Don't own Chuck - just keeping the fire burning

ONE, TWO THREE, FREDY'S COMING FOR YOU

Andy had been down on his luck for a while. His was not an unusual story, one day his boss came in and said I'm sorry but we're downsizing because of the current economic crisis so we're going to have to let you got. There he was let go from a job he had been at since he left high school. Worst of all laid off with a family to feed and two mortgages to pay being without work was a problem, not only for these reasons but also for his sense of masculine pride. However, all of that seemed to be behind now, things were looking up again. He had weathered the storm and had gotten called for this job last week. In fact tonight was his first night on the job granted the pay wasn't anything special and he had to work nights but it was a paycheck and right now that was what he needed more than anything.

"Okay, let's toss a coin, heads I make the round and you pay for drinks tomorrow night or tails you make the round and I pay."

"Ralph, you're just trying to get free booze."

"Not if I lose, besides is your wife even going to let you out tomorrow night? I heard that she's got you henpecked. I heard the way you talk to her on the phone and I have to say I just don't know."

"First of all stop listening in on my conversations, I could be making a date with your girlfriend and second of all if you have to know I already told her about tomorrow night. She thinks it's good I go out and socialize with you guys."

"Andy, you're one lucky man to have a wife like that."

"I know," said Andy and thought so too.

"Okay, here it goes. Ha, looks like Andy you need to bring your wallet tomorrow night and I can tell you I'm going to be thirsty."

"Yeah, yeah, just pipe down and go."

Ralph and Andy worked the night shift for a private security company at the Greater Area Chicago Medical Center. The hospital was a labyrinth of halls and corridors that interconnected like Relativity by Escher. Ralph made his way through the now darkened passages of medical records. Unlike the wards where there was twenty-four hour controlled chaos here there wasn't a soul to be found after quitting time. A number of doctors had complained about this seeing as some of the patients' information had not been put in their on-line database but with budget cuts and short staffing that was not going to be corrected in the near future.

"Ralph," radioed Andy. "Where are you?"

"I'm on the fourth floor, why?"

"Because you're supposed to radio in when you've reached a new floor that's what Bill told me in the indoctrination brief I got."

"What they tell you in that brief and what we do are two different things. Don't be a worry wart. You're starting to sound like my mother. Don't forget to put your gloves on or take an umbrella it might rain. Just chill man, smell the roses."

"Ralph I can't afford to lose this job so just follow protocol, okay."

"Okay Andy, just have your money ready tomorrow, because you're making me work up a thirst. Hey, I see some lights moving around in patient records." The walls on that floor were made of opaque glass it was cheaper to construct, easy to transform and it had the additional benefit of allowing supervisors to listen in on what their workers were saying about them, a built in Big Brother system.

"I'm going to go in."

"No stand down and wait for back up that's what-"

"I know the manual says but who would want some old dusty pieces of paper, probably some kids looking to get high. If you want and it makes you happy, I'll leave my mic open."

Andy didn't like this, not one bit. He was a sort of horror movie addict he liked the ones that really make you jump in your seat, the ones that make your hair stand up. He had seen all the Friday the 13th s and the Nightmare on Elm Streets, and loved Freddy Krueger, as well as Jason, so he knew that you never ever open that door. However, Ralph never watched any of those movies so he went in.

Andy had already pressed the silent alarm when he heard what sounded like loud two loud firecrackers with a pause then a third. What most people believe is that a suppressed or silenced weapon makes little or no noise but the truth is quite the opposite even though they are "silenced" they are anything but. It is for this reason that professionals who wish to use such type of weapon will chose a small caliber like a twenty-two instead of a large one like a fifty caliber desert eagle. However, a twenty-two in the hands of a marksman can be just a deadly and if not more accurate. The smaller round also means less markings for ballistic to trace back to a source weapon an all-around win-win for a hitman. So it was with poor Ralph the police found him with two in the chest and one in the head. He never did get his drink, not in this life.

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BYE BUY MORE

At the Buy More Morgan was walking around taking it all in: the smells, the scents, the perfumes (Morgan mental note: A list of words that all mean the same thing). He couldn't help but look around with admiration at the kingdom. He strolled down the aisles talking with customers. "Can I help you find what you're looking for?" He also stopped workers and asked them about their families. "Hey, Jim how's the family." This was Morgan's day. This was his last day.

"Hey Big Mike, I was looking for you," said Morgan. "I wanted to give you these."

"The keys to the kingdom, boy I'm going to miss you. But I know you'll do well over there with them little African babies, just a cuddling and rocking them just like your Mamma does me every night."

"Thanks for that."

"Oh man, the sweet sound of the Serengeti your Mamma she pretends to be a gazelle a hopping through the trees and you know who I am."

"I really have no idea Big and to tell you the truth-"

"The King of the Jungle, the mighty lion and I whip up on her and well let's just say it gets wild.

"Someone please give me some bleach I need to wash that image from my brain. Mike I don't know if anybody ever told you but the Serengeti is a savannah so the king of the jungle doesn't really apply."

"Ever heard of poetic license. What do you need son?"

"Yeah, right next to driver's license, right, what I need. I'll be leaving right after I pick Chuck and Sarah up so I just wanted to say thanks for minding the store while I'm gone."

"Anything for family, I'll keep the place running while you're gone."

"Thanks, I shouldn't be more than four months. That's our first tour then we'll see after that."

"Boy, I'm going to miss you around here and I know your Mamma will too."

"What can I say; a man's got to follow his heart."

"Well said, and mine is telling me it's lunch time. Say hi to the Bartowskis for me. You know I ought to take your Mamma on a cruise. Get her out on that open water, and then the great black shark attacks, makes a man shutter just to think about it."

"I'm not even going to touch that line. Bye Mike, be good." Morgan left muttering, why me, why me? He was brought out of his walking nightmare by the sudden realization that Casey was in front of him and he didn't look happy.

"I hear troll that you're taking my little girl to Africa."

"Well Casey, it's more the other way around but yes. She wanted to go so I followed my heart like Chuck said anything wrong with that?"

"Actually, no and it's kind of nice but don't ever tell anyone I said that."

"Casey, you're going to miss me. Is that what you're trying to say?"

"Of course not, I just want you to take care of yourself and Alex. If anything happens to her you're mine and you know what that means?"

"You know a thousand and one ways to kill me, I know."

"No, a thousand and two ways, I learnt a new one on board ship, keel hauling."

"Okay, nice to know, but don't worry every things going to be alright."

"Grimes, don't you know never tell anyone not to worry because that's the time when they should be worrying."

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'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE….

It was two in the morning in the Woodcomb home and not a creature was stirring. Ellie was sound asleep dreaming about her youth, dreaming about her childhood. There she was walking into the living room of her childhood home with a heavy feeling of anguish and sorrow. Sitting on the couch was her little brother, Chuck and his best friend Morgan, they were playing some video game. What was the name of that game she thought, after all she should know it but it escaped her like many things. She had this feeling of dread but she knew what she had to do. Not much other than her brother but she was the oldest and as such it was her responsibility to do what must be done.

"Chuck," she heard herself say then whispered in his ear, "We need to talk." He looked up with those baby eyes that could melt the hardest stone but she had to do it for it was her job and no one else's.

'Can't it wait? I'm beating Morgan."

"In your dreams Bartowski," said Morgan. Even as a youth Ellie remembered Morgan with a full beard.

"Chuck, Mom is gone and she's not coming back."

It was then the phone rang jolting her back into reality. She was in that twilight period between being awake and still being asleep.

"Devon, Love, it's for you. I'm not on call." They had decided that when the other one was on call, they would sleep in the guest room with the phone that way the one who wasn't on call could sleep but here he was and the phone wouldn't stop ringing and the bed was so comfortable. "Devon, please make it stop," she implored as she put her pillow over her head. She finally heard a sleepy Awesone answer and ask who it was.

'It's for you," Devon said elbowing her before passing her the receiver.

"It can't be I'm not on call."

"Neither am I Bebe, but the police want to speak to you."

"Police!" just the mention was like having ice water dumped on her. The first thing that came to mind was Chuck and Sarah then what do I say? What do I do?"

Devon saw Ellie's confusion. "Bebe, just calm down and speak to them." Awesome was as usual awesome and his words and voice tone had a calming effect so she let out a long breath then took the phone.

"Yes, this is Dr. Woodcomb. Yes, I work in Neurology. What? When? Do you know why? Okay let me get some clothes on and I'll be right in." She hung up the phone and jumped out of bed then started to get dressed in a hurry.

"Hun, What is it? Was there an accident? Do you have to go to the hospital? Do they need me too?" Devon asked seeing his wife putting on clothes that really didn't match.

"Yes, I've got to go in and there was no accident. There's been a break in and a guard's been shot. The police want me to come in and see if I can determine what they were after. But I think I already know."

"What? Are you sure you'll be safe? What do you think they were after?"

"The robbery was in patient records and the police said some files had been found open, my files."

"So what about it? I don't understand what anyone could do with some old paper records. Everything is on computer now all they would need would be to get computer access and presto."

"Love, not everything is on computer, not the intersect files and not Sarah or Morgan's records."

"Wow, and Chuck's, what about Chuck's?"

"I've got them in my office safe the one the CIA had put in for me. But I'm only guessing right now, I won't know until I get there."

"Shouldn't you call someone and let them know?"

"At this hour, no? I'll go find out what I can then I'll call Chuck.

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L.A. WOMAN

United US Air flight 2256 was flying the sunny skies of southern California making its way towards Burbank, Bob Hope Airport from Chicago. Onboard Chuck was fast asleep curled up against Sarah's shoulder. Chuck's last words were, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep and from then it was lights out. Sarah could understand why. It had been a long flight from Italy and then upon arrival little Clara had put her favorite uncle through his paces.

Sarah had a hard time admitting that she really missed Clara. Chuck was Clara's favorite uncle but Clara had also told Sarah, she was her favorite aunt. A bond had established itself between them and the reality of the distance was causing Sarah to feel emotions that she had never felt before. She loved the little plays Clara had made them do, as usual Sarah was the damsel in distress and Chuck was prince charming who came and slayed the dragon to rescue her. There were times that Sarah protested to the stage director but Clara was immovable. For Clara her fairytales were dogma and any talk of changing them were utter heresy. Sarah thought it amusing to see the little girl with one hand on her hip and the other one pointing vigorously at Chuck. "Now, listen buddy this is the way it's supposed to go! Clara would say with her little girl voice chastising him because he wanted Sarah to have a more political correct role. He wanted Sarah to be Clara's role model.

"Chuck, you want me to be a role model for Clara?" She had asked and he answered affirmatively. How could she be a role model for Ellie's child? Ellie knew who Sarah was and it was good that she let her play with Clara but to be a role model. Sarah doubt whether this was a good idea. However, Chuck got Ellie to talk to her about it too. She felt a bit embarrassed because Ellie more so than Chuck was not a halfway person. If she liked you she would let you know with hugs that a sumo wrestler would be proud of. Despite everything that had transpired between them, Ellie like her and at times Sarah didn't know why, just because she had married Chuck. Sarah couldn't help but wonder if that were enough. It brought tears to Sarah's eyes when Ellie told her that she would be proud if Clara grew up to be like her. Sarah played it off by telling Ellie that Clara had already told her that she knew what she wanted to be and that was prince charming. And Charming Clara was indeed. Just then the fasten seat belt sign came on and the pilot made an announcement that they were making their approach to the airport.

Before Sarah could wake Chuck, the flight attendant arrived and nudged him, "Sir the Captain has announced we're making our approach, can you put your seat belt on? Please put your tray and seat in the upright position."

"Oh, how long was I out," asked Chuck as he complied with the hostesses orders.

"Almost since we left Chicago, you looked so peaceful and I knew you needed the rest so I let you sleep."

"Thanks, you're right. Boy, those international flights are murder."

"I think it was more Clara than flying."

"I think you're right. Waiting until Thanksgiving is going to be hard." Sarah wanted to say she agreed but all these feelings she was having for this kid were confusing for her. If asked about how to disarm a thermal nuclear device that would have been a piece of cake but to speak about the feelings she was having for this little girl were next to impossible.

"Maybe we'll catch a mission back to Chicago," was all she could think to say.

It was then that they heard the sound of the flaps and wheels then felt the plane touch the tarmac followed by pressure pushing them back in their seats as the pilot reversed engines to break. Soon they were pulled up to Gate A4 and everyone on the plane filed out.

"Do you want to go find Morgan while I get the bags that way we can get out of the airport quicker?"

"No, Mr. Bartowski, I'm staying right here by your side," said Sarah as she put her arm around him. They walked down the carpeted hallway towards the baggage claim area. When they got arrived, Morgan was already there waiting for them.

"They let you in here," asked Chuck thinking about how tight security was and how homeland security had made it difficult to get in now.

"Yeah, I got one of the guards a good deal on a flat screen. Hey Chuck, we need to talk I've got something to tell you." It was then Chuck flashed. "Hey, Chuck, hey earth to Chuck," Morgan said waving his hand in front of Chuck's face. Sarah was the first to realize what was happening.

"Sweetie, did you just flash?"

"Yeah, that woman over there with the black hair and red dress who's picking up the green suitcase her name is Elizabeth Watson. She works in the diamond business just not the legal kind. She specializes in conflict diamonds. The money she makes is funneled back to various so call freedom fights and warlords in Africa."

"Africa, that's what I want to talk to you about," interrupted Morgan.

"Not now Little Buddy, some of the money is used to train child soldiers and she's bad news with a capital B. She usually travels with an armed escort but I don't see any she's probably here to meet someone. We ought to follow her and see if I can flash on anyone else.."

"I agree Sweetie. You and I can tail her, Morgan keys. Morgan after we leave call Casey and tell him what's going on We'll call him when we know more. He might want to alert the General."

"What do I do?" asked Morgan.

"You can catch a taxi and take our bags home. Thanks Little Buddy, I owe you one." Chuck and Sarah disappeared after the mysterious woman leaving Morgan mumbling to himself.

"But Chuck I'm leaving this afternoon so this is goodbye," words Morgan said but Chuck never heard.