F/N1 from AC: The mysterious device has been passed along, and Sarah's mission is complete. She's been called back to Washington, DC and she has only a few hours left in Burbank. Let's hope that Chuck and she make the most of their time together.

I would also like to once again thank Captainrick944 for some extraordinary efforts working on this chapter and the next (final) chapter. We hope that everyone enjoys this penultimate chapter.

Not sure why I keep telling you people that I don't own Chuck. But I guess I'll keep posting that obvious statement.

Chuck and Sarah vs The Makeover

CHAPTER 19: Sweet Sorrow

May 5, 2004

Monday morning: Day 8 of the Los Angeles Mission

Burbank, CA

Sarah and Chuck sat somewhat apart in the back of the taxi as they rode back to Casa Bartowski, with a discomforting quiet between them. Physically, both were uncomfortable. Their clothes, still damp from their late-night swimming evasion, clung to their bodies, cold and itchy. They were holding hands, the only source of warmth and comfort between them, but they found it difficult to make eye contact. Sarah's looming departure weighed heavily on both.

They had yet to really consider or discuss how they would or should behave once they got back to the Bartowski apartment. Circumstances dictated that they couldn't really be a couple, and both were concerned about what Chuck's family and friends might think if they knew they were virtually naked in bed together the previous night.

Sarah was dealing with these feelings for the first time in her life. She considered the bond she felt with Chuck, the things she said to him, the things they almost did...Oh, God...the things they almost did…

Last night, it had all poured straight from her heart, and her heart suddenly ached.

But while her heart ached, her brain was doing its best to rationalize the reality of things. Yes, she had an incredible night with the most amazing man. It was the stuff of romance novels and dreams, and she would always have that memory. Washington was clear across the country, and the work she was doing was important….and not just to her. She was helping keep her country safe. She was doing it for the greater good….and for a brief moment, her heart felt less heavy. She chanced a look at Chuck, whose unfocused eyes seemed glassy while his shoulders slumped, and her ache quickly returned.

Chuck felt her gaze, but he was focused on managing his own emotions. He knew she was struggling as much as he was. Both were in uncharted waters, both having gone through a significant emotional shift since their first meeting, both opening up to new possibilities by tearing down their own walls and preconceived notions, but neither knowing how to move forward. Like two separate sets of railroad tracks that were forced to merge by the environment around them, they would now be forced apart, each heading to different destinations and futures.

He envisioned a future Sarah in the nation's capital, meeting a handsome young FBI agent and going on dates. He saw her smiling and laughing happily, and while it weighed on him, he tried to find comfort in knowing that as long as she found the kind of happiness he felt she deserved, he would be okay with that. He closed his eyes and smiled as he wordlessly squeezed her hand.

He was heartbroken, but meeting Sarah had shown him that opening himself up to life's possibilities was a good thing. He was thankful for the brief time he had with her, and he knew that while it would suck for a while, ultimately, he would be okay.

The cab trip continued silently until Sarah turned to Chuck and shyly said, "Chuck, I…" She paused, looking for the right words, which, for some inexplicable reason, she couldn't find when Chuck interrupted her in a very soft voice.

"Sarah, I know. It's okay. We'll be okay." He pulled her hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss before resting their joined hands on his lap. He gave her a sad smile, squeezed her hand again, and turned to look out the window, hiding the solitary tear that trailed down his cheek.

The rest of the cab ride passed silently, with their hands tightly held. They were back at Chuck's place in Echo Park in what felt like the blink of an eye.

After the cab dropped them off, Chuck and Sarah made their way back to the Bartowski apartment. As they passed the beautiful fountain in the courtyard, Sarah couldn't help but think that the setting was so nice and peaceful, unlike any place she'd been in Washington, DC. Ellie and Chuck's apartment felt like "home," though Sarah didn't really have a good frame of reference for what a home should feel like. Her childhood had been one of constant movement, living in hotels or furnished apartments, none of which had any genuine warmth or sense of safety or belonging. But she knew that Chuck's apartment was full of love and family, and that's what made it feel so special.

As they approached the door, their hands released, and for the first time in hours, they were not in physical contact. Both instantly felt the penetrating chill of solitude. Chuck opened the door and was immediately smothered by Ellie, who also pulled Sarah into the hug. Almost in tears, she welcomed them in. "We've been so worried about the two of you. We hadn't heard from you since those middle of the night texts. I'm so glad both of you are all right, but we need to get you out of those damp clothes before you get sick!"

Carina rushed over and joined the group hug, followed immediately by Morgan. "Group hug….awesome!" Devon exclaimed as he came out of the kitchen and joined in.

After a few moments, the hug faded, allowing Sarah to inform everyone that she had talked to her boss and told them that flights had been arranged for Carina and her that evening. Suddenly, the joy of their reunion gave way to a quiet sadness as the immediacy of Sarah and Carina's impending departure settled on the otherwise happy reunion.

Chuck looked at his watch, did a quick calculation, and worked out a chance to spend a little more time with Sarah. He wanted to make sure he could drive the girls to the airport, so he asked Ellie if he could borrow her car as Sarah stood silently by. Ellie nodded her approval, and Morgan quickly grabbed Chuck and asked if he could join them, to which Chuck readily agreed.

"Why don't the two of you get showered and put on some fresh clothes while I make some sandwiches and a fresh pot of coffee to help you both warm up," Ellie added as she slipped away to the kitchen.

Chuck nodded to Sarah, indicating that he wanted to let her use the shower first, but Sarah needed some time to talk to Carina privately.

"Chuck, do you mind going first? I need a couple of minutes, please." He smiled and headed to his room to get some fresh clothes. He then locked himself in the bathroom to shower and think.

Carina grabbed Sarah's hand, pulled Sarah in, and closed the door as soon as Chuck left the bedroom.

"Oh my God, Sarah….you must have been terrified. Tell me what happened."

Sarah started to explain the events of the evening while she disrobed. The initial cab ride, the drop, Larkin's unprofessional behavior, and the daring escape that Chuck had masterminded. Her comments stopped at the transom of the boat they climbed onto. Sarah shivered at the thought of the cold water and reached for Chuck's terry cloth robe hung up on the back of the door. Suddenly, his scent invaded her. Her eyes lost focus, and she completely lost her train of thought. She walked to the edge of the bed and slumped down, sitting on the edge, her eyes downcast.

"Sarah, what happened then? I mean, how did you guys get out of the marina without getting caught?" Carina was mesmerized by Sarah's recounting of the evening's harrowing events, but Sarah was silent. "Sarah, did something happen? Something bad?" Carina pushed.

"No….nothing bad happened, Carina." A sad smile appeared on Sarah's, confusing Carina further.

"Come on, Sarah, you have to tell me. I'm your best and only friend!" Carina winked mischievously.

Sarah looked up at Carina wordlessly. I love you, Carina, but you are not my only friend. In fact, you may not even be my best friend at this point. She thought long and hard about whether she would say anything, but Carina clearly picked up on the fact that her friend had gone through something significant. "Sarah, please talk to me." Carina plied softly as she reached around Sarah and embraced her. "It's okay. You know you can trust me to look out for you."

Sarah smiled at her friend. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.

"It's….it's Chuck."

"Chuck? What happened to Chuck? Wait….he didn't do anything to you, did he? Sarah. What happened?" Concern grew as Carina started to raise her voice.

"No…no, nothing happened to Chuck. He's perfect. I mean, he was perfect…a perfect gentleman, is what I meant to say." Carina calmed herself yet looked at Sarah a little unconvinced.

"Come on, Sarah, I've never seen you like this. Something happened, and until you tell me, I'm going to worry. Please, Sarah…" Carina's tone continued to soften as she leaned in and lifted Sarah's chin to make eye contact.

"Chuck saved me, Carina. After that arrogant ass-hat agent took off and left me sitting there vulnerable, Chuck made sure I was going to be safe." Sarah spoke softly while looking down again.

"Yes, I understand, Sarah, but you already told me that, but something changed. What happened?" Carina continued to press while rubbing Sarah's back.

"Chuck knew the people that owned that boat we climbed onto and knew where the keys were. He got us inside and into the master cabin where he found towels and a big shirt so I could get dry and warm and…" Sarah stopped again.

"And?"

"He was so kind and thoughtful. He gave me privacy to change, and after he came back in, we were so cold…..so cold, we jumped into the bed under the covers and held each other for warmth, and….." Again, Sarah had stopped and needed some gentle coaxing from Carina to continue. "And then I kissed him. I. Kissed. Him."

"Sarah….OMG….You kissed him? Did he freak out? Wait….did he kiss you back?"

Sarah's eyes sparkled, and her smile widened for the first time since the phone call from Director Ross. "Yeah…..he did. Kiss me, I mean. Boy, did he kiss me, Carina! I kinda lost myself in him, if I'm being honest."

"Oh? What do you mean, Sarah?"

"Carina, we were snuggled together in bed, warming each other, and….well….I wanted him, Carina. I wanted him more than I wanted anything in my life. We were there alone, safe, warm, and wrapped in each other's arms, and we were kissing each other, and….and.…"

"Oh my God, Sarah, did you have sex with Chuck?" Carina gasped in shock.

"Quiet, Carina!" Sarah admonished. "And no. I didn't." Sarah quieted. "But I wanted to. I mean….I really wanted to, but he stopped us. He told me that my first time should be special and not the result of the circumstances. He…I…I…he was so kind and tender." Sarah's voice trailed off as she fell back into deep thought.

"Sarah…you can't leave me hanging like that. What was it like? Did you see him naked? Did you see all of him?"

Sarah managed a smile. "No, he had swim trunks on, but he was beautiful, soft, and warm, and somehow, I seemed to fit into him perfectly like we were meant for each other."

"I'm so happy for you, Sarah. I'm happy you let yourself go a little and trusted a guy enough to let him get close to you. This is going to be so much fun when we get back to Washington. We can go out and meet more guys and maybe kiss a few. What do you think?" Carina was giddy with excitement at the prospect of having a real partner and wing-woman for the dating world she was about to descend upon. Then, she noticed an unexpected change in Sarah's expression. Sarah didn't seem at all excited about the prospect of hunting men and being a "wing-woman." She appeared defeated, uninterested…depressed.

"What's wrong, Sarah? Don't you think this trip opened a whole new world for us?" Carina asked, but Sarah just sat quietly with a far-away look in her eyes. Then, once again, Sarah spoke softly.

"It really has, Carina….It's changed me in ways I'm struggling to understand. I mean….I wasn't looking for anything like this….I wasn't looking for Chuck Bartowski, but the nerd somehow snuck up on me, and now that I've found him, I don't know what the hell to do about it." Sarah paused. "In just a few hours, I'll fly out of his life, and I feel crushed by it." A tear escaped her eye as she spoke.

"Sarah, you are young, capable, and smart, not to mention beautiful, and there are so many great guys out there for you to find. Remember what Ellie said about filtering? I mean, I really like Morgan. He's sweet, kind, and a good kisser, but I want to know what else is out there." Carina tried to reason as Sarah considered her words.

"Carina, I'm not saying you are wrong, but when you kissed Morgan, did you lose yourself in the kiss? When he looks into your eyes, does your stomach do flips? When he holds your hand, does he warm your whole body?" Sarah looked pointedly at Carina. "Because that's what that damned nerd he does to me. You may need to try a hundred keys to find the one that fits the lock to your heart, but what if I've already found mine?"

Carina was flabbergasted. She was about to respond when there was a knock on the door.

"Sarah, I'm done. The shower is all yours." There was a melancholy in his voice.

"Thanks, Chuck. I'll be right out," Sarah responded. She rose, gave Carina a hug, and padded her way to the bathroom, as warming thoughts of showering with Chuck crept into her mind.

"So, an exciting night staying one step ahead of the bad guys, huh, Chuck?" Morgan asked.

"Yeah. I guess Morgs." Chuck was visibly deflated as he sat on the edge of the fountain. "I hate to see Sarah and Carina leave, but I know they have to. It's just that…well, I think I'm really gonna miss Sarah."

"Cheer up, dude, she likes you. The beard can tell. Maybe you can do a long-distance thing and see her on vacation or something. That's what I'm going to ask Carina." Morgan spoke confidently.

Chuck smiled. "Thanks, Morgs. I love your optimism, but you can see how beautiful they are, and now that they've started coming out of their shells, they'll be way out of our league. I think it would be best if we just prepared ourselves to accept that fact and appreciate the amazing time we had together, even if it was short and filled with dangerous men with guns. You know what I mean?"

"I do, and you may be right about Carina, but I really think you have a shot with Sarah. Dude, the way that girl looks at you when you're not looking. Man-o-man. I'm telling ya. She's into you…you should definitely go for it. Besides, I haven't seen you as happy as you were over the last few days in a long time." Morgan gave his pal a pat on the back.

"Thanks, Morgan. I really mean it. You're more than a good friend to me." Chuck stood and adjusted his pants. Whadda ya say we head in and see if the girls are ready to pack?" Chuck asked as he stretched, then headed for the front door.

Ellie was walking toward the table with a platter of sandwiches and a pot of hot coffee when she noticed Carina walking into the living room with a vacant expression. "Carina, are you alright?"

"What?... Sorry, Ellie. I'm fine, thanks. Where are Chuck and Morgan?" Carina asked.

"The boys are out by the fountain talking. Is everything okay?"

"Can I ask you something?" Carina dropped onto the couch. "How do you know about Devon? I mean….do you get lost in him when he kisses you? Does your stomach do flips when he looks into your eyes?"

Ellie smiled warmly. "Yeah...all of those things and more. He's the one for me. We're not quite ready to get married, but he and I really fit together, so at some point, when he gets around to asking, I'll say yes." Ellie stopped and tilted her head, looking at Carina a little sideways. "Why do you ask, Carina? Could it be that Morgan is pushing your buttons?"

"What? Noooo! I mean, he's sweet and kind and all that, but no. It's just that Sarah…." Carina caught herself and blushed beet red as she put both hands in front of her mouth. "Never mind, I was just asking." Carina tried to smile innocently.

Ellie quickly connected the dots. "Just asking….for a friend, huh?"

"Ellie, please,…don't say anything. Sarah will hate me if she knows I spilled the beans."

Just as Carina finished speaking, the front door opened, and Chuck and Morgan walked in.

Ellie made a motion of zipping her lips and throwing away the key to Carina before beaming a wide smile at her brother, who stopped dead in his tracks.

"Ellie, is everything okay?" Chuck eyed his sister suspiciously.

"Everything is fine, Chuck. Just fine! I'm just happy to have you back home safe and sound." She smiled warmly. By the way, the car is all gassed up and ready. We'll give you guys some time alone before you have to leave." Ellie hollered over her shoulder to Chuck, her enigmatic smile still showing as she disappeared into her bedroom to join Devon.

Sarah finished her shower, put on Chuck's robe, and padded back to the bedroom. She pulled out her roll-aboard bag to get fresh clothes and to pack; she dropped her toiletries, including some of the cosmetics and grooming items she had bought with Ellie, onto the bed and pulled out what she needed to wear for the flight. Damn….less than two hours before we have to leave for the airport, Sarah thought sadly. She paused for a moment, looked toward Chuck's closet, and was immediately drawn to it. She found herself running her fingers over one of Chuck's old sweatshirts. She fisted the fabric and scrunched it up against her face, absorbing Chuck's scent. Without a second thought, she took the sweatshirt, hugged it, folded it neatly, and tucked it into her case. She'd confess her crime eventually, but right now, she desperately needed a piece of him to come with her. Less than ten minutes later, she joined Carina, Chuck, and Morgan in the living room, where the mood was somber.

As Sarah stepped into the living room, she saw Chuck, Morgan, and Carina sitting quietly on the couch, absentmindedly staring at the television.

"Hey," Sarah smiled softly, "can I squeeze in there?" She pointed to the tight space between Carina and Chuck.

"Of course, Sarah," Chuck responded as everyone on the couch scooted over a little to open the space up for her. "Are you all packed?" Chuck asked with a slight crack in his voice.

"I am," Sarah answered as she squeezed in next to Chuck, "but I'm not really ready to go." She took Chuck's arm, pulled it over her shoulder, and snuggled into his side. "There….now I feel better." Sarah smiled as she felt the contact and the warmth of Chuck's embrace for the first time since the marina. She didn't know where her boldness came from, but it just felt right. She recalled her ruminations on what a home was and knew home meant being snuggled deeply into Chuck's side, his arms protectively cradling her and keeping her warm and safe. Chuck was home.

Chuck smiled and pulled her into him while Carina looked stunned, and Morgan just smiled.

The four sat quietly on the couch, occasionally nibbling on a sandwich or a sip of coffee, but no one really felt like eating. Morgan and Carina held hands, while Sarah and Chuck remained tightly embraced as the clock continued its inexorable march towards departure time.

"Babe, I think you should tell Chuck to get on the road. The traffic is probably not awesome at this hour, and the girls don't want to miss their fight." Devon gave Ellie a nudge.

Ellie put her book on the night stand. "Yeah…. it's time. I'll be sad to see them go, especially as Sarah and Chuck seem to have made a real connection. I know he's going to be bummed out for a while, but I'm so glad she pulled him out of his shell."

Devon smiled. "Sarah's been very good for Chuck. In fact, I think the girls have been good for all of us. Really pulled us together, you know? I mean, even Morgan seems to be more grown up as a result of having Carina around for a few days. Shall we go and say our goodbyes?"

With a humph, Ellie swung her feet off the bed and stood. "Come on, handsome, I need you out there with me." Ellie reached her hand back, waiting for Devon to take it so they could walk out together. The older pair approached the living room wordlessly and saw the two younger couples on the couch.

Ellie stopped, pulled out her phone, and quietly snapped a few pics before clearing her throat softly.

"Ahem…." Ellie smiled as four pairs of eyes turned to her. "I'm sorry to break things up, but traffic to LAX can be a bear at this hour, so I think you guys need to be on your way. Are you girls all packed?"

Both Sarah and Carina nodded.

"Sarah, I'll get your bag for you," Carina said as she released Morgan's hand and stood quickly.

"Thanks, Carina." Sarah stayed snuggled into Chuck's side and didn't really seem to care what anyone thought about it. She knew she had to leave, but she would squeeze as much of the feeling of home as she could before getting on that plane. Unfortunately, Carina returned with both bags in no time, ending Sarah's momentary comfort. She and Chuck separated a little to stand, but her hand immediately reached out for his, seeking to reconnect physically.

"Let's get you guys loaded up," Devon exclaimed in his usual upbeat voice as he grabbed both roll-aboards and headed out to the car with Ellie and the two young couples in tow.

Once at the car, Ellie unlocked the truck so Devon could put the bags in, then turned and handed the keys to Chuck. As Chuck went to open the doors, Ellie grabbed Sarah, moved her a little away from the group, and pulled her into a hug.

"Are you okay, Sarah?" Ellie whispered discretely in her ear.

"No. Not really." Sarah whispered back. It's hard to leave you guys. You have been so kind and welcoming. You feel like family." Sarah tried to keep her comments vague without focusing on Chuck.

Ellie pulled back a little and looked into Sarah's eyes. "Oh, boy….you got it bad." Ellie smiled warmly. "Chuck?"

Sarah's eyes were locked with Ellie's, but she said nothing.

"It's okay, Sarah. You don't need to say anything. I can tell by the way you look at him."

Sarah gave a very tiny nod, then in a whisper, "I'm scared. I know I have to go back to work. Work that is important, and not just to me….but I don't want to lose him. I don't know what to do."

"Have you told him how you feel? Does he know your feelings for him are this deep?"

"Yes….no….I don't know. I mean, we talked a little and said some things, but yesterday was so crazy, it all feels like a blur." Sara's eyes were once again downcast.

"Sarah, sweetie….I can't tell you what to do. But….If you really care for him, talk to him. Tell him how you feel. There are no guarantees in life or relationships, but if you think something is worth fighting for, you fight….or don't…. it's all up to you. I know my little brother, and I'm sure of two things; the first is that he's crazy about you, and the second is that he is far too gentlemanly to put any pressure on you one way or the other. You, Sarah Walker, are a strong, independent woman, and if you want to make something happen, I can almost assure you he will follow your lead." Ellie's expression hardened a little as she spoke. "But if this isn't something you feel is worth fighting for, then you need to let him go."

Ellie gave Sarah a gentle kiss on her forehead and walked over to Carina to pull her into a hug.

"Carina, it was wonderful having you with us, and I sincerely hope you experience only the best things the world has to offer. But remember what I told you. Be choosy, and never accept anyone who does not make you feel special."

"Thank you, Ellie….for everything." Carina started to cry, which triggered Ellie and, in turn, Sarah.

As usual, Devon noticed Ellie breaking down and immediately took action to lighten the mood by yelling, "Group Hug!" and pulling everyone to him. After a few moments, the hug broke up, and with soft goodbyes, Carina slipped into the back seat with Morgan while Sarah rode up front next to Chuck.

After all the emotions of their conversations, the ride was a little awkward as no one wanted to engage in petty small talk. Morgan and Carina's eyes met, and she gave him a slightly sad smile as she reached out and took his hand in hers. They rode the rest of the way in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Sarah wanted to hold Chuck's hand, too, but he was a cautious driver and kept both hands on the wheel. She desperately wanted to feel his touch, run her fingers through his curly hair, and snuggle up to him, but the center console was a cruel reminder of their imminent separation.

She was conflicted as she remembered all the time she and Chuck had spent together, and a big part of her was kicking herself for allowing Chuck to stop them from getting more intimate on the boat. Her practical side reminded her that it made no sense to develop such a bond with someone she wouldn't be seeing again after today while her heart hammered away in her ribcage. As she fought within herself, the Tennyson quote popped into her head;

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

Love? Did she love him? With no frame of reference against which she could compare what she currently felt, but as she did with understanding what home meant to her, Sarah could not deny that Chuck not only represented home to her, but it was increasingly clear that he also represented love. So, she sat, brokenhearted, yet so profoundly grateful to have met him. He had shown her that there are good guys out there. Guys who would respect her. Guys she could trust. But that didn't diminish the emptiness in her chest. In Chuck, she found the key that perfectly unlocked her heart, and she knew, try as she might, she would likely never find another like him.

Chuck drove the car in quiet despair. He had such strong feelings for this remarkable woman, and he couldn't believe that destiny had brought them together only to separate them after such a short time. He knew he was a goner and that he would compare any future woman he met with Sarah. And almost certainly, that woman would fall short of what he saw in Sarah. Yes, she was beautiful. But he saw, beyond Sarah's outer beauty, her inner goodness. Deep in his heart, he knew he might never feel this way about a woman again.

When they arrived at the airport, Chuck didn't want to just drop the ladies off curbside. So he parked the car in short-term parking, and all four of them made their way to the terminal, with Chuck and Morgan toting the luggage for the women. When they entered the terminal, they went directly to the ticket counter, where the girls picked up their waiting boarding passes and checked their bags.

Chuck realized they couldn't go through security and accompany the girls to their gate, so he turned to the rest of the group and told them they would have to say their goodbyes here. Carina and Chuck shared a quick hug while Sarah and Morgan did the same. Without any further words, Carina and Morgan moved to a secluded corner of the terminal while Chuck and Sarah found their own private area.

Carina knew that Morgan had a strong attraction to her. And she honestly did like him and felt an attraction as well. But she knew that at this point in her life, she didn't want a serious relationship. Carina was changing, coming out of her shell, and looking to explore life's opportunities, including her own sensuality. She had just begun her "sampling" of different guys and wanted to pursue that more before she tied herself into an exclusive relationship. So she tried to think of some words to let Morgan down gently. "Morgan, I've really enjoyed this week, and in particular, spending time with you."

Morgan's eyes lit up, and he quickly responded, "Carina, I've had a great time with you, too. Do you think we could stay in touch and…"

Carina knew she had to cut Morgan off before he traveled too far down that particular path. "Morgan, I had an amazing time with you. You were my very first kiss, and while I'm not very experienced, I want you to know you are a really good kisser."

Morgan smiled widely at that comment.

"But Morgan, I don't think any type of a long-distance relationship would work for me right now. I've never had a real relationship with a man, and to be honest, I'm not ready for a serious one at this point in my life. I like you a lot, but I don't want to go on dates in Washington, DC, and feel like I'm cheating on you. I don't know where the future will take me, but if I'm ever in the Los Angeles area, I'll definitely look you up. Although something tells me that if I wait too long, you'll already be snatched up by some wonderful lady."

Carina had found the right words to gently let Morgan down while still boosting his self-esteem. By the look on Morgan's face, she could see the sadness mixed in with a sense of increased confidence. So, there was just one thing left to do. Carina stepped closer to Morgan and lifted his chin before giving him a heartfelt kiss. It was tender and conveyed their mutual feelings. After a few moments, they broke apart, and Carina gave him a final hug.

"Goodbye, Morgan." Carina smiled and turned toward the security area. She caught Sarah's eye and motioned that she would meet her on the other side of the security line.

Sarah nodded to Carina and turned her attention back to Chuck. As they looked at each other, each was thinking of the words left unsaid, the act of love left unconsummated, and the empty sensation in their chests they would feel for some time to come.

Was it cruel of the fates to bring them together so early in their respective lives, allowing them to bond only to force their separation? It was. It was cruel. It was brutally unfair.

Chuck knew that in Sarah, he had found his counterpart, the piece that completed him, but out of his love and respect for her, he needed her to be able to find happiness without him. It was painful and hard to do, but then again, he knew he would do anything for her.

"Sarah, this has been such a special week for me. You are an amazing woman, and I am so lucky to have had you in my life, even for such a short while. I have to be honest; I am torn up right now thinking this will be the last time I ever see you, but I want you to know that there is nothing I want for you more than for you to find the happiness you deserve. I'm sure that when you get back to Washington, men will be falling all over themselves to ask you out, and I hope that out there somewhere is a special guy who will treat you with the love and respect you deserve." He gave Sarah a soft smile as he stared into the deep blue of her eyes. "I know this may be hard right now, but over time…"

"Chuck...shut up and kiss me!" Sarah dropped her carry-on bag at her feet and threw her arms around his neck, grabbing his curls as she pulled him into her.

Chuck responded by lifting her off the ground and squeezing her hard as he deepened the kiss. The heat between them bloomed instantly, and after a moment, both realizing where they were, they each pulled back, a little out of breath, their eyes still flashing with heated emotion.

As Chuck put her down and as their eyes locked, her father's words about love being for suckers evaporated. Chuck's golden-brown eyes told her everything she needed to know about his deepest feelings.

A tear escaped her glassy eyes as she caressed Chuck's cheek while she tried to capture the feel of his soft skin, dark curls, and a warm smile to memory. She moved to him again and gave him the lightest of kisses on his lips, desperately trying to convey all of her feelings. She knew she wanted him, but it would be so unfair to him to ask for a long distance relationship. She so desperately wanted to say what she really felt but couldn't. She wouldn't do that to him. She loved him.

Wordlessly, Sarah picked up her bag and stepped away, walking backward without breaking eye contact. She blew him a kiss before turning and walking toward the security checkpoint.

Chuck watched her as she turned away. Please turn around….please turn around and give me one last look. Please give me a signal so I can follow your lead. Chuck mumbled to himself.

As Sarah approached the checkpoint, she needed one last look. She stopped walking and turned to give Chuck the best smile she could.

Chuck saw her slow and turn, and the moment they made eye contact, he ran toward her.

"Sarah, I'm sorry, but I'd never forgive myself if I let you walk out of my life like this. Do you think we could stay in touch with each other? Maybe talk or text from time to time? I know I can't be your boyfriend from three thousand miles away, but maybe I can be your friend. You know, someone you can talk to or whatever. I just know I'd rather have you in my life in some small way than not at all."

Sarah smiled warmly at the honesty and hopefulness in his eyes. The thought of a long-distance relationship with Chuck had never entered her mind, and while Chuck was going out of his way not to make her commit herself to him emotionally, his eyes couldn't lie to her.

I'd like that, Chuck. I'd like that very much. And who knows, if I have some vacation time, I might want to return to Los Angeles. Do you know anyone who might be interested in showing me around….you know, like my personal tour guide?"

"I'd love that, Sarah. I'll always be here for you." He chastised himself for the slip, and she saw it in his eyes. Those eyes that told all.

"And maybe, if you get some time off from the Buy More, you might like to visit Washington DC. I just happen to know someone who can show you around the nation's capital."

Chuck's smile reached his eyes for the first time in a long time, letting Sarah know she had hit the bulls-eye.

"Chuck, I have to go now, but you make sure you call me or text me from time to time, okay?"

"Okay. Goodbye, Sarah."

She pecked his cheek and, feeling lighter than she had all morning, resumed her walk to security. With a final wave and smile, she was gone.

Morgan had respectfully given his best friend some distance, but now that Sarah had gone, he walked up to Chuck and hugged him.

"You okay pal? She's pretty special, and I know that was really hard." Morgan was a lot of things: immature, lazy, and self-absorbed, but he was also supremely loyal to his best friend, and it pained him to see Chuck sad.

"Thanks, pal. I'm okay. Better than okay. I think we'll try to stay in touch and maybe even see each other again…you know, like vacation time."

"See….I told you. Sarah was totally into you. The beard always knows." Morgan smiled happily for his friend.

"How about you, Morgs….you okay?" Chuck looked at his bearded friend.

"Me? Of course. I'm great. I'll miss Carina, but you know….there's a ton of fish in the sea, and the beard can't be all tied down and whatnot." He smiled confidently. How about we grab some fully loaded hotdogs at Pink's?"

Chuck gave Morgan an exploding fist bump as they turned and headed back toward the parking lot.