Don't own Chuck – Just keeping the candle burning
RUN BABY RUN
Sarah and Chuck put in earpieces and followed Elizabeth Watson out of the baggage area then towards the exit. In the parking lot of the airport she got into a dark SUV with tinted windows. Sarah noted that she was sitting alone in the backseat with a driver and shotgun riding up front. There was a moment of panic when they realized they had to retrieve the nerd herder quickly or risk losing their mark. However, Chuck saved the day with chewing gum and a GLG-4000. It was Casey's but Chuck had forgotten to give it back after Sicily.
"Keep an eye out Love," said Chuck as he dashed across the parking lot keeping the target in sight. He made his way stealthfully weaving through parked vehicles until he made his way to the back of the SUV and using the chewing gum as glue attach the device up under the rear bumper. He made it just in time before the vehicle pulled away.
"Next time please let me know what you're going to do, before you do it. I mean just taking off like that what would you have done if they had seen you or worse if she had recognized you?"
"I don't know I guess I'd improvise,"
"Chuck you're not Carina Miller. This fly by the seat of your pants could get us both killed one day."
"You're right and I'm sorry but has anyone ever told you, you're cutie when you're mad."
"Don't change the topic. It's not going to work Buster."
"Buster? Who's been playing too much with Clara?" Chuck reached over and kissed her. "Okay maybe this time but no more you got it Buster. Come on cutie, we've got a bad gal to catch."
In the Nerd Herder they activated its internal target finder and then they were off. Traffic was brisk and there was some construction around the exit for Culver City but nothing major. Sarah weaved in and out of lanes until she finally caught up with the target vehicle on the Santa Monica freeway.
"There they are up ahead."
"I see them Sweetie now we just lay back and let them take us where they want to go. You know Hun about this role modeling thing that you and Ellie were talking about-"
"Love, there turning off into the exit for Santa Monica."
"I got it. It looks like they're going to the Three Tree Milton hotel on the beach. Yeah they're pulling into the parking lot. Chuck get the camera from the glove box and snap a few photos we may need to show something to Beckman."
"Good idea," said Chuck as he got out the camera and brought Ms. Watson into focus he continued, "What did you want to say before I interrupted you?"
"Oh noting, we'll talk when we get home."
"Sarah, I'm not Gerald Ford I can do two things at the same time."
In that moment the rear car door opened and Casey plopped in. Literally plopped causing the car to bounce and Chuck to take pictures of the beautiful California sky.
"Hey, Casey glad you could drop in a little warning first would help my aim."
"A spy should always expect the unexpected," Casey grunted. Chuck mental note remind Casey of this the next time the unexpected happens to him.
"I guess you talked with Morgan?"
"Yeah and I just got off the phone with Beckman. She'd like us to keep an eye on Ms. Watson but discreetly. Find out what she's up to and then if we find anything bring her in."
"Hey, guys we got movement target's on the move," said Sarah as she watched the woman now in a yellow sun dress with large wide brimmed hat and sunglass get in back into the SUV and drive off.
"Okay you and Chuck tail the dame. I'll go take a look around in her room. If I find anything I'll give you a call but if she doubles back you got to let me know."
"Sound like a plan," said Chuck
Casey got out of the car and made his way across the street then disappear into the hotel while Chuck and Sarah made a U-turn and drove off behind the SUV.
"Looks like she's headed out to do some shopping, Love."
"Yeah Sweetie, we need to get out and follow her on foot. There she is sitting in that café."
"Wow, how can one person have done all that shopping in such a short time?" Chuck said observing the five bags sitting next to her all with designer names.
"Love, you want a drink or something? It looks like she's ordering something to eat so we could be here a while and it is awfully hot."
"I guess it couldn't hurt to hydrate," replied Sarah. The couple sat in another Café opposite from where Ms. Watson was sitting. They made sure a plant was in between them so they could look through it but remain unnoticed.
"What can I get you?" asked a waiter.
"I think a Compari soda and for you Dear?"
"I'll just have some sparkling water. My stomach has been a little out of sorts for the past few days. You know Chuck it really was nice to say what Ellie said about me being a role model. But let's face facts; I don't think I really fit the bill."
"Why? I think you'd be a great role model and I'm sure Ellie does too."
"Sweetie, you're just saying that because you love me and I'm afraid you talked Ellie into idea too. But really me, a role model? After all the people, well I eliminated. I'm not saying I'm ashamed of what I've done. They were all bad people, it's just well, I don't think this is the life style Clara ought to get involved in and that's me."
"Well I only partly agree. I'm not sure that you being a role model has to mean that she will join the agency; however, given the Batowski family tree there does seem that possibility. But Sarah she could become a doctor like her parents, she could be a teacher, she could be an astronaut or even the President of the United States and considering the ones we've had she would be an improvement. What I'm saying is that she could learn from you how to be strong and independent. She could learn how to be self-motivated and not let obstacles hold her back. She could learn all this and more from you."
"You really think so?"
"I'm sure of it. Sarah our pasts are just that our pasts. It's what we do in the present that helps shape our future."
"I knew there was a good reason why I love you."
"You mean it wasn't just my good looks and brain?"
"Shut up and kiss me." Casey plopped down at their table while they were kissing.
"You guys haven't got enough of that yet."
"Never," said Chuck. 'Hey that was fast work back at the hotel."
"Wasn't anything to check, the room was clean as a tooth. My guess is she's not going back."
"John, by the way I haven't heard you mention Gertrude lately. Is everything okay?"
"Well, Sarah we decided to take it slow. You know we don't want to rush things or make any hasty decisions that we might regret later."
"She broke up with you Big Guy?" said Chuck bluntly.
"Yeah, pretty much so. But hey, it just wasn't working out. I'd find she shot my gun and forget to clean it or when she did I'd find cleaning pads laying around the house with gun oil on them."
"Wow, how inconsiderate, but Casey let's be honest," said Chuck. "We're all friends here and friends tell friends things right, so I'm sure you did something, what was it? Come on let it out. You'll feel better afterwards."
"Well, nothing really but remember what I told you about our anniversary how I had this nice new Sig picked out for her and was she beautiful." Chuck wanted to ask Casey if he were talking about Gertrude or the gun but considered the health risks, he decided to side on prudence. "Well, I got it but you know what she said. She said she wished I had brought her flowers. Can you imagine that she wanted the weapon and flowers too. What was I supposed to do put a rose in the barrel?"
"I bet you thought about it?" said Chuck.
"Yeah I did but now I wish I had."
"Casey, Casey, I think what we have here is a failure to communicate. You need to loosen up let it all hang out. Stand up, yes stand up with me. Good now breath in and breath out, good now take your arms and bring the around in a circle. Yes like that. Touch them together at the bottom, then round and touch at the top. This is the circle of life."
"What's this supposed to do?"
"I don't know but it looked good in Yoga for You, I saw on TV."
"Bartowski, if you weren't married I'd kill you," Casey said with an emphatic grunt at the end.
"Guys, eyes on the mission," Sarah said as she observed Ms. Watson on the move again. "Look at that."
"Look at what? said Chuck.
"Yeah, I don't see anything," replied Casey
"You men, she's got all those designer shopping bags but she's carrying a knock off Dolce Gabbana bag."
"How do you it a knock off?
"Sweetie a girl can tell these sort of things."
Chuck mental note get rid of bag in suitcase bought as present and never try to pass off handbags bought from street vendors ever again.
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MAKING A LIST
Alex and Morgan are going over their check list to make sure they haven't forgotten anything before leaving for the airport. There is much apprehension in the air but also great resolve.
"Morgan, are you sure you want to come with me? I mean you've barely ever been out of Burbank and all your friend are here."
"I'm sure. If this is what you want to do I'm in. Besides, Chuck has Sarah now and Casey well your father is your father."
"I know Morgan and my mother is my mother now that we've talked about my family origins. Hey, wait a minute this wasn't my father's idea, was it? Did he put you up to this? Maybe threaten you? I have a thousand and one ways to kill you Morgan."
"You know you've got that down to a tee and almost as scary but it's a thousand and two ways now. He learnt keel hauling on the cruise. But no he didn't, this was all my idea. You know Alex, this time we've live together has been very special for me."
"Also to me, who could believe that a guy and a gal could live together as friends without any of that other stuff getting in the way. You know Morgan you're about the best friend I have ever."
"Friends, oh, yeah. Great isn't it. So do we have everything passports, shot cards, Imodium, malaria pills, ten cases of DEET .
"Yeah, got everything but I packed only three cans of DEET we can have Dad send us more if we need it. You know I really wanted to say bye to Chuck and Sarah."
"So did I but their off on another adventure and we're about to go off on ours."
"Morgan you're a romantic that's why I like you so much. You make me laugh. If we leave now we can drop by my mom's before we leave then we can swing by yours. I know your mom and Big Mike want to say goodbye. Your mom is so nice and Big Mike is so, well Big."
"Yes, but when we get to my house make sure we knock loudly before we go in. You never know what the wildlife might be up to."
"But Morgan your Mother lives in the city? What wildlife can there be some dogs, cats that's about it?"
"Yes, but those cats can be very noisy. Let's just say you have to see it to believe it and hope we don't. Let's get a move on it. Don't forget to turn off the gas and electricity."
Morgan and Alex stood on the front lawn for a while just looking back at the house remembering all the memories they had lived there. It's only for four months, Morgan said to himself. If I could survive L.A. Zoo I can survive anywhere.
As Alex drove Morgan daydreamed or better day nightmared. It was in the spring and they were in the seventh grade. The weather was typical California weather sunny and hot. His class was on field trip to the LA Zoo.
"Look at Morgan now look at the gorillas see the family resemblance," said one of the kids.
"Watch this," the boy took a banana and put it in Morgan's back pocket. "Hey, are you hungry? "Morgan want a banana?"
"What are you guys talking about?" It was then one of the other boys squashed it in his pocket."
"Hey that's not funny. I' going to tell!" As Morgan spoke he stepped on the banana peel and fell into the Gorilla cage. There was mass panic in the zoo as animal keepers tried to see what was happening. Absolute chaos but when they got into the cage they found much to their amazement a female gorilla cuddling Morgan as if he were her young. Naturally, his whole class busted up laughing, everyone but Chuck.
"Hey cut it out! He could've been hurt. I'm going to tell the teacher what all of you did."
"Yeah Bartowski, and if we throw you in too," said one of the bullies.
"Try it and you'll regret it." The boy grabbed Chuck by the shirt collar. Mistake. Reading comics can also be a useful way to learn self-defense techniques. Chuck reach over with his right twisted the bullies hand and with his left locked the boy's elbow locking the arm into an arm bar then with the arm blocked he took the kid to the ground. However, their teacher who had been with the animal keepers had just returned with Morgan in tow just in time to see Chuck slam the boy into the pavement so both he and Morgan got three day suspension.
"It could've been worse," muttered Morgan in the car. "They could have put us in solitary on three days of bread and water."
"Morgan, they have food in Africa. We're not going to be living on bread and water," said Alex as she pulled into her Mom's driveway.
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BANG, BANG
Sarah, Chuck and Casey were now following Ms. Watson switching off so as not to arouse suspicion. This had lasted most of the morning and now it was getting in the late afternoon.
"How many shops can one person visit in a day?" asked Casey. "I don't take this much time when I load rounds. She's going into that bag store why don't you two go in behind her? We really need ears see if you can plant an EM-50 on her."
'Okay, Sweetie game face," Sarah said to Chuck as they walked in and started to look around trying to keep their target in sight.
"Sweetie why don't you by me this?" Sarah held up an Alviero Martini Prima Classe bag with its trademark map on it.
"Sure, if you want it Carmichael Industries can afford it. Do you think we ought to buy one for Clara too?"
"Sweetie, this is a two thousand dollar bag and you want to get one for little Clara? Where is going to wear it to? The pre-school prom."
"I think I'm starting to see things from Casey's perspective but okay you're right but-"
"Dear I love you but nothing. Look where we're at Hollywood home for all those teen stars who got money young then went crazy. I mean you read about it all the time in the tabloids everyday some star is going out getting hammered or stoned and doing something stupid. There's that one who's been in and out of jail so much and so often she has her own cell. It that the life you want for Clara?"
"Now do you see why you'd be a good role model? I was just kidding about the bag. Hey, our mark is in the checkout line let's go." Chuck and Sarah stood behind Ms. Watson and Sarah turned abruptly knocking the woman's purse out of hands and onto the ground.
"Love, you need to be more careful," said Chuck. "Look what you did. I'm so sorry miss. Let me help you, you look like you've got quite a handful."
"Thanks, I appreciate," she said as she looked Sarah up and down.
"I am ever so sorry. My husband is right and I am so clumsy at times. Oh, is that a Dolce Gabbana," asked Sarah. "It's so lovely but I have to say I'm partial to Alviero Martini."
"Yes, he is good but that is his old line the colors are different in the new one."
"I know but call me a purist I prefer the original." As Sarah was making small talk with Watson, Chuck recovered the woman's purse for her and slipped in the listening device. "Sorry again," Chuck said as he handed to her.
"We've got ears," said Chuck touching his earpiece talking with Casey.
"I've got eyes and ears on our perp. She's sitting down at another café, we can group there."
"Not before Chuck pays," said Sarah smiling like the cat who ate the canary.
The team sat down in the corner of the café where their target was sitting. They made sure they were far enough away the she wouldn't notice them yet close enough where they could see her and with the listening device in place they could hear everything she was saying.
"She's ordering again, she just ate not too long ago. How can someone so thin eat so much?"
"Chuck do you think she's that thin? I weigh about as much as she does so do you think I'm too thin?" Would you like me to gain some weight is that what you want to say?"
"No, Love you're perfection on two feet."
"So if I did gain weight you wouldn't love me?"
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, I just wanted to torture you a bit. You're cutie when you're flustered."
"Payback for this morning, I see. Okay, I can take it."
"Will you two stop with the female emotions eyes on the prize."
It was then that an unexpected guest arrived but not at Ms Watson's table but at the table of team Bartowski.
"Hi, Chuck, Hi Sarah," said the man in an Italian suit and with receding hair line as he sat down. "Did you miss me?"
"What do you want and more importantly why are you here?" said Chuck with a glare that took both Casey and Sarah aback. "Didn't we make things clear the last time?"
"Wait a minute, I'm here because of our deal. Don't be alarmed and don't do anything something is about to happen."
"Ryan what are you talking about?" grunted Casey.
"Wait for it," Ryan said as he turned over his shoulder to look where their target was sitting. Suddenly there was a loud bang that echoed from the surrounding buildings which made it impossible to locate. They all knew what it was and instinctively dove for cover. Chuck leaped on top of Sarah and they both tumbled backwards. When they got up Ryan was gone and Ms. Watson had the back of head missing.
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LOCATION SECRET
In a darkened room a group of people are sitting around an oval desk listening as a woman is giving a briefing about recent events.
"The courier has been culled. We have a team in place to recover the item from her body in the morgue. As for the Chicago incident, there were some complications but we were able to extract the data we needed. We now know that patient XX and patient XY exist. Patient XX had been identified as Sarah Walker now Sarah Bartowski but she is of little value to "the project". The patient we need is XY we are close to obtaining his identity. There were reports of him being sighted in Aspen but we don't have any confirmation as of yet."
"Bring in Agent Derek, for questioning. She is known to frequent the resorts there. She might have information," said one of the men at the table. "I believe you'll find her at the Twin Peaks lodge."