F/N1 from AC: Looks like the action is picking up, and I'm not just referring to the spy stuff.

I don't own Chuck. Not even a little bit.

Chuck and Sarah vs The Makeover

CHAPTER 18: The Drop

May 4, 2004

Sunday: Day 7 of Los Angeles Mission

Sarah had kept the burner phone Director Ross had given her charged and ready. It finally rang on Sunday morning.

Sarah answered with a brief "Hello?"

"Yes, hello," a young male voice replied. "This is Cardinal".

"Nice to meet you, Cardinal; this is Robin," Sarah answered.

After a pause, the voice returned to the line, a bit deeper and smoother. "Well, nice to meet you, Robin. And, it will be even better when we get to….connect….later, at the drop."

Sarah's hackles go up, and she recognizes that tone of voice. She was speaking with a wolf.

"Yeah, sure. I just know I need to get this to you as quickly and safely as possible."

"Sure, I know. We have a mission to complete. It's pretty exciting, huh? Gets your blood going. It's kind of hot. Maybe after we can cool off with a couple of drinks?"

"Sorry, Cardinal, but don't you need to deliver the package safely after the drop?"

"Don't you worry about that, Robin. This is what I'm trained to do, and I'm the best there is. So how about it?"

Sarah's hackles were already up, but when she heard Cardinal blow off her concerns about securing the package, she knew she didn't want anything to do with him. "Cardinal, I've been dodging men with guns for several days now, so all I want to do is deliver the package and be on my way. What you do after the drop is your business and your responsibility; I don't want any part of it.

"Okay, fine. Meet me in Marina Del Rey, at the foot of Marquesas Way, at 11 p.m. tonight. I think once we meet, you might change your mind. I'll wear something blue. You wear something red. Maybe a red dress."

Sarah paused for a moment, "I don't think so. I don't want to draw attention. I will wear something green so you can recognize me."

"Oh, okay. So I will wear a blue shirt, and you can wear a little green dress." Cardinal paused for a moment. "I look forward to meeting you, Robin," he added in a smarmy voice before hanging up.

Sarah planned to make the drop alone; she didn't want to endanger Carina. But this guy was really unprofessional and was giving off some seriously creepy vibes. She really didn't want to meet him alone late at night. She had confidence in her fighting skills, one-on-one, but she liked this new feeling of having someone watch her back. Someone brave. Someone who cared. I need Chuck...to go with me tonight. I don't want to get him hurt, but maybe if he is close by, he can help. He knows the area. Yeah, it would be good to have him along. I wonder if he's willing to come with me as backup? Sarah knew what she wanted but was unsure if she had the right to ask.

Carina had followed Sarah into their room, and when Sarah answered the phone, Carina pulled the door closed behind them. Sarah shushed her, but as soon as she hung up, Carina excitedly questioned her. "Is this it? Is it finally going to be over?"

"I think so. I am supposed to meet the contact late tonight."

Carina wasn't comfortable with that plan. "Well, that seems kind of scary and dangerous."

"Well, I need to deliver a top-secret piece of technology that some bad guys obviously want, so I can't say I expected anything less. But that's why I don't want you going with me."

Carina pushed back again, "Sarah, you can't go alone. It is too dangerous."

Sarah was getting a bit annoyed even though she knew Carina was just looking out for her. "And like I said, that is why I have to go alone."

Carina opened the door, stepped into the living room, where everyone was eating breakfast, and called, "Ellie. I need you to talk some sense into Sarah."

Sarah rushed into the living room and said, "Carina! Keep quiet. This is all top-secret stuff."

"Damn it, Sarah! We have already told them about the dangerous, top-secret stuff, and they've protected us from it. I think everyone here knows what's going on, and Chuck and Ellie know the area better than we do."

Sarah stopped and held her tongue. She crossed her arms in frustration. "Yeah, I guess you're right." They already are my team, and it has been nice having people to help me. "So, I am supposed to do the drop later tonight, in Marina Del Rey, at the foot of Marquesas Way."

Chuck spoke up, "Okay, that is where the marina is. It's near several freeways and not far from the airport, so that makes sense. There are lots of ways out of there, including by boat," Chuck suddenly remembered something…. "and Ricky Heder's Dad has a big boat there." He looked at Ellie, obviously referencing someone they both knew.

Chuck turned to Sarah. "Sarah, I don't want you to go alone. I know the area, and I think I can be helpful if I were there with you."

Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.

Sarah agreed with a shy smile. "Thank you, Chuck." She suddenly felt better about everything. "By the way, Ellie, I need to go buy a new green dress so my contact can identify me." Ellie and Carina were happy about another shopping trip.

That night at the Marina, Sarah wore a mid-thigh length dark green dress over thick, forest green woolen tights with low-heeled ankle boots. Chuck thought she looked beautiful and told her so. Sarah replied "Well, thank you but I was trying to get an outfit that would not stand out, and would help me blend into the background."

Chuck smiled wider and responded "I'm afraid you'll never blend into the background. Your inner beauty always shines forth!"

Sarah blushed, and Chuck's words warmed her. But she knew she had a mission to accomplish and that needed to be their focus right now.

She left Chuck at the parking lot where the taxi had dropped them off and strolled down the walkway, waiting for Cardinal to make contact. Chuck had made the point about taking a cab to the Marina to avoid linking anything to his family and friends, and he also shared that it would give them more flexibility to not be tied down to one specific vehicle if things got messy. However, he seemed a bit vague about how they would "acquire" one if needed. Sarah knew how to acquire a car her Dad's way, but she didn't know if that was what Chuck had in mind. It was more information that she was surprised he knew. He himself seemed surprised when he made the comment.

Sarah walked along, outwardly seeming to enjoy the breeze when from behind a small café stepped a man who belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine. His suit was bespoke, and his blue shirt, tie, and pocket square all complemented each other perfectly. If it wasn't the middle of the night, Sarah would have noticed how they also perfectly complemented the blue of his eyes. His face was perfect, too. Perfect features, perfect hair. More model than FBI agent. Sarah's preconceived notions coupled with his behavior on the phone only heightened her discomfort.

He seemed put off, as well, as she saw the wolfish smile on his face fade a little. He looked her over and took in her staid outfit and face, which had no makeup. Apparently, he was expecting someone equally glamorous.

"Robin?" he softly asked.

"Cardinal?" she inquired in response.

"Nice to meet you. Let's step in here for a moment so I can check things out." They stepped into the closed café as it was closing, and Cardinal slipped the janitor a fifty-dollar bill. With a wink and a "muchas gracias," he pushed Sarah into the back room.

Sarah moved away from him and unslung her messenger bag as he flipped on the lights.

He turned to her, and the wolfish smile returned to his face. He took advantage of the light to re-examine Sarah's appearance. She shuddered, but he seemed to conclude that she was attractive enough. "I'm Larkin. Bryce Larkin. It's nice to meet you," he offered his hand.

Sarah quickly shook his hand and dropped it. "Walker, Sarah Walker." He might be on our side, but he is definitely a wolf on the prowl. So, she kept her interaction brief and her facial expression severe.

Larkin pulled the player out of the messenger bag and commented, "So this is the unit? No one used it, right?" He asked the question as he opened the unit. As the screen on the device came to life, he softly said to himself, "I get to be the first."

"You need to close that, Larkin," Sarah forcefully instructed him. "I tried to open it twice but had to abort both times."

Larkin paid no attention to her words, transfixed with whatever he saw on the screen. After a moment, he winced in pain, then shook his head and closed the lid. He opened his eyes to look at her, and she noticed a burst blood vessel in his left eye.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried about his pain.

Larkin shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle," he confidently replied, not wanting to share that the training download might have gone wrong. He looked up and saw Sarah turn and head for the door.

"Hey, hang on. What's the rush, Sarah?" Larkin grabbed Sarah's arm. "Now that the business is done, why don't we go down the street to the hotel bar and grab a drink. Missions always wind me up, if you know what I mean. And, if you aren't comfortable in the bar, we could get a room. You know, so we can enjoy our drinks in private."

Sarah was fed up with this pretty boy's arrogance. She ripped her arm out of his grasp to get his attention. "Because, dumb-ass, the minute you opened it, you triggered a tracking device. I told you not to open the damned thing, but you didn't listen, and in no time, this place is going to be swarming with bad guys."

Larkin's eyes widened at the news, but "Rogue Agents" was all he said.

"So, super spy Bryce Larkin, now that you have us trapped on a peninsula, how do you suggest we get out of here?"

"My new training tells me separating is the best course of action. Give them two trails to follow. Too bad we didn't have time for the drink. You know you would be impossibly hot in a tight red dress and a little makeup." He winked. "Maybe we will have another chance." With that, he grabbed her arms and surprised her with a kiss that seemed to devour her face. He let her go and rushed out the door, never knowing how close he came to having two knives lodged in his gut.

What an utterly unprofessional ass-hat! I wonder if Larkin is a typical agent? There wasn't time to ruminate on all of it, so she ran out of the cafe and started hurrying off the trap the marina had become. She ran back towards where she left Chuck.

In a moment, she saw Chuck walking briskly but smoothly towards her. "We've gotta get out of here," they said, almost in unison.

"He triggered the tracking device," she explained.

"Four cars with suits just pulled up," was his calm response.

"Do you think we can sneak away?"

"I don't know. They are probably looking for two people this time, so a couple might be suspicious. For some reason, I think separating would be the best course of action. It gives them two trails to follow."

Sarah looked at him quizzically, recognizing that Larkin had used the exact same words, but before she could comment, Chuck took her hand and looked into her eyes, "But, I am not leaving you alone here. We will get out of this together. Now, walk quickly, but try to be casual. They'll react to someone who looks like they are rushing." Chuck put his arm around her shoulder. "We're just a boyfriend and a girlfriend on a romantic walk by the water under the stars," he whispered in a calming voice.

Sarah was comforted knowing she wasn't alone, and Chuck seemed to have a plan. He certainly wasn't like the pretty boy agent who had just abandoned her. Chuck gave her a feeling that someone truly cared about her. The way he seemed to know exactly what to do as he confidently steered her away from danger took her breath away for a moment.

Chuck used that moment to look around and get his bearings. An idea came to mind, which led him to a doggie poop bag station.

Sarah, looking around, noticed that some suits were not too far off, searching through the people who were still around, and they were getting closer. "Chuck, we need to do something. I see several of them coming our way."

Chuck took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Trust me?"

Sarah was learning to fear those words because she knew that she did and couldn't turn down whatever he asked. She looked deep into his eyes and nodded.

Chuck smiled and returned her look of commitment. "Give me your phone," he requested, holding out his hand. She did, and he dropped her phone and his own phone in the doggie poop bag, which he tied off and held in his hand. He led her down a row of boats moored on the long dock while keeping his arm around her. They were still in range of the suits, who were searching desperately but hadn't locked on to Chuck and Sarah yet. He walked them right up to a slip that held a large cabin cruiser and ducked behind it, out of sight. He looked at her and asked again, "Trust me?" With her nod, he led her to sit on the edge of the dock, and together, they silently slipped into the cold water.

Chuck was slowly leading Sarah along the outer edges of the marina, hiding under the docks and behind the bigger boats as they made their way. Sarah wasn't sure, but he seemed to be heading directly toward a specific boat, and she was impressed that Chuck was swimming with only one arm as he held the bag with the phones out of the water. Despite the fear-fueled adrenaline both had coursing through their veins, the cold water was starting to take its toll.

"Chuck," Sarah stammered, her teeth chattering as she tried to speak. "I'm starting to lose the feeling in my arms and legs. I don't think I can go much further."

Chuck wrapped his free arm around her torso and using only his legs to propel them, he pulled her along the last few yards, surprising Sarah with his strength. "We're almost there, Sarah. This boat belongs to Ricky's Dad, and I know where he keeps the key hidden. Just a little more."

Chuck pulled her the last few yards to the transom of the big sport-fishing boat, then quietly reached up and lowered the folding ladder, pushing Sarah up, then followed behind her. He had the presence of mind to pull the ladder back up before reaching under one of the cockpit cup holders to find the key. Chuck quickly unlocked and slid open the glass door, then led Sarah in and locked the door behind him. Once inside the darkened cabin, he led her down the companionway to the master stateroom at the ship's bow.

Chuck did a quick scan out the porthole, then drew the curtains closed. The frosted glass of the hatch on the ceiling allowed a modest amount of light into the cabin but no visibility, so he was comfortable that they couldn't be seen. He then searched frantically for anything they could use to dry themselves. He opened a storage bin and found a stack of towels, and in the hanging locker above, he found a garish extra-large Hawaiian shirt and matching swim trunks.

He dropped the clothes on the bed and started vigorously rubbing Sarah's arms, then her hands, then her legs. "Sarah, we need to get out of these wet clothes, or we could go into hypothermic shock." Chuck was unsure where that knowledge came from, but he didn't really have time to think it through. Sarah was at risk, and he seemed automatically driven to take action.

He handed her a large towel and the garishly printed shirt. "Sarah, get yourself dry, put on this shirt, and get into bed. We need to get your body temperature up right away." His voice was clear and conveyed a calm confidence. He grabbed the swim trunks and a second towel, pulled back the cover to the bed, and made to leave the room to give Sarah some privacy. "I'll give you some privacy to get dry and to change. I'll just be out here." He smiled warmly at her as he closed the door quietly behind him.

Sarah's head was spinning. The danger, the adrenaline, the way Chuck took charge. She was lost, and the warm smile he gave her before closing the door behind him didn't help clear her head. She stood motionless, staring at the closed door that Chuck had just exited, her dripping green dress clinging uncomfortably to her goose-bumped skin, and yet she felt an unfamiliar warmth and growing hunger sweeping through her. She peeled the sticky dress off, then leggings, panties, and bra, and dried herself with the towel before slipping on the giant Hawaiian shirt that went halfway down her thighs. She was about to turn to the bed when there was a very gentle knock on the door.

"Sarah, may I come in?" Chuck whispered as he cracked the door open slightly to hear her response. He was surprised when Sarah pulled the door open.

Chuck stood before her, clad only in the massively oversized swim shorts that hung dangerously low on his hips, even with the drawstring pulled tight.

His eyes took her in, and the darkness of the cabin did nothing to diminish her beauty. Even without makeup. Even with her hair in a wet mess. And even the abomination of the gigantic Hawaiian shirt didn't dampen the way his eyes saw her glow. After a few seconds of staring with a slack jaw, he broke out of his stupor.

"Look, we match!" Chuck tried to ease the tension by highlighting that the shirt and shorts were a set, but the transfixed Sarah didn't react.

Sarah was taking in Chuck's bare chest, lean and well-defined shoulders and the fine line of chest hair trailed down to his mostly exposed abdomen. She had experienced so much since landing in Los Angeles and meeting Chuck and his friends and family. And as they embraced her and Carina, she started questioning all the emotional walls she had built under her father's guidance. She thought about Carina's increasingly uninhibited pursuit of life experiences and her words about freedom and being in control being false if the only option available was to say no and remain isolated. Then there was Chuck, who single-handedly disproved virtually every preconceived notion she had about people in general and men in particular. Chuck, who literally stuck his neck out for her. Her eyes re-centered on his, and she felt the heat in her abdomen bloom and spread across her body uncontrollably.

"Sarah, you need to get into…." Chuck wanted Sarah to get into the bed and under the covers, but before he could finish the sentence, she stepped towards him and wordlessly pressed her lips to his. Momentarily frozen by Sarah's unexpected aggression, Chuck took a moment before responding. Suddenly, her fingers ran through his hair, and her tongue gently teased his lips, asking for admission. As she gently pulled him to her, she felt Chuck's arms embrace her and hold her tight. For the first time in her life, Sarah Walker had completely lost control of herself, and she relished the feeling. She dove head-first into Chuck Bartowski, and nothing ever felt more right.

Sarah pulled back slowly and looked into his eyes. There was a promise in them. A promise that he would belong to her, that he was hers and only hers, and she knew it. She felt it hit her like a bolt of lightning. He was the one. Chuck was her forever. She knew she could search the world over and not find another like him. She knew she would have to leave him soon, but at the moment she didn't care. She was in this moment, and she never wanted anyone or anything more. She was not going to say no.

Sarah gave him a smile. It was special and something he hadn't seen before. Her eyes conveyed a profound desire, but there was something more, something he was trying to understand, and then he saw it. It was an emotional surrender driven by trust and a sense of belonging. Her eyes said she was his and only his, and he smiled.

Sarah stepped in and gently kissed him before stepping back, taking his hand, and leading him into the bed. Once under the covers, she snuggled into Chuck's side with her head resting on his collarbone, her leg thrown over his, breathing in his salty scent. As her feet rubbed against his to find warmth, Chuck pulled her tighter to him, their shared body heat under the blanket creating a cocoon of comfort and safety, while deep inside her, a different heat continued to bloom.

"Chuck?" Sarah whispered. "Thank you. Thank you for everything." Then, without thinking, she gently kissed his chest as her free hand caressed him. It was a profoundly intimate moment, and they both felt it.

"Sarah, I'd do anything for you, but I think you know that." He kissed the top of her head.

Sarah lifted her head to look at him wordlessly, then placed her hand on his cheek and pulled him to her for a kiss. The tender kiss conveyed a deep emotion and a sense of connection. As the kiss became heated, Sarah instinctively rolled onto her back, pulling Chuck partially on top of her. They stopped for a moment to look into each other's eyes, silently communicating their connection and desire before Chuck dove in and kissed her neck, eliciting a quiet moan from Sarah. Things were escalating, and Sarah could feel Chuck's arousal.

"Chuck…" Sarah whispered as her teeth gently nibbled on Chuck's earlobe, causing him to shiver. "Be gentle please, it's my first time." Sarah then took his hand and placed it on her breast as she kissed him fiercely. The two were like a runaway train, building up steam with nothing to stop them until Chuck pulled back and broke the moment, leaving both flustered and panting.

"Sarah….Sarah….we have to stop."

"What's wrong, Chuck? Did I do something wrong? Is it because I'm not experienced?" Sarah didn't appear upset; she was just confused as she slowly got her breathing under control.

"Sarah, I have never wanted anything more than you, right here, right now, but you are special to me, and if we are going to be together in that way, I want it to be perfect, and not because we're almost naked in bed because we almost froze to death while escaping bad guys with guns. You deserve your first time to be magical."

Sarah took a moment to understand and smiled. "Thank you, Chuck." Sarah paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. She needed Chuck to understand her feelings. "Chuck, as you know, I'm new to all of this, and you need to know how much I wanted this. How much I wanted you. Yes, I'm disappointed, but at the same time, I don't think I can explain how you make me feel." She kissed him gently before repositioning the two of them so she could again settle into his side and snuggle with him. "I need you to hold me, Chuck," Sarah whispered into his chest as he tightened his grip on her. Moments later, sleep claimed them both.

May 5, 2004

Monday: Day 8 of Los Angeles Mission

Sarah woke up slowly because she was so darn comfortable. She felt safe and warm in a way she hadn't felt since she was with her Mom. It felt so good to be tightly held in enveloping arms, her head buried in a warm chest, her nose filled with a scent that she was becoming familiar with, which she found very attractive. Chuck's scent. As that thought entered her mind, her eyes popped open as she remembered where she was. She was on the boat, virtually naked and wrapped around Chuck Bartowski in a warm bed. And for the first time in a long time, she felt completely safe and content.

The darkness told her it was still the middle of the night, so she slowly extracted herself from Chuck's arms and under the blanket. She carefully looked out of the porthole, but there didn't seem to be any activity outside.

She walked back to the bed and gently slipped into Chuck's side. Her touch woke him, and he quickly sat up. "Sarah….is everything okay?"

Sarah reassured him it was and shared that she had peeked out the window and hadn't seen anything.

"Do you want to leave now? Try to get back home?" Chuck asked her.

Sarah thought about it and considered the little bubble they were in. "No. No, I think it is best if we wait until the morning. Don't you think we are safe here?"

"Yeah, I do. I mean….If they haven't found us by now, I'm pretty sure we're safe. But are you comfortable?" His question was a subtle inquiry into her physical and emotional state, the concern in his voice palpable.

Sarah smiled. He is so sweet and always concerned for my well-being. I know I'll have to leave Los Angeles soon, but I don't want to give this up. Right now, I don't want to think. I don't want to worry. I just want to feel this. "Yeah, Chuck. I don't think there is anywhere I'd rather be right now."

Suddenly, Chuck's expression changed. "Oh, crap! I need to let Ellie know we are okay. I mean, we went out on a dangerous mission and never returned. And Morgan, I need to text Morgan," he exclaimed.

So they retrieved his phone from the doggie poop bag and sent texts at 3 a.m., letting Ellie and Morgan know they were safe and would see them in the morning.

They returned to the bed, and Chuck lifted the covers for Sarah. She smiled at him and said, "You first."

"Ooookay…." Chuck gave her a nervous look.

Sarah's eyes flashed with mischievousness, "What? Don't you trust me?" she asked with a saucy grin.

A smile spread across his face, and he raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I trust you, Sarah….always." He gave her a gentle peck on the cheek and slipped under the covers, patting the bed and inviting Sarah to join him, which she did with a giggle as she buried herself into his side. In the blink of an eye, both were soundly asleep, holding each other in a tight embrace.

Chuck stirred, surprised by the warmth pressing against him. He cracked open an eye to see a shock of blond hair and the feel of cold feet nestled into his. Sarah! Chuck smiled. He was the big spoon to her little spoon, and Sarah's hand, fingers intertwined with his, was holding his hand firmly against her breast. And it made him incredibly happy.

He noticed a subtle shift in her breathing pattern, then felt her thumb intimately stroking his.

Chuck propped himself up on his elbow as Sarah turned within his arms to look up at him. She smiled. He smiled back. Their eyes took a moment to trace each other's faces, then Chuck leaned down and kissed her. Sarah raised up to meet his lips. Unlike the night before, the two seemed to be in control, relishing their closeness and the deepening emotional bond.

"Chuck," Sarah felt a burning need to tell him how she felt. How he made her feel. "I need to tell you something." She paused as his focus became absolute.

"Anything Sarah. You can tell me anything." Chuck replied as he squeezed her hand.

"I just wanted you to know that last night was special to me. It was magical….to me. It was you who made it magical, Chuck. We would have done it if you hadn't had the strength to stop us last night. I would have done it and wouldn't have regretted it. I wanted you to know that." Sarah confessed.

Chuck kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Sarah. Last night was magical for me as well. In fact, I've never felt closer to anyone than I do right now. Whatever happened or didn't happen last night, it was the best night of my life." He gently kissed her forehead again, then pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it.

Sarah felt the heat bloom in her abdomen again and pulled him down, kissing him deeply. Her tongue pressed against his lips to gain entrance as her hips involuntarily ground against him, causing Chuck to grab her thigh. Just as things were careening out of control, the burner phone rang.

Panting wildly, Sarah scrambled for the phone while trying to get her breathing under control. It was Director Ross. Sarah was quickly informed that the mission was a success and that tickets for that evening's red-eye flight back to D.C. were waiting for her and Carina at LAX. She would be debriefed further in Washington.

Sarah relayed all of that to Chuck, and a profound sadness suddenly settled in both their chests as they slowly gathered their now semi-dry clothes, dressed, and made their way to the nearby taxi stand. Their intimate bubble had burst, but their emotional bond deepened as they walked hand in hand.

F/N2 from AC: And they were so close! At least they both know each others' hearts at this point. Yet separation is looming. Fear not, this will not be a sad ending!