A/N: …..you're here. I don't know how. This is a one-shot. Boy, people can't count…figure out they're on dates….

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

He pulled out his phone, looked at the text he received, and smiled. He had received a photo, and there were the smiling faces of two of his favorite people, Ellie and Sarah Walker. Apparently they were having a blast. He put his phone down, ran his hands across his face, and into his hair. He was nearly done. He had started on this about four A.M. He had been woken up at three by his phone ringing, and had gotten here as quick as he could. That was over eight hours ago.

He didn't know what this virus was, or why the client had waited so long to contact him, but he was going to beat this thing. He nearly had it. The problem was it was always the last little bit that was the hardest. His phone went off again, and he picked it up to look at it. He sent back a text to the newest picture of the two women.

Been up since three, at a job since 4. Probably won't be able to hang tonight.

He put the phone back in his pocket. He would call his sister later…maybe tomorrow. That was it. Tomorrow.

"Okay you little bastard," Chuck muttered to himself. "Let's finish this."

}o{

He lifted his head from the back of the couch. He had just sat down and now there was a knocking on the door. It had only taken him another hour, but there were other systems he needed to check, protection programs to put into place, and then there was a long talk to the employee who had visited and had gotten the virus in the first place.
He looked at the door, trying to pull his thoughts together. He blew out a breath and stood. He swore if it was someone knocking on his door about who to vote for, some religion, or better yet, a home security system…for his apartment, he might lose it. He wouldn't yell at them, they were just doing what they were paid/volunteered to do, but today….it wasn't the day.

He opened the door, and a blond blur walked past him. "Hello to you too, Sarah," he said, shutting the door, turning to her.

"I swear I'm going to need a key to your apartment," she said to him. He stared at her. She blew out a breath. "What are you doing?"

"Answering the door?" he replied.

"Why?"

"Because you knocked?" Chuck offered.

"Because I didn't have a key," Sarah pointed out. She walked over, grabbed him by the shoulders, and steered him to the couch. "You give me and Ellie the nicest gift ever and you spend half the night, and all day working?"

"You gotta do what you gotta do," Chuck told her, as he let her sit him down on the couch. He looked up at her, and saw the concern on her face. "I'm okay."

"You totally look okay," Sarah said. Chuck grinned at her. "What?"

"You're always gonna tell me the truth, aren't you?" She winced at that. "That's what I like about you, Sarah."

"It is?"

"It is," Chuck said, his eyes heavy. They snapped open. "Wait, is tonight a practice date?"

"No," Sarah told him. "And if it was, we would reschedule, because that's what grown people in a relationship do." Chuck nodded. "Although, this would be the perfect time to experiment with an idea I had."

The sleep seemed to leave his eyes. "Oh? And what idea have you had?" Sarah was silent for a second, looking at his couch. "I'm sorry, that was none of my business."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Sarah replied. "I was actually looking at your couch and realizing it was about the perfect size. It's deep enough." Chuck's eyes went wide. "For a nap date."

"Nap…date?" Chuck asked. "Is that code for….well…anything?"

"Yes, a nap," Sarah said. "Look," she began, lying him on his side. "Now, what if you were dressed in comfy clothes, and lying here, with your arm around me," she laid down in front of him, and draped his arm over her stomach. "Now, see, plenty of room."

"There is," Chuck said. His eyes were wide open and she glanced back at him.

"You can't nap if you don't shut your eyes," Sarah told him.

"Sarah," he began.

"Chuck," she said in a clipped voice. He shut his eyes. "Good," she said softly. He laid there, thinking how crazy this was. Thinking how this would be great for a couple that had been dating for some time. But here. Now? Like this? It would never work.

}o{

He knew he was dreaming, but he heard a key in the lock. It had to be Ellie. No one else had a key to his apartment. Not even Morgan. Morgan had a key in the past, but lost it, and Chuck and Ellie both thought Chuck should change his locks because there was no idea where he lost it.

He heard the door open and tried to wake himself, but he felt so comfortable. The blanket was just so warm. And it smelled like….his eyes popped open and he saw the blond hair in front of him.

"Well," Ellie said. He looked up at her. "I see she got here before I could."

}o{

"Ellie, this is delicious," Sarah said thirty minutes later, the three seated at the table. Chuck had been quiet nearly the entire time since Ellie had arrived. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure how to explain him and Sarah, but even more curious was Ellie's lack of reaction. "I'm just glad you made enough for me."

"Well, to be honest, it was supposed to be for him to eat all week because if not, he'll eat cereal for dinner. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but every night…for a week…." She trailed off, giving him a look and shook her head.
"The soup is delicious," Chuck admitted. "You didn't have to."

"I didn't have to?" Ellie replied. "Brother, dear. You gave me the greatest present ever. A whole day of pampering. A whole day with my best friend. Not talking about boys-"

"Or lack thereof," Sarah muttered, grinning.

Ellie smiled at Sarah. "Or lack thereof," she agreed. "Just books and movies and entertainment and no work, no relationship issues, no nothing. Just…talking."

"Well, we did talk about your neighbor," Sarah reminded her.
"Yes, but I tell you I thought she was being abused," Ellie said, as if that explained everything. Chuck looked from one to the other, confusion evident on his face.

"You're going to have to tell him," Sarah said.

"So," Ellie said, turning to Chuck. "One night I got home late, and I could hear my neighbor next door, talking loudly to someone, and she sounded like she was in pain. She kept saying, 'No, Bradley, no!'" Chuck straightened. "See, he gets it," Ellie said to Sarah.

"Of course he does," Sarah replied.

"Well, if someone is yelling no like that, and sounds to be in pain," Chuck began.

"And every once in a while, you'd hear a hiss from her that sounded like she had been hurt, or burnt or something, and again, 'No, Bradley!'" Ellie explained.

"So you went and saw her," Chuck reasoned.

"Of course, I did," Ellie said. "I asked her if her boyfriend was there, and she told me no. She had the weirdest look on her face." Sarah giggled. "You know what, spoiler alert, she's a lesbian."

"Who is Bradley?" Chuck asked, more confused than ever.

"Her girlfriend's cat who is out of town, and Bradley is mad. Plus they don't make the catfood Bradley makes anymore, so…Bradley can get a little…clawy." Chuck tried to hold in the laughter. "It's fine," Ellie said. Chuck burst out laughing. "I mean it is funny…but at the time."

"No, you're right," Chuck said through laughter. "And your neighbor?"

"Alicia," Ellie said. "And she apologized to me for scaring me. I told her I was a doctor and put some ointment on her scratches. They aren't deep, but she's not a cat person, and….well….Bradley is just mad. Janice gets home next week, that's the girlfriend, and Alicia is hoping Bradley calms down then."

"When are they coming for dinner?" Chuck asked.

"They're not," Ellie replied, and went back to her soup. Chuck just watched his sister. "Brunch…next week."

"That's on me, I know how you love a mimosa." Chuck said, shaking his head, chuckling.

"He's invited, right?" Sarah asked. Chuck gave her a look. "Well, I am, and I'm assuming you are."

"He hates those things," Ellie said.
"And that's stopped you for making me come, when?" Chuck asked.

"Since you got me this amazing birthday gift," Ellie said. "So, you're off the hook."
Ellie went back to her food, but Chuck had seen the look on Sarah's face when Ellie said he was off the hook. As he ate, he thought about how this would go. Ellie would be hostess extraordinaire, and Devon would be Devon, charming the women. It didn't matter what their sexual orientation was, Devon was just freaking charming and everyone loved him. That meant Sarah would basically be the odd person out.

"Do you…." He cleared his throat. "Do you mind if I come?" Chuck asked. Ellie looked at him in shock, and Sarah…he didn't know what to call the look on her face.

"You've never wanted to come before," Ellie said, stunned.

"Well, let's be honest, Ellie, we both know that when someone new is around, you go…." Chuck struggled for the word.

"Super-Ellie?" Sarah offered.

"Super-Ellie," Chuck agreed, thrusting his hand in Sarah's direction.

"What does that mean?" Ellie asked, looking from one to the other.

"You want to make sure the new person feels really at home, and welcome," Chuck said. "And that's not bad, please don't take it as such."

"Okay," Ellie said. "I still don't understand."

"Well, and Devon…he's taken his cues from you, and does a little of the same," Chuck continued.

"Again, not understanding," Ellie said.

"It's me," Sarah cut in. Chuck started to say something and Sarah shook her head. "No, he's doing it for me. So I don't feel…awkward."
Ellie looked at Chuck. "Is this true?" Ellie asked. Chuck nodded. She reached over, took his hand, and squeezed it. She then turned to Sarah, reached over, took her hand, and squeezed it. "You don't know how happy this makes me that you two are friends."

"Why wouldn't we be?" Sarah asked. "He's a great guy."

"He is," Ellie agreed. She turned to Chuck. "Chuck, would you come to the brunch I'm throwing for our new neighbors?"

"Do I have to go to another horror movie with her?" Chuck asked, grinning. The smile fell off of Sarah's face and Ellie's eyes went wide. It was at that moment, Chuck remembered Ellie didn't know about their shopping adventure.

"You…Chuck Bartowski. You. You went with Sarah to watch a horror movie?" Ellie asked.

"I don't think that's accurate," Sarah said. Ellie looked over at Sarah, as she let go of both of their hands. "He stared at the floor for most of the movie."

"I did hear it all," Chuck pointed out.
"And how did it sound?" Ellie asked.

"Disgusting," Chuck replied, making Sarah laugh.

"This is why I'm single," Sarah said.

"No," Chuck said softly. Ellie watched the two, and it was as if no one else was in the room. "When you find him, he's going to put up with it. Maybe he stares at the floor. Maybe he begs off of some of them, but he's going to encourage you to do what you love, what you want to do."

"Well said," Ellie murmured.

"Yes, well said," Sarah agreed. "So, you're coming to brunch for me?"

"I mean…." Chuck thought for a moment. "I guess, but it's not a big deal."

"You've now let me have a wonderful day with your sister, and you are saving me in a social situation that could potentially be awkward," Sarah pointed out. "To me it is a big deal and I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything," Chuck said shaking his head. "I don't know about other people, but I don't keep score in relationships. I do for people what I hope they would do for me."

"You don't know how happy I am," Ellie said. "Seriously, thank you both." She was silent for a moment. "Out of curiosity, Chuck. That text you sent about hanging out tonight, was that for me or for Sarah? Did you know it was a group text?"

He looked at Sarah. "You were on that text?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded. "So that's why you knew I was so tired."

"Yes," Sarah said. "I will admit, I felt a little guilty."

"You don't have to," Chuck told her.
"Be gentle with her, little brother," Ellie said to him. "Most people aren't used to your way of thinking." She turned to Sarah. "Thank you for making sure he got a nap."

"You're welcome," Sarah said. "Not gonna lie, after the pampering I had today, taking a nap was rather easy."

"I do think I need to talk to Devon about him and I getting a couch like that," Ellie said to Sarah.
"I would never sit on it," Chuck muttered making both women laugh. Sarah got up, and went to get her bowl. "What are you doing?"

"Taking the dishes to the kitchen," Sarah said.

"Uh, you are a guest in my apartment, you will not," Chuck told her.

"You do it at Ellie's all the time," Sarah argued.

"Well, that's Ellie," Chuck reasoned. Ellie tilted her head at that. "You know what I mean," he said to his sister.

"Okay, well, I need to go," Sarah said. "While the nap was good, I am still tired and want to get home before I pass out."

Ellie stood, went over to Sarah and hugged her. After they broke their hug, Ellie, with her hands still around Sarah, looked at her brother. The look intensified. He cleared his throat and stood. "You're going to make me hug her, aren't you?"

"I mean I am hideous," Sarah quipped. Chuck rolled his eyes as he walked over to her. Ellie stepped back, watching them.

"I won't lie, I've had dreams of something terrible chasing me, and it's had your face on it," Chuck told her, wrapping his arms around her. "But that only started once you made me watch that movie."

She held him tight, and then let him go, her hands still lightly on his shoulders. "So you admit, you dream about me chasing you?"

"Walked right into that one, didn't I?" Chuck asked.

"Come here," Ellie said, and pulled her brother into a hug. "I need to go see my man."

"Well, you tell him I said hi," Chuck told her, giving her a hug. Chuck walked both of them to the door. "Good-night, ladies."
Ellie opened the door and headed out. "Chuck, you are going to walk Sarah to her car, right?"

"Why, so I can scream in terror to distract whoever is attacking us, disorienting that person so Sarah can attack them?"

"Yeah," Ellie said, laughing. He grabbed his keys and followed the two to their respective vehicles. Sarah got in, said her good-byes, and took off, followed by Ellie. Chuck watched them leave, and then looked up at the sky.

He turned and started toward his apartment when he saw a car pull in. It pulled up near and he saw a grinning Sarah. He walked over, and bent down, as she rolled down her window. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, I just wanted to congratulate you on the verbal gymnastics you pulled earlier," Sarah told Chuck.

"Are you saying you don't think it wise to let Ellie think we are….doing scientific research?" Chuck asked.

"I think it would bring up a lot of questions and people would make assumptions," Sarah answered. "What we're doing is what's best for us."

"Mmmhmm," Chuck hummed. "You know, you don't have to leave if you don't want."

"While I don't mind staying, I do need to get to bed, and if I came back and fell asleep here….." Sarah shook her head, making Chuck giggle. "I mean that would raise sooooo many questions."
"So many," Chuck agreed. "Want me to follow you and make sure you get home okay?"

"No, that's sweet, but I'll be fine," Sarah told him. "I will text you when I get there."

"Do you need me to stay on the phone with you while you drive?" Chuck asked.

"Look at you being the over protective….scientific research partner," Sarah said.

"Don't tell Ellie, but…if something happened to you, it would personally bum me out," Chuck told her.

"Gosh, Chuck, you sweet talker you," she replied, making them both giggle. She put her hand on his, that was on the window sill. "I have an incredible time today and it was because of you. Thank you."

"Hey, my pleasure," Chuck told her. "Drive safe." She took her hand off of his and saluted him. "You really are a mess."

"I am," she said shrugging cutely. "Bye, Chuck."

"Bye, Sarah," he said. She pulled away and he waved, watching her go. He didn't even realize how hard he was smiling.