Don't own Chuck

They were in the air again this time heading to the Balkan states. Everyone knew that this was going to be a difficult area to operate in with very few friendlies but they knew this was where the mission was. Chuck was at the computer again trying to hack into the casino but all he could get to was the CCTV in the hotel and some of the hallways, everything else was on a closed intranet. However, in one of the corridors Chuck identified Madame Wong and Dimitry Silijack together.

"Roan you've been to the Grand Casino before, haven't you?"

"Yes, Charles in my younger days and with a lot less gray, I met Sasha Banicheck there and it was quite memorable and that's all a gentleman says."

"Roan, we don't care if you and her-"

"Casey!" said Sarah, "enough we get the picture."

"Oh I don't think so," said Roan as he took a sip with a big grin as he took a stroll down memory lane.

"Roan what I was getting at," said Chuck is you know the layout of the casino. I pulled the building plans from the local archives but they are a little sketchy. Can you give a look and help me fill in what we're missing."

"Well I'm sure there have been some changes but okay," said Roan as he sat next to Chuck and began pointing out what was what. As they were working Chuck got back confirmation from facial recognition.

"Guys," said Chuck as he pulled up images of the big screen. "There's Madame Wong as well as Dimitry Silijack talking in the hallway outside the gambling floors. We have confirmation that our mark is there. The only problem is we're going to have to go inside to hack into their system and to make sure we have the intel we need we're going to have to download the hard drive off Silijack's office computer."

"What can we do," asked Cole standing next to Carina.

"I'm sorry but you two are going to have to sit this one out and wait in the van. Madame Wong had you tailed so we have to assume that she knows your faces. No, for this to work we need to get in and out without being detected."

"But Chuck we'll need a distraction to get in," said Sarah.

"Yeah, I could try my hand at blackjack again."

"John, that didn't work out so well in Somalia."

"Make a mistake, get chained to a wall and no one lets you live it down."

"Yeah funny how the mind works after you've been left out in the hot sun to roast for a bit. Chill Casey, you guys are lucky Roan Montgomery is here to save the day. I had quite a way with the ladies and still do but my expertise was in the cards. I had quite the run in my younger days. I'll just walk in a win a few hands and raise a few eyebrows then the pit boss will have to call the boss that should give you guys enough time to get in and do whatever it is you need to do."

"Christ, we're going to get caught."

"Casey I heard that. So Chuck what will it be me or Agent Chain-em-to-the-wall. Casey, you can count up to twenty-one?"

"Why you-"

"Casey, Roan's right," said Chuck as Casey growled. "I didn't mean about counting what I was talking about was the fact that we need you to cover us in case something goes wrong and you know as well as I do how often that happens. We can use your itchy trigger finger."

"Roger that everyone has their own skillsets."

"I couldn't have put it better," said Chuck.

"Well if there's nothing else I've got to get back up front I don't trust autopilot," said Casey as he left disappearing behind the curtain.

"Sweetie if you don't need me I think I'll go clock some flight time and keep Casey company. I don't want to hear him complain that he's the little fat boy."

"No you're right go ahead I'm going to go over some more details with Roan. I need to find their server room and see about the best route to get us to Dimitry's office. I noticed a maid's closet next door."

Sarah left but as she was about to leave the cabin she looked back at Chuck and stared at him a bit before turning around. But as she was about to draw the curtains Cole and Carina pushed their way pass.

"Sarah what's going on and don't say nothing because I know better. Are you and Chuck having a tiff or something? You've been acting funny since that the park."

"I tried to stop her," said Cole, "but she insisted she knew you and could tell something was wrong. Is she right?"

"Of course not it's all in both your head so let it go everything is good between us. It's just this mission from hell."

"I don't believe you," said Carina. "I think I'll go ask Chuck about his night in the park and see what he has to say." Then Carina turned for the curtain but Sarah grabbed her.

"No don't!"

"So I'm right there is something. What happened? Chuck had to do a little intimate persuasion to get the intel. I'll show you mine if you show me yours? Did he have to trade secrets while you had to watch, no you spied on him as he-"

"Will you shut up of course not, I swear Cole I don't know how you put up with her and her one track mind."

"Seems in the past we used to think the same way especially when it came to getting information from assets."

"Another lifetime ago maybe and something you'll soon find out about after you two tie the knot."

"But you did spy on Chuck and what you saw you didn't like that much I'm sure of."

"Let it drop or I'll tell everyone what you two were up to while you were supposed to be covering Beckman. Really, ring shopping instead of having eyes on the mission."

"Beckman basically ordered us to and besides you wouldn't," said Cole thinking about what everyone back in MI6 would say… He'd be a laughing stock.

"Don't worry she's bluffing," said Carina. "Don't believe her she wouldn't dare. I know-"

"You don't know squat, so just try me. Now go back and sit down. Listen what I can tell you is I have special orders and that's all I can say. I've already told you too much so please just let it alone for once."

"Come on Love," said Cole as he took Carina back into the cabin. Sarah took a deep breath before she went into the cockpit and sat next to Casey.

"I guess you heard," said Sarah.

"Kind of hard not to," said Casey. "Too many people are starting to see something is up, are you sure you don't want to talk about it."

"Maybe you're right but I can't take the chance. Crap, Casey when we get to the casino promise me you'll help me keep Chuck from being alone with Madame Wong."

"Why? Are you afraid he's going to kiss her?" said Casey trying to get her to laugh but instead she went dead silent before she spoke.

"No I'm afraid he's going to kill her."

"What are you talking about? That's ridiculous. Come on is that what's this is all about? Chuck's not wired like us. It's just not in his nature."

"I used to believe that Casey. The intel Chuck got I'm afraid came with a price and the price was a contract on Madame Wong."

"Okay now I know you're certifiably insane? Why would Chuck take a contract to kill Madame Wong? Secondly what would he use? All our weapons and ammo are accounted for I logged them in personally unless he's got a slingshot."

"John, the asset Chuck met handed him a type 54 along with the dossier in the park."

"I assume you saw him receive it."

"Yes I saw he checked it and even watched him load a round in the chamber."

"So our little boy has put on big boy pants."

"Casey this isn't funny. You didn't hear Rachel the other night she told us the Chinese would be happy if we got rid of their trash for them."

"She said that?" said Casey a little surprised that someone would be that open about eliminating someone over the airwaves and with speaker on no less.

"Well not verbatim but that was what she meant. She did tell me to put two in her chest and one in her head and that is word for word."

"Listen there could be a lot of reasons why that woman gave Chuck a gun, I just can't think of any right now. There's something else you're not telling me, isn't there? And it has to do with why Chuck is packing a gun."

"Casey I can't tell you but yes I have a sub-mission that Mary gave me and Chuck knows about it. Yes, I think he's acting this way because of it but I can't tell you what it is. Don't guess because I'll just have to lie and I don't want to lie to you."

"I don't want you to either. What about your pact, no lies and no secrets? Did Chuck lie to you when you asked him about it?" said Casey as Sarah turned away to look outside. "You did ask him about it? My God you didn't."

"I didn't want to make him lie but I did ask him what the asset gave him and he told me about the dossier and a jade dagger."

"A jade dagger?"

"Yeah a present from Anna and Rachel some sort of symbol that they are working together now but that's not important. What is, is I asked what she gave him and didn't mention the pistol."

"So technically he hasn't lied."

"No technically he hasn't.

"Technically he hasn't done what?" asked Chuck as he walked into the cockpit.

"Oh I was asking Sarah if I still had a shot at Carina. I was saying technically Cole hasn't asked her to marry him. I mean with an exchange of rings and everything."

"I'm sorry Big Guy but if you look at her hand there's a rock that is second only in size to the one we're looking for so I'm afraid you're going to have to keep the clovers covered. The woman is spoken for."

"Just my luck I guess."

"But what's going on with you and Verbanski or you and Kat? You don't need another woman in your life and I can tell you one is enough."

"Hey I resemble that," said Sarah jokingly as they all laughed but none of them laughed as hard as they used to.

"When you two have a chance I need to speak to both of you about how were going to attack the server in the casino. Casey the plane can stay on autopilot for a little bit or I can ask Carina to come up and watch the controls with Cole. They seemed a little upset before I hope I didn't piss them off telling them they had to stay in the van. I should really go talk to them."

"No don't!" said Sarah, "I'm sorry that came out wrong what I meant to say was I'll talk to her since she's been my friend longer. Maybe they had some sort of lover's quarrel so the alone time in the cockpit might do them some good."

"Okay so we can all go over the details together just like old times. If only Morgan were here the original team would be back in the saddle again."

"Yeah just like old times," said Casey unable to come up with a quip.

"Sweetie never change always stay my Chuck please. I love you the way you are."

"Sarah Love no matter what happens I'll always be yours that I can promise," said Chuck as he took her hands and kissed them. He couldn't help but fear she knew what he was going to do but that was impossible or so he thought.

"Yuck," said Casey, I think I'm going to get sick. Get the other two suckers up here so we can get briefed. I wonder if Roan has left any booze I could use a single malt right about now."

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The team pulled up in front of the casino in a rental van. Chuck set up a mobile command center inside from which Carina and Cole could monitor their movements and once they tapped into the server they would be able to watch their every movement. Once in place everyone knew what they were supposed to do and piled out. The casino had a strict black coat and tie policy so they had to dress the part the men had on tuxes without tails. Sarah wore a long blue flowing dress with blue sequins down one side with a split that ran up the opposite side.

"I love that dress on you Love. Blue sets off your hair and eyes."

"Thank you and you look dapper yourself."

"What can I say I clean up well."

They made their way through the hotel and then casino discreetly then through to the server room. Casey posted outside while Sarah picked the lock and they were in.

"Do your magic Sweetie," said Sarah as she turned to guard the door from the inside. Chuck planted a transponder that patched the internal feeds back out to the van.

"I've got you guys on monitor," said Carina, "Roan you're up. Guys get into place Roan's on the move."

The three made their way quickly and quietly to the maids closet next to Dimitry's office. Casey used a hand drill to make a small hole in the wall then passed a fiber optic cable with a camera attached to the end so they had visual and sound from the adjacent office.

"Okay we've got eyes and ears," radioed Casey. Inside they saw Dimitry and Madame Wong talking with a man. Chuck and Sarah both flashed on him when he turned around.

"Crap," said Chuck as he let Sarah brace herself against him. "You flashed too."

"Yeah we're in big trouble."

"Hey you mind letting me in remember I'm the guy without the computer," said Casey.

"What's going on in there," radioed Carina.

"We're in trouble Ivan Sukhanovka is here."

"Christ," said Cole, "you don't mean the terror of Lubyanka, Ivan the terrible?"

"Yes it's him," said Chuck. "Guys keep an eye out front if he comes out before we do take him out. I don't care how you do it but we can't let this guy get by us. Sarah you know why he's here, don't you?"

"I can guess they want him to interrogate Beckman. Chuck I know what you're thinking but this doesn't change anything."

"Will you two keep it down they'll hear us, Roan where are you?" radioed Casey. "You need to get a move on it."

"Now, now Casey you can't rush the master," said Roan as he walked onto the gambling floor. Guido, the pit boss, was sitting at his desk when he noticed Roan stroll in and then his monitor flashed a picture of Roan with a red slash through it came on and a note blacklisted. He pulled up the list from the black book and read Roan's record. Guido called two men over from security and all three intercepted Roan mid-floor.

"Mr. Montgomery," said Guido.

"I'm sorry, have we met before it must've been in Saint Tropez. I'm sorry but I wasn't feeling well then so you have to excuse me if I don't recall you."

"No we haven't met before but my computer's met you. You're on our blacklist, you and Ms. Banicheck. Or were you ill back then too and don't recall being asked to leave?"

"I'm so sorry but it must've slipped my mind but if you don't mind I'd like to play just a few hands. Maybe you could call your boss I'm sure we can get this all cleared up in a jiff."

"I'm sorry but that won't be possible. Mr. Montgomery, you shouldn't even be in this hotel let alone in the casino."

"Well I never-"

"That's the problem you did and I've got the pictures on our hard drive to prove it. Would you like to see them, I can show you. I think there might even be a video."

"I wouldn't mind but if you could give me a copy of the video. I could put Paris Hilton to shame."

"Mr. Montgomery, please don't make a scene these two gentlemen will escort you out," said Guido as he got the attention of one of the barmaids. "Please give this gentleman a martini, extra dry with three olives courtesy of the house."

"Thank you young man," said Roan, "you are truly a gentleman and a scholar."

"I'm hardly young but I've been in your shoes before and know what it feels like. The least we can do is be civil about it," said Guido as the lady came back with Roan's drink. Roan reached in his pocket to leave a tip but Guido stopped him instead he laid a fifty dollar chip on the girl's tray.

"Thanks, to your health," said Roan as he took the glass by the stem then nodded to Guido and slowly tilted his drink back. A moment to learn-"

"A lifetime to perfect," said Guido.

"Roan what's going on out there," yelled Casey in a low voice trying not to be heard. "We're getting claustrophobic in here."

"Sorry guys but I've been made, Charles you're up. Remember you're not Chuck in there, be Charles Carmichael."

"Don't worry I've got this," said Chuck as he kissed Sarah and went to the door. Making sure the coast was clear he ducked out and went to the gambling room. He noticed a man getting up from a Blackjack table and no one else was sitting there so he walked over.

"Do you mind if I sit down," asked Chuck and the dealer pointed at the seat directly in front of him. The man passed Chuck cards from his shoe. The first card was the five of clubs and Chuck put a five thousand dollar chip in the betting circle.

"I'm sorry but table limit is twenty-five dollars."

"You can ask you pit boss to approve my bet," said Chuck.

"Sweetie, don't get too cocky," radioed Sarah in his ear.

"Guido I need approval to go over my table limit," the dealer failed to mention to Guido how much over the limit the bet was. He was still ticked off at Guido about their previous conversation so he thought this would be a good way to get even.

"Sure go for it anything he wants," said Guido as he was studying the schematics for Dimitry's safe as he reached down and switched on the camera to film the table. Whenever a dealer asked for something special it was always taped.

The dealer turned around and continued the play. He passed Chuck his next card from the shoe, another five. Chuck asked to split and double down placing now another five thousand on his original bet and ten on the other.

"But you can't do that," said the dealer.

"Didn't I hear your pit boss say the customer, me can do anything? Well this is what I want to do."

The dealer realized he was backed into a corner and there was nothing he could do but deal another card. He pulled a five.

"Crap, not literally," said the dealer. "I suppose you want to split?"

"You read my mind but I guess that should be a prerequisite for your profession," said Chuck as he laid down another ten thousand.

"Christ Chuck," radioed Cole, "you're supposed to draw the guys out from the office not break the bank."

The dealer was sweating bullets now hoping praying on the next card but someone up above wasn't listening as he passed Chuck another five.

"Four fives I think you need a new card shuffler," said Chuck. "And yes split please."

The dealer couldn't wait any more he pushed the panic button under the table and hoped he'd still have a job come evening or at least still be able to walk. Guido saw the red light come on his monitor and he immediately got up to walk over.

"Chuck you've got in coming," radioed Cole. "The pit boss is almost on top of you."