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

Don't own Chuck

The General drove back to the airport after Chuck briefed her. She looked at her watch trying to calculate what time it would be when she got back to D.C. She hoped Roan remembered to make reservations because she could already taste her Denver omelette. The only thing she had left was this meeting with Dr. Beech Director of the joint NSA, NASA Special Projects Division then it was wheels up. How she hoped he wasn't going to be long winded. Her Escalade pulled onto the tarmac and she got out.

"Is the Doctor waiting for me on board like I asked?" said the General as she met by her aircrew. The co-pilot nodded then walked on board with her.

"Yes, he's been here for about a half an hour. He's waiting for you in the cabin. With your permission the pilot would like to start the pre-checks so we can take off."

"Yes, yes as soon as I can get rid of him I want to be in the air. I've got a meeting to attend to back in D.C.," she said as she visions of eggs, peppers, onions and ham danced through her head. Her aide gave her a look he knew what meeting she was talking about and it wasn't official. Roan better have that reservation made or I'll kill him she thought as she walked up the ladder.

"General Beckman I presume," said Oscar as he got up and shook her hand. "As I promised 30 year old Macallan now do I get my ten minutes?"

"Straight to the point, I like that Dr. Beech," she said as he cleared his voice. "Oh, Oscar I'm sorry. But we have met before you just probably don't remember me."

"Really when was that? I don't recall? Oh wait a minute was it that conference on technology and emerging economies? I think I do remember you there."

"Yes, I was there on mission but I did find your lecture both stimulating and interesting," she said as she took off her coat and got two glasses.

"Well Diane I'm afraid you were the only one. I remember you now you were the only one still awake at the end of my lecture." They both laugh as she poured them both a drink.

"So you need the Carmichaels, can I ask what for? I can understand how Chuck's skillsets would match yours but I'm not sure about his wife, Sarah."

"I need them both. You see I have a Dr. Ryder who works for me in R & D. He's come up with a new use for the Smart chip to harvest lightening as an alternative energy source."

"Sounds kind of science fiction but most of the gadgets we use look that way at least in the beginning. But lightning? You've piqued my interest how does it work?"

"Easy you understand the principal of lightning. You have a charged cloud and a point somewhere else with an opposite charge then resistance in the air between produces the arch we see as an electrostatic charge that travels between the two that we call lightning. Now say you have a way to draw that charge to a specific point on earth then you use that electrical energy to charge a battery. To make this example simple let's say a very large battery that you in turn use to provide electricity to the nation's power grid. I'm not saying it will replace fossil fuel but it will make us less oil dependent. It's called the Blue Lightning Initiative."

"That's amazing why haven't I heard anything about this in my briefs? I would think in my circle everyone would be talking about new technology like this."

"That's why I need your people; you see Dr. Ryder is behind on data collection. Basically, all I have are theories and pie in sky charts. If I take this to Capitol Hill for full funding…"

"I get it; I've had to swim in that shark tank. They'll eat you alive but I don't see what I can do for you. I can't fund you. I might have deep pockets but even they have a bottom. I have to justify my spending like you do."

"No, that's not it," said Oscar as he took a moment to catch his breath. His ten minutes were quickly ticking by.

"Good but you still haven't told me why you need my people," said the General as she poured Oscar another round. She laughed out loud thinking about Roan going on about the Doctor plying her with copious amounts of alcohol. If anything it was the other way around. "I'm sorry I wasn't laughing at you I just remembered something but you were saying."

"Thanks, yes I was explaining why I need your people. You see there's a place I need to send a team, Dr. Ryder's team. There they can do all the data gathering in a week or so and everything will get back on track. I'll have the data to justify the funding request and I won't get eaten alive."

"Where's this place you need to go? Don't tell me it's in the middle of a warzone or something like that."

"Oh no nothing like that. These scientists of Ryder's team are a little strange by what the general public would consider normal and so are a… well for a better word 'shy'. The place they need to go to is in the Northern part of Zamibia. I don't know if you're familiar with it."

"Yes I am we've had dealings before with their president, Dr. Zuti. You realize you need to clear this through State and DoD first."

"I'm working on that but I need to make sure I can count on your people being a part of the team. Chuck speaks their language and can help them through this while his wife can keep them in line. This might sound like a cake walk but believe me it's not. I don't care how they get them to do it but I need that data. Dr. Ryder and I agreed what we need is a nerd Jungle Jim and I believe Chuck fits that bill."

"Well this is your lucky night I know Chuck and Sarah would love to participate," said the General reminding herself to hold Chuck to his promise. "You get the approval then give me a call and they'll be on the flight with your people."

The Doctor disembarked then the General was in the air headed back East. Once she cleared the Rockies she called Roan just to make sure he had the table reserved. She put him on speaker so she could drink another glass without having to fiddle with the phone.

"Roan, I'm calling to tell you I'm on my way back and to get ready. You can meet me at the airport then we can go to the restaurant from there. Don't tell me you forgot because since we started talking about breakfast I've had this desire for an omelette."

"It almost sounds like… Well, you're not pregnant are you?" said Roan half joking but half terrified at the thought of little Montgomeries with white dinner jackets running around.

"No Roan that boat sailed a few years ago but just a few mind you. I don't want you getting ideas. So tell me everything is ready."

"Well I booked us a table at one of the most exclusive restaurants in all of D.C. and you'll never guess where."

"How about the Inn at Little Washington or Bourbon Steak on Pennsylvania Avenue those are two of your favorites but I don't know if they serve breakfast."

"How about chez moi? It's got a wonderful atmosphere and I know the owner, he'll be able to squeeze us in. You can kick your shoes off and relax."

"Might I remind the chef that the last time we tried this he almost set fire to his apartment and we had to call in a clean-up crew after the fire department left."

"The chef wants to inform you that he's taken cooking lessons since then and is well aware of his past mishaps but wished to remind you that you said well done."

"Whatever Roan and… thanks, I'll see you when I get in. Beckman out." The general hung up leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. She didn't know it was the alcohol, if she was just plain tired or a combination of both but when she opened her eyes up again they were landing at Dulles.

Two weeks later….

Chuck slept throughout the night like a rock. It was first light that woke him up. He had a light sleep anyway and the sun shining through their bedroom window always hit him first. Sarah's solution was to pull the covers over her head. When he woke up stretched then rolled over to kiss her before she retreated under sheets but today she wasn't in bed. What the… he said to himself as he rolled back over slipped on his house shoes then got up to find her.

"Sarah, Sarah, where are you," said Chuck as he walked through the apartment. When he went by Sam's room she was gone to. Then when he got to the kitchen he heard everyone out in the courtyard that's when he remembered what today was.

"Chuck, Sweetie what is it," asked Sarah. She heard him calling so she came in to see what was the matter. "Is everything okay?"

"I think old age is catching up with me," he said as he made himself a cup of coffee. She walked over and kissed him on the back of the neck. "I forgot what today was then you weren't in bed and Sam was missing I had a moment of panic before my brain woke up I guess."

"Sorry, I let you sleep in I thought you might be tired after last night," She said as he turned and kissed her. He took a drink then offered her some.

"Thanks but I've got a cup outside. Come on the girls are about leave with Jack and Emma we can see them off," she said as she offered him her hand then they went outside. Today was a sort of makeup day to go to the petting zoo without stopping to watch the ponies. The only ponies they would see would be the ones they rode.

"Molly, make sure Jack doesn't get into any trouble and Jack, I don't have to tell you what not to do to the stuffed animals."

"I don't understand why you want to pay full price when you don't have to," said Jack as he gave both of them a wink.

"No Jack… Listen the doctors just cleared you yesterday…. No, Mom, watch him," said Sarah but Emma just shrugged her shoulders.

"He's an adult… well most of the time at least. I'd say he knows what he's doing but I'm not so sure about that either."

"Jack, they've already seen you in the gift shop and you showing up with another stuffed animal with a mysterious hole… well it isn't going to fly this time."

"What are they going to do, make me pay full price? Those places are rip offs anyway. It's not like they're going to take away my birthday although a few of those I'd gladly shed."

"Come here girls," said Chuck as he hugged Sam and Molly giving them both a kiss and so did Sarah before they took off in a rental Chuck got for them. "What do you want to do now?"

"I was thinking if you can get changed quickly enough we could stop by Orange Orange for a yoghurt before going down to Castle."

"Sounds good to me, I've been wanting to try that new bacon and egg yoghurt with toast on the side," said Chuck trying to maintain a straight face.

"Eww, please tell me you're joking. You are, aren't you," said Sarah as he turned to her and kissed her. "I hate you sometimes. Now go hurry up and change," she said as she swatted his bottom.

"I think there's hash brown yoghurt too you can get as a side."

"Go before I throw something at you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dr. Beech was sitting in his office with his secretary going over next years funding requests and projects that were most likely going to get the axe. He still hadn't heard anything back from the State Department or DoD about Ryder's mission to Africa so when he laid out the 'haves' and the 'have nots' had had no choice where to place the Blue Lightning Initiative.

"You know Martha there was a time when I did real science. I worked in a lab and came up with theories and tested my results. Now I'm a glorified nanny with a doctorate degree in physics. I spend my whole day hounding these people to get their reports in on time," said the Director as he waved his hand over the heap of papers.

"It could be worse most of them get their reports in on time and maintain accurate lab records," said Martha trying to make him feel better.

"You really think so? Let me teach a nice word I learned when I was a Lieutenant in the Navy, 'gundecking'. It's when you file a false report like you skip a step or just plain don't do it but file a report that says you did. When I'm not hounding these guys I have to review their reports to verify what's in them is true. Now is this any way to run a railroad?"

"Or sail a boat. You never told me you were in the Navy? Did you have a girl in every port?" said Martha trying to cheer him up. But as they were talking Dr. Ryder came in running.

"Oscar I got it! I got it. It finally came through," said Ralph as he ran in waving a piece of paper in front of Dr. Beech.

"What is it? Let me see," said Oscar as he read the document. "Hum, good I don't know why this came to you and not to me but it looks like you've got your permission. Do you understand what it says here," said Oscar as he pointed out some of the requirements. "You need to make sure everyone has been vaccinated against yellow fever and they need to start a regime of antimalarials."

"I can coordinate that with the clinic on campus we've done this before. But as for the antimalarial there are pills you have to take for so many days before you leave then everyday you're there and so many more after you get back. Listen you need to stay on top of this because you can't miss a day. Go down to the clinic after you leave here I'll call ahead because your people need to start today."

"We're also going to have to get your team to sign waivers that will say they can't hold us or the government responsible for anything that might happen to them that is not work related. Translated if they do something stupid like drink the water it's not our fault and before you say who could be that stupid that goes also for the ice you put in your bourbon. In Africa you drink your drink neat. Martha, we'll put aside this work for now and let's get Dr. Ryder's team ready."

"I'm going to run down and give them the good news then get the malaria pills for everyone. We've already started crating up what we need to take with us. I couldn't box up what we're using right now."

"Good, I'll call about our escorts and see about getting the Air Force to help us out with transportation out of Travis. You might tell your people to invest in Dramamine if they give us a C-130 it will be a long flight over. Go now and get ready, I'll handle logistics." Dr. Ryder flew out of the office and disappeared.

"In some ways I wish I were him. To be in the field collecting data that's the life not stuck here buried under paper but at least I've got you to help bail me out."

"Thanks, I'll start by lining up the clinic for their shots then draft that wavier for your review," said Martha. He admired the way she got things organized on the fly as they were being tossed at her. Not many people could do what she did for him.

"Good Martha you do that I'll call about the escorts then I'll call our Air Force liaison office for transport," said Oscar as he picked up his phone. "This is Dr. Beech for General Beckman she might remember I was supposed to call. I'll hold. … Hi Diane well you might remember my request? … Good because I just got the green light to go ahead. … When would be a good time? Well they can come out anytime to get to meet the team. As soon as I get off the phone with you I'm going to call MAC at Travis to see what they can do for us. … Okay I'll coordinate with your agents when they get her. Thanks again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chuck and Sarah stopped off at Orange Orange on their way down for the morning briefing. Chuck just had coffee while Sarah started her day off with two scoops of Rocky Road after she checked the menu board to make sure there was no eggs and bacon yoghurt listed. She sat there eating as Chuck watched her sitting across the table. After a while she couldn't resist and she had to ask.

"What is it? Do I have ice cream on my face? You've done nothing but watch me eat since we sat down. Do you want some?"

"There are just some days I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have you in my life. I can't help but stare to make sure you're real and this life we have together is not a dream. I love you," said Chuck as he reached over and took her hand.

"I love you too but I'm still not sharing my ice cream," she said as she leaned over and kissed him. "Well maybe a spoonful."

"Yuck," said Casey as he appeared standing over the top of them. "Don't you two every give it a break."

"You know this showing up out of nowhere is kind of creepy almost like a stalker and I have to say it's kind of freaking me out. Oh by the way John and don't take this the wrong way but what we do is none of your business."

"Like I care, keep it in your pants Bartowski, the General called me this morning to tell you she wants you down in Castle pronto."

"Okay, finish your ice cream you know where I'll be," said Chuck as he leaned back over and kissed her before he started to get up.

"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick. No she wants both of you. She has a mission and she told me to remind you of your promise. What deal did you make with the devil Chuck? I hope you didn't sign it in blood."

"It might as well have been. Just bring your ice cream along," said Chuck as he helped Sarah out. She and Chuck disappeared in the back while Casey went back over through the Buy More.

"John, John," said Morgan as he cut Casey off walking through the Buy More. "Any word on what kind of 'mish' the General has planned for our couple?"

"For our couple? I told you never say 'mish' it sounds retarded and how did you know Beckman wants to give Chuck and Sarah a mission? Have you been spying on me?"

"John, you're a spy. We all are spies so it kind of comes with the territory that we spy, isn't that what we do?"

"No I'm a spy and you're an idiot. The only thing that comes with this kind of territory requires at least a month's long traction in the hospital after I get done. How did you know anyway?"

"I have my sources," said Morgan. At that remark Casey cracked his knuckles and was about to go in for the kill when Big Mike walked through the door.

"Morning gentlemen smell that. It's another fine day here at the Buy More. You know I used to say the morning was for two things reflection and pastries but now well… now my priorities have changed."

"Oh my God here we go," mumbled Morgan as Casey smiled. This was far better than anything John could dish out.

"Speak up son I didn't hear you. You know as manager you need to be heard. You're running with the big dogs and we need to hear your bark, stop being a schnauzer move up in the world. You need to annunciate your words, not mumble about like some babbling fool."

"Right Big Mike, a big dog," said Morgan as Casey slapped him on the back almost knocking him over.

"Woof, woof" said Casey smiling at Morgan. He had a plan.

Now that's what I mean. Maybe a little lighter on the swing but John's go the idea. You could learn a lot from him.

"Sorry, I thought I saw a bug that needed squashing. But Big Mike what Grimes is asking is what's brought on this change of perspective? Could it be a woman," said Casey as he smiled at Morgan. This was Casey's revenge.

"Yes John the finest catch I could ever land. Better than any wallow eye or big mouth bass. Oh my Lord it's like every day is Salmon season if you know what I mean. It's like every day's Friday," said Big Mike as he walked away.

"I'm never going to touch seafood again. Charlie tuna meets the Little Mermaid."

"Well, I've got work to do Chicken of the Sea."