Disclaimer: I have not created Chuck or any of the central characters in this story.

Chapter 1

"We're going where?" Chuck asked, incredulously. He couldn't tell whether the air of frustration wafting through the air was coming from General Diane Beckman via the screen, Casey standing behind him, or his own confusion.

"Mr. Bartowski," Beckman sighed, "you and Agent Walker will be headed to the Kodak Theatre in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow night for surveillance." After a pause, "to the Oscars." She uttered the last word in the same way Chuck would say "dentist" or "DMV."

"Ok, that's pretty much what I thought you said." Chuck looked up at his handlers. Both Sarah Walker and John Casey were looking at the screen impassively.

"As I was explaining earlier," Beckman continued, "we have received intel that the terrorist organization Black Armada is planning to release a dirty bomb at the theatre during the ceremony tomorrow night. The high profile nature of the event will guarantee the maximum amount of exposure for their organization, as well as heavy casualties among many high profile personalities."

Chuck heard Casey grunt behind him. He wasn't sure, but it sounded more like Casey's amused grunt rather than the irritated grunt Chuck was used to. The subtleties of John Casey's guttural reactions were something Chuck was only beginning to get used to.

"Agent Walker, you and the Intersect will attend the ceremony, and rendezvous with our agent on the inside. He will give you any last minute information regarding the situation. After that, the Intersect will monitor the area and let you know of any flashes on any of the attendees. Once any enemy agents have been identified, you will apprehend them, Agent Walker."

"Major, I'm a bit concerned," Sarah spoke up. As usual, Chuck found himself staring at her just a little longer than he probably should have. Sarah was currently dressed in her Orange Orange uniform, which didn't help. "The Oscars are a very high profile televised event. Ch.., the Intersect, and I could easily be recognized by anybody watching on television."

Chuck imagined Morgan watching the show on TV, and suddenly seeing him between speeches. Yeah, that would probably lead to a few questions the next morning, he imagined. Not to mention his sister. Explaining why he would be skipping out on Ellie's annual Oscar Party would be tricky enough.

After a pause, Beckman said, "We have already considered this issue, and have arranged for an appropriate cover. The intersect will be attending as a screenwriter, and you will be his date. That way, you will be seated far enough away to avoid any television cameras." Chuck doubted that any cameraman would turn away from Sarah, no matter where she was seated. He chose not to raise this concern.

"And what will my role be?" Casey asked Beckman.

"You will be doing surveillance outside."

"But…"

"No Agent Casey, your biases are well known regarding this community."

"The Hollywood Pinko Commie Liberals, you mean? I can keep my opinions to myself."

"I'm not comfortable with your word on this. Need I remind you of the People's Choice Awards debacle of 2005?" Casey looked down at his feet.

"I don't need to emphasize the importance of this mission. If Black Armada achieves its goals it will be a disaster to this country, and to this agency." The screen went black, and Chuck looked up at his two handlers.

"So, I guess we're going to hang out with the beautiful people, huh?"

"So, are you all ready for this year's big Oscar Bash? I just know 'Talbot Springs' is going to win!"

Chuck smiled weakly at Morgan while he finished the morning's Nerd Herd paperwork. He knew his best friend was excited about Ellie's Oscar Bash, as he was every year. "Actually, I think I'm going to have to miss it this year."

"Miss it? Are you crazy? Miss Ellie's chocolate chip statuette cookies? Miss defending your title in the Oscar pool? Miss the Oscar drinking game?"

"I'm afraid so, buddy," Chuck tried to calm Morgan, who was practically jumping up and down. "You know, I want to go out with Sarah tomorrow, and she really isn't all that into movies."

"Not. Into. Movies." Morgan looked lightheaded. "You know, I realize Sarah is like a supermodel's hotter sister, but not into movies? I think I may actually feel bad for you."

"Hey, not everybody likes movies, you know."

"You know who doesn't like movies, Chuck? Bad people, people who don't want to meet alone in a dark alley. People like that guy." Morgan gestured toward Casey, who was stocking DVDs. Chuck shrugged. Morgan might not be too far off there. "You know I saw him put 'The Bourne Identity' in the comedy section the other day? Not action, not mystery, heck not even classics like I keep suggesting to Big Mike, but comedy! That's twisted. That's what a person who's 'not into movies' does. Be careful, Chuck."

"You're overreacting. We just want to be by ourselves for a night. That's all. You can take Anna to the party. Ellie won't mind. She'll still have the cookies, and maybe you'll win the pool. You can even play the drinking game, but I have to warn you that Awesome may make you chug Powerade instead of beer every time Nicholson comes on screen."

"Alright, so you're really going through with this." Morgan shook his head. "But that pool is going to be mine this year. 'Talbot Springs,' all the way!" Chuck watched Morgan head back to the employee lounge for a mid mid-morning break.

"He'll get over it," Chuck thought to himself. He just hoped that Morgan would be watching the usual uneventful show, rather than a surprisingly action-packed one.