Chuck couldn't believe what he was looking at. It felt like his eyes were playing tricks on him as he stared at the key. He'd almost given up hope they'd ever be able to break out of here. Was it really real? He was even more surprised when Amora held it out to him.
"You hold onto it," Amora whispered. Chuck tried to say no, but she insisted. "The guards won't risk touching you, so it will be safetest with you."
Chuck couldn't exactly argue with that logic. He reached between the bars - just barely getting his wrist through at an angle - to grab the tiny key.
"I assume it has something to do with your magic," Amora continued. "I never knew you had magic before now. Daddy never told me."
"Your father doesn't know," Chuck said once the key was safely transferred. "No one does… at least, no one did."
Amora just shrugged. "It's okay. When daddy comes for me, he can rescue you guys, too."
"You've got a lot of faith in your father, don't you?" Chuck observed.
Amora was nodding, even before he finished speaking. "Daddy is the bravest, strongest and bestest ever!"
Even as he was talking to Amora through the bars, Chuck could sense Sarah behind him. Chuck was hyper aware of where she was in the cell with him. He couldn't turn it off, which was a problem in this very small prison cell.
Before they were interrupted, there had been a split second while Sarah had been looking at him so intensely. Chuck had gotten his hopes up that she'd been about to kiss him, but the more he thought about it, the more he convinced himself that he'd imagined it. It's not like he hadn't fantasied about kissing her a thousand times before. It wasn't hard to believe that he'd made it all up in his head. After all, when she'd first found out how he felt, she hadn't responded the way he'd hoped. Chuck knew he should just accept that she didn't see him that way. She was his bodyguard; she saw him as part of her job. That was it.
Chuck knew he really shouldn't be thinking about this anymore. It was ridiculous to go over and over it in his head, but at the same time, in this tiny locked cell, it was impossible to try and control his thoughts. She was just so nearby all the time. A part of him wanted to pull her into his arms and see what happened, but the rest of him was way too nervous to try it.
Reaching into his pocket, Chuck warped his fingers around the tiny piece of metal that was their best hope of escape.
Maybe if they managed to escape from here, he'd have a chance to clear his head.
"I certainly hope you are right," Chuck replied. He didn't know Captain Shaw very well, but he had to assume the man was impressive. Chuck knew he was the youngest Captain of the Royal guard on record for a reason.
"After what they did to mommy," Amora continued. "Daddy is gonna be mad, and you don't want to cross him when he's mad."
"I believe you," Chuck told her. Amora seemed satisfied with that and moved away from the bars to go sit down on the bench in her cell.
He decided to move as well. He could sense Sarah was still behind him. Maybe if he moved forward he could give her some space.
"Chuck." Sarah's voice was soft but determined.
Even just her voice seemed to make his hair stand on end. He wasn't sure he would be able to handle being locked in the cell with her much longer if he had to keep his distance. It was agonizing. When she'd been unconscious he hadn't been able to resist resting her head in his lap, but now that she was awake and knew how he felt, it was like the very air was charged with electricity.
He felt a bolt of that electricity on his arm and knew she'd reached out to touch him. Chuck turned. Her arm fell back to her side as she looked at him. Chuck couldn't quite figure out why she was just staring at him like this. When he'd been worried earlier, she'd brushed off his concern, and he'd thought she was mad at him for going along with Quinn's demands, but she didn't seem mad now.
"I know you shouldn't have done it," Sarah began. "And I know there might be horrible consequences, but even so, I feel like I need to thank you."
"For what?" Chuck replied automatically. It wasn't until after he spoke that he realized how stupid a question it was.
"For saving my life, silly," Sarah said with a smile. She reached out again but with both her arms this time and Chuck's heart beat faster. He needed to back away, but all he managed to do was remain frozen in place.
"I thought you were mad about that," Chuck confessed.
"I was, or rather, I am," Sarah said with a smile. "But I'm also very glad to be alive."
"I'm glad you're alive, too," Chuck told her earnestly.
For a moment he just looked into her eyes. Sarah had such beautiful eyes. After so long looking at her from afar only able to imagine what her eyes looked like, he doubted he'd ever get sick of gazing at those blue-grey spheres. For a moment it was like the world fell away, leaving only Sarah.
"Stop staring at each other and start thinking!" It was William's voice.
Chuck blinked and the spell was broken. Had she really been staring back at him this whole time? He must have imagined it.
"My daughter's freedom is at stake here," William reminded him. "A freedom that was completely safe until you two showed up."
"Right, sorry," Chuck said, turning away to look at William. "We need a plan."
"We need more than a plan," William snapped. "We need backup." He turned to Sarah. "What you said earlier. Was that true?" Sarah nodded. "Then we need a plan in place for when that happens."
"We should also find out which door it opens," Chuck said in a whisper. "For all we know it's one of the other cells."
"Yes for sure," William agreed. "But when to try without being seen."
"I could track the guard shifts," Sarah offered. "See if there is a weak point."
William was nodding. "Yes, good. Okay. That's something, I guess."
Even as agitated as he was, William seemed to understand that was all they could really do right now. He went back to sitting in the corner. Chuck had a feeling that if William had more energy, he'd have been pacing around the room.
Chuck realized he'd never actually asked William how long he'd been stuck in his cell. He had the look of a man who'd lost quite a bit of weight in a short time. Chuck suspected he'd been here for months, at the very least.
In many ways, Chuck regretted his recent actions, but he also knew he'd do it all again to save Sarah. If they could just escape and rescue the girl, then everything would be fine.
Chuck knew Sarah was within arms reach. He always knew where she was in this tiny cell. He wondered if he'd be able to get any sleep with her here. Once he was tired enough, he supposed he'd crash in the end. Day and night hardly meant anything in the cell, anyway. There was just enough light from the tiny window way up out of reach to let them know if it was night or day, but that was about it. Outside the cell there were torches on the walls, but nothing within reach of the prisoners.
He turned in the direction that Sarah wasn't, intending to go sit on the really uncomfortable stone bench. To his surprise, Sarah sat beside him.
"I thought you were supposed to be monitoring guard shifts," Chuck said quickly.
"That can wait a minute," Sarah replied. "I- well before we were interrupted, there was something I wanted to, not say exactly but-"
Chuck couldn't help but smile. Usually he was the one who babbled.
"You can tell me anything, Sarah," Chuck said easily.
"I'm not great with words," Sarah continued. "But I need you to understand something."
Chuck nodded. He wasn't sure what he was agreeing to, but he felt sure of his answer all the same. This, after all, was Sarah, and if the last week had taught him anything, it was that there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for Sarah Walker.
Her hands gently pulled on his arms, until he turned to face her. He wasn't sure what was going on until she moved forward, pulling on his arms again until they were so close Chuck could feel her breath against his skin. Chuck realized what she was doing only a second before it happened.
Chuck's shock at her kiss lasted only an instant before joy overwhelmed him. It didn't matter that he was hungry, tired, sore and physically weaker than he'd ever felt before in his life. The adrenaline of the moment made him feel like he could fly.
His hands moved to her waist, he pulled her against him and deepened the kiss. She followed his lead, moving with him as if she wanted this, too. Her hands were on his back as he moved his up to cup her face.
Unwilling to release her completely, but desperate for air, Chuck pulled out of the kiss. He rested his forehead against hers and caught his breath.
It felt so amazing to touch her, to hold her. Chuck could hardly describe the overwhelming level of emotions he was feeling, and then suddenly, it was like those emotions doubled.
A wave of affection washed over him. There was also a powerful sense of protection - the need to keep something precious safe - but it didn't feel like it was coming from him. It took Chuck a moment to realize that these were Sarah's emotions he was sensing.
He felt almost dizzy. Overloaded with emotions, he pulled completely away so they weren't touching anymore. The extra feelings faded.
"Sorry, I just need a minute," he said, moving away to sit on the bench without touching her.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked. She remained seated, but respected his space. She looked worried, as if she thought she'd done something wrong.
"I've used my magic more in the last week than I have in my entire life," Chuck explained, with an ironic laugh. "And it seems to be getting stronger. I didn't mean to, but I think I just read your emotions for a minute there."
"Oh," Sarah gasped.
"It's never been able to read emotion before," Chuck continued. "Then again, I had never managed information until recently, either."
Chuck rested his head in his hand. He could feel the beginning of a headache coming on, possibly a migraine.
"Sorry," Sarah said.
"Please don't be sorry," he said and he meant it.
"Well, I am," she replied. "I feel like I hurt you."
Chuck looked up. He stared into her eyes. "You want to protect me," Chuck told her confidently. "But I felt more than just that. It wasn't as powerful, but it was there."
Having felt both emotions, Chuck could say with complete certainty that her feelings for him weren't as strong as his for her. She had romantic feelings towards him, and she was beyond flattered by his interest in her, but this was all very new to Sarah, and that was fine. Chuck didn't expect her to change her entire view point overnight. He was overjoyed merely with what they had right now. Just to know that his feelings were in any way returned was enough for today.
Looking into her eyes now, Chuck didn't need magic to know that she was still worried. He wanted to reassure her. Keeping their gaze locked he said, "You didn't hurt me. It just caught me off guard. As I said I've never felt someone else's emotions before."
But she still seemed nervous, so Chuck decided to follow her strategy of action, instead of words. He gently reached out and touched her face, before slowly bringing her closer and kissing her lightly on the lips. Her skin was so warm and wonderful. He felt like he could kiss her forever and still not get enough.
"See," he said, when the kiss ended. He pulled his face away to look at her, but kept his hand against her cheek to show her everything was alright.
She smiled at him, and he could see the anxiety had vanished from her expression.
"Is it okay if I lay my head in your lap?" Chuck asked. He was suddenly feeling so tired.
Sarah didn't reply in words, but instead moved her position so he could more easily sleep on her. After a moment, Chuck felt her gently stroking his hair. Her touch felt so good against his aching head, Chuck closed his eyes and drifted off.
As he woke, Chuck heard voices. It sounded like a whispered conversation happening right above him. He opened his eyes and for a moment didn't care what they were saying because she was still there. Sarah was looking forward but the moment he stirred she turned to look down at him. In her lap he'd had by far the most comfortable sleep since he'd fled from his home. It made him wonder how comfortable it would be to sleep beside her in an actual bed.
"You're awake," Sarah said. "How is your head?"
"Better," Chuck replied as he sat up. "What's going on?"
Sarah leaned closer to him and for a moment Chuck thought she was going to kiss him, but then she whispered. "We are working on the plan."
"Excellent," Chuck answered a bit too loudly. "I was just dreaming about my four poster bed." He sat up, stretching his neck and shoulders as he did so.
"Spoiled prince," Willam coughed from the other side of the room.
"Anyway, I've been keeping track of guard shifts," Sarah explained quietly.
"Great," Chuck said, but the look on Sarah's face killed his excitement. "What?"
"They overlap," Sarah replied.
"Oh great," Chuck said sarcastically.
"On the plus side, there seems to be a lull in their attention around meal time," Sarah said. "When the first shift is tired, but hasn't been replaced yet, they get served a meal and tend to slack off a bit with their patrols."
"Well, that's something, I guess," Chuck replied. "How long was I asleep?" He was more stiff than he'd expected.
"A while," Sarah said with a smile. "You seemed really tired, though."
"I was," Chuck replied. He decided to keep it to himself that her lap had been so cozy it had kept him sleeping even in this horrible place.
"So, I think we should do our test during one of those lulls," Sarah explained. Everyone agreed.
Chuck stayed awake as they waited for their opportunity. Despite the severity of the situation, Chuck couldn't help but be unbelievably happy. They hadn't really talked much, but it kinda felt like Sarah was with him now. That they were together. Rather than bring up the topic, and be proved wrong, Chuck decided to just enjoy his assumption.
His constant awareness of her wasn't a burden anymore, but rather lovely. He could casually touch her now. A hug or stroke of the cheek, and she didn't reject him. Sometimes, she closed her eyes as if savouring the feeling. Chuck's magic didn't act up again and he kissed her as often as William could handle. After violating his mind and endangering his daughter, Chuck felt like it was the least he could do for the man.
Only took eleven chapters but look at that we made it to the kiss! And this is nothing. I once dragged out a couples first kiss for 50 chapters. tehe.
Might be a while until this one gets another update. The next chapter is a Morgan chapter and it isn't even kinda started, but I have alot of Chuck vs Fame done (like everything after chapter 13) so that story should still get updates quickly until it's done. Then maybe I'll focus only on this one again. ^_^