What do you mean you have a body?" Sarah asked, her voice becoming high-pitched, cutting off Chuck. "We all have a body Bradly!"

"I said that," Chuck cut in. Sarah turned to him and glared. "Nevermind," Chuck muttered, stepping back out of the way of the two talking.

"MINE'S in the TRUNK of the CAR!" Bradly told her, looking a bit wide-eyed. "Downstairs. It's in the trunk of my car. I brought you the body I found."

"Ooh," Sarah said. She looked over at Chuck.

"Don't look at me," Chuck said, holding up his hands.

….Houston…we have….SHENANIGANS! Come on back next time for a case that will make you wonder if you're reading Chuck, or Scooby-Do.