Chuck vs. Good Grief

A/N: Hello, fanfic readers! Things have been incredibly crazy in the last few months. I'm still trying to get "Mission of Hope" completed. However, another story idea just came to me. I hope you'll find this one a fun read as well.

Note: Of course, NBC still has Chuck. Also, the late, great, wonderful Charles Schultz still owns the "Peanuts" empire. God rest his soul!

Chapter 1

One couldn't blame Chuck Bartowski for enjoying life. He'd become involved in a job that truly helped people the world over. In the course of this "job", he'd met, fell in love with, and later married a woman who proved that true love has no boundaries, Sarah Walker. He had an awesome supporting family and network of friends. In short, it felt good to be Chuck.

So, it would surprise no one to find our hero taking a leisurely walk through the neighborhood with no thoughts in particular. The azure, cloudless sky coupled with the merry melody of birds above served to further enhance the happy mood Chuck found himself in. As he walked along, he whistled and smiled at passers by. "A day like this makes every man a poet!" Chuck mused to himself. As he proceeded in his walk, he neared the residence of a fellow who, inextricably, found himself on the opposite end of the spectrum from Chuck as far as good fortune.

Charlie Brown was a good-hearted young man. An objective look into his character reveals a guy who truly possessed a heart that Fort Knox would be envious of. All he ever wanted was to be of help to others. Yet, despite these remarkable attributes, he invariably possessed the worst luck in any endeavor he tried. Still, it might seem a little harsh for his "friends" to describe him in such strong terms as "blockhead", "unreliable", "can't do anything right". It's no wonder that self-esteem evaded him like a guppy trying to evade a shark. In short, Charlie Brown needed a boost in the worst way.

Chuck noticed that Charlie Brown was sitting all alone on the front doorstep of his house. Charlie Brown had his arms perfectly set on his thighs and sported the most forlorn look that Chuck had seen in a long time. Chuck didn't like seeing others so miserable, especially dear friends of his. Thankfully, he wouldn't need any special spy skills to help him.

"Hey, Charlie Brown! What seems to be the matter?" Chuck inquired.

"Oh, hi, Chuck! I just feel so depressed!" Charlie Brown replied.

"Why would you be depressed? What happened?"

"It's my baseball team. We lost again. And, once again, it was all my fault".

"Oh, come on now, Charlie Brown. Baseball's a team game. It's one thing for you to own up to your own mistakes. But, to say that every loss is your fault just isn't true!"

"You don't understand, Chuck. I can't pitch. I can't hit. The team is right. I'm just useless on the baseball diamond." Charlie Brown spoke with such a doom in his voice that Chuck just couldn't bear to hear anymore.

"OK, that's it. We're doing something about this. Come on!"

"Where are we going?" Charlie Brown inquired.

"You'll see."

As Charlie Brown proceeded to walk behind Chuck, he could see that they were approaching the very same baseball diamond that sparked their conversation. In mere moments, Chuck went into the dugout and managed to find a spare glove, bat, and ball. Soon, Chuck took his position onto the pitcher's mound and told Charlie Brown to go into the batter's box.

"Chuck, what are you doing?"

"We are going to make a ball player out of you, that's what. By the time I'm through with you, your team will be winning games instead of losing them!"

"But, Chuck, I can't. I . . . . .just can't. I'm not good at this game. I'm not good at anything!"

"Listen, Charlie Brown. We all start somewhere. That's the old you talking. We're going to get a new you to start talking pretty soon. Quick!" With that, Chuck fired a wicked slider towards the plate. Charlie Brown promptly whiffed in his attempt.

"Sorry about that. That was a mean pitch. Let me toss a more manageable pitch to you". He then delivered a slow fastball Charlie Brown's way. Again, a big swing and a miss.

"It's OK, Charlie Brown. You'll get it. Just keep trying".

Chuck then proceeded to throw pitch after pitch after pitch. At first, it seemed that Charlie Brown's initial self-assessment of his skills was correct. And then, it happened.

Chuck delivered a beautiful pitch and, clearly unaware, the ball screamed off of Charlie's Brown bat and almost beheaded Chuck before landing harmlessly in center field. Chuck did all he could to get on the ground to avoid the hot, flying object. Charlie Brown immediately dropped the bat and ran towards the pitcher's mound to find a prostrate Chuck lying momentarily dazed.

"Chuck, are you OK?"

"Am I OK? You bet I'm OK. You really nailed that pitch! More importantly, that's your first hit today. That was awesome, buddy!"

"Yeah, I did, didn't I?" For the first time that day, a smile crossed the face of Charlie Brown.

"Let's do that again, OK? This time, I want to see more power!" Charlie Brown practically skipped back into the batter's box. A newfound confidence seemed to sweep through his body.

The next pitch from Chuck ended up in left center field. The following pitch also landed in left center field. Although Charlie Brown would not have any home runs to his name that day, he may as well have won the World Series in his ebullience. After all, he could hit. He proved that he could hit!

After a few more at-bats, they decided to end the session for the day. Charlie Brown walked over to join Chuck on the pitcher's mound.

"I guess I did OK today, huh, Chuck?"

"OK? If you keep hitting like this, then the Major Leagues will be calling you soon!" Chuck said in his signature grin.

"I don't know about that, Chuck. I still need more practice!"

"And you'll get it. If you want, I can give you some pointers on pitching next time".

"That'd be great. Want to go home?"

"Sure"

With that, the two friends proceeded to take the reverse journey homeward. This time, it was Charlie Brown who walked with a joyous air. The smile on his face meant the world to Chuck at that moment. Chuck always did like helping others and this was one way to do so with any Intersect interference.

As he made his way to the top doorstep of his house, Charlie Brown paused and turned to face Chuck.

"Chuck, thank you. Thank you for being such a great friend!"

"Anytime, Charlie Brown! That's what friends are for. Remember, next time, we'll work on your pitching arm"

"Sounds good. I'll see you later then, Chuck!"

"OK! Take care, Charlie Brown!"

As he made his way homeward, it seemed that Chuck had one more thing to be thankful for. If he could overhear someone's thoughts, then undoubtedly he would have heard the voice of his good friend, Charlie Brown, further praising him for being a loyal friend and supporter.

"You're the greatest, Charlie Brown." Chuck thought with a smile.

A/N: Reviews are always appreciated. I've already got the outline for the next chapter in my head (Hint: Sarah's turn).