Chapter 2: Simple Simon met a pie man

"Chuck…Chuck, don't eat so fast, it can't be that good? I know it stinks." Sarah Walker exclaimed as he wolfed down his second corn dog.

"I'm sorry Sarah, I'm just a little stressed out and hungry and they are good, very good, much better than your first few attempts." Chuck referred to the charred cinders she called corn dogs that she had learned to cook nearly two months ago.

"Hey, if I can be in the C.I.A, I can learn how to use the Weinerlicious grill, right?"

"Right. Gourmet all the way! Hey listen, Sarah, I have a question…it's not about you…not…you, it's about Casey."

Sarah's aquamarine eyes lit up bewildered. John Casey was as mysterious as they came, and sometimes she preferred to keep it that way. They all had mounds of secrets that just couldn't be divulged.

"What is it, Chuck? You don't suspect him of something do you?"

"No, no, nothing like that. I was just wondering if you know anything about Casey's personal life. Like…say…was he ever married?"

Sarah let out a loud cough mingled with a laugh, she was glad she wasn't sipping her soda. "Casey? Married? Now there are two words you don't mix every day."

Chuck laughed with her. "I'm serious! A woman came into the Buy More about an hour ago, perfect age for Casey, very attractive…"

"Strong jawed, blue eyed, had a turquoise tank top?" She interrupted.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I saw her running to a car earlier, a black four by four with tinted windows. It was a little odd, almost didn't seem like a car she would drive. I remember the license plate, SMP SMON or something like that. She didn't look too happy and there was a man inside, but I couldn't see his face."

Chuck dropped the corn dog stick and gulped down the rest of his drink. "You're real good at this, ya know that?"

"I'm getting better at surveillance thanks to Casey. He's king."

"So, a man was with her? She was alone in the store. Anyway, she mentions something about Casey and then goes over to speak to him. I'm telling you, I've never seen him look so shocked! He was totally not expecting her. They talked for a bit, but from the looks on their faces it seemed like just a bunch of quips back and forth. You know, bitter flirtations, stuff like that? Then she left, but then I had to find Lester."

Sarah thoughtfully twirled her hot dog necklace. "You know, she did have a look about her that said, 'I've endured John Casey."

Chuck grinned and snorted. "Haha! Endured, That's a good one!"

Sarah dropped her jokes and Chuck straightened up. "Did you happen to flash on her, Chuck?"

"No, the whole thing was just interesting that's all." Chuck rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. "Now that you threw another man into the stew, it becomes even more so."

Sarah began clearing the wrappers and trays. "I wouldn't make a big deal about it, Chuck. Maybe it was an ex, or maybe it was an old girlfriend. Casey may be a hard-nosed assassin, but he's got the goods."

Chuck stood up and rubbed his full stomach with a little burp. "Oh, sorry! Umm, yeah…I guess so. If you like rigid meat heads, Casey is the man for you!"

Sarah chortled. "I can just imagine Casey all young and innocent with a soft cherubic face and that infectious grin. He has the whole world at his fingertips, he's happy and in love and then along comes this big bad NSA team and turns him into a governmental killing machine."

"I know! It's like something out of Robocop! You know, the half robot guy? Peter Weller? Actually his body is all robot, but he still has most of his face and his brain! Yeah…his brain is…only Casey's not a robot…I don't think." Chuck crossed his arms in serious thought. "Have you ever seen him bleed? Forget Robocop, The Terminator! Has Casey ever peeled off any skin like our Governor? Ahh, never mind."

Sarah just stared at him in awe with her hands on her hips and a small smile. Chuck felt warm inside. He liked that smile. It said to him that despite his geekiness, he amused her. He clasped his hands and stepped out of the restaurant.

"Thanks for the corn dogs and the listening ear. I'll probably see her again soon. She has to pick up her laptop. I just think it's odd that they found each other. There has to be more going on. I better get back and see what mess Morgan got himself into now."

"Anytime, Chuck…and hey, If I hear anything more about this mystery woman, I'll let you know."

"Chuck tilted his head with an obvious wink toward the napkin on the table. "Sure, absolutely. See you later?"

"Yep, later!"

Sarah picked up the napkin Chuck had scribbled on while he ate. She shook her head. It was the woman's full name and address. Sarah folded it and put it in her bra, this was definitely something worth checking out.

-O-

She trembled when the cold steel ran across her neck, it was razor sharp, but the gloved hand that held the blade was firm and steady.

"Now, I am not going to tell you again. I want you to find out where he lives. I saw the way he looked at you, he still cares. It shouldn't be too hard. Or do I have to resort to violent means?" His deep voice was coated with a strong Russian accent.

He pulled up a chair and flipped it backwards. He sat in front of her and returned the blade to her cheek. Julia never removed her gaze from his face. He was very pale, with shaggy salt and pepper hair. He wasn't tall, but he was built solid with a menacing presence. His cronies looked like throwbacks from the WWF in the eighties, specifically, Nikolai Volkoff.

His Intel had managed to lead him to Burbank this morning and they came up with one John Casey, working at a local retail chain. He knew that Casey was not below taking whatever cover he could. Casey's reasons for the subterfuge were unimportant to him, what Simon Krockov wanted most, was revenge.

When Simon and his men had first barraged her house, Julia put up a wild fight. She had more than herself to protect. However, they had her down within a few minutes. They did not want to harm her or put any distinguishing marks on her that would alert Major Casey. Julia remembered that not long before they were engaged, John had an assignment in Russia, but she never knew what it was. Simon explained it to her briefly, but for the majority of the plane trip she was sedated, and eventually woke up in a ritzy hotel room in the heart of Burbank.

Simon Krockov and his men were part of a Russian spy organization. He wouldn't give names, but he assured her they were very powerful and that the United States had worked with their top organizations for decades to try and bring them down.

Simon traced the blade across her neck. "Why do you think the Russians were the first to put a man in space, hmm? One day the Motherland will rule the world! We have enough secrets that could blow up the entire planet. Your then fiancée and his puny NSA had discovered one of our plots, because he was posing as one of us! Semyon Dimitriev! I should have known he was not a comrade! You should be so proud of your ex, he and his tiny group of spies managed to stop an explosion in this country that would have made Chernobyl look like a picnic. And your Major Casey did this to me as a parting gift!"

Simon removed his mirrored shades; His right eye was entirely scarred. In place of his real eyeball was a shiny metal one with a red pupil. She gasped.

At the sudden onslaught of angry memories, Simon grabbed her face. "I should do the same to you, and mail him the evidence!"

Julia was frightened to death and very ashamed for having baited John. Simon had implanted a microscopic camera with a microphone inside her necklace. So there was no use in lying that John was not at the Buy More. However, being the wife of a spy counted for something and she hoped that somehow John would find her clues. She thought of the young man Chuck. He was very friendly and intelligent, and if she could find a way to talk to him or anyone about her situation, she would.

'Darn it! Why couldn't they have given me a PC?' She thought.

Julia didn't know anybody here but John. As far as she could tell, Simon had planted one hidden camera on her, but they were very crafty. She had to devise ways to be out smart them. Simon released her face and leaped from his chair.

"Tomorrow you will go back to the Buy More and set up a date with him, is that understood?"

Julia nodded and she pleaded with him. "I don't care what you do to me, but please don't hurt Charlotte, please! She doesn't understand what's going on or why we're here, She's only a baby girl!"

Simon laughed. "The little one is the spit of her father, it's a shame he doesn't know she exists, but that is your affair. If my plans fail it will not matter, you can say she…never existed."

Julia nearly growled and she lunged for Simon, however one of his men shoved her back down hard. Simon laughed aloud again.

"No harm will come to her if you do what I say to the letter, do you understand?"

She didn't believe him for a minute. Julia looked at the door to the adjoining room. One of the goons left it ajar and she saw her five-year old daughter sleeping on the bed. Charlotte had been given a narcotic since Julia had left the Buy More. Julia suppressed a wan smile. Charlotte was the image of John; she even had the same little habit of drooling on her pillow. She had to keep herself and her daughter alive. If John was smart enough to bring down this kook's group in the past, she hoped he could do it again.

Three hit men loomed over her with ropes. "What are you doing?"

"We cannot have you trying to escape!" Simon snapped his fingers at his men. "Tie her up tight for the rest of the evening! And if her daughter awakens, tie her up too. I don't trust this one!"

-O-

Chuck and his sister Ellie munched on fruit loops while Devon, aka 'Captain Awesome,' did his morning routine of one-handed push-ups.

"So Chuck, I thought you had a date with Sarah last night?"

"No, I just wanted to hang out at home, be lazy."

"Shoot the breeze with Morgan? You've been doing that for years, it's time to get out of the house and live a little! There's a whole city of excitement out there." Ellie scolded.

Chuck looked at his sister and smiled wryly; little did she know of how much excitement he encountered on a week-to-week basis.

"Ellie, Sarah and I are doing just fine. We don't mind giving each other our free space, it makes for a healthier relationship. You and Awesome don't hang around each other every minute of the day do you?"

Ellie washed her bowl out. "I guess you're right. I'm just excited for you again, Chuck. You and Sarah are doing great, taking it slow and easy and building a real foundation. I'm sorry to pry, but that's part of my job. And speaking of job…Devon, we have to run, I have some patients I need to speak to this morning."

Devon leaped to his feet and scratched his chest. Chuck looked at him in wonder. The man never seemed to have a shirt.

"Okay babe, just let me put my shirt on…hey Chuck, how's Morgan doing with his new look?"

"I think it was new for about one day, because, he's back to his old self again."

Devon finished putting his uniform on and tied his sneakers. "Oh man! Does he even tuck his shirts?"

Chuck shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Awesome, this time, you failed."

Devon put his arm around Chuck's neck. "Failure is never an option, failure is not a word in my vocabulary. To fail would mean that I have given up on life…or in this case, Morgan. I just need to find a new tactic. Some people need more prodding and poking and pruning, but eventually, they sprout into the beautiful creatures God intended them to be! Right, bro? I mean, look at you! We have to have patience and confidence. That, my friend, is the key to success!"

Chuck maneuvered his head from Devon's grasp and agreed while Ellie laughed her way out the door.

"Awesome, sometimes, I just have no words to describe you, except…awesome!"

Devon put a fist on his heart. "Thanks, bro. That means a lot. Catch you later! Hey El, wait up!"

-O-

John Casey tucked in his green Buy More shirt and finished polishing his shoes. He looked in the mirror and frowned.

"Man, I hate this shirt!" He said aloud. "Julie's right. It is like the Brady's lawn!"

Last night, sleep eluded him. He couldn't get Julia out of his mind. What was she doing in Los Angeles? And why did she just happen to be at his Buy More? His instincts for danger kicked him full force. Casey flicked on his computer and opened his 'Julia' file. He didn't interfere into her private affairs like he bluffed to her. The only thing in it was a load of pictures from happier times–pictures of the wedding, honeymoon, and vacations. Very early in the marriage they decided not to have children because of his profession. Casey knew the decision hurt her. It wasn't easy for him either. He would have liked to have a son to carry on his name or a daughter to fawn over. But more often than not it was only a passing desire. His lifestyle left no room for the pitter-patter of tiny feet.

After looking at a few images, he shut down the computer and rubbed his temples and forehead. Was he really that unhappy with Julia? No, she was unhappy. They loved each other; there was no mistaking that. However, the constant worrying and secrecy had finally taken its toll on them after twelve years. It led to arguments about everything, including their fidelity. John had remained faithful, even when the assignments called for a little bit of saucy action. Playing the debonair James Bond type wasn't his line anyway. Casey never had reason to doubt her. Their love life was always a source of pleasure for both of them, but that was not a firm enough adhesive to keep their marriage together.

Casey looked in the mirror again and smiled. He tried to emulate the younger man in the pictures with a twinkle in his eye and a strong arm over his beloved. He felt ridiculous. He wasn't the monster he painted himself to be, but only Julia knew that. They used to spend hours talking and laughing. They were both hard heads and they often debated over heavy issues, but it was never truly personal. Looking back now, he could safely say that Julia kept him human. That humanity was sorely lacking now. Her arguments were right; the NSA did make him cold. He had never told her the specifics of his work, or exactly how cold he had truly become.

-O-

"Morgan, I think it's time you thought of a new way to get back at Harry Tang. Big Mike has the code to that remote, it's only a matter of time before he gets it."

Morgan paid Chuck no mind and laughed wickedly as Harry banged his remote furiously. Each TV played a different soap opera and attracted most of the female customers to stop shopping and watch the latest crisis.

"Chuck, lighten up. I'm just messing with his bald head."

"Yeah, you tell me to lighten up, but I'm the one who gets bothered. Wait for it…here it comes…"

"CHUCK!"

"How did Harry Tang find out I was the one who gave you the code?" Chuck seethed.

Morgan patted his back. "Didn't we discuss this? Lester is not to be trusted, he is completely out the loop man, he is so gone, finito, adios, buh bye!"

Chuck pursed his lips and raised his brow. "Mmm…hmm, right, he would sell his soul for a yellow polo."

"Monogrammed Chuck, a monogrammed yellow Polo, and I don't think I would trust Jeff either. It won't be long before he somehow gets his own shirt. Look at them right now; huddling together and sipping coffee, just look at them! It makes me sick! Don't worry man, I got your back with Tang on this one."

Morgan arrogantly went his way to the television area and Chuck rolled his eyes. He glanced at Casey. The stoic Agent was his usual moody self this morning, but he appeared a little tired. He was ready to complete a huge sale on a dishwasher with a drooling housewife. Lester came up behind Chuck and tapped him.

"Chuck, I fixed that Apple Laptop. What a strange chick. You know what her screen saver says?

"No, but you're about to tell me, right?"

"Exactly, it says, "Simon says, touch your eyeball!" Isn't that wild? Anyway, I need you to give it the once over before she picks it up, okay? House rules."

Chuck made his way to the cage and read the strange message, it scrolled across the screen quickly in big red letters on a silver background. He pushed the return key and stared dazed at her desktop wallpaper. It was a picture of an apple pie. A dizzying feeling came over him and he blurted out,

"Simple Simon met a pie man going to the fair! Said Simple Simon to the pie man, "Let me taste your ware!"

Chuck flashed. Images of atomic bomb secrets and documents flashed through his brain, a passport, a silver and red eyeball, and maps of the United States with Russian notes on them, a doctored Russian I.D with a much younger Major Casey, a whole bunch of mug shots of mean looking dudes and then the entire montage ended with…

"Bubbles?"

Chuck quickly shut the laptop and ran out of the back room. He calmed himself and whistled as he shuffled past Casey. He tapped Anna on the shoulder. She turned around while filing her nails.

"How can I help you today, Chuckie?"

"Anna, I need you to cover the desk for me, It's kinda an emergency."

She gave him a dry look and continued filing. "It's gonna cost you, I don't always come for free."

"Okay. I'll buy you the mozzarella string cheese value pack!"

"Sweet!" She smiled and skipped around the Nerd Herd. "I'll expect it before I clock out today."

"Thanks Anna, you're a real doll!"

-O-

Chuck skidded into Weinerlicious and nearly knocked Sarah to the floor. She was on her way to see him with confirmation about Julia.

"Chuck! Glad you're here. You were right! Julia Forsythe was once Mrs. Casey. I did a quick background check and get this! She has a…Chuck, what happened? Did you flash?"

Chuck bit his knuckles. "Sarah, I just flashed on Julia's laptop and…Whaaaa!"

Two large hands grabbed him and forced him around. John Casey lifted Chuck off the ground and stared with venom in his eyes. He shoved Chuck into the salad bar without loosening his grip.

"Casey! What's the matter! Put him down now!" Sarah demanded.

Casey ignored her. "What do you mean you flashed on Julia's laptop? What about her? I want answers, Chuck!" Casey glared at Sarah. "What are you both doing sneaking into my personal affairs?"

Chuck gulped loud. "Casey! Don't kill me! I was only curious to find out how she knew you and I had a flash on the apple pie background. I'm sorry, but your ex-wife is working for the Russian covert agency, Eagle's Prey!" Chuck blurted it all out as quick as he could and turned his head with his eyes squeezed shut.

Casey yanked harder on his collar. "I brought that group down for good back in eighty-nine, what about them?"

Chuck coughed and pointed to his neck. "Acck! Casey…Casey…calm down! You're choking me! If you let me go, I'll show you!"

"Casey, just listen to what he has to say. We thought something was peculiar about her coming here." Sarah said.

Casey lowered Chuck slowly, but didn't release him. "Well? Spill it!"

"You were part of the flash too, and you thought I had a goofy grin on my I.D? Nice dental work!" Chuck grinned.

Casey growled and dropped Chuck's shirt. He stormed from the restaurant, his mind reeling. He knew his instincts were right. Julia was in danger.

"Now, Chuck! Move it!"

Chuck scampered to his side. "Coming! Coming!"

Sarah locked the door behind her. "Not without me you don't!"