A/N: Time to put a bow on this episode.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Sarah was getting ready to crawl into bed when it hit her that Chuck hadn't mentioned their client at any point since she had woken up on her couch. "Chuck," she said, snuggling against her. "Does Bruce know everything that happened?" She felt him tense underneath her. "It's okay," she said, misunderstanding his tension. "With everything going on, it natural you forgot. We can tell him tomorrow."

"Uh, he knows about Kayla and the hospital, but there's some things about our client that you don't know," Chuck began.

"Can we talk about it tomorrow?"

"Sure," Chuck replied.

She snuggled against him and tried to go to sleep, but she could feel his tenseness. She had an idea of how to get rid of that tension, but in her condition, she was afraid she might fall asleep while ridding him of said tension. And she knew while Chuck didn't have a huge ego, she didn't think falling asleep while making love would be something Chuck would appreciate.

"Okay," she said, rolling over and flicking on the lamp on the nightstand. "Apparently this is big."

"Bruce isn't our client's name," Chuck blurted out. "His name is Bryce Larkin."

"I know that name," Sarah said, trying to recall where she had heard it.

"He was my roommate at Stanford," Chuck said softly. Sarah sat up, and looked at Chuck.

"The one that got you kicked out?" Sarah asked. Chuck nodded. "Baby," she said softly, pulling him close. "You had to deal with that?"

"Uh, trust me when I say it was the least of my worries," Chuck told her. "The only problem was…" He trailed off, and shook his head. "Nevermind."

"No," Sarah said, gently turning his head such that she was looking into his eyes. "I know,Chuck Bartowski, what his getting you kicked out of Stanford did to you. It hurt you. It made you question everything. It cost you so much emotionally. You do not get to brush this under the carpet. You are going to deal with it. Now, if you don't want to talk to me about it, I respect that. But you need to know, I will never judge you."

"I questioned myself," Chuck admitted softly. "I thought you were in trouble, but I let him… convince me that you were fine. That you were dealing with stuff, and I was just a worry-wort civilian."

She kissed his forehead. It didn't feel patronizing. It didn't feel like she was coddling him. It felt like she was trying to comfort him. "God, I love you," she murmured. "Maybe I do deserve this."

He pulled away, giving her a questioning look. "It's nothing."

He raised an eyebrow, and sang softly. "Look at this photograph…"

She sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically. She considered putting the back of her hand to her head to be even more dramatic, but decided against it. "Fine, under those drugs, I had some… visions, dreams, something."

"Okay," Chuck said, not sure where this was going.

"I… you and I were at a fancy restaurant," Sarah began.

"Do I need to take notes?" Chuck asked. "Is this something I need to recreate?" Sarah shook her head, a bit of horror on her face. "Scratch me recreating this dream."

"You pulled a box out of your jacket pocket," Sarah said. Chuck smiled. "You opened it and there was a bullet inside, and you were bleeding… from your chest… you were spitting up blood…" she trailed off.

"Ah," Chuck said, nodding.

"Ah? I tell you all of that, and you give me ah?" Sarah asked.

"You're scared of where this is heading," Chuck said gesturing between them. "You're scared, given your past, that you are going to," and here he used air quotes, "ruin this or don't deserve this."

"How do you know that?" Sarah asked.

He gave her a look. "You know, I am considered somewhat intelligent," Chuck told her.

She snorted laughter. Not at him saying he was intelligent, but how much he was downplaying it.

He was the smartest person she knew.

"You haven't had the most normal upbringing."

"You mean everyone didn't sell orders for nonexistent Girl Scout cookies, then split town with the cash in hand with their dad?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

"You haven't had a normal career," Chuck continued.

"You really wanna see that fan dance, don't you?"

"Damn it, woman," he said with some heat to his voice. "I'm trying to make a point, and you're cheating."

"You like it," Sarah said, wrapping her arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder, her breath hitting his ear. He shuddered deliciously.

"And you're in love with your co-worker," Chuck finished.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Sarah asked.

"No idea. I lost my train of thought, with you blowing into my ear," Chuck admitted.

"You really suck at withstanding my torture," Sarah pointed out.

"If that's torture, I wish you would torture me constantly," Chuck told her.

"Do you… think about it…" Sarah asked, scared.

"Think about you torturing me?" Chuck asked, confused and partially short-circuited.

"Us being married?" Sarah asked. Chuck grinned, then shook his head. "You haven't?"

"No," Chuck admitted. "For a few years now, I've been trying not to think about us even being together. Why would I hurt myself that much, thinking about being married to the woman I love? Why would I think about a life with you, when I couldn't even think about going on a date, or dancing, or… anything?"

She moved closer. "Yet, we did dance. We did go on a date."

"We were just friends going out," Chuck corrected.

"Right," Sarah said nodding. "I slept at your place all the time."

"No sex," Chuck added.

"I know," Sarah said, almost whining. "God, what idiots we were."

"Girl, you keep talking like that, and I'm gonna think I'm good at what I do," Chuck said, chuckling.

"Pleasuring me? You're amazing at it," she said, shrugging. Chuck turned a bit red. "And not just pleasuring me sexually. I mean everything, Chuck Bartowski." He was silent as he grew even more red. "But you know what else?" He looked over at her. "You know me, and… I know you." She punctuated that by lightly tapping his chest with her finger as she said those three words.

"And yet, you're dating me," Chuck said.

She frowned at him. "If I dated you any harder, I'd break you," she told him. He swallowed. "And it's because I know you that I'm dating you… why I think about things I normally never would."

"Well, it can't be marriage, because you're already married," Chuck reminded her, making her snort laughter.

"I'm really not," Sarah whispered. "But, I think part of me wouldn't mind."

"I mean, it would be so different than what we're doing now," Chuck said, "living together." She shook her head at him. "So, I just want to make sure I understand." She looked over at him, sure some smartass joke was about to make an appearance. "If I were to hand you a ring box, it shouldn't have a bullet in it, and I definitely shouldn't be bleeding."

"I don't know why I love you," Sarah muttered.

"I question it daily," Chuck replied. She backhanded him. "YEOWCH!"

"Quit it," she told him.

"Yes ma'am," Chuck told her.

"Now, I am extremely tired," she told him. "Probably something to do with all those damn drugs."

"I see why you're a master detective," Chuck replied.

"See, I was gonna offer you a rain check on kissing where I hurt you and make it feel better, but now I'm not," she said, turning off the light, pushing him down from his sitting position and curling up on his shoulder.

"We both know in the morning you will," he said softly.

"We don't know," Sarah argued. "I mean, it's very possible."

"Love you, Sarah," Chuck said, wrapping his arms around her.

"Love you, Chuck," she said as she fell into a deep and happy sleep.

}o{

Sarah was humming as she walked into work that morning. She had never heard the song Chuck had playing on the speakers this morning, but there was something about it, that just spoke to her. She found herself singing, "If you can give it I can take it. 'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it."

She opened the door and saw Anna sitting there. "Should you be here, boss?" Anna asked. Sarah stopped, looking at the door. It still said Castle Security on the glass, and in smaller letters, Sarah Walker and Chuck Bartowski. He had insisted she be listed first when he became a fully licensed detective.

"I'm still on the door," Sarah said, grinning. Anna gave her a look. God, working with Chuck had allowed her to be the dork she was. "I'm only here to do a few things," Sarah assured Anna. "We realized this morning Ellie and Awesome hadn't been filled in, so Chuck is going to do that. And then… then I suspect the two doctors will insist on giving me a clean bill of health before I do anything."

Anna shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I guess I shouldn't have shown your client into your office then." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "It's… Bryce."

"Ah," Sarah said. "No, you did the right thing. I'll handle it."

"I can," Anna began.

"I have it," Sarah chirped merrily. She swept into her office, closing the door behind her. She walked past Bryce sitting in the chair facing her desk. Laying her bag in her chair, she walked over to the window. She frowned. They were only on the third floor.

"Maybe we should talk on the roof," Sarah muttered.

"Why, do you have something secret you want to tell me and don't want anyone else to hear?" Bryce asked, oozing charm.

Sarah turned to him, stone-faced. "You have CIA training."

"I do," Bryce admitted.

"Then I suspect you would have no problem surviving a fall from a third story window. But one from the roof…" she trailed off.

Bryce shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and cleared his throat. "Listen, I am sorry you found yourself in the position you did in this case, but that is the nature of your business."

"You're a damned fool, you know that?" Sarah asked. Bryce looked as though he'd been slapped. "Do you think that's what has me upset?"

"Well, what else could?" Bryce asked.

"What you did to Chuck," she said quietly, but fiercely.

"What I did to Chuck?" Bryce parroted. "You mean at Stanford? I saved his damn life."

"Did you? Or did you make a unilateral decision for him?" Sarah asked, straightening and crossing her arms. "Did you take away all of his agency and said it was all right, because you knew what was best for him?"

"I know the CIA. You know the CIA!" Bryce argued.

"We sure do," Sarah said. "And instead of talking to Chuck… instead of working with the smartest man I know, to try and find some kind of plan, you go for the nuclear option."

"I was protecting him!" Bryce argued.

"By making him nearly unemployable?" Sarah asked. "Kinda hard to get a job when Stanford kicks you out!"

"Now wait-"

"No," she said, slapping her hand on the desk, making him jump. "You did what you thought was best, with no consideration. He's the kindest man I know."

"I know he is!" Bryce replied. "God! Why do you think I did it?"

"I have no idea, because anyone that is in a healthy relationship would have a discussion with him," Sarah told Bryce. "You had time. You could have done so many different things. But you made the choice."

"To protect him!" Bryce insisted. Sarah nodded. "What?"

"It's what the CIA does," she said softly. "They get in your head and teach you that your infallible. That so long as you're trained by them, the decision you make is the best." Bryce shifted in his chair uncomfortably. "If you ever try any shit like that again with him…"

"Are you threating a CIA officer?" Bryce asked.

"No, there is no threat involved here. I am warning a CIA officer. I am making you a goddamn promise," Sarah said softly. "You try something like that again with him…" she shook her head.

"Well, you're really gonna love the reason I'm here, then," Bryce told her. She fought not to roll her eyes. "If you care about him… if you love him… you'll break off whatever you have going on with him."

Sarah raised an eyebrow at him. She started to respond, but she couldn't. What he had said was the funniest damn thing she had ever heard. She sat down in her chair, laughing. If this fool across from her understood what they had been through…

"He put himself in danger to save you," Bryce began.

"Did he?" Sarah asked, amused. Of course the curly-headed idiot had.

"He is not trained like us," Bryce said.

"You know, you're right… I should," Sarah said.

"I'm glad you're seeing reason," Bryce said.

"Probably should also wrap him in bubble wrap, so he doesn't stub his toe," Sarah added. Bryce rolled his eyes. "Ooo, I should probably get rid of all paper around him so he won't get a papercut."

"You're not taking me seriously," Bryce said.

"No, I am not," Sarah said. "He's a grown-ass man, and he gets to make grown-ass-man decisions."

"And what's he gonna do when it gets too hard on you, and you bolt?" Bryce asked.

Sarah sat there for a moment, and then began to laugh again. "And there it is," Sarah said. "Why did you hire us, Bryce?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Bryce asked. Sarah said nothing. He sat there for a second. "To make sure what I was involved with didn't come back on her. To make sure I wasn't the cause of her death."

"If you were that concerned, why didn't you break up with her?" Sarah asked. Bryce sat there, unable to speak. "Because you loved her, right?" He continued to say nothing. "Because you loved her and was selfish. Because you want to love someone… to be loved. And you don't know, because of what you've done, that you're capable of being loved."

Bryce sat there, quietly. He stood. "Please, take care of him," Bryce said softly. He started to say something else, thought better of it, then turned and headed to the door.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Bryce," Sarah said. Bryce paused, his hand on the door. "You do deserve a normal life, that includes love and being loved." Bryce didn't say anything, as he opened the door and left.

"We all do," Sarah said softly.

}o{

"Okay, I'm going to give you the all-clear, but in the future if you could not go into a situation like that alone…" Ellie trailed off.

"Ellie, I'm trained," Sarah protested. Ellie's expression didn't change. "You do know I've had training to handle all sorts of situations."

Chuck leaned over. "Don't think you had Ellie resistance training," he said softly. He straightened up, never uncrossing his arms.

Sarah straightened herself. Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Okay, fine. I will do my best to never do that again."

"That's the best you're gonna get, Ellie," Awesome said, observing the whole thing. "You know when Sarah goes all superhero-y that there's no stopping her."

"Yeah, Superman and Supergirl over here," Ellie said.

"Ewww, Ellie!" Chuck protested, making Sarah giggle. "They're cousins! Why not Sue Storm and Mr. Fantastic?"

"Aren't they married?" Ellie asked. Chuck's eyes went wide, and he shook his head. Ellie frowned. "What? Is something wrong with you two?"

"No," Sarah said, standing up, walking over, and taking Chuck's hand. "I've been a little in my head about being a proper… wife. God, that sounds so 1890s." Ellie chuckled.

"I know what you mean," Ellie said. "And the answer is, whatever works for you two is what works for you two."

"I know, I just don't want to be the burden of this relationship," Sarah said.

"Excuse me," Chuck said, turning Sarah to face him, surprising but amusing her. "A burden is something you're forced to carry against your will. I freely choose to be a part of your life, Sarah Walker."

"Go little brother," Ellie murmured.

"That means you aren't a burden," Chuck continued. "Anything I pick up of yours on this journey, and help you carry, is my choice. It's my privilege."

"Awesome," Devon said softly. Ellie shook her head. "I know, I know, I'm supposed to use another word, but… Awesome!"

"Okay, love birds, I prescribe some TLC," Ellie said. "Get out of here, get some rest, and come to dinner this weekend."

"Absolutely," Sarah said hugging Ellie and then Devon. Chuck hugged them both as well. The two headed to the door. "Thank you both."

"You're family, Sarah," Ellie said, shrugging. "I hope you know that. And if you two break up, I'm keeping you."

"It's good to know where I stand," Chuck muttered.

"I got you, bro," Devon said, putting his arm around Ellie's shoulders.

"I got you, bro," Chuck said, pointing at Devon.

"Okay, you two," Sarah said, pulling Chuck out the door. "Love you both, see you this weekend." Ellie and Devon watched them leave.

"How long until he proposes?" Devon asked.

Ellie sighed. "No telling," she said.

}o{

Chuck took the laundry out of the washer and put it in the dryer. "So, again, you came to my apartment with your dirty laundry, when you had these machines?"

"Again," Sarah said, crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame, "I didn't live here, and my apartment didn't have a washer and dryer in the apartment. I had to go to the communal one."

Chuck picked up the basket of clothes that had come out of the dryer, and headed to the bedroom, Sarah following. "I do so appreciate your kindness in treating me to the finer things," Chuck said in a southern drawl, making Sarah giggle. "When I do mah chores, should I wear less?"

"If you did that, I might have to objectify you," Sarah told him.

"Bless your heart," Chuck drawled, making Sarah laugh as he dumped the clothes on the bed. She reached for some. "Nope, sit there and just be pretty." She burst out laughing, but sat down. "Just tell me where these go." He held up a pair of her underwear, and Sarah sat there, making a zipping motion with her fingers over mouth.

"Fine," Chuck said, and put them on his head, making her laugh.

"Stop," she said, reaching for them. "I don't want you stretching them. Let me fold these, and you can put them up." Chuck relented and let her fold them.

"What are you smiling about?" Chuck asked her. She shrugged, cutely. "Come on, what has you all… I don't know… happy?"

"This," Sarah said. "Just us… being. I've never really had it, and… I like it."

"Well, I'm glad," he told her. He reached over and gently took the folded undergarments and put it in the correct drawer. Sarah grabbed her phone, scrolled a second and stood up.

Chuck turned around and heard the guitar begin to play from the speaker. Sarah had an amused smile on her face and threw her arms around Chuck's neck, beginning to sway to the music with him.

You're struttin' into town like you're slingin' a gun

Just a small town dude with a big city attitude

Honey are you lookin' for some trouble tonight

Well alright

You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild

Shoot 'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile

Honey but you met your match tonight

Oh, that's right

You think you'll knock me off my feet

'Til I'm flat on the floor

'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm begin' for more

So come on baby

Come on baby

Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for

If you can give it

I can take it

'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it

I know tonight

Somebody's gonna win the fight

So if you're so tough

Come on and prove it

Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it

Tonight you're gonna go down in flames

Just like Jesse James

"I'm going down in flames, huh?" Chuck asked, the two swaying together.

"Yup," Sarah chirped, the smile growing. "If you can give it, I can take it," she sang.

"That's quite suggestive," Chuck told her. She did her version of the Bartowski eyebrow dance. "Woman, that's copyrighted."

"So, sue the pants off of me."

"You'd like that," Chuck countered.

"You'd like that," Sarah corrected.

"Mmm, yes," Chuck agreed, making her laugh.

"I love you, Chuck," she said, moving in to kiss him.

"Wait, the clothes on the bed are clean," he protested.

"Really?" Chuck slipped from her arms, threw the clothes back into the basket, and put the basket to the far end of the room. He then slipped back into her arms. "Sorry, it's who I am."

"Oh, I am aware," she said, kissing him soundly. "And I love it," she said after she pulled away. "So?"

"Guess I'm going down in flames," Chuck said.

Sarah squealed as he attacked her neck.

A/N:

Next time, Private Eyes. We're calling this ep, And Now For Something completely different.

She lay in her bed, thrashing back and forth, caught in the dream again.

"I'm in."

"Do you see the infiltrators?"

"Copy. I count eleven."

"Understood. It seems we have underestimated the willingness of our adversaries. As you are the agent in the field, what are your recommendations?"

"The men in that room just slaughtered the couple that lived in this house. Give them the opportunity, they'll kill me as well."

*sips tea* see you soon. Take care fam.