Hey guys!

So, I first want to start off by saying thank you for all those who read (or is currently reading. You guys are great too). It was super cool to get such nice reviews and sweet compliments. I honestly didn't know what to expect—I'd never shared my stuff before, and it was really nice to get such inspiring feedback. So, again, thank you all.

Anyways, this follows chapter 1, and we're technically still in 'Chuck vs. Phase Three' in the timeline. Hope y'all enjoy!

After debriefing at Castle with General Beckman, Team Bartowski settled back into their normal routines for the day. Sarah and Casey remained in Castle to busy themselves with the mission's paperwork while Chuck and Morgan returned upstairs to the Buy More, working throughout the day as though nothing had seemingly happened overseas.

The day wore on, and the cogs in Chuck's head seemed to sputter and lock together as he fretted over his ruined proposal plan (it didn't help that a haze still lingered his mind, but he felt the effects were already dissipating.) Morgan's assurances of Sarah's unquestionable love for him had only deferred a fraction of his worries, but because of this fact, he now felt as though he needed to up his game and develop the best proposal ever now.

Because my original plan is swimming somewhere in the crapper, thought Chuck bitterly.

"C'mon, man. You can't keep moping over this," Morgan said, hurrying up to meet Chuck's long, determined strides.

They had just left work, and arrived at the quad only moments ago. At the sight of their apartment, Chuck slowed his stride to a halt. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts, he'd barely spoken to Morgan on the car ride home.

"Sorry, buddy." Chuck offered him a half-hearted assurance of a smile. "It's just…I can't think of anything! I have no clue how to even come close to my last proposal plan. And with this spy business, I can't just sit around twiddling my thumbs while we could die on any mission on any given day—"

Morgan cut in. "Dude, don't say that! You, Casey and Sarah are the best in the business—"

Chuck shook his head. "Morgan, I almost lost my mind yesterday. Literally! And I've accepted that this is part of the job, but that doesn't make it so I can take my time on this. I need to take the next step as soon as possible, at the exact, perfect moment."

Chuck looked at his their apartment again, and inwardly cringed. He knew the first thing he'd do once he'd set foot in his home would be to head straight to the drawing board and further obsess in his ventures. And the prospect looked bleak.

With a sigh, he sat down by the fountain and placed his head in his hands.

Sarah. The love of his life. The most beautiful thing that had ever walked into his boring, repetitive, heading nowhere life, just four short years ago. She deserved the best, the greatest from him. He had to give her his all if he wanted to feel even the slightest worthy of marrying her.

What if I'm not? Chuck thought despondently. What if our spy work just keeps getting in the way of us moving forward? I love Sarah, but if I can't do it right….

Morgan sank into the patch of concrete next to him and shook his head, answering both his unspoken qualms and last words. "And you will. You'll come up with the perfect thing for Sarah. I know you will, because you, my friend, are Chuck Bartowski. Greatest asset-turned spy ever and my best friend. If anyone can pull this off, you can." He clapped a hand on his lanky friend's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We'll figure something out, dude."

Chuck's insides warmed to the comfort of Morgan's words, the compliments inciting a smile to his lips.

He looked at his best friend with gratitude, thankful that he had such a loyal, understanding friend. Only Morgan Grimes, who always stuck by him no matter what, knew just what to say to make him feel better, if only for a moment.

The sensation lingered, and Chuck's smile broadened.

"You're right, Morgan." Chuck sat up straighter from his downhearted slump. "I am Chuck Bartowski! If I could survive four years with a supercomputer stuck in my head while narrowly avoiding danger, keeping my friends and family safe, and ridding the world of nasty bad guys, I can surely figure out the perfect proposal plan."

Morgan grinned, and shot up from his seat. "See buddy? You got this!"

Chuck's triumphant smile deflated slightly as he considered his words. "Though... I could have never done all those things on my own. I always had the best team always backing me up." His thoughts moved to Casey and Sarah, his solid footing in his life and ultimate protectors, even now with the upgraded (though M.I.A) Intersect. He would be nothing without them. Team Bartowski would be nothing.

Morgan held up his hands. "Say no more, my friend. I would be HONORED to be a part of Operation Proposal. I got your back, dude."

Chuck shook his head, trying to mask the smile twitching to make an appearance on his lips. Morgan was a part of Team Bartowski too, though, not in the same kickass, gun slinging, ever-intimidating way that his predecessors were on a day-to-day business. However, in Chuck's eyes, Morgan was as integral to the team as Chuck was. And he was happy for the assistance.

"Thanks, Morgan," Chuck said earnestly.

"You got it, dude." Morgan unconsciously wiped some invisible dirt from his pants and adjusted his tie, then waved at Chuck to get up. "C'mon. Let's knock down a couple hours of some well deserved Halo."

Chuck nodded, and he got up his seat by the lapping waters of the fountain and walked alongside his best friend to their apartment.

They were already discussing the strict parameters of their future Firefight Co-Op, when Chuck stuck his key into the lock and pushed the door open. He suddenly froze the moment he set foot through the door and laid eyes on the scene before him.

"Hey-" Morgan cried, running straight into Chuck's back. He peered behind him. "What's going...? Oh."

A slight gape rounded Chuck's lips, and Morgan's did the same.

The apartment was dim except for the dozens of candles littered across the tables and counters, flickering and winking at them as to hint the foreshadowing rendition of the romantic evening to come. The air wafted with the rich scent of slow-roasted chicken, simmered gravy, mashed potatoes, buttered corn, mixed vegetables, and...a hint of apple pie? Chuck's senses went haywire trying to distinguish the aromas, though he wasn't complaining.

Chuck's jaw dropped even further when he was able to discern the soft, husky croon of Elvis Presley drift from the surround sound system by the TV, and currently filling the apartment with his trademark 'Hunka-Hunka Burning Love.'

Sarah must have raided my CDs, thought Chuck distantly. Unless my intruder has a thing for cooking in strangers' homes and rocking out to Elvis.

"What is this?" he whispered, though it seemed obvious, but he still felt it appropriate to voice his thoughts aloud.

Morgan was in the same state of awe, but quickly recovered. "Looks like we won't be playing Halo," he muttered, laying a hand on his well-groomed beard.

"But..." Chuck looked at his watch. He had figured Sarah was still at Castle, but he realized that a few hours was enough for Sarah to whiz through her paperwork and get home to cook dinner.

Morgan began shuffling past Chuck back outside. "Well, I'll go through the Morgan door to my room so I don't disturb you and your...Sarah!"

Sarah came out from the kitchen wearing a yellow laced apron over a silky, white sundress, her hair piled up onto the top of her head in a loose bun. She halted in her tracks at the sight of the men now in her home, and she quickly smiled at her roommates, but it was evident in her eyes that this had been a surprise in the making.

"Oh! You're home early," she said, giving them both a dazzling grin. "I wasn't expecting you two for another half hour."

"Oh, well, I was just leaving," Morgan said, jerking his thumb behind him. "Was gonna grab some stuff, but now I'm feeling like I don't need it. So…."

Sarah's eyes grew wide and apologetic. "Oh, Morgan, I made sure I made enough for leftovers. You can stay if you want."

Like a mosquito heading towards the light, Morgan appeared mesmerized as the overpowering scent of chicken finally broke through his defenses. Chuck snapped his friend out of his reverie when saliva began to seep from the corners of his mouth.

"Uh, really, it's fine," Though it looked like it took all of Morgan's willpower to say so. "I was heading over to Alex's anyway. Uh, date night. Yeah." He paused, his eyes flicked across the apartment in another once-over.

Sarah's expression flickered in amusement, but her lips pressed together and it smoothed over once more with the ease of a master.

But Chuck caught on.

Oh, you sneaky….

He looked at Sarah in awe, waiting for the next card she'd lay down.

"Well, I insist you take some for the road then," she offered, waving to Morgan to follow her.

Morgan shrugged, as if to say, oh, why not, though he held a light of eagerness in his eyes. "Well, if you insist."

Sarah smiled at Chuck as Morgan scurried into the kitchen and began packing up some of the food in tuber ware. Cupboards slammed open and shut, plastic clattered around profusely, and by the sound of it, Morgan was being quite generous in his takings. Sarah left him to it, and she peeled off her cooking apron and pulled the hair tie confining her golden locks, so to tumble down her shoulders in their natural waves. Running her fingers through her hair and shaking her head, she sauntered over to her captivated Chuck.

He took her in his arms and met her gleaming, blue eyes with amusement. He brushed his lips with hers, a soft moan escaping from her when they broke away. "That was a very sneaky thing you did there, Miss Walker," he whispered into her ear.

She raised a brow at him and grinned. "Well, as you know, I am a spy, Mr. Bartowski. I'm in the business of being sneaky."

There was a clash in the kitchen. "Sorry," came a reply, and the scuttling ensued once more.

He chuckled. "I have to say, I give you style points for devising a plan to get rid of Morgan. And the apartment looks amazing." He swiveled his head to admire it again. One of Elvis's hits, 'Hound Dog' blared through the speakers. "Oh, and my Elvis collection?"

Sarah shrugged impishly. "He was the only one I'd really recognized when I was looking through your collection. And besides, I kinda like him."

The intro drum roll ended, and Elvis cried out,

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog, Cryin' all the time….

Chuck grinned, glad that Sarah's lack of proficiency in music was finally coming to an end. "You know, there's a reason why he's considered the King of Rock n' Roll. Nice pick."

Sarah's gaze turned sensuous as she trailed a finger down Chuck's chest. "Oh? I figured he was known more for his…romantic tendencies."

Chuck gulped, as her finger trailed lower and lower down his torso. "Gah! Well, he did—uh, you know have some— nuh—"

Her hands slipped away as Morgan appear once more, precariously carrying various bulky tubs of miscellaneous foods impressively in one hand. In the midst of he and Sarah's banter, Chuck had failed to notice that Morgan left the kitchen and had ventured to his room as well, because he lugged a backpack on his shoulders, their 2nd XBOX 360 console portable bag gripped with his fingers and his Original Trilogy Star Wars pillow tucked under the same arm.

They peered at the pillow quizzically. "Date nights sometimes end in sleepovers," Morgan explained, noting their blatant confusion. "So… I'm just gonna hit the road now. Borrowing the Herder, bro." With a smile, Morgan shuffled forth to the door, treading gingerly as Sarah opened the door for him.

"Bye, Morgan," they said in unison, and Sarah shut the door behind him once he was out of sight.

She sighed a breath of relief as she laid her back against the door. "Elvis has finally left the building."

Chuck laughed. "No kidding. Do you think there's any food left?"

"I'm afraid to find out," she said.

The music ended, and a new song began. Recognizing the song, Chuck titled his head to the side, letting the music envelop him. "We don't have to," he whispered.

Elvis sang softly the words that seemed to course through Chuck's veins everyday and in every moment.

Wise men say, only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you

The words caused a lurch in Chuck's throat. How long had it been since he'd first laid eyes on Sarah? Despite the long and bumpy road it had been for them, Chuck's love for her had always been unwavering. He'd fallen for her the moment he'd laid eyes on her, and with all the relationships he'd had between then and now, deep down, he'd always loved her since that first day at the Buy More.

"We could stay right here," he murmured, moving up against her and pulling her into his arms once more, and gazed into her luminous eyes. The next verse was upon Chuck's tongue, and he sang along with the King softly into Sarah's ear.

Shall I stay
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Sarah's eyes lit up at the heart-warming words. She closed her eyes and let the music seep down into her, chills running down her arms and legs.

"Oh, Chuck," she whimpered, holding him tighter.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

He took her hand in his, and pressed his lips against it softly, her scent sending electrified shivers down his spine. He uttered the next verses with undying sincerity.

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you

As the words left his lips, Chuck shuddered at the wave of realization that overtook him. His life would mean nothing without Sarah. She had walked into his life, turned it upside down and shot it up with a crapload of bullets, but in the end, she'd given him meaning to his boring life. A purpose. It had been meant to be. If loving Sarah Walker meant giving up his life, he'd do it in a heartbeat (despite his extremely low tolerance for pain.) There was no doubt in his mind that he was forever hers.

He grinned as he continued to sing along to the song, and vocally mimicked the guitar's twang with the efficiency of an expert nerd. Sarah laughed, her smile reaching up to her eyes.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

He sang the last words with complete genuineness, staring at Sarah with unblinking eyes. Comprehension flashed across her face. She understood. She understood all that she meant to him.

He pulled her away from the door, taking her hands in his and led her into a dance.

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you

As the last note was uttered, Chuck pulled Sarah into a low dip, her hair falling past her shoulders and cascading to the floor. She smiled and laid a hand against Chuck's cheek. She drew him forward and kissed him. As their lips danced, he pulled her back up to a standing position and whisked her into his arms.

Love Me Tender followed its predecessor, and Sarah moaned as Chuck brushed his lips against her neck. They fell onto the couch, his body over hers as the music seemed to get louder. Something hard pressed against his side, and Chuck fumbled a moment at the foreign object jabbing his hip bone before pulling out the stereo's control. He threw it over his shoulder, and it thumped to the floor.

Sarah's fingers ran through Chuck's hair, tugging him closer as his hands cradled her head. The music reverberated across the house, the words sinking into each brush of their lips.

Love me tender,
Love me sweet,
Never let me go.
You have made my life complete,
And I love you so.

In the moment, Chuck forgot all about his worries about the perfect proposal. He was with her, and that's all that mattered now. They were together again. They were complete.

Elvis's words soon faded into the background, and they were simply just Chuck and Sarah. Their breathing grew ragged and Sarah was the first to break away. Chuck pressed his lips to her jaw, her scent overwhelming his senses once more. He felt her heart pounding against his, a thundering drum that matched the beat of his passion for her.

"God, Chuck," she whispered, her breathing still hard. "I…missed you. I'm so glad I'm with you again."

"Do you still think you're in a dream?" he murmured, pulling back and looking into her eyes.

Love me tender
Love me long,
Take me to your heart.
For it's there that I belong,
And we'll never part.

"Yes," she whispered, the candlelight around them causing her eyes to glisten. "I'm always in a dream when I'm with you…." She smiled. "However, to properly answer your question: no, not anymore. Reality has finally set in. You're back with me." Her smile faded, and seriousness etched her flawless face. "I came to realize that when you were gone, that despite the despair I felt, I knew that no matter where you were, I'd find you. And I'll always find you. Because when we're apart, you're never really gone." She took his hand and placed it upon her racing heart. "You're always with me, Chuck."

His throat clenched at the sincerity of her words. "I love you, Sarah," he murmured, feeling that that was all he could say to convey every bit of emotion coursing through him. He slowly dipped his head to meet her lips once more.

They kissed, their bodies melding into each other like two perfect puzzles pieces. Sarah was the first to pull away. "I love you, Chuck," she murmured, her eyes fluttering in ecstasy.

"I'll love you for forever, Sarah," he stated, letting the building emotion coat his words. "That's something I can definitely guarantee you, no matter what happens to us."

Sarah stared at him. "Chuck—"

Chuck stopped her by singing again.

Love me tender,
Love me dear,
Tell me you are mine.
I'll be yours through all the years,
Till the end of time.

She smiled, all worry from her gaze gone.

"I'm yours," she breathed. "Always."

Chuck couldn't take it anymore. He scooped Sarah into his arms again and carried her across the apartment until they reached their room. Sarah giggled when Chuck kicked their door open with an awkward jab of his foot, and laid her down on their bed. He showered her with kisses, brushing her down from the curve of her neck to her collar bone and up again. However, she soon took the initiative by wrapping her legs around his waist and sending trailing of fire down his skin with her fingertips.

Chuck halted his progress of unbuttoning his Nerd Herd attire when he saw Sarah smiling. He arched a brow at her questioningly.

"What about dinner?" she asked. "I slaved over the stove for almost an hour."

"Oh you poor thing," he growled in her ear, his hands sliding down her sides, inciting a pleasurable moan from her. A growing smile threatened to splay across his lips. "I'm sure we'll be plenty hungry later."

Sarah grinned, and pulled him forward, their lips meeting once more. Faintly, they were conscious of Elvis's final bid to their love, his words echoing down the hall and throughout the entire house as they proceeded to make up for their time apart.

When at last my dreams come true
Darling this I know
Happiness will follow you
Everywhere you go….

Thanks for reading! Already started our heroes' next adventure (I'm so stoked for this next one.) Please review!