A/N: …IF this was an ongoing, multi-chapter story, there would be no intersect, people being CIA or NSA agents….IF this was an ongoing, multi-chapter story….cause it's not….it's a one-shot.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

He woke up and looked around, unsure of where he was. He sat up and felt nature's call. He got out of bed, opened the door, and paused. Sarah turned as the door opened. "Bathroom's down the hall, same as last night," she told him. He went to the bathroom, took care of business, and came back. "You okay?"

"Apparently I was really tired," Chuck admitted. "I…apparently I slept here." He shook his head.
"Yeah, you were about to pass out, you were so tired," Sarah told him.

"That job yesterday was brutal, and the night before, I didn't get much sleep," Chuck told her. She gave him an amused look. "I was gaming…with Morgan." He noticed she was standing at the stove and there was something behind her. "You're…you're not making me breakfast are you?"

"God, no," Sarah said. Chuck couldn't help but laugh. She moved to the side and he could see a pot there. "It's a slow cooker, and I'm putting stuff in it, and setting it. Tonight it will be ready."

"Wow," Chuck said, nodding. "Nice."

"It will be tonight's dinner and lunch for a couple of days," Sarah told him. "Now, if you want, there is a little place down the street that has the BEST chocolate croissants."

"Should I go get some and bring them back?" Chuck asked.

She shook her head, grinning. "No, we can go together," she told him. "But after that, I have to go to work."

"I do to," Chuck replied. "I mean, it's in my apartment, working on computers, but…it is work."

"Absolutely it is," Sarah agreed. "Come on," she said, grabbing her stuff. Chuck did likewise and followed her out the door.

}o{

He pulled up to his apartment building, got out of the car and began to walk towards his apartment. "Well, well, my little brother making the walk of shame," he heard the teasing tone of his sister." He looked over at her, standing by his apartment door. Why was she here? Wait, it was the day before her birthday. Birthday eve. The day they had breakfast together every year!

"Oh my God, ELLIE! I am so sorry," he began.
She was watching him and the smile on her face faltered when she saw his work bag. "Oh, you had a job," Ellie said. "I thought maybe….never-mind." She gave him a smile.

"I crashed last night," Chuck began. "I had gotten Sizziling Shrimp, ate, and-and just…"

"Got it," Ellie said, grinning and nodding. "You slept at Morgan's."

"No, I didn't," Chuck began.

Ellie held up a hand. "No worries, little brother. I'm proud of you, you know? Starting your own computer company, doing all these repairs and stuff for others. I get you don't work a nine-to-five, and its not like we can't have breakfast anytime."

"Listen, I'll grab a shower, and take you out to breakfast," Chuck said. "Give me fifteen minutes." His cellphone rang, and they both looked toward his pocket where it was located. "I'm sure it's a telemarketer."

"The same way when my phone rings it's a telemarketer," Ellie said. "I get important calls."

"I think them needing you for a medical event is more important than someone's computer crashing because of too much porn," Chuck argued.
"Or it could be a company's computer system crashing and that could affect millions," Ellie retorted.

"Usually they have guys on that staff for that," Chuck pointed out.
"That call you when they get stumped," Ellie volleyed. Chuck didn't have a reply for that and she knew it. "So, answer it." It stopped ringing. "Call them back." She came over and gave him a hug. "Dinner tomorrow night?"

"I will not miss your birthday party," Chuck told her. "A computer being loaded into my head full of national secrets and being chased by government agents couldn't stop me."
She pulled away, and shook her head. "You watch way too much TV."
"Probably," Chuck agreed. "Love ya, Sis."

"Love you," she said, heading to her car.
Chuck blew out a breath, upset with himself, but his phone began to ring again. He pulled it out and answered it, not surprised that it was a "computer emergency."

}o{

It was nearing five when his phone went off with a text chime. Hey, you home? Would it be okay if I swung by?

His mouth had gone dry reading it. Why in the hell was Sarah Walker texting him? Not that he was complaining, he most certainly was not. Had him falling asleep last night upset her? He had no idea why it would, but it was all he could think of. He realized he hadn't responded to her and replied. Yes I am, and yes it is…in fact you don't ever have to ask.

He watched the three dots appear. Well, what if you were wooing someone?

He grinned and replied. I think if I were wooing, I wouldn't be here. Is everything okay?

He watched the three dots, and realized he was holding his breath. Yes, everything is fine. Three dots appeared. I mean for me, it is. He was terrified what that meant. The three dots reappeared. I talked to Ellie today and…it's just easier if I do this in person.

His head rolled backwards. Ellie had done it. She had asked Sarah to go out with him on a mercy date. He was going to have to apologize to Sarah and then plead with his sister not to do this to her best friend.

I'm sorry. He text back. He was about to say more, when he saw three dots.

Again, it's all fine, it's just easier if I talk to you face to face, that is if you don't mind face to face.

The only face to face I am against is my face against the screen during a horror movie. He replied.

He saw the three dots. Well, to be fair, that wasn't even face to face. That was more your face to my shoulder. I'll see you shortly.

He grinned. He liked Sarah, really liked Sarah, but between her being…well…Sarah, and Ellie's best friend. He sighed. It was fine. It was just a little crush, an infatuation, an…admiration of her. Yeah, that's what he was going to keep telling himself.

}o{

He opened the door. She took one look at him and began to sputter laughter. "What? You don't like my R2-D2 apron?" he asked. "I have a BB-8 or a Chewbacca if that's better." He stepped out of the way, to give her room to enter, grinning the whole time.

"No, no, it's fine, just caught a little off guard," Sarah told him. "Wait, are you cooking for me?"

"No," Chuck replied. "I am cooking for me, and if you'd like some, you're welcome to it."

"What are you making?" Sarah asked.

"Homemade taco pizza," Chuck informed her. She gave him an impressed look. "I take it you are interested?"

"Is this you, pitching woo?" Sarah asked, making him chuckle.

"No, this is me, making me dinner, and sharing it with my friend," Chuck told her, leading her to the kitchen. "Now, I don't have the wine that Ellie does," Chuck began.

"Who does?" Sarah asked, making Chuck laugh. "I'm not disparaging your sister, but…she does enjoy her wine."

"Usually only when your around," Chuck told her. "To relax with friends." Sarah smiled. "Which….I'm sorry she's asking you to date me. I will talk to her."

"Wait, what?" Sarah asked.

"That's why you're here, right?" Chuck asked. "She asked you to date me and you came over to warn me."

"No, that's not it at all," Sarah told him. He looked at her. "Well, she didn't ask me to date you. But it does involve you…and your love life."
"Or lack thereof?" Chuck offered.

"I mean, you start off all your dates making homemade pizza…." Sarah said with a shrug.

"Oh, the R2D2 apron and pizza is doing it for you, huh?" Chuck asked.
"And you had me some wine," Sarah replied, shrugging taking a sip. "She just wants you to be happy."

"Oh, I know, it's from the heart," Chuck said. "So…what is it?"

"Well, she started talking and wondered what it was that made it hard for you connect with women," Sarah began. "She truly is confused. She loves you, thinks you are marvelous, and doesn't understand why women aren't lining up to date you." Chuck turned to her, eyes wide. "It's true."

"Wow," Chuck said. "That truly might be one of the nicest compliments I've ever been given."

"She said all she can figure is she's too biased and she wondered if I wouldn't pay a little more attention to you and try and figure you what was it that women weren't connecting with," Sarah continued. "She said, for all she knew, you were just with the wrong women."

"Does she realize that sounds like you're to go on my next date and observe me like Jane Goodall did with the apes?" Chuck asked. He pulled out the pizza from the oven, and Sarah leaned forward to look at it. It looked heavenly, and a piece of cheese was sticking up. She reached for it, and Chuck gently swatted at her hand. "Back!"

"My bad," Sarah said.
"I now have to top it with sour cream, tomatoes and shredded lettuce if you'd like," Chuck told her.

"Seriously, I feel like you're flirting with me a little with this pizza," Sarah told him.

"What can I say," Chuck said with false modesty. "It's a gift, and a curse…." He put his hand to his forehead. Sarah gave a mocking slow clap. "Oh, eat some tortilla chips."
"Ooo, I will," Sarah said.

"Wanna help me top it?" Chuck asked. Sarah raised an eyebrow. "THE PIZZA!"

"I mean you're the one flirting with food," Sarah said. Chuck pointed over to the two aprons hanging on the wall. "You're not serious." He gave her a look. "Fine, but trust me, you killed the mood."

"Or did I for the right person?" he asked, making her giggle.

}o{

"Can I get some more salsa please?" Sarah asked. Chuck passed it over to her, and she topped the pizza with more salsa. "This…this is amazing, and frankly you should never tell anyone else about it. You need to figure out a way to sell this to someone who could mass produce it. You'd be rich."

Chuck shrugged. "For some reason people get very upset about pizza. I mean if you like it thin, deep-dish, hand-tossed, pan, or whatever, it seems to be a line in the sand to someone somewhere."

"What about pineapple?" Sarah asked.

"Listen, we're not doing that," Chuck told her. She just giggled at that. "I mean, I'm not a fan, but if that's your thing…." He shuddered.

"So what are we going to do about you?" Sarah asked.
Chuck gave her a look. "I'm not for sure what you mean. I have my own apartment, job and am potty trained, what else do I need to do?"

Sarah laughed. "I mean about how Ellie asked me to see if I could figure out what is not attracting the right woman or whatever is going on in your dating life?"

"We don't have to do anything," Chuck told her. "Tomorrow we will give her the birthday present, you two will go to the spa, and won't talk about me. It will be a girls day."

"Okay, but…she's really worried. And-and I just think if I could tell her nothing is wrong it's just sometimes people don't work with some proof, it would quit worrying her," Sarah said.

Chuck sighed. "You know it's hard when your older sister is your defacto mother and only wants the best for you," Chuck said. "She's got this great relationship with Devon-"

"And she wants the same for you," Sarah cut in.

"Oh, I know," Chuck told her. "And honestly, I think some of it is her worry of what I saw in our parents…or didn't…and she had to raise me, and she's worried she didn't do what was right."

"How interested are you in dating?" Sarah asked.

Chuck shrugged. "I mean, I am, but I'm not," Chuck answered. "I feel like everyone I know wants me to find someone, but what you need is a partner, the way Ellie has one. Just anyone doesn't work. You need someone that has your back when things go wrong and someone to celebrate life's victories with you."

"I'm guessing said celebrations are more than sizziling shrimp?" Sarah teased.
Chuck shrugged. "Guess it depends on how tired I am," he admitted. "Sorry about last night."

"What about last night?" she asked. "What do you have to be sorry for? Feeding me amazing food?"
"Crashing at your place," Chuck began.
"Would you feel better if I crashed here?" Sarah asked.
"Probably not," Chuck replied. "Because I would feel obligated to make you breakfast and then you'd probably make it weird or something."

"I'd make it weird?!"

"Yes, you'd make some joke about, 'that's the kind of guy I need, making me breakfast in the morning,' or something like that," Chuck pointed out.

"You would, wouldn't you?" Sarah asked. Chuck looked confused. "Make me breakfast."

"Of course, you're my guest," Chuck said. His eyes widened as he realized what he said could be interpreted as rude. "And-and I'm not saying you were rude by not making me breakfast this morning. It's just….Ellie…well…"
"She'd expect you to make breakfast," Sarah said, understanding.

"Is that my problem?" Chuck asked.

"Oh, God, no," Sarah said. "In fact, to be honest, after this dinner, I'm considering needing to crash here, just so I can see what you might whip me up."

"Do you like your eggs poached?" Chuck asked.

"Oooo," Sarah replied.

"Well, you only get them scrambled here," he told her, making her laugh. "I'm awful at making any other type."

"I could teach you," Sarah said.

"So does that require you spend the night here or I spend the night there?" Chuck asked.

She wadded up a napkin and threw it at him, shaking her head. "Or, you could just come over to my place or I could come over here," she pointed out.

"I don't know, I think night eggs taste different than day eggs," Chuck said with a shrug. "Figured out what to tell her yet?"

"That's you're ridiculously charming, can cook, you make people laugh, easy on the eyes-"

"Wait, what?" Chuck cut in.

She gave him a flat look. "Oh, don't you act like you're not and you don't know it," Sarah told him.

"But, and hear me out on this, what if I don't?"

"Chuck, you're good looking, okay?" Sarah told him.

"Excuse me while I peacock around for a moment."

"Goof," she muttered. She sighed and studied him. "You know what, now she's got me asking why you're single." Chuck didn't say anything….he didn't know what to say. "You okay?"

"Just wondering where this is going," Chuck admitted. "I mean, if you start going with me on my dates….that would be weird."

"Any weirder than your current dates?" Sarah asked.

"Listen, you are the one with the date who's parents are swingers, not me," Chuck pointed out, making her laugh. "I guess I'm just wondering, where are you going with this."

"I'm not sure," Sarah admitted.
"And I also would like to make a recommendation about someone," Chuck began.

"Denied," Sarah cut in.

"Why do you get to say denied like that?" Chuck asked. "Why don't I get to say denied?"

"I mean, I guess you do," Sarah said.
"Fine, you're denied," Chuck told her.
"Overruled," Sarah replied.

"What?"

"I said, overruled," Sarah said with a shrug. "I am doing work for my best friend, to help her."

"What about me?" Chuck asked.
"You are said work," Sarah responded.

"That I believe," Chuck grumbled. Sarah giggled. "So, I can't point out that you are having just a bad of time dating that I am, and I am also confused by it?"

"No," Sarah told him.

"But I just did," Chuck pointed out.

"Doesn't count."

"So what I say doesn't count?" Chuck asked.

"That's not what I said," Sarah said to him, faux exasperated, trying not to laugh.

"Kinda sounded like it to me," Chuck told her. "My head hurts."

"Ahhhh, has a headache…maybe that's what the problem is."

"Are you saying that I just used a headache to get out of sex?" Chuck asked.

"Whoa, Buddy! I never said a word about sex. I said you used a headache to get out of a conversation," Sarah corrected.

"Does that happen to you often, men use a headache to get out of a conversation?" Chuck asked.

"No," Sarah said, shaking her head. "Either they don't talk, or won't shut up about themselves. You're the first person to ask how men act on my dates."

"If I may summarize what I've heard about said men so far?" Sarah nodded. "They're idiots."

"You know, they may be," Sarah agreed. They were silent a second. "Okay, what we have here is an opportunity." Chuck raised an eyebrow. "We are both single people who are having trouble figuring out why the other is not finding the right person."

"Okay, so far I'm with you."
"Good," Sarah said. "So, what I purpose is the two of us spend time, actively watching and listening to the other trying to figure out where the disconnect is."

"Are you saying we should date?" Chuck asked.
"Oh, God, no," Sarah told him. "What I'm saying is we should spend time together, study the other, and give feedback. Constructive feedback."

"Sounds scientificish," Chuck said.

"Oh, it's totally scientific, I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep," Sarah said, trying not to grin.

"I don't think that's how that works," Chuck pointed out.

"To be fair, I'm not sure either," Sarah admitted. "There's probably no other male in my personal life I've had conversations with more than you."

"They really talk that much?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded. Chuck shook his head. "Well, I enjoy having conversations with you. But have you considered its some romantic things that are causing our problems?"

"I have, but we can figure this out," Sarah told him.

"Wouldn't that mean we'd have to be romantic with each other?" Chuck asked, a worried look on his face.

She started to answer twice, and both times stopped. "What's with that worried look?"

"I don't…I don't want you put in some position…I….I just worry that…this is weird," Chuck told her.

"It is, also you can be quiet eloquent some times," she told him. He tilted his head at her. "Not this time, but some times." Chuck laughed. She walked over and placed a hand gently on her chest. "You're not going to take advantage of me."

"I'm not," Chuck told her.
"Good," she chirped and stepped back a little she took the hand on his chest and held it out. "So, we're going to do this. We're going to help each other."

He took her hand in his. "I'll try."

"That's all I ask," she said.
"And to be completely clear," Chuck began.

"Totally not dating," she answered.

"Not dating," he said, nodding.