So sorry guys! I was in the hospital for awhile because of my neck and then when i got back everything i wanted to put in here i forgot but then i remembered! SO.. enjoy!
I woke up in cold sweat, my nightmares always leave me in that state. I felt my hairs stuck to the back of my neck. I need a shower I thought as I got out of bed. My clothes where soaked as well. I looked at the clock on my bedside, 4 in the morning. I haven't been getting much sleep lately, probably 3 hours a night the most. I sighed as I prepared some clothes for the day. Today I have to go to work as a bartender. At a local bar across the street from the Buy More. It's easy and I get to watch out for danger.
Cleaning the counters my phone vibrated.
Meet us at the Buy More in 10. Sarah texted.
I finished cleaning the counters, it was a slow day, no one was in. I yelled to the back, "Going on my break." My boss just waved his hand not really caring where I was going. My work clothes consisted of a plain black t-shirt and black pants. Not really original.
I walked into the Buy More and spotted Sarah in her work uniform I internally laughed and Chuck in his usual, moving to the theater room. I followed, I saw Casey follow as well his Buy More green very noticeable. He was stopped by Morgan, ah Morgan. Poor little guy so protective of his friend. I side stepped them and went into the theater room. The room was very nice, it had a huge flat screen with a comfortable couch, and nice coffee table.
"Sorry to break up your little tryst. But the next time you need to talk to the subject, I would appreciate a little heads-up." Casey said as he walked in. He shut the door looking very agitated. I bet Morgan was the cause of that or he's just always that way. Who knows?
"Sure." I mumbled not really caring.
"Relax. I wouldn't dream of starting without you, Agent Casey." Sarah said.
"Mom. Dad. Sister? Can we get on with it? I have hard drives to fix." Chuck said. Sarah put a folder of pictures on the table. The folder held pictures of numerous people shot to death.
"Why are these people sleeping?" Chuck asked. He picked up the pictures and looked through them.
"They're not sleeping." Casey grunted. Chuck froze when he heard that, suddenly growing pale.
"They were killed, Chuck, and we wanna know why." Sarah said getting straight to the point.
"I have no idea." Chuck put the picture he had in his hand down. He looked like he was going to be sick. Poor guy I hope not.
"Well, look again." Casey grunted wanting to force Chuck to do it.
"I would rather not. It's kind of creepy." Chuck said before a creepy guy walked in. Holding a newspaper and a drink. He had clown hair, creepy blue eyes, and was wearing the same thing that Chuck was.
"Oh, sorry. I was gonna take a nap. I'll come back in five. Can I call dibs on the couch? You're more then welcome to join me new girl." He said to whom I assume was me. Then he winked, and I winced.
"No, thank you." I said. I'm sick of getting hit on. He just shrugged his shoulders and left.
"Chuck, what did you see?" Sarah asked when Chuck spaced.
"I...I don't...I'm not totally sure. Water lily painting, weapons, an art auction tomorrow night. Does the name "La Ciudad" mean anything to you?" My fists clenched. La Ciudad! I internally shouted. I want La Ciudad dead! He murdered my partner and tried going after me too.
"Why?" I said through clenched teeth. They all noticed my angry mood and starred. I collected myself and sighed.
"'Cause I think he's going to be at the art auction tomorrow night. Right then, I'm going to fix some hard drives. Good luck with the spy stuff. Excuse me." Chuck said as he left. This is our chance to catch this bastard. I walked out with clenched fists, I was going to catch this La Ciudad.
That night Sarah and I met up at Casey's apartment to talk to General Beckman of the NSA and my Director. I looked around Casey's apartment and chuckled, it looked almost exactly like mine, minus the picture of Ronald Reagan.
"We're glad to hear that you have settled in to Chuck's apartment building. But if he's right, this is a high priority. La Ciudad is the most elusive and dangerous arms dealer in the world. You should know the dangers of La Ciudad Agent Wolfe. You and your partner had a run in, right?"
"Yes, ma'am." I answered to Beckman. I didn't want her to announce it to them.
"Last anyone heard, MI6 and London had a drop-off, but he vanished." the director said.
"Well, if he turns up, we'll just take him down at the auction." Casey said. I knew it wouldn't be that easy but I didn't object.
"Not so easy..." Beckman said. Yeah, she's telling me.
"We have no idea what he looks like. No photographs. No one has ever seen La Ciudad that lives to tell about it." Director said.
"So we'll bring the Intersect. Everything we know about La Ciudad was fed into that computer-" Casey said before he was cut off.
"No way. It is too dangerous. He has no field experience or training." Sarah said. She needs to stop babying him.
"He'll be fine. It's an art auction." Casey said.
"I'll take care of him Sarah if you're too afraid of him getting hurt." I said getting annoyed.
"But-" Sarah said before Casey cut her off.
"He'll be fine! La Ciudad probably won't even be there." Casey said.
"And if he is? Is it worth the risk?" Sarah argued.
"All right. I've heard enough. Put him on the field. We don't know what he's capable of until he's been tested." Beckman finished. Casey and I had smug expressions. I couldn't help it, Sarah is babying the guy, he needs to learn.
"Congratulations, Chuck. You just got your first mission. Tomorrow night. Hope you're ready for the real world." I slapped Casey's arm.
"You'll be fine." I said. "I won't let anything kill you." I said as I walked away giggling. Chuck's expression was priceless. I went to work the next day, nothing really eventful. I couldn't wait for the mission. I get excited for any action at all, I became an adrenaline junkie since I've become a spy. Doing crazy things, sports, etc. Met a lot of interesting people and not so interesting.
I sighed as I scrubbed the bar. I hate the stench of old liquor. My boss came out and looked at me. He was an over weight, balding, middle aged white guy. He had on a dirty wife beater and worn out jeans. He was one of those guys who thought gold was everything. "Stephanie, you OCD or something?" he asked.
"Uh, just a tad bit, sir. And it's Sophia, sir." I said as I continued.
"I can call you whatever I want." He grunted as he scratched his stomach. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"Excuse me, sir?" I asked.
"You heard me, Bitch. You work for me. I get to call you whatever I want." I said as he pointed to me then himself.
"No, it doesn't work that way. I may work for you but you don't own me." I said as I continued my work. He walked over and grabbed my wrist. He made the first move I thought as I twisted out of his hands and twisted his in the process. I was behind him now and I had his arms pinned tightly behind him. I pressed him against the counter and whispered, " Touch me again and I will castrate you. Do you understand?" I had no answer. "I said do you understand?" I said as I pressed harder. He groaned and nodded his head. I let him go and got back to work.
"Bitch, you're fi... fired." He stuttered out. I just stared at him, I was livid. I held in my anger and grabbed my stuff.
"Whatever," I said as I walked out.
We where all in the limo as we pulled up to the art gallery.
" Here, This is for you. Inside the watch is a GPS tracking system. That way, you can't run away from me. And if you flash on anyone, tell me immediately and then stay out of the way." I said.
"Absolutely, yeah. I, uh, I always run from a fight." Chuck responded. Sarah looked at me and nodded.
"This is no joke, Chuck. No one who has ever seen La Ciudad alive has lived to tell about it." Casey said.
"Is he being serious? Seriously? What are my chances of getting into trouble?" Chuck asked.
"Toughen up. You'll be fine...assuming you know how to tango." Casey said and I giggled. A joke for the amateurs. I looked at Sarah and she looked worried.
"I did some preparation, okay? I wouldn't call myself an expert but.." Chuck said before being cut off.
"Why would he need to know how to tango? Is that code?" Sarah asked feeling left out.
"No. Not...no. He told me I'd need to know how to tang..." Chuck said before he realized what just happened.
Casey let out a little chuckle and Sarah lighten up her mood.
"Spy humor. I like that." Chuck said. I giggled some more, I stopped when I saw Casey grinning at me. That's strange I thought.
"C'mon. You ready?" Sarah asked. I looked at him and nodded. They got out of the limo and I looked at Casey, who was changing into his uniform. He drove the car around the block and then I got out of the limo. I couldn't help but feel like a somebody was watching me. I looked around but I saw no one.
When I walked into the building and looked around, it was a beautifully done building with great definition. I walked up the wide stairs that where in front of me. I saw Chuck and Sarah at the top arguing about something. I walked in front of them to make myself known without confronting them. I looked around trying to blend in while looking for danger. I saw Chuck rush off to the bathroom, maybe a stain I don't know. I watched as he rushed to Sarah and pointed at the bathroom. Sarah pointed to the bar and I waited until I followed Chuck as he went.
"Drink, sir?" I heard Casey asked as he turned around.
"Yeah. Uh, I'd like a martini, barkeep. Shaken and stirred, thank you." He responded. Bond? Really? I laughed internally at his dorkiness.
"Hello, I'm Avery Jensen," I introduced myself to Chuck. I offered my hand and he kissed it. That was new I thought as I grinned.
"Carmichael, Charles Carmichael," he introduced. I smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Would you like a cherry with that?" Casey asked before Chuck could respond a man interfered.
" Chuck Bartowski?" He questioned.
"No! My name's Carmichael.." Chuck yelled before the man said who he was.
"Alan Waterman! Stanford?" Crap I thought. I didn't expect an old friend.
"Hey, hey, how are you? Hey, you, hey." He said nervously.
" I don't know if you heard, but I sold my software company. Kind of unemployed. Problem is, I'm too young to retire, I'm too rich to work." the man said. I saw Chuck's eyes search the room for Sarah to see her talking to a man. Chuck turns back when the man laughs. He decides to join in not to draw attention.
"That's quite a pickle you find yourself in, Waterman." Chuck said not really caring.
"What are you doing now? Last I heard, you were, um, you were fixing computers?" Alan? Asked.
"Barkeep can I have a amaretto on the rocks, please?" I asked Casey zoning their conversation out.
He smiled and winked, "Coming right up."
"And who is this?" Alan asked Chuck.
"Not interested," I answered. He frowned and then smiled.
"Well, hey! Give me a call. You know, if you need help with the whole job thing. I know people." Alan said giving Chuck a card.
"I bet you do. Insider trading and offshore accounts in the Caymans." Chuck said as he flashed. Alan's faced drained of its color.
"What did you just say? Do you work for the SCC? I gotta go." He said as he grabbed the card back and scurried away.
"Hit me again." Chuck said after downing his drinks like water. I glanced at Sarah and saw she had a gun to her back. I looked at Casey and nodded. Casey jumped over the counter to retrieve Sarah.
"So you get left behind? I thought you where the best?" Chuck asked semi-drunk.
"I promised Sarah I wouldn't let anyone harm you. I'm keeping my promise. And I am the best, I just am not a show off." I said drinking my drink.
"Hey, I'm going to go look at the painting do you want to come?" Chuck asked me. I looked back at his dorky but cute face, this poor guy isn't made out for this job. Yet, he has one of the most powerful computers in his head. I shook my head, i'll let him have some time to think.
"Go ahead, i'll watch from behind." I said turning in my seat. He nodded and walked over to the painting. I sipped my drink and watched as Chuck was approached by what it seems to be a Latin woman. She was very pretty but there was something off in the way she walked almost like a predator searching for prey.
It looked like they were having a conversation. I heard the music change into a tango tempo and Chuck led her to the dance floor. Chuck was doing all the female moves and I giggled. The woman seemed to catch on and led the dance. They had a great dance it was all laughter for me when she dipped Chuck.
I saw Chuck's face flash in fear and I got up from my chair I slowly walked my way to the dance floor. I heard a woman approach, she said something about a phone call.
"Are you sure you're not Mr. Bartowski? Your friend insists." she said. She looked like a desk clerk.
"No, no, I insist. I've never heard that name in my life. I gotta go. Excuse me." Chuck said and he walked my way.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I grabbed his arm.
"La Ciudad, she's La Ciudad." He whispered loudly. I felt my blood boil, La Ciudad is a she? I asked myself. I should have known.
I briskly walked to the exit, I pulled out the phone to call the Director but I felt cold steel touch my back. Damn it, a gun. I thought as I heard Chuck whimper like a dog.
"Ah, I think we should head to my room. What do you say?" La Ciudad asked. Not caring for our answers obviously.
We where in what I assumed to be her room. I was tied up and disarmed of my weapons.
"Let's start with an easy question. What's you real name?" She asked Chuck
"Carmichael. Charles Carmichael." he said flustered. La Ciudad had a knife in her hands and threw it inches from Chuck's groin.
" Chuck Bartowski." He said. Dammit! Chuck! I shouted in my head.
"That wasn't so hard." She smiled.
"Now, before you answer my next question, I want you to think long and hard about my options here. There's the old favorite - yank out a tooth...too noisy." She said as she teased Chuck with a big hunting knife in her hands.
"I could cut off a toe...that's too messy." She said.
"Far too messy." Chuck agreed.
"Or we can torture your girlfriend here and you watch." She said as she pointed at me, she didn't know my face. I thought as I remembered my disguise in Peru. "So, here's my question: who do you work for?"
"No one." Chuck said and one of her minions grabbed a knife and came at me. "Stop, stop! I fix computers for a living! I swear to God! I snuck into the party under a fake name to impress her! Please, please put the knife down!"
"Tell her goodbye," she said as the man punched my mouth about three times. What's with these bad guys and there lack of originality. I would've done shock therapy, burns, something that's not commonly used.
"No, no, no, it's a set-up." Chuck yelled. No, I thought as they stopped.
"What is?"
"The painting? The painting, the painting, I think, I think the painting might be a fake or something." Chuck said.
"Why?" She asked curiously.
"If you stop hitting her I will tell you." The henchman that was hitting me before stepped back.
"I saw a photo of the painting in the LA Times, okay, but it had a different frame. So I'm assuming somebody maybe swapped it out, I dunno, but if I were you, I would not buy that painting." Chuck advised.
"A fake painting? And you had no intention of bidding on it? What about her?" She asked about me.
"Me? Bid on...no, no, not unless they were selling for 25 bucks. I mean that's about what I have in my decorative and she's my friend that I wanted to impress by getting us in here. She's just a bartender." Chuck sighed.
"Okay, tell me how to fix a computer, Chuck. And you how many drinks do you know how to make? Tell me the names." she demanded. Chuck was beginning before I shut him up.
"Containing vodka are Bloody Mary's, 007 Martini, Blue Lagoon, Apple Martini, Metropolis, Serena, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Long Island Iced Tea, Berry Me in the Sand, 360 Degrees, Vodka Sunrise, A Southern Screw, Mind Eraser,White Russian, Sea Breeze, Lime Rickey, Screwdriver, Sex on the Beach, Mudslide, Autumn in New York, Blue Hawaii, Napa Sun, One Night Stand, Black Bison, Pomegranate Martini, a Samantha, Spider's Kiss, Tuxedo, an Ice Pick, Tropical Itch and containing rum are.." I said before I was cut off.
"Enough okay you tell me how to fix a computer." She demanded from Chuck. I sighed and waited for Chuck to begin. He started describing the inside of a computer and how to fix certain problems. I zoned out before coming back to my senses.
"My first inclination is that your bus speed is not up to speed with your video card. I'm assuming we're talking about a PC here. Is your memory dedicated.." Chuck said as I began to get bored.
"That's enough, Mr. Bartowski. I believe you. Problem is, since you both have seen me, now I have to kill you." She said and Chuck yelped.
"Have, have to? No, no, I disagree, I disagree vehemently, vehemently! No, no, no, we wouldn't say anything I swear to God! You don't know the things I know about people.." Chuck yelled. I felt my bracelet on my left wrist and started rubbing it against the tape. I felt in rip and I looked at La Ciudad and smiled a bloody smile.
"What are you smiling at?" She asked as she cocked her gun. I grabbed the chair with the hand that was tapped and I swung it at her head. She yelled, and fell back as it hit her head. I heard the door bust open and Sarah yell at Chuck.
"Chuck! Get down!"
La Ciudad jumped off the balcony. Casey whistled and I looked as he threw me a gun. The feeling of familiar steel made me feel better. I ran to the balcony and jumped I fell to the bottom suite. I heard him crying suspender but I ignored him and went after her. I ran down the flight of stairs. And heard her footsteps clacking on the hard cement. I aimed and shot, I only skinned her shoulder but it was a hit. I chased her to the bottom but when I opened the bottom door she was gone.
"Fuck!" I yelled. I put my gun in a holster I had on my thigh. I walked to the elevator to get to the floor everyone was on.
"You alright?" Chuck asked. I looked up at him and realized that I was frowning.
"I should be asking you that." I said in return. I smiled and he chuckled.
"I'm okay other then almost getting killed I'm okay." He smiled. I couldn't help but feel responsible for La Ciudad escaping. I sighed and smiled at Chuck. I started walking out the room when I saw someone I once knew out of the corner of my eye, but when I looked there was no one.
I drove to the Buy More to find an opening for a job, but my phone buzzed. Sarah messaged me,
We have company at my work, now.
I pulled into the parking lot and quickly got out my car. I saw Sarah she was in her usual work uniform. She looked a little distressed and seemed to be waiting for me.
"Where?" I asked her as I approached. I tried getting straight to the point since we where running out of time.
"The roof, with a weapon. She just went up." She said as she pointed to the roof of her work and I sighed.
"Okay, go find Casey and Chuck and get out of here. There must be some goons after them." I told her as I ran to the side ladder. I climbed up the ladder and came to the roof. She was at the other end with a sniper rifle aimed at the Buy More. I grabbed for my knife, I was sneaking right behind her when she turned and round kicked me in the shoulder. It was a little off since I was taller than her, but it still hurt. I kicked the rifle out of her hands and she went after me. She tried kicking me again but this time I blocked her. I threw her leg up and side kicked her face. She stumbled back but rebalanced herself. She then tried punching but I kept blocking. She got mad and pulled out a knife. She started slicing at me and I dodged her attacks. I tried jabbing back but she was prepared. She sliced my shoulder deeply and tried going for my face. I swung my knife at hers and I got her cheek. She yelled in frustration and readied her knife. She threw the knife at me and I cartwheeled out of its path. She charged at me with flying kicks and hit me in the mouth. Ow.. Damn that hurt I thought as she smiled. I grabbed her arm as she tried to punch me and twisted it behind her. She tried swinging her arms back but I had it tight.
"The more you struggle the harder I'm going to twist." I told her but she didn't listen. She started kicking and I broke her arm. She yelled in agony and wrestled me to the ground. I threw her off of me and tackled her to the ground. I continuously punched her. With all the hatred and frustration I had balled up from what she has done.
"You killed my partner and now you're going to pay." I told her as I continued to punch her. I realized she was out cold and I stopped. I pulled her to the satellite that was on the roof and cuffed her.
"Sarah we need a crew up here asap," I said then closed the phone. Hmm.. I'm hungry I thought as I climbed down. Maybe a hot dog? I questioned as I walked into the Wienerlicious and smiled. Today was a good day.
The next night I was getting out of the shower when I heard a knock on the door. I grabbed my gun and looked out the peep hole. John Casey was outside my door. I was confused but I opened the door.
"Hey Casey what are you doing here?" I asked as he pulled out a bottle of scotch. He looked at me fully and he cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.
"Oh, I um.. wanted to celebrate catching La Ciudad with a little scotch." Casey smiled holding up the bottle.
"Oh, um.. Sorry. Yeah come in just let me changed," I said as I side stepped him to let him in. John Casey walked in and looked around. He turned to me and chuckled.
"Your apartment is almost the same as mine." John Casey said as he looked at me. I smiled as I climbed my stairs to my room. I quickly put on a pair of jeans and a plain black shirt. I brushed my hair out and went down stairs.
"So, how do you want your scotch?" Casey asked as he searched through my cupboards. I tensed as I saw him invade my space, but I relaxed when I remembered he's not the enemy.
"Just on the rocks, thanks." I said as I looked away.
"So, how did you become the Wolfe Ghost?" Casey asked getting straight to the point. I sighed as he sat down on my bar stool and I sat besides him. I cleared my throat and grabbed my drink.
"I never really worked with anyone and when I do they end up dying. The CIA wanted me a secret not really being noticed. Only recently did they want me to be more exposed and working with others. What about you? How did you become Old School Casey?" I opened up. I sipped my drink and sighed, it was good stuff. He chocked on his scotch and put his cup down.
"I um.. am known for in and out missions hardly ever any fun. I am dead set on my job most of the time and don't let distractions interfere with the mission." He stated. He smiled and I smiled back. We continued talking about funny situations on missions. We where laughing for what seemed like minutes was really hours. I didn't know about Casey but it seemed I could really open up to him. We stopped and we just sighed in content. Casey leaned into me and I couldn't help but lean in too. His lips met mine in a deep embrace. I kissed back with the same intensity and wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled my waist closer to him. He pulled my left leg up and slammed me into a wall. I laughed and he grunted as he began to kiss my neck and I pulled him closer. He started to pull at the ends of my shirt when or phones rang.
"Damn it," I whispered as we untangled ourselves from embrace.
"Yeah?" We both answered as we unlocked another mission.