Don't own Chuck
Casey and Morgan's plane touched down at Mildenhall and as soon as they taxied over to their designated hangar. The pilot shut down the twin Pratt & Whitney turbines once inside and the grounds people pushed the ladder up against the side of the plane. Shortly afterwards Casey and Morgan deplaned and were met by at the bottom of the ladder by Cole Barker, a MI6 Section Chief.
"Cole," said Casey. "Nice to meet you again. We talked with Carina before landing and she told us you'd be here to meet us."
"Yeah and she said you'd help us get a handle on this new mission," said Morgan. "But really the Cobra doesn't need much help. Just point us in the right direction and we can take care of whatever you need taken care of."
"Well I tell you after while there's plenty of time for all that. I was thinking we all go out and knock back a couple of pints grab something to eat they go at this all fresh and rested up tomorrow."
"That sounds good to me, right Morgan," said Casey as he elbowed Morgan. But Morgan just shook his head and rubbed his side.
"Ouch! Watch the elbow that hurt. I don't know about waiting until tomorrow the Cobra doesn't take time off to rest..."
"He would if were taking a dirt nap and if he continues that could be arranged. We'd love to go out and grab a couple of pints although I think Morgan would rather have a grape soda."
"Chilled if you don't mind and poured in a frosted glass. I really need to pace myself but it takes a real connoisseur to appreciate the delicate bouquet."
"Right... well do you guys want to stop off at your hotel on the way so you can get cleaned up before we go out? We've got the time."
"We're not staying in a hotel... especially the one Casey had lined up for us. Chuck told us we could stay on the barge while we're here."
"That's even better. You're close to me so I can give you a lift in and we can go to the Boar's Head later which is down the street. The food is good as well as the beer they have on tap. Morgan, I just don't know if they've got grape soda."
"Well there should be some on the barge so I can bring a couple of sodas with us and see how it goes. If they have it good but if they don't I'll be prepared."
"Good then pile in and we can run you guys home then they can take me back to the Vauxhall where I can pick up my car. I'll come by later and knock on your... well hatch... and see if you're ready."
"Sounds like a plan to me," said Casey as they all got into the black Rover then they sped off into town.
"See John this is turning out to a good mission and you were worried that Beckman was going to give us a crappy detail as payback. Just look around and tell me this isn't great. She must've understood what happened in Warsaw wasn't our fault and this is some sort of reward."
All the time Morgan was talking Cole sat quietly without uttering a sound. Finally, they pulled up in front of the gangway up to the barge and as they got out Cole handed them an electronic key card.
"You're going to need that to get onboard," said Cole. "I'll be back in about a half hour or forty-five minutes then we can walk down to the Boar's Head together."
"Roger that," said Casey as he took the key card and then they walked up the gangway as Cole in the Rover drove off.
"Boss, why didn't you tell them to bring their wellies into work tomorrow because they're going to need them. Get a handle yeah their going to get a handle on it in the stables."
"Eyes on the road and drive before I have you out mucking stables tomorrow too," said Cole as they drove back to Vauxhall Cross and on to the SIS building.
"They must've pissed off their boss royally to get this job," said the agent next to the driver. The driver smiled and looked in the rearview. Cole did not return the smile.
"Maybe it's something I should adopt when people... how did you put it 'screw up royally'. And I would watch my word choices if I were you in the future. Especially when we go on our trip to the States with her majesty. It could be a long way to row home from."
"You've been to the colonies what's it like over there? You know what are the pubs like? And can a bloke get a decent beer?"
"First of all you go into any place over there and start talking about the colonies and you'll be looking for trouble especially if they've had a little to drink first. As far as the rest they've got the same crap as we've got both good and bad. If you want to get a head start on what it's going to be like come out tonight with us at the Boar's Head and have a few pints."
[Back at the Barge]
A Mercedes SUV pulled up on the pier shortly after Cole left. It sat there with the lights off and the engine running. The windows were tinted so no one could look inside. It just sat there like the driver couldn't make up his mind what to do.
"Well Kelly, do we stay here or do we try to catch up to the Discovery? We can't sit here all night this is a loading area only."
"Patty and Sean get out and find a place to keep an eye on those guys who just got out. If they go somewhere on foot, follow them then call me. We'll go catch up to our target."
"How long are we supposed to stay here? It could get a little chilly before long and I have to let my old lady know when to expect me home."
"She'll see you when she sees you. Didn't you tell her you were out with the boys tonight and not to wait up?"
"Sure but she insisted on waiting up so what was I supposed to say?" said Sean as the other men laughed at him.
"Just get out and we'll see what can be done. I swear Sean I don't know who's the man in your household."
Sean and Patty got out of the vehicle then ducked out of sight as the Mercedes drove off into the night. The two hide in the shadows of a building that probably was an old warehouse at one time now renovated into expensive chic apartments overlooking the Thames. After about a half hour or so Sean began dancing.
"Sean, what's your problem? If you need to go just find a place and go don't start clogging or someone will see us."
"Okay but I'll be right back," said Sean as he ducked out leaving Patty to stand lookout by himself. Sean got out of earshot then pulled out his phone and called a number.
"It's me... we followed Cole to a barge on the Thames. Kelly left Patty and me to watch the two men Cole left then he went on to follow Cole..."
"Hey, you heard Kelly we're supposed to maintain radio silence while we're out on this mission. I know your old lady is waiting but she's just going to have to learn that when you're out with the boys you're out," said Patty as he came up on him.
"Sorry love but I've got to run," said Sean then he hung up. "You don't know how mad she gets if I don't check in. Believe me she can be a sweet as honey when she wants to be but you don't want to piss her off that's when all that O'Brien blood begins to boil."
"I hear you and that's why I never got hitched. No one is going to put a ring in my nose and lead me around. Not for all the gold in the world."
"That's what I said too but then one day an emerald-eyed beauty caught my attention with crimson hair and that was it. Why did you come back here to look for me anyway?"
"Oh right, we need to move out. Three men just showed up from MI6 the same ones in the Rover. and now they're all headed out. I overheard them say they were going to the Boar's Head on foot."
"Then we'd better get a move on it. But Kelly didn't show back up? I thought he said he was going to follow them."
"They might've gotten out of SIS building without him seeing them or he's up to something else. We should follow them then once they get settled in the Boar's Head we can call this in. Personally, I could use something a little stronger than a pint right now if nothing else to warm up."
"I hear you on that mate."
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[Earlier back in Montenegro]
After talking with Morgan Chuck and Sarah rounded everyone up then they went down for ice cream. Carina said she could spend a couple of days and hopefully by the end convince Chuck that they needed to come with her. As they stepped off the elevator they ran into Razhib and Margo. They both walked Miriam home and judging from the smile across Razhib's face everything went well.
"Razhib... Margo come with us for ice cream. I know it's late and that it's going to spoil their appetite but what can I say. You know Carina, don't you?"
"Yes, I think we met once DEA if I remembered correctly. I'd love to but I've got a report to turn in that Beckman wants right away. Wait a minute is there something going on here that I should be made aware of?"
"No, nothing's going on," said Chuck. "But if you're headed down I need to take care of something. So Razhib, you can take my place. Jack just put everything on my tab."
"Do you want me to come with you? I don't mind and I think I know what you're about to do," said Sarah but Carina got in between.
"Chuck is a big boy and he's even wearing long trousers so I think he can take care of himself. He doesn't need you to hold his hand Mom," said Carina which made Sam giggle. "Besides I wanted to talk to you by yourselves."
"Why don't I like the sound of that," said Chuck. "But I really need to get this out of the way and it's time sensitive. So, I appreciate the offer but no I don't need you to come with me."
"You promise to contain yourself then. Margo, I want you to keep track of him and if he looks like he's going too far pull the plug. Before you say anything try to think we both know what happens when you and her get into arguments…"
"Why would Margo and Chuck get into an argument? Sarah, I was joking before but I think you're starting to act like Chuck's mother."
"That will never happen," said Chuck. "By saying that I can tell you don't know my Mom very well. And the she, she's talking about isn't Margo. I won't make any promises. Now come on Margo let's get this over with.
[A little while later in Langley]
"General, I have Agent Carmichael on the horn he wants to talk with you. He says it's extremely urgent that he talk with you now."
"Sure patch him through I was expecting him to call," said Beckman. She looked at her watch then went over and poured herself a scotch. The monitor flickered then Chuck came on.
"General you and I need to talk," said Chuck. She lifted her glass and took a sip. She knew she was going to need a stiff one.
"I assume you talked to your woolly friend and you're calling me to chastise the way I handled things with Ettore. What can I say, you were right."
"It doesn't matter now who was right and who was wrong. But I will remind you that you said I was right later on. That's not important right now. What is important is we find Ettore. I assume he never put the Intersect destroyer on?"
"Our men with the glasses never got there in time to have him put them on so the answer to your question is no."
"Well we should be looking at all the hospitals, medical facilities, pharmacies and veterinarian clinics around. He'll be looking to score some painkillers. The last time I saw him he was suffering from acute migraines and that is only going to get worse."
"I've thought about that and I have men on it as we speak but so far nothing. It's like he's dropped out of sight and I didn't need frick and frack antagonizing him. I'm afraid they stirred Ettore up and from what I'm hearing over the grapevine Ettore isn't satisfied with humiliating them. Now he wants blood."
"Morgan and Casey can't handle Ettore not with him having the intersect. The Warsaw incident showed that."
"I agree that's why they are on this mission to work with MI6," said the General. Then she went into some of the details. "… with Ettore on the loose I don't have the extra manpower to send a team with them."
"Okay this is for Morgan and Casey so I'll talk with Sarah about us going with them to Keeneland but you have to promise me you'll double the guard around Shaw and have him put in solitary with restricted access. Ettore is going to research what he can do to survive with the intersect. I told him Shaw was dead but it won't take him long to find out that I lied. If he doesn't go after Shaw, he'll be looking for my father's research."
"That's locked up downstairs in the vault. He'll never be able to get in there," said Beckman as she downed her glass then poured herself another.
"Never say never, and not only is it a Bond film it's also the truth. Ettore can never find out about the governor nor what it's for. I could care less if he comes after me but I can't afford for him to target Sarah's. I won't go through what I went through before nor will I subject our children to it."
"I will have the names changed on the file copies then have them buried in the archives so far that it will take a mining company to dig them out."
"Well General I've said what I have to say. It's useless to get mad now that the cow's out of the barn. But I'll rest better once this thing is laid to rest once and for all."
"I think we all will. Beckman out." Beckman sat there as her monitor went blank finishing her drink and before she poured another Connie stuck her head in the door.
"General if it's all right I'd like to call it a night. The traffic is already going to be a bear to get home but it's been a long day."
"You can say that again. Here have a drink with me then we'll do call it a night. I'll give you a ride home afterwards."
"I couldn't put you out like that. You're my boss what would it look like," said Connie as Beckman filled her a glass then passed it to her.
"It would look like your boss has a heart contrary to popular opinion. Drink up then we can go and you can tell me what kind of ogre you work for."
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Casey and Morgan entered the Boars Head with Cole and his two men. It was pretty much what they expected from an English pub. There were darts in the corner and a television was blaring in back room. Chelsea was playing someone and judging from the cheers they'd just scored. They chose a table in the corner where they could watch the door and the emergency exit while being away from the window.
"So what do you yanks want?" said one of Coles men. "How about a whiskey on the rocks. Isn't that what you chaps like?"
"No that's not it," said the other guy. "They drink it neat and they'd probably prefer a bourbon to a whiskey?"
"Well I hate to bust your bubble but bourbon is a type of whiskey. I guess the biggest difference is bourbon has to be made from at least fifty-one percent corn mash. Bourbon comes from the bourbon county Kentucky but now-a-days bourbon is made all over the US. However, whiskey can only be called bourbon if it's distilled in the US."
"I bet you're a real killer at trivial pursuit Colonel. So name your poison as they say in all those yank films."
"I'll just have a beer... whatever's on tap will be fine as long as it's not Guinness. Stout and I don't get along."
"How about bitters? I think you guys across the pond call it pale ale or something like that. Do you want to give it a go?"
"Sure why not, I'll try anything once," said Casey so the gauntlet fell at Morgan's feet. He looked around perplexed.
"Are you looking at me for an order? I brought a couple grape sodas because I wasn't sure if the barkeep would have any. It's hard to come by now."
"Grimes don't tell me you're still sticking with grape soda? You know you're not supposed to bring your own drinks into a bar."
"Fine, if they have grape soda I'll have one but if they don't I'll take a frosted glass with plenty of ice. Why is it so hard to get ice in Europe? It's like there's an ice tax or something or do you pay by the cube?"
"Okay so let's see if I've got the order straight four bitters and one grape soda or a glass of ice. If they don't have the grape soda but they have apple juice would that be okay... I mean come on so you can drink with your mates?"
"Sure that might even be better. I can get pretty crazy after one of these bad boys and I'd like not to make a scene."
"So would we," said Cole as he noticed some people who just walked in the door. Casey caught a change in Cole's facial expression and looked over at the door for himself.
"Did someone just walk in that you recognized? If you want invite them over the more the merrier," said John. But the man Cole was looking at turned his head away and walked into the back room where the game was being shown.
"No... no, it's no one just someone I thought I recognized but it's not him," said Cole as the people in the back room screamed and blew horns yelling goal at the top of their lungs.
"Here you go," said the man as he came back with a tray of drinks. He sat what he called apple juice in front of Morgan. "Try it and tell me it's not good."
"I have to warn you I'm kind of picky when it comes to food and drink," said Morgan. Casey grunted next to him and shook his head as he sipped his bitter. "Really John. Who among us has studied to be a chef with Benihana?"
"And never passed," said Casey. "You know this is actually pretty good. It could be a little colder but not bad."
"So Morgan how's your special apple juice?" said the one guy as the other one looked over at him and they laughed.
"I don't know what you're laughing at but this is really good. Before we go home tonight I want you to give me the name so I can call my fiancée back in California and have her look for it. That way I can have it waiting for me when I get back."
"Sure no problem but let's order some food or this alcohol will go to our heads. The special tonight is steak and ale pie or a kidney pie then there's the traditional bangers and mash or fish and chips. I have to warn you the fish and chips are good but I've had better."
"I'll try the kidney pie," said Casey. "It can't be any worse than the armadillo I had to eat when I was in El Salvador. It was road kill and I was cut off from base camp so I had to forage for my dinner. People ask me what did it tasted like and then they don't believe me when I tell them chicken."
"Morgan, what do you want? The Colonel is going full on native you can dial it back if you want," said Cole's man.
"I don't know give me the steak and ale pie as long as the ale isn't too strong. I don't want to get drunk off my dinner."
"Sure I don't think you have to worry about getting drunk off that. How about I also get another round for everyone while I'm up. Morgan, you want another cider?"
"Sure this is really good stuff," said Morgan. He already had a slight buzz going so he didn't process what the man had said. "You know I'm going to have to get a case of this stuff"
"Can you guys excuse me for a moment," said Cole as he got up and walked into the room where the football game was blaring. A few minutes later he came back. "Sorry I had to just check the score. I've got fifty quid ridding on the outcome."
