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, 26 Chuck vs Electric Sheep, 27 Chuck vs The Band, 28 Chuck vs The Cold, 29 Chuck vs A Horse With No Name, 30 Chuck vs A Bolt In The Blue, 31 Chuck vs Brick and Mortar, 32 Chuck vs Juri Sheshenkov, 33 Chuck vs The Couch, 34 Chuck vs The Hijack, 35 Chuck vs El Capitan, 36 Chuck vs The Wall, 37 Chuck vs The Outback, 38 Chuck vs The Evil Twin, 39 Chuck vs Golden Thumb, 40 Chuck vs Ben Franklin, 41 Chuck vs The Lady of Uruk, 42 Chuck vs The Beard, 43 Chuck vs Bunny, 44 Chuck vs the Football, 45 Chuck vs El Serpiente
It was early morning at Echo Park the girls moved back over after they got the all clear from Casey. He called them to let everyone know that he was coming home and that Chuck and Sarah would be arriving around midday. He flew out of Nellis and arrived in Miramar to find Alex and Morgan waiting for him.
"Welcome home Dad. We really missed you," said Alex as he leaned forward and kissed him on both cheeks.
"Yeah Big Guy we really missed you," said Morgan. He put his arms around Casey and hugged him. "We missed you a lot."
"Grimes," growled Casey. "You've got thirty seconds to make a retreat or risk permanent injure and the inability to produce offspring."
"Moving away," said Morgan as he backed up. "So where are Chuck and Sarah at anyway? Why didn't they come back with you?"
"They had things to wrap up before they could take off. They'll be in early afternoon but it's important that Beckman thinks they came with me so if she calls they are out or doing something so they can't be reached."
"Why all the secrecy," said Morgan. "We can keep a secret." Casey and Alex gave him a look. "Oh come on it's not my fault that wet team found the cabin. The most important thing is it all worked out and we got out of there safe and sound."
"Whatever, just take my word its better if you don't know. Now let's get out of here. I just want to get home take a shower and pop a hot pocket in the microwave."
"Well that's not happening. Kat cooked a big lunch for when Sarah and Chuck get in," said Alex. "Hey I just thought of something where's Jack at? He's not with you. Is he with Chuck and Sarah? You didn't mention him.
"He's taking care of a little business back in Los Vegas. I have a feeling we'll see him soon… that is as soon as the casinos on the strip recognize who he is and they kick him out. So you mother cook a big lunch. Is there a roast and veggies in the mix?"
"I know mom is so predictable. But it's what she cooks and comes out the best besides I've never seen any leftovers afterwards.
"And you won't this time either," said John as they got into the Escalade and pulled off base catching the I-5. "I have to admit it's always good to be home."
"Now if you'll tell that to Mom you'll make her happy," said Alex as she looked over at Casey who was riding shotgun.
[Back at Echo Park]
Everyone was busy getting ready for Chuck and Sarah's return. Emma straightened up the place after being closed since they'd gone underground which included cleaning out the fridge. Bunny sat in a stroller behind her laughing as Emma held up things to keep or pitch while Kat got lunch ready next to her.
"Well there is one thing to say for always ordering takeaway. Everything comes all neatly packaged to throw away. Bunny what do we do with the Spring rolls," asked Emma as she opened the package and took a whiff. "Oh there's no spring in there." Bunny laughed and held her hands over her face. Both Kat and Emma laughed. Emma set the box on the table then forgot about it.
"I think you can pitch just about everything in there then wipe it down with one of those disinfectant wipes."
"I'm ahead of you. I'm going to do that plus I've got a box of baking soda to put in to absorb odors. Not that the two are related but don't you want to go get spruced up for Casey's return. You know you didn't have to cook I could've done that."
"I'm fine and I might let you take over in a little while so I can do something with my hair. But truthfully I'd prefer not to think about him returning because if I do then I'll think about him going and the dangers he faced. I guess I should be grateful he is returning."
"I hear you there. It's not easy knowing that the people you love and care about are risking their lives. But what they do is important more important than we'll ever know. Do you hear that?
"Do I hear what? I don't hear anything," said Kat as she pulled the roast out and basted it. The potatoes and carrots here coming along nicely.
"Exactly. Since when has Sam or that matter Molly been this quiet. I'm going to go back and check on them. Can you watch Bunny for a second?"
"Sure no problem but do you think I should prepare a pasta first dish and/or a starter," said Kat as she put her roast back in the oven.
"I think what you've got cooking now is plenty. That roast is a big but then again Morgan's coming and that boy can eat."
"That's what I was thinking. I think I'll forget the starter and do a pasta Alfredo. What's the Parmesan cheese and butter situation like?"
"You should be good to go. The Parmesan is an aged cheese and that it has done in the fridge and the butter definitely needs to be used. I'll be right back," said Emma as she went down the hall to Sam's room.
"What's taking you so long?" Emma heard Molly say. "You just have to cut strips then staple them. You're falling behind."
"You try doing this with one hand and then let me yell at you to hurry up. I'm going as fast as I can. My shoulder aches I wonder if this is how Chuck feels when he gets hurt? He's got a collection of slings."
"You heard Zondra you need to work it out or the stiffness will set in and then it will hurt even more when you have to use it. Okay I'm done with the signs. I can help you with the chains."
"Do you think they'll like this? I mean it looks like a couple of kids threw this together. Maybe we should've bought decorations and put them up? Maybe we should've gone to the airport to pick them up with Zondra," said Sam.
"No, these are perfect," said Emma as she walked in on them. "They will love these I'm sure of it because you took the time to make them and they come from the heart."
"We're back," they heard Morgan yell. Sam and Molly looked at each other and grabbed a piece of colored paper then started to run. But Emma grabbed the scissors out of Sam's hand.
"Is anyone here," yelled Morgan again as they heard the sound of little feet running down the hall. "Look at what the cat dragged in."
"Pipe down Grimes or I'll pipe you down," grunted Casey. "I'm home," said John to Kat as she walked over to him.
"I see that," said Kat as she kissed him. He turned the fifty shades of red as the girls arrived waving a piece of paper.
"Here this is for your refrigerator door," said Sam as Molly handed him the piece of paper. He looked at it and it read. 'Welcome home Uncle Casey the bestest uncle in the world'
"Gee thanks," said John. He obviously had a lump in his throat and his eyes glistened. "I take it this is me?"
"No it's Frankenstein," said Morgan as he ate the spring rolls that Emma accidently left on the table. "Is there any more Chinese leftover?"
"Emma, can you watch the stove for a bit. I'm going to take John next door and we're going to put his portrait up on his fridge together."
"I don't need any help to do that," said John as he looked at everyone puzzled. "What does it take to put up a couple of magnets."
"No Dad, Mom needs to come with you to help you put that sign up," said Alex. "Like you two need to go alone to do it."
"Don't protest Big Guy or that won't be the only thing you'll be doing alone. Are these from Sizzling Shrimp because they're extra good."
"It has to do with aging probably," said Emma. "Will you to go we've got this here. Girls go finish your chains then I'll help you hang them."
"So you want to come and help me hang my picture," said Casey as he smiled at Kat. "Do we have to put it up in the kitchen?"
"We can hang it where every you want to hang it. We could try different rooms to see which one is the best."
"Okay you two need to go," said Alex. "That's a little too much information."
"I'd put in the living room," said Morgan. "That's the room with the best lighting. If you want, I can come over and show you what I mean."
"Troll, you come over and you're dead meat," said Casey as he grunted then he took Kat by the hand then they left.
"I was just trying to be helpful," said Morgan as he ate the last spring roll. "That's the thanks you get for wanting to help around here. Alex went over and whispered in his ear. "Sex! Them… at their age and with Casey. They still do that. Yuck I think I'm going to be sick."
"Yuck, Morgan I think you are. Your breath… you need to brush your teeth before you get close to me with that mouth."
"I've got the solution," said Morgan. He went to the fridge grabbed a grape soda and popped the cap then took a guzzle.
"No Morgan, if you don't brush your teeth I'm not kissing you and Dad's gone for a while but he'll be back soon. When he returns he's not going anywhere so if you want to strike the iron you need to do it while it's hot."
"Isn't that's what's going on next door?" Alex gave him a look.
"After that remark I should tell you I hooked up Big Mike and your mother with a helicopter ride. I thought it would help with the cover and placate any further curiosity."
"I don't feel so good," said Morgan as he turned the fifty shades of green.
"I'm sorry maybe I shouldn't have done it," said Alex but Morgan got up in the middle of her apology ran to the bathroom and heaved.
"Maybe this is the time I should tell you I was going to throw those spring rolls out," said Emma. "But look at it like this you've just made room for roast."
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Sarah piloted their Lear jet in Bob Hope International while Chuck acted as her co-pilot. The day was clear and sunny so once Sarah had permission she brought the plane down without any problems. After they landed she taxied off the apron and over to the hangars.
"Okay we're here," said Sarah as she powered down the plane. "I guess this is the moment of truth. Why don't you go make sure our passenger is ready."
"All right but I'm not going to gas her again. You can't tell me that doesn't damage your brain or lead to senility."
"Didn't you get your pudding last night," said Sarah as she smiled at him. He turned back and kissed her.
"I love it when you smile your whole face lights up," he said then he kissed her again. "Tell me I've got to go or we'll be here until they kick us off."
"Go I want to get out of here and see the girls even if I'm going to have to put up with a little pouty face. I don't want you to say anything to her either this is between us to work out."
"I'm not promising anything I won't see you unfairly treated. Let me go back and check on our flight attendant," said Chuck. He left as Sarah was in communication with the grounds personnel about getting the ladder put next to the plane. A little while later they were walking through the airport together.
"I don't see anyone can you? What if they don't show, what do we do then," asked Sarah as she looked around for a familiar face but not seeing any.
"Relax if they're a no show then something came up... probably with Casey or Morgan or both. Wait there's Zondra in the bar having coffee... at least I hope it's coffee."
"There you are," said Zondra as she sipped on something that didn't look like coffee. "I was about to give up on you."
"Well you would've been easier to find if you'd been waiting by the arrival gates. Are you here by yourself? Where is everyone?"
"Sarah should've known I'd be waiting in a bar. They're my second home Loverboy. I was nominated to pick you guys up because everyone else was busy.
"Everyone was busy?" said Sarah. How could a five almost six-year-old be that busy she thought but there was nothing she could do but accept it.
"Don't worry everything will be all right when we get home," said Chuck. "Thanks Zondra for coming when I called. It sounded like they need you."
"I don't know 007 and a half and 007 and three quarters were doing a good job themselves. I have to give the runt credit I don't know if I would've been able to shoot a .50 caliber at her age let along get in the ball park where she was aiming at."
"How is her arm. I… we saw it in a sling," said Sarah. "Has she been seen by a doctor yet or do we need to have her seen?"
"What doctor? If you listen to her she's almost ready to open her own practice. She just needs to learn how to read. But I'd never tell her this but she's already better than some of the doctors I've seen."
"Yes I think we can leave that out or she's liable to get a big head," said Sarah. She caught Zondra's look. "What is it? What did I say?"
"Look at you all mommy dearest whatever happened to you? I'm not one for the mommy scene but the squirt makes me think about it. And as for the big head, I can remember someone on our team that always had to be right even when they were wrong."
"That's not true I never said I was always right even though most of the time I was. That you have to admit. I knew we had a mole…"
"And you thought it was me. But that's all behind us now. Come one I need to get you guys home then I have to take out. I've got a new mission to shadow some cartel drug lord who wants to change their organization."
"Don Alfonso, I think you'll like him," said Chuck. "And whatever happens in eight to ten months it will be over. I guess I'm telling you don't get too attached. The milk is almost past its best used by date."
"I don't know what all that's about but you don't have to tell me. I'm not like someone we know here who's put down roots and settled down. But I have to say married life seems to agree with you. Come on let's go before everyone thinks I kidnapped you."
"Well I guess we're good as long as you didn't bring duct tape and chloroform?" said Chuck as he laughed but Zondra didn't.
"Doesn't everybody," said Zondra. She held a straight face long enough to see Chuck's bewildered look. "Oh loverboy, you are so gullible."
They went out to the parking garage got in an Escalade then headed out. They drove the I-5 home and before long they were pulling up outside Echo Park.
"Well this is where I drop you off," said Zondra. "I need to run on down to Miramar for my flight out. Good luck and if you need a babysitter again just drop me a line. Take care of that niece of mine I'll be checking up on her from time to time."
"Thanks," said Sarah. "You sure you can't come in for a drink before you head out. It always seems we can never get our schedules to match."
"That's because you've got a new team now but I'm cool with that and I'm a little jealous. Drink one for me and toast your good life."
Chuck and Sarah were waving Zondra goodbye when Casey came running out of his place buttoning up his shirt. Kat left shortly after straightening up her hair then she slipped back into their apartment.
"Way to go there Casey, you old dog you, so you and Kat… I just can't see it. I'm sorry I look at you like a Ken doll without… well you know."
"No I don't and it's probably better for your health that I don't. Stop your blabbering and come on. Beckman is on the horn and she's looking for you two. I told her you came back with me but she checked the manifest so she said she wanted to see you two in person and I was supposed to get you."
"Don't worry I got this," said Chuck. "Follow me." They went into Casey's apartment and there on the monitor was the General. She raised one eyebrow when she saw them.
"I see you found our wayward couple," said the General. "Chuck… Sarah I don't suppose either one of you have heard the latest news. The Administrator of the DEA, Jordan was found dead in his townhouse today from an apparent heart attack."
"Oh he was. Isn't that a strange coincidence. It's not like I'm going to shed any tears. Have you been told yet that one of our planes went down in Bolivia with Marty on board?"
"No I haven't heard that yet and how did you hear this?" said the General as Chuck shrugged his shoulder. "I thought it was common knowledge."
"Chuck, is there anything you want to tell me or do I need to ask Charles Carmichael?" said the General as she started tapping her pen on the desk.
"General you have plausible deniability which if I were you I'd just let ride. If I were a betting man I'd bet the coroner will rule the administrator's death as a heart attack brought on by stress and an unhealthy lifestyle…. Too many cigarettes and too much alcohol. It happens all the time to people. Just look at the ex-Soviet Union their leaders used to drop all the time due to colds. Party Chairman has a cold meant he had a foot in the grave."
"So what are you telling me, it's better if I leave sleeping dogs lie. I just hope you're right. Well if there's nothing else…."
"But there is," said Chuck. Sarah and I talked and… well we're going to take the girls and go on a vacation to Monte Carlo in Monaco."
"Chuck, what are we supposed to say to all the criminals and bad guys 'hold up on any nefarious activates while Chuck Bartowski is on vacation?'"
"I'd like to see you spell nefarious but I was impressed that you could use it in a complete sentence and use it appropriately," said Chuck. Casey grunted and growled. "What do you call that?"
"General request permission to slap Chuck for being silly."
"Denied," said the General as she looked at Chuck and Sarah as she played with the pen on her deck. She raised her eyebrow. "Okay you two have had a lot on your plates. Go ahead and take it."
"Hey wait a minute if it's that easy… all we have to do is just say we want a vacation and you give in. I want to go on a vacation too."
"Sorry Colonel but Chuck already asked. Someone needs to stay in Burbank and watch over the operation there. We can revisit it when they get back. If there's nothing else. Beckman out."
"Sorry Big Guy but that's how the vacation crumbles," said Chuck as they walked back over to their apartment. "But don't worry we'll send you a postcard."
"You know what I want to tell you, you can do with that postcard and let me give you a little hint. You won't have to worry about putting postage on it but you will be walking fun afterwards."
"Be nice boys," said Sarah as they walked across the courtyard. She took a deep breath as she grabbed the door knob.
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[A few hours before dawn]
Outside of Alexandria at a secret government research facility the guards were walking around making sure the facility on the top floor of a high rise was safe. In the building next door cleaners were at work trying to get everything ready before everyone came to work.
"Come on you got the cameras on loop yet?" radio a man as he took off his janitor uniform revealing black tights. The whole cleaning crew did.
"Yeah it's a go we can go to the roof now," said the one. They took the stairs up then once they were outside one of them took a gun and shot a line over to the other building. The guards below just kept walking about oblivious as three people passed overhead.
"We need to be quick here," said the one as two of them took battery power screwdriver and removed the cover off an air conditioning vent. "Okay you're up," said the one as they lowered the smallest member of their team down the shaft.
"Okay give me some slack," radioed the person in the shaft. "I'm in lower me down. This is it I'm in a big room with a pedestal of some kind in the middle."
"Hook the data device to the pedestal and it will do the rest. There should be a series of lights that will indicate the amount of data downloaded. Once it finishes you've got it all and we can pull you up."
"Okay it's going," radioed the person back. But as they were speaking alarms went off and lights started flashing. "Crap I must've tripped some sort of alarm. Pulling me up I need to get out of here."
"No, you need to wait until the download is complete. Remember why we're doing this. Hold out just a little bit longer you're almost there."
"What! I hear people yelling outside the door. Crap their voices are getting louder. It's almost there. They're opening the door I hear them entering the passcode. Okay its done pull me up."
The person in the lab grabbed the data device and was yanked up just as security personnel broke in the lab.
"There's no one here," radioed one of the guards. "Secure the building below then implement a floor by floor search. They still have to be in the building somewhere."
However, that was not the case. Once they recovered their partner from the ventilation they all ran back across the tight rope as if it were the sidewalk. Disappearing in the night.