Don't own Chuck
The sun was setting at Tucson over the distant mountain range. The weather had been hot and arid all day typical desert weather but with the sun going down the temperatures began to go down. There was roaring sound on the airfield at Davis-Monthan AFB as an A-10 warthog taxied off the flight line and then onto the runway before taking off.
"Bill," screamed an air traffic control a career sergeant into a mic, "who authorized that plane to take off." But all he heard was dead air then his scopes went off. "Bob" he yelled to the other sergeant in the tower, "what's going on? Do you have anything?"
"No all my radars are dead. This is strange. What should we do?" But as they were flipping switches and trying to connect to anyone they failed to do the one thing they could have done and that was look out the window. The warthog made a circle back around and came straight for them then firing a short blast from its cannons that blew out the windows and illuminated the evening. After making it's lethal pass the A-10 circled round once more assessing its strike then banked right and headed due south towards the Mexican board disappearing from sight.
A cell phone lit up in a darkened room and began vibrating then played California Dreamin' as its ringtone. It played until it went to voice mail but its owner was outside. Three people were sitting on a porch star gazing on a clear Arizona evening, something they liked to. Arizona has one of the clearest night skies in the united states that attract sky watchers from around the world.
"See that," Hartley pointed out as he went on to describe in detail all the stars and constellations that they could see.
"Dad, you would've made an excellent astronomer and university professor," Vivian couldn't help but feel sad knowing what her father had sacrificed and what he continued to give for them to stay safe. She loved to hear him orate. She felt his passion in his speech even if it was a simple pass the butter it was said with a fire that one could not help but know he was alive.
"Maybe but that just wasn't in the cards."
"She's right," said Mary, "it's getting cold let's go in and start a fire. You can give us another one of your talks."
"I'm boring you two with my nonsense."
"I love to hear about you and Stephen."
"We need to go in the coyotes are already out just listen." Mary changed the subject. On nights like this it was difficult for her to hear stories about her husband. His ghost still haunted her after all these years and on nights like this with the coyotes howling in the distance and the sound of lonely evening birds she felt the weight of all those years in her heart.
After going in there was a sudden silence all the night noises were gone.
"Bandit one, this is bandit two. Three thermal targets located inside the structure permission given to light it up."
"Roger that making pass." The Warthog dropped out of the eastern sky coming in low firing all guns. Trace fire drew a straight line from the plane to the house that instantly disintegrated in a million pieces. "Bandit one this is bandit two pass completed."
"Roger that will go in to investigate make wide pass and circle back will inform." Two black Escalades rolled in over a rise with their lights off and two teams of mercenaries with night goggles got out.
"Okay," yelled a man in combat fatigues, "make sure the targets are terminated and recover any remains." The men began to comb the ruins when they heard the same ringtone again.
"Where's that coming from?" yelled one of the men. "Here I got it," replied another and picked it up. The phone was a bit burnt with a crack that ran across the screen but amazingly enough it still worked.
"Boss we found this. The call is from someone by the name of Bartowski."
"Who the hell is he?"
"That would be my son," said Mary standing behind them. She tossed a M84 flash grenade that stunned the men then opened fire with an AK-47, a left over from Volkoff Industries. "Vivian do you mind passing me the Stinger please."
"Bandit one this is bandit two what was that flash I saw. Bandit one, bandit one - Control no answer from bandit one am making another pass." The A-10 dipped low over the horizon and came in screaming. Then a radar warning light came on and an alarm started sounding. "Christ, control I'm being illuminated got to-" Radio communications went dead as a fire ball lit up the Arizona night sky. Some reported seeing a UFO the next day while the official report said it was a meteor that burnt up in the atmosphere.
"Well, I think we need to find another location," said Mary standing on a small knoll with a smoking Stinger missile tube in her hands.
"Where do you want to go?" asked Hartley. "Tahiti is lovely this time of year. If we go to Bangkok we could visit the temples or if we go to Singapore we could stay at Raffles. I do enjoy a good Singapore sling with all those little umbrellas."
"No I was thinking more like visiting Burbank. It's time we dropped in on Chuck and Sarah. With Sarah being pregnant she might want some motherly advice. You know Chuck looked awfully thin the last time we chatted on Skype. I don't know if they're eating properly. A mother worries about these things."
"Hey this one is moving," said Vivian. Mary pulled out a pistol and shot him. "But doesn't Sarah have Emma? Oh there's another one crawling off over there."
"Emma is nice but I just don't know if they are taking good care of my Chuck," Mary said as she shot the man in the back of the head. "Well, I think we're done here let's pack up and go our next stop is 1838 Franklin Street Echo Park."
After torching the two Escalades they pulled the camouflage tarp off of their Jeep and drove off into the Arizona night as the coyotes began to howl again. The howling soon changed to growling as they fought over the tender morsels that were left behind for their fine dining.
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ECHO PARK
"Sweetie, how do you feel?" But it was the way Sarah asked that perked Chuck's interest.
"Better that we're home now, why?"
"How tired are you?"
"Love is there something you want to ask?"
"Well, I was wondering if Maurice was free this evening? I've got a lot of tension built up and I could really use a good massage."
"I think he can work you in to his busy schedule. Let's get inside. If you can get a pot of coffee on Maurice will run you a bath and get the bed ready."
"Have I told you that I love you lately?"
"With every breath and right back at you. Let's me get my girls inside."
"Chuck you're really going to be disappointed if it's a boy." Sarah said as they entered in their apartment.
"No just surprised and don't tell me that spies don't like surprises."
"I don't think this is covered in the spy handbook. Phone, I'll get it while you check on Maurice." Sarah picked up the receiver, "Hi Casey. Thanks okay have a good time and try relax. Tell Alex hi and I'll see her in the afternoon. See you tomorrow bye."
"Was that Casey?" asked Chuck coming out of the bathroom with the sound of running water. "Do we have a mission?"
"No he was just checking in and saying that he would probably be staying over with Morgan and Alex. Kathleen was running late and he wanted to talk to her about Alex."
"Good or bad?"
"I don't know. I think he's riding the fence but I know he was proud of the way she handled herself on the mission. I have to say the apple didn't fall far from the tree with those two."
"Sounds like you're really proud of your trainee and I think you should be. Maurice is available for the lady if she's ready now." Chuck began humming a Steve Miller Band tune.
"Thank you sir, what would you like me to wear?"
"Do I have to tell you?"
"I think your look says everything."
A couple hours later, Chuck and Sarah were cuddling on the couch. Sarah had on a short house coat and Chuck had pajama bottoms on with a blanket wrapped around them.
"I'm going to call Ellie tomorrow from Castle. I want to find out what she meant about that annotation she made in your medical record."
"I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure if it were something important she would've said something."
"Well just the same I'd like to know what she meant by early brain development. Do you want to be with me when I call? We can use the encrypted line in Castle so we can guarantee security."
"Sweetie I don't want you to make a lot out of this. Ellie probably had good reasons for not saying anything."
"You're being awfully easy going about this. Wait did you know about this?"
"Well she might have said something to me about it in passing but it was nothing. I didn't want you to worry about it like you're doing now."
"Naturally I'm worrying about it why shouldn't I it's our daughter we're talking about. Even if it was nothing she shouldn't have written it. It would've been better just to tell us."
"Chuck you're spiraling. It could be just one of those things that doctors make note of like height and weight or blood pressure, just routine for them. I've got an idea Mr. Bartowski why don't we go to bed and I can help you to relax."
"I don't think that's going to work."
"Really," she kissed him on the lips then moved to his neck and as she kissed she whispered in his ear, "are you sure?"
"Maybe not so much," Chuck replied as Sarah ran her hand across his chest and nipped his nose then bit his lip.
"Okay, yes." Chuck grabbed Sarah's hand and they disappeared quickly into their bedroom. "Oh, Mr. Bartowski we have all night," said Sarah as she giggled. It was about four in the morning when Sarah heard a noise outside in the courtyard as Chuck was starting to wake up with a grin on his face from ear to ear.
"Shush," said Sarah as she put her hand over his mouth. She pulled her Smith and Wesson from under her pillow and threw on a house coat. Chuck reached down and pulled his dart pistol from under the night stand. The couple proceeded together out of the bedroom into the living room.
"The noise is coming from Ellie and Devon's old apartment."
"Boy, this was a great night for an intruder with Casey spending the night with Morgan and Alex."
"Chuck we need to sweep the courtyard," said Sarah. They stepped out Sarah going right and Chuck going left.
"All clear," said Chuck as Sarah held up her fist indicating to Chuck to halt. Then she reached for Ellie's door.
"No you don't" whispered Chuck to Sarah as he grabbed her arm. "You're not going in first, I am."
"Don't be silly Chuck. I'm the senior agent here."
"I don't care, you're the senior agent with our child with you so stand down. I'll go in first."
"I'm not standing down, you stand down."
"Okay compromise, we both go in."
"Compromise," she replied then without warning she turned the knob and went it. "Chuck, how are we supposed to both go in with this," she pointed to her stomach with her free hand.
"That's not what I meant," and Chuck followed. They heard a familiar voice speak to them from behind.
"Stand down both of you." Chuck switched the lights on and there in Ellie's living room was Mary, Chuck's mother.
"Mom do you mind gun face," said Chuck. "We really need to talk about the pros of using a dart gun. Why are you here?"
"Sorry force of habit nice to see the both of you. Turn off lights and let's talk in the courtyard. Sarah I see motherhood hasn't slowed down your reflexes although, I could hear you two coming a mile away." Sarah frowned at Chuck. They went back outside and sat around the fountain.
"You know Mom a phone call would've been nice. We were worried I tried to call you and kept getting voice mail."
"I'm sorry but I lost my phone."
"Hugo Panzer is after you and Hartley, will actually Alexei, but I don't think he'll make the distinction."
"Oh then that's the reason."
"The reason for what? Has something happened that I don't know about? You know Mom you're supposed to be retired but retirement doesn't seem to agree with you or you with it?"
"So Sarah," said Mary ignoring Chuck's spiral, "you've been quiet what's going on with you? You look as lovely as ever."
"Nothing major just the usual chasing bad guys and putting them in prison," Sarah couldn't tell if Mary's interest was genuine or just polite conversation because Chuck was there.
"You know back in my day the agency was about spy work and left the police work to the FBI or other law enforcement agencies. Being a spy was a real craft and we didn't have the aid of all this technology."
"Right all these satellites we use today must seem so Buck Rogers doesn't it?"
"Well I'm not dinosaur if that's what you're saying."
"No, I'm not saying anything. I just think the spy work we do today is just as important if not more so than back in the day."
"Back in the day! I have you to know we kept this nation safe and prevented a nuclear holocaust. What have your people done? Protected the president from a pretzel attack."
"So Mom what brings you to town?" Chuck decided to change the topic seeing that things were getting a little heated and both women had pistols with rounds chambered.
"Well, we were in Tucson when an A-10 blew up our house and a group of black op assassins dropped in for tea. But don't worry, I handled it."
"Mom, you handled it? I'm afraid to ask but where are they now?"
"Well, I couldn't say right now when we left the coyotes were having an open buffet."
"Why did I ask," Chuck looked towards Sarah.
"Just relax Sweetie. Mary don't you think we ought to call General Beckman if nothing else to get a team out there to clean up?"
"No, we can call her in the morning but I don't think it will do any good. The fire destroyed any DNA and as I said the coyotes were taking care of the bodies. By now they've probably dragged them into New Mexico or across the border so they're no real concern."
"I'm going to go pour myself a rather large glass of scotch to try and erase that image from my mind. Sarah if I scream in my sleep like a woman you'll know why."
"Chuck could you please bring your mother one too."
"Sure one or two fingers and hopefully still attached."
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NEXT MORNING
"Chuck alarm, please make it stop," said Sarah as she reached for her knife on the night stand to silence the intruder throwing it she nailed it in the heart.
"Mrs. Bartowski," Chuck said as he rolled over. "I'm glad the Buy More has them on sale."
"I'm sorry. I'll pay for it." Sarah said with a sleepy voice.
"Yes, you will pay," Chuck said with devilish eyes and kissed her. "Hey, do you smell something cooking?"
"Pancakes?" Then Sarah remembered Mary, "Chuck, your mother." They both got up and found Mary in their kitchen cooking breakfast.
"Mom, why are you here in our kitchen? Shouldn't you be cooking breakfast in Ellie's for Hartley and Vivian?"
"I already have but you sleepy heads were still in bed so I decided that since breakfast is the most important meal of the day I'd surprise you."
"Well the surprise worked but really this isn't necessary." Chuck looked over at Sarah and could tell from her look she wasn't happy. Spies don't like surprises that was an axiom Sarah had engraved into Chuck's head.
"Nonsense anything for my little Chucky," Mary said as she pinched his cheeks. "Besides you look a little thin and I was worried you two weren't eating right."
"Mary," said Sarah, "I can assure you there's no reason to worry." She couldn't help but wonder if she shouldn't have posted a weekly menu for Mary's review but it was true that they ate out a lot and when they got home it was usually too late to cook.
"I saw all the pizza boxes in the trash."
"Mom you check our trash?" Chuck couldn't help but picture his mother dumpster diving looking through their trash like on CSI or one of those police shows.
"No silly I took ours out and yours just happened to be there."
"Chuck," whispered Sarah smiling at Mary, "your mother has been doing recon on us."
"Sarah love is everything okay? Do you want something?" asked Mary.
"Oh, no I was just telling Chuck I need to get ready. We all need to go to Castle this morning."
"Eat your breakfast first it'll get cold." Mary stood over the top of them and made sure they started eating before she left. "I'm going to make sure my party is ready. Let's meet in the courtyard in sixty minutes. I know you'll be punctual because spies are never late right Sarah." But before she could answer Mary continued. "I'd like to see Emma but with all this mess going on it probably wouldn't be safe for Molly so maybe another time."
"Right, but…" Before Sarah could say anything else Mary was gone. "Chuck, you know what this means we're going to have to sweep for bugs and cameras tonight."
"Funny, you're joking. Sarah you are joking, aren't you?"
"Of course silly," but she thought not really. Maybe she could get the equipment out of Castle without Casey seeing because if he saw her then he'd never let her forget it.
An hour later they were all back in the courtyard making their way to the herder Chuck and Sarah had brought home the night before.
"I want to apologize," said Vivian to Sarah "for trying to poison you. I feel bad about it," but before Sarah could answer.
"Don't worry about it Vivian," said Mary. "Sarah pulled a gun on Chuck's sister and threatened to blow off her head shortly after she had her baby. So I think everything is pretty much even."
"Yeah, but there's more to that story Vivian and a by the way my mom shot me in the heart."
"But I knew you had a vest on. It always comes back to that with you doesn't it?"
"To the heart, yeah I'd say it does," said Chuck as he took Sarah's hand and kissed her.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear, "thanks."
"Charles, where's the rest of the car?" asked Mary looking down the herder. "How do we all fit inside or is this some sort of contest?"
"You know this is going to be a little small. Maybe we ought to take two cars?"
"I could take someone I my Lotus?" said Sarah seeing a way out, "Vivian why don't you come with me?" She'd prefer to ride with someone who had tried to kill her than to have to listen to Mary all the way in. She did feel bad about leaving Chuck with the other two but Mary was his Mother and even thought she had shot him once she had demonstrated her love for he son.
"Charles, you know Devon bought a minivan when Clara was born and got rid of his sports car."