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, 11 Chuck vs The Jade Dragon, 12 Chuck vs Jai-Alai, 13 Chuck vs The Greek, 14 Chuck vs The Suitcase, 15 Chuck vs The Pirate, 16 Chuck vs The Toy Maker, 17 Chuck vs The Sibyl
The whole Bartowski team and friends were in the courtyard celebrating Sam's birthday. Chuck was acting DJ playing jams from his record collection. Sarah was standing behind him with her arms wrapped around his waist watching everyone dance and having a good time. Margo was able to break away from work and brought Razib who was being the gentleman with the girls as Molly and Clara took turns dancing with him.
"Razib is going to have a problem when he grows up," said Chuck jokingly to Sarah pointing him out on the dance floor.
"Why is that," asked Sarah as she hugged him.
"He's going to have two girls fighting over him and not knowing which one to pick."
"They could just share like Carina and I used to do."
"Really!" said Chuck as he turned to her in surprise.
"No Silly, can you see me sharing? Listen buster I might share clothes and jewelry but there are some things that are mine and mine alone remember that," she said as she pulled him close to her and kissed him. Just then Emma came out of their apartment with Sam.
"Momma," said Sam when she saw Sarah turning with her little arms outstretched.
"The party girl wants you," said Chuck pointing over to Emma and Sam. Sarah walked over and took Sam holding her tight.
"I'm truly happy for you honey," said Emma as she caressed Sarah's face.
"Thank you Mom, I couldn't do this without you and Molly. Let me take care of Sam go mingle Devon and Ellie are over in the corner and Morgan will be back soon with a piñata."
"What no pony?" asked Emma jokingly.
"You heard? I talked them out of it I remember the time Jack brought a pony over to grannies. I think he won it in a card game or something. He was sure it was going to make money. The only thing it was good for making was natural fertilizer and it made that in abundance all over our front lawn." Both laughed and Sam joined in laughing too.
"Thanks for that walk down memory lane," said Emma, "but I want to spend a little time with my son in law."
"I'll take the birthday girl around and say hi to her guests. Here take this to Chuck," said Sarah as she handed Emma a cup of punch she had in her hand, "I promised him I'd bring him some." Emma took the cup from Sarah then walked over to the DJ who was getting down to the beat.
"Here," said Emma as she passed him his drink, "nice music."
"Thanks I was getting parched. They're all classics now music has always been important for me when I was growing up. It took me a life time to put my record collection together."
"I understand like a friend that was always there like Morgan." Chuck was starting to feel like he was under interrogation.
"What do you want Emma? I don't think it has anything to do with a special request, does it?"
"Your spy skills are becoming very perceptive but be careful you don't lose yourself Chuck in this world you've chosen to live in but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
"I'm sorry, I was too blunt," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah and Sam smiling at him. Sarah took Sam's hand and waved at him then he waved back.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you wanted everyone to be here."
"Yes, but why wouldn't I be? Oh, I see because my mother isn't here. Well I think we've got an understanding going I don't expect anything from her so I won't be disappointed."
"That sounds a bit harsh coming from you and it sounds more like my daughter speaking."
"What can I say; we've learned from each other. I might not know a lot of things but the one thing I do know is that I love her and there is no force on this earth that can keep me from her."
"I believe she feels the same so what's the chance of a mother getting a dance from her son in law that is if you can play something I can dance to."
"Oh stabbed in the heart, of course I can how about something slow maybe some Barry White. Listen to this and tell me."
"That's good. I like it you should've become a professional."
"May I," said Chuck as he took Emma out by the hand and led her to next to the fountain where they danced and as they danced he looked back over at Sarah as she smiled at him.
"Thank you Emma for giving me the best present I could ever receive and one I never knew I wanted," said Chuck.
"No thank you Chuck for giving all this to my daughter. You'll never know what this means to me, how much I worried about her with her father all those years then the agency but now, well I'm the one that's grateful," said Emma. "Wait here." Emma went over to Sarah and took Sam back then pushed her on the dance floor.
"May I have this dance," said Chuck as he offered her his hand.
"Aren't we being the gentleman this afternoon? It looks like Razib has taught you well," said Sarah as she took his hand and he pulled her close.
"Listen," said Chuck as the music began to play.
"Nina Simone! Our song," said Sarah then she kissed him. "I love you so very much," she whispered in his ear as they began to sway to the music. They danced in silence through the whole piece and then when the song was over they danced to their own music, the love they felt for each other as their guests watched.
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In the town of Kotor, Montenegro on the coast of the Adriatic Dimitry Siljack was sitting at the poker table in the Grand Casino, a recent acquisition. He was playing a new game a form of Texas Hold 'Em called Casino Hold 'Em he wanted to test it out for his upcoming annual poker tournament as well as testing the poker skills of his new croupier.
"I'll call," said Dimitry as he placed his chips in the center when an oriental woman came walking in behind him with two thugs by her side. Dimitry refused to acknowledge her presence until after the game was over..
"Mr. Silijack you've got two pair, aces high" said the croupier turning over his bosses cards and matching them with the community cards. "House has two pair, jack high. Mr. Silijack you win," said the croupier as he slide his boss the chips in the middle of the table.
"Sorry if I didn't greet you when you came in but poker is serious business. So Madame Wong what do I owe this pleasure."
"I think you know why I'm here," she said as she sat down next to him at the table.
"I'm sorry if you lost the train but a deal is a deal and I require payment or the people I owe money will be after me for collection and no offense," said Dimitry looking at the men with Madame Wong, "but they give me the heebie-jeebies."
"What if I told you there was a way for you to get your payment and make a profit too."
"I'm listening," said Dimitry always looking to turn a buck and lately not a lot had been turning. He was in fact up to his eyeballs in debt.
"I've information that a certain diamond will be in Antwerp soon and my people are ready to take it. What we need is a good fence, one who can get top dollar for it."
"You know I deal in the black market arms trade but I could branch out, maybe it's time to diversify? How much money are we talking about anyway?"
"Well its sister stone which is identical is almost 109 carats."
"The only rock I know that big is the Koh-I-Noor which is in the British crown jewels in the Tower of London under lock and key. Is this some sort of joke? If it is it's not funny."
"No joke what if I told you - it is said he who owns-"
"The Nadan-I-Noor rules the world," said Dimitry cutting off Madame Wong. "But that is under lock and key too in Washington or that's the last I heard."
"I have it on good authority that the British government made a formal request to the Americans to inspect the Nadan-I-Noor because someone feed intel to MI6 that the stone they have in the Tower of London that they think is the Koh-I-Noor is actually a fake and that the Nadan-I-Noor is actually the real stone."
"How did you do that?" said Silijack shocked and surprised.
"I don't think this is the place to talk," said Madame Wong looking over at Dimitry's croupier.
"Don't worry about Mr. Merkins, he's been vetted and is good at poker. I always trust a man who's smart enough to know to let me win."
"You're too kind Mr. Silijack," said the Croupier then he turned to Madame Wong and extended his hand. "The name is Guido Merkins, nice to make your acquaintance."
"You're American, aren't you?" said Madame Wong looking him over.
"Yes, if you mean North American, I come from Alberta, in Canada but I'm actually a man of the world and a jack of all trades. Please excuse the pun," said Guido as he turned over the jack of hearts from the deck.
"Dimitry, where did you find this man?" She asked Silijack but looking into Guido's eyes.
"Well Guido wasn't so nice to me in the beginning I lost five grand to him in a casino in Saint-Tropez. I liked the way he handled himself with the customers. He has the ability to make people happy even when they lose so I had to have him here for my new casino. But I wasn't stupid if that's what you're thinking I had our people vet him and he came back clean."
"Good, well Mr. Merkins seems you're onboard with us so you can stay. I'll have the rock here in a few days plus I'm going to need a place to stash a guest. She will need hospitality for a few days until I can get a special team in to chat with her."
"I know of a remote place in Serbia a former castle run by the local brotherhood. They use it to smuggle goods in and out. They are a little dense but make up for it in muscle and for a small fee they'll break anything for you."
"Good, just the kind of people I like to deal with, but you need to warn them I don't want anything on our guest broken, at least not yet."
"I can make the call."
"Good then make it happen, said Madame Wong as she got up to leave."
"Hold up a bit we haven't discussed my cut in this," said Dimitry. "I hope you don't expect my services to be free. Your people already owe me a pretty penny as it is what guarantees do you give that I'll see anything?"
"We'll pay you your debt plus five percent but nothing more. You can understand after recent fiascos if we don't have the money we used to and we need this to go down if we're to stay solvent. But we won't forget this in future operations you have my word on that and you know I always keep my promises."
"I understand I put all the money I had into this place and I need your money for much the same reason, cards on the table. No pun intended."
"None taken then we understand each other," said Madame Wong as she shook Dimitry's hand then picked up a hundred dollar chip from his pile and tossed it to Guido.
"I'd say you earned this. The next time I hope I have more time I'd like to play a few hands with you. I'm interested is seeing how you deal."
"It would be my pleasure and if you like the way I deal just wait until you see me shuffle," said Guido with a coy smile on his face.
After Madame Wong left more of Dimitry's men walked in from hidden places in the room carrying automatic weapons. He motioned for them to leave and then they filed out leaving him alone with Guido.
"Here," Dimitry said as he tossed Guido another hundred dollar chip, "you earned this today."
"Thank you Sir but if you don't mind, why did you settle for a lousy five percent? She needed you, you could've asked for more?"
"I have other plans in motion and I need the extra funds to cover our poker tournament a little rob Peter to pay Paul."
"Boss, I'm not one to question management but my granddad used to tell me: pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered."
"Don't worry I've got everything under control."
"I'm sure you do," said Guido.
"Now deal me another hand and this time you can try a little harder. It's no fun if you let me win all the time I might get tired of you and we wouldn't want that now would we?"
"No Sir we wouldn't," said Guido laughing inside thinking this was going to be like taking candy from a baby.
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Back in Echo Park Morgan and Alex showed up with the piñata and had just hung it in the courtyard. Chuck blindfolded Clara, Molly and Razib so they could take turns flailing away at it but none of them were able to break it. Then Morgan got a bright idea and thought it would be fun put a blindfold on Sarah over Chuck's protest.
"Come on Morgan this is for kids," said Chuck already knowing what was going to happen.
"She's the mother of the birthday girl and so her substitute in all piñata contests until she can carry a stick on her own," said Morgan and the rest agreed.
"And beat you with," said Chuck, "well I warned you." He then whispered to Sarah, "please try and control the Ninja urge."
"I can't promise anything," she whispered back.
Chuck knew then the piñata's short life was over and he was right. Sarah executed a beautiful bo form that would have made any master at the Shaolin temple happy. She cracked the thing on the first strike like an egg then quartered it before it struck the ground. Chuck quickly moved in blocking further blows as Clara, Molly, Razib and Morgan all dove for candy.
"Okay, it's dead," said Chuck as he used Mantis style to take the staff away from her.
"Did I get carried away?" asked Sarah more than a little embarrassed but happy seeing she was able to do it on her own without flashing.
"You were wonderful," said Chuck as he kissed her. "Hey Morgan remember you're five candy limit. I don't want to have to put you in time out."
"Oh, you're no fun," said Morgan as he shared his candy with the rest of the children.
"You've got any for me," asked Alex tapping on his shoulder with a big smile.
"Sure which one do you want," asked Morgan holding his hands out.
"This one," she said as she kissed him.
"Way to go little guy," said Chuck with his arm around Sarah. That was when he realized they were missing someone and he started looking around.
"What's the matter? Who are you looking for?" asked Sarah.
"Casey, where's he at? I thought he'd be here. I realized he wasn't here when Morgan and Alex kissed because-"
"He'd have some quip. You're right he would've but I haven't seen him all day come to think of it. You don't think he would've gone on mission without us, do you? We're his team and partners."
"Well he knew how important this party was for us and the Big Guy could've thought he could handle it on his own. But as soon as people clear out I'll activate his GPS transponder and use satellite imagery to find out where he is."
"Or we could ask Alex," said Sarah.
"Or we could ask Alex.
Alex was with Morgan sitting on the ground with the girls and Razib they were all going to town eating candy as the rest of the adults watched. Margo stopped Sarah on their way over.
"I want to thank you for inviting us."
"Margo you two are like family for us there's no need to say thanks and you'll be expected at all gatherings that is if you don't have plans with your family. How's work now with your extra responsibly?"
"Surprisingly good, I'm on leave right now then we go back to Rome. I've put in for a transfer back Stateside."
"If you want we can see what we can do maybe get you in someplace around here or Chicago even. I mean if that's what you want?"
"Rhazib would like that and that's who I've got to think about now. Sometimes I catch myself calling him Candy."
"Your sister's name, I think that's understandable given the circumstances. Just hang in there I'm sure everything will work out."
"I'm sure too, having Razib is like having my sister back and I'm just grateful, thanks."
"For what? Like I said Thanksgiving and Christmas you two have standing invitations and we can even add something for Ramadan. We'll talk more later," said Sarah as she hurried over to Chuck who was already standing over Morgan. Chuck felt Sarah's arm as she reached around his waist and smelt her perfume as she drew near almost making him forget why he was standing there.
"Dude, don't get me wrong I appreciate the shade but did you want something," said Morgan. Chuck realized then Morgan had already eaten too much candy and the inner Morgan was starting to come out.
"I think you need to slow up there a little but I," Sarah squeezed his side, "we really came over to ask to Alex if she knew where Casey was?"
"I don't know all I know is when we came over he was leaving. He said he got a phone call and had to pick someone up at the airport but I'm sure he'll be back soon. But you're right he has been gone for a long time. There," she said pointing out of the courtyard, "I think I just saw his Crown Vic pull up. Yes, but who's that with him?"
"I can't believe it," said Chuck as he and Sarah went over to meet Casey and his guest. "Roan, Roan Montgomery, if we had known you were in town we would've invited you. "It's been too long since we last saw you."
"Yes Agent Montgomery come on in. Can I get you something? Cake, punch?
"An extra dry Martini, three olives," said Chuck.
"That would be a good start but no we need to go somewhere private and talk mission."
"Mission! Oh no look Roan we've been cleared for some R&R and I plan on R&Ring with Sarah so I don't know what kind of mission Diane wants us to do but she'll have to find someone else this time."
"Guys things have changed, you need to hear him out," said Casey. "Let's go to my place."
Casey led them into his apartment leaving them in front of his monitor then posted himself outside by the door. Their march through the party didn't go unnoticed. Morgan and Alex went over to see what the deal was.
"Back off Troll this briefing isn't for you. This is need to know only and you don't need so you're not going to know," said Casey as gruff as ever.
"Sorry Big Guy just wanted to know if I could be any help."
"You can go back and play with people your own age," said Casey pointing to Molly, Clara and Razib. "There might be some bubble gum left so why don't you go blow."
"Dad, what's going on? Can't you tell me," asked Alex.
"I'm sorry but I can't," said Casey changing tone. "Let's just say it's a matter of national security which seems just about everything these days."
Inside Chuck and Sarah stood in front of a monitor as it came on to a familiar sight, Beckman's office but she wasn't at her desk. They heard some voices in the background but they were indistinguishable. Then to their amazement Mary came into view and sat behind Diane's desk.
"Well I guess this might answer your questions as to why I'm not there. Listen Agent Montgomery will brief you on this mission. What he is about to tell you is of the utmost secrecy so secret it cannot be transmitted over any comm systems under any circumstances. Am I clear?"
They looked at each other then nodded.
"Roan will give you verbally everything you need to know about your mission. If there's nothing else, Bartowski out," said Mary as the monitor went off.
"If there's nothing else? I don't know anything before to know if there's anything else. Roan, why was my mother in the General's office and more importantly where the hell is the General?"
"I wish I knew my dear boy." Roan went on to describe the events that led up to Beckman's disappearance.