Aces, Charles

A/N: I was worried with the background of this story being poker, many of you wouldn’t get parts of the story. But, as Steampunk . Chuckster reminded me, put Chuck and Sarah…uh, Jenny, in a story people will flock to it. (Read Thin Ice, she is killing it with that one) BTW, I would like to think wilf21 for a name that will pop up in this story. I just couldn’t pass it up when it was said. Welcome to Ch 5, Luck be a Lady

Disclaimer: I don’t own Chuck, or Card Player magazine, but I did have a subscription long ago (you all do know what a magazine subscription is, right?)

March 2, 2004

Chuck followed Jenny into the Bay 101 Casino. She had an invite as a bounty and was part of the Bay 101 Shooting Stars. It was an interesting concept. Bounties were placed on “shooting stars” and each player that knocked out a “shooting star” received $5,000 (the buy-in for the tournament. Since she had gained notoriety at the WSOP final table, placing a bounty on her was just common sense according to the marketing department. She could play poker, was extremely attractive, and had an intriguing story. Chuck felt a hand on his shoulder as he turned around and saw one of the few people in poker he, literally, looked up to. Phil Gordon was grinning at him.

“I see you went all in,” he said. Chuck returned the grin.

“Not exactly,” Chuck admitted. “Things got a little…strange. Phil gave him a look.

“Barry Shulman wants to talk to you two,” Phil said, grinning. Chuck looked confused. “For Card Player magazine.”

“Why us?” Chuck asked.

“You really don’t know?” Phil replied. “Are you two really not together?” Chuck’s eyes about bulged out of his eye sockets.

“Hey, Bartowski, you gonna register?” Jenny asked, walking up to him. “How’s it going, Phil?”

“Good, Jenny,” Phil replied. “You know Moneymaker is here, right?” Jenny gave him a look and Phil just laughed. “Good to see you, Chuck, seriously you two need to see Barry.”

“What was that about?” Jenny asked. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think we’re going to like it, and I really don’t think Casey is going to like it,” Chuck replied.

}o{

Chuck should have been a fortune teller. After he registered and they made their way to their hotel room, Chuck noticed a lot of nods, and thumbs up he was getting from a lot of the players. Chuck was sick inside. Jenny was living with him and not in Las Vegas currently. They were sharing a hotel room. They had become rather…touchy over the past few weeks, hugs, holding hands, snuggling while watching TV, that sort of thing. They had never kissed, but Chuck was beginning to think it wasn’t just him who was wondering if there was more to them than just friends. In her current situation Chuck didn’t want to make things worse by trying to push a relationship. He sighed as he sat on their bed. That was the other problem, there was only one bed in the room. He was going to be very uncomfortable on the floor.

“You okay, Bartowski?” Jenny asked. She had started calling him that after being around Casey, and he found he liked it when she did…but not so much when Casey did.

“Jenny, I’m afraid I’ve caused us a problem,” Chuck said. Jenny sat down next to him.

“Chuck, it can’t be as bad as anything my dad did,” she said.

“I think all the guys think we’re together,” Chuck said. Jenny nodded and was silent.

“Well, that would explain the lack of flirting from other players lately,” Jenny said. Chuck looked at her. “I mean, it makes some sense, I live with you, we are sharing a room.”

“Yeah, but not like that, and I don’t want them thinking that you…” he trailed off. Jenny smiled at him.

“I don’t need you to protect my honor,” Jenny said grinning. Chuck started to respond, but she lightly placed a finger on his lips. “I don’t care what they think we’re doing in here, and frankly what we do in here is our business. Now I am worried about two things.” She had Chuck’s attention. “I’m afraid how this is going to affect the extortion, specifically will they try to extort you, and your social life.” Chuck burst out laughing. He fell onto the bed, tears rolled out of his eyes, and Jenny just stared at him, amused. “What’s so funny?”

“My social life!” Chuck managed to get out. He lay on the bed, one hand propping up his head. Jenny did the same thing, mirroring him where they were looking at each other. “Jenny, I’m a nerd, one with money, so most women are after one thing, my money. Casey wants to vet everyone so I’m just to the point of why bother with a social life. As for the extortion and me, Casey and I have already prepared for that. Actually Casey has, when I asked what we were going to do, he just grunted and smiled.” Jenny chuckled.

“Chuck, you are an amazing, sweet, adorable,” Jenny began.

“Those adjectives are really why I have no social life,” he said. She reached over, smiling a closed, tight smile, and pushed him. He fell onto his back. She closed the space between them, and leaned over him. Chuck gulped.

“Smart, funny, and very attractive guy who anyone would be lucky to have,” she said softly. Chuck swallowed. “Now, since everyone assumes we already are, you’re going to sleep with me tonight.” Chuck’s eyes about bugged out of his head. Jenny laughed, knowing she had gotten him.

“You know, that really wasn’t nice,” he said.

“You’re wrong, Bartowski, it was hilarious,” she said. “Seriously, sleep in the bed tonight, we both have a tournament to play.”

“Yeah, but you have one to win,” Chuck countered.

“Chuck, I’m getting my mom to safety, I’ve already won, and it’s all because of you,” she said. He looked into her eyes. Damn it, each time he told himself there was nothing between them, each time he almost believed it, that look was there. She leaned down, inches between them, and softly, but quickly, kissed his lips. “Thank you, Chuck.”

“My pleasure,” he squeaked.

}o{

Two days later, Jenny looked around, and realized she had forgotten to get a bottle of water as she got herself situated at the table. She saw a bottle appear over her left shoulder and a hand squeezed her right. She knew instantly who it was. She took her left hand, placed it on the hand on her shoulder and squeezed it in appreciation. She looked up at him. He winked, gave her shoulder one more squeeze (what she wouldn’t give for him to do that to her tonight for a long, long time), and he returned to his table. They were down to 18, and had to play down to the six person TV table. They were all in the money, and if they both busted out now, they were up almost $3,000 each. Jenny didn’t care about the money, right now her mom was safe at Chuck’s house, there had been no contact from the extortionist, and Jenny thought maybe her life was about to change. Casey told her she’d have to stay with him for a while, maybe months. She was worried about Chuck’s reaction, but he told her it was fine.

She really shouldn’t have been surprised, the past two mornings had found them together. The first morning, she found her back against his chest, his arm over her protectively and his hand on top of hers. She awoke and found herself with conflicting emotions. One part of her was telling her to get out of bed quickly and get to the showers…the colder the better. The other…the other wanted her to turn over and attack him. That’s when the third part of her started speaking, the one that said a rich, good guy like Chuck Bartowski would never have anything to do with a con-artist’s daughter.

She was still contemplating when she thought the heat from her hand was going to burn her up. Chuck’s thumb was slowly tracing his way along her thumb and hand. Jenny felt her throat going dry. She felt the heat spreading everywhere and when she looked over her shoulder, those brown eyes that saw her almost melted her. He fumbled with his words, telling her he was sorry about how they woke up, and she surprised herself by answering, it’s completely comfortable on my side. She mentally faceplanted herself on that one. She had managed to get to that cold shower seconds later before things got too embarrassing, but this morning….that was another story all together.

This morning she wasn’t facing away from him, nope. That she could have dealt with. How, Jenny Burton had gone from someone who never shared a bed with anyone, to becoming a snuggling fanatic was beyond understanding. This morning she awoke, to find she had moved all the way across the bed to Chuck. How she had managed to drape herself over him, arm across his body, head on his chest, leg over his, and slept the best night’s sleep of her life, she had no idea. She woke up, found herself that way, and instead of moving away, snuggled closer and went back to sleep. Jenny had never let her guard down that much in her life. When she woke the second time and looked up at Chuck, he had the silliest grin she had ever seen, but it had warmed every inch of her heart. She then did something she had never done before. She took her hand, and booped his nose. She was a grown woman and she was acting like some giggling love struck teenager. Jenny Burton didn’t do that. It was getting bad, but what was worse was the smiled that broke out on Chuck’s face. She was in trouble….no she was past trouble, because of that stupid interview they agreed they needed to do to try to get control of the situation.

The night before Barry had found them and showed them the picture he was going to put in the magazine and asked if they wanted to comment or even give an interview. The picture was from the last tournament where they had walked out, Chuck’s arm around her. Jenny had to admit it didn’t look like two friends, it did look like something they’d do, and were totally comfortable with. Chuck asked if they could talk to their people. Barry told them that was fine but he needed something as soon as possible. They called Casey and told him what was going on. The word moron was used many times. His advice, give Barry the truth, but spin it just enough to give them something they could use. Jenny agreed to let Chuck lead the interview, especially since he had more practice with the media.

Card Player: So, Jenny, Chuck, it’s always nice to see those outside the poker world join us, what brought you into the game?

CB: Well, Barry, I’ve always loved the game, but during the WSOP last year, I started watching the main event and became…enamored with a certain poker player.

CP: Well, Chris Moneymaker did become an icon. (They all laugh)

CB: I’ll admit he had the world’s attention, but watching Jenny, hearing her story, I was just as impressed as I could be with her, and then, a few months later, I met her at a cash game, and I got to watch her in person, up close, and I truly know what they meant by learning from the master.

CP: I’m guessing you took it easy on each other. (Chuck and Jenny laugh)

JB: Nope, he busted me!

CP: What? Chuck, don’t you know that’s not the way to a lady’s heart.

JB: He was after my stack.

CB: Actually you were after my stack, remember? (Jenny laughs) Jenny and I became friends off the table. On the table, we’re just two poker players trying to take each other’s money.

CP: So you’re close? (Chuck and Jenny share a look)

JB: He’s the best friend I have.

CP: Friend? (Show’s them the picture)

JB: We were consoling each other after a loss, it had been three hard days and we busted out back to back.

CP: What about you Chuck. I know you play, but you do know how some feel about poker players, is that what’s holding you two back?

CB: I don’t really know what you mean by holding us back. There is no one I care for more than Jenny. I don’t care if she’s a poker player or not, I don’t care what she’s been through in life, and she’s been through some things. In fact, I think I might just care for her more because of it. She is my friend, and I will do anything for her…short of losing on purpose. That thing doesn’t fly between us.

CP: So those calling you Chenny? (Chenny, they say together, Barry nods.)

JB: Well, if that’s what they want to do, let them do it. Just like if he busts out, I’m going to console him, and if I bust out, he’ll console me. We are close, but we’re private. (Chuck nods)

CP: Thank you for joining us you two, and best of luck in the Shooting Stars tournament, last question Jenny, how many wild calls have there been trying to bust you? (Jenny laughs)

JB: I think only one, but you could see the wheel turning on some of them.

CP: Chuck, you’ve already busted two stars.

CB: Yep, but there’s one more I want to get before the tournament’s over. (Winks at Jenny)

JB: Good luck, you’re gonna need it.

The interview had gone as well as they could hope…well, it went better than Jenny could ever have hoped for. If she wasn’t a poker player and used to hiding her emotions…she had no idea what she would do. When Chuck told Barry that he didn’t care what she had done and he cared for her…she nearly squealed. Jenny Burton didn’t squeal. She noticed everyone getting up. It was dinner break and she had managed to navigate through all the players and be one of the twelve remaining. She felt him beside her before she saw him.

“I think we need to call Casey,” Chuck said, softly. She turned, stretching, noticing him fighting to keep his eyes on her face. He was such a good guy. She really should admit to herself she sometimes did these things just to watch his expressions.

“Oh, the twelve voicemails that said, ‘Call me, Moron,’” he did in his best Casey voice. Jenny burst out laughing at that one. They found a relatively quiet spot where they could call him.

“How’d it go?” Casey asked, answering the phone.

“Good to hear from you too, Casey,” Chuck said.

“Burton, did the moron do anything stupid?”

“No, John, although we have a couple nickname now, Chenny,” Jenny said.

“What the hell is a Chenny?” Casey said. “It either sounds like a country music singer or something you need to get an antibiotic for.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Chuck asked.

“Why not Juck?” Casey asked. “It puts the better of the two first and it’s what I think when I see you two together.”

“Casey, are you saying you approve of me,” Jenny said, grinning. Casey hung up.

“He really likes you,” Chuck said grinning.

“I can tell,” she said, returning the grin.

}o{

“You okay?” she asked.

“I’m good,” he said. Jenny grinned at him.

“Chuck, I know you’re, ‘I’m goods’, and that is not one of them.” He looked at her.

“I just really wanted to be at that final table with you,” Chuck said. Jenny smiled at him.

“And you’re pissed Phil Gordon busted you,” she said. Chuck fell on the bed face first.

“Yes,” Chuck mumbled into the bed. Jenny climb on the back of him and started massaging his shoulders. “What are you doing?”

“Massaging you,” she said.

“I’m aware of that, but you’re the one in the tournament, not me, you need the massage,” he said. A second later he felt her land beside him. He looked at her, and saw the smirk on her face. “Walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

“Yep,” she said, popping the “p”. Chuck took his place and started rubbing her shoulders, and after a minute or so, she started to…be verbal. Chuck was glad she couldn’t see his face because he was sure his face was getting red. “That’s it, right there,” she said. His eyebrows raised. “That’s it, Chuck.” He quickly launched himself off of her and onto the ground. He had no more than started to open his mouth when her laughter filled the room. “Are you done?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked. She rolled over and looked at him.

“This whole tournament, you have walked on eggshells around me, for one reason, you are worried about everyone else. You are worried what they are going to say about me, and what they are going to think, we’ll what are they going to think about you?”

“Who cares!” he said, confused. Jenny nodded.

“Who cares,” she said softly. “If they think we’re in here doing whatever, which way, how many times, who cares.” She stood up and walked towards him. She stopped, inches from him, and looked him right in the eye. “There’s something, here.” She took a deep breath. “You and I get to figure it out, not them, and I know with everything, it makes things complicated, but the last thing you and I need to do is quit being us around each other, and that’s what’s happening, not just you, me too. I don’t know what’s happening. I know I’m staying with you…for how long,” she shrugged. “So if you rub my shoulders, and I moan inappropriately, and someone hears it, and they need to high five you, I don’t care. Do you understand?”

“But I care what they think about you,” Chuck said. Jenny smiled at him.

“I know, Chuck, I know,” she said as she pulled him into a hug. “I’m going to bed, I have a big day tomorrow.” She let him go, and headed to the bathroom to change. She stopped at the doorframe and winked at him. “And someone just worked all the tension out of me earlier, so I’m exhausted.”

“You are evil,” he said, grinning.

“Yep,” she said, popping the “p” and heading into the bathroom.

}o{

There were three of them left. Her, Moneymaker, and Phil. She looked over in the crowd and there was her…Chuck…yeah, that’s what he was, her Chuck. If she hadn’t been at the table, she would have smiled. She woke up this morning like yesterday morning, but when she scooted closer into him, she found her lips so close to his jaw. She looked at his stubble, and fought herself from tracing her finger over his jaw line. She fought herself from kissing his jaw, and that’s when she noticed his breathing. He wasn’t asleep. His head slowly turned to her, their eyes locked, and she knew exactly what she wanted. She knew exactly what she was going to do about it, and that when the alarm went off. With amazing dexterity, Chuck reached behind him, and shut it off, never taking his eyes off of hers.

“It’s time to go win your tournament,” he said. She nodded slightly.

“I’m winning my prize,” she said. He nodded, wondering what prize she was referring to, hoping it wasn’t the money.

“I hope you win,” he said. The grin she gave him made him think it wasn’t the money.

She was short stacked, and knew she was in trouble. She had played her best but the cards just hadn’t fallen the way she hoped. She saw him looking at her, and she gave him a wink. He grinned at her, and thought about this morning. He didn’t know what was going on about them, but if they wanted to call the two of them Chenny, then deep down, he didn’t hate. That was when he caught the WPT cameras on him. Chuck didn’t blame them, love stories brought in TV viewers, and it didn’t necessarily have to be an actual love story, but the promise of one would do much the same. Chuck heard Jenny say all in, and he rose up with all the crowd to get a look. She was called, and it was Phil. They flipped over the cards and she had pocket nines to his Ace King. She got up from her chair and walked over to where he stood. She grinned at him, wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into him, so she didn’t have to look.

“I don’t feel good about this,” she mumbled.

“That’s not good,” Chuck said. He wanted to assure her, but he’d been in this spot too many times himself, and he knew people should trust their instincts in these situations. The flop came a seven, a deuce and a Jack, all of them different suites. There were no flush possibilities, no straight possibilities, he relaxed, and Jenny did the same. “He’s only got six out.” She looked up at him.

“It only takes one,” she said. He grinned at her. If she busted, she was looking at over $103,000. The turn came a blank and she was starting to feel good. “Less than 15%.” Chuck nodded at her. The next card flipped over, and she felt it in his body and heard it with the crowd. She reached up, and gave him a peck on the lips, to the audience’s delight, walked over, shook Phil’s hand, Chris Moneymaker’s hand, and headed out to cash out. She knew she should stay around for the end given they’d want her on TV and she would get some money for that.

“You played it right,” she heard him say behind her. She turned around and hugged him, feeling herself sink into him.

“Sometimes playing it right doesn’t guarantee you win,” she replied.

“That’s poker,” he said. “Sorry you lost your prize.” She looked up at him.

“I haven’t lost it yet,” she said. “In fact, I think my odds are pretty good.” Chuck smiled, took her hand, and they returned to the studio to watch the end of the show and be part of the award presentation at the end. As Mike Sexton said, “May all your cards be live and all your pots be monsters,” Jenny looked at Chuck, and he looked at her. They were definitely playing for a monster pot.

A/N: Wonder how long until they’re, “All-in” HAHAHAH…hahah…ha….Is this thing on? Take Care, till next time.

DC