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
On the slopes of Mount Fuji a group of archeologists were excavating the remains of a way station when the Tōkaidō passed through the area that is now Fuji. The Tōkaidō was the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo period, connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto. Unlike the less heavily travelled the inland routes , the Tōkaidō travelled along the sea coast of eastern Honshū. During the Edo period, the area was mostly tenryō territory under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate. During the cadastral reform of the early Meiji period in 1889, the area was reorganized into within Fuji District.
"Professor Wasabi come with me," yelled a young archeologist as the young woman running up to him all excited. She made a small bow then pointed at the digs. "We've found something you need to see. Come quickly!"
"What is it?" He asked but the woman flew back over to the site. "Kids these days, what could it be? Each one of these fools thinks they'll be the next Indiana Jones. What can you say about a man who takes his name from a dog?"
They had been working for a week at the site and hadn't found much. They uncovered the usual bits of broken pottery, a few lost coins and almost nothing else. This was more a training session than a real dig organized by the archeological department of the University of Tokyo. They taught technique and methodology to future archeologists. The site was one of the fifty three stations that dotted the Tōkaidō road, 53 stations taken from the 53 Buddhist saints that Buddhist disciple Sudhana visited to receive teachings in his quest for enlightenment. Professor Wasabi was thinking he wished he could impart some of that enlightenment to his students as he walked over to where the woman had flown. She was standing on the side of the pit pointing down at two of her friends who were still excavating.
"What have you…" the professor stopped. He froze as he looked down in the shallow grave at the grizzly sight of two female corpses. "Stop!, stop now! Get out of there! Oyamaa! Oh my! We need to call the police right away."
"Why professor this is our find?" said one of the boys looking at the other in disbelief. "Look how well preserved they are after all this time. This could be an important discover. You can publish this and we'll be famous."
"Famous fools! ōbaka, idiots don't you remember that it was forbidden for women to travel the road alone. What was the average height of the Japanese female back then, much shorter than the two you have here. You idiots are you blind they're both blonde. How many tall blonde women were around in the Edo period? They have buttons! Did you both sleep through my class? They're well preserved because they haven't been dead that long. You've discovered a homicide."
The two men in the grave jumped out kicking and clawing to get out staring back down at the two dead women as the girl turned and heaved.
"Now that you're done changing the face of modern archeology cover the site and wait for the police. No one touches anything."
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Morgan walked into Castle and he noticed immediately tensions seemed to be running a little high. Chuck was sitting at the Conference table with Sarah but she had the look of death while Chuck had his sad puppy dog face on. It was the same one Chuck had when he knew he'd done something wrong. Morgan gave them both a double take before trying to start a conversation.
"Excuse me but…" Morgan started to say but got shut down right away.
"Be quiet Morgan we're talking," said Chuck. Even though they technically hadn't said a word since he walked in. But he thought it best if he kept quiet and feel out the situation first.
"Move along Casey's in the armory," said Sarah as she took a sip from her coffee cup staring down Chuck.
"Jesus anyone ever tell you that you can look really scary. Guys did someone turn down the thermostat in here. It's warmer in the freezers in Orange orange," said Morgan as he got himself a cup of coffee then he turned with the pot in his hand. "Would any one like…."
"No just shut up Morgan," said Chuck. "We're having a private conversation and we'd like to be left alone while we have our discussion."
"Get in here imbecile if you want to live," said Casey as he tried to grabbed him but as John was pulling him into the armory Sarah called Morgan back.
"Wait Morgan, come here. Let's let Morgan decide who's right and who's wrong."
"Sorry I tried to save you but every man for himself," said Casey as he retreated back inside the armory closing the door and putting it in lock down.
"Guys I really can't stay I've got get back upstairs. It's about time for Big Mike to go on his Subway break and you know how he gets. Plus I can't leave Fernando and Skip alone there's no telling what they'll get into."
"Sit down," said Sarah as she shoved a chair that slide across the floor to him. "Morgan what are your plans for Thanksgiving?"
"Alex and I are coming over to your place along with Big Mike and my mother. Why is there a problem?" asked Morgan as he looked back and forth at the both of them.
"No of course not there's no problem," said Chuck. "Like I said Love I will handle it. I don't mind doing the cooking. I like cooking I don't see the problem with me doing it for Thanksgiving."
"Morgan do you know who else my sweet loving kind husband has invited over," asked Sarah but her face said anything but sweet, loving and kind. If it said anything it said pissed and scary.
"Well there's Casey," said Morgan and when he mention his name Casey banged on the glass wall from the armory. "What was that?"
"Nothing, please continue," said Sarah. "Who else is coming?"
"Well Casey's bringing Kat. Gertrude I think is still with her energy consultant," said Morgan as he looked over at Casey who had made a small hangman's noose in the armory then he pointed at it then at Morgan.
"There will also be Ellie, Awesome and Clara," said Morgan as he took a big gulp. "I'm not sure about Mary, Emma, Molly or Jack."
"How many of the women that are supposed to be at our apartment know how to cook?" said Sarah finally driving home her problem with Chuck's holiday plan.
"Well they all do… well except one," said Morgan as Chuck banged his head on the desk. Morgan had sealed his doom.
"Et tu, Brute," said Chuck as he leaned back in his chair waiting for Sarah's next question.
"And who pray tell might that be? Do I know her?"
"Okay, okay you're right I throw myself on the mercy of the court. I plead innocent by right of insanity. I see your point but you're making too much out of it."
"Oh Chuck you invited God and country over to our apartment so everyone can see I can't cook. Everyone will be measuring whatever we do against what Ellie served last year. I would've preferred to do something a little bit more intimate then next year move into it like what we talked about and agreed on."
"No one's going to compare your cooking to Ellie's," said Morgan. "You don't have to worry about that."
"See tell her Morgan. See even Morgan agrees."
"Yeah like there's a comparison with your greasy corn dogs or the toxic nacho cheese. Ellie's cooking is light years ahead so there's nothing to compare. Don't worry everyone knows you can't cook."
"Not helping. Morgan don't you need to get back to work," said Chuck as Sarah was beginning to circle behind the little guy bearded guy. Thinking fast to save Morgan's life, Chuck jerked Morgan out of his chair then sent him along with his coffee cup in his hand then he stood watching him until he was gone. "Don't listen to Morgan the man eats cereal with a fork."
"Oh I know I'm making a mountain out of a molehill but I want this to go right. Your family and our friends came through for me and I just think I need to show them I'm grateful."
"You can do that by not treating us like you did that group of French diplomats," said Casey as he walked through.
"How many times do I have to repeat myself? They were French assassins and I got them before they got me. You know I'm glad I did."
"Yeah Casey and me too. Love remember, you made that wonderful Chocolate soufflé, right?"
"The one you caught on fire then stomped in the bathtub. You mean that one besides she bought that from the pastry shop next to Large Mart."
"John don't you have something to do like counting bullets or something. Look at the monitor there's a single white female making the turn at homes and gardens. John she's eyeing the beastmaster."
"I'm out of here I've got a woman to save. I don't care what you two decide just I need to give Kat some advance notice," said Casey as he ran out to grab the elevator up.
"You know sooner or later he's going to figure out that's a video clip and the woman is always the same one."
"I don't know about that but I think of this more like a Pavlov's dog experiment. I think his dog was called Casey if I remember correctly. I read it in a footnote somewhere," said Chuck getting Sarah to smile. "Okay I'll admit I screwed up but it just made sense to invite everyone over instead of going all the way to Ellie's in Chicago. Morgan needs to be here the next day for Black Friday so Alex couldn't come either and if she doesn't come Kat won't which meant no Casey."
"I know and you're right," said Sarah as Chuck came over and hugged her. "But you should've warned me in advance so I could find a mission to be on. Some place far, far away."
"Oh no you don't, no solo missions and I've told Beckman that. Those days are over, its you and me now babe."
"Chuck how big a turkey do we need? Will it fit in the oven or do we need a new stove too? Do we go roasted or smoked or both one each? Ham, do we want ham too and we have to have stuffing, right? It's a given so do we go bread or cornbread with gravy? I know Morgan likes sweet potatoes with marshmallows but we also need to think about desert, pumpkin and mincemeat pies? Oh crap cranberries. I almost forgot cranberry sauce whole berry or jelly? We need to plan this out this is not something we can improvise."
"Love you're spiralling. Don't freak out. If worse comes to worst we can always flash."
"You're right I hadn't thought about that," said Sarah as she looked at Chuck smiling and holding a laugh inside. "You know I have a tendency to become violent with people who make fun of me."
"Maybe we out to go back to the supply room and you could rough me up a bit," said Chuck as he kissed her. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.
"I hate you," she replied as she put her arms around him pulling him in tight and kissing him.
"Yuck," said Casey as he walked back in. "I must be slipping because that woman keeps getting away before I can get up to her. But just like a woman, present company excluded, she just can't make up her mind she keeps looking at the same grill every time she comes in."
"Very observant," said Chuck as Sarah elbowed him in the side.
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Two men in black walked into a police morgue in the town of Shizuoka accompanied by agents from the Jōhōhonbu Defense Intelligence. The largest of Japanese intelligence agencies created and modeled after the American Defense Intelligence Agency. They walked into the autopsy room and their Japanese escorts had the Medical Examiner pull out the two bodies then leave the room. One of the American agents took out his phone then under the watchful eye of the Japanese man in black he scanned the finger prints of both bodies. A few minutes later the agent's phone rang.
"General do we have confirmation? … Okay, then we do," said the Agent looking at everyone in the room. "Yes the agents from the Jōhōhonbu with us speak English," said the Agent and both men nodded. "My General wants to speak to both of you." He put the phone on speaker holding it so they all could hear.
"I want to thank you and your agency for your cooperation. I'm drafting a letter of thanks to your director as we speak. My two men with you will take custody of the remains now and have them transport to Naval Air Station Atsugi. They will see to all the paperwork and logistics thank you again."
"Very well," said the senior agent realizing they were politely being told to go away. He motioned for his partner to follow him and left, leaving the two Americans in the room with the bodies.
"They're gone. You can speak now General."
"I want a preliminary field test done right now then send the results back here addressed for my eyes only then transport. At Atsugi a team will be standing by to conduct another test. For no reason whatsoever are you to let those remains out of your sight. If anything happens to them I'll hold you and your partner responsible. If you value your continued employment by this agency then you don't want to try my patience. Do you understand me?"
"Yes ma'am understood."
"Good coordinate with your Japanese counter parts and have them send me copies of everything they have. If they balk tell them they can call their director he's been looped in and press upon the need for secrecy."
While the agents were inside the morgue the coroner walked outside with the excuse that he wanted to smoke a cigarette. At the entrance to the police station the medical examiner held up a cigarette and the man in the glass booth smiled.
"You know as a Doctor you should know better," said the policeman joking with the M.E.
"I know but what can I say. You'd think I'd know better seeing what I see every day, all the black lungs and swollen hearts but I just can't seem to shake it. If the men downstairs ask for me tell them I stepped out for just a little while you don't have to tell them what I'm doing."
"Don't worry we smokers have to take care of each other."
The M.E. went out then disappeared around the corner walking down an alley. He tossed his cigarette he had in the trash pulling out his phone.
"You told me to call you if anyone came asking about those bodies, well I've got two American agents with a couple of men from the Jōhōhonbu. … What'd they want? They're taking the bodies to Atsugi but I was kicked out. …. I only know that because I saw the paperwork. …. Okay, if I find out anything else I'll contact you through the usual means."
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Ellie got up early, made coffee and had her first cup while everyone was still asleep. This was her quiet time before the hurricane of life hit. She was sitting at the table when she heard a loud bang at the door, the newspaper had just arrived. Devon had told her on more than one occasion that their newspaper boy was going to try out for the Cubs. If he could throw a ball like a newspaper he'd be in the major leagues before long. She went to the front door and got the paper off the front stoop. Looking next door she saw her neighbour was up already too staring back at her from her kitchen window both with coffee in their hands. The woman suddenly drew he curtains closed when she noticed Elli was looking at her.
"Whatever," said Ellie confirming what she had always thought that the woman was crazy. As she went back inside she opened the paper. There was an interesting article on the front cover about De-extinction.
"What are you reading honey," asked Devon standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand and a cereal bar.
"Oh you're up. Here," said Ellie as she pulled the sports section for him. That was always Devon's favourite section. He had to keep track of how well the UCLA football team was doing in their division.
"Thanks dear but I asked you what you were reading. You looked like you were caught up in it like it was really interesting."
"Oh yes I guess I was there's an article on the front about De-extinction and how some scientists think they can bring back extinct animals or that's the theory at least. They tried with a mammoth but it didn't work because the DNA strain was too badly damage."
"What like Jurassic Park," said Devon as a sleepy Clara came walking out in her onesie with cats printed all over it. "Oh look out it's a saber-tooth Clara," said Devon grabbing up Clara as she screamed and laughed at the same time.
"You mean saber-tooth cat," corrected Clara after she got away from her father. "Why are we talking about extinct animals?"
"I was reading an article in the newspaper about how some scientists want to bring them back," said Ellie. "How'd you like a Dire wolf as a pet?"
"I don't know I just can't figure out why? If they're extinct there had to have been a reason," said Devon as he took the front page to read. "You can't bring back a carnivore if you don't bring back something for him to eat like an herbivore.
"You mean like Miss Truly my teacher? I heard some of the janitors say that she should be put out to pasture. I thought that was funny but what did they mean?"
"Nothing, hey look at the time. You need to hurry up and change or you're going to make me late. I've got a couple of early morning appointments. I had to move them so I could free my calendar for Thanksgiving with Chuck and Sarah. Devon you did clear yours didn't you?"
"Of course I did, how could I forget something like that. Listen why don't you go on into the hospital? I've got the morning free so I can take care of our little hellcat," said Devon as Clara growled and hissed curling her fingers like claws.
"Okay thanks because I really am in a rush now," said Ellie as she gave Devon a kiss then planted one on Clara's forehead. Clara made a purring noise.
"Have a good day Miss Kitty," said Ellie as she caressed Clara's face. "I'll see you for lunch," yelled El as she ran out the door.
Ellie backed out of her drive then got out on the Kennedy Expressway wanting to beat the traffic and get to the hospital early. She did have two early morning appointments but she wanted to get to her office as soon as possible so she could call Sarah. She remembered what it was like when Devon's parents Woody and Honey came to diner. It definitely wasn't awesome.
Parking in her reserved spot Ellie dashed straight into the hospital. She went over to get her second shot of coffee and as she was waiting she rehearsed in her head what she was going to say to Sarah.
"The usual Doctor Woodcomb," yelled the man behind the counter. He had to yell with all the people circling round and the echo in the cafeteria. It was impossible to be heard otherwise.
"Yes Joe," she yelled back. She got her order and was turning to head for her office when she ran square into General Beckman.
"Doctor we need to talk," said the General. She noticed Ellie's happy attitude and cheerful smile suddenly disappeared.
"Oh it's you. Really I don't have the time I've got two early morning appointments but I can see you somewhere between when hell freezes over and the thirtieth of February."
"Well you don't have to worry about your morning appointments. They're being seen by military doctors. But there isn't anything wrong with them that a few little blue pills and a kick in the behind wouldn't take care of."
"I didn't know you went to medical school and were board certified. You know every time I see you there's always a problem."
"Well if you'd invite me over sometimes then I wouldn't have to show up only when there's a national emergency. Here look at this folder," said the General as she took Ellie's coffee as she passed her the folder. "Go ahead and look at it I think you'll find it interesting."
"Oh these are autopsy reports. I'll give you credit original names patient X and patient Y. You know you could give them real names," said Ellie as she thumbed through the findings until she got to the DNA analysis. "Wait this has got to be a mistake. They can't have…Wait a minute," said Ellie as she compared their finger prints. "This report can't be correct. Two people can't have the same DNA although maybe in rare cases of monozygotic twins but their fingerprints are identical which is impossible. General you need to send this back and ask for another autopsy to be performed."
"What if I told you that was the third one I've had done and the conclusions were the same in all three?"
"I'd say I'd have to do the autopsy myself."
"Then shall we go down to the morgue."