A/N: I know, I know…what's taking so long?…well, I can't blame the delay on the amazing quality of the writing so I'm going to go with radioactive monkeys…that's right, irradiated primates with too much fur are to blame…what? Why would I lie? Well, sure, to get to do that…but not because I'm slow with updates…that's entirely on the glow in the dark orangutans that seem to be visiting me with increasing frequency…usually late at night…which is troubling on many levels…especially the mess they seem to delight in leaving behind…damn dirty apes…sure, they've got opposable thumbs but have you ever heard of filthy stinky monkeys writing for television?…besides Jersey Shore?...and one character developed for the 3rd season of Chuck?…that's right, the don't write(much) and I'm use that little fact to cheer myself up after one of their nightly visit when I through myself into a chair in front of my computer and pound out stuff like this…the chapter, not the A/N…and I smile whenever someone enjoys my scribbles enough to take the time and leave a review(hint, hint)…now, to wrap the ramble, I don't own Chuck or anything in the 'Chuckverse'…I continue to maintain my amateur status, as far as writing is concerned, by remaining unpaid…I continue to flaunt my ego(and abysmal grammar and spelling) by remaining beta free…and most importantly, I'm still having fun and until that ends, I'll keep thanking Jim for the nudge. JT
Chuck Vs. A Blast From The Past - Chapter 7
CIA Director Langstom Graham was not a happy camper. Minutes earlier, a scheduled video conference with one of his best agents and the asset she was supposed to be bringing in had taken an unexpected turn. Instead of Agent Sarah Walker and Charles Irving Bartowski, he'd been blindsided by the appearance of General Diane Beckman who'd announced that she'd somehow recruited the one person who'd successfully handled the Intersect download. Resisting the nearly overpowering urge to slam his fists onto his desk, choosing instead to excuse himself and suspend his end of the video conference. Once he was sure that he was free of the link, the older man pulled a phone from his desk drawer and dialed a number he'd hoped he wouldn't have to use.
"This is Graham. Is team number one still close to Agent Walker and the target? What do you mean, they lost them? Activate Walker's tracker and take them both into custody. I don't care where they are and unless they're in the local CIA branch, I want the two of them in our hands in the next five minutes. Make it happen or start packing for your new posting, counting corn mites in bumphuq, Iowa" he hissed into the phone before hitting the disconnect and tossing the device onto the top of his desk. Taking a deep breath and then a second, he slowly reached out and re-opened the video link.
"Well, Diane, I must apologize for the interruption. Now, while I'm sure that you believe that the NSA will be working with the Intersect again, I feel that I should remind you that the CIA was granted full control of the project and…"
"And you've had such an amazing success, thanks to your star agent, Bryce Larkin. I've been reading all about his successful integration of the Intersect program. He really has an amazing body count…of his fellow agents. I can only hope that we can improve on his record when we…"
"Diane, I don't know where you've been getting your information but I'm certain we won't have to worry about comparing notes any time soon" Director Graham said before pausing when his phone pinged, alerting him to an incoming text. Glancing down briefly, he looked back up with a smile appearing on his face. "Now, since it appears that you can't produce your new recruit" he gloated just as the video feed from Agent Sarah Walker was replaced with static, " I'll have to cut this discussion short. Have a nice day" he finished before reaching out and tapping a key, ending the feed from General Diane Beckman.
Picking his phone back up, he hit the redial and put the phone to his ear. "Talk to me, Johnson…That's good news. I want Bartowski on a plane to DC within the hour…I don't care how you handle Walker. Make sure that she's transported to a local holding facility. I'll deal with her later…Make sure that a medic looks over Bartowski and then accompanies him on the flight to DC. Good work, Johnson…No, you won't need to make the trip because I have another team that will be arranging to escort the package…I'm sorry, Agent, it almost sounds like you are questioning my orders…that's what I thought. Good day" Langstom Graham finished the call and then dialed another number.
:We've got the package" he spoke into the phone and then disconnected the call before dropping it back onto his desk. Leaning back in his chair, he allowed himself a brief smile before reaching for the file he'd been going over before Agent Sarah Walker had almost ruined his day. Moments after opening the file his phone pinged again and after reading the incoming text he threw the phone across his office, not caring when it exploded into pieces when it impacted with the far wall. "Dammit" he growled before reaching for the phone on his desk and dialed. "Johnson, you told me you had them in sight and you've lost them again?…you have thirty minutes to contact me with good news or I'll be signing the transfer papers that are sitting on my desk right now and you'll be able to get started on your mite counting!" he yelled into the phone before hitting the disconnect and then slamming the phone down.
After taking several calming breaths, Director Langstom Graham reached for his phone but stopped midway, telling himself that he would wait the thirty minutes he'd given Johnson with the hope that he'd hear good news because he wasn't ready to dial the number he'd been about to dial…not unless he had good news to pass on.
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General Diane Beckman wouldn't admit it to anyone but she was worried. She respected Sarah Walker's record but she'd known, fourteen months ago, that the agent had formed an unhealthy attachment to Charles Bartowski in the short time she'd been his handler. The surprise call from the agent and her former asset had offered her a chance to get the NSA involved with the Intersect program again and she'd jumped at the opportunity, also secretly thrilled for the opportunity to rain on Langstom Graham's parade. Despite her extensive connections, the CIA had managed to ace the NSA out of the Intersect project and she'd been waiting for the chance to get her fingers back into that pie.
The sudden interruption of the video conference left a bad feeling in her stomach and after Graham ended the call, making no effort to hide a knowing smirk, she'd been on her phone right away, scrambling two teams she happened to have in Los Angeles with instructions to find Charles Bartowski and take him into protective custody, using any means necessary, even deadly force, if the CIA drew first. Almost as an afterthought, she informed her teams that, if possible, Agent Sarah Walker should be afforded the opportunity to accompany Bartowski when he was transported to DC.
After making several calls to a few close friends on 'the hill', she'd made a call to the only person who seemed to be less impressed with Bartowski than she'd been, knowing that the agent was in the area, using his leave time to visit his own personal 'mecca', the Ronald Reagan Library.
"John, I know you're on leave but we have a situation and I need your help" General Diane Beckman said, worried that Casey's special skill set might be needed to make the difference in the current situation.
"What can I do to help, General?"
"I received a call this morning from Charles Bartowski.."
"Chuck me" the big man mumbled under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing ma'am. I'm sorry for the interruption. Please continue."
"As I was saying, I received a call from Mr. Bartowski. It seems that the CIA is trying to acquire him for his possible usefulness in the Intersect project…and they don't seem to be willing to give him any say in the matter. Agent Walker was dispatched to bring him in and he decided that he wanted to explore his options. He managed to convince Walker to give him my number and he called this morning, offering me the chance to get the NSA back into the 'Intersect business' as he called it."
"And the reason for this call, General?"
"I was in the middle of a video conference when the signal was suddenly lost and Graham suddenly seemed very smug before hanging up on me. I've already activated two teams that were stationed in Burbank and I need you on station to find out just what the hell is going on. John, I can't tell you how important this is. If Graham is going after Mr. Bartowski, we need to get involved. Do whatever you can, John. I'm not sure how Walker fits into this but if you feel she might help, us her. Keep me posted" she finished , disconnecting the call and reaching for a file she'd received earlier, hoping her source in the CIA had come through for her.
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Sarah Walker was on her feet as soon as the video signal they'd been watching was cut, reaching for Chuck's arm while she scanned the surrounding area, looking for anything that was out of place. Pulling her phone from her pocket as she pulled at the cast in her hand, wincing when she heard the gasp from the man who'd been seated next to her. Hitting the speed dial on her phone, she cursed when she heard a pre-recorded message informing her that her service was currently blocked.
"God dammit" Sarah cursed quietly before releasing her hold on Chuck so she could pull the battery from her phone before slipping the device back into her pocket. After another quick scan of the coffee shop, she reached for Chuck's arm again, starting to get a little upset that he was still seated, staring at the laptop they'd borrowed earlier. "C'mon, Chuck. We have to get moving."
"Why? What's going on, Agent Walker?"
"My phones been disabled and I didn't think to bring a burner so we need to get out of here and find some way to contact General Beckman before Graham's extraction team shows up" Sarah answered, her hand once again on Chuck's cast as she gently pulled him towards her, happy when he began to get to his feet .
"I don't understand. I thought I was going to work for General Beckman."
"Chuck, I'm pretty sure that Director Graham doesn't give a shit about your intentions and I'm willing to bet that the agents that have been following you for the last few days are minutes away with orders to take you into 'protective' custody. If they find us, you'll be on a flight to DC within minutes…"
"And you, what about you, Agent Walker?" Chuck asked, worried by the concerned look on Sarah's face.
"I'm sure that they have orders to take me into custody as long as I don't resist. Since I'm not about to let you be taken, I'll probably end up tranked and in custody…if I'm lucky."
Pulling his arm from her grip, Chuck stepped back, putting the small table between them. Pausing to hug his broken arm against his body, he took a breath and stepped further away as Sarah took a step in his direction. "I don't want you getting hurt because of me, Agent Walker. Why don't we split up? You can move faster without me slowing you down, that way you can get away while I try and blend into the crowd. Then I…"
"Chuck, listen to yourself. The team have been following you for days. You're not going to blend in and slip away…and I'm not going to let you try" she announced while, after a silly looking fake step, she rounded the table and latched on to his good arm, pulling him to her side. "We are leaving…now" she announced as she started guiding them towards the front door. They'd taken a couple of steps when Sarah suddenly stopped and turned around, heading towards the back hallway.
"What, is someone waiting out front?" Chuck asked, doing his best to stay with Sarah as she hurried towards the back of the coffee shop.
"No, I just realized that I needed to take care something before we hit the road" she answered with a blush before stopping in front of a closed door. "Stay right here…don't move" she commanded before releasing his arm and entering the restroom.
Chuck stood patiently, feeling a little embarrassed whenever someone happened to look his way. He'd just pulled his phone from his pocket and was about to call Ellie when the door swung open and Sarah stepped back into the hallway. Reaching out, she grabbed the phone from his hand and deftly removed the battery from the device before handing it back to him. Ignoring the confused look on his face, she grabbed his other arm and started pulling him towards the front door again.
"Sarah, I…uh…I should probably follow your example" Chuck said while gently trying to pull his arm from her grip.
"What? Are you sure?"
"Uh, yeah, I'm pretty sure I know when I gotta go."
"Ok, Chuck" Sarah replied, turning once again and heading back towards the hallway. Without slowing down, she pulled open the restroom door and pulled Chuck in behind her, releasing his arm once the door closed behind them. Leaning back against the door after making sure it was locked, she reached behind her back and pulled out her gun, slowly looking it over after ejecting the magazine and then slamming it back home.
"Uh, Sarah I, uh…"
"Listen, Chuck, I understand that you're a little bashful but I'm not leaving you alone. I promise not to peek. Now hurry up!"
"But you left me alone when you used the bath…"
"Chuck, I'm not leaving! Piss or don't but I'm going to be standing here until you make up your mind" she told him while leaning back against the door. "If it helps, I promise I won't peek" she added with a smile.
Realizing that he wasn't going to win the argument, Chuck simply did his best to pretend that he was alone. Thanks to his broken arm, he needed almost twice as long as normal to finish his 'business' and he silently thanked his companion for understanding that fact and not pushing him to hurry up. As they stepped back into the hallway, they were greeted by a young man who smiled and winked a knowing wink while offering his hand up for a high-five.
"Oh grow up" Sarah muttered under her breath as she once again grabbed Chuck's arm and began pulling him towards the front door. "Any ideas about where we might be able to duck out of sight until I can get in touch with General Beckman?"
"The arcade on the pier?" Chuck offered as he followed Sarah out onto the sidewalk.
"Ok. First we stop at 7-Eleven and pick up a phone and then we'll do our best to remain under the radar until we can make contact with the NSA." Sarah said while flagging down a cab.
"Why don't we just borrow someone's phone to call the General?"
"Because I want the NSA to be able to track us until you're safe" Sarah responded as she held the cab door while Chuck slid into the backseat. "Now slide over" Sarah added before joining him.
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Major John Casey glanced at the display on his phone, the blinking dot that was the supposed location of Walker and Bartowski indicated that the pair were less than five hundred yards away. Pulling into the parking lot he immediately caught sight of the of agents exiting a car parked several rows over. Pulling into the closest parking space, Casey was out of the car and moving quickly towards the pair, his eyes searching the area for any other potential problems. He wanted to laugh when he was able to sneak up on the CIA agents, removing them from the equation with no effort. After checking the area again, Casey had just entered the arcade when the sound of gunfire drew his attention to the far side of the building.
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Sarah scanned the crowd again, silently chastising herself for letting Chuck talk her into the arcade as the perfect place to lay low. The General had just called to let her know that John Casey was on scene and would be directing the extraction when she caught sight of three suspicious individuals making their way towards their position. Stepping forward, she drew her pistol and fired three rounds into the ceiling, the sound of her weapon having the desired effect when all of the people near her starting running towards the nearest exit, forcing the three incoming agents to scatter to avoid the press of bodies.
Chuck watched as Sarah positioned herself between him and the armed men who were cautiously moving towards them. He took the phone that she tossed back to him, immediately hitting the redial while trying to make himself as small as possible. The general's voice got his attention and he raised the phone to his ear just as one of the advancing men pitched forward, his eyes rolling back in his head before he faceplanted onto the concrete floor. Sarah looked just as surprised as he was when they both caught sight of John Casey making his way towards them.
"General, the cavalry just arrived. I'll call you back as soon as this calms down" he said before hanging up the phone and slipping it into his pocket. Just as he was about to step forward, another of the agents crumpled to the ground, this one close enough that Chuck could see the tiny dart that was stuck in the man's neck. When his eyes shifted to the third agent, he noticed the gun aimed in his direction and, without thinking, he took two quick steps to his side in an attempt to shield Sarah. He felt a quick prick at his shoulder and then everything went black.
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Sarah wanted to scream at Chuck when he stepped in front of the tranq dart that had been meant for her. She was forced to drop her pistol so she could use both hands to catch and slowly lower her 'shield' to the ground. After making sure that he was resting as comfortably as possible, she looked up just in time to see the third agent fall to the ground, out before he hit the floor.
"Walker, how's the moron?" John Casey asked, stepping close and then turning to scan the surrounding area.
"He took a tranq meant for me so he'll be out for a while."
Turning back, Casey gave the pair a once over, taking in the cast and the large bandage on Chuck's forehead. "What happened to him? He get handsy and you had to let him know that you're taken? Convince him that Bryce's plaything was strictly a 'one-idiot' girl?"
"Shut the fuck up, Casey. Are you going to help me get Chuck out of here? I think that's what the General ordered you to do, isn't it?"
"Actually, she told me to get the nerd to safety…and to bring you along if you didn't offer any resistance. I'm thinking that tranqing you might be the best way to handle this" he replied, aiming his gun at her.
"Casey, you'll have to do just that if you think I'll just let you take him. I promised him that I'd keep him safe…"
"Yak, yak, yak" Casey said while looking around again before holstering his gun and then bending down to pull Chuck from Sarah's arms. Straightening back up, he threw the unconscious nerd over his shoulder. "I'm hoping you're a little better than your pals I had to take out on my way in here. Let's go" he said as he turned and started towards the entrance, not bothering to check to make sure she was following.
In less than three minutes, Casey was pulling out of the parking lot while he kept a wary eye on any vehicles that got close to his own. Once he'd merged into the local traffic, he glanced over his shoulder, noting the way Walker had the nerd's head cradled in her lap, looking up every few moments to look for anything that might be a threat.
"I haven't spotted any tails" Casey called back over his shoulder while pulling his phone from his pocket. Keying the speed dial, he put the phone to his ear while easing the vehicle into the faster traffic heading up the on-ramp for the 5. "General, I've got them both. Bartowski's been tranqed…yeah, she's been no trouble…yeah, I'll have her ditch it right now…" he said and then looked back to find Walker already tossing the burner phone from the window. "…yeah, it's gone…yes ma'am, I'll be at the plane in less than fifteen…yes ma'am, I call again once we're in the air."
"Where are we headed, Casey?" Sarah asked while gently running her fingers through the head of curly hair that was resting in her lap.
"Our last stop will be DC but we're going to take a round-about route to get there so the General will have enough time to set up secure transportation for us. So, Walker, what the hell happened to the nerd?" Casey asked, watching in the rear view mirror as the blonde looked down at the sleeping man in her lap before opening her mouth.
"Well, about…"
A/N: 2 -Hope you likey…next time, the trip, the story and a very pissed of CIA Director. JT
