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, 18 Chuck vs The House, 19 Chuck vs The Heist, 20 Chuck vs The A-Bomb, 21 Chuck vs The Snowman, 22 Chuck vs The Tin Man, 23 Chuck vs The Baguette, 24 Chuck vs The Black Knight, 25 Chuck vs The Merchant of Venice, 26 Chuck vs Electric Sheep, 27 Chuck vs The Band, 28 Chuck vs The Cold, 29 Chuck vs A Horse With No Name, 30 Chuck vs A Bolt In The Blue, 31 Chuck vs Brick and Mortar, 32 Chuck vs Juri Sheshenkov
The weather was typical for this time of year in Southern California. Chuck was already thinking and planning what to do with the rest of the day. His first stop was at the Doctor's to get his fitness for duty certificate. After that he had to show his face in the Buy More then duck out. He was supposed to grab yoghurt with Sarah at Orange Orange but the day was nice and after his time in the Caucasus Mountains some time on the beach would be nice. They could get Sam, some cheeseburgers with extra pickles and spend the rest of the day at Malibu just him with the two most important women in his life collecting sea shells and walking the beach.
"Agent Carmichael," said Chuck to the nurse behind the counter as he walked into the reception area. "I'm here to pick up…"
"Sit down and the Doctor will be with you shortly," said the nurse. Chuck was about to say something but the nurse cut him off. "Just have a seat until your name is called."
There was little he could do but sit down cross his legs and wait. Minutes became an hour and he still hadn't been called while other people had walked in and walked out so he went back up to the receptionist.
"Excuse me I've been here for going on an hour I just wanted to make sure the Doctor's aware I'm waiting for him. He's expecting me."
"He knows but you can go in only when your name is called so if you'd kindly go back and find a seat. The Doctor will be with you soon."
"Thank you I guess," said Chuck as the nurse raised her eye at him and he raised his back. "Gez good thing I wasn't in a hurry. Find a seat, I found them and a lot of them now what?" He pulled out his phone to call Sarah to tell her he probably wasn't going to make it back in time for yoghurt but they could all still go to the beach. That was when he discovered there was no signal in the waiting room. He walked up back up to the receptionist. He could tell by her look she already had her guard up as he approached.
"Do you mind if I borrow your phone? There's no signal in here and I need to let someone I'm going to be late."
"Sorry but the office phone is for official use only. Patients aren't allowed to use it so if you don't mind…"
"Go back and have a seat," said Chuck as he was beginning to get angry. "But when you say have a seat do you mean it?"
"Of course I do? What kind of question is that? Now can you kindly go back and have a seat the Doctor will be with you soon."
"So I can take a chair with me when I go because you told me I could have a seat and I asked you if that was what you meant. You said yes so which one can I take with me?"
"Have a seat doesn't mean have a seat it means have a seat as in take… no it does mean that," said the nurse as Chuck got her tongue tied. "Just sit down and I'll go see what's taking so long."
"Thank you that's all I wanted but I really like the chair in the corner next to the artificial Benjamin. It looks like it could use some watering by the way." The nurse walked away frustrated with him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile across the pond…
In a rundown section of the East end of London Carina and Cole were running a joint op. It was a sting operation with Cole posing as a buyer and Carina as his muscle. They drove into what looked like the slums with three high rise complexes and parked in an interior courtyard with two rusty cars parked on blocks. They were greeted by three men carrying AK-47s and tattoos with Cyrillic writing all over.
"Dobrodošli," said another man, with a huge spider tattoo on his neck, as he came walking out of one of the towers. "Welcome to Londograd and our little corner of the universe."
"I think you could use a little spring cleaning," said Cole. "I'm a busy man can you take me to see the merchandise then maybe we can agree on a price that's mutually acceptable."
"This way follow me," said the man with the spider tattoo. "Bring your money. We run a strict cash and carry business. Pretty lady, don't I know you from somewhere?"
"Somehow I don't think we hang out in the same circles. How much time do you spend in Monte Carlo or on the French Rivera? Maybe we met at Saint Tropez or Portofino?" said Carina as she pulled out a large case from the trunk of the car. The man's men started laughing.
"No but I can't help feel we've met before. You operate much around here? Have you ever been to Belgrade? No?"
"Can we get on with this," said Cole trying to get the deal rolling before the guy figures out who they were. "You're wasting my time hitting up on my help. Do I need to take my business elsewhere?"
"Don't get yourself all worked up follow me and I'll show you the way. You're not going to find these anywhere else." He led then into one of the three towers then up stairs that seemed to go on forever. There was an elevator but the sign out front read 'out of order'.
"When are you going to get your lift fixed? This going up and down all the time might be healthy for you be it can also get old fast."
"We like the lift being out because it gives us time to check out anyone coming up before they get to us," said the man as he pointed at CCTV cameras set up in strategic locations. "If we don't like them they don't get up."
"Smart man," said Cole. "I like working with a man who knows what he's doing. I've got buyers and money; you know opportunities like this don't come along every day. My people are willing to shell out cash for top shelf weapons and weapons systems. I was told by a little bird you could get me some Russian RPG 22s like what was used in the September 2000 attack against Vauxhall. They told me a case fell into your lap from the Bulgarians."
"That little bird had better keep its mouth shut before my Russian friend Comrade Kalashnikov shuts it forever. We're here," said the man. He knocked on the door then he and the man on the other side exchange a conversation in Serbian.
"What was all that about?" asked Cole playing his part as a big time arms dealer. "I don't like it when I can't understand what's being said makes nervous like I'm being set up."
"Chill dude, I was telling him you're a reputable chap. Russians… yes I remember you now. Mister we have a problem," said the man as the guy on the other side of the door opened. "Your lady friend here, she was with those guys that busted some friends of mine who were running with the Russians a while back. I barely got away. Hey, is this some sort of set up."
"Come on man don't be crazy you must've been smoking something cheap. She's been with me for years. My best cleaner," said Cole. "Darling, show the man the cash maybe this will convince you. I know the Real IRA is offering you £150 to £220 per weapon I'll double it and take your whole stock."
"And what if we just take your money and pop a cap in you right here," said Mr. Tattoo. Carina looked over at Cole then dropped open the case. All the Serbs were startled thinking Carina had dropped the cash but instead she pulled out two HK MP5KA4s. One she tossed to Cole while she opened fire taking out Mr. Tattoo and his thugs then they proceeded inside to secure the apartment.
"Call in for backup," yelled Cole as he dropped two running down the hall firing 47s. "This could get a little sticky fast."
"Oh you never want to have any fun," said Carina she jumped back outside dropping two more that were trying to sneak up the stairs coming up on them from behind. "Oh all right spoil sport." She pressed a button on the side of her watch which activated an emergency distress beacon. Suddenly the sky got dark over the top of the high rise as two Black Hawks hoover overhead and a unified force of DEA and MI6 agents rappelled onto the roof.
"I think our friends are here," said Carina as they walked down a long corridor clearing room after room. Then suddenly a man ran at them carrying a canister. Carina did a spinning back kick that sent him back into the room. He made a loud crash as he landed against the back wall but the canister fell out of his hand. The next thing they heard a high pitched whistle hissing sound.
"Crap, it's gas," yelled Cole as he pulled the door closed. It just so happened there was a roll of duct tape lying on the floor so while Cole held the door closed Carina taped it off temporarily sealing it.
"What do you think it was?" asked Carina. Then all of a sudden they heard pounding and screaming inside as the man begged to be let out.
"Let me out. You have to let me out there're monsters in here with big red eyes and sharp teeth. They want to eat me. Please let me out," he screamed. "The baba roga is here for me. Oh my God!"
"Gez," said Cole looking over a Carina. It sounded like the man was battering the door and walls with his head then there was silence. "I don't know but I think it was some kind of nerve gas. I saw 'Atroxium' written on the canister but I've never heard of it before have you?"
"No, never but we're going to need a decon team in here with type A hazmat suits. As soon as we get back I'll see if anyone back in the agency knows anything. But judging from what it sounded like it did to that poor guy inside it's pretty bad stuff."
"I hate gas it's a coward's weapon," said Cole as their men started arriving. He waved them over to talk to them.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sarah left home after Kat showed up and she fed Sam her breakfast. She gave Sam a kiss then made an arrangement for Kat to bring Sam by Castle before she had to take off. Sarah drove the I-5 taking it into Burbank then on to the Buy More. Getting out she put on her sunglasses the sun was already bright then she walked inside. Big Mike saw her first and went to greet her.
"Sarah, how are you doing today? Is everything okay with Chuck? If you're looking for him he's out this morning."
"I know but I wanted to surprise him and there were a few things I wanted to pick up so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone."
"As long as one of those birds isn't Chuck," said Big Mike. Sarah gave him a look. "I heard about the mugging. Morgan said he got a nasty scar."
"Oh yes well crime is running rampant these days," said Sarah as she tried to shake him loose to make it to the break room. Now she regretted not going through Orange Orange.
"I'm going to have to talk to that boy. What was he thinking when a man points a gun in your face and asks for your wallet you give it to him. There isn't anything in there that you can't get replaced."
"You're absolutely right," said Sarah. Big Mike was right and for once he was making sense. "I really need to…"
"Yeap, I'm going to have to talk with that boy what is a little cash, very little cash after making your wife's Visa, Mastercard, and Dinner's Club payments. Did you know there are places that still accept Dinner's Club?" Sarah shook her head. "I didn't either but I get their monthly bill. But what is money as long as you keep your wife happy? I'm not complaining but just the other night my muy calient wife turned to me in bed and said Big Mike, that's what she calls me you know. Then she told me those three little words."
"I love you?"
"No, raise my limit that is on her plastic. There are some things money can't buy but she hasn't found them yet."
"I guess I really need to go, thanks for the conversation," said Sarah as she bolted towards the restrooms then cut across to the break room.
"Hey Big Mike did you ask Chuck's wife about his medical appointment?" asked Skip smiling. "I got a bet going with Fernando. I bet him twenty bucks that it was social."
"What an idiot? Social?" said Fernando as he gave his nasal laugh. "Everyone knows you can't catch any disease off Facebook or Twitter, can you?" Big Mike started to walk away but they called him back begging.
"If you guys have to know Chuck was mugged while he was on an install in wherever it was he was and from what Morgan said he got tapped pretty hard in the head."
"Wow, you know he ought to take a self-defense class. You know we could teach him a little something so he'd know how to take care of himself and his woman."
"Blondie can take care of herself and what are you talking about? Since when did you two, the Masters of Moron, become martial arts experts."
"Well Fernando's third cousin on his mother's side is a yellow belt or is that yellow belly, I forget which, anyway he taught us some moves we could pass on to Chuck. Could be the difference between life and death?"
"That's right to live and die in L.A."
"You two ought to see a shrink and spend some serious time on the couch."
In the meantime…..
Sarah finally made it down to Castle. Getting off the elevator her heels make a clinking sound as she walked across the metal plating. She couldn't help but remember what Big Mike said and the sound of her shoes reminded her how much they cost. But heels were expensive and if they were comfortable they were worth every penny.
"Hey guys," said Sarah as she walked in and went over to get coffee. "Remind me never to come in through the Buy More."
"Did you warn him?" asked Casey. "I bet you didn't. You let him walk into it blind because you didn't have the stones to tell him you set him up."
"And good morning to you John, no I didn't tell Chuck. This is for his own good and if I had told him he wouldn't have gone. I'm his wife and I have to take care of him even when he doesn't want to be taken care of."
"Taken care of is usually what I get told to do when I have to whack someone. I don't know if you can see the similarity here."
"John, Chuck hasn't had a good night's rest since he came back from over there. He still thinks Banai took him to a butcher's shop in the airport and I see fear in his eyes when Sam hands him her rabbits."
"He's also humming that scary Russian lullaby all time," said Morgan. "You know the one in John Wick about the boogeyman."
"I thought you and Alex had something you had to get done this morning?" asked Sarah as she sipped from her cup.
"We did but I sent her on, she didn't need me and I wanted to be here when Chuck got in. He's my best friend and I want to be here for him. He'd do the same for me."
"Yes he would. Morgan you're a good friend," said Sarah. "Chuck and I are lucky to have someone like you around us. I want you guys to know, all of you, you are great and I really appreciate every one of you."
"What are partners for? But Chuck is still going to be mad. I would be if I got blindsided. What about your famous pact?"
"This is for his own good," said Sarah. "I know he won't like it and I can't blame him if he is mad but this was something I had to do."
"Let me tape that and play it back for you. Because it sure sounds like the justification Chuck used to go off on his solo mission and how did you react? You got mad at him."
"Okay maybe this is a little bit the same but… Oh well it had to be done and that's that," she said as she looked at her watch. She'd expected his call by now but he hadn't which made her feel even more anxious.
"Don't listen to Casey what does he know," said Morgan. "What you did was right and Chuck will understand, I'm sure. He loves you nothing will ever change that."
"Thank you Morgan, I needed to hear that," she said then she gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"Good thing Agent McHugh isn't present," said General Beckman as she cleared her voice coming up on the monitor.
"General, it's good to see you back in your office," said Casey. "But I don't think you called us to let us know you were back."
"No I didn't, I just got off the phone with Agent Miller in London about some recent developments over there. She was involved in a joint operation with Agent Barker. They got word that a crate of Russian Netto, RPG-22s were passing hands through a Serbian gang so they arranged a sting."
"I've got my go-bag ready and I can be on a plane for London this evening," said Casey. "Do they know where we can start looking for the rockets?"
"Colonel, stand down you're getting ahead of me. From what I understand they busted the Serbians and recovered the missiles but it was what else they found that was disturbing. There was a case of thirteen canisters of Atroxium one canister is unaccounted for and one was deployed."
"Are Carina and Cole okay?" asked Sarah. She became worried that one or both of them could've been exposed and she remembered what it had done to Chuck.
"Yes they're fine but the man who accidently released the gas is dead. He bludgeoned himself to death in a state of absolute terror."
"Yes, it sounds like Atroxium," said Casey. "But I thought the only guy who could make it was Stanley Wheelwright and he's on lockdown in a padded cell on the funny farm."
"That's affirmative, Dr. Wheelwright is a patient of Dr. Dreyfrus' at the hospital for the criminally insane and the Doctor confirms that there's no way Dr. Wheelwright is behind this because of his current mental state."
"Then where did the Atroxium come from? It didn't appear out of thin air in neat little canister someone had to have made it?"
"Thank you for that astute observation Colonel," said the General. Morgan sat next to him stifling a laugh so Casey cracked his knuckles and kicked him under the table. "Gentlemen please. I'm sending Agent Carmichael…"
"So Dr. Dreyfus certified him as fit for duty?" said Sarah. "I thought the Doctor's sessions were going to take longer than just a few hours."
"No I'm sending you, Agent Miller did ask for Chuck in specific because he seemed to have a way with the Serbian and Russian Bratvas. However, after talking with Dr. Dreyfus and recent events we thought it best if Chuck stayed close to home. The Doctor is recommending an unfit for duty…"
"Becky if you're sitting there where you are talking to us it's because Chuck got you your job back then you turn around and fire him. You know Brutus did it with a knife and Judas with a kiss…"
"Grimes pipe down. Remember you're talking to a General," said Casey. "Sorry ma'am, continue please."
"I understand Agent Grimes. No one is firing Chuck, I'm placing him on limited duty and he's to undergo therapy with Dr. Dreyfus until he gives him a clean bill of health. Those are the rules for any agent who has gone through what Chuck's gone through. Agent Carmichael, Sarah you can wait until the morning to leave. Beckman out."
"Please tell me I did the right thing," said Sarah as she looked at Casey and Morgan.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chuck finally got into see the doctor and before he could say anything the doctor had him strip down to his waist then had him lie down on a cold examination table. A tech came in and attached electrodes to him then attached the leads to an EKG machine. After that the same tech put a bonnet on Chuck with wires that ran to an EEG.
"Wait a minute Doc, I thought I had gone through all my tests? You should have the results for my physical."
"For your body I do," said the Doctor. "Your X-rays show you had a slight fracture to the left frontal cranial bone probably from the blow that left that scar. By the way with a little laser magic we can remove that scar. You fractured two ribs which healed on their own."
"Good then everything else is okay so why am I wired up? I hope you got the right voltage set I'd hate to light up like a Christmas tree or my noise like in that game Operation."
"Funny Charles," said Dr. Dreyfus as he walked in. "Is my patient ready?" The Doctor nodded his head then got up and left the room. "Charles, are you ready?"
"The whole purpose of an ambush is to strike when the other person isn't ready. Do I have a choice?" asked Chuck. Dr. Dreyfus was silent. "I didn't think so."