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, 12 Chuck vs The Greek, 13 Chuck vs The Suitcase, 14 Chuck vs The Pirate
Devon followed Abrim to his cabin where he was offered the use of his shower to get cleaned up. After he got out Devon found clean clothes laid out for him along with personal toiletries and his brand of cologne. As he was shaving in the mirror he couldn't help but wonder if this wasn't just a bad dream and that sooner or later he'd wake up and all of this would be gone. He'd wake up next to Ellie and Clara would come flying into their bedroom but when he nicked himself he felt the sting and saw his blood he realized that this was all unfortunately real.
"This way," said Abrim as he called him back into his office. "Let me look at you. Yes, you're presentable now."
"Dude, can you tell me what the hell is going on here and how did you know my clothes size or the cologne I wear? This isn't one of those TV shows like punk'd is it. You don't have any hidden cameras or anything lying around? Is Ashton Kutcher going to jump out from somewhere?"
"I can assure you that's not the case. You see I'm a businessman and my clients ask me to pick up things for them. There is another man who identifies what my clients want then I go about getting it for them."
"So what your client asked for is what? Me? Hey I told you I'm not into any of that freaky stuff I'm happily married. If you want weird you need to look for two guys named Lester Patel and Jeff Barnes. They formed a band Jeffster I don't know if you've heard of them but if you're planning a Bar Mitzvah they're your guys. Not so much a Bat Mitzvah," Devon remembered Lester's translation from the olden days.
"Bar Mitzvah, really? Never mind, I'm glad you're happily married, so you'll naturally want to get back to your wife soon?"
"Of course, what do I have to do? What's your price? Just name it."
"The price has already been paid. I want you to know my brother called for you he said you were the one man that could cure him but I had to turn him down. A deal is a deal and in our line of work that is my brother's and mine if we renege we die. You know someone once said that doctors are the same as lawyers; they both rob you the only difference is, lawyers just rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too."
Devon didn't know what to say to that so he just stood in the uncomfortable silence but he really wondered if Abrim hadn't been riding his camel too long under the sun.
"Just a reflection," said Abrim. "Our guests will be here soon, please sit they will explain everything to you."
Devon sat in one of Adrim's plush chairs and looked around the cabin for a way to escape but there was none so he did the only thing he could do, wait.
"Maybe we could play a quick hand of poker while we wait," asked Abrim. "Five card stud, Texas hold 'em?"
Devon shook his head thinking back to when Morgan, Lester and Jeff invited him to boys' night out and a game of strip poker. He could still see Jeff standing up unbuckling his pants.
"Oh my God no," Devon said out loud. "No Dude I've had some bad experiences with poker and games of chance. It's probably not a good idea."
"I can understand it's been kind of a family curse of ours. I shouldn't play either," said Abrim. Just then one of his men knock at the cabin door then stuck his head in.
"Boss your guests have arrived," he said. "Do you want them shown in?"
"Yes, good have them brought straight in," Abrim said then he turned to Devon. "Your stay here is almost over. I hope you found it comfy." It seemed to Devon that his impression of Abrim that he was a little bit touched was true.
Before long a Middle Eastern man wearing a red Fez and a woman dressed in a burca were escorted into Abrim's cabin. Once the escort left the woman removed her outer garb then folded it and putting it aside.
"My name is Mr. Aziz," said the man to Devon, "and this is Yasmin Tazi."
"I'd say it was nice to meet you but given the circumstances I think you can understand if I have reservations. So can you tell me what the heck is going on?"
"Indeed," said the woman this was the first word she spoke then she nodded to Aziz.
"Mr. Abshir could you please get Miss Tazi a glass of mint tea. The travel has been long and she'd like the opportunity to speak to the Doctor alone."
"Well, I don't-"
"We're paying you very well don't make me seek another payment plan," said Aziz as he showed their host the Sig he had tucked away in his shoulder holster under his jacket. Abrim got up from behind his desk and left, leaving the three of them alone in his cabin.
"Doctor Woodcomb you come highly recommended by a Doctor Mustafa Zamir."
"Is he related to Muhammed Zamir? I never met him personally but I operated on one of his patients, a Harry Lime. I put a pacemaker in him if I remember correctly."
"Yes, exactly Muhammed is Mustafa's brother and both are cardiothoracic surgeons. So you are one too?"
"I do have brothers and they are doctors but their names aren't Muhammed or Mustafa. They're names are-"
"I know that no, I meant you're a cardiothoracic surgeon?"
"That's what it says on my diploma from UCLA, why do either of you have heart problems? Looking at you I would guess no."
"No Doctor," said the woman, "the problem is my father. My father's doctor, Doctor Wadì has told us that his heart is very weak and that he needs a consult from a Cardiologist. Naturally I wanted the very best so Doctor Wadì said I should contact Dr. Zamir but when I called him, he mentioned your name. He said you were much better skilled than he was and since I wanted the very best I should contact you so I had Mr. Abshir and Mr. Aziz arrange for your invitation."
"Invitation Lady! I wouldn't call this much of an invitation as a kidnapping."
"I am truly sorry but you have to understand I'm desperate and we're talking about my father. Desperate people do desperate things."
"I guess I can kind of understand but why didn't you bring him to me in Chicago? I would've looked at him without all this."
"I'm sorry but that's not possible somehow your State Department has us confused with terrorists. Our names are on some sort of watch list and if we tried to get on a flight a red flag would go up. We'd be arrested before we stepped foot on US soil and my father would be dead before we could sort everything out."
"Wow that's not right; you know my brother in law can probably help you with that."
"Does he work for the US State Department?"
"No but he works for another government agency. First, did you bring your father's records with you? I need to look them over to get an idea with what we're dealing with then I'll have to interview the patient then we can go from there."
"What does that mean?"
"I took an oath to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; to practice my profession with conscience and dignity; and that the health of my patient will be my first consideration.
"Then you'll take the job?"
"On one condition when I'm done I go home to my wife and family."
"Agreed," she said as she offered Devon her hand and they shook.
"I really need to call my wife she's got to be worried sick. Is there any way I can use your phone?"
"We don't have phones on us. When you come to these types of business meetings they don't let you bring them but I've got a phone on my plane you can use it to call her when we're in the air."
"Great thanks."
Abrim returned with Yasmin's mint tea and sat it down in front of her then returned to his seat. She took a couple sips then got up.
"Thank you Mr. Abshir it's been a pleasure doing business with you," she said as she put her burca back on.
Abrim went to the door and called in one of his men to have his guests escorted off his ship and back to their launch. Once on the boat, Devon was taken down below in the cabin and looking out a portal he saw the running lights of another launch pulling up along the Scheherazade. He hoped that whoever it was that they were there to ransom one of his friends. He didn't like leaving them but there was little he could do.
"So Miss Tazi what line of work are you and your father in? Whatever it is it must be very profitable."
"We run a family business; my father is called the Toy Maker."
"Maybe you have something I can get for my daughter?"
"Maybe," she said. Devon couldn't see her smiling inside her burca.
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The agency got Chuck and Sarah an adjacent suite to Ellies' for the night so that they could all be together. Mary and Casey were coming in early the next morning and once they had refuelled they would proceed to Cairo for Shahir El Aziz. Chuck and Sarah spent most of the evening trying to comfort Ellie until Chuck began dozing off in the middle of conversations. He had been riding an adrenaline high since Chicago but now his body and brain were telling him he needed to rest.
"Chuck, would it be possible for all of us to come to Cairo with you?" asked Ellie.
"What? Huh you want to bring everyone, your daughter, my daughter on mission, are you crazy?"
"Chuck's right Ellie I know you're grieving but there's no way," said Sarah.
"No, I'm not talking about on the mission. I'm talking about visiting the Egyptian museum so Clara can see the mummies, which was something she wanted to do on this vacation. Chuck so far all she's seen is me crying and the view from our balcony."
"I could have Mom stay with you but you have to promise that you won't come near the Khan al-Khalili bazaar. I'll give you a map and draw out the area for you and cross it out in red. Love, what do you think?"
"I don't like it but I don't see anything wrong either. Ellie, I hate to tell you this but Beckman will have to close down the team this week so if you stayed you'd be on your own."
"What will I do? I can't, we can't go back to Chicago. My God what do I tell Honey and Woody they don't know anything?"
"I don't know other than maybe tell them that the CIA or State Department told you not to tell them that the fewer people involved the better but if this isn't resolved soon you'll need to tell them something."
"Chuck, we could implement Operation Mother Goose," said Sarah.
"Are you sure," said Chuck smiling.
"Seems like a good opportunity to see if it'll work."
"Excuse me guys but what is Operation Mother Goose remember I'm the sister no a spy."
"Right El," said Chuck, "well Sarah and I have been talking about how much our spy life is taking away from our family life so we came up with an idea of establishing safe houses to move Sam, Molly and Emma around in so they'd be close to us and we could be with them."
"Would they be safe and what about school?"
"Chuck thought about that," said Sarah as she wrapped her arm around his. "For school we're going to hire a tutor and as for safety we're going to have our Paris office make all the arrangements with a limited paper trail."
"Take this trip to Cairo I'll have the agency make reservations for us at the Hilton then I'll call Hannah and have her make reservations for you guys. Hannah will use my personal accounts and to make it more confusing I'll have you booked for different end dates so on paper no one will be able to tell we're the same party."
"One last request," said Ellie and I know this will be asking a lot but I hope you understand. Can you let Sam sleep here tonight? Before you answer hear me out Clara has been sleeping with her since this all began and well if you take her she'll either have to sleep with me and listen to me cry again or sleep by herself. I know what I'm asking and I hope you'll understand."
"Can we make a compromise," said Sarah. "Can Clara sleep with us and we move Sam's bed for tonight in our room. I'm sorry Ellie but I miss my baby."
"Can I, please," said a little voice from her bedroom.
"How long have you been listening miss," said Ellie, "you know that's rude?"
"Good spy skills though we didn't hear a thing," Sarah whispered to Chuck.
"I wouldn't tell El that I don't think she'd appreciate," he whispered back.
"Okay, but you have to behave," said Ellie. Clara gave her mother a hug then Chuck and Sarah. She ran across the living room and jumped into their bed. The Russian judge would have given her a 9.8. Chuck was trying not to laugh because it ached but he couldn't. He had to prop himself against the door frame and held his side until the pain passed.
"What's the matter," asked Ellie.
"It's nothing I just got a little bruised is all, Sarah wrapped it for me."
Ellie lifted up his T-shirt. Chuck raided the men's apparel store in the hotel lobby and had two new suits made that he would have to wait until the morning to pick up. But until then he was stuck with a pair of beige Bermuda shorts, a tee shirt size XXL that read 'all my parents brought back from Sharm El Sheik for me was this lousy T-shirt' and a pair of flip flops. Ellie looked over Sarah's bandaging then she placed her ear on his back and told him to cough.
"Really El, I'm fine can we get Sam situated then get some sleep."
"I was going to re-wrap him before we go to sleep," said Sarah.
"Don't, take it off and Chuck when you sleep, try to sleep on your sore side. I know that sounds crazy but that way you can take deeper breaths. Use the bandage during the day to help with mobility and pain management but at night try and sleep without it. It might take up to six weeks to heal. Wait let me get you something," she when into her bedroom and came out with a bottle of pills, "take two with water if the pain gets bad. No alcohol when you take them. Now go read Clara a bedtime story while Sarah and I move Sam and her bed"
Chuck disappeared into their suite leaving Ellie and Sarah by themselves. Sarah went in and picked up Sam like a sleepy little monkey she clung to her as she hung her head over Sarah's shoulder and continued to sleep. Ellie unblocked the wheels and began to roll the bed out.
"I guess you want to know how he got injured?" said Sarah breaking the growing uncomfortable silence between them.
"No, no I think it's best if I don't know. I should be apologizing to you. I don't know what I'd do right now if I didn't have you two. Who would I contact? Everyone that is helping me is helping me because they know you two."
"Ellie your mother is helping you and in his way Morgan is too."
"I'm just trying to say thanks, sis you're pretty amazing yourself."
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The boat pulled into the piers at Berbera where a black sedan waited for them with driver. As soon as they got in Devon hear a clicking sound as the doors locked. Then he heard the car start and Aziz tell the driver to take them to the airport and to step on it. Devon tried to look out the windows at the town but they were darkened also from the inside. There was no way to tell how long the drive took he just knew that they stopped and he was sure about that only because the driver got out and opened his door.
"Come along Doctor," said Yasmin. Aziz was already out waiting for him along with three other men that looked like they meant business. One on each side escorted him up the ramp and to his seat. One even buckled his seat belt.
"You know I can do that on my own," said Devon.
"We're only thinking about your best interest," said Yasmin as she sat down in the opposite row from his so she could keep an eye on him.
"I feel a little parched, do you think I could get a glass of water or something. Remember when we take off you said I could call my wife."
"That's right I did and as soon as we're in the air you'll be able to," she said then she got up and went to get him some water. She came back and handed him a glass. "The pilot told me we've just gotten clearance to take off so you'll be able to make that call soon. Your wife is very lucky woman to have such a devoted husband."
"Thanks," said Devon as he drank then all of a sudden he started feeling drowsy then he dropped over. Yasmin had drugged his water. Aziz came over and checked on him.
"He's out. He'll be asleep for the rest of the journey."
"Have you taken care of that other package I need?"
"I've been in contact with my friend in Tangier and when I get to Cairo I'll contact Dr. Zamir with the contact and drop off point."
"Good so I'll be able to meet both for the first time."
"Both? I don't understand."
"I've only talked with Zamir on the phone so this will be the first time I'll be able to meet him. I need to thank him for the information he gave us on our Doctor friend here."
"And the other one?" But before she could answer she was called into the cockpit by the pilot.
"I'll explain as soon as I get back," Yasmin said before she disappeared up front.
"Miss Tazi," said the pilot after the co-pilot closed off the cabin, "one of your men called from Berbera and reported that the CIA and Navy SEALs raided Mr. Abshir's ship, the Scheherazade just after you left. He wasn't sure if Abshir was taken but the ship was confiscated and the hostages were released. He also said that he suspected that Mr. Aziz had been compromised. We could let him walk home at 10,000 feet."
"As much as I'd like to do that I still need him for one last delivery. Call Anubis and have him contact me when we take off again from Cairo. Are we set to switch planes?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good this plane like Aziz have served their purpose now we move on I don't want anything left that can be traced back to me."
Yasmin walked back to the cabin and sat across from Aziz. He couldn't see her through the burca but she was sizing him up. She was looking at him like a lioness looks at the gazelle.
"How long from the time we land will you need to finish arranging that pick up with Dr. Zamir?"
"By early to mid-morning it should be done, why? I thought I was continuing on with you? That was the plan."
"No something has come up and I'm afraid you'll have to get off in Cairo, is that a problem?"
"No, no none, I'll message you with the details when everything is set. You were saying before about two people you were going to meet for the first time Dr. Zamir and who was the other.
"Yes, Dr. Zamir and my father's new heart."