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

LAX AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES

Casey made his way through the throngs of tourists and businessmen looking for his contact. Scanning the faces of those that could be the one he was looking for. Sarah and Chuck had given him a physical description and he had a photo but he also knew also that if a person didn't want to be seen he could change his appearance.

"Hey, you John Casey," asked a man behind him. Casey turned around and there was his contact. He had found him first.

"Yeah, don't we need to initiate a handshake for recognition and verification?"

"You spy types, no at the Marshal Service we're not so much hung up on that. Besides don't I look like my picture? You look just the way the Chuck and Sarah described you to me. How are they by the way since the new arrival?"

"They're doing fine. The late nights are pretty much over and they're finally getting some sleep that's why I volunteered to run point on this. Neither of them wanted to leave the baby yet. Besides babies are stressful."

"Who would've thought? The first time I met them Sarah gave me a hand, literally a hand we had to pass a security scanner and we needed a hand to scan. Kenny Dillion, US Marshal and before you start no I don't know Matt," said Kenny as he put out his hand.

"John Casey, NSA, nice to meet you," he said as they shook hands. "Chuck already told me not to make that joke but that was one great show. CBS knows when they've got a good thing while NBC well that's a different story. So tell me about our man."

"First here's your boarding pass. Sorry if everything has been so secret but Arnaldo is a bit skittish and seeing as ETA has tried to kill him three times and counting, I think you can understand."

"I can see how that might make someone a little gun-shy."

"We're going to fly to Milan and there we'll be met by two Interpol agents. From there they'll take us to Arnaldo's safe house or as he calls it his zulos."

"What does that mean?"

"It's Basque for hole. It seems he doesn't care much for the place Interpol selected for him. He wants something a little more upscale."

"Better a shack than a box," said Casey.

"Chuck told me you had a way with words." Kenny said, thinking and 'this is the person I'm supposed to bring as a friendly face?'

"I bet he did. Anything else I need to know?"

"Well, you know the mission. We're to go talk with Arnaldo and convince him to come back to the U.S. to testify."

"What are we supposed to give him? Sounds like he's not happy with the deal he cut over there."

"What's it. In exchange for testifying we're offering him the possibility of going into witsec in the States. He'll be able to go anywhere he wants and we'll protect him."

"Free room and board in a cute cul de sac somewhere living the American dream. What's he got that is so important?"

"That's above my paygrade. I've just been told to go and bring him back at all costs. I'll be honest that's just the way I am I shoot from the hip. I really didn't want you on this. I wanted Chuck and Sarah it seems Arnald is somehow fond of them. Don't ask me why, but he is."

"I think I know why. He gave them some counselling back when they first got together about how you can't run away from yourself. I was there and I do appreciate his candour."

"Maybe I was wrong. You just might be the right man for this job. Hey they're calling out flight so we need to run."

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OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT IN THE LONG TERM PARKING GARAGE

A dark haired woman wearing dark glasses and a large black hat made her way through the garage. She looked like a Hollywood actress trying to avoid paparazzi but that was far from the truth. Hers was a deadly secret one that many a man had paid for with their lives. She got in the passenger's side of a black Escalade and took off her disguise.

"Listen we need to contact our group in Milan. I saw them board just before it took off. I don't know why you wouldn't let me cap them in the airport. We could've taken their place and the traitor pig Arnaldo would be dead."

"That wasn't our mission. You know that we couldn't guarantee that the Interpol agents didn't know these two or if there wasn't some secret handshake. Besides we need Arnaldo alive to find out exactly what he's said. Since we lost the rifles I need my best shots and you're one of them."

"I appreciate the compliment but I told you not to trust that American Keller. Anyone who betrays their country can't be trusted."

"But we need our sister groups as much as they need us Giselle. Do you have pictures of these two spies?"

"One is a spy and the other is a Marshal, but yes."

"Good, send them to our taldes in Milan and let the cúpula militar handle it. I have a little surprise for you mon petit amour."

"What is it? You know you should really use our language. What kind of rebel leader speaks the tongue of one of his oppressors when he can use the language of his people?"

"One who realizes that only a handful of people speak it, and if he wants to get his points across to the world he needs to use a language that can be understood."

"Whatever, tell me what it is?"

"I'd thought we'd go watch a Jai Alai match this evening and I could introduce you to the players."

"Does anyone still play Jai Alai anymore? And why would I want to meet a bunch of players who are playing a sport no one is interested in anymore?"

"And you make fun of me speaking French, the team is a cover. They're going to form a taldes here and I was thinking about you and me becoming their cúpula militar. That is if you think you're up to it?"

"Carlos I'd love to if you're sure?"

"Then hasta la revolucion, I know you want me to say it in Basque."

"No, I was going to say hasta siempre."

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ECHO PARK

Chuck and Sarah were sitting on the sofa with baby Sam sitting in Sarah's lap waving at the monitor with Mary speaking from it. Emma and Alex were in the kitchen making lunch while Morgan was out picking Molly up from school.

"Wave to your grandma Mary," said Sarah as she took Sam's hand and waved but she seemed more interested in a plastic giraffe teething toy Morgan had brought.

"Hey, how's my favourite little girl," said Mary. "How's the newest Bartowski? Chuck, Sarah I'm sorry I haven't been able to be there yet. I'm tracking down a Taliban terrorist and he's not cooperating."

"People have a tendency to do that Mom when you're trying to kill them."

"Well I just want you to know I'll do my best to get there soon."

"It's alright we understand," said Chuck as Sarah gave him a look.

"So Sarah how's motherhood? I know it wasn't easy for me."

"I'll be right back," said Chuck as he got up and left going pass the kitchen and into the bathroom.

"Well, it's been great but I feel wonderful, terrified and crazy all at the same time."

"I went through that and I want to tell you it gets better but I won't because I still feel that every day I get up. Well they tell me we're losing the satellite tell everyone I love them and tell Chuck I miss him."

"I will and we love you too," Sarah said as the line dropped and static came on the screen that baby Sam appeared to find quite interesting.

"Alex, Mom can one of you come and take Sam for me, please?"

"It's my turn," said Emma as she came out of the kitchen and sat next to Sam as her attention went back to her giraffe.

"I'll be right back."

"He's in the bathroom," said Emma realizing what was the matter. Sarah walked back to the bathroom and knocked on the door before entering.

"Do you mind," she said as she went inside.

"Sure," said Chuck as he blew his nose.

"Hey Sweetie, are you alright?" She already knew when she asked he wasn't.

"Sure I'm alright."

"I know you're 'alrights' and that wasn't one of them. Remember no secrets no lies. Are you upset with your mother? You know she's got a job to do."

"I know and I'm mad at myself for feeling this way but Sam is six months old and she hasn't seen her yet not in person. I keep sending her pictures, why? I told Ellie when she told me she hated dad that we can hate him for the rest of our lives, or we can choose to forgive him. Well with my mother I'm having second thoughts."

"No you're not. You and I both know that you could never hate someone you love. I've given you amble reasons to hate me."

"No you haven't but you're right. This is just something I have to deal with I guess."

"Now that's the Chuck I know and love," Sarah said as she kissed him. "You know Emma is watching Sam and Alex is making lunch so-"

"So are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

"Only if you want to?"

"I don't want to sound crass but you are talking about sex?" Sarah grabbed Chuck by the collar and kissed him.

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BACK IN THE KITCHEN

"Should I tell them lunch is ready," asked Alex.

"No I'd wait until the come out," said Emma.

Forty-five minutes later, they came out. Sarah's hair was messed up and she was buttoning up her top while Chuck was walking like he was on cloud nine with a grin that went from ear to ear.

"Lunch is ready," said Alex.

"Lunch, what?" said Chuck, "Oh right. You two didn't have to wait for us."

"Yes, Mom if you two wanted, you know you could've gone ahead and eaten."

"No, I was happy right here with my granddaughter."

"I'm waiting for Morgan. He's supposed to be here soon then he and I are going to take Molly out to eat."

"That's good do something special for her," said Chuck. "I don't want her to feel left out now that Sam is here. It wouldn't be right." Sarah walked up behind him and kissed him on the neck.

"I think you two ought to go back in the bedroom and clean it up a bit with the door closed while I watch baby Sam right here," said Emma as she played with Sam on the couch.

"And I thank you for the offer," said Chuck as Sarah put her hand in his. "You know Emma you don't have to disappear when we're on the monitor with my Mom."

"Oh, Chuck I know but well your mother is special in a different sort of way."

"And you're telling me," said Chuck as Sarah pulled on his arm and gave him a look. "I'm sorry I shouldn't talk about her when she's not here," which he wanted to add seemed like almost always.

"I don't want to give Mary any reason to be jealous of me. She and I just made different choices that's all. Nothing to take away from the choices she made they were just different."

"I think you're too understanding," said Chuck. "Sorry that came out sounding worse than what I intended but you are. We're all the product of choices we've made. Sarah and I could've gone off with Casey but we choose to stay here with baby Sam."

"But Sweetie, we have Casey. We have someone else to send so we can stay at home."

"I wouldn't worry about dad," said Alex. "He's been going on for over a month about his itchy trigger finger."

"What I'm saying Sweetie is she's got no one else to send. She's operating by herself."

"Whose fault it that? I offered to bring her in on the team but she refused."

"Chuck, Sweetie, I know this bothers you but for a spy it's not that easy. We usually don't work in a team."

"Why? Go ahead you can say it," but Sarah didn't. She just couldn't. "I'll tell you why," said Chuck. "Because they can't trust anyone but themselves not even their family."

"Sweetie, is this you dealing with it?"

"No you're right. It's just she pushes my buttons and-"

"And you get angry. I can tell," said Sarah as she caressed his face before kissing him. "Let's take Emma up on her offer and go straighten up the bedroom. There's a lot of disorder and it could take a while," Sarah said as she took him by the hand. "Oh Alex the Morgan door is officially closed this afternoon. Can you be sure Morgan gets the message?"

"Will do," said Alex as she watched them disappear down the hallway vanishing into the bedroom then they heard music being played.

"What's the name of that music?" asked Emma as she was tickling baby Sam who was rolled up in a ball giggling.

"Oh, that's Arcade Fire's first album it's supposed to be like an auditory aphrodisiac."

"A what?"

"I'm just telling you what I was told."

Morgan walked in with Molly and went to the kitchen where he opened the refrigerator and grabbed a can of grape soda. Alex handed him a glass which he filled with ice then poured his soda.

"Arcade Fire's first album, uh forty-two minutes and fifteen seconds of paradise, Molly you should wash your hands here in the sink then go play with your cousin. Tell your Mom about your day while you're at it."

"Hey, Sam's in my niece not my cousin," said Molly indignantly.

"Don't piss the little lady off," said Alex. "But aren't we going out?"

"Sure but Molly needs a little face time with her Mom first. When you need to know something about child psychology you can come to Dr. Grimes. I could've had a show like Dr. Phil. Have you heard from the Big Guy?"

"Dad called me from the airport and then from the plane. He's with some guy call Dillon and get this he's a US Marshal."

"With a name like that what else could he have been? Yeah, I remember him, Chuck said they met on an airplane while they were going on their second honeymoon. That was right after Chuck got Sarah back. Those were some bad times for him and her."

"But all behind them now," said Emma as she led Molly in with baby Sam to wash Molly's hands.

"Alex have Chuck or Sarah said what they intend to do with that broken computer of theirs. I know they talked about getting rid of it."

"I think the decision right now is not to make a decision or that's what I kind of figured out. Chuck told Sarah that although he'd like for her to get rid of it he didn't think she should make a decision until she was sure that was what she wanted. Sarah said she was thinking about getting rid of it but with just having the baby wasn't sure if she was up to making a decision like that."

"And if it acts up? What then?"

"Chuck said he'd be monitoring it. If it acts up it's gone no questions asked."

"What's the big deal, computers are cheap these days," said Emma.

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AT AN UNDECLOSED ETA SAFE HOUSE

In a chalet situated in the Alps four men discussed upcoming events and how they were supposed to be dealt with while standing around a roaring fire. One pulled out photographs and handed them to the other three.

"Take a good look at the men in the photo. They are two agents that will be landing here tomorrow morning. Giovanni, I want you to find me a legalak and have them put this on them in the airport," he said as he handed him a GLG 4000. "It's a tracking device with this they will lead us to Arnaldo without us having to tail them and risk getting detected. I don't have to remind you that this comes from Carlos the badger."

"I thought it was the Jackal?"

"Different Carlos. Okay, so Giovanni is going to have the device planted on them then he will meet us in the parking garage where we'll leave to follow them to their destination."

"Sure I've got a guy in the airport that no one knows about. He's clean so no one will suspect anything."

"Good, if they follow normal procedure they'll do a couple U-turns and run through some red lights to see if they're being tailed but with the bug planted we don't have to worry about that we drive as if we're going to confession got that?"

"But why do we have to take him alive? Wouldn't it be easier and more prudent just to ice him on the spot?"

"Carlos wants him alive but as far as the other people are concerned, well we don't want any witnesses, especially the Americans. We don't want any blow back from the US government. Right now with their war on terror they are focused on the Middle East the last thing we want is for them to come looking at us."

"So what are you saying?" asked Giovanni wanting clarification.

"Cap them then make the bodies disappear. No corpses no incident the same with the Interpol agents. We've got to make sure everything disappears."

"How are we going to do that?"

"First we need a location them we'll take care of the rest. We have the element of surprise right now so let's take advantage of it. Bietan jarrai, the team leader said.

"Keep up on both," was the reply referring to the snake (representing politics) wrapped around an axe (representing armed struggle) ETA's motto.