Thanks goes to Shadow for the Beta! All my run-ons seem to make sense now.
Thank you for all the reviews they have touched me and given me motivation to write more!
I do not own Chuck, but I would like to offer a Toast to all the cast for making one of the best shows I have had the honor of watching!
9. Welcome to The Farm Chuck (Hope you survive the experience!)
"Instructor Eddie Puente, you have a phone call from Director Graham via video conference" Eddie's secretary announces.
With a chuckle he announces, "Gloria. Don't keep the man waiting. Put him through!"
Gloria laughs, "Right away Sir."
As soon as Graham's picture pops up on the screen Eddie bellows out, "Director what do I owe this honor of seeing your ugly mug on my screen? Are you calling to tell me you're finally paying up for the bet we made more than two years ago? You know I won!"
Graham laughs, "I would love to exchange insults with you Eddie, but I have a favor that needs urgent care."
Eddie stops smiling and becomes more serious leaning back in his chair. "I see. What is this favor something I can assist you with?"
Graham begins, "I was informed you currently have an academy in session?"
"Yes. They are into their fourth week and they are showing great promise. Why do you ask?"
"I have an agent in training in need of your teams' expertise."
"What's going on Graham?"
"Let's just say we have a person who has saved two agents lives, and because of it was placed in a coma for six months."
"Good Lord. He survived?"
"Yes, but he is in horrible shape. He is a rail literally, and needs training in everything you can throw at him. He has got to survive Eddie."
"I am not guaranteeing anything Graham, but you know I will train him harder than the rest and make sure he is ready for anything that comes his way."
"You do realize that the other cadets have almost a full month of training completed. Are you sure this is a good idea to just drop this new agent into the mix?" Eddie inquires.
"Trust me. He may not look like much especially now, but he will surprise you. Chuck surprised the hell out me."
"That's good enough for me. His name is Chuck then?" Eddie inquired.
"To his friends yes, but his real name is Charles Carmichael."
"His parents named him Charles Carmichael?" Eddie grins.
"I didn't think parents still named there kids that anymore." he mumbled.
"I know," shaking his head, "thank you Eddie. I'll buy you a drink later."
"You're on Director…maybe at graduation…if he survives. Ha!" his hearty laughs bellows through his office and into the corridor.
The director smiles as the screen goes black.
The Farm
An older militant man approximately 6'4" and 250 pounds of solid muscle wearing blue BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) pants and a fitted shirt with the CIA emblem on his right chest stands before Chuck and several cadets who are all standing in a row. His voice is booming and demanding.
"Cadets, we have a new arrival in our midst. He is a new cadet who will be training with you all. Please make sure and welcome him into the farm, because you are all in the same hell hole together. With that said, you all will listen to my wonderful, motivating speech again."
The instructor says as he turns, "Let me properly introduce myself." "My name is Eddie Puente and I am the director of this farm. This is the CIA's pride and joy. This is where you become the elite of the elite. You will be on the front line in the battle against those who wish to take down our beloved United States of America. You will learn to depend on yourselves and yourselves alone. There will be times when no one else will be able to come to your aid and the only thing you can depend on is the will to survive. We will take that will and make you stronger, faster, and much better. Your training will be excruciating and some of you…will not make it." He stops in front of Chuck looks him up and down and begins to grins. He stares him in the eyes and slowly says "or survive."
Eddie stays in front of Chuck ignoring the rest of the cadets and leans in still speaking in his booming voice. "You will be in this training camp for most of a year learning the skills that will keep you alive in the field. I, along with several other over qualified members of our training staff, will mold you into competent agents. Even dare I say KILLING MACHINES?!"
Chuck stands at attention motionless never flinching. His body is overly tense and he knows the instructor senses him. Chuck thinks back to what the director spoke of being a killing machine, and wonders if he will have to kill in order to become a successful agent. Chuck decides to make a conscious effort to never kill an innocent or be responsible for "collateral damage", which has a calming effect on him. Chuck is thinking so hard about killing part, he completely ignored the rant the instructor has just finished yelling into his face
The instructor notices the calmness consume Chuck and finally decides to ask a question
"What is your name cadet?"
Chuck snaps out his thought. "Charles Carmichael."
"Did you not listen to what I just said to you Cadet?"
"No, I mean…yes."
"Is that so Charles? Hmmm."
"Everyone calls me Chuck."
"What did you say?" The Instructor growls at Chuck.
"What?" Chuck appears confused.
"It's WHAT…..SIR!"
"What sir?"
"Did you just speak before being spoken to Charles?" The instructor begins to grind his teeth
"When?"
"When WHAT"
"When sir"
"When. Just now"
"Now"
The instructor stares at Chuck with red blood shot eyes. He expresses his anger by slowly getting into Chuck's personal space. He begins speaking in a semi-controlled voice which quivers as he slowly speaks. "From now on everyday after, everyone is through training. You will be doing extra physical training with our martial arts instructor. I don't care if they make you run, jump, do push up, karate chop, kick you, or just beat you. You will stay until you are released. Do you understand CHUCK?" "Infact," as the instructor begins to smile, "when we are done here and when everyone is released you will head over to the Physical Fitness area. Do you understand CHUCK?"
Sensing the depth of the trouble, he replies, "Yes Sir."
"Good." The instructor seethes.
Eddie was informed by Graham of the situation, or enough of the situation to know that Chuck would need extra training. When he saw how thin Chuck really was he knew that he would have to pack on weight and strength quickly. The other cadets were all in very good shape, and he in his current condition would
A. slow them down
&
B. be ostracized by the other cadets, because he is new.
"Cadets dismissed. Chuck, get your scrawny butt over to the Physical Fitness area NOW!"
"Yes Sir," Chuck announces as he begins to hurriedly walk. "Where the hell is the Physical Fitness area? Is there a map or something?" he remarks to himself.
"Need some help?" a female voice says from behind him.
"Yeah, thanks I have no idea where to go. I'm supposed to get there quickly." He smiles while turning to see the voice.
A very pretty Chinese woman in sweats stands, smiling at Chuck. "Do you remember me Chuck?"
Shocked, he takes a long breath and smiles. "Of course, Mae-Ling. I could never forget you. How are you? Hey, how's your brother?" He asks with a hint of concern to his voice.
She walks next to him stretching her hand as if guiding him to walk with her. They begin to walk together as she directs him to the Physical Fitness area.
"My brother Lee is fine, thank you for asking. He had to endure some stern criticism about coming back without me, but by now I believe he is a high level counselor in the Chinese government. I read a paper where he has moved up the levels of our government."
"Hey, that's great. I am really happy for him. What about you?"
"I am well. I was given a heads up by Graham you were coming to The Farm and was asked to assist in your training."
"Really, you would do that for me?" he asked in an appreciative tone.
"Of course, you saved our lives and its time I repay the favor." She looks him over as they walk and politely jokes "and from the looks of it you need all the help you can get."
Chuck frowns as she smiles.
Instructor Puente watches as instructor Cho and Chuck walk together towards the Physical Training area. There light conversation almost appears to be jovial at times.
In the time that Cho has instructed at the farm, which has been approximately 10 months, she has never opened up to anyone especially recruits. She has appeared to become more annoyed with the cadets as time went on. Within this span of time Instructor Puente has never seen instructor Cho ever volunteer to assist in extra training for anyone including fellow instructors.
Eddie recalls shortly after he finished his conversation with Director Graham about Carmichael, Cho knocked on his door and expressed her interest in training the new cadet personally. She even referred to the cadet as "Chuck". He knows a conversation about there new trainee and his connection to her will be broached…just not today.
TRAINING FACILITY
Chuck stands in awe as he looks around the brand new state of the art training facility. "Mae-Ling, I don't think I have used half of this equipment" as he looks at her with wide eyes.
"Chuck from now on you will refer to me as Instructor Cho."
"Yes Sir" he says with a smile.
She smiles in return. "OK, starting now it's going to get very serious. You need to go into the men's locker room. You already have a locker, change into some sweats and report back to me."
Chucks remembers back before her brother left he gave her a slight bow of appreciation as she did the same. He was curious about the culture of the Chinese and bowing so he Googled it. The only facts he found was bowing was to be reserved for deaths in families. Chuck is unsure of whether this would offend Mae-Ling, but decides to bow his head slightly before he leaves. Mae-Ling appears surprised but after a moment smiles and nods in return.
"Yes Ma'am" He says quickly before leaving.
Mae-Ling was taken back by Chuck's attempt to be cordial and respect for her culture.
He runs to the men's restroom where a locker with his name, "Charles Carmichael," is opened with all the necessities needed for working out; sweats, socks, underwear, and running shoes. "WOW! This is like a professional football player's locker" Chuck proclaims while dressing. Chuck quickly changes and runs back to Mae-Ling.
"Now, we need to build up your cardio. So we will start with a slow run."
Chuck is unsure of exactly how far they run, but he swears it is somewhere in the area of 15 miles. He never gave up or stopped, but his wheezing was heard 50 feet before they got there. When the two finally stopped Chuck was barely able to stand. His mouth dry, his chest feels like it is about to implode due to the amount of wind sucking, and his legs were jelly.
Chuck asks if they are finished and viewed the anger in Mae-Ling's facial expressions. He has to focus on the fact she was no longer a friend, but a mentor/trainer. He also needs to realize he is no longer in charge of his physical regimen.
Mae-Ling decides that he needs to begin training in martial arts now, and begins instructing Chuck on the fundamentals of kicks. "I am going to teach you in the ways of the Chinese martial arts Chuck. The very same techniques taught to me when I went through the academy in the Chinese Intelligence Agency. You will learn two fighting styles: the Chinese and the CIA. So when you get out in the field you will be better able to defend yourself in times when you need to be stealthy or with out a firearm."
"Are you kidding me!? You're going to teach me JEET KUNE DO? You're going to make me the White Bruce Lee?" He yelled and jumped up and down. "Oh my God if Morgan was here right now it would be so cool!" Chuck eyes are gleaming with excitement. Mae-Ling begins to smile internally at his vibrant outlook.
The other students who have come through the farm were all business and thought there was nothing taught they didn't already know. To this day Mae-Ling truly believed this was a down fall of American agents. To her, they were all arrogant and unwilling to learn other ways of completing a task and everything had to be done by the book.
That was, of course, until Chuck arrived. After their first meeting she knew Chuck would one day be here at the academy. His bravery in the field, saving them from old Iron Side when he should have ran home, and the way he was able to get the other agents to help in devising a plan for her brothers' escape. She even thought how he was able to get out of being shot by her with his honesty. He has the innate ability to think outside the box. He showed her he possesses the leadership skills and bravery to make a great agent.
"That day is here" she thought to herself. After Mae-Ling snaps at Chuck to calm down they begin stretching and training. Mae-Ling begins by teaching front-kicks, side-kicks, and the round house. Chuck starts off strong. Although his kicks are uncoordinated and weak; they are sharp.
About an hour into training Chuck can barely hit the bag. His legs are heavy and his body begins to fail him. Chuck, although drenched in sweat, never gives in. He is dependent on his adrenaline from sheer excitement of learning the new techniques.
Mae-Ling decides to call it a night since he had been working out for almost three hours. Mae-Ling knows Chuck has to be up in the morning for the cadets' morning jog around the farm.
"Good Work Chuck. You can now wash up and I will escort you to your dorm."
Chuck nods in appreciation as he was tired he was unable to speak and walked to the men's changing area.
He showers allowing the water to run off his body as he tries to control his heart rate. He would have sat down in the shower, but was afraid he would never get back up.
Chuck smirks as he talks to himself, "the first day of the rest of my life." Chuck dresses in his clothes and walks back out to Mae-Ling.
As they walk slowly in the Virginia night's cool air Mae-Ling becomes curious. "Chuck, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, Instructor Cho and can I ask you one in return?" he chimes back.
"Maybe. What happened to make you become an agent?"
"I am not sure how to answer that, but I will tell you this….." Chuck pauses for a moment.
"I was pronounced dead and when I woke up, they gave me the options of staying in a padded room for the rest of my life or become an agent for the CIA. I took the agent route. Hey at least I get to travel, right?" Chuck gave Mae-Ling a smile, but she could see the hurt and sadness in his eyes.
"May I give you some advice Chuck?" Mae-Ling asks.
"Please do. I am a little lost right now." Chuck confesses.
"Never forget who you are or what you have faith in." Mae-Ling says sternly with a serious expression. She places a hand gently on his arm to stop Chuck. He stops to look at Mae-Ling. "Almost every agent tries to change who they are to fit into the mold of the perfect agent. Don't fall into that trap. The person you are and your faith in others is what makes you stand out in a crowd. Keep that close to you. Keep you close to you. The CIA will try to take that away to make you theirs. Don't let them."
"Yes Instructor Cho. Thank you." as he smiles at her.
"Can I ask you a question now?" Chuck retorts.
"You may."
"What has happened to Sarah...I mean agent Walker and agent Casey?" He asks almost pleading for a response.
"I only heard a rumor Chuck, nothing more." she looks down with uncertainty in her voice.
"I heard both were relieved of there duties for a short time, to get their affairs in order and to be re-evaluated by the psychologists. Casey being NSA was not mentioned except he tells people proudly he wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for an asset."
Chuck smiles and then inquires, "and agent Walker?"
"From what I have heard, which isn't much, is that she is back to work over seas. Your death took a toll on her. Agents say she is a woman possessed, fixated on hunting down Fulcrum agents and destroying every last one of them."
Shocked he asks, "You knew what happened to me?"
"Not really, but when I heard about what happened to Casey and Walker, I just put two and two together. Then Graham called." She hesitates momentarily. "Do you care for her Chuck?"
"Agent Walker?" He begins to blush, but even in the night time it is noticeable. "With all my heart. I love her."
Mae-Ling grins. "I thought so. You could see it in the way you two looked at each other. Chuck, why don't you try to communicate with agent Walker?"
"Instructor Cho, this is a lot more than one question." He playfully interjects. "I have been given a direct order that I am in no way allowed to contact agent Casey or Agent Walker." He replies solemnly.
Mae-Ling stops in front of a two story building. "This is your stop Chuck. You have about six hours before you must be up and ready for your run with the other cadets. Your dorm room number is 222. Remember to tell no one about what you've done."
Chuck thanks her once again and they smile at one another before parting ways.
Chuck walks into the dorm lobby and notices a brunette female in her mid twenties sprawled out on a love seat listening to her ipod. She is extremely pretty and from what she is wearing appears athletic to say the least. Her eyes were closed as she lip-synchs to the song playing. Occasionally, a few off key notes would escape as she moves her head from side to side. Chuck takes a moment to watch the young lady as he imagines his sister Ellie making the exact same motions. He misses Ellie. The woman begins to sing again an off key country song.
Lord have you forgotten me
I'm not sayin Im a righteous man
But lord I hope you understand
Lord I hope this day is good
I'm feelin empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful lord I know I should
But lord I hope this day is good
The young woman opens her eyes to see Chuck standing near her. She gasped and then smiles. "You must be the new guy? How was your PFT with Instructor Cho?"
"Very hard," scratching his head.
"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Brooke, and you're Charles right?" She extends out her hand.
"Yeah…hey…hi…nice to meet you Brooke, Please call me Chuck" He gently clasps her hand in a shake and quickly releases.
"Don't worry about Instructor Puente. He just wants everyone on the same playing field. You're a little behind you know?"
"Yeah, you can say I woke up a little late from a nap" as he frowns.
Chuck finds an open chair near Brooke and sits down. His body melts into the seat. "So, what have I missed in the four weeks?" Chuck smiles.
Brooke laughs, "A lot, but I imagine they will have a couple of refresher courses for you." "If you need any help with any of the studies, come find me. I am more than happy to help. I'm one month in and passing with flying colors."
Chuck thanks her and slowly gets up from the chair to leave the room. He hears his name called by Brooke and turns to see her standing directly behind him.
"Umm, yeah?"
"Look, is there anyway that we can partner up?" Brooke looks at him sincerely.
"What do you mean?" Chuck seems confused and unsure of what to say so he makes a joke to lighten the mood.
"Are you hitting on me?" He smiles his Bartowski, Carmichael toothy smile.
"No, it's just everyone has paired up with someone. I don't mean that literally. They have a partner and I was wondering if you would be mine."
"You mean, like friends to study and hangout with?"
"Exactly" she nervously chuckles. "Just friends. I know it's strange, but I haven't hung out with anyone and am quite honestly lonely. While others are studying in groups I always seem to be left out".
"Sure Brooke, but you better know I'm not going to sing with you while you listen to your ipod. OK?"
"Deal." Brooke smiles.
From this day on the two become inseparable. They run together, study together, and work together. The friendship at first was out of necessity and now it is more like brother and sister.
They help each other out on everything and have become the best working partnership the academy has seen in quite some time. When others argue and adamantly disagree with each other, Brooke and Chuck just browse over the information and formulate together instead of each one trying to out do the other.
There is a mutual understanding others can't seem to understand. Brooke and Chuck respect each other for there unique abilities, which he learned from another special woman in his life named Sarah.
