A/N: This is my first fanfic. It goes without saying that I do not own anything related to "Chuck" or the "Chronicles of Narnia" book series. NBC and the late, great C.S. Lewis respectively are still the masters of these domains. No specific timeline as pertains to the show itself. Reviews are always appreciated!
Chuck vs. Narnia
Chapter 1
"I really don't know, Chuck. You pick something", Sarah said.
Chuck sighed, "It just seems like we've seen everything in this video store already".
Sarah replied, "There must be something different that we haven't checked out yet".
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to look around the store again. Shall we?" Chuck inquired.
"Sure", Sarah said with a slight smile.
They held hands and made their third walk-through inside the Blockbuster store. With each step, it seemed that they were no closer to finding a movie to rent than when they arrived.
After a few minutes, they approached the "Children's" DVD section. Chuck immediately stopped and stole a glance at the shelf. He suddenly had an intense expression on his face.
Sarah spotted Chuck's sudden movement and noted his facial expression with concern. "What's the matter, Chuck", Sarah asked. "You didn't flash on something, did you?"
"No, no. Nothing like that!" Chuck reassured her. "I think I found the answer to our dilemma. Tada!" Chuck grabbed the DVD case for the "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe".
Sarah's eyes and face suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree. "Chuck, that's a brilliant choice. You know, I read all the Narnia books when I was a little girl".
"No kidding", Chuck said. "I read those same books when I was a little boy!"
"They're so timeless even today!" Sarah mused.
"I hear that Disney did a pretty good job with this adaptation of keeping close to the book. What do you say?" Chuck asked.
"I say that we rent it and go over to your place and watch it before we change our minds", Sarah replied with a smile.
"Sounds like a plan", Chuck said also with a smile. With that, the rest of the evening had a more definitive plan.
It was a short drive from the video store to Chuck's place. Within minutes, he unlocked the door and turned on the lights. It was going to be a private evening for Sarah and Chuck since Ellie and Awesome had the night shift at the hospital for the second night in a row.
"I'm going to get us some snacks and drinks. Why don't you stick the DVD in for me?" Chuck told Sarah.
"OK", Sarah acquiesced.
Soon, Chuck placed the assorted chips, dip, and beers on the coffee table and took a spot next to Sarah on the couch. With that, they proceeded to watch the movie. After the movie ended, they both wished that it could've gone on for a little while longer.
"That was an amazing movie!" Sarah proclaimed.
"It really followed the book pretty closely, I thought", Chuck said.
"And the special effects were unbelievable", Sarah added.
"Well, what do you want to do now? You know, I hear that Prince Caspian is also out on DVD. You want to go back to the store real quick and see about renting that?" Chuck asked.
"Actually, I think that I should be heading back to my place", Sarah deadpanned.
"Now?" Chuck asked. "It's only 10. I mean, if you don't want to rent another movie, then we can channel surf or do something else. Just don't leave".
"No, I think it's best if I go home now", Sarah reiterated. "I mean, we do have that briefing in the Castle first thing tomorrow morning".
"Please don't remind me", Chuck said in exasperation.
"I'm sorry, Chuck. I tell you what. Maybe we can try Prince Caspian for tomorrow night."
"Sounds good", Chuck said.
Then, Sarah leaned in and gave Chuck a quick kiss. Though short in duration, the kiss was still filled with passion. As their lips parted, Sarah whispered in Chuck's right ear, "I will see you tomorrow morning".
"Yes, you will", Chuck smiled back at her.
With that, Sarah saw herself out and on her way to her hotel room.
At first, Chuck felt the distinct pang of being apart from Sarah yet again. Still, his thoughts about the movie and their kiss afterward planted a happier feeling in his heart. He'd often gone back and forth in his mind about his life as the Intersect. He kept coming back to the notion that for all the downsides to having the Intersect in his head, one unmistakable upside had been meeting and getting to be with Sarah (even if it's only a cover).
"What a crazy life I live", Chuck thought. "But, as long as Sarah's in it, then I guess it really can't be all bad."
He went to sleep with a smile on his face at this sudden thought.
The alarm in Chuck's room went off the next morning at 7:00 am sharp. Chuck was still in the transition phase from blissful slumber to waking up to yet another new day. But, instead of the usual moans and groans from the notion of heading off to Buymoria yet again, his mind still focused on the night before. His smile had still not evaporated. So, Chuck got up and began his day with a huge bounce in his step.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, he headed off to the kitchen where he found his sister and Devon already enjoying their own victuals.
"Morning, Ellie. Morning, Awesome", Chuck greeted them.
"Morning, Chuck", Ellie replied.
"Morning, bro", Awesome said.
"Wow, someone's in a real chipper mood this morning", Ellie said to Chuck with a smile.
"Let me guess", Awesome interjected. "Another great date with Sarah last night".
"Yeah, it was pretty good", Chuck responded.
"So, what did you guys do?" Ellie asked.
"Nothing too fancy", Chuck said. "First, we went to get some Mexican for dinner. And then we came back here and watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
"Oh, I hear that movie is really good", Ellie said.
Awesome added, "And Prince Caspian is also out on DVD."
Chuck nodded, "I was just telling Sarah that last night. We were thinking of renting that one too and watching it tonight".
"Hey, maybe you and Sarah can add your sister and me to the party? I think it'd be awesome if the four of us watched it together", Awesome suggested.
Chuck smiled, "That's not a bad plan, Awesome. I'll talk to Sarah about it later. Well, I guess I should be heading off to work now". And with that, Chuck was on his way.
Chuck couldn't believe just how great he was feeling this morning. It's almost as if he were living in his pre-Intersect days when he didn't have the burden of top classified government secrets stored in his brain. No bad guys trying to go after him. No keeping secrets from the ones he loved. It was a new sense of calm that suddenly enveloped him. The feeling became so palpable that it caused him to do something he never considered doing previously.
He decided to take a different route to work.
He knew that the new route would definitely take longer, but he could still show up for work on time. Chuck still couldn't explain why he suddenly developed this "stopping to smell the flowers" mentality, but he was determined to enjoy every minute of it he could.
As expected, he reached the Buy More parking lot later than usual. In a few seconds, he entered the electronics magnet with a huge smile on his face.
He approached the Nerd Herd desk and was just about to get behind the counter when he heard a familiar voice stop him in his tracks.
"Decided to show up for work today after all, eh, Bartowski?" Casey said.
"Of course, Casey", Chuck responded. "Why wouldn't I show up?"
"Look, Chuck, I know when you usually get here. You're 15 minutes later than usual."
Chuck answered, "I just took a different route to work today, and that's all. What's the big deal?"
"Well, in case you've forgotten, we have a briefing with Beckman in just a few minutes. And you know how the General feels about punctuality", Casey retorted.
"In that case, we should probably head over there right now to avoid the General's wrath", Chuck offered.
"That's the first good idea you've ever come up with Bartowski", Casey smirked.
Soon, they arrived at the Orange Orange. Upon entering the store and seeing Sarah standing casually behind the counter, Chuck gave her one of his patented goofy smiles.
Unfortunately, this time, she did not respond in kind.
"Where have you guys been?" Sarah demanded. "The meeting is just about to start, you know".
Casey shrugged, "Ask your little houseboy here. He's the one who just strolled in the Buy More".
Sarah continued to look at Chuck with a huge frown on her face.
Chuck sheepishly looked at Sarah and said, "Sarah, I was just thinking about last night. I've been in such a great mood since that I decided to take a different route to head to work today. No big deal, right?"
Sarah's face immediately lightened and she responded, "Chuck. Last night was last night. And that's where we need to leave it".
:"But, I just can't help it, Sarah. Last night was really wonderful". Chuck explained.
"I'm warning you, Bartowski", Casey interrupted, "If this conversation has anything to do with you wanting to be the mustard for Walker's hot dog, then I'm leaving right now!"
"Casey!" Sarah snapped at him.
"You know what, Casey. That was really uncalled for. It's totally not what you think it is", Chuck exclaimed.
At first, Sarah shot a hurt look in Chuck's direction. Soon, though, her feelings turned into downright annoyance. "Let's just get this meeting over and done with!"
"Fine with me", Chuck said. The last time I ever have a good mood around this place.
Sarah activated the Castle's secret access codes. Within seconds, the trio was safely inside.
It was a completely pitch black Castle that awaited them.
"It looks like someone forgot to pay PG&E this month", Chuck joked.
"Very funny Chuck", Sarah said. "I'll flip on the lights". After a few seconds, there was still no light. "Where's the light switch?" Sarah asked.
"It should be right at your fingertips, Walker", Casey opined.
"This is so weird. There's no light switch along this wall", Sarah said.
"Let me check it out", Chuck offered.
"Is it my imagination, or does this room feel a lot smaller than we're used to?" Casey asked.
"Now that you mention it", Chuck responded. "And what's the deal with the sliver of light straight ahead of us?"
"What's going on?" Sarah asked.
Chuck replied, "Well, we can probably come up with some answers if we can get some light in here. Anyone have a match or a flashlight?"
"Nope", Sarah said.
"Don't look at me", Casey said.
"This is just great. Two super spies and a computer nerd, and we still bumble around in the dark", Chuck replied.
Casey retorted, "Why don't you do something helpful instead of running your big mouth all the time, Bartowski?"
"Fine, Casey. I'm going to check out the light ahead".
"Chuck, be careful", Sarah warned him.
"Don't worry, Sarah. I'll take my time. See, I'm walking to the light . . . walking to the light . . . still walking . . . still walking . . . hey, this is kind of cool. It's actually two parallel slits of light, not just one. And I actually can feel the wall that the slits are on".
"Can you see anything through the openings?" Sarah asked.
"No", Chuck responded. "I can't see anything specific. This wall feels like a door but I can't feel any knobs, handles, or hinges anywhere":
"Maybe you need to push on it", Sarah offered.
"It's worth a shot", Chuck replied. "OK. I'm going to see if I can move this wall with my hands. Ready. 1 - 2- 3". The wall seemed to move considerably under Chuck's push.
"I felt it move. Let me try again. 1 – 2 – 3. EEEEEEEE!"
Soon, the wall gave way and Chuck found himself doing a free fall unto some strange ground below.
It took a few moments for Chuck to regain his breath, lift himself up, and dust himself off. He then looked at his surroundings and was astounded at what he viewed.
There were beautiful trees lined up almost perfectly as far as the eye could see. The sky possessed a blue that even Lake Tahoe couldn't boast of. Some birds chirped happily in that self-same sky above. Even the air was different. You could inhale it without worrying about your lungs turning black in a few years time. In short, what a wonderful world this was indeed.
"Wow!" Chuck exclaimed.
"Chuck, Chuck, are you OK? Where are you?" he could here Sarah ask.
Chuck responded, "I'm fine. I think you two will want to come down here and check this out".
Sarah and Casey retraced Chuck's steps and found themselves at a suddenly gaping hole. In short time, they each took a nosedive from the Castle onto the same ground that Chuck had earlier landed on. Upon their acquaintance with the new surroundings, it was Sarah and Casey's turn to express their awe.
"Wow. This place is . . . breathtaking", Sarah said.
"Yeah!" Casey agreed.
At that moment, Chuck joined the two of them and said, "I'm glad that you both could join me here. Isn't this place amazing?"
"I'd feel a lot better if I knew where we were", Casey replied.
"I know where we are", Chuck said with a slight grin.
"You do?" Sarah asked. "Tell us then!"
"Guess", Chuck said, still smiling.
"What?" Sarah asked.
"Take a guess!" Chuck repeated.
"Chuck, I'm really not in the mood for one of your silly guessing games" Sarah said with a slight frown. "Now, tell us already!"
"Come on, come on. You can do this!" Chuck squealed.
"Walker's right, Bartowski. If you don't tell us, then we will personally put you into the bunker ourselves. So, last time, WHERE ARE WE?", Casey bellowed.
"OK. OK. Fine", Chuck relented, "Sarah, Casey, welcome to Narnia!"