Don't own Chuck
Previous Chuck stories and order: 1 Chuck vs Charles, 2 Chuck vs the Love Boat, 3 Chuck vs The Rock, 4 Chuck vs Amtrak, 5 Chuck vs The Dictator, 6 Chuck vs The Name, 7 Chuck vs The Volcano, 8 Chuck vs The Ghost, 9 Chuck vs The Shooter, 10 Chuck vs The Package
Chuck was busy cleaning and moving things around caught up in the nesting instinct. Everything had its place but nothing seemed to be in it and it was driving him crazy. Sarah was asleep on the couch with only two weeks left to her due date Chuck could hardly wait. He intentionally switched off all the phones not wanting his lovely wife to be woken up. He was taking inventory of all his baby supplies and what Ellie had told him they needed when the monitor came on. It was General Beckman.
"Sush," said Chuck.
"Excuse me Agent Bartowski."
"General," he said whispering. "I'll call you back from Casey's." Then he switched off the General and the monitor before Beckman could protest.
"Sweetie, are you here?" asked Sarah as she rolled over still looking half asleep.
"Yes Love, just go back to sleep. Are you still having your headaches?"
"No, no but I must've been dreaming I thought Beckman had called with a mission."
"You know I told her that we're off until after the baby's born. So just roll back over and go to sleep."
"Not without a kiss." He walked over bent down and kissed her.
"I love you both so very much."
"And we love you right back. Hey wake me when Ellie and Devon get here. I don't want to look like the rude host," she said as she went back to sleep. Chuck ran out the door and straight over to Casey's to find him already talking with the General.
"Agent Bartowski it's nice that you could join the rest of the class," said the General as he entered into view.
"Well General first Sarah was sleeping and I didn't want you to wake her and-"
"How's Agent Bartowski, S. by the way?"
"Fine General we're just counting down the day and that brings me to if you remember correctly I told you that we'd be taking this time off until after the baby is born."
"Did I approve that?"
"Well, yes General you said Chuck take time off to be with your wife until the baby is born." Chuck said imitating the General.
"And indeed you may but I have a very small task for you."
"General!"
"Stop your whining Bartowski and listen to the General idiot."
"You know when you say that it hurts on the inside," said Chuck as Casey grunted.
"Team Bartowski has specifically been requested to assist in the guarding of the Jade Dragon."
"The Jade Dragon? Is that like the Jade Sword you know in Warcraft where you can use it to encase your enemies in jade."
"Mr. Bartowski this is serious."
"That's right it only works against opponents from ninety levels and below."
"Chuck, I've got some tranq darts that will encase you for a couple of hours if you don't shut up."
"Come on General. We're going to have a baby in two weeks. I've got everyone coming my mom, Ellie and Awesome plus there's Thanksgiving in the middle."
"Actually Agent Bartowski, I just need you to work in an oversight role. The Chinese National Secret Service is sending one of their own and the agent specifically asked for your team and Agent Grimes by name."
"Morgan!"
"Ah General, I'm not one to question orders but these Chinese are they drinking or smoking their green tea?"
"Colonel Casey, Chuck I'm sure you can look out for your wooly friend. This mission comes to us from the State Department and we have agreed to it in the spirit of cooperation to foster good relations between our organization and theirs. You are to be debriefed tonight by their agent at the National Museum. They have a special Chinese exhibition with the Jade Dragon as its center piece. The grand opening will kick off tomorrow night with a Gala. If there's nothing else-"
"Yes General, how will we be able to identify this agent. Is there some sort of password or secret hand shake?"
"No, Chuck I was told the agent knows you. Beckman out."
"Roger that," said Casey.
"What the hay? How many Chinese agents do I know, only one Mei-Ling Cho but she defected and the last I heard about her she had a successful chain of Chinese restaurants slash Kung fu studios called Wing Chun Noodles and their Shaolin Chicken is really kickin' or that's how the publicity goes.
"The only other ones I know I killed. They're now fertilizing rice paddies."
"You know Casey we've really got to write down these little bits of trivia. If you were older I'd ask if you were on that grassy knoll in Dallas but I bet you know where Jimmy Hoffa's at and it's not in the fresh produce section of Walmart with Elvis."
"Need to know."
"Christ!" Casey started laughing. "Funny but I'm not leaving Sarah by herself."
"Isn't Morgan at the airport picking up Ellie and Devon? Besides Chuck what's there to do if things happen here at home you can leave me with the Troll and run to the hospital."
"But I want to take Sarah there. What happens if there's traffic?"
"Use the intersect and flash," said Casey. What he said made sense but Chuck didn't want his daughter to have anything to do with the intersect as much as it had enabled him to meet Sarah it almost divided them. This was a family tradition he didn't want to pass on.
"I know I told the General that everything was fine with Sarah but she's been have too many headaches lately and I'm a little worried."
"Has she complained?"
"Well that's just it. She hasn't said a thing but I can tell. She puts a cold compress on her head, lies down and puts her sleeping mask on. When I ask if she has a headache she tells me no but I know she just doesn't want to worry me, a husband knows you know."
"Do you want me to ask her? I'm her partner."
"If you want go ahead but don't tell her I told you then she'll know I know and knowing I know could make her headaches worse. So you understand she can't know that I know because if she knows I know-"
"Stop, okay Chuck I get the point. I'll ask her about her headaches. Ellie should be here soon why don't you ask her to check on Sarah?"
"I intend to and maybe this thing at the museum is good that way I can leave Sarah and Ellie together and that will make them talk."
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CHINATOWN IN A SMOKE FILLED BACK ROOM
A group of oriental men dressed in black suits with dark sunglasses made their way through a smoke filled room. They walked pass tables where businessmen were playing mahjong and other games of chance. Slapping tiles on the board as their games progressed oblivious to that fact that they were losing their livelihoods with each bet. Knocking on a back door a man challenged them for their triad password.
"What's the password?"
"The five elders live in the sacred mountains."
The door opened and the men were ushered in then they took their places around a table. Each man was handed a glass with rice wine and after the last man's glass was filled one of them stood up.
"Ganbei," he said as he raised his glass and drank. "Good, I see were all here. Grand Mountain has entrusted me with the task at hand. As you all know tomorrow will be the grand Gala at the National Museum. We have been told Red Lotus will be attending. Our job is to eliminate her and steal the Jade Dragon back, what was once ours will be ours again, any questions?"
"Boss we heard that White Lotus has brought in an American security firm. What do we know about them and do they pose a threat?"
"Carmichael industry, they mainly deal with cybercrimes or that's what I've been told. However, rumor has it that they have one good asset a man known only by a codename. A master spy one who works behind the scenes not taking credit but whom I believe is the cause for their success, a man known to few but feared by many. White Lotus asked for him personal."
"Boss what is this man's codename?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I got carried away or maybe it was the rice wine. His codename is Cobra that's what our operatives in Aspen told us."
"What do we do with him if he gets in the way?"
"Capture him if possible. This Cobra could be used as leverage with White Lotus. But if he puts up too much of a fight don't take any risks eliminate him and anyone else in our way."
Another round of drinks were poured and the junior member a recent initiatiant at the altar of Guan Yu stood up and raised his glass.
"Ganbei", Yei cheered, "empty your cup." The men then stood up and began to disperse.
"Yei, come here," said the Boss taking him apart.
"Yes Boss what would you like," said Yei this was his first chance to make his name.
"I want you to keep an eye on Yuan at the party."
"You don't trust him? He took the oath the same as I did and he is a trusted brother of White Paper Fan."
"I know that's why you must be careful and not let him know you're watching him but if he's a Twenty-Five we need to know. He can screw up everything."
"A Twenty-Five! A snitch!"
"Maybe or an undercover agent, either way we need to know."
"It would be my honor to eliminate him for you."
"No he's protected by White Paper Fan if we move without proof it'll look like we're jealous and then instead of one grave we'll have to dig three remember your oaths.
"Yes Boss," and he recited fresh in his memory, "I must never cause harm or bring trouble to my sworn brothers. If I do so I will be killed by myriads of swords."
"Very good I knew you were the man for this mission and if we find he is a traitor then," the boss quoted. "I shall not disclose the secrets of family, not even to my parents, brothers, or wife. I shall never disclose the secrets for money. I will be killed by myriads of swords if I do so. If I should change my mind and deny my membership of the family I will be killed by myriads of swords. Now go and be smart, impress me and I'll see you're moved from a 49er to a Red Pole."
"Thanks Boss," said the young man thinking what a golden opportunity he had been offered to go from a foot soldier to an enforcer in such a short time this was impressive and would make his ancestors happy.
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BACK AT ECHO PARK
Chuck and Sarah were sitting around the fountain taking in fresh air. Sarah had complained that she was feeling confined being in the apartment so they decided to sit outside. As they were sitting Casey walked over and joined in.
"Hey I just word from the Troll, he has Ellie and Awesome in tow and should be here soon. Have you told Grimes about this afternoon?"
"This afternoon? Sweetie, are you going somewhere?"
"Yeah you were asleep and I didn't want to wake you up. Beckman called and asked if we'd go to the National Museum to meet this Chinese national agent."
"But you're supposed to be off."
"I am well sort of."
"Don't blame Chuck, Beckman roped him in. It's some sort of diplomatic request. The Chinese want some help guarding a Jade Dragon and asked for us by name."
"Yeah Casey and I can't understand how they knew who we were. I guess our rep is getting around in the spy world."
"I don't know if that's good or bad," said Sarah thinking about Aspen and Quinn.
"Well, I'm only going to be there long enough to hand Morgan and Casey off to them. The funny part is they asked specifically for Morgan."
"Funny, I'd say weird," said Casey, "Chairman Mao meet cousin It."
"Well boys, you haven't thought about Cobra. When Morgan was running around with the intersect in his head," said Sarah.
"You remember all that," asked Chuck. "I'm sorry but I wasn't sure you remembered that period and frankly I didn't want to bring it up not to embarrass you."
"What the part about the boobies?"
"Okay you do remember. But you're right that does make sense."
"Hey they're pulling up now."
They all greeted each other on the courtyard. Ellie gave Chuck a big hug then Sarah. Clara was hanging on Devon exhaust from the flight and desire to see her favorite Uncle and Aunt. Casey and Morgan got the bags inside their apartment while Chuck and Sarah chatted catching up on missed time.
"So Devon, how's your practice going."
"Awesome dude just a cutting away. You know it's like I have the pulse of the hospital in my hand every time I operate."
"Well we can only hope that pulse keeps on ticking as you work."
"Clara, Sweetie what is it?" asked Sarah noticing Clara was a little more bashful than normal.
"Can I touch your stomach?"
"Sure come here and give me your hand." Clara and Ellie came close to Sarah and she took Clara's hand putting it in a spot she knew Clara would be able to feel the baby move.
"Wow, is that my cousin?"
"Yes," said Ellie, "and soon you two will be able to say hi."
"You know Chuck you're a lucky man."
"Awesome for once I feel awesome." Morgan walked into the room with Casey having just finished putting the last of the suitcases in the bedroom. "Oh Morgan you need to get dressed up we have a meeting this evening at the National Museum and tomorrow we'll be going to their grand Gala."
"The one for the Jade Dragon?"
"Yes. How did you know about it and more importantly why did you know about it?"
"Crap, I'm sorry but Chuck dude it's in all the chop suey flicks. Someone is always trying to steal it or find it."
"Morgan it's a museum piece, that's all."
"Not like the Jade sword right Chuck," said Casey getting even for all the interruptions that morning with Beckman.
"Crap, sorry again, it's there too?" Morgan looked like Odie in Garfield.
"Casey's just making fun. The Jade sword doesn't exist."
"Chuck that's what they said about the Loch ness Monster or Area 51 you know what they say anything is possible."
"Morgan, when we go to the museum you can look around and see that at least in the National museum there's no Jade Sword."
"Okay, but can I bring Alex. We were supposed to go out and I kind of promised her a nice date night out."
"Sure, we could use another hand on the team," said Chuck as Casey gave his grunt.
"What? Casey you were the one who came up with idea of Alex working with us."
"Chuck, you aren't going to work while your wife is about to have your baby, not the work that you do?"
"Ellie I understand," said Sarah.
"No, no Little Brother your wife shouldn't have to understand."
"El don't worry. I'm only there as a supervisor I plan to delegate everything to Casey right after we make the initial meet."
"Get it off your plate. Give it to other people," said Morgan.
"I don't want to bust your bubble dude but don't you mean delegate," said Devon.
"No Awesome, it's an inside joke. Hey El we've got some ice cream in the freezer at home why don't you come with me and help me get some for everyone?"
"Sure Chuck. Sarah do you mind watching Clara while I'm gone."
"Sure that will give us some time to have girl talk." Clara responded with a huge Ellie hug around Sarah's neck. There could be no doubt who Clara took after. Ellie and Chuck walked back over to his place and once inside he closed the door behind them.
"Okay Little Brother what do you want? You didn't ask me here just to dish out ice cream?"
"No was it that obvious? Well, I need for you to check on Sarah."
"Why? Is there something wrong?"
"She keeps telling me everything is alright but I can tell when she's in pain. I think she's been having headaches. At first I didn't think much of it but I can tell their happening more often but I can't tell how bad they are because she's won't tell me. Every time I ask if something is wrong she just says she's tired."
"Well this is a new science and I'd hate to speculate."
"Sis, please speculate I want to know what's going on." Ellie could tell that Chuck was really worried and she wanted to help.
"Well, how do you think she would react is I asked her to see Dr. Dreyfus?"
"Not well. Could you see her first? Maybe tell her you'd like to do a routine examination or something then we can ease in Dr. Dreyfus. But do you really think she needs to see him?"
"Like I said this is a new science. I can examine her body and brain but we need a psychiatrist to examine her mind. I don't want to alarm you but remember we talked about this. I told you that the intersect in Sarah was still there it was just buried like it was under a big rock."
"Yeah I know like what happened to me. What are you saying the rock is moving?"
"Chuck the rock is an illusion and I'd have to run tests to see what's going on but it is possible that pregnancy and more so when she delivers the intersect in her could be liberated."
"Christ, what would happen?"
"Chuck, we have to take this one step at a time. First I'll try to get her to talk tonight while you're out she might feel more up to talking with you not around then I'll mention that I'd like to run some tests like what we just said and go from there. Do you know if she's had any nightmares? Something that might indicate her subconscious was interacting with the intersect?"
"No she hasn't said anything about nightmares nor has she woke me up about any but we're talking about Sarah. I don't think there's much that could scare her."
"Well we need to get this ice cream back over there before they send out a search party. Little Brother try not to worry I'm sure everything is going to be fine."
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