Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Carina were leaving FSB headquarters with Anatoly and his man when they looked across the square. Both Anatoly and Chuck had the same idea at the same time. Chuck looked over then looked back at Anatoly who smiled and looked at his watch then nodded his head. Both men looked like the cat who ate the canary.
"What are you two planning?" asked Carina. "Do I want to know?"
"Come doch' follow your otets," said Chuck as he patted her hand on his arm. Anatoly was laughing along with his driver.
"Don't worry about Stefan here, he's as you Americans say 'cool'.
"Juri," said Stefan, "you know you look like someone I once saw play Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof. I caught the play in New York once."
"So you were in New York, if you want I can sing?"
"No, please," said Anatoly, "I might be FSB but they'll still arrest us for being drunk."
They laughed and joked as they crossed the square to Detsky Mir. Anatoly sent Stefan to get his car and to have it ready outside.
"Are you ready to be amazed?" said Anatoly as they walked inside. Carina couldn't believe it she just stopped in the doorway.
"Wow, this is like something I saw on TV. I never knew anything like this really existed in real life. Anatoly this is like walking into Santa Claus' workshop." And she wasn't understating the point; the whole store seemed like one hug toy. There was even a life-size carousel in the center with horses and animals all covered with toys and stuffed animals
"Can I help you," asked a shop assistant.
"Yes, I'd like to buy two matushk for," then Chuck paused as he looked over at Carina. "You have to excuse me I'm old and well I don't get to see my lovely doch', daughter as often as I like. For her two children, for my vnuchk. They live so far away it's as if they lived in America."
"That won't do," said the shop assistant as she began chastising Carina for neglecting her father. "You know young lady, your otets, your father is an important part of your family too and it's not right that he doesn't get to see his vnuchk, grandchildren. They need him too so they know where they come from."
Carina looked back at Chuck and her face said 'what have you gotten me into'. Both Anatoly and Chuck were having difficulty in trying not to laugh but the shop assistant really let Carina or Chuck's doch' have it.
With both presents purchased and gift wrapped they set out to find Stefan.
"I'm sorry," said Anatoly to Carina, "but we Russians take family seriously. We're not like those American soap operas where everyone thinks only about themselves. Children are taught to respect their parents and their relatives. Our families are just that families."
"I know how you feel and I feel the same way," said Chuck thinking about his father and the sacrifices that he had made for Ellie and himself and what those sacrifices had cost him. Now it was his mother and he would not let her suffer like his father.
"I know you do," said Anatoly, "that's the reason I can call you Bratushka, my little brother.
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Morgan and Alex were standing outside Lou's. The sign on the wall read Lou's, Italian Gourmet Deli, founded 1980. It was late and they could tell Lou was getting ready to close as they walked inside.
"Hey, guys I was just closing but I can throw something together if you're hungry and there's grape soda in the fridge Morgan."
"Yes, thanks, I mean no, what I need to tell you is you have to come with us."
"Come? Why? Is something wrong?"
"We can't tell you but you need to come with us, Sarah needs to talk with you."
"Sarah? Does this have to do with Stavros? You know the jerk called me this morning and yelled at me. He said I sent some sort of kill squad after him."
"That's ridiculous," said Morgan and Alex agreed.
"I know the guy is a lunatic or something. Hey this doesn't have anything to do with that English guy, what was his name Cole. I really never understood who he works for. Did he piss off Stavros? Of course he did. He said he was going to take care of him for me and crap he didn't do anything stupid, did he?"
"Really Lou you just need to come with us and it will all be explained to you," said Alex worried that Lou was starting to spiral. Alex thought to herself what would Chuck do in a case like this.
"What am I going to do? I can't close down and move away. I've got a mortgage and bills to pay. I have Joey and Vince that work for me. They both have families to maintain."
"Okay Lou calm down, you need to find a happy place. Close your eyes and think happy thoughts. What do you do to relax?"
"Chuck and I had this conversation when he fixed my phone. I thought he was cutie."
"Probably more information than I need," said Morgan.
"What did you tell Chuck?" asked Alex then she whispered to Morgan, "be quiet, not helping."
"Well there was turkey on egg bread and Munster cheese. I called it the Chuck Bartowski. Chuck smiled because I named a sandwich after him. That was right before I told him I thought a lot about meats and cheeses and that I owned this shop."
"How do you feel now?" asked Alex seeing Lou relax.
"You know Chuck is a good kisser about the best I every meet," Lou said with a sigh.
"Definitely more information than I needed," said Morgan.
"Yes," agreed Alex, "and probably Lou one we should keep here with us."
"Definitely," said Morgan. Sarah would beat Mary to the punch if she found out as he started to run through the thousand two ways Sarah would kill her in his head.
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The four of them drove out of the city and into the countryside. Carina and Chuck sat in the back while Anatoly and Stefan the driver were up front. Chuck and Carina looked out the windows as the grey of the city soon gave way to the green of the countryside with fir trees and pines. Luckily it was still a summer day because from the houses and vegetation Chuck could tell that the winters had to be harsh. Coming around a bend in the road Anatoly's dacha came in view. There was billowing smoke coming from the chimney and a crowd of people outside.
"Are expecting guests," asked Carina getting a little bit suspicious.
"I have some close friends from the FSB. Don't worry; they just want to meet you. They've never seen American spies up close and are curious."
"Well if you trust them, we trust you," said Chuck but Carina didn't really agree. They parked next to a group of other cars then got out and went inside. The dacha looked like a lodge from somewhere in Aspen with a roaring fire, dark wood and rustic finishings. Inside were a group of men standing around talking who went silent as Chuck and Carina came in.
"Come let me introduce you to my wife and children," said Anatoly as he took them through to the kitchen. After that they came back into the living room and Anatoly poured them more to drink. Already there was a certain tension in the air as Chuck and Carina stood off to the side with Anatoly and the other agents milled around together by the fire. Both sizing the other up until one decided to break the ice.
"Anatoly how well does you son play the balalaika or would your guests prefer the guitar and fiddle. We could have a hoedown." The other men laughed. Anatoly was about to say something when Chuck stopped him.
"No, can your son play the Kalinka?"
"Sure, it's one of the first pieces they're taught, why?
"Have him play it, please," said Chuck as he took Carina's hand.
"You're going to show off, aren't you?" Chuck nodded. "Good, let's do it."
"Just follow as best you can," he said as they began the dance. It started out slow and slowly the rhythm increased into a frenzy. The men started clapping their hands, stomping as the tempo increased and laughing as the vodka flowed. When they finished the agents patted them both on the back and passed more shots of vodka. Chuck noticed two sabers above Anatoly's mantle. He took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
"You really are a show off," said Carina.
"Do you mind Anatoly," he asked as he took them down. "Have you seen the Zaporozhye Cossacks? Please give me some room. Music maestro," said Chuck as Anatoly's son was beaming with joy. Chuck looked at the swords and flashed. He began a Cossack dance which was over the top. He slapped the blades against the soles of his shoes as he danced. He and the swords became one as they flashed around him. The ice was not just broken but it was completely melted and at some point evaporated. At the end there were more shots of vodka that were passed around and everyone was complimenting Chuck and Carina on their dances. Carina came over with even more shots of vodka for Chuck when she noticed that even thought he had been the life of the party he seemed a depressed.
"What's the matter? You were great I think I heard one ask Anatoly if you were Russian. You save the day."
"I haven't been able to contact Sarah yet and she'll be worried."
"Wait here," she said then she disappeared into the kitchen and came back. "Here use this," she said as she handed him a cell phone.
"Where did you get this?"
"I got it from Anatoly's wife they used it to contact each other when he was undercover. It's untraceable and completely secure."
"Thanks."
"What are partners for," Carina said. As Chuck started to dial the men had Anatoly's son play the Kalinka again and one of the men asked Carina to dance as another began to sing. Chuck was listening as Sarah picked up and he went into auto mode singing to her.
"Akh, krasavitsa, dusha-dyevitsa, /Polyubi zhe ty menya!
Ay-lyuli, lyuli, ay-lyuli, lyuli, / Polyubi zhe ty menya!"
Ah, you beauty, pretty maiden, / Fall in love with me,
Oh-swing, sway, Oh-swing, sway, / Fall in love with me.
"Ya tebya lyblyu! he said in Russian and she answered. "I'm sorry we're all speaking Russian so I was still thinking in Russian. I love you and I miss you." He went on to describe everything that had happened and what he had gotten done as he watched Carina dance with Anatoly's friends. After he hung up they had a huge meal that never seemed to never end.
"Thank you Anatoly also to your wife and children, we had a wonderful time but tomorrow I need to get back to work on my plan."
"I understand. There's a laptop upstairs in the master bedroom closet and we have Wi-Fi here you can use. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon with whatever word I get. For now my house is your house," he said as he disappeared in the night. A little while later Chuck heard a car drive off.
"We're by ourselves now," said Chuck as he collapsed in a chair next to the fireplace.
"Yes, how do you want to work out the sleeping arrangements?"
"You pick one of the bedrooms and crash I'll take the other. Don't even say anything about sleeping together to stay warm. I'll build a big fire before we go to sleep and that should keep us warm throughout the night."
"I was just going to ask if you knew if there were extra blankets in case I get cold."
"Oh sorry, I think there might be something in the master bedroom."
"But if you're worried about being cold-"
"Stop, back it up that isn't happening. Vodka and I really don't get along I think I burnt out half of my stomach and my liver is the color of camouflage.
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Sarah was sitting in her living room with Lou, Morgan and Alex while Emma was putting Sam to sleep. Sarah was trying to explain the situation to a civilian. She wanted to be tactful but at the same time she needed Lou to understand the seriousness of the situation. Sarah had rehearsed what she was going to say in her head but each time she went over it, it sounded absurd even to her.
"So Sarah," said Lou.
"So Lou."
"Yes, and here we are," Lou said looking around their apartment then back at Morgan and Alex.
"Yes, Lou what I'm about to tell you might sound strange, even crazy but I can assure you that it's all true."
"What that you and Chuck don't work for the FDA? I kind of figured that out already. I don't think FDA officials drag people out of their shops at night."
"Lou, we didn't drag you out. We simply told you that Sarah wanted to talk to you," said Morgan,
"So what's going on, you can tell me I can take it. I bet my ass it has something to do with that big jerk Stavros." There was the mouth that Sarah remembered.
"Yes, there's no other way to tell other than just come right out with it. Stavros has put a contract out on you. He wants you killed."
"A what! Who does he think he is?" Just then Cole and Casey came in. "Mr. Englishman what did you do? Did you stick your finger in a hornets nest and get me stung?"
"I can assure you that nothing like that happened," said Sarah as she motioned for Casey and Cole to go into the kitchen. "I'm guessing but I think Stavros saw Chuck and associated the two of you together."
"Where is Chuck so I can kick him in the butt?" asked Lou. There was the mouth again thought Sarah.
"Chuck's not here. He's taking care of your situation and what we need to do right now is to get you someplace safe until all this blows over."
"How long is that going to be? I've got a business to run and bills to pay. I can't go running to God knows where. I'm not going to let this jerk ruin my life. It was hard work to get where I am now and I'm not going to turn it over to some fast food place."
"We're not asking you to close down. We're just asking you to lay low and let one of your employees run the place for a bit."
"You haven't said for how long?"
"I don't know a week, a month, maybe three."
"I'm sorry but that's unacceptable. He might as well just shoot me in the head and get it over with because by the time this would be over I'd have nothing to come back to. I'd have to start over and frankly I don't have the patience to do that again or the will."
"But you'd be alive. Listen I know this is a lot to think about and we should know when this hit squad gets to town. I can't tell you how but we will. Why don't you sleep here with me, I'll give you our bedroom and I can take the couch. During the day Casey and Cole can take turns guarding you at your shop. This way we can keep you safe but when the kill squad comes to town you have to go underground."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm not going to turn you out of your own bed. If I say yes, I'm taking the sofa besides I'm shorter and fit better. But I'm not closing down my shop for anyone."
"What if I took over for you for a while," said Alex. "I'm used to doing that type of work and I know I can do it."
"Daughter… Here! Now!" yelled Casey.
"No Dad, I trained for this and I've got my mind made up, right Morgan?"
"Alex, I don't know I've got to go with Casey on this."
"Are you all crazy," said Alex. "It'd be what you'd do in this situation if you were me and just because I'm your daughter, Dad doesn't mean that I get a free pass. No, Dad because I'm your daughter I have to do this. I hope you understand."
"John, she's right," said Sarah. "But Lou I'm not risking anyone's life over a pastrami sandwich. Morgan give Lou a ride home and wait for her to get some things together then bring her back. If you want stop on the way back at Sizzling Shrimp and get a takeout for everyone."
"What do you want me to get other than shrimp?"
"I don't know if Chuck told you but our first date was what I called a Morgan recommendation. Chuck joked about you having a black belt in dumplings and that I didn't have faith in you, 'the little bearded guy'. I don't know I just want something that reminds me of Chuck."
"I miss him too," said Morgan. "Come on ladies we need to go so we can get back." Morgan left with Alex and Lou leaving Sarah with Casey and Cole.
"Are you sure about this plan of Chuck's," asked Cole. "His mother is going to be pissed and she's going to be pissed at you."
"I know but we're all adults and I hope I can reason with her. Lou's right and I'd say the same thing you can't bow down to bullies. She's worked hard and to have some blowhard come along and take it away isn't fair."
"But as you pointed out she'd be alive."
"At what cost," said Casey. "Running is a bad thing. Once you start you never know when to stop. The girl's got balls, no pun intended. I may not like Alex being a bullet magnet but we need to help Lou out and besides I like her pastrami."
"Okay let's regroup over Chinese. I need to go back and check on Emma and Sam." Cole and Casey left as Sarah walked back to the nursery to find Emma coming out.
"Sam just fell asleep," Emma said as they turned around and went back into the kitchen. "Sarah you know the guys are right Mary will be angry with you."
"I know but I have a secret weapon," Sarah said as she glanced back down at Sam's room.
