Don't own Chuck

Chuck went back down to the Bank after talking with Razib. He needed to talk with the General and it was a conversation that couldn't wait until the next day. Mike patched the call into detention where Chuck set a cell in lock down so no one else would be able to listen in. The General came on the monitor dressed now in a housecoat with her hair undone and lose. Chuck noticed the one star embroidered on her pocket with her rank and service above the star with her name below. She caught his grin.

"If you have to know, Agent Bartowski, this was a Christmas present from Condoleezza and you owe me a bucket of oysters and a new Air Wick.

"I heard and I agree but you know why I'm calling, don't you?" said Chuck he had to know where he and Sarah stood before he could take action.

"Officially the Merchant is untouchable. I've already had the State Department breathing down my neck about him and his little nefarious operation. They even me sent some Princeton type to explain the ramifications and risks of taking adverse action against him if you can believe that."

What did you tell him?"

"I asked him if he read the title on my door before he came in. I swear that place over there if there isn't a woman in charge it goes to… Well we don't need to get into that."

"So let's just cut through the crap. You're not going to be able to help us is that what you're trying to say?" asked Chuck. If he hadn't been so tired and sleepy he might have used more tack.

"I didn't say that I said my hands are tied officially but unofficially I'll give you whatever you want. Did your informant, I assume that's where the information you have came from? Did he explain the Merchant's operation?"

"He said the father and son worked both sides until the father passed away. Now the son has taken over and wants revenge on some wrong done by Jack Burton and Sarah. But General, Sarah was only a child back then how can he hold her responsible?"

"I don't know the Merchant is a mystery his whole history has been redacted. We don't know who he actually is or what he looks like. But Chuck in some countries children can be held accountable just like adults for certain crimes."

"Evening Chuck," said Roan as he walked out with a matching robe but on his pocket he had embroidered his name with the words 'agent sexy' underneath.

"Evening Roan," said Chuck wondering if Roan got his from the same source but he had to stop thinking before he was marred for life.

"Pass on to Sarah my best wishes and to keep her chin up. You don't know how many people I've got that want to kill me but come to think of it they're all female," said Roan as he paused and smiled.

"There'll be one more if you don't pipe down and let us speak," said the General. "Who left the oysters in the car and drank all the wine?"

"I had to do something while I waited… but I was thinking of you."

"Okay Roan I'll pass it on. General I'm going to need transportation I've already talked with the Colonel and he's gathering the material I'm going to need I just need them tomorrow. Casey's expecting your call."

"Chuck you realize as much as they'd like to own a hypersonic FEDEX doesn't have one. You have any idea what the fuel bill is for that thing."

"And it will be put to good us," said Chuck. "Besides General I need everything on the list I gave Casey. Roan you know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely necessary."

"Come on Diane don't be a tight-wad. I remember we had some good times on the government dime in a little restaurant near Potsdam."

"I do too Roan just it wasn't me. It was that little Stasi tramp or have you forgotten how many times you stood me up saying you were out getting intel from her or she had a message that need passed. The only thing that was passed had to be cured with penicillin. Yeah some intel! I saw the lipstick stains on your collars."

"All in the line of duty," said Roan as he begin smiling and reminiscing. "Yes I had to torture her to get information," he said as he heaved a sigh. "But I sacrificed myself."

"I'm sure you did at great personal pain. But old war stories don't help me. I'm sorry I said that. Look it's late General, I've been shot at and I'm tired. I just need those things. If the problem is the fuel I'll pay for it just get me the stuff here tomorrow. Chuck out."

Chuck left with only the night crew still on station in the bank. Margo had the operation going now twenty-four seven. He thanked everyone for their help then caught the elevator up to his room. He tried to be quiet when he went in but Sarah was still up waiting for him.

"You should be asleep it's late. You didn't have to wait up for me," he said as he walked in. "How's Sam? Did she wake up?

"No she stayed asleep the whole time," said Sarah as she came over and took his hand. "You should be the one asleep. Listen I've been thinking the bullet magnets are Jack and me well if we…"

"No, no absolutely not," said Chuck interrupting her before she finished. "I know what you're going to say and the answer is no. My father ran and once he started running he couldn't stop. Running is easy staying is hard but you've got me and I made a promise I intend to keep."

"But I don't want you to get hurt," said Sarah as she kissed him. "I should've known my past would catch up with me sooner or later and it isn't fair for me to drag everyone down with me."

"Listen we're both tired can we go to sleep and talk more about this in the morning. I've got some ideas and I'm sorting things out but right now I just need a little sleep."

"Sure maybe you're right let's talk in the morning. Let me go check on Sam one last time then we can go to sleep," said Sarah as Chuck got ready for bed.

Chuck noticed in the trash can lots of waded up sheets of paper and he had an idea what they were. While Sarah was with Sam he slipped his dart pistol under his pillow then got in bed.

"Oh I didn't realize how tired I was," said Chuck as he yawned then stretched. "If you don't hurry up you're going to find me asleep."

"Go ahead I'll be right there," she said but she took her time until she thought he was asleep then slipped out. "Chuck, Chuck are you asleep Chuck. I'm sorry Sweetie but I love you too much for you to get hurt because of me." Walking over she placed a folded piece of paper on his night stand then caressed his face bending down she kissed him. "You have the Bartowski curse well I have the Burton," she sighed as she turned.

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Early the next morning the cleaners had just finished removing the carpeting from the room. The rolled it up and lowered it down to a waiting boat to be taken away. Everything in Venice was done by boat. The fire department had special fire engine boats, there was an ambulance boat and there was even a rubbish boat. It was a kind of garbage scow that went about collecting refuse like to soiled carpet and Paolo's body for incineration.

"Which do you like," asked Mišović as he flipped through various patterns, grades and types. "I really can't make up my mind. Stan you make the decision of me."

"How about a Mohawk SmartStrand in an off white it will brighten your office and at the same time add elegance as well as be easy to keep clean?" said Stan wondering as he was speaking if Paolo hadn't picked out the last one.

"An excellent choice I knew there was a reason I promoted you," said his boss. Stan thought it was because he beat his last secretary to death and he was the next unfortunate soul in line.

Mr. Mišović poured himself a coffee from a carafe on a tray next to the door then went over to the window and watched the carpet being lowered down. Stan had been there earlier to see Paolo's body being wrapped up inside. He watched his new boss oversee the operation and he even seemed to toast the departing boat with his cup.

"Now where were we? Oh I was about to ask you what news you have of our man Marco Di Padua. Have we applied enough pressure through the State Department or do we need to twist a few more bureaucrats' arms?"

"No he phoned earlier he was released and is being treated at one of our clinics. One second … Let me see, yes here we go. He suffered numerous contusions, a fractured rib, some damage to his right rotator cuff and a broken left humerus. They worked him over well but he says he didn't talk. The Doctor found X-13 gas in his system but he seems immune to normal doses."

"Remarkable! So there's no reason to doubt him. I want him brought up here after he's patched up you're going to need an assistant."

"Great you've already got my replacement," mumbled Stan as he made a note on his tablet.

"What did you say? Listen when I ask a question it's not for you to tell me one second I expect an answer and the right one without waiting around. You should remember that if you expect to last in this position for long."

"Yes Sir, I'll keep that in mind," said Stan as he made a note on his tablet to update his beneficiaries on his life insurance and to raise his coverage. Then he needed the policy modified to pay in case he disappeared.

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Sarah woke up the next day in bed. She tried to recall how she got there, she remembered she had been turning to leave the night before and the gut wrenching emotions she had been feeling then nothing until now. Now the sun was shining bright through the window. She had it all planned out she'd go and take Jack far away at least everyone else would be safe. She had even already written a note to Chuck explaining this was for the good of everyone. Chuck, she thought as she felt the other side of the bed he was gone. She sighed her husband knew her all too well. When she got up Chuck was already working on a computer he had brought up from the bank and torn up in little pieces was her note next to it.

"You're awake," said Sarah, "wait what time is it? Chuck you tranq'd me didn't you? Oh Chuck why?"

"You know why," he said looking pointing over at the torn up piece of paper. "I knew what you would do. It's what you and Jack always did you hang around until things got to hot then skip town. Well I'm not going to let you go this time."

"Chuck no one's safe with us here. It only makes sense that we go for the good of everyone else," she said but she could tell by his disapproving look he wasn't going to let her just up and disappear.

"Maybe it makes good sense for you but we promised until death do us part and we're not dead yet but you two might very well be if you go outside of this casino. I've got a plan. We're going to meet this Merchant of Venice and see if we can reason with him."

"How do you plan on doing that and how do you know you can trust him? Chuck it's too dangerous I can't let you."

"You can't stop me either and besides it's too late. The die has already been cast. I contacted Ševo Djokivic and ask if the Srpsko Bratstvo, the Serbian Brotherhood, would agree to set up a meet. I just got word back that he agreed to make contact. Now I'm just waiting for a time, date and location. I'm going to offer the Merchant three million dollars to call of the hits. I had to dip into our corporate accounts I couldn't ask the General for the money."

"Of course not that would be just one more thing he could hang around the agency's head. But what if he refuses what then," said Sarah realizing if the man had gone to all this trouble he probably wasn't interested in money.

"I know what I'm about to say will sound bad and out of character," said Chuck realizing Sarah wouldn't like it. "But if I can't get both hits turned off I will beg for yours."

"I'm sorry no. Chuck there has to be another way," said Sarah adamantly. She couldn't give up her father she never had and never would. "No, I can't let you"

"I don't care about my pride I only care about you but that's not what you're objecting to but I've already told Jack and he agrees that this is plan B if money doesn't work."

"Plan B is my Smith and Wesson."

"You heard Marco we can't kill the Merchant at least not right away," said Chuck as he turned around to caressed her face then kiss her.

"You have a plan don't you," said Sarah as she kissed him looking into his eyes. "You're up to something."

"Let's say I have a plan C or B/C…. Oh whatever, Love I made a promise to you and I intend on keeping it. Come one let's go downstairs for breakfast. It's important that we keep up appearances now. Sam is down with Emma. Razib and Molly are in class and Jack is down in his office. Margo and Mike are monitoring every one Big Brother style through CCTV."

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It was midday in Venice when Stan received the phone call from Belgrade. At first he couldn't believe the old man was calling in person Paolo had told him how much he hated modern technology but if leader of the Srpsko Bratstvo was on the phone it was important. Stan asked him to hold then ran into his boss's office.

"Stan what do you make of this," asked Mr. Mišović sitting behind his desk reading the Daily Post from Kotor. He wanted to see if he could glean from intel as to what went wrong and who he could blamed but there was very little. "Rival street gangs shoot it out in old town. Police report the gunplay was to settle a dispute over the smuggling trade in the Adriatic. What do you think?"

"Well I guess it could be true," said Stan trying to read his boss's face. "But we don't think that do we, right sir?"

"Smells like a CIA spin to me. They don't want to get caught in another diplomatic fiasco especially understandable considering they have their new Station there. It would be a shame if word got out to the general population about it."

"Yes it would Sir but what I came in to tell you is Mr. Ševo Djokivic is on line one and wants to talk to you. He says it's urgent."

"It must be if he called himself. Why didn't you tell me he was on the phone? Wait here I want you to listen in I might need you to get something," said Mišović as he put the call on speaker. "Ševo my old friend what can I do for you?"

"It's what I can do for you Dejan I've been contacted by the CIA for a meet. They asked me to broker a meeting with you in a neutral spot. I was thinking about my castle outside of Belgrade."

"Hold up you're moving too fast I haven't agree that I'd meet them yet. Did they say what this was about? Or what they want? You know I don't meet with people I haven't vetted and not out in the open."

"I know but I owe this guy a favour he helped me out and I'll vouch for him. He's not like other agents we've met. I'm guaranteeing the neutrality of the meet so know that if you're thinking about bringing an army."

"This guy knows that too I assume?" said Mišović thinking about whether he should go or not. "Does this man have a name that I'm meeting?"

"He goes by Carmichael, Charles Carmichael. You might have heard of him," said Ševo. Stan almost choked to death at the mere mention of the name and dropped the clipboard he had in his hand.

"That's the one who's been tearing apart Hydra," said Stan picking up the papers he dropped from the floor. "Sir you might want to shy away from this one it's just too great a risk."

"Come on Dejan I need an answer or has all your Serbian blood dried up. Your father and your grandfather would've met with him. If it's your safety you're worried about…"

"I'll be there send me the date and time I know the location and warn him no tricks he knows what I have up my sleeve if he tries anything."

"Like I said I will guarantee the neutrality so I'll contact Carmichael and confirm," said Ševo then hung up.

"But Sir you can't be serious this man is a threat to our organization," said Stan as he began to go into all the operations this one man had been rumoured to have foiled.

"I'm curious to meet him I want to see if he lives up to his legend and it will be nice to put a face to the name finally.

"Sir that's probably what he's saying too," said Stan. He'd probably have done well to end there but he couldn't help himself he was on a roll. "Sir and you know what curiosity did to the cat."

"Stan you're starting to sound a lot like Paolo and we know what happened to him. When is this new guy getting here Di Padua? I want him with us at that meeting along with a company of commandos and I want them armed."

"But Ševo said the site was neutral."

"I think I can hear now go and do as you were told. Move along before I have to change the carpet again."

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Oscar was sitting on his bed with a carafe of coffee and two sweet rolls next to him. On the other side was his Makarov he had broken down for cleaning. Tools are good to you if you're good to them that was what his father taught him growing up. His hands were cover with gun oil when his phone rang. Naturally Mr. Smith would call at the most inopportune time. With two fingers he answered it putting it on speaker as he finished cleaning.

"I hope you like your little vacation there at my expense," said Mr. Smith sarcastically. "Can you tell me what the hell happened?"

"Well you know the saying too many cooks spoil the broth that would be very appropriate for what happened. But there was a positive side if you want to turn that frown upside down I took out two of our competition and after the shootout the number has dwindled considerable. However, it's going to be hard to operate inside the casino now. They've got the place practically on lockdown."

"I don't want to hear about problems," said Mr. Smith his voice sounding angry. "Oscar I only want solutions and you know the final solution I want."

"Yes I'm fully aware but there's something you ought to know. Last night I took out Jorgen White in the square."

"Are you sure it was him? I'll have feelers put out in morgues for confirmation but he had a good bounty on him at around 200 grand dead or alive. That's not as much as the other contracts but it's something at least," said Mr. Smith as he paused for a moment. Oscar could hear the man thinking on the telephone. "Okay looks like you paid for you bullets and if you get a chance to whittle down you competition especially if they're worth money then go ahead earn some extra cash, extra is always good to have."

"Good well if there's nothing else I've got some work I need to get back to."

"Oh yes, I got word that your targets might be on the move soon. Seems a big meeting was organized outside of Belgrade. I don't know who's supposed to be there other than our targets. However the site is neutral controlled by the Srpsko Bratstvo. I'm warning you because whatever you do we don't want to go to war with the Serbian brotherhood. Anyone violating the neutrality will be fed to the wolves."

"So we could earn something extra from the contracts they put out," said Oscar thinking that they could frame some of their competition and earn some more bread.

"No literally they have a kennel and they drop them in it, puts a whole new meaning on going to the dogs."

"Jesus, sounds more like an old Kirk Douglas film."