A/N: After rewatching "Chuck Versus the Tango," this scene stuck in my head and demanded a short extension.
I'm in a very dark place at the moment. Today, I'm attending a funeral for someone who just shouldn't have died, and supporting a wonderful person who shouldn't be suffering such grief or the difficult future ahead of her. This is a very cruel world. So, I'm getting this fic out quickly to lighten that darkness, even if only a bit. I hope it brightens your day, too.
Forced
Sarah had been invited for dinner with Chuck and Ellie after the mission against El Ciudad.
She was very proud of what Chuck had achieved, and saw this as a celebration, even though they couldn't call it that.
She had to acknowledge to herself that she saw him as more than just her asset, even after such a short time. He was more than just a very attractive man. He was also so selfless and willing to help, going so much further than she had ever expected. And his heart was in the right place, too.
He was so unlike any man she'd ever known, and he seemed to like her, not just her looks.
Regretfully, though, he was her asset, which meant she had to contain all these thoughts. Nothing could ever come of them.
When she turned up, Morgan did too. Some confusion at the store had led him to believe Chuck was spending the evening with him. She wondered about leaving them to it, but remembered that Ellie had invited her, so she would stay. She didn't mind Morgan being there because she needed to get to know him better, just as she did with Chuck's sister.
They had a great dinner, even though Devon was working a late shift and so wasn't there. Sarah definitely felt that Ellie liked her, which was great for the cover, and for Sarah feeling like she was getting closer to Chuck, although she had to stop thinking that way.
She waited until Chuck was walking her out to compliment him. "Congratulations on your first mission. You did really good, Chuck."
He didn't see it that way. "Stop it. I'm not really a spy. Your computer ended up in the head of a guy who only knows how to fix 'em, nothing else."
She disagreed with his summary. "You survived a near-death experience under the threat of torture and apprehended one of the world's most elusive killers."
She stopped and they faced each other. She said, "I'm not sure what you think spies do exactly, but most of us would consider that a pretty good day."
He was still not taking it well. "Okay, sure, so today I helped take down a major international arms dealer, but tomorrow… tomorrow I still gotta go clock in at Buy More. I mean, what's the good of being a hero if nobody knows about it?"
She held his gaze as she replied, "You know," she reminded him. She paused for only a second or two. "And so do I." She really did think that.
Chuck gave her an amused look. "You know, if we were really dating, this would be the part where I'd be forced to kiss you good night."
She smiled. "Forced? Would it be so bad?"
He shrugged. "I'm sure I could suffer through it."
The look in his eyes said more than that. She had the same feeling pulling at her heart. "Me, too," she replied. She really wanted it. His lips were calling to her.
They just gazed into each other's eyes for several moments, wanting to kiss. However, she knew this wasn't right and was about to turn away when he clasped her arms and pulled her to him. Their lips touched and she gave up her control and let him kiss her.
He was tender, maybe thinking of her cut lip, but at the same time, firm. The kiss was what she had hoped for. His lips felt good against hers.
She opened her mouth, ignoring the reminder of her cut, and the kiss became more than just tender. His tongue slipped through her lips and caressed her tongue.
God, he was a good kisser when it wasn't pretend!
She couldn't help the moan that escaped into the kiss. This was so wrong, but so right, at the same time!
When they needed air, she pulled her mouth away, but rested her forehead against his. She breathlessly said, "I'm glad you forced yourself." He hummed his agreement.
However, she had to add, "We shouldn't have done it. Casey will have seen us."
He was just as breathless as he replied, "It's just for the cover so that Devon and Ellie will believe it."
"I believe it, too, Chuck," she whispered. "I'll be remembering it as I go to sleep."
"I will, too," he replied.
"You know we can't continue this, to let it become our reality, don't you?" she said.
"I wish we could, though," he replied.
"Me, too," she admitted, repeating herself from earlier.
"Maybe one day," he said.
"Maybe," she replied, and thought, 'I hope so.'
She had to walk away, or she knew they'd kiss again, and Casey would certainly report it. She didn't look back or she'd give in and rush back into his arms.
As she drove away, she kept thinking, 'One day.'
A/N: One day indeed. A reminder that some good things do eventually happen.