Chapter 1: Just another morning

Chuck Bartowski lowered his head to the yellow bowl and tapped his spoon rhythmically.

"Ahhh, now that's music to my ears!" He said aloud with a satisfied grin.

Morgan Grimes looked at the soggy mess in his own bowl. "I just don't get how you do it man, I'll never be as good as you, master!"

Chuck put the spoon in his mouth and crunched boisterously. "Morgan, there's an art to getting just the right snap, crackle and pop…one day my friend, one day, you too, will learn."

Morgan bowed. "I know what it is, it's gotta be the milk…the way you pour it, how much you pour into it. Don't think I haven't been watching you."

Chuck laughed. "Maybe, its all in the reflexes, kid." He stared at Morgan oddly. "Say, why are you here at eight in the morning? Because that just hit me now…you're here, and I have no idea how you got in."

Morgan swished the last of his Rice Krispies around and then dumped it in the garbage disposal. "C'mon Chuck, everyone knows you hide a spare key on top of the lamp light outside the apartment. I had to come, my vehicle broke down."

Chuck adjusted his tie and rummaged in the junk drawer for his name tag. "That's the third time you found my hiding spot! What happened? Your neighbor's kids pop the tires again?"

"No, they jacked them! Those little ingrates! I should press charges!"

"Morgan, why did you make the trip all the way to my place when you live closer to the Buy More than I do?" Chuck sighed.

"I wanted to ride in the Nerd Herder and…oh man! You're right!"

Just as they were about to leave, Devon swaggered from the bedroom and pulled out the orange juice. "Hey Chuckles! I'm glad I caught you, I need to know if you could do me a big fave?"

"Sure Awesome, what is it?"

"Ellie had the early shift today, but I ordered a big bouquet of roses for her. I need you tell the florist to deliver it to the hospital instead of the house. I would call them, but it's going to be real busy at the hospital, bro. Besides, I want you to make sure they got the order right. It's red roses, Chuck."

"What's the occasion? Where'd you order them from?"

"Ellie's been working a lot of overtime lately. I just want her to know how much I appreciate her, we haven't spent much time together in the last two weeks. You know the place…Dragon…something?"

Morgan nodded excited. "Yeah, Dragonetti's Florist Shop, my old high school chum Larry works there, he makes deliveries. Hey, maybe I'll get a bouquet for Anna and show her how much I appreciate her too."

"Women love surprises like that Morgan. Maybe you should send some to Weinerlicious, Chuck. That would be way awesome." Devon said, flexing his muscles.

Chuck groaned inside. He was glad that he and Sarah decided they would be friends, but when she admitted the big and long-awaited 'kiss' was nothing special, he was stung to the heart.

"Uh, yeah, maybe, but Sarah's not a flower person. I'll go at lunch for you Awesome, get out of the area for a little while."

"Chuck, all women love flowers, you just have to figure which ones tickle the little ladies' fancy. I have a book all about flora and plant life, I'll get it."

Devon went to go back into his room, but Chuck stopped him.

"That's okay Awesome, I'll check it out later, we have to run."

"Okay dude. Later!"

As the neared the gate to the courtyard Chuck and Morgan bumped into John Casey. He eyed them with a curt nod and kept on walking.

"Casey! Casey, wait…do you need a ride?"

Casey's eyes narrowed and he faced the computer nerd with a low growl. "Are you being condescending, Chuck?"

Casey was still in mourning over the destruction of his beloved Crown Victoria. Even Julia sympathized with him. She was with him when he bought it and many dates consisted of taking it for a wash and giving it a wax.

Chuck's eyes widened. "No, Casey! Why would you think that?"

"Don't play dumb, Bartowski. I would take the SUV, but what do ya know? I don't have that anymore either! I gotta go catch a bus!"

Morgan leaned on the Nerd Herder and folded his arms confused. "What is that man's problem? If I were you, I wouldn't bend over backwards to get on his good side. I doubt he even has one."

"Well, it's complicated Morgan, and necessary. You know his car was caught in that explosion near the docks, remember?"

"Oh right! I forgot. That's a tough break, but why is he so mad at you over it? It's not like you blew it up, right?" Morgan laughed.

Chuck shook his head with a shrug. He was the one who programmed the missile launcher to crash into the car. But Casey knew very well the loss of his first SUV was not his fault, but that of an NSA incinerator planted in a cell phone. The organization had since provided Casey with transportation; he was just being sarcastic as usual. Maybe one day Casey would forgive him.

"Casey's always mad, Morgan, it's part of his nature. I guess when I mentioned the car it reminded him of the loss."

Morgan buckled up. "Some people I'll just never understand even if you paid me, though I would certainly try…if you paid me!"

-O-

"Alright people listen up, the next few weeks will be the biggest ones for our store! I do not want another fiasco like Black Friday, you hearing me…Grimes?"

Morgan saluted Big Mike. "Remember boss, it was good thing that I evacuated the premises, right? No cuts, bruises or broken bones to speak of either. As far as I know."

"Enough already, it was just your dumb luck! Now, not only is this the biggest selling time of the season, but it's also a time for drops in sales. Everyone and their whiny little kids are gonna be returning supposedly 'broken' and unwanted holiday merchandise. We got to be wiser than the customer! You gotta make them keep the product! So what if it's missing a button? The damn thing still works! I have a TV in my house that has a wire hanger for the antenna! Clear as a bell. And if they demand a return, you better make sure it's replaced with something more expensive! Now get to work!"

Big Mike stuffed the remainder of his jelly donut in his mouth and stormed back into his private office. Morgan walked with Chuck to the Nerd Herd.

"Wire hanger? How old school! Whatever works." Morgan chuckled. "Hey Chuck, why don't you and Sarah double with me and Anna tonight, we can get some sizzling shrimp, rent a movie, and chill at my place…well my room, hmm, maybe it would be better to chill at yours?"

Chuck had not touched sizzling shrimp since the debacle with Lo Pan, but it was still on his list of favorite take-out foods.

"Mmm, I don't think so. You know Sarah and I are just friends now, right?"

"I know you told me that, but you can join us, as friends."

"I know, buddy, but things are a little confusing right now, I just want to give it time to cool down."

Morgan shrugged. "Suit yourself, Chuck. I have to find Anna, I was thinking about renting some Jackie Chan flicks."

"Haven't you seen them all?"

"Yeah, but Anna hasn't. She thinks he's cute, like me."

"I'll remember that next time I see you scale a hundred foot wall with your bare hands and do a back flip and drop kick to a ninja assassin."

Morgan Karate chopped the air. "Very funny bro, maybe one day I'll learn. I gotta go make some sales."

Chuck smiled and thought about Sarah. He was tempted to order a bouquet for her, but not today. He wanted it to be an extra special, custom-made order and he didn't even know what kind of flowers she liked anyway. He picked up the list of damaged electronics and went to work.