Chuck vs. Good Grief

A/N: Hello everyone! I'm hoping that many of you liked the first installment of this story. I feel it's always fun to create heroes whenever possible.

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

Chapter 2

"Who am I?"

It's a query that Sarah Walker Bartowski had struggled to answer for so long. For the longest time, she considered herself a full-fledged spy whose true identity couldn't truly be known. Then, one day, she's sent on a rather unusual assignment in Burbank, CA – specifically the Buy More store there. She ended up meeting a man who would irrevocably change her life for the better.

She had fallen in love with Chuck Bartowski almost the moment she met him. Yet, despite any mutual feelings between them, she insisted that they maintain a professional relationship. Still, she watched day after day pass maddeningly with no avenue to tell him how she truly felt. It wasn't until he pressed the issue with one query of his own, "Sarah, do you love me?" that she finally managed to express her amorous emotions towards him. From that moment on, they were virtually inseparable. Only now, it was matrimonial bonds that tied them together.

So, it was this newly married Sarah that found herself walking leisurely around. As she proceeded, she noticed that she was nearing the abode of one Charlie Brown. Chuck had told her what he'd done for his friend the day before, and she simply smiled at the realization that she truly was the most blessed woman on Earth for being wedded to such a remarkable man.

She could see her friend sitting alone on the top step of his porch looking somewhat forlorn. His expression puzzled her; for she realized how big an accomplishment it was for Charlie Brown to demonstrate skills on the baseball diamond. So, she decided to reach out.

"Hi, Charlie Brown. How are things?"

"Oh, hello, Sarah. I didn't see you standing there! I'm sorry about that."

"It's OK. So, what's up? You seem down."

"I am"

"I heard what my husband did for you yesterday. He told me that you've got quite a sweet swing at the plate!" She offered him her best smile for reassurance.

"Yes, Chuck was very helpful. I know that I can't wait for the next game to start".

"Then, what's the problem?"

"Oh, it's not about baseball. It's about . . . something else".

"Tell me what."

"I'm just thinking about this girl."

"A girl? Do you like her?"

"Very much. I can't seem to stop thinking about her"

"What's her name, Charlie Brown?"

"Heather" he replied.

Sarah cringed ever so slightly at hearing the name uttered. Perhaps she had sudden memories of a certain woman with the same name who tormented her ever since her youth. She did all she could to keep from seeming uncomfortable, but Charlie Brown was quick to point out the knee-jerk reaction.

"Sarah, are you OK?"

"Yes. I'm just thinking about something else also. Anyway, tell me more about this Heather"

"Well, she has red hair, a great smile, and I think she's the most beautiful girl I've ever known!"

"So, have you told her this? Is she seeing someone else?"

"No, she's not seeing anyone right now. I haven't told her because . . . "

"Because what?"

"Because I'm afraid that she'll say No. Then, everyone will laugh at me and really think that I'm a blockhead". Charlie Brown's head limped with the last words in seeming despair.

Sarah suddenly understood why Charlie Brown was feeling the way he was. So, she decided to finally open up on something that she never dreamed she would ever discuss – her relationship with Chuck.

"Charlie Brown, I'm going to tell you a story. It's about me and Chuck. You know that we're married. But, did you know that it's taken a few years since I first met him before we tied the knot?"

"No, I didn't know that. I always assumed that you were right for each other from the very beginning."

Sarah couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "Anyway, I'd fallen for Chuck almost the moment that I met him. Still, for two years, I tried to keep him at bay even though I was madly in love with him"

"Why?"

"I guess that I thought that it was better for both of us. And sometimes I would say or do something that I know really hurt Chuck. I mean, really hurt him. Yet, despite all of this, he still loved me and wanted to be with me. It took some more time, but I finally realized that if a man was that patient and willing to wait for me, then I've probably met the man that I'm supposed to be with for better, for worse, and for keeps." She paused as she became noticeably more emotional with a single teardrop betraying its presence across her cheek. As she wiped it away, she resumed.

"I sometimes think about what could've happened if Chuck wasn't such a patient, understanding man. I would certainly be a much lonelier person that I would be otherwise."

"So, Chuck, if you feel that this Heather is the one for you, then you need to tell her. And don't stop until she says yes. Chuck was persistent. You need to be also. Give her a call!"

"OK, Sarah. I think I will. I have her number handy."

Charlie Brown went inside and approached the phone and lifted up the receiver. He managed to dial the first 3 numbers before he suddenly stopped and hung up the receiver.

"What happened, Charlie Brown? Did you forget the rest of the number?"

"No. I just . . . I just can't do it!"

"Charlie Brown, if she's the one, you have to do this."

"But, what if she says No? I'm not sure I can take it!"

"She won't say no, Charlie Brown!"

"How do you know?"

Sarah then flashed her cubic zirconium ring for him to view. "Am I not happily married to Chuck right now?" She then smiled and nodded her head to coax him to redial.

Upon seeing the bling-bling, he suddenly regained his resolve to call Heather. He completed dialing and waited for the response. One ring went by before he heard an answer on the responding line.

"Hello. Heather? This is Charlie Brown. Yes, we're in the same class. How are you? Oh, I was just wondering something. Would you like to go to a movie with me? You would? OK, how about 2 o clock tomorrow? Great. I'll be at your place to pick you up. See you then. Bye!"

As he hung up the phone, he leapt into the most joyous dance that ever befell mankind. His sheer unadulterated merriment served as a moment that Sarah would never forget herself.

"She said yes. Heather's going to a movie with me!" he exclaimed in a combination of joy and slight disbelief.

"I told you, didn't I, Charlie Brown? I can see that Heather is really smart since she decided to go out with you!"

Then, Charlie Brown went up to Sarah and offered her a big hug. "Thank you, Sarah. Without your help, I know that I wouldn't have had the courage to call Heather. Thank you so much!"

Sarah gladly returned the hug. "You're quite welcome, Charlie Brown. A great guy like you deserves happiness to the fullest. I'm just glad I can be of help."

"Anyway, I should probably get going. I'm sure that you're trying to decide which movie to take Heather to."

"That's true. I guess I'll see you later, Sarah. Tell your husband hi for me".

"I will do so, Charlie Brown. Enjoy your date tomorrow!"

As she walked back to her own abode, the smile that occupied her face during her previous walk returned. She always felt that Charlie Brown had a heart of gold not unlike her betrothed. Seeing his happiness made days like today truly worth living.

"Chuck and Sarah are truly amazing friends. What a lucky guy I am" Charlie Brown mused.

And even though Chuck would always occupy # 1 in her heart, Sarah realized who could reasonably come in # 2.

"You're a great man, Charlie Brown!" Sarah thought.

A/N: Reviews are always appreciated. I've already got the outline for the next chapter ready.