A/N I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 13

Sarah closed her eyes and bit back a sob. How did he stand it? I fed him that lie for three years. All the slip ups didn't help either. Neither did my reaction afterwards. Kissing him in front of the faux bomb and then telling him it was a mistake I'll never make again. Nearly devouring him in front of Rowan Montgomery only to have him overhear that he's just an asset. Telling him I'm leaving with Bryce two days after that morning in Barstow. But the worst was asking for a reassignment barely an hour after he told me that he loved me. Chuck endured all of this and came back, every time. He never gave up on us. Until now. I fucked up.

"I fucked up." Did I say that out loud? No, it was Chuck, but he never used profanities...much.

"What?" Sarah asked confused.

"It was my job to protect you and I screwed up." His eyes were still closed. What was going on in his head?

"Chuck, you saved my life. You did protect me." She gripped his hand tightly to make sure he was hearing her. "You. Saved. Me." In more ways than you'll ever know.

Chuck sighed before opening his eyes. They were fixed on the ceiling again. "I put you in danger. I lost focus. I nearly got you killed, Sarah." His eyes seeked out hers. "You almost died and it was all my fault."

"Don't say that, Chuck. You saved me. That's all that matters. You put yourself in danger and I know how hard it was for you to shoot Shaw, but you did it anyway. So don't ever think that any of this was your fault." Her tears were flowing freely now. "You've always had my back, even when it was not your job. When I was supposed to be the one protecting you. I trust you with my life, Chuck. Don't ever doubt that." Chuck cupped her face with his free hand, wiping the tears away with his thumb. "And I'm sorry I didn't trust you about your Red Test. Casey told me what happened. I never should have handed you that gun. I didn't want to. But it was your decision and I thought you made the wrong choice...I handled it badly, to say the least. I just couldn't stand it, watching you change. Knowing I caused you to change. All I wanted was to remember who I was before all this. Before the CIA. I wanted to be a normal person again. Because of you. For you. I wanted so desperately to be someone you could love. I still want that."

Chuck looked at her for a moment. Then he smiled. "Wow, Sarah Walker, that's the most I've heard you talk in like...forever." Sarah smiled through her tears.

"Yeah, well...I tried to tell you that in like forever."

Chuck pulled her head down towards him. "It's about damn time," he whispered before closing his mouth over hers. Sarah's breath hitched when angled his head to deepen the kiss. She kissed him back almost desperately. How did I go so long without this? But something kept nagging at the back of her mind. I told him twice that I love him and I asked him right out, but he hasn't said it.

Chuck pulled away from her slightly. "What's wrong?" He traced the outline of her jaw with his finger. The contact made Sarah shiver.

"Nothing," she lies and captures his mouth again. I'll get better at this talking thing, Chuck, I promise. Just give me some time. But for now, I'm not going to ruin this.

Chuck pulled away again. "I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you suck at lying. Your eyes give you away everytime." He leaned in for another quick kiss. "But have I ever told you how much I love your eyes?" Okay, now he's just teasing me. Chuck turned serious for a moment. "I love you, Sarah Walker, always have."

Sarah gave him the biggest smile she was capable of. "I love you, Chuck Bartowski."

"So I've been told." Sarah punched him lightly in the shoulder. Sometimes he was just so...Chuck.

[A/N This is where the section break goes.]

"I'm pleased to report that we have captured the ring director. And with Agent Shaw out of the picture, you can resume your normal duties Agent Walker. Good job, team."

"Thank you, ma'am," Casey answered on behalf of Team Bartowski.

"Now we can get back to the business at hand. Agent Bartowski, you and your team will leave for Rome in the morning. Agent Walker, I'll see you back at Langley to brief you on your new assignment."

"General..." Chuck and Sarah spoke at the same time before General Beckman could terminate the connection.

"Yes Agents?" Chuck stole a quick glance at Sarah, prompting her to go ahead. He normally babbled in these kind of situations and this was too important to screw up.

"General, I'm going to Rome."

"Excuse me, Agent Walker?" General Beckman was not amused. Agents followed orders, they didn't get to choose.

"I would like to join Chuck's team."

The general took a deep breath to calm herself. "We've been over this, Sarah. Chuck chose his team and he didn't choose you. This is a four man operation and the team has been essembled. An additional agent would be a waste of resources."

"Agent Miller is willing to give me her spot."

"This is the CIA, Agent Walker, not some playground softball team. You can't just swop members out as you see fit."

"With all due respect, ma'am, I am going to Rome. If not as a member of this team, then as a civilian." Sarah could feel Chuck's eyes on her, but she kept her focus on the monitor. She didn't miss Casey's 'way to piss off the general' grunt.

"Are you threatening me, Agent Walker?" General Beckman asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No ma'am, I'm just stating the facts." Sarah was not going to back down on this.

The general contemplated her options for a moment. "Agent Bartowski, do you want Agent Walker as part of your team?"

"Yes, ma'am," Chuck answered without hesitating.

"Very well. I'll inform the DEA that Agent Miller has been released from this assignment. But Agent Walker, in future, I give the orders. Is that clear?"

"Yes General."

"And Agents," General Beckman looked from Sarah to Chuck, "it is not protocol to hold hands during a debriefing." With that the screen went blank.

[A/N Section break alert.]

Chuck sat down on the edge of the fountain, pulling Sarah down on his lap. This is definitely more comfortable than the cold concrete. He pulls her close for another earth shattering kiss. When they come up for air, Sarah is feeling a little dizzy. She tightens her grip around his neck to steady herself.

"Chuck, Casey could be watching." Not that I care. I want the world to know. Especially every female brunette on the planet.

"I'm kinda hoping he is. It would annoy him."

"You're kissing me to annoy another man? I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted."

"No, I'm kissing you because you're my girlfriend. My real girlfriend. Anything else is just a bonus."

"Oh, really? Funny, I don't recall you asking me out on a date," Sarah replied coyly.

Chuck grinned. "Sarah, would you like to go on a date sometime?"

Sarah thought for a moment. "Okay," she nodded, giving him a quick kiss before he could respond.

"So what do you think the odds are of our third first date ending in a gun fight?"

"Third first date? What's wrong with a third date?" Sarah asked, tangling her fingers in his curls.

"What's the difference?" Chuck frowned.

"The difference, Mr Bartowski," Sarah answered innocently, "is what happens after the third date."

God, how I love that smile.

A/N Okay, so maybe this was a little sappy, but it's Chuck and Sarah – how could it not be? This is all for now folks. Thank you for reading. And once again, thank you for all your reviews. And who knows, my trip to Italy in March 2011 might just inspire me to write a follow-up adventure about the missions in Rome. Take care. Kate.