1,042A/N: Chuck and Sarah's date concluded, the show's finale looms. I think I know what's gonna happen, but I don't want to jinx it. Fingers crossed. Blah, blah,blah. TLDR. Get on with it Joe!
I present, the finale...
(of the show. Not the story. Don't panic)
Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck
Chapter 23
Chuck stood in the dining room, just as he had nearly every day since this adventure began. And much like all those other days, he was a bundle of nerves. The difference today was that those nerves weren't related to thoughts regarding being eliminated, but rather they were about the excitement that this finale would signify the real beginning of their relationship. True, he didn't know for certain how today's finale would end. He and Sarah hadn't talked about it, formed any kind of plan as to how to answer questions about the date or anything. He just had to trust Sarah and believe that when she said she loved him, that it was the truth. Yesterday, after they professed their love for one another, she'd given him no reason to doubt that she was sincere. Sarah's unexpected visit to his balcony, just to give him a kiss, although it could have easily been so much more if he hadn't had his senses about him, was proof positive that she really did care for him.
His body was still humming from the energy and excitement that coursed through him. Chuck had only engaged in short conversations with Will and the crew that morning. He tried to remain quiet when possible for fear that he'd start rambling and wouldn't be able to stop himself. Thankfully, nobody pushed him about the date or his thoughts on the show. Unfortunately, when the cameras started rolling, he wouldn't be able to avoid it. He wished he was a good actor, like Sarah, so that he could pretend to have a cool head instead of being the complete basket he was now.
"Hey. Good luck, man," Will offered, breaking Chuck from his thoughts. It took Chuck a moment to process what Will had said, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Oh! Right. Yeah. Good… good luck to you too," Chuck replied with a tentative smile.
Chuck was so stressed that he'd say the wrong thing, give away too much before Sarah gave her final verdict, that he knew was coming off as sounding short with people. Before he could spiral any further, the staff started getting into place so that filming could begin. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, hoping to not make a mess of things.
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"Is everything set?" Sarah asked, shaking her hands out, looking incredibly nervous.
"Yep," Zondra replied, looking over a tablet in her hand. "All the videos are cued up. I talked to Megan and she doesn't suspect a thing. She's still a little pissed that I wouldn't let her look over the footage of the final dates. I just told her that it was beyond top secret and it gave her plausible deniability if people asked her about it." Zondra snickered at herself, feeling quite proud.
"Well, I think she'll get over it," Sarah mused, cracking a small smile.
"What's with you? You're bouncing around like you're on fire. What do you have to be nervous about? I thought the hard part was over?" Zondra asked, putting the tablet against her chest as she crossed her arms.
"I dunno. I guess I'm kinda nervous because I want this finale to go well; for you and for me. But mostly I think I'm just excited. After today, we don't have to pretend anymore. I'm ready for a real relationship and I can hardly stand the waiting," she confessed, chuckling at herself.
"You're gonna be insufferable, aren't you?" Zondra questioned, with mock disdain.
"More than likely. Yeah." After a brief pause, both women chuckled, bumping shoulders.
"Alright, Blondie. It's showtime. Put your game face on. No more googly eyes at the nerd until the end," Zondra teased with a smirk, giving her friend a playful shove. Sarah swatted at her, giving Zondra a faux evil glare. Shaking her head, she moved to her mark, where she was to stand before being called onto the "stage". Taking a cleansing breath, she listened as Alex began.
"Gentleman, welcome. It's been a tough road, but we're finally here. Today, one of you will return your backstage pass, leaving only one contestant, and perhaps Sarah's choice as her Off-Screen Romance. But before we get to that, I'd like to bring Sarah out to talk about your dates. Sarah, could you come out?" Alex turned, gesturing for Sarah. Stepping into the room, Sarah donned her brightest smile, which was made easier with a quick glance at Chuck, and joined Alex.
"Sarah, it's great to see you. So, you've had a chance to go on a date with both Will and Chuck. The audience has had an opportunity to see both of those dates, and now we get to hear your reactions. But before we go into the specifics, can you tell us, did the dates make your decision that much harder?"
"Wow. Well... I'll just say the dates definitely made me more comfortable with my decision. I don't want to jump ahead, so that's all I'll say for now." Both women chuckled, Alex placing a hand on Sarah's shoulder.
"Fair enough. With that, let's talk about your first date; your date with Will," Alex began, gesturing toward Will. "Now, the contestants haven't had a chance to see this footage, but I'd like to start off with this shot," she added, motioning toward the large TV in the room. It came to life, displaying an image of Sarah and Will on their date, standing in front of Tiffany's. The look on Sarah's face was priceless, as she stared at the sign on the building. Likewise, Will's eyes were wide in panic. Sarah couldn't do anything but laugh.
"Oh my. What a shot. Yeah, this was when we got out of the limo in front of Tiffany's. Needless to say, I was a little taken aback.," Sarah admitted, which warranted chuckles from everyone, given the look on her face.
"Will," Alex interjected, "what's going through your mind at that point?"
"Panic. Sheer panic," he confessed, causing the laughter to continue. "When I realized how it looked, I couldn't backpedal fast enough. It was just dumb luck that we were parked there. The restaurant was located behind that building, so it was just a big misunderstanding."
"It was a little startling at first, but we laughed about it later," Sarah added, blowing out a breath as she tried to curb her laughter.
"Speaking of the restaurant, our cameras weren't allowed inside, but Urasawa is renowned for its exclusivity and innovative dishes. So, can you tell us, was it all you'd imagined?" Alex asked, looking between Sarah and Will. The two shared a look,, and after a moment's silence, both burst into laughter. Alex and Chuck both watched in curiosity as the two seemed to share some sort of inside joke.
"Sorry. Sorry," Sarah apologized, trying to catch her breath, "It uh… how can I put this?" she pondered, searching for the right words.
"Interesting?" Will offered, trying to help her out.
"Yes! Interesting. Very… interesting," Sarah agreed.
"So, did you enjoy yourselves?" Alex inquired, looking between Sarah and Will again.
"No," they answered simultaneously, chuckling at their own responses.
"I don't think it was really either of our preferred tastes," Sarah explained. "Don't get me wrong, the preparation was beautifully executed. It was quite impressive, the artistry of it. I just couldn't get over some of the flavors and textures. It just wasn't my thing."
"Well, at least you two seemed to agree on that. How about your next stop? The Getty Center. The Michelangelo exhibit, and after hours no less. Quite the feat, Will. So were you impressed, Sarah?"
"Well, sure. I mean, Michelangelo's work is pretty impressive. It was surprising that Will was able to get us in. It was nice to be able to see the exhibit in that peaceful atmosphere. As I told Will, I'd seen the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in person, so it was nice to be able to see some of his other works up close." Sarah gave Will a kind smile before returning her gaze to Alex.
"Aside from a little hiccup with dinner, your evening seemed to do quite well, would you agree Will?" Alex questioned, turning to face him.
"Yeah. Yeah, the evening … it turned out better than I'd hoped, to be honest," he confessed, his cheeks taking on a hint of a blush. Sarah gave him a knowing smile but immediately thought of Chuck. He was watching all of this unfold in front of the cameras, their laughing and smiles. She'd explained to him what had happened, but given Chuck's self-confidence issues, she didn't want to give him any wrong ideas. Turning her attention to him, she was surprised to see him smiling back at her. He didn't seem upset. A little nervous perhaps, but his smile reassured her that he wasn't spiraling over nothing.
Catching herself, she shifted her focus to Alex, who thankfully was moving on with the show, "That's wonderful to hear. Thank you Will. Now, on to your date with Chuck." Sarah could swear the way Alex said his name, she was struggling to remain unbiased. It was like she couldn't help but smile when she said his name. Sarah could relate.
"As with your first date, I'd like to begin with a photo," Alex continued. Gesturing toward the television, it once again came to life, showing the two of them arm in arm, outside of Emma's diner, the row of motorcycles behind them. "This is in sharp contrast to your date with Will, wouldn't you say?"
Sarah's smile broadened, nodding in affirmation, "It most definitely was." Sarah shared a look with Chuck before turning back to look at the picture.
"You go from the most exclusive, high-end restaurant in all of LA to a small diner full of bikers. Tell us about that." Sarah nodded.
"It was very different. I'm ashamed to admit that, when that picture was taken, I was a little apprehensive about the place. But, I trusted Chuck and followed his lead. Boy am I glad I did. The people there were amazing; so friendly and inviting. And the food? Oh my gosh. The absolute best burger I've ever had." Sarah turned to the camera, which was generally frowned upon, but she didn't really care. "I highly recommend you visit Emma's Diner. Tell Lou that I sent you," she added, pointing at the camera. "And those bikers, they're members of the LA chapter of B.A.C.A., offering amazing support to kids in need. They're people after my own heart." Sarah placed a hand on her chest and waved at the camera.
"Wow. A very passionate endorsement," Alex beamed. "Chuck, you seemed to have made quite the impression. It was a bold choice, taking our celebrity out for a burger on your date. Were you worried that it wouldn't meet her standards?"
"Worried? No," he admitted with a smile. "I like to think that I've gotten to know Sarah pretty well. I saw her as the type of person who liked to let her hair down. Enjoy the simpler things in life. Plus, the whole purpose of the date was to show off who I am. That place is a part of my past, present and my future. If she couldn't accept that, then it would be best to know that upfront."
"Well said. And I think we've seen how well that went, given Sarah's glowing review," Alex chided playfully. "Now, on to the rest of the date. I'm going to show another picture. Tell me what's going on here." The image on the television changed to an image of the two of them walking arm in arm, a stuffed bear in Sarah's arm and a stuffed unicorn in Chuck's. Sarah stared at the picture, soaking it all in. There was so much that this picture illustrated. The fact that she was holding his arm in both pictures was not lost on her. Nor was the fact that she didn't really do that with Will. The story behind the stuffed animals made her smile as she reminisced. All of those things were wonderful, but the most important thing she saw was the glowing smile on their faces. In that picture, they hadn't said it yet, not to each other, but the look on their faces said it all. She felt so silly that she was walking around with that look on her face while she believed she was hiding her feelings. Unable to help herself, she let out a short chuckle.
"Ah, yes," Chuck began, taking Sarah by surprise. "The Santa Monica Pier. Sarah won both of those stuffed animals. I mean, obviously. She is a kickass ninja warrior," he chuckled, with a twinkle in his eye. "She won the unicorn for me."
"Well, the bear was only partly me. If Chuck hadn't given me all of his saved up tickets, I'd never have been able to get Chuck Beartowski." Alex, and even Will, turned to look at Sarah, surprise and amusement on their faces.
"I'm sorry. Chuck Beartowski?" Alex asked, giving her a knowing smile. Sarah blushed a bit, not realizing she'd let that slip.
"The name seemed fitting," she confessed, shrugging with a self-deprecating smile.
"Indeed. Well, we have one more picture. Tell us about this," Alex requested, motioning again at the screen. Sarah's heart stopped for a moment. She was so certain that the next picture would be a rather candid shot of them on the beach. Not that she was ashamed, but it would make for a difficult time explaining it without revealing everything too soon.
"It seems we had an encore of the dancing we saw at the Wish Gala just a few days ago." Sarah nearly sighed in relief but caught herself in time. Looking at the picture, her eyes widened slightly. It was during a slow dance, and from the looks of it, it was when she was whispering in his ear. At the time, she hadn't really noticed, or cared, about how close they were dancing. While it wasn't the makeout session on the beach, they were dancing very, very close. Alex turned to her with amusement on her face.
"You two seem to be very … comfortable. Is there something you'd like to tell us?" It was almost like she could hear Zondra in Alex's voice. In fact, the wry smile on Alex's face was a dead ringer for her meddling friend. Certainly Zondra had put her up to this, just to make Sarah sweat.
"What can I say? It was a good song," Sarah replied, shrugging nonchalantly. Alex's grin turned mischievous as she twisted to face Chuck.
"Is that right, Chuck? Just a good song? Nothing else going on here?" Sarah watched Chuck's Adam's apple bob as he swallowed thickly. She was a little worried that he'd crack under pressure, but if she made any move to interrupt him, it would be a sure sign that there was something else afoot.
"Well, Alex. The truth of the matter is… I was a little worn out from the day. A lot of walking and dancing, you know? I was probably leaning on her a little more than I normally would, but, it was a really …. really good song." Alex just smiled and nodded, seeming to appreciate that he wasn't going to cave in under pressure.
"It must have been one hell of a song," she mused. Shifting to face both Will and Chuck, she took on a more serious expression. "Alright gentlemen. The time has come for Sarah to make her decision. One of you will be asked to return your backstage pass and one will have an opportunity to become Sarah's off-screen romance. I say "opportunity" because Sarah isn't obligated to choose either of you. While it's our hope that she'll find one of you to be worthy, she reserves the right to refuse the final contestant if she doesn't feel that there's a connection. So, at this time, I'll relinquish the floor to Sarah so she can give you her final decisions. Sarah?" Alex gestured for Sarah to step forward as she herself exited the room.
Sarah stood facing her two final contestants, Will, whom she had developed a friendship with, and Chuck, the man she'd already confessed her love for. The choice was easy, but she didn't want to send Will home empty handed. Now it was time to set her plan in motion. Glancing at Chuck, she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. He just had that effect on her. She had to avert her gaze from Chuck or she wouldn't be able to do this and look serious.
"I have gotten to know both of you quite well and I can say that I am very fond of both of you. Will… I think that we became rather close on our date. We laughed and had a great time until the wee hours of the morning. During this competition, I've felt like there might be a connection between us, hence the reason you're standing here now." Sobering even more, her gaze became cold and her brow furrowed. She turned to look at the entryway to the room. On cue, Megan appeared, looking a bit sheepish, carrying a television remote control. Handing it to Sarah, she gave Megan a nod and then turned back to address Will.
"Will, we both know I can't choose you. I know that you have a secret. A secret that has recently come to light that I can't, in good conscience, let go unspoken." Will's eyes grew as big as saucers, a sheen of sweat forming on his brow. Megan, too, turned to look at Sarah with wide-eyed astonishment.
"A secret that would ruin any future we could possibly have together. Will, it's time for your secret to be exposed." With that, she aimed the remote at the television and pressed "Play". It was largely symbolic because the remote didn't actually control anything, unbeknownst to anyone currently on camera. As the screen came to life, it was a collage of video clips, showing snippets of Will and Megan at the Gala, talking and laughing. Beside Sarah, Megan's mouth hung open, her cheeks and ears turning red. When the video transitioned to Sarah and Will's date, it was Will's turn for his mouth to fall agape.
Clips of conversations about Megan's love of Renaissance art, and finally Sarah and Will taking a walk in the Getty Center garden.
"Look, at all of this. The dinner, the museum, the company, it's all been wonderful. But I can tell, it's not me that you wish were on this date with you. Is it?"
"I…"
Will began, but he didn't look certain on how to proceed.
"I can tell that you didn't plan this. Neither of you did. Sometimes it just happens. As they say, the heart wants what the heart wants. You don't always get a choice in the matter. You're a good man, Will. And Megan is a great woman. I've seen the two of you together, and while I know it was innocent, I could clearly see something between you two. Can you stand here and tell me I'm wrong?"
Will looked like he might protest but gave up the fight and shook his head in resignation.
"Will, I'm not angry. I know you tried to honor your obligation to the show and take me on this wonderful date. I commend you for it, but your heart isn't in it. This show is about finding romance, isn't it? Sure, the focus is mostly on me, but the way I see it, you've found your someone in the process."
Thankfully, the clip ended there, before the conversation shifted to talk about Chuck. Sarah stole a glance at Chuck and saw that he had his signature toothy grin. This time, it wasn't at her, but directed at the two people he'd developed friendships with. He was just as happy to see them together, as if that should be a surprise.
Sarah approached Will, who was still frozen in shock. She lifted the backstage pass over his head, turned and walked away. Instead of taking the pass to the nearby table, as had been customary, she instead stepped up to Megan, placing the backstage pass around her neck. Megan lifted it, staring in bewilderment, her eyes turning glassy.
"Megan, this show is about finding romance. That doesn't mean it has to be just for me. I present to you, your Off-Screen Romance." Sarah gestured toward Will with a flourish, placing a hand on Megan's back, giving her a little shove.
Stumbling slightly, Megan regained her footing and began walking toward Will, who in turn began to close the distance. When they were just barely a foot apart, she looked down at the backstage pass that she was still holding in her hands, before turning her gaze to meet Will's. They hesitated for a moment, both seeming unsure about how to proceed. But like a switch was flipped, the two dove into one another, kissing each other while in a tight embrace.
It was Chuck that started the applause, followed by Sarah and then the rest of the crew members from around the set. Some "awwws" and whistles rounded out the celebration as the two enjoyed their first kiss. When they pulled away, they both chuckled nervously, Megan wiping her tears away. She turned to find Sarah and rushed to her. Wrapping her friend in a crushing hug, Sarah returned the gesture, laughing at Megan's excitement.
"Thank you. Thank you, Sarah. I don't know what to say," she sobbed, still hugging her friend.
"Hey, shhhh. You don't need to say anything. I just want you two to be happy. OK?" Sarah pulled away, holding on to Megan's shoulder as she peered into her eyes for confirmation. Megan gave her a broad, teary smile and nodded her head. "Great. Now, you two crazy kids get outta here." Giving Megan a playful shove, the two laughed. Before departing the stage, Sarah shared a hug with Will, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Wrapping her arm around Will's waist, Megan led them out of the room, leaving just Sarah and Chuck.
"Wow. What an exciting turn of events. That has to be a first for Off-Screen Romance. Sarah, you're a true friend. How amazing," Alex praised as she stepped back on camera. "Alright Sarah, you're down to one final contestant. There is one remaining question that I, and the whole world," she joked, gesturing toward the camera, "have for you… Sarah. Is Chuck your Off-Screen Romance?" Alex looked expectantly at Sarah, then glanced between her and Chuck. Sarah looked at Alex and then back at Chuck, taking a deep breath before stepping forward to address Chuck.
"Chuck, from day one, you've set yourself apart from the rest. You've shown me, and the rest of the world, what a truly amazing man you are. You've selflessly given aid to those in need, even at your own expense. Providing hope and inspiration to sick children, when they needed it the most. Everywhere you go, you affect the people around you. They feel better for having met you, even if it's just a smile or a kind word. People see the goodness in you, but more importantly, you teach them to see the goodness in themselves." Throughout her monologue, Sarah had slowly been making her way to Chuck, pausing when she was close enough to look up into his eyes.
"Knowing you has made my life so much better. You've shown me what it feels like to truly love and be loved. Yes, I love you Chuck Bartowski, and I want the world to know it. Will you…. be my Off-Screen Romance?" Looking up at him through her lashes, tears in her eyes, she pleaded to the man that she'd shared her heart with, to take that step with her. To share with the world the love that they had for each other. Without a word, only a loving smile, Chuck gently cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss that curled her toes. It was not the first kiss they'd shared, but for some reason it felt so new. Perhaps it was the moment, or the realization, that they were no longer hiding it from anyone. They were finally free to love one another in the light of day and relish in it.
The applause and whistles were but a faint echo, drowned out by the sound of her beating heart, the blood rushing in her ears. Instead of pulling away to hear his response, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him. He responded in kind, wrapping her up even tighter and lifting her off the ground. She couldn't help but giggle against his lips, trying desperately to hold on to their kiss. Eventually it became too much and the two separated, Chuck lowering her back to her feet.
Clearing her throat, she looked up at him shyly and asked, "Was that a yes?" Chuck breathed out a single note chuckle, nodding his head emphatically.
"Sarah, I love you and I'll be your romance, off-screen or anywhere else for that matter. Just as long as I'm with you." Sarah gave him a brilliant smile, causing her already glassy eyes to sparkle.
"Good answer," she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to give him another kiss. Hearing the clearing of a throat, she lowered herself and turned to stand beside Chuck.
"I think I speak for everyone on the show, and most of you at home, when I say, it's about time. We couldn't be happier for you both. We look forward to seeing you two in the headlines." Turning to face the camera, Alex continued," From all of us here, we wish you well and we'll see all of you on the next season of Off-Screen Romance!" With that, "cut" was called and everyone rejoiced. Alex ran up to Sarah and wrapped her in a hug.
"I'm so happy for you. Watching you two day after day was killing me. I'm so glad you found each other. It couldn't have happened to two nicer people," Alex gushed, releasing Sarah to envelop Chuck in a hug as well. When she pulled away, Chuck looked a little surprised and slightly uncomfortable as his gaze jumped between Sarah and Alex. Sarah could easily read his thoughts, the way he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Chuckling to herself, she shoulder bumped Chuck, giving him a wink. That seemed to do the trick, the look of near panic subsiding and the tension in his shoulders relaxing.
"Well done, you two. Well done!" Sarah and Chuck were surprised to see Roan, walking onto the set and approaching them. "It couldn't have been better if I'd written it myself," he mused, snaking in between the young couple, placing an arm around each of their shoulders.
"I knew it all along. I had a feeling about you son. Right from the beginning," Roan continued, walking them out of the room and into the main living area where the crew were busy packing equipment. "Before we can wrap this thing up, we'll just need to film a few more segments here at the house. Just little fluff pieces. Shouldn't take long. But first, we need to sit down with Zondra and discuss things going forward."
"Going forward? What d'you mean?" Sarah asked, turning to look at him as they walked.
"I think it's best that we wait until we have Zondra with us. Let's head back to the guest house and have that chat."
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"So what's this all about?" Sarah asked, looking very on edge.
"Whoa. Put the claws away," Zondra teased, holding her hands up in surrender. "What did you say to her?" she questioned, turning to look at Roan. He held one hand up, the other holding a martini, his expression of pure innocence.
"Something about discussing things going forward," Chuck interjected, a look of concern on his face. Zondra let out a "tsk" and rolled her eyes.
"So dramatic. Look, you two. It's not that big of a deal. The issue is, you guys can't be seen in public together." Sarah and Chuck looked at one another in confusion, then back at Zondra. "I know. I know. But here's the thing," Zondra continued, sitting down in a chair across from them. "The show is currently airing, but obviously, they're only a couple of episodes in. I didn't want to say anything and potentially alter how you guys acted on camera. There's enough stress without hearing about all of the reviews."
"What… what about the reviews?" Sarah inquired, looking quite curious. Zondra smirked, twisting her lips to the side.
"Sydney? Do you have the numbers?" Zondra asked over her shoulder. Promptly, Sydney came over with a small stack of papers, handing it to Zondra and waving at Chuck and Sarah with a smile before departing. Flipping to the second page, Zondra skimmed it until she found what she was looking for.
"The show opener did well. Coming off the success of last season, we started out at a 1.8 rating. After the second episode, the obstacle course, we jumped to a 3.1." Zondra's grin grew even wider. "Nearly eight million people watched that episode. The social media chatter is through the roof! Even at this stage in the contest, people are rooting for Chuck. They've even given you a couple name… Charah."
"What?" Sarah and Chuck exclaimed simultaneously.
"Apparently, everyone else sees there's chemistry between you two. Hashtag Charah is trending on Twitter! Without even being together, you two are starting to set the world on fire. That's why you can't be seen in public together. One, it would ruin the finale, and two, you'll likely be mobbed." Zondra chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"So what? I can't see Sarah? We have to stay in seclusion? For how long?!" Chuck's frustration was growing by leaps and bounds. Moments ago he was elated that he'd finally be able to be with Sarah and now they were telling him he couldn't.
"Now, Charles," Roan interrupted. "Nobody is saying you two can't be together, in … whatever sense of the term you deem appropriate. We're just saying you can't do it in public. You'll have to use some discretion. Don't go to each other's homes. In fact, it would be good if you both stayed away from your homes altogether. Juuuust until the finale has aired. Then the whole world will know that … 'Charah' has come to fruition."
"But that'll be weeks," Sarah added. "Are we supposed to just hide somewhere until all of this blows … over?" she trailed off, a faraway look overtaking her. Slowly, a grin started to form. Turning her head to glance at Chuck, she gave him a huge grin.
"I think I have an idea. We can -"
"Whoa. Whoa. Don't say it!" Zondra broke in, waving her hands. "Don't tell anyone. Not that I don't trust present company, but the walls have ears, so the less we know, the better. Sarah, I trust your judgement. You do what you think is right. Just keep your phone close so I can get a hold of you. We'll keep you updated." Looking at her phone, Zondra raised her eyebrows. "You two better get your stuff packed up and hit the road. The sooner you vanish, the better."
They all stood, Zondra and Sarah sharing a hug. Chuck and Roan shook hands, and when he offered likewise to Zondra, she just shook her head at him and pulled him in for a big hug.
"Thank you, Chuck," she whispered. "Take care of my friend. OK?" Chuck pulled back, looking the woman in the eye.
"Like my life depended on it," he replied, giving her a warm smile. Playfully, Zondra gave him a shove, shaking her head in amusement. As Chuck and Sarah made their way to the door, someone called out to them.
"Wait! Don't go yet." Sydney rushed to the door, waving her arms at them. "In case I don't get to see you again, Chuck, I wanted to thank you. For being so kind and understanding, not to mention what you did for my friend Alex. She really loves her new job. I can't thank you enough."
"Oh. It was nothing, really. She's doing us the favor," Chuck waved off the compliment, looking a bit embarrassed.
"You too Sarah. You've been so amazing to work with. I hope I get the chance again," Sydney added, turning to extend a hand. Sarah smiled and, ignoring the outstretched hand, pulled the younger woman into a hug.
"When all of this is over, we'll all hang out. You, me, Zondra, Megan and Carina. Maybe we'll bring your friend Alex along." When Sarah pulled away, she could see the look of shock on Sydney's face. Sarah took her hands and gave them a squeeze. "Friends hang out, right?" Sydney fought back tears, biting her lower lip as she nodded vehemently.
Opening the door, they said their goodbyes and headed toward the main house to collect Chuck's things. Once in his room, Sarah sat on his bed, playing with the stuffed unicorn while Chuck packed his bags.
"So, you said you had a plan? Do I get to hear it, or is it a surprise for me too?" he smirked as he stuffed clothes into this bag.
"It's a surprise. I think you'll like it though." Sarah gave a devilish grin as she took a sniff of the unicorn. Chuck froze in place, watching the scene before him. Swallowing thickly, he stood up straight, slinging the large duffle over his shoulder.
"Alright. Let's get these little segments Roan talked about out of the way. And, before we go, there's one place we have to stop first." Sarah nodded her acceptance, helping him carry his suit bag. As they headed down the stairs, Chuck looked over his shoulder, a smirk on his face. "I hope you have good ear protection."
A/N2: The suspense is killing me! What's gonna happen next? Will Veronica get her heart transplant so she can pursue her dream of water polo stardom? Will Bubbles, her horse, be able to hold his breath long enough to see his owner victorious? Tune in next time for…. Wait… OK! Who changed the teleprompter?!
In all seriousness, I really want to thank every last one of you that has made the effort to not only read this story, but to continually show your support through reviews or PMs with every new chapter. It is really humbling and inspiring. It really means the world to me that I can share this with you all and that you've enjoyed reading it nearly as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I love to hear from you.
If you haven't joined yet, I encourage you to join the Chuck Fanfiction group on Facebook. It is an amazing group of people. There's lots of great discussion, polls, sharing of story ideas, more polls, writing challenges, yet some more polls. It's a really wonderful community that could benefit from all of you joining its ranks.
Until next time.
Joe
