A/N: Thanks for continuing to read this, and particularly to those of you that left reviews, faves and follows after reading the previous chapter.

Obviously, thanks to Capt LiL for the beta, too.

Their dinner date continues…

Chuck, The Fan

Chapter 2

By the time Sarah had finished her pasta, she was completely engrossed in the man sitting opposite her. She'd not given him a chance to ask questions about her, just pumped him for information about his job, his company and their products, and his personal life.

He'd played down a lot of his achievements, which just made her push for more details.

He reluctantly painted the picture of Bart Software, his small but growing company that was making a name for itself in the cyber security world. He had to explain some details to her since she wasn't very tech-savvy.

The company had a number of significant clients in the States, mainly in the financial sector, which had attracted interest from similar organizations over here in the UK, hence his visit.

On a personal front, he was reticent to tell her anything, but had caved in eventually.

"So, your parents disappeared leaving you and your sister alone when you were fourteen?" It seemed awful.

"Yeah. When Mrs. James, who lived in the lower half of the building we shared, found out, she acted as if we were hers. She didn't adopt us, but it saved me from being taken into foster care. She was elderly and Ellie effectively looked after both of us until she died."

"But both of you went to a university?" she prodded.

"Ellie somehow managed to do her medical training, while still living with us, and I got a scholarship to Stanford."

"Isn't that a major university?" she asked. She already knew because her ex had gone there, but she was trying to make him think more of himself.

"It is," he replied with the inevitable blush.

"No girlfriends there?" she asked without thought.

He looked down at the remains of his own pasta. "Yeah, one," he muttered.

"Oh, sorry if that's a sore point. I guess it didn't work out."

He sighed. "I don't talk about it, but, no, it didn't."

Sarah didn't know what to say after that, and said the only thing she knew about Stanford. "My ex went there."

He looked up at her. "Idiot." Then, he seemed to realize he'd said that aloud, which made her laugh.

"Thank you for that, Chuck. He wasn't an idiot, just wanted me to be with him rather than follow my chosen career path. The two were mutually exclusive."

He sighed. "Some people with good qualifications are like that. They often achieve their goals, but are they happy?"

She nearly caught her breath on hearing that. Am I happy?

"Are you happy, Chuck?"

Sarah's question caught him unprepared, and he had to think about it for a few moments. Am I happy?

He had a successful and growing company. He had a wonderful sister who he loved so very much. The fact that she and Devon had moved to Chicago for their careers was disappointing , but very understandable, and he visited them often. His best friend from kindergarten, Morgan, now worked for him, but that hadn't changed their friendship. However, in spite of all of that, his life felt empty. He knew that was because he didn't have a special person.

He realized Sarah was waiting for an answer. He couldn't face lying. "Mostly," he replied.

"So, success and happiness aren't mutually exclusive," she said. Strangely, she looked relieved he had said what he had.

He had to ask now. "What about you, Sarah?"

She wished she hadn't asked him when he asked it back. She decided to avoid answering straight away. "Why only mostly?" she asked.

She guessed the answer when he looked away. She knew the feeling he was hiding. She tried to avoid thinking about it, but she was lonely. "No one special in your life?" she tentatively asked.

He didn't verbally reply, but nodded.

"I can relate to that," she said, just above a whisper.

"It's not about success," he said, looking up at her again. "A busy life leaves no time for relationships."

She stared at him. She guessed that may be true for him, but knew that wasn't the only reason for her. "I hide from people," she admitted.

"Because of how they treat you?" he said, looking convinced of it. "It's understandable, with how the press must hound you."

"No. I'm not famous enough for that," she corrected him. "I'm not a people person, anyway."

"You're very private," he said.

She nodded. "I've never liked talking about my personal life. I like to keep it that way. I'm sure I'm not alone in the entertainment industry like that."

She frowned slightly, but decided that after what he'd shared with her, telling him seemed only fair, and he'd understand her situation better than most. "My parents moved around a lot when I was young… because of his job. Always being the new person at school meant I was always an outsider. I never made friends."

"I can relate to being an outsider, but I achieved that while staying at the same school." He kept a straight face, but the humor got to her and she laughed.

"Thanks for that, Chuck."

He had obviously worked something out, though. "You still don't have many friends, do you?"

Her smile disappeared. "What makes you say that?"

"People interested in you because you're successful? I've had that, and fair weather friends are not real ones."

She sighed. "You're not wrong."

"You deserve better than that," he grumbled. He didn't realize he'd said that aloud, until she smiled and thanked him.

"Maybe I do," she replied.

"I wish I could introduce you to my sister. I'm sure she'd like you… as a person."

She grinned. "Introducing me to the family, when we're not even dating?"

He couldn't have been expecting that, but responded, "Well, you'd have to agree to date first." He smiled, looking proud of his quick comeback.

She laughed. "Fighting that self-doubt?"

He grinned. "You made me."

They'd been getting on so much better than Chuck had expected. However, as it got closer to the time to leave the restaurant, he sensed Sarah becoming less comfortable.

"D'you get nervous about performing?" he asked.

She leaned forward, moving her coffee to one side, and put her finger over her mouth, saying, "Shh! Don't let everyone know."

He leaned forward, quite close to her now. "I think you're very brave, then."

She sat back, but not because she seemed uncomfortable about the closeness. "I love it once I've started, but before, I'm a bag of nerves."

"Did your manager arrange this as a distraction, then?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Maybe."

"I hope it hasn't been too unpleasant," he said.

She looked almost fondly at him. "I've enjoyed myself, Chuck, far more than I expected. Thank you."

"I was nervous as hell about this," he confessed. "But you've been very kind. It's not often that I get to spend time with such a beautiful woman."

She grinned at him. "Well, maybe before I get painted up, we can have another picture together."

He pulled his phone out and waved it at her and saw she was doing the same. They both laughed. He looked around for a good setting, and she stood and grabbed his hand and pulled him close to the window. The sunlight coming in lit up her golden hair.

"I'm used to settings," she said. She wrapped her arm around his waist as she stretched her arm out for the selfie. He could smell her perfume as she got so close. It was like a dream.

The restaurant manager walked to them. "Let me," he said. He took Sarah's phone and got them to pose. He took three photos, and Sarah surprised Chuck with the last one, because she pressed her lips against his cheek.

She grinned as they separated. She took her phone back, thanking the manager. When she looked back at him, Chuck was definitely in a daze and she chuckled. "Maybe if I get really famous, girls will realize what a catch you are, Chuck."

"If only it was on my phone," he commented.

"Oh, you need to give me your number so that I can send them to you."

"An interesting way to get my number, Miss Walker," he said sarcastically.

She laughed out loud at that. "And I'll need your home address, too." She paused waiting for a reaction, which she got with his raised eyebrows. She grinned again. "We'll get you copies of the earlier photos, too."

"So, you won't be visiting me when you're back in LA?" he teased.

She gave him another peck on his cheek. "You never know who'll be delivering them," she whispered in his ear.

Her hot breath made him shiver, which elicited another chuckle.

"Your taxi is here, Miss Walker," the manager said as he walked up to them.

Sarah held Chuck's hand as they walked to the exit.

"Thank you for a wonderful meal," Sarah said to the manager.

"Yes, it was wonderful," Chuck added.

"A pleasure," the man replied. "But a review would be appreciated, too."

Sitting in the taxi was awkward. Sarah had really enjoyed her time with Chuck. She liked him, but when they climbed into the car, Jade looked at her expectantly, and the whole thing felt like a set up.

Had Jade known that Chuck lived in LA before? Did she somehow rig the competition that he won? Was there even a competition or was this made up to get them together?

Sarah glared at her manager who'd been telling her that loneliness wasn't good for her health. But wasn't it part of what fed into her music?

She glanced at the man sitting beside her. He was looking thoughtfully at her, so she looked away.

Sarah liked him, but would a relationship work alongside her career? When she was touring, she would be away from LA for months on end. Even more so, if she managed to crack the European market. And why was she even thinking of a relationship with him already? Was she just interested in the first man to take an interest in her as a person as well as a singer? She knew that wasn't true. There was something about him that attracted her.

She looked at him again, into those hazel eyes of his. He seemed to look into her soul, somehow. It was a bit unnerving, but also thrilling. She'd never felt that before, certainly not with her ex.

Could she and Chuck fill each other's voids? There was only one way to find out. Test it.

She had to stop thinking about this and focus on preparing for the concert. She looked away and focused inwardly.

How can you meet someone for the first time and just know you've met the person you'll compare all others to for the rest of your life. Particularly someone as amazing as Sarah Walker.

Love at first sight was a ridiculous concept. Besides, Chuck had seen her in photos before, so this wasn't his first sight of her anyway. But she was some much more than those images.

He had to stop looking into those ocean blue eyes that drew him in so much. Soon, he would just be one of many in an audience of her fans. A nobody for the evening. Then, after a taxi ride for Julie, his assistant, and himself back to their hotel, that was the last he'd see of Sarah. He knew she was just teasing about delivering the photos from the newspaper offices. Nice fantasy, though.

It was tempting to grill Jade when she briefly joined Sarah in her dressing room, after showing Chuck his seat and leaving him in the bar, but Sarah refrained. She was sure they'd get into an argument and that wasn't good before going on stage.

"You ok?" Jade enquired.

"What do you think?" Sarah moaned. "Usual nerves."

"You'll be fine," Jade replied. "Do your usual pre-gig meditation."

Then, she was gone and Sarah was on her own again. She just groaned.

Chuck was sitting in the bar, with another sparkling water in front of him. He would normally have a diet coke, but this reminded him of the person he would soon see on stage.

He couldn't believe he would be virtually on stage with her! So close. The venue was much smaller than he imagined, and he realized now that Sarah had yet to break the British market, so not the sort of venues she performed in when touring in the States.

As far as he was concerned, she deserved to be a star in every country.

"Hello, boss."

He looked up and his assistant was standing looking at him.

He smiled. "Hi, Julie. D'you want a drink?"

She looked at what he was having and frowned slightly. "Water?"

"Didn't feel like anything else," he replied.

She looked dubiously at him, and then said, "I'll have a glass of white wine, please."

He started to get up, but found Jade walking up to them. "Miss Richards?" she asked. Julie nodded. "I'm Sarah's manager. We'll be taking you both back to your hotel after the concert."

Julie looked at Chuck. "Wow! Royal treatment, or what?" He nodded. "And will your dream girl be with us? I don't want to be a gooseberry," she teased.

Jade looked at him. "Dream girl?" She had a smile, too.

He glared at his assistant for saying that, and even more so when she grinned and said, "Yup."

Jade chuckled and then said, "Well, yes, Sarah will accompany us, but I've ordered a larger cab, so no sitting on each other's laps." After that, she walked off, continuing to chuckle to herself.

"You know, it almost felt like she wanted you and your girl to be together."

He looked at Julie angrily. "Will you stop calling her that? After tonight, I'll never see her again."

Julie shrugged "So, make the most of it."

He couldn't say anything after that.

As always, Sarah stepped nervously onto the stage.

This was a smaller venue than those she'd been to in the States in the last year, but that was to be expected. The crowd clapped, and she smiled at them.

"This is my first concert outside my home country. I hope you enjoy my music."

She looked round to her band behind her and nodded to them.

The lights dimmed and the band started to play the intro to her first song. A slow ballad that she'd written for her third album. Always a crowd-pleaser.

She started to croon her way into it as the spotlight fell on her.

In her head, the audience disappeared and she just sang as if she was on her own. The joy of singing all came back to her. This was why she toured.

The song was a love song, crazy though that was for her to sing. She'd never experienced it, but apparently could sing as if she had. Back home, this was her most successful single.

As the final notes from the lead guitar faded, she did something she'd never done before. She usually couldn't see the audience very well, but here she knew where one person sat.

She looked at Chuck Bartowski. He was virtually on the stage, slightly to the left of center.

He was beaming at her and clapping furiously. Their eyes locked, and it gave her a warm feeling, knowing that he approved. She knew that he would after what he'd said, but his support in this concert, playing in a new country, felt very pleasing.

She smiled at him and gave him a nod of thanks before looking out, and verbally thanked everyone.

This audience liked the first song, so she introduced the next one.

Chuck was surprised when Sarah, the performer, looked at him after the first song. He grinned at her and clapped hard. She smiled at him, and he suddenly felt like that love song was all for him, stupid though that was.

It wasn't just for that one, though. After finishing each of them, she looked his way, almost as if she wanted to check whether he approved before anyone else. Maybe that was part of the prize. Making him feel special.

Sarah poured her heart into each and every song. They drew you in, capturing your total attention. The fact that she was absolutely gorgeous added to it, he had to admit, but he knew he'd still enjoy it if he closed his eyes. Of course, there was no way he'd close his eyes! He was enthralled.

Chuck loved everything that she played. Some of the lyrics he knew would be sad, but that didn't stop them being beautiful to hear her sing.

She sang for an hour before taking a break.

During the break, Jade appeared at his shoulder. "Chuck, she can't see you during the interval, there isn't time."

He looked at her in surprise. "Why would she see me at all in the interval?"

"I think she'd want to," her manager said.

Something Julie had said came back to him. "Are you trying to set us up?"

She sighed and sat on the seat next to him that had been vacated by someone heading to the bar. "Chuck, you seemed like a nice guy. I just want her to have a friend back in LA."

He narrowed his eyes. "You checked up on me?"

She blushed but said, "I had to make sure you weren't going to upset her."

"So, it wasn't a random selection, then? You sifted through and chose me?" Her blush deepened. "What if no one from LA, or even the States, were here?"

Jade said nothing and it hit him. "You knew I was here?"

She nodded. "You're quite famous in LA and I saw a news article about you coming to the UK."

"And you checked up on me before coming here?"

"Mmhm."

"How the hell did you arrange for me to see the competition?"

"That was a chance, but I got the paper delivered to your door and hoped."

"This is really creepy, Jade," he said.

"Are you wishing I hadn't?"

He thought about it. Because of this woman, he'd met the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and it felt like they were almost friends. "No, but I think Sarah will freak out. You tricked both of us, and that's not what a good manager should do."

She gripped his arm. "Chuck, she's desperately lonely, even if she tries to delude herself that she's not. Be a friend, if you can."

Jade left him with those thoughts.

If Sarah wanted to have him as a friend, he would gladly oblige. He was honest with himself, acknowledging that he'd like more, but knew that was not realistic. He couldn't raise the subject with her and would just see what happened.

The journey to their hotel was very different to the rest of Sarah's time with Chuck. In Sarah's head, that was due to Julie's presence.

Chuck's assistant seemed to be as much a fan of Sarah's work as he was, but much more vocal in expressing it. She virtually dominated the whole journey with her gushing and asking a lot of questions.

All Sarah wanted was more time to talk to the man that had made this such a great day for her. The concert had been a great success, but Sarah just found herself wondering what Chuck had thought about her performance and about each song. One person shouldn't consume all her thoughts, but he did somehow.

When they reached the hotel, Julie leaped out, full of thanks. Chuck looked like he wanted to stay and actually talk to her, but Sarah was also aware of Jade. She was probably looking at them, and certainly listening.

"I'll walk with you into the hotel," she said. Jade would know why, but said nothing.

Chuck looked surprised but let her out of the cab first.

As they walked up the steps to the entrance, Sarah quietly told him, "I wanted a word before we part, just the two of us without ears listening to every word."

"Me, too," he replied, which brought a smile to her face.

There were seats just beyond the entrance and he led her to them. Once seated, she said, "Chuck, I wanted to thank you for making this day that could've been so very bad, to be one of my best. I've never known anyone I could talk to like we did."

His smile was infectious and she returned it as he replied, "I had a wonderful time, and your performance was stunning. So, so good."

She beamed at him. "Thank you for that, too."

"And by the sound of it, I'll have photographic memories of it, too."

"I'll send you the ones from my phone when I get a chance," she said.

He chuckled. "And when would the incredibly busy Sarah Walker have time for that?"

She lightly slapped his arm. "Not so busy that I can't send messages to my friend."

His eyes lit up and she realized what she'd called him. She thought for a second about that. Did she see him that way? Would he see her that way?

She refocused on him. He was smiling at her in a way that made her heart flutter. Maybe his thoughts were taking it further than friendship.

She wasn't used to feelings like this and it frightened her a bit. Her walls were usually much more secure than this.

"I have to go," she said. "I hope the rest of your week goes well."

She stood, as did he. She leaned in to give him a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks, Chuck," she whispered into his ear.

He looked pleased to have received the kiss. She really liked his smile.

Then, he looked slightly sad as he said, "Sarah, good luck with the rest of your tour. I'm sure you'll wow them all. If you ever want a friend back in LA, get in touch."

She thought she probably would. "Thanks for that, Chuck." She decided to give another kiss on his cheek, wanting to see that smile again. As she leaned in, he did the same, and their lips brushed.

She felt her own eyes widen, just as his seemed to. The contact was electric.

She felt flustered and said a hasty "Bye, Chuck," to the stunned man standing there bringing his fingers to his lips, and she rushed out.

As the taxi drove away, she could still feel his lips on hers. It was unreal.

He didn't receive her photos that night or the next morning.

He wasn't sure if that was because she was so tired or busy, or whether his kiss on her lips, unintentional though it was, had unsettled her. He hoped the latter wasn't the case.

That kiss, even though only a brush across her lips, was the best kiss of his life. He knew that was stupid, but it felt as though a jolt of electricity shot from their connected lips right to his heart.

Just thinking about it made him shiver. He berated himself for being like that. He'd kissed before. Gone a lot further with Jill Roberts, but he couldn't shake the feeling of happiness as he thought about Sarah.

Julie must've seen it because she was waiting for him by the check-in desk, but she said nothing as she handed him his room key.

Breakfast was different, though.

"So, when are you seeing your girlfriend again?" Julie asked as she sat down opposite him.

Fortunately, his coffee mug hadn't reached his lips or he'd probably have made a mess. He put it down before responding. "Sarah's not my girlfriend, and I doubt I'll ever see her again."

Julie leaned forward, "Who said anything about Sarah?"

He looked at her in confusion as she sat back with a smile. "Ok, I was talking about the girl you kissed last night."

He couldn't help wishing that she was his girlfriend.

"It's a shame. You looked good together and I could see how you both looked at each other."

He homed in on that. "How did she look at me?"

"As if she wanted to see you again, boss."

He huffed at that. "Well, that's not happening anyway. She's touring the rest of Europe and then beyond."

"Shame," she commented again, and then started talking about the meetings scheduled for that day.

At the end of the day, Chuck had just finished what he thought had been a successful presentation. The bank was going to discuss setting up a contract with his company.

As he and Julie walked to the taxi to take them back to the hotel, he received a text.

* Don't know how to get photos to you. Need email address. S x *

He thought about sending details on how to get photos to him without using email, but the alternative was to have the email address of Sarah Walker. Well worth it.

He quickly sent his email address and almost immediately got a text back.

* Sending now. Hope you like. S x *

As he got into the taxi an email arrived which he eagerly opened.

"I want to see," Julie said.

Without thinking he tilted his phone so that they could both look at the photos that had arrived.

He would treasure these photos for the rest of his life. Sarah looked beautiful, of course, but she managed to look interested in him, which he thought at that time wasn't true. They had enjoyed each other's company, though, so maybe that was what he was seeing reflected in her eyes.

"You look perfect together," Julie said.

He thought so, too, but knew that was very unlikely to occur.

He sent Sarah a text.

* You look beautiful and even make me look good. x *

Almost immediately, he got a reply:

* Don't be so hard on yourself, handsome. x *

He'd treasure these texts as well!

A/N: So, that ends the surprising day for Chuck and Sarah, both having enjoyed it. Obviously, that's not the end, especially as we haven't reached Christmas time yet!

A review would be great to let me know what you think of their first day together.