a/n: If SC can write a Christmas fic in March, then I can post a chapter in March

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

'Twas the night before Christmas Eve, and all through the apartment, everyone was stirring, except two, and they looked as content as a fat and fully fed mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hopes that the CIA or NSA would not have a case, in which they would need to care.

There were two snuggled, looking like they were ready for bed. One with a goofy grin, the other swirling the curls on his head. Sarah was sighing contentedly, sitting in Chuck's lap, her hand on his chest, grinning like a sap.

When out on the patio there arose such a clatter, Awesome looked at them questioningly as they did not move to see what was the matter.

"It's all good," came Stephen's voice as he came inside like a flash. "I knocked over a chair when I got up, that's what caused the crash."

Awesome watched the two on the couch, lost in their own little world... something was obviously different, but what, he nearly murmured.

He walked over to Ellie, and in his lowest voice (nonetheless sounding like a boom), said "Babe, I need to talk to you."

She looked at him questioningly, raising one eyebrow. She responded with, "Do we have to do it now?"

He shook his head no, but his mouth didn't listen, and he began to speak softly, where no one else could listen. "I know what I'm seeing, I know how it looks. Your brother, something's happened. He's different, Jack would even say he's a schnook. He's calm, he's collected, he not acting a fool. He's peaceful, serene, some would even say cool.

"And Sarah is acting really weird, I must say. It's like the tension has just left the both of them today."

Ellie studied Devon, and then turned to the two, watching Sarah's hand on Chuck's chest, and then noticed with her other, she was touching her own chest too.

Ellie smiled at her fiancée, took his hand, and led him outside. She wanted to talk to him quietly, and in private, so she wouldn't have to lie.

Outside was quiet, there was no snow, but she couldn't help but notice the stars twinkling, as she stood below. She turned to her fiancée, and studied him closely. She would tell him the truth… well, mostly.

He was smiling at her, like the world's tallest, jolliest elf, and she couldn't help but giggle at him, in spite of herself. He was dressed all for comfort, but still looked fit, his smile was lopsided, and she found herself wanting to kiss it a bit. His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples so merry. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.

"Devon, I think you should know, those two have found love, and they're lost in the glow. They've fought for it so long, and they've fought so hard, they deserve this break, everything around them, they should disregard."

Devon nodded, took her hand, and gave a low whistle. "I don't understand how they get lost, with all of this bristle. But I know you are happy for them and I pledge to you this night, they will have a Merry Christmas for all three nights."

}o{

(I don't know if that rhymed right, but I tried.)

Inside the apartment, the two lovebirds didn't notice anyone besides each other. Sarah's head was resting against his, the two just enjoying each other's company, both looking at the Christmas tree.

"Ma'am," Chuck said softly, "if you don't move your hand off my chest, at some point, someone might think we're up to something."

"I'm sorry, I just like feeling the necklace I got you for Christmas," Sarah said with a shrug. "It would look weird if I played with mine." Chuck grinned at her.

"You know, they wouldn't mind if they knew the truth," Chuck told her. She grinned at him. "But, we agreed, do this quietly, and just be."

"There is one problem with this," Sarah said. "You are being a little too cool."

"Me? You're the one being too cool," Chuck argued.

"Chuck, you know, there's just no pleasing you," Sarah began.

"I think we both know that is an untrue statement," Chuck muttered.

"If I'm too cool, I'm letting people know about us, but if I turn up the heat, you melt into a gelatinous blob," Sarah continued.

Chuck was silent for a second. "What flavor?" he asked. She looked at him. "What flavor gelatinous blob? And does it have the fruit in it, like we got in school?"

She looked up at the ceiling with an amused, pondering look on her face. "Strawberry, and no fruit."

Chuck was quiet for a moment. "Okay, I'll agree to that," he said. Sarah giggled just as the patio door opened, and Awesome and Ellie walked in. Ellie looked at them, shook her head, and headed toward the kitchen. "We might need to get started home."

"Charles, would you turn up the TV?" Stephen asked. Chuck reached over, grabbed the remote, and turned up the volume. "Who is that?"

"You mean the half naked guy with the back tattoo?" Ellie asked. Everyone turned to her. "He's Tyler Martin." Stephen winced.

"Honey?" Mary asked.

"I'm okay, but…" he trailed off and looked at Chuck. "Did you…feel anything?"

"Like a flash?" Chuck asked. Stephen nodded. "No."

"Must be the differences in the models," Stephen theorized. "Okay, the name, and his back… that's what made me feel like a flash was coming." Sarah got off of Chuck's lap and grabbed his computer bag. She found his laptop and brought it to him.

"What are you doing?" Stephen asked.

"Trying to find pictures of his back and the complete tattoo, or find pieces to put together and see if that causes either of us to flash," Chuck told them. He typed for a few minutes, pulled up an app on the computer, and began to take parts of the tattoo in an attempt to make a complete picture.

Chuck leaned back, looked at his dad, and shook his head. Stephen looked at the picture, winced, but also shook his head. "It seems to be missing a part."

"He's going to be here in January," Ellie said. Everyone turned to her. "What? I like his music, and know where he's touring. Sue me."

"We better tell Beckman," Honey said.

"What's the plan?" Chuck asked.

"The plan is for you two to continue to act like newlyweds in your fake house. Sarah to win the HOA presidency, and let the old guard take care of this," Honey told them, leaving no room for arguments.

"We can always call in Zondra and Carina," Mary added.

"Don't forget Casey," Ellie said. "I know he hates Tyler's music, so he could just shoot him with a tranquilizer, take his shirt off of him, and see if Dad flashes. If he doesn't snap a picture and have Chuck look at it."

"You're taking this rather calmly," Chuck said to his sister.

"I have my family for Christmas, Chuck. Everyone is working together. What do you want me to do, forbid anyone from spying and have everyone sneak behind my back?" Ellie asked.

"I could see where that would make things more complicated," Chuck agreed. "We need to head home."

"Lunch tomorrow?" Devon asked. Chuck gave Devon a big wink and a nod. "Awesome."

With that, Chuck and Sarah left. "He's really cool about things." All the spies and Ellie just chuckled, making Devon look around. "What?"

"How about you take me to bed, baby," Ellie said, slipping her arms through his, leading him down the hallway.

"Awesome," Devon said, grinning. The two entered their room.

"I'm proud of him," Stephen said. "He's really being calm about the whole thing."

"As calm as he can be," Mary said, making everyone laugh.

}o{

As they pulled into the driveway, they noticed a car waiting for them. "Expecting company dear?" Chuck asked, looking at the two women, leaning against the car, their arms crossed.

"No," Sarah told him. "But I have a feeling they've been spying on us."

"Why would two spies spy on us?" Chuck asked, grinning innocently.

"I swear to God, it's like I see a halo over your head," Sarah told him. "But later on tonight… when I get done with you, you won't think of ever having a halo again." She got out of the car, leaving Chuck sitting there, his brain having melted and leaked out of his ear.

"Rizzo, Miller," Sarah said, nodding at them. "Nice surprise."

"It's Christmas, thought we should visit our newly married friend in her new home," Zondra said. Sarah and Zondra's eyes locked.

"Oh, Christ, seriously you two?" Carina asked.

"How about we all go in and have a drink?" Sarah said. "Chuck, you coming?" Chuck nodded, still having not moved from the driver's seat. "Just a sec," she said, holding up one finger. She walked over to the driver's side door, opened it, and leaning in whispered something into his ear. His eyes went wide, and Sarah moved out of the way as he shot past her, into the house. "He really had to go to the bathroom," Sarah told them.

"Uh-huh," Zondra muttered.

}o{

Chuck sat in the living room, a happy grin on his face, watching his Christmas Tree. He was ignoring the words happening in the kitchen… okay, he wasn't, but he was trying not to take what the two women were saying to Sarah personally.

"You got married!" Zondra hissed. "This isn't like you for deep cover."

"You said she would never do that kind of deep cover," Carina reminded Zondra.

"I wouldn't," Sarah agreed.

"See?" Carina said.

"Who's side are you on anyways?" Zondra asked.

"Chaos," came Chuck's voice from the living room. "Absolute chaos, because I got one over on her."

"You did not," Carina snapped. She turned back to Sarah and Zondra, who were staring at her. "He didn't."

"How?" Zondra asked.

"Massage," Sarah said, taking a sip of her hot chocolate. "He simply decided to tell her about how you give a proper massage."

"Listen, we are not talking about that," Carina said, emphasizing her point with her finger, jabbing it in Sarah's direction. "What we are here for is to talk about the fact you married… him." She paused and then turn toward Chuck. "No offense, Curls."

"Oh, none taken," Chuck said, standing as he walked into the kitchen. "I get it," he said, as he leaned against the counter beside Sarah. "I mean, Sarah Walker, Queen of the Spies, marrying a nerd like me?" He shrugged. "I mean, why? Why would a woman like that marry a man like me?"

"Exactly," Carina said, turning back to Sarah. "You see-"

"Why would someone that lived in a world where all her choices were made for her, want to marry someone who thinks she's an absolute boss, and should trust all her instincts?" Chuck continued.

"I mean," Carina began again.

"Why would someone who has been taught to trust no one, want to be with someone who trusts her completely? Why would anyone who has lived in a world of coldness, and heartlessness, want to be with someone who just loves her for her?" Chuck kept going.

Carina sputtered a second, looking for words. "I-" She turned to Zondra. "I-"

Zondra put her head in her hand, sighing deeply.

"Why would a person, who has had family, a boss, and even a team she trusted turn on her... why would she love someone who stood by her side, no questions asked?" He turned to Sarah. "I mean, I did once have some questions… that helicopter."

"I remember, but we did get through it, and learned from it," Sarah said, grinning.

"We did," Chuck said. "We learned that we're better together than apart, than at each other's throats."

"Jesus," Zondra muttered, her head still in her hand.

"I give up," Carina muttered.

"So, yes, when Sarah asked me to marry her-" Chuck began.

"SARAH ASKED YOU?" Zondra asked, her head raised, her eyes wide. "Sarah Walker… this Sarah Walker," she continued, pointing at Sarah. "She asked you to marry her?"

"Not only that, she gave me a key to her home… and her Porsche," Chuck continued.

"He's a super-spy and has brainwashed her," Zondra said.

"Maybe he's amazing in bed, and banged her senseless," Carina said.

"Maybe he's amazing in bed, and banged some sense into me," Sarah added.

Zondra and Carina turned to her. "What the hell? Did Sarah… did Sarah just make a sex joke?" Carina asked.

"What? She does it all the time," Chuck said with a shrug.

"Yeah she does," Sarah said. Chuck blushed, but still bumped her fist when she held it out. "Listen you two. I am married. I am happily married. His family doesn't know. No one, technically, knows… except you two-"

"His family… you mean his mom… Agent Frost?" Zondra reminded Sarah.

"Oh, shit," Sarah said.

"Welp," Chuck added. "Who'd like a drink?"

Everyone's hand went up.

}o{

The four sat, the three women on the couch, Chuck in a chair beside the couch. "They are all spies," he said softly, taking a sip of his drink, staring at the tree, realizing they had fooled no one.

"Yup," Carina said.

"And if you two found out," Chuck continued, and then stopped, unable to complete that sentence.

"Yup," Zondra said, taking a drink and staring at the tree as well.

"I really don't care if they do or not," Sarah said. The three turned to her. "What? I don't. I kept it quiet to give Ellie her day. I wanted to keep it quiet because Thanksgiving became a cluster. I just wanted Christmas to be a happy family time."

"Thank you," Chuck said. Sarah turned to him and gave him a big smile. Zondra and Carina shared a look.

"Looks like she knows exactly what she's doing," Carina said to Zondra.

"The fact you said it, makes me wonder if there was innuendo implied," Zondra muttered.

"She does," Sarah said. She turned to Chuck. "Don't I?"

"Boy howdy, does she," Chuck said, making the three women laugh.

}o{

They sat around the kitchen table, the four much more relaxed now. "So, you think Casey will want us to help them?"

"I do," Sarah said. "But even if they don't, I need your help."

"You need our help?" Carina asked. Sarah grinned. "Oh, shit, I know that grin. That's the same grin when we…" she looked at Chuck. "Need to know. Sorry, Curls."

Sarah looked at Chuck. "Operation Cat Strike, Incapacitation." Chuck flashed. He shook his head and looked at his wife, awe on his face.

"Did he just…?" Carina asked.

"You got the government of Guinea-Bissau to surrender using a fork?" Chuck asked.

"She did," Zondra muttered.

"Holy shit, you're even more badass than I thought," Chuck muttered. Sarah was beaming with the praise. "So, this HOA thing…"

"It will be bloodless," Sarah said. "I promise."

"I don't," Carina replied. Sarah gave her a look. "Listen, I don't like the woman. And I admit, I get to mess with you, but she tried to." She looked at Chuck. "Damn it, that makes him my brother-in-law."

"Shit," Zondra said, groaning.

"Uh, you aren't sisters," Chuck said.

"Sisters forged in fire," Carina said. "That's why the whole… mole thing…"

"Wait, Sarah's told me about this," Chuck said. "Is that why you're here? You thought Sarah was the mole and I was the person behind it?" Carina looked away. Chuck wondered if she was ashamed, or if it was gas. She quickly turned her head back, and locked eyes with him defiantly.

Chuck was pretty sure it was gas.

"You messed with me," Carina said. "No one messes with me… no one normal."

"But Chuck isn't normal," Sarah told Carina.

"I GET THAT!" Carina replied. She took a deep breath. "I just didn't get… I didn't get this is actually who he is, and he wasn't a spy, or… I don't know."

"You threw her off her game," Zondra said. "When Carina told me everything, it became obvious you weren't the mole. So… so we started talking about how you had changed. We've been keeping tabs on you, both physically and looking through reports. And then… then a record was filed that you had…" she trailed off.

"Got married?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, God damn it!" Zondra said. "And a lot of things clicked. But we had to be sure, hence why we came here. We had to see for ourselves."

"I knew being around you had changed her-" Carina began, talking to Chuck.

"No," Chuck said gently. "I didn't change her. This was always her. I just gave her the freedom to be herself."

"Jesus, I'm gonna barf," Zondra muttered. Carina laughed. "So, you wanna be the President of the HOA. In a house you don't actually own… that's a little much, Sarah."

"She was pushy," Sarah said, shrugging.

"Fine, how are we going to play this?" Zondra asked.

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.

"Obviously, you are all foster sisters," Chuck began.

"See, that's good," Carina said. "He is the smart one," she told Zondra.

"Wait," Sarah said.

"And you've come to see your sister in her newfound happiness, found jobs here, and now you live nearby," Chuck continued.

"Wait," Sarah said, looking from her husband to the women.

"And, you have gotten caught up in her enthusiasm for making positive changes around here," Chuck said.

"I'm going to have to smile, aren't I?" Zondra asked.

"Wait, the CAT Squad is going to help me with this election?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah," Zondra said, nodding.

"Uh, not to be a party pooper, but you can't just reassign yourselves," Chuck pointed out.

"We've been pulled in for a mission," Zondra told Chuck. Chuck grinned. "We have to help with that Tyler nitwit."

"My sister likes his music," Chuck told them.

"I like his music," Carina said. Zondra looked at her. "What?"

}o{

"I'm sorry you didn't get a honeymoon," Sarah said softly, breaking the silence in the bedroom. Well, there hadn't been much talking, however, both were breathing heavily.

"I don't know if I'd survive a honeymoon," Chuck blurted out, making Sarah giggle. "How about we take it as planned this summer, maybe a train trip?"

"I like trains," Sarah said. "The rumbling, the clacking of the rails… it's almost hypnotic."

"You sound a little excited there, Mrs. Bartowski," Chuck told her, gently caressing her head with his hand.

"Yeah, and I have this condition that if I get too excited, I have to get the energy out," Sarah told him, lifting her head to look him in the eye, her eyes twinkling.

"Can I help with that?"

"You know you can," she replied. He gulped. "You like it."

"So much," he blurted out, making her laugh. "So, after Christmas…"

"We take over the HOA," Sarah said. "Election is on Valentine's Day which… ugh," she said, rolling her eyes. "I promise, I'll do what I can to make it a great day."

"As long as you're with me, that's all I care about," Chuck told her. "And that goes for any day, not some commercially made up day."

"I love you, Chuck Bartowski," Sarah said, leaning in and capturing his lips with hers.

He would have responded, but at that moment she also became quite handsy. He tried to answer but then decided the best way was to just show her.