Hey all! This is my second attempt at a fanfic. After getting several good reviews on Sarah vs the broken heart, I decided to give another one a shot! Thanks goes to My Soap Box for being patient with me, and its only cause of her that this chapter is any good at all :) Oh, also thanks to Webdiggy for some awesome encouragement!

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, If I did Zachary Levi, Joshua Gomez, and I would all be playing video games all the time and an episode of Chuck would probably be rarely shot. ;-)

His eyes fluttered open, his chest rose as he inhaled deeply, his body tingly warm as the covers were wrapped tight around him. He closed his eyes quickly as the sun shined in through the window. "Ow," he muttered and sighed. He looked at the clock, dreading to see what it said. 6:58. Two more minutes before his alarm would start, gently easing him out of sleep. But not today. He groaned as he thought of the Buy More shift he had today. He didn't want to deal with the store. He didn't want to deal with Big Mike, or Jeff, or Lester, or Emmett. Heck, he didn't even want to deal with Morgan! He had obviously had a rough day and night. He sighed again as he rose out of the bed, quickly cancelling his alarm and pushing the covers away. Yet another mission had happened last night. It was rough, Chuck has actually been punched twice! Twice before Sarah had come to rescue him from more. He had actually gotten a huge purple bruise on his cheek from it and another one in the region of his solar plexus.

Chuck thought back to when he had come home late last night, to find Ellie and Devon still up, unfortunately. As soon as they saw his injuries, he'd been barraged with questions from Ellie like: "Oh my god, what happened to you?! Did you get into a fight?" to which Chuck had enjoyed a laugh...well, as much as a laugh he could with the enormous bruising.

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"No!" Chuck had replied. I hate lying to you.

"Well, what happened, Chuck? I'm not letting you not tell me on this one. You've been far too secretive lately." Ellie had crossed her arms and stared at him, Devon too, seemed extremely interested.

"Just tell us, bro," Devon chipped in.

Chuck chuckled nervously. "Um..." He cleared his throat, trying to think clearly and quickly for a believable cover story.

"Chuck, just tell me, you're acting like it's a national emergency," Ellie said, after his hesitation to answer, her eyebrows knitting together in an intense, slightly frustrated, expression.

"Y'know..." Chuck stammered. Ellie had still stared at him, just waiting. "You know what, I don't have to tell you." He had raised his hands defensively, giving up on trying to think of something, but keeping his tone light so Ellie wouldn't think he was upset with her. He would rather have her mad at him because of his secrecy than have to tell another lie. He was so sick of lies.

"Chuck," Ellie began, letting out a sigh. "Did it have to do with Sarah, or Morgan, or some random guy on the street?" Ellie went to the freezer and pulled out an ice pack, she had handed it to him and ordered him to put it on his bruise. Chuck had wanted to be honest so he told her it involved Sarah.

"Way to go, Chuckster!" Devon laughed and lifted his hand for Chuck to high five it. Chuck obliged slowly, highly confused.

"Why?" He asked his sister's fiancé.

"Little too much bow in your chica wow wow, Chuckmeister?" Devon laughed and winked at Chuck.

Chuck quickly grew a shade of red when it registered in his brain what Awesome meant. The couple took Chuck's silence as affirmation.

"Wait, are you serious?" Ellie asked. "Man, Chuck...that's crazy." Ellie was blushing now. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting that."

Devon laughed again. "What did you expect? Our Chuck is a busy man!" Devon lightly (well, lightly for Devon) punched Chuck's shoulder.

"Ow," Chuck rubbed his shoulder with a grimace.

Ellie had rolled her eyes and gone to bed, after giving Chuck instructions about the ice pack. Devon soon followed.

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His thoughts were jerked back to the present as his phone began to ring and he looked at it to see Sarah's picture staring back at him. "Hello?" Chuck answered warily.

"Hello, Chuck, I need to see you before you go to the Buy More. Whens your shift start?" He could tell she was only calling him because she had to; she was distant now, especially after what had happened last night. But he wasn't going to even begin thinking about that.

"Um, nine thirty,"

"Good, be here by eight." The phone went dead and Chuck hung up. He thought for the first time about how he hoped Casey didn't watch the surveillance from the Orange Orange last night. He finished dressing and exited to the kitchen, to find Ellie making a quick breakfast. Devon had apparently already left for work.

"Hey, sis." Chuck gave her a little grin. He would have given her his usual "Bartowski special" grin but the bruise still hurt. Ellie smiled back and then grimaced.

"That bruise looks terrible! Did you follow my instructions last night?" she questioned him, looking him in the eye to make sure he didn't lie to her.

"Thanks for sugar coating it," Chuck replied playfully. He straightened his tie. "And yes, I did. I wouldn't dare cross Dr. Bartowski!" He smiled "I'm skipping breakfast today, going over early to see Sarah."

Ellie cleared her throat. "Yeah, about that. Sorry again." Ellie's eyes narrowed slightly, like they always do when she really means what she's saying. "I know how you are very easily embarrassed about that kind of stuff."

"No problem, El. Seriously."

"Great. Love you, Chuck"

"You too." Chuck left the apartment and headed for the Orange Orange. When he got there he slowly exited the Nerd Herder and entered the frozen yogurt store. He was greeted by a stony faced Sarah.

"Hey," he said, hoping to break the ice.

"You're face looks terrible," she stated.

"Man, everyone is killing me with this open honesty thing," Chuck chuckled, but stopped when Sarah didn't join in. Chuck cleared his throat and asked, "So, uh, what the big emergency?"

"You'll see,"

"Ah." Cryptic aren't we? "Where's Casey?" He asked as Sarah started for the freezer.

"Already in Castle, c'mon." They entered Castle together and Chuck groaned inaudibly when he saw the smirk on Casey's face. Sarah shot them a questioning look.

"'Bout time, Bartowski." Casey said. "Did you get overwhelmed by your life threatening injuries? I mean, the way you were complaining last night made me concerned."

"Aw, so sweet, Casey. I always knew you were a softy at heart," Chuck retorted, not well he knew; but he really didn't care. He looked at Sarah. "What's up?"

Casey smirked. "You won't be any time soon," Chuck turned his head to glare at him. So he has seen it. Chuck thought. Sarah still didn't say anything.

They all were startled by Beckman's voice ringing through Castle. Casey and Sarah quickly stepped up into attention.

"Good morning, Team Bartowski." The trio quickly stepped to the TV screen and set their eyes on General Beckman.

"General," Sarah greeted. Casey did the same.

"This briefing has been called due to a private conversation I had with Agent Walker last night." Chuck glanced at Sarah, who looked stony-eyed at Beckman.

Uh-oh, this won't be good. Chuck thought, his lips pursing into a tight line.

"I'm sure Major Casey has assumed correctly the meaning of this briefing." Beckman paused for a moment, then continued. "Due to Agent Walker's request, I am assigning a new handler to the assest. Agent Walker will be reassigned after ensuring the new handler is competent in her duties."

Chuck stared open-mouthed at Sarah before stuttering, "Wait, why did you request a transfer?"

"Mr. Bartowski, during this briefing all questions will be directed toward me," the general answered. "Agent Walker requested transfer due to an event that happened post mission yesterday evening at seventeen hundred hours. Just to clarify for everyone." It was obvious to everyone in the room that she meant Chuck specifically. "I will play the surveillance tape." She tapped a button and a small window appeared in the corner of the screen. It was Chuck inside the Orange Orange with Sarah, who was looking at Chuck's bruises.

"Well, you were quite brave tonight, Chuck," Sarah says smiling. "I'm proud of you." Then she smacks his arm. "That was so stupid! You could have been hurt. How many times do I have to tell you to stay in the car?"

"Wait, you just said you were proud of me!" Chuck replies, whining playfully.

"Sarah's proud of you. Agent Walker wants to kick your ass."

Chuck snorted.

"Ow!" He exclaimed as her hand grazed Chuck's cheek with more force than before and Sarah smirked. "That was on purpose, wasn't it?"

She looked up at him with innocent eyes. "I have no idea what you mean."

"Yeah, sure, I believe that like I believe Casey hates Ronald Reagan." Chuck's hand is on Sarah's arm and neither one seems to notice, but, its obvious to anyone watching this that something is underlying in all their words.

"Hey, you never know, maybe he does and he keeps his picture everywhere as some form of self masochism." Sarah laughs, and barely makes the sound pass her vocal cords. The couple is quiet, but Sarah's hand find its way to Chuck's neck. After a long moment, she speaks. "Well, at least their wasn't any real damage," she says very softly.

"No real damage?" Chuck squeaks. "I'm gonna be sore for days!"

"Then you should stay in the car."

"You should persuade me to," Sarah's face shows surprise, well, barely. The real meaning of Chuck's words are obvious and Sarah simply stares at him, her lips parted slightly. Chuck's hand is visibly stroking her back, and Sarah is pressed against the counter firmly. He begins leaning in, his breath ragged, as if waiting for a rejection. When one doesn't come he quickly presses his lips to Sarah's and she reciprocates the kiss. It starts out soft, with them just showing each other how they feel. Sarah sighs against his lips.

But suddenly, the lip locking becomes frantic, with Chuck holding the back of Sarah's head as if he is scared of her leaving, and their lips part momentarily. Then Sarah appears to be trying to escape, her head is seen pushing against Chuck's hand, but he is not relenting.

Sarah's hand flies to Chuck's chest and pushes him away with enough force to knock him against the yogurt machine and yogurt gets on Chuck's shoulders. "Stop it!" She commands, her voice sounds firm and authoritative. Chuck just stands there, dumbfounded. "Don't you ever do that again. If you do I'll..." Her eyes quickly scan the room, and Chuck gulps audibly. Sarah continues and steps up to the counter to the adjacent her. "I'll do this to your groin." She takes a fork and throws in into the wall, the fork making a loud bang and vibrating. "Got it?" She snaps through her teeth.

Chuck nods, his face showing his utter confusion, and slightly fear.

Sarah exits into the freezer, and the camera picks up on, "Dammit, Chuck," and Chuck stands at the counter, eying the fork for a full ten seconds, his mouth open as if he's trying to decide what he did to make her turn from loving to threatening. He leaves, shoulders slumped. Sarah is seen entering back in, grabbing the fork and washing it vigorously. After completing the task, she starts for the door.

The tape ended as Sarah left. Chuck was certain he saw a glint of something off of Sarah's cheek, but he could only know for sure if he watched the tape again. Which he couldn't, Beckman and Casey wouldn't let him and even if he could, he wouldn't have been able to watch that again! He glanced at Casey, who was surprisingly quiet and had a strange look on his face. Chuck turned to face Sarah, "Wait, you're leaving because of me?" he breaths, the sadness of it dripping of his words.

Sarah Walker...was leaving because of him. Him. How could I be so stupid?! Chuck practically screamed in his head.

"Mr. Bartowski," Beckman began after Sarah refused to look at Chuck. "I hope this shows you how devoted your handlers are to the greater good. How they put their duty before their personal feelings. And," she added with a condescending tone, "I hope this helps you not make the same mistake with your new handler." Chuck just nodded absently. "Any questions?"

"Exactly why did Agent Walker decide to be reassigned? It has to be more than just the fact that they kissed," Casey piped in. Chuck was sure Casey would object, he was positive Casey held some respect for his female partner.

Chuck was reeling, his thoughts coming together slower then normal. Why, Sarah? We've kissed before and we got over it. They kissed? Not just one kissing the other, it had been mutual. 'More than the fact they kissed.' That must be it! Sarah must be ashamed, because it was a mutual thing? Or maybe it was because I hadn't wanted her to pull away yet, and had risked trying to gently hold her there? He was certain whatever happened, had to be his fault. Sarah didn't ever do anything irrational for no reason-there wasn't always a good reason-but there always was a reason. Why had she chosen to depart the team now? Honestly-though Chuck hated to admit it-what was different between them? He'd put his heart on his sleeve, she'd threatened him after rejecting him mercilessly. Nothing new there.

"Agent Walker, if you would clarify for your team." Beckman looked at Sarah, who visibly took a whole breath cycle before answering.

"Due to the assets apparent feelings for me, I thought it would be best for the team if I were gone. He obviously has trouble obeying simple orders and if that has to do with my being there, then I need to ensure his safety and leave." She paused and Beckman looked at her to continue. "And I wasn't able to regain my head until after I'd already been compromised. My feelings for the asset clearly affect my judgment as well." Sarah finished with an even tone, her voice betrayed no emotion.

My feelings for the asset, Chuck thought, still staring at Sarah.

Casey grunted.

"Any other questions?" Beckman prodded, looking directly at Chuck.

"No, ma'am," Casey replied

"Then good day." Beckman's screen went black.

"Sarah," Chuck said, as he turned to face her. His eyes were pooled and he couldn't grasp that she was leaving him. She turned to him, her face in Ice-Queen mode.

"What is it, Chuck?" Sarah replied and Casey graciously left the room.

"Don't leave! I'm sorry, okay? It won't happen again, I swear. It was just the adrenaline and yogurt. You didn't do anything wrong, it was all me and it won't happen again."

"This is my fault and I cannot have you risking your life for me. Ever." She said with finality. Chuck noticed she didn't even mention that fact they had kissed. He was figuring she'd revert to acting like it never happened. "You don't obey me, so I have no control over you. Therefor, you need someone who can control you."

Chuck reached out and puts his hands on her biceps, holding her still, but in a gentle way. "You. Cannot. Leave. I won't cooperate for anyone else. You know me, I need you, Sarah!" Chuck didn't know what to say to get Sarah to understand. Sarah's eyes lit fire.

She pushed his hands away from her. "Just leave me alone, okay? I'm going to have to leave as soon as the new handler is assimilated and we have to end our cover in a believable way. Our cover is now that our relationship is on the rocks and you're beginning to realize we aren't meant for each other. That way, it will be believable when we break up right before I leave."

"But, Sarah," Chuck whispered. His heart was in his throat. Sarah used to mention her being reassigned, but she never mention anything about her reassigning herself.

"Dammit, Chuck! Get it together. Can you act out our cover?" she hissed.

Chuck decided to oblige her and give her the privacy she so desired. He knew she'd retreat to her hotel room, sit on her bed and stare off into space, just hiding inside of her skin. He hated that he wouldn't be able to help her escape that. She had her poker face on and he wouldn't see her drop it at any time they were together. The fact she always sent him mixed signals, built him up and then washed him out, and always pretended like he was just an asset-not her asset-made him more angry than he'd been in awhile.

"Yes," Chuck snapped. "I'm a good actor. Don't worry, I've learned from the best." His voice was laced with hurt and he turned on his heel and exited. Sarah slouched into a chair and put her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry," she said softly and Chuck thought he heard her say it, but he was too angry to inquire. He knew she wouldn't answer him anyway.

Watching that tape had been humiliating. He hated that Casey got to see that private moment, but he could live with that. But Beckman! That was just unbearable. Still, he couldn't keep his thoughts off that kiss, and he knew that in that moment...Sarah Walker had loved him.

Ah, but that kiss! C'mon, Chuck, man. Get a hold of yourself. Under different circumstances, he'd be ecstatic that he'd felt her love in that kiss, but, if that was why she was leaving...he'd rather be miserable and unsure then miserable and knowing. Why did she have to do this? They' were doing fine. And now Sarah Walker was leaving because of the way they felt. Chuck knew now, that that kiss would be embedded in his memory banks forever. He'd never forget her taste, the way she had molded with him, or even her smell.

It was burned into him.