Great what if chapter. I know they very briefly tried to show what it would be like for them as a couple if Chuck was not a spy and Sarah was during the show, but they barely explored it at all. This chapter is a great look into what it might have been like if that had played out a bit more. And I think you nailed the ups and downs of a relationship like this. Even with a child, Sarah can't give up her link to the CIA, and so they have to make it work. This also leaves it up to us to figure out what happens in the long run, since the ending is a bit ambiguous. Loved the whole thing.

Boy...I have a lot of thoughts about this chapter. First of all, I have to admit that I'm not a Mariah Carey. Not even a little bit. And I'm not a fan of her holiday music, so I was a bit cringy about reading this story. However, the lyrics for this song were absolutely perfect for this chapter.

I have to start by saying how refreshing it was to see Sarah in a healthy relationship with a CIA partner. Things with Bryce were so convoluted, and many stories have that same relationship in them, whether it's with Bryce or another agent. So Drew was really a breath of fresh air. Although...I'm not sure that she might have been able to play her part in this healthy relationship if it had not been for her time with Chuck. But, even through the angst of the majority of this chapter, her relationship with Drew, all the way to the end, was a wonderful and unique take on Sarah after she leaves Chuck. She clearly needed someone like him to survive what was clearly an awful two years. Drew as a character and Sarah's relationship with him was such a wonderful part of this story. And Drew ultimately provided that support and encouragement to get Sarah to face her worst fear...facing Chuck again, whom she never stopped loving.

So now as for when Sarah finally goes to see him again. I think you handled the emotions of this whole thing perfectly. Ellie when she opened the door for Sarah was perfect. Immediately protective of Chuck, but yet she could have been much harsher. Reading between the lines, I think a small part of Ellie was glad to see Sarah back, since she knew that Chuck either needed to be with Sarah again or get some closure. And he was going to get it. I'm not surprised that Sarah and Chuck slept together that night. Regardless of what happened in the morning, it was something they both needed. I was seriously wondering what was going to get them to get past their hang ups. Sarah clearly felt that she didn't deserve him and staying would just make things difficult for them. More importantly, Chuck's distrust of Sarah weighed heavily in everything he said and did. So the journals were a perfect vehicle to get them each past their walls and for Chuck to finally understand what Sarah went through. I don't think it excuses everything she did, but it allows Chuck to understand just how scared she was of her feelings for him and the thought of trying to live a normal life.

I have to rank this chapter in my top five of this story. It did make me wonder, and I don't really remember, whether there is a chapter in here among the many permutations, where Sarah leaves and Chuck does, in fact, move on. I know that's not Charah friendly, but it is a permutation that I think could be explored in this format. I guess I'll find out.

Enjoyable story to read. It's a bit funny seeing Morgan be the one to intercede instead of Casey. And it's particularly surprising that it's something he said to Sarah that seems to have gotten things turned around. I'm very curious as to what she might have said to make Sarah decide that she wants to give this a legitimate try. And once she did, all those fears and deflections were gone and she got it done and gave them a way out. I don't have much more to say about this chapter other than that it was fun to read. And not too angsty.

Nothing wrong with a purely fluffy chapter every once in a while. Especially since I think you have some not so fluffy ones coming up here soon. This was just...relaxing to read. I love reading chapters like this when Sarah has admitted to her feelings so quickly. Even though there's some frustration in this chapter, it's fairly innocuous and doesn't really add any real stress. Beautiful moments in this chapter and the marriage proposal was priceless. Good stuff.

'All I know is that I want you.' Well, that got Sarah's attention didn't it. It feels like she was a little taken aback by his directness, something that she's not necessarily used to from Chuck. And, to borrow a line that many people use for her effect on Chuck, I think he broke her. Seeing Chuck clearly claim a stake to what he wants might just have made Sarah turn that corner.

The date was perfect and funny. Tacky the Penguin is perfect. And Chuck's concerns after they made love are perfectly justified given their history. Of course he's concerned that she's going to backtrack, and she even admits that she should. But she's turned a corner also. And we have yet another example of how important Casey is to their development. His approval makes things so much easier.

So this chapter really ran the gamut of emotions didn't it. It also contains one of the best and most memorable lines in any story I've read, especially given Sarah's history. Telling Chuck that he gave her something to live for while she goes away and finishes what she started with the CIA is fantastic. I literally got stuck on that line when I read it. Beautiful right before she gets on a plane and goes away.

I also thought it was refreshing that this wasn't one of those heart-wrenching, soul-crushing 'Sarah leaves Chuck for an indeterminate period of time' moments. Even though her leaving was clearly emotional, Chuck was able to keep going because he trusted in what they have together, and trusted in what she told him, and knew that she would be back. So he kept going. And he kept going with her return in mind, which was wonderful to see and such a great thing for Sarah to realize. Helped her know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was making the right decision, as if she needed more.

Great, and quite long, chapter.

I’d forgotten that this story had a part 2. Once again, a great continuation. Talk about some very raw and deep emotions in this one. Not sure if we’ve ever seen Chuck so angry. Angry enough to be intentionally hurtful, even though that anger stems from hurt itself. Although a bit out of character for Chuck, it’s also quite justified. It actually surprised me that Sarah having sex with Shaw in the show never really produced more hurt feelings. I think it should have, but then they couldn’t have gone on their train trip, so it wouldn’t have fit into their storyline.

However, in true Chuck fashion, he did forgive Sarah and they were them able to create a life together. A beautiful, happy ending to a two chapter story filled with angst and hurt.

I think this is the first chapter that is almost strictly from canon, so that was refreshing. I’m not sure I was ever totally sold on the notion that Sarah fell in love with Chuck right from the beginning, as she claims during the epoxied in season 3, but if she did, then this could easily have been exactly how things went for her during that initial meeting. Chuck’s sincerity and warmth must have been a jolt to her senses, especially coming off what happened with Bryce. This was a wonderful behind the scenes look at what could have gone through Sarah’s mind.

What a wonderful story. Kind of a hybrid between a story in canon and an AU story. When you see this together with chapter 13, you have a wonderful tale of two people going through so much to be together and make it in their crazy mixed world.

I know that most of canon depended on Sarah’s miserable backstory with her dad being a con man and being distant from her mom, so something like this could have never been part of that world, but it’s so much fun to read a version of Sarah that did have a family to return to and a life beyond the CIA. I do wonder, given her background here, what would have driven her to be an agent and to be so closed off early on, but I guess that really up to our imagination.

This was a beautifully written tale and supremely enjoyable. Thanks.

I did remember this chapter from my previous readings, although I didn’t quite remember the ending. No, definitely not Charah friendly, but I think that’s ok. In a 50 chapter collection, not every chapter can be charah friendly. With that said, this is still one of the more memorable chapters in this collection. It really shows Sarah’s humanity, I think more than might be visible at first. One might get angry at her for dealing with her confused feelings for Chuck this way, but she’s not a robot, and humans make poor judgements when faced with alcohol and feelings that hurt. And that’s what happened.

But also, when you think about the story in its entirety, I don’t think Sarah’s relationship with Chuck would be in a good place a year later if it had not been for her evening with Mark. Sure, it’s something she’s going to have to live with for the rest of her life, and if anything ever comes of her relationship with Chuck, she’s going to have to decide if she’s going to come clean, but if it hadent happened, chances are she would not be in chucks life at this point. Dry complex story and a great look at Sarah as an actual person. Great job.

Sigh...that was enjoyable. Set between seasons 1 and 2 right? This was nice though. I like the different backstory from canon, with Sarah remembering advise from her mother when it came to relationships. Fun insight into her character in this chapter. I also can’t really blame Chuck for his reaction either. Being in limbo like that for 10 months and then suddenly the woman of your dreams, the woman you are starting to think is unreachable, turns around and kisses you like that...? Of course he’s going to be confused. I’m just glad that Sarah realized she needed to take the lead afterwards and assure him that she’s ready for something real.

Your last few stories have made me think about what the creators of the show said way back when, that they thought that getting Chuck and Sarah together during season 2 would have made people give up on the show. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the show as it was, but I also think they were wrong. They could have done a whole bunch with chuck and Sarah together. And stories like this show one of the many ways they could have gone with it.

Another great storyline that I would have loved to see play out with Zach and Yvonne playing the parts. I know that they almost did this in the show in one episode in season 2, but it would have been nice to see how it would have played out. At least for an episode or two. All we got was that 9ne night that Sarah slept over and the awkwardness in the morning. I, for one, would have liked to have seen more of that.

The progression in this chapter is fantastic. From the order from Graham to move in together, to how it played out and allowed Sarah to really get comfortable enough with her feelings to allow it to progress. The way this situation was set up, it’s no wonder that Sarah allowed her defenses to slip enough for her to say that she loved Chuck. The funny thing is she didn’t realize it until Chuck said something. Fantastic ending to this chapter. Well done.

This is one of those types of chapters that really makes me wonder what they could have done with the show if they had made the decision that Chuck and Sarah got together earlier than they did and then had to try to hide it from the CIA and NSA. It's particularly poignant for me right now since I'm in the middle of re-watching the show and currently in the heart of the most angsty of episodes in season 3, when they are both just making horrendous decisions and refusing to really talk to each other. Something like this would have been fun to watch.

Those early scenes were fun and I could totally see Chuck doing something like this. His interactions with Scott were priceless. And even thought this chapter keeps a very lighthearted undertone the whole way through, with some very normal, every day goings on, the undertone of the story is quite serious. Sarah and Chuck are getting in deep with each other and they need to figure out a way to handle it. Very enjoyable.

Cute. Not too much angst after the last chapter, thankfully. Nice change of pace. And another great look at what's going on in Sarah's head. Loved the way her thought process and inability to sleep simply lead her to just show up at Chuck's. Through many of these early chapters, there seems to be almost an unspoken understanding between them, especially from Chuck. He might have been surprised to see her there, but his questions weren't pushy and he simply invited her into his bed. We also have Casey, once again, not only really understanding the situation, but showing his support and understanding. Fun little chapter.

Boy, this one was tough to read. I'm not adverse to angst at all. I enjoy it since I feel that we have to experience that range of emotions. But what you managed to really grab a hold of with this story is not just the angst, but also the despair that they both felt throughout the story.

Sarah's despair came from the fact that she was giving Chuck everything she felt she could give him at this point in time, but it just wasn't enough for them to be able to make it work. I think what was particularly difficult is that this took place over many months and it slowly fell apart. For Chuck, the despair came from his belief that they would never be more than this. And his slow realization that Sarah was trying, really trying, but that it wasn't working anyway. His slow realization that their relationship was slowly falling apart, despite the fact that they both clearly love each other, was palpable.

The culmination of the angst in the airport was brilliantly written. If it hadn't been for that final paragraph, giving us the hope that this isn't over, I think I would have given in to the despair. If my memory serves me correctly, this is one of the few chapters you have in Collide that has a follow up chapter. Can't wait to get there.