Chuck vs Golden Triangle

A/N: I want to thank everyone for reading and supporting me. Feel free to leave your comments and reviews, any feedback is welcomed

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Chapter 4 – Lady Justice

Four more days was Sarah held in that small cramped cell in the basement of a local police station, and she was starting to get really irritated. Chuck visited her every day, but there wasn't much he could do, except to cheer her up a little. He couldn't even ask that she be released for bail, because she wasn't yet officially charged with anything, and until there was a court hearing no bail bond could be issued. Of course there was a small chance that she'd be released until trial, because everyone else was dead and they were going to pin everything on Sarah. Chuck was almost certain that they were going to charge her under section 65 – trafficking and it carries death sentence. There was little hope to win the trial favorably, but he had to stall it as long as possible for Carina to finish up her op and get her out through diplomatic means. But there was yet no news from Carina and her phone was turned off, she must have gone dark and Chuck prayed that she was alright.

Seeing as Chuck was not actually a real lawyer, just pretending to be one and most of his legal knowledge was from intersect and court procedural shows he watched on TV, he decided that Sarah's best bet would be to hire her real lawyer, preferably someone with good knowledge of Thai law. And after doing some research he thought he finally found right person for the job. Her name was Mali Lamad, she was young, smart, ambitious and independent, studied in one of most prestigious University of Thailand and abroad, graduated at the top of her class and specializes in criminal law, mostly drug cases. She looked perfect for the job, but convincing her to take the case would be a challenge. Chuck managed to set up a meeting with her in a quiet but expensive restaurant to discuss Sarah's case. Mali was currently working as a public defender, but wished to open her own legal practice one day.

Chuck saw her entering the restaurant and stood up from his seat to greet her. Dressed in a modest but professional looking dark suit with white dress shirt underneath and knee high pencil skirt she moved with a confident gait, her shoulder length black hair bouncing slightly with each step. Chuck pressed his hands together at his chest and bowed slightly saying "Sawatdee-krap", she curtsied answering "Sawatdee-kah" returning his greeting with a smile.

They ate lunch together and had some small talk, after Chuck ordered some Thai iced tea and showed her all important papers from Sarah's case. She scanned thru the file with her eyes, her smile disappearing into a thin straight line.

"No one could win this, this is Thailand, drugs are very serious offence here, you can get death sentence for as little as 100 grams and she was caught with more then quarter of ton. There is no way that she could claim it was for personal use because of such large amount and the police found no drugs in her system so she's not a user, claiming ignorance is futile too, so the motive is most likely money" – Chuck was listening her speak with a little sinking feeling, he knew his wife was innocent, but to anyone else she looked so clearly guilty and trying to prove her innocence in a country that was so harsh for this kind of offence wouldn't be easy.

Oh god, what if they decided to make an example out of her and expedite the trial and carry out the punishment quickly before Carina could intervene? No he wouldn't let them, if worse come to worst he would break her out commando style, of course then some innocent guards or bystanders could get hurt and it could turn into quite a nasty international incident.

With a grunt of frustration he let Miss Lamad continue her conclusions, waiting for her to finish before he would counter her arguments.

"She is obviously a professional, because the criminal database search shows no previous criminal records assuming it is her real passport, which I guess it is not, because no first timer could do such a big deal or she's very good at it and never been caught. Until now, that is" – her tone had a little hint in her voce that said that she basically believed in Sarah's guilt and rightful punishment.

"You sound like you are mostly convinced that the accused is guilty" – asked Chuck bluntly. She looked him in the eyes looking for something there. "I'm not a judge Mr. Barkley, I can't say if she's guilty or not, but the evidence points to that and everyone must face the consequence of their actions." "And you believe the consequence should be death this time, I thought Buddha teaches that every life is sacred" – pressed on Chuck. "Again it's not my place to judge, but drugs are a disease that infests, poisons and kills many people and destroys whole families and even communities. Buddha forgives one death if it can save many lives" – answered Miss Lamad.

"Well if even a supposed defender doesn't doubt the defendant's guilt I bet the Judge will have even less sympathy. What about proof beyond reasonable doubt, or innocent before proven guilty – does those mean nothing to you?" – drove his points Chuck. "Frankly, I don't want anything to do with this case. I try to help people who are accused for something they didn't do, who get caught in airport with someone else's bags, or are set up by someone they shouldn't have trusted, but did. Or desperate people who chose to deal drugs as a last resort, because they can't get any other job and their family is starving, or addicts, people who are victims of their one time stupid mistake to try some drugs and get hooked. Those people I have sympathy for and try to defend them from harsh laws that was not meant for them, but they get sucked in the quicksand of that imperfect legal system, but not the people who sell death to desperate people for their personal gain and greed." Stated heatedly her opinion Miss Lamad

"So a generous monetary incentive would not make you interested in this case?' – probed Chuck. "I'm not interested in her dirty drug money" – huffed she with indignation "how much is she paying you, huh?" "Nothing, she's not paying me anything" – countered Chuck. "Hmmpf, so is it then her boss who's paying you?" – Tried Miss Lamad, looking at him with accusation. "I'm not getting paid anything. . . Listen I just need your help defending her in court, please can you help me, I'm offering you a very generous wage for your service, how does ten thousand US dollars to take the case and then 250 $/hour sound?" – Offered Chuck. "That's very generous offer, but what are you getting out of this?" – She studied his face searching for answers.

"Besides saving a woman from being put to death? Nothing" – said he. "You have honest eyes and you seem to be convinced that she is innocent but you're not telling me the whole truth" – finally said Miss Lamad after studying Chuck's face for some time. "Look. . . I can't disclose any more information unless you take my offer so the attorney-client privilege stands, I also would give a non-disclosure clause for you to sign" – didn't budge Chuck. She looked intrigued but reluctant to accept the offer. "I'm sorry…I can't win this, no matter how much money you're offering"

"I don't ask for you to win, you would get paid regardless the outcome of trial, I can write you a check or wire the money to your account right away as a deposit just to take the case"

"But then, why do you need me?" – Inquired Miss Lamad puzzled.

"You know Thai Law and all its subtlety better than me, and I need someone who will give her the best defense possible and make sure that she is treated well and has a fair trial" – explained Chuck.

She contemplated the proposal silently looking at her empty plate with a pointed stare that looked like she saw right through the table while she nibbled on her lower lip. It was very tempting offer and with the money she would earn from this job would make her dream of opening her own private practice possible. And then there was something in the man's eyes that told her that something wasn't as simple as it looked from first glance in this matter.

"Will you help?" – There was a touch of pleading desperation and hope in his voice and Miss Lamad raised her head and focused her gaze on Chuck's face, ending her musing she nodded her confirmation. "Great, I'll just give you some paperwork to sing and we can take care of the payment right away" – he enthusiastically took employment contract and a special non-disclosure agreement (NDA) out of his briefcase and produced a pen. Chuck had created a dummy legal firm under his alias of Steven Barkley and shuffled some money out of CI accounts through offshore banks into the firm's account, disguising it as payments for legal contracts. The employment contract that Chuck drafted was on behalf that firm and all expenses were paid from its account.

After reading and singing the documents, "so do I get to hear all the truth now?" – inquired Miss Lamad. "Umm, I don't want to talk about it here. Why don't you start preparing all necessary legal forms and requests for the court hearing and we talk more tomorrow after we meet out client in the morning" – suggested Chuck, discreetly scanning the restaurant for anyone who could potentially overhear their conversation.

The next morning they both came to visit Sarah in the police station. Chuck and Miss Lamad were waiting for the guards to bring Sarah in.

She already spent five days in that cramped and disgusting hole they kept her in and her patience was wearing thin. She dreamed of a hot bath, decent meal and a comfy bed and of course Chuck in that bed with her.

Light blush crept on her cheeks from all the inappropriate things she would do with Chuck in their bedroom.

Her feet where aching and some jumbled memory, of her lying on the couch and Chuck giving her foot rub, swam into her mind. Mmmm, I would kill for a foot massage right now – thought Sarah while she was being escorted to see Chuck.

For some strange reason she really wanted some canned peaches.

Chuck immediately stood up when Sarah entered the room and the guard left and closed the door behind him. She swept her gaze at the second person sitting at the table and then looked at Chuck curiously. They hugged briefly and Miss Lamad observed how just for a second Sarah closed her sunken eyelids and rested her head on his shoulder. Sarah inhaled deeply trough her nose to savor Chuck's smell and add it to her memory catalogue in her "all things Chuck" folder. She recognized his usual coconut shampoo and menthol after shave.

Their embrace lasted only couple seconds and they reluctantly let go of each other in fear that it might be misinterpreted the wrong way by the third person in the room if lasted any longer. Chuck took a step back and looked her over. She looked pale and sickly and exhausted. Her eyes were sunken and tired, they had red rim around them and bluish bags underneath. And there were yellowish/purple bruises on her ankles and wrists. Sarah could see how Chuck's heart was breaking from seeing her like that.

"Oh, right, Sarah this is Mali Lamad, your new defense attorney, she specializes in criminal law and has much experience with drug cases here in Thailand, she will be helping me in court" – introduced them Chuck when he realized that they weren't alone and their greeting might have lasted longer than prudent.

"It's a shame that we're meeting under such circumstance Miss Weiss, but I will do all I can to help you" – she extended her hand to grasp Sarah's and there was pity in her eyes.

"Thank you; I'm sure you and Mr. Barkley will do your b-" intense fragrance from Miss Lamad's perfume drifted into Sarah's nose and she felt dizziness and nausea overtake her. Her face blanched even more and she clamped her hand over her mouth. "Oh god I'm gonna be sick" – murmured Sarah from under her palm and darted to the trashcan in the corner. She dropped to her knees and emptied her stomach contents in the can.

Worried Chuck was right at her side holding her hair out of the way and gently rubbing her back to soothe her upset stomach while she puked her guts out and then dry heaved when there was nothing left. "We need a medic; can we get a doctor in here?" Chuck shouted, still holding Sarah, while she battled her sudden bout of sickness.

Miss Lamad was about to call a guard when he rushed in to check on the commotion. "What is the meaning of this" – demanded answers the policeman. "Can't you see that she's ill, we need a doctor" – explained Chuck. "This is hardly a big deal, she will get over it, no need to waste taxpayer's money", the guard showed no concern. "Listen you-", struggled with his temper Chuck, "either bring here a doctor or take her to a hospital; I'll cover whatever medical costs there will be."

"Here we do things our way, rules are rules; unless she's seriously sick or injured there will be no doctors for her and a hospital is no place for a criminal." The guard just laughed at Chuck's worry.

"Miss Lamad, could you arrange for a doctor from some private clinic nearby to come over and check on Miss Weiss' condition." Turning to the policeman, "I would like to have a word with the commanding officer, please ask him to come here."

The guard grunted with displeasure, but spun on his heel and marched to call his superior, the lawyer went after him to go find a doctor. While the guard was gone Sarah seemed to be better but was still quite pale. Chuck sat her down at the table and gave her some water to drink.

After several minutes the commanding officer came into the room followed by the guard. He didn't look happy by this inconvenient interruption.

"Mr. Barkley you seem to forget that this is my precinct and I'm the boss here, while this woman is a criminal. We have already shown her preferential treatment by your request so don't abuse my kindness, this is a police station and not a spa, where we cater to every criminal's whim, after all." The commander pouted.

"Oh, believe me, the heavy chains on her hands and feet do not let me confuse this place with a spa, far from it. Please, I'm just concerned with my client's wellbeing, may I remind you that until she is prosecuted and a judge finds her guilty of any crime, she is to be considered innocent." Both policemen just snorted at Chuck's statement.

"Look, I arranged for a doctor to come see Miss Weiss, he should be here shortly, I would be very grateful if you would let him examine my client." Chuck had already given bribes to many cops in this station including the commander, so he knew that being grateful was meant as an incentive for future bribes.

"Go, clear out the rec. room and escort her there for the doctor to check on her" – ordered the chief to his subordinate.

They were escorted to a medium sized room that had a small kitchenette along one wall; it had some cabinets, sink, microwave oven, a fridge and coffeemaker. In the middle of the room were a battered coffee table and two old couches surrounding it. There was an old 30 inch CRT TV in the upper left corner and under the barred window in the back wall there was a bench most likely used by everyone to sit on during cigarette breaks.

The smell of cigarette smoke, coffee and sweat all mixed in one hit her nose soon as she entered the room and she was nauseous again, but her stomach was empty so she clamped her nose with her hand and tried to breathe through her mouth.

They sat on one of the couches while the guard sat across from them and waited for the doctor. Chuck had his suspicion of what might be wrong with Sarah, but didn't voice it out loud, just rubbed soothing circles on her back with his hand and waited for Miss Lamad to return.

About half an hour later the lawyer came back with the doctor in tow. He checked her pupils with a penlight, measured her blood pressure, listened to her heart and lungs, finally he drew some blood for testing and also took a urine sample to be sure. After his examination and some questions he gave his diagnosis.

"Well I need to test the samples I took to be 100% sure, but I think it's safe to say that you are pregnant Miss Weiss, congratulations!"

Three sharp gasps was followed by a shocked "What?" that came from Sarah's slack-jawed mouth when her wide eyes darted from the doctor to Chuck and back.

A/N2: Sorry that it took so long to update. Tune in for next chapter and find out what happens. A small spoilery tit-bit is that probably next chapter Chuck finally meets Hannah.