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
Chuck was on the comms with General Thomas and the longer they talked the angrier Chuck got. Sarah could tell Chuck really couldn't hide his anger well and when his answers started getting short and curt that was a dead giveaway. Others might consider his tone as insubordinate but most of the time he was justified. However, sometimes his anger got in the way of his reason in fact he was about to turn down a mission she knew that they really wanted and she at least needed. So she did the only thing she could she put her hand over his mouth then told the new General they'd take it and for him to send them the details.
"What was that," snapped Chuck. "I don't know if I want to have anything to do with him. He seems arrogant and self-centered."
"That's probably what he's saying about you if not worse," said Sarah as she began their pre-flights. "You have to look at this from his perspective too. He just got thrown into this position. He's been operating in an overt world where he's used to meeting his enemy on a battlefield. Now suddenly someone's turned the lights off on him and he's in a covert world where he has to fight in the shadows."
"Well if he keeps up that attitude," said Chuck, "he won't last long. Okay tell me that's why we need to help him. But as far as I'm concerned Beckman is still in charge."
"Chuck, it's doesn't work that way. I wasn't sure when Beckman took over after Langston was killed. But I got used to her even thought her secretary hates me. What I'm saying is you've got to give him time."
"But we were close to capturing Dr. Ryder and Izad. He should've let us go after them. I just hope they put eyes on the target before they pull the trigger. Because that's what they'll do, pull the trigger then when the smoke clears we won't know if we got him or not and worse he'll have that weapon. Never let the bad guy get away."
"Chuck we did what we could do and our mission was the safety of the team. We brought back the two innocent members the rest is for another day and there's nothing wrong with passing the ball," said Sarah as she was ready to fire up the turbos. "Let's fire her up. Pressure seems fine and holding. I think we can take off."
"That doesn't sound much like the Sarah Walker I knew. She never wanted to give up a mission and got ticked off when we got sidelined by the A-team."
"Well that was Sarah Walker, Sarah Bartowski see things a little bit differently. What am I supposed to do with that clay pot with water in it that, that boy's mother gave me?"
"Oh that's kind of a good luck charm wishing you to have plenty of children. Water is usually an important part in African rituals and the pot I think you can understand what it represents."
"Did you flash on it? I didn't," said Sarah as the Lear began rolling out on the runway. Everything looked good as she took off, banking right she was contacted by the neighboring tower control as she left Zamibian air space heading north.
"No I saw a special on Zamibia on Animal Planet and they were talking about some of the indigenous tribes that live in the national park…. Oh I'm such an idiot," said Chuck. He had a sudden realization. "I'm so stupid at times. I'm so sorry."
"What is it? Do you feel okay Chuck?" asked Sarah as she looked over at him. "Is everything okay?"
"I know why you wanted this mission so we'd be with Sam. I must be about the densest husband there is, I'm so sorry. I almost blew it for you."
"Well yes that's why I wanted to take it. But I don't want you to compromise your principals either Sweetie. You're right, Beckman's getting the shaft and no, it isn't fair."
"Well the fat lady hasn't sung yet" said Chuck as they laid in a course heading North-west for Tivat International airport. "Would you like a cup of coffee? I'll make you a cup."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate it but I'd appreciate a kiss before you go." Chuck leaned over and kissed her.
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Somewhere in the Indian Ocean the USS Louisville resumed patrol, a Los Angeles class fast attack submarine. She was on course for Diego Garcia to rejoin the George Washington Battlegroup when she received another message. The Comms officer ran to find the XO after he handed the message to him the XO ran to find the CO in his cabin. Space is tight on subs and the only person to have their own stateroom is the Captain.
"Sir, we just got a launch message in straight from the JCOS with POTUS authorization. This is the second in how many days?"
"Too few if you ask me. Hand it to me," said the CO as he pulled out the decryption code from his safe. "Well we've got confirmation it's a go. Send these coordinates to fire control then meet me on the bridge." The XO ran the coordinates to fire control so they could be programed in before launch.
"Sir doesn't it bother you a little that we just see these targets as numbers. We enter them into a computer for a launch then press a button. How do we know what we're shooting at? It's like hunting shooting into the bushes without knowing what you're shooting at."
"Son," said the XO, "that's the job for someone higher up on the food chain. We've got a job to do and we do it. Orders are orders that's why they're called orders. When a marine is put ashore and told take that beach you don't want him turning around and asking well are we sure about this. Are we going to have a problem here?"
"No Sir the coordinates are programed in and we're ready for launch," said the JG. He could see that maybe this wasn't the adventure he had been lead to believe. The XO went back up to the bridge as the CO walked in.
"Captain on the bridge," yelled the Watch Officer as the CO walked through the hatch ahead of the XO on the bridge.
"Report," said the CO as all the stations on the bridge reported the subs current status. "Watch Officer are we within target range."
"Aye Captain we're well within range," said the Watch Officer as the sub's course, depth and speed was feed to the fire control techs.
"Note in the deck log that we received a message today," said the CO as he read off the header, "from the Joint Chiefs of Staff with Presidential authorization to launch two Tomahawks against a terrorist base located in Somalia. Insert keys." The CO and XO inserted launch keys then turned in unison. "Fire control officer fire three and four." The sub seemed to stutter then shortly afterwards two cruise missiles broke the surface of the Indian Ocean and headed inland to their targets.
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Morgan walked into the Buy More with his coffee cup in hand. The day begin with good news, Alex and he received word from Casey that Chuck and Sarah were alive and safe. They were currently in flight heading for Montenegro. But he was disturbed when Casey told him that basically Beckman had been fired. Her replacement was to be named but as of when Casey called them none had been named.
"Son… son I need to talk to you," said Big Mike as soon as he walked in. "It's important. It's about your mother."
"When isn't it? Big Mike I'd love to hang around and chat with you but I've got work to do. Those inventories won't get done by themselves."
"This won't take long I promise. But you see… well… I really don't know how to say this but…" Big Mike paused. "I lost twenty-four hours."
"Did you check your pockets?" said Morgan. But he could see that Big Mike didn't appreciate his attempt at levity. "You're serious you really lost twenty-four hours?"
"Yes, I think I'm speaking English and I'd appreciate it if you took this seriously too. I don't know I was here in the Buy More then it was a day later and I was still here. Now your Momma is on me asking me where I was. I didn't come home. Son, what am I going to say? I don't remember."
"Have you asked Skip and Fernando if they experienced the same thing? But they really don't count, I'm sure they lose days, weeks even months at a time in their state of being and non-being."
"I asked them alright and they're missing the same day as me. I don't know what to think Fernando thinks we were abducted by Mexicans."
"Mexicans? Why would Mexican's want to kidnap you? I don't think he's playing with a full deck. Okay I'll bite did you ask him why?"
"He said it's because they're aliens and that's what he saw on TV they do, kidnap people and do experiments on them. You don't think some alien experimented on me?"
"Well, it would explain a lot," said Morgan. "But no I don't think you were kidnapped by Mexicans or Aliens. You probably got into one of Skip and Fernando's late night poker games. They brought some of their famous brownies. You know the ones Jeff used to love."
"Sweet Jesus, I've been drugged. I'm going to… well they're going to regret this. How am I supposed to explain this to your momma? I was drugged by my colleagues and then what. There's no telling what I did during that day I'm missing. I could've killed someone." Yes you did, thought Morgan which was a good thing Big Mike didn't remember Mr. Brown.
"Come on, something like that you'd bound to remember. No you probably just curled up on the couch in the home theater and slept it off unless…."
"Unless what? Oh dear God what could I've done. I wish I could remember," said Big Mike looking over at Skip and Fernando looking back at him. "Oh no, no way in… no I'd never… you don't think I'd... Morgan we never talked about this. As far as I'm concerned," he yelled out, "this never happened and you two over there. Yes you I'm talking to you. I want to see you sorry goldbrickers at work. There'll be no more poker and above all no more brownies. Now get to work." Skip and Fernando looked at each other then tried to look busy.
Morgan slipped into the break room then quickly made it down to Castle. There he found Casey and Alex with a stack of manuals out and Casey cleaning guns, like that was unusual for him. Morgan poured himself a cup of coffee then came over to them.
"John, you didn't happen to give Big Mike, Skip and Fernando a whiff of X-13 did you? Big Mike is complaining about losing a day of memory."
"I could've dropped him along with dumb and dumber in a dark site and let them rot for the rest of their wretched existence. Not that being here is better."
"Don't you think you're being a little melodramatic there John," said Morgan as he sat his cup down on the table. Casey growled at him so he picked it up.
"I better not find a ring. Yeah okay so I gassed them so what. We couldn't have Big Mike telling the world he killed an Iranian spy in your office. You keep busting my chops over it and I'll give you a whiff. You'll wake up tomorrow and forget Big Mike ever talked to you about it."
"Morgan, don't pay any attention to Dad. He's just a little cross today. They nominated General Beckman's relief, a General Thomas. He's supposed to be stickler for details."
"Yeah Grimes, he's supposed to be a by the book kind of guy which means you and Chuck might have a hard time. Word has it he and Chuck already had words. The General pulled him off the trail of that nerd madman and Chuck told him what he thought."
"Well good for Chuck. When you come into a new house you try the furniture before you go start moving it around."
"And throw out what needs to be gotten rid of, you should remember that. Anyway word has it they're supposed to have a face to face in Montenegro."
"I never thought I'd say this but I kind of miss Becky. You don't think someone could change their mind and ask her to come back?"
"Never say never but I think some people in a very warm place will be drinking ice water first," said Casey as he started putting back together the weapon he was cleaning.
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Jack was running around the floor of the casino making sure ever thing was ready for the poker tournament. They had a whole floor set aside for the games. He had special tables setup with new baize and a finely finished racetrack. He was in the middle of inspecting the room when Emma and Margo walked in.
"Feel that," said Jack as he rubbed his hand over the racetrack, "then try the baize. You won't feel anything smoother. I dare you to kind better poker tables."
"That's nice Jack but we need to hurry," said Emma as she looked down at her watch. "Word from the airport at Tivat is Chuck and Sarah will be landing in a couple of hours."
"Jack, go I can take over while you guys run out to the airport," said Margo. "I've been working out room reservations with reception. Tell me if there's anything you want me to do here?"
"No… No, everything is on track. Do we know when the first parties will arrive?" said Jack as he started walking out with the women.
"The Russian delegation will be here later on this morning and shortly after that our group along with the Canadians should be here. Then tomorrow MI6, French, Spanish, German and Italians should be here. This is the first year the Russians have come and that's largely thanks to Chuck."
"Well I hope they brought enough rubles with them," said Jack as he smiled at Margo. "What's the current exchange rate?"
"Jack, the tournament has nothing to do with money nor winning or losing. It's about the exchange of intel," said Margo. "Keep that in mind please."
"Certainly darling," said Jack as he winked at her.
"And don't call me that your darling is Emma. Remember I'm the Station Chief and you're the casino manager."
"Margo, don't pay any attention to him that's the way he is. Jack hurry up let me get Sam. You'd better be in the car or I'll leave you and you know I mean it."
Jack laughed to himself as he rode the elevator down the lobby and was crossing when one of his employees came up to him with a FEDEX delivery man.
"Boss, I've got a delivery for Charles Carmichael with special instruction for you to sign for it then bring it to the airport for him."
"Sure where do I sign," said Jack. He signed for the box then shook it. Afterwards he wasn't sure if he should've knowing Chuck there was no telling what was inside. He threw the box in the Mercedes G-500 then he got in and started up just as Emma came out with Sam. "I thought you told me to hurry but you took your time."
"Sorry but Sam was being a little grumpy. I don't know what's gotten into her lately. I told her we were going to get Sarah and Chuck but seemed not to care."
"We've still got plenty of time as long as they don't arrive early, can they do that flying themselves?" said Jack as Emma shrugged her shoulders. "Well let's hope they aren't working on the road again or there's been an accident."
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Tower control gave them clearance to land without them have to circle the airport which that had almost never happened before. So there no time for the scenic tour Sarah came in low from the gulf. The International Airport at Tivat was noted as being one of the most difficult and tricky to land at. But soon they were down taxiing over to the hangars. Debarking they found they were early so they decided to get a cup of coffee in the terminal while they waited.
"I just called Emma and she said they were stuck in some sort of construction on the road. When we leave we ought to go up and around taking the Jadranska up to Tivat then crossover.
"Okay no problem. Do you want the usual," asked Chuck. He waved a waitress over and placed their order. "What is it? Is something wrong? You look I don't know strange."
"Gee thanks. No… well yes… I don't know I have this feeling I'm forgetting something but I can't remember what it is," said Sarah as the waitress brought them their order. Chuck put money on her tray.
"Maybe you forgot to kiss me," he said as he kissed and held her. "Don't worry everything will be all right. I promise."
"You think so? Mom said Sam was acting out she's never done that before. You don't think… Oh my God the rabbit, I promised Sam a new Rabbit, a black one and I totally forgot. What kind of mother forgets to get her child a present? Chuck, I'm the worst mother ever."
"No you're not you're a working Mom and being a working Mom you have a lot to juggle on your plate. So every now and then things get dropped that's what I'm here for. It will all work out and stop freaking out just drink your coffee."
"I don't know how unless you can pull a rabbit out of your hat" said Sarah as she took a sip from her cup. "Not bad for airport coffee. You don't think they have anything in their gift shop I could get for her."
"Take it from me what Sam wants and needs is her mother and father not trinkets," said Chuck as he kissed her. "Stop spiraling."
"You must think I'm being silly going on about a stuff rabbit. I'm sorry…" But Chuck cut her off putting a finger to her mouth.
"Shush, what I think is I'm the luckiest man in the world because I get to wake up next to you and I love you. That's what I think." Sarah was looking into his eyes when they heard their names called turning around they could hardly believe who was standing there.
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Leaving North American airspace the agency Lear passed into European. There it rendezvoused with a KC-135 out of Mildenhall. Its last refueling before proceeding on its transatlantic crossing. Diane was sitting in her seat silently looking out the window.
"A penny for your thoughts," said Roan as he placed a Martini in front of her. "Or whatever the going rate is these days."
"Thank you, but you know don't want to know," said Diane as she took a sip from glass. "You know you could always get a job as a barter if you need extra cash."
"Please, I'd go broke I'd end up drinking the inventory and yes I want to know or I wouldn't have asked. I can understand you're being worried and uncertain. You're jumping into the unknown but you can count on me."
"I appreciate it Roan then will you do me one favor," asked Diane as she took his hand. "Don't resign, stay on. The agency needs you now more than ever. He needs you. Tank is friend after all."
"I'll think about it but I don't mind the idea of becoming a bartender. If nothing else I can still wear my white dinner jacket." Just then General Thomas received a phone call.
"Yes, when? Hold on," he said as he fiddled with the remote control for the television. "How does this thing work?" It wouldn't come on.
"Here let me help," said Diane as she brought up CNN Evening edition. There was a reporter standing outside the Pentagon building with a microphone.
"We just received confirmation by Pentagon sources that the U.S. launched a cruise missile attack against hostile terrorist forces in Somalia today. The White house later confirmed stating that we attacked a weapon production facility. Wait one," said reporter touching her ear. "We're now getting contradictory reports from Al-jazeera. I think we can go to a split screen. Al-jazeera is claiming that the missile strike targeted a UN hospital. They say there's no estimate on the death toll yet. The coalition government has denounced this act of aggression is demanding the UN take action."
Tanks phone began to ring again. He turned down the volume then put it on speaker. Diane recognized the voice as being that of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
"What the hell just happened? I thought the info your people gave us was good. Now I've got to go brief the president on this disaster. I…."
"Hold up there Agnes," said Diane. "First of all my agent told you to verify the target first and secondly when you guys pulled him off you said you were sending in Delta force. Where were they? Did you verify the target first?" There was a long silence. "Did you at least get a visual on the building from a satellite and if you did, did it have a big red 'H' painted on it?" Again there was silence. "You know the sword I fell on is still sharp if you want to use it."
"I'll tell the president that there was a communication error."
"You do that but don't pull us into your mistake, again." There was click and the line cut off. "Tank, that's how you deal with… well those kinds of people."
"I love it when you get riled up. I can see fire in your eyes."
"Shut up Roan and pour me a drink."