Chuck Versus a Man called Crescent

This is my first story arc guys so be cool…..

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, but I do own the characters I create. No-one steals Crescent from me, oh no no they don't.

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining (Hopefully)

The bright rays of the Californian morning stream through the windows and into a certain Chuck Bartowski's room. It is filled with things from all his hobbies: video games, comics, and sci-fi movies. The Tron poster which hangs from the wall is a testament to that.

As the sunlight reaches the bed, something stirs under the covers. The sleepy Nerd Herder pulls himself out of bed and into the bathroom, where he starts to undress for a morning shower which he desperately needs to wake himself up. Hearing a giggle behind him, he turns around, only to find his beautiful blonde agent/girlfriend standing naked in said shower.

'Oh – Ah – Um - ' Chuck stutters as he tries to make a reasonable explanation that won't make him sound like a pervert. Sarah just continues smiling – she finds Chuck adorable when he is flustered – and she drags him into the shower with her.

'Hey you.' she whispers. 'I enjoyed last night. Have I told you that you're a real Casanova?'

Chuck flashes his hundred watt smile. 'No, I don't think you have,' he replies, 'but it's all down to the Bartowski gene. We just can't help being charming.' After more uncharacteristically girlish giggles and a playful slap on the arm from Sarah, he continues. 'Anyways, I was wondering whether we could go out after breakfast to do something together, seeing that the General's not going to give us a mission today.'

All of a sudden, Chuck and Sarah's phones ring at the same time, causing both of them to scramble out as quickly as it is safe to whilst having wet feet on a slippery marble floor and answer the calls.

'This is an automated secure message from Castle Base,' says a monotone robotic female voice. 'Report in immediately for briefing with General Diane Beckman. Colonel Casey will also be present.'

'Well,' says Chuck, 'my plans were definitely a little short-lived.'

'Don't worry,' his mischievous looking girlfriend says. 'We still have a bit of time, and I think I can make up for us not going out later.'

Sitting in the secret base located under the Burbank branch of the Buy More, the Colonel grunts. Dissatisfaction. The moron and his girlfriend were late again. Bartowski's probably finding another way of expressing his lady feelings, Casey thought. Gross.

The entrance door from the Orange Orange slides open, and Sarah, with her hair and top slightly askew, enters, followed by Chuck, who has once again got the goofy smile set on his face.

'What took you so long, numb nut?' Casey asks, and recognising the look on the moron's face and the appearance of his partner, he groans. 'On second thoughts, don't tell me. I'll have to drink an entire bottle of my best whisky to wash away the mental scarring you'll give me.' Sarah nearly grins, but composes herself. However, she does appreciate the fact that Casey has been so supportive of her relationship with Chuck, especially during the time of the 49B and one Agent Alexandra Forrest.

'Has the General called yet?' asks Chuck, feeling a nervous. He doesn't want to be on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from their irate commanding officer.

'Surprisingly no,' replies Casey. 'For some reason, even she's running a little late today. Just because Shaw's dead and the Ring's collapsed doesn't mean there aren't more psychos who want to blow us up.'

'So positive Casey. You know, you should take a break some time,' says Chuck. 'I heard from Ellie that there's a massage parlor in the mall. You should go there, it'll help release all that pent up ang-'

Casey snorts. 'Bartowski, if you don't keep that mouth shut, I'll show you what I can do with my 'pent up anger.' The moron visibly shudders. 'Good. Now get yourselves sorted out before Beckman calls,' he grunts, looking pointedly at Sarah, who quickly combs her hair back into shape and pulls her top up.

The CIA emblem on the screen disappears and is replaced by the familiar office and face of General Diane Beckman.

'Good morning team,' she addresses them, 'I have a new mission for you. We've intercepted messages from the Ring prior to its collapse and learned that they were tracking a man called David Lawson. From what intel we have, this is a fake name – a cover for an independent solo operative called Crescent.'

The General's expression changes into one of curiosity when she sees the telltale signs of a flash on Chuck's face. She never admits it, but she doesn't regret the fact that the Intersect was put into its current bumbling host instead of a heartless robotic agent.

'General, I just flashed on Crescent, and he is wa-a-a-ay too dangerous.' stutters Chuck. 'I hate to say it, but he's got more kills than Casey here.' Seeing the skeptical face of the Colonel, he continues. 'Casey, you may be the Angel de la Muerte, but compared to him, you're like… the Mosquito de Molestia.'

A flash of anger passes over Casey's face and he starts to get up, but the General interrupts him.

'We don't have time for this. We have a positive lock on his current position. He's attending an unveiling of a portrait of Sir Thomas More, which is on loan from the Frick Collection in New York, but we think that this event is actually a ruse – Crescent is exchanging vital intel on a very delicate subject – you, Chuck, the human Intersect.'

The blonde CIA agent is getting dressed in her hotelroom when she hears a knock on the door. After she finishes putting on the gorgeous dress she chose, she walks to the door, thinking about the utterly amazed look on her boyfriend's face when she opens the door. However, instead of the lanky brown curled man she loves, Sarah sees his sister – Eleanor Faye Woodcomb.

'Hey Sarah,' Ellie says. 'You look fantastic! Are you going somewhere special with Chuck?'

'Um…. Yeah, we're going to the unveiling at the arts gallery downtown. I've been bugging Chuck for the last week to go there with me,' replies Sarah, making up a quick cover story. Well, she thinks, at least this time it's half true.

'Wow! I never pegged you for an art person,' Ellie replies enthusiastically. 'Devon and I are going too; maybe we could have lunch together afterwards?'

Sarah froze, but quickly shook it off. 'Sure, Ellie. How about that Chinese place Chuck took me to a while back? The dumplings are delicious.' The smiling Bartowski agrees and then goes back down to the lobby to tell her husband the plans. Sarah could almost hear a loud 'AWESOME!' echoing off the walls.

The agent in her quickly takes hold, and she grabs her iPhone, starting a conference call with Chuck and Casey.

'What is it, Walker?' grunts Casey over the phone. 'You've kinda caught me at a bad time. I don't like people disturbing me whilst I polish my guns.'

'Casey, I find that disturbing.' replies Chuck. 'What's the problem, Sarah? Is something wrong?'

'Yes,' says Sarah, 'Ellie and Awesome are going to the gallery as well.'

Beckman sighs. Another problem.

'Chuck, there is no chance we will be able to find Crescent again. This opportunity won't present itself again!'

'I understand that, General, but this mission is too dangerous! Awes-, I mean Devon, already knows that I am a spy, and look where that got him! He nearly got his head blown up by and explosive earpiece! I don't want to put Ellie in a similar situation!'

'Agent Bartowski, this discussion is over! You will go to the unveiling, locate Crescent and bring him and his intel back using whatever methods necessary, even if your sister is present! Just find a way to avoid her!'

And with that, the screen goes back to the image of the CIA emblem.

'I mean, how can she be so uncaring?' complains Chuck, sitting in the passenger seat of Sarah's Porsche. 'I don't understand how she could just tell me to put the lives of Ellie and Awesome in danger. Frankly, they don't need to have to spend every second of their lives being chased by some bad guys hell bent on world domination and having guns pointed at their heads every so often.'

'Look,' his girlfriend responds, 'the General actually trying to look out for you. If Crescent hands over that intel on the Intersect, all sorts of people are going to come after you, and then your sister and brother-in-law will be in even more danger. Anyways, I promise that we'll keep an eye on them.'

'That's right, moron.' Chuck can hear Casey clearly over the earpiece. 'I won't let them out of my sights, so quit your yapping and get your head into the mission. Remember, one wrong move and this guy could kill you.'

'Thanks for the reassurance, Casey, but I think I'll stick to being nervous and apprehensive until this whole thing blows over.'

So, how d'you like Chapter 2? Things are getting rolling now, so hold onto your hats! Chapter 3 will contain a lot more action, so please keep reading!

PS I've read the reviews so far, and most of you are saying that having Sarah/Crescent is a bad idea. I'll concede at that point, so I'll make Crescent into something that just makes Sarah feel woozy and Chuck jealous.