Don't own Chuck

Margo dropped Razib off early leaving with Emma so the kids could start their lessons. She wanted to be in the Dungeon when Chuck got back. However, when she got there she found Sarah sitting at the table nursing a cup of coffee removing the thorns off a rose. Margo watched as she handed it to Sam who took it to put between Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit then pushed the two rabbits together like they were kissing.

"You're early," said Emma coming out of her bedroom still in her housecoat. "Razib there's one muffin left if you want it. Molly is still getting ready and your teacher won't be here for another half hour."

"Take my advice," said Sarah as she picked up the muffin with a napkin. "Go ahead and eat this you've got time. Besides they're good." Razib didn't need his arm twisted and he knew all about the pasties that came from down in the bar. He sat down his book bag by the table then took the muffin.

"Why are you here? I'm sorry that sounded bad but I thought you'd be going with Chuck. I know you weren't mentioned but I thought you'd go to keep him out of trouble."

"No we agreed last night that today would be my Sam day," said Sarah as Margo gave her a look like she was saying something crazy. "I'm donating the day to my daughter. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, no I can understand but I thought... well that you never let Chuck out of your sight and this just seems a little out of character."

"To tell you the truth this is an experiment for me to see how I'll react with Chuck out on mission for a half a day. Baby steps right, but I need to spend more time with Sam. She's important for me too."

"Well, I don't want to butt into your affairs but Chuck could stay with her too you know. It doesn't just always have to be you giving up a mission to stay behind."

"You're right but baby steps remember. I already feel like I ought to be running out that door. Gez I'm a lousy mother."

"No you're not," said Emma. "You're just dedicated to your work is all and there are ways and ways to look after Sam." Sarah looked at her mother and tried to hide her thoughts. But how could Emma give her advice on parenting after she dumped her with her grandmother for ten years and left her with Jack.

"Thanks Mom, I appreciate," Sarah said but as much as she tried the tone came out sarcastically. "Margo, there's left coffee if you want. Chuck had coffee and muffins delivered after he left."

"Good, so he got off okay… Wait you said Chuck's half day mission? Has the flight been delayed or has something changed and I wasn't notified? I'll kill Mike if…"

"No not that I'm aware of," said Sarah as she sipped on her coffee. She didn't like waking up knowing Chuck wasn't in which is probably why she woke up shortly after he left.

"Then how is this a half day mission? It's only a ten minute drive from the airport to here when there's no traffic. Chuck is up to something, what is it?" said Margo as she looked at her watch. It was too late by now he'd already had them on board. "Do you guys want to get me fired? What did I do to you?"

"Margo think before you say anything, remember there are children present," said Emma. Razib looked up with blueberry smeared around his mouth.

"I think the question should be 'where's he going' not 'what's he up to' but Margo are you sure you want to know or would you prefer to have plausible deniability. I'd recommend the later if I were you as you've already pointed out the former could get you in hot water."

"Maybe I'll have that cup of coffee after all," said Margo as she pulled up a chair. "I've got a little time to kill."

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It was first light when the plane made the low fly over the bay before touching down on the runway. The landing was everything that it was promised breath taking and terrifying. It looked like they were either going to fly into the side of a mountain or ditch into the water but they did neither. The runway seemed to spring up out of nowhere soon they were taxing over to the hanger. The Generals and Roan deplaned in the private hanger after they pulled up next to Sarah's Lear. Ground crew got them unpacked and loaded as they met Chuck. Chuck was polite and shook the new guys hand then they loaded up and headed out for the drive back to Kotor and the casino or they thought.

"Roan, I had your little problem taken care of with Jack so if you want you can go in the casino but only at our place. I haven't been able to do anything about the other places."

"You're a true scholar Charles and I appreciate it. I, we might try our luck. But you know what they say if you're lucky in love you're unlucky in cards."

"I thought it was the other way around," said Chuck as he smiled over at Roan. "But if it works for you go for it."

"I intent to," said Roan as he smiled back at Chuck. "You wouldn't happen to bring anything my throat… the air here is dry."

"Really… we're on the Adriatic if anything there's a bit of humidity but you'll find a flask of gin and vermouth in the glove box."

"Not to be difficult…" Roan started to say but Chuck cut him off.

"There's a shaker and a small jar of olives. I'm sorry but I couldn't bring ice," said Chuck looking in the mirror seeing that his ignoring the new guy was getting on his nerves which made him want to do it even more.

"No problem Charles, I can rough it. Would anyone back in the back like one," asked Roan as he started mixing. But both turned him down. "Good that makes more for me. Here's to you Charles, Sarah and what's your daughter's name?"

"Sam, her name is Sam," said Chuck as Roan gave him a look. "I know but it's a family name from Sarah's side."

"Well now that you two have gotten caught up maybe you can brief me as to what happened with the Russian delegation yesterday."

"What do you want me to tell you? They were ambushed. Whoever was behind this set up a false road block making the traffic flow through a winding road where it would be easy to make a hit? Sarah and I had just landed Jack and Emma came in this vehicle to pick us up."

"Why did they bring an armored vehicle to pick you up? The accident wasn't staged by someone to make it look like they were being attacked."

"No, Jack talked Margo into letting him bring this vehicle because it's easy to drive and he likes the park assist feature. And it makes him feel important."

"So the American tax payers are paying to feed someone's ego," said Thomas. Chuck glanced up at him in the mirror. He really felt like doing a brake test but he controlled himself.

"Whatever. Anyway we happened to recognize the people in a white Skoda as mercs heading towards the Russians and it wasn't difficult to figure out what they were going to do. They went sideways in the road,' said Chuck as he went on with the description.

"We heard that the physical evidence pointed back to us. What do you think their end game was and why attack the Russian delegation?"

"The spent shell casings were all NATO standard and the weapons they found were Colt M4s but that doesn't mean much. You can almost buy that in the market here. However, the guy in charge means business he capped every one of his downed men in the head with a nine. He wasn't taking any chances they'd talk."

"Well at least it's over and they're safe inside the casino," said General Thomas. Chuck checked in the mirror to see if he was joking.

"Are you serious? No, this isn't over," said Chuck. General Thomas turned red he wasn't used to being talk to like this. "The man will try again and next time we might not be able to surprise him. Listen, I know you might not want to hear this but I can't help but think Izad is behind this."

"Here we go… Oh now I see. You're trying to tie this together with Africa so I'll send you on a manhunt after this Izad. This agency is not place for private vendettas. If you have a theory write it up and submit it I'll route it by the JCOS. They want Delta force to handle this."

"Like they did such a great job in Somalia and if I'm right they won't be able to shoot a missile at him where he's hiding now."

"Agent Carmichael I think you need a vacation," said General Thomas. Chuck was getting angrier by the moment.

"You're right let me see when was the last time I had one. To tell you the truth I can't remember between nefarious individuals trying to kill me and Fulcrum, the Ring now Hydra I don't think I've had a real vacation. Oh maybe my honeymoon but that was because I got fired by Clyde Decker - a pawn for our favorite agent Shaw - a low life turn coat who almost let my wife die. I'm almost willing to make this vacation permanent." Chuck took a deep breath then let it out. "Would it be too much to ask for if you told me what the techs found in Zamibia?"

"Two of the doctors bodies were recovered," said Diane as Tank gave her a look. "If you don't tell him he'll find out on his own that's just how Chuck is. We identified them as being those of Dr. Stanley Finkley and…"

"And Herman. They were the weak links on the team. Here," said Chuck as he tossed in the back the burnt chip. "I took that from what was left of a VAJA agent's hand, Yousef Arabab. Zamibia was a proving ground for the weapon."

"You know you should've turned this in as soon as you got to the station," said Tank. Chuck checked him out in the mirror the idea of taking a permanent vacation was looking better all the time.

"I was a little bit busy yesterday trying to rescue the Russian delegation and besides you were quite clear I was off the case and Delta force was in charge. Let them find their own clues but it's kind of hard after you blow the place to smithereens."

"Chuck, I don't want to say anything but I think you must've taken a wrong turn because that sign says were entering Podgorica," said Roan. Beckman and Tank looked out the window to see where they were.

"No I didn't make a wrong turn. We're going to stop soon for a cup of coffee and a chat with a gentleman I've never met before. But don't worry I've got a letter of introduction in my pocket. Igor Trotski was kind enough to write for me last night after we had dinner together."

"You had dinner with the head of Russian clandestine operations. You know how many protocols you broke and you asked for a favor too."

"How is old Igor," asked Roan. "Is he still the life of the party like he used to be. He's a nice guy when he's not trying to kill you. Right Diane, remember Berlin 1989."

"Who could forget? Yes those were the days but we were a lot younger back then."

"I prefer to say not as old. Impetuous and carefree that was us and Igor was… well Igor that was when he met his wife an ex-stasi agent. We double dated once."

"I don't think it counts as a double date," said Diane as she pointed out, "when we're trying to kill them and they're trying to kill us."

"Ah Charles romance… romance was in the air that night as well as lead. I'll never forget it as long as I live.

"Which might not be long, Chuck that's the Iranian flag flying there. Is that their embassy? Don't tell me you brought us here to go inside to talk."

"Of course not, they're going to come and talk to us in that café. I just have to send them an invitation."

"Chuck, you've moved past insubordination now you're close to traitorism."

"If we were playing scrabble I'd have to have you look that word up."

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Igor was milling around in the lobby observing the people coming and going. He already saw the delegation from MI6 they arrived early too. He tipped his hat to them as their paths crossed. They all like to think they're 007s he thought and they gambled the same way. He smiled thinking about taking Sir Reginald to the cleaners. Half the fun of this tournament was the game itself, screw the intel but to be a player you have to play the game and he loved this game. As he was half daydreaming Stefan came running.

"Sir, I need to tell you he's there," said Stefan. Breaking Igor's daydream as he was about to turn over his straight flush one card higher than everyone else's.

"What? Huh he's there who? Where? What are you talking about," said Igor more than a little upset that he was bothered.

"Chuck, he's sitting outside the Iranian embassy in Podgorica. He's sitting at a bar with the new Director, General Beckman and Roan Montgomery.

"Find me Margo Silverman or Sarah Carmichael or both now," said Igor. He went into the bar and found them both sitting there with Sam and a man who seemed to work for Margo. Sarah saw Igor approaching as soon as he walked into the bar and by the way he was walking towards them she could tell something was up.

"Margo, Mike something has or is about to go down," said Sarah as she pointed at Igor walking straight towards them.

"Ms Silverman, do you know where Chuck and your new director are at in this precise moment," said Igor by his tone and question Chuck wasn't where he was supposed to be.

"I assume on the way here but they are a little overdue. Why, do you know something I don't?" asked Margo but she looked over at Sarah.

"Chuck in this very moment is sitting in front of the Iranian embassy in Podgorica with your new Director General Thomas, General Beckman and Roan Montgomery. My people are guaranteeing their safety but I must protest us being dragged into your conflicts like this."

"Chuck has got the situation under control," said Mike. "He checked out a M67 fragmentation grenade this morning before he left."

"Thanks Mike and when were you going to share that tidbit of information with the rest of the class? And Sarah you knew where he was headed. Christ, I am still the Station Chief here if in name only. Is there some sort of conspiracy to get me fired?" Sam walked around them with Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit it hand then held up her arms.

"I'll keep you informed as to developments," said Igor then he left taking Stefan with him. Stefan looked at Sarah and tried to send a signal but Igor was watching.

"Sam up," said Sam so Sarah picked her up but as she did Sam looked at Margo then whispered a yell "shook?"

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Chuck drove over the Morača river in the center of the city then up the street next to Njegošev Park. There he pulled off the side of the street parking then began to look around. The sun was up now being midmorning even though the air was brisk. The cold didn't stop people from walking around in the park. That was when he flashed on the first one, a woman pushing a baby stroller with an earpiece in. He kind of laughed wondering what she was pushing but now he could start the dance without having to worry too much about bumping into people.

"Well we're here you can come with me or stay in the vehicle. Those are your options I'm going to share a little intel then throw out a line and see if I get a bite. But if you don't come you'll never know what was said. Remember General I'm on vacation so I can take my coffee where I want."

"Come on Tank this will be good for you to see. Think of this as a training session. Sometimes you have to dance with the devil in this job."

"I think they'd argue the other way around but the analogy is a good one Diane. Don't you miss this a little," said Chuck. "Your blood pumping, adrenaline flowing trying to figure out all the things that can go wrong knowing you're really in control of nothing."

"Charles is right," said Roan. "When you're here you're on your own and the only thing you can rely on are your wits. You have to be able to finesse or you'll die and I'm not talking figuratively."

"Chuck, Roan are you two trying to tempt me to come back? Is that what this is all about? If you are you have to know I retired before I got the boot."

"But if you were asked to come back. If your country wanted you to come back wouldn't it be your obligation as a patriotic soldier to answer the calling. General Beckman, are you less a soldier than those men and women who took up arms at Lexington and Concord. Those men and women who said I will not be moved from here and stood their ground."

"Chuck, you should think about a career in politics once you spy life is over," said Diane as Roan got the chair for her and they sat down at a table at a sidewalk café. "I'll be honest maybe this is a first I can sit and enjoy myself but if I were called I would have to answer. However, General Thomas has my job and he's the man you need to work with Chuck. I appreciate your loyalty but life goes on."

"Izvinite, excuse me," said Chuck as he called over a waiter. "Da li govoriš engleski? Do you speak English?"

"Yes a little if you speak slowly. Can I take your order?" said the waiter as he asked what Americans typically ordered. "American coffee, whiskey, beer?"

"First do you deliver to the embassy over there," asked Chuck the waiter nodded his head. "Good we'll all have jasmine tea and send one to the embassy with this note." Chuck handed the boy the letter Igor had written for him. "Take the tea and this note to the embassy first then serve us."

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Under a snow covered mountain deep in the greater Caucasus mountain range a convoy of transport vehicles travel down a winding road. They made their way until they ran out of road then proceeded underground. Finally after days of gruelling travel the convoy came to a halt in an underground bunker. An old munition production plant built during Stalin's era, constructed then quickly forgotten as different occupants of the Kremlin came and went.

"See Mr. Izad I told you I could provide you with a production facility. You helped me with my problem I help you with yours. This place was built to withstand a ten kiloton blast so you won't have to worry about cruise missiles here. Not that the Americans would attack because if they did the Russians would have to answer."

"Yes this will do nicely. What do you think Doctors?" asked Izad as he jumped out of the truck followed by Ralph and Holter.

"It's cold. Is there any way you can turn up the heat?" asked Holter. Ralph couldn't talk he was too cold stomping his feet trying to stay warm and blowing on his hands.

"Well if you two hadn't led the Americans to our factory in Somalia we'd still be operating there. Lucky for us we found those trackers in time. I wish I could've see their faces with those idiots found out they hit a hospital."

"You could've simply put them in an abandoned building and no one would've gotten hurt," said Ralph as his facial muscles started to thaw out but his ears stung. He was really concerned about frost bite.

"Where would the fun be in that? You people have done nothing but complain since we've started working together. Sorry Nikolai," said Izad. "But this is great. It will work out brilliantly."

"Don't mention it you helped me by getting rid of those old men. Now my militia has the opposition on the run. Soon we'll be able to carve out a place for ourselves here and with Hydra's backing who can stop us. However, there still is one man left to be taken care of."

"I told you Hydra has men in place to take care of Igor Trotski. But there's no reason to fear him the Kremlin is still reeling after our attack on the council. Give it a few days and they'll be begging you to put down the unrest and chaos. As the last rat standing they'll have to deal with you then we'll help you set terms. You can decide what to call yourself, party chairman, king or even emperor…"

"I was thinking since my name is Nikolai why not Czar. It has a nice sound to it, don't you think? But let's not put the cart before the horse."

"With the Hammer of Thor you can call yourself anything you want. All we need is this facility to produce our chips. In exchange for that we'll handle everything else."

"If the Americans send anyone up here we'll handle them for you my friend. How does the saying go you wash my feet and I wash yours?"

"It's hands," said Shepherd. "The saying goes you wash my hands I'll wash yours. So it's hands not feet."

"Why would I want to wash his hands? He's old enough to know how to wash them but feet. Well that could take some courage especially after wearing boots and wool sockets all day. You're right Izad these two complain too much."

"They'd better start getting our production up and running," said Izad as he walked around the large open space where they parked. "So far you've two only produced one chip and we've used it already."