Don't own Chuck

Stefan's plane received clearance to land at Bob Hope International in Burbank. He looked at his watch and they were running a little early which bothered him. He only hoped that Chuck was too because everything hinged on him now. Once the pilot radioed back that they were making their approach Stefan took a moment to take a deep breath then gathered the classified documents he had laid out in front of him and finished off his scotch. Just their position outside the ministry was a one way ticket to a firing squad. He just hoped Anatoly could cover him long enough to get this mission over with. He held up his glass admiring the amber color as he let it take his mind off his worries only to be jolted back into reality when the wheels touch the tarmac.

"We've be directed over to hanger number twelve where a car is waiting to take you wherever you want to go. If you want I can radio instructions from the cockpit," said the co-pilot who had come to join him in the cabin as the plane taxied.

"Thanks but no, in half an hour notify the consulate that we've landed and I've gone. I know you've been ordered to report in."

"But how did-"

"It's my job to know," said Stefan as he got the last of his papers ready putting them in a diplomatic pouch marked Russian Federation Embassy then slipping it into a briefcase. It was then the co-pilot noticed Stefan's Makarov tucked in his shoulder holster. The co-pilot suddenly remembered he had things to do in the cockpit and quickly disappeared.

When the plane came to a full stop the door opened and Stefan deplaned. He'd forgotten how hot it was in California and how bright the sun was. He put on his aviators and just stood at the top of the ladder for a few seconds basking in the sunlight. The warmth felt good on his skin definitely he and Anatoly had to bring their families on his next visit if there was a next time. He touched his jacket pocket, in it was a list his children had given him of things to get and the top of the list would require a trip to Disneyland. He just hoped he'd have time because for Stefan family was everything and it was one of the things he admired most in Chuck.

"This way sir," said a man dressed in a dark suit wearing an earpiece at the bottom of the ladder. "I'm to escort you to your car. Your bags are being taken care of so please follow me."

"Good I'm in rather a hurry and am on a tight schedule," said Stefan as he walked down and shook the man's hand. "I see the consulate is as efficient as ever. How is Lola? Is she as radiant as ever? Does she still have the men eating out of her hand?"

"Yes, sir she's something. It's right over here, please this way," said the man as he led Stefan to the back of the hanger and out of sight from the plane.

"I have one more question before we get to the car. How does a seventy year old man attract men?" said Stefan as he pulled his pistol and shot the man dead. Suddenly bullets started flying and Stefan ran for cover. There were at least five shooters all spread out inside the hanger each hidden and behind cover. He ran across the floor drawing automatic fire before getting to safety. He shot through a crate to drop one but as he turned around he found another on top of him but as the main raised his weapon he just dropped over. Stefan looked behind him and saw Casey with a Barrett. Just then Chuck ran up next to him.

"Been waiting long?" said Chuck as he patted Stefan on the shoulder. "Well at least you don't have any holes."

"I'm glad you could make it, but I thought you'd already be here, not that I'm complaining or anything. That last one was pretty close."

"You're the one who's early and do you know what the traffic is like at this hour. I heard the story of Lola," said Chuck as Stefan laughed.

"Yeah she's a looker alright. The only problem is Lola's the Cuban janitor at the Embassy; he's been there since Castro kicked him out. He used worked with me in Havana and I felt sorry for him but that guy didn't know it because it's not in any of my reports."

"Well as soon as we're out of here I'd say we have a drink for Lola but right now we need move," said Chuck as Sarah came in flanking the shooters taking out two which was enough to make the other two run. But out of nowhere stepped Mischa, nailing them before they could clear the hanger doors.

"I had to call him," said Stefan justifying the Kolonel's presence. "It's about time we all talk this thing out." However, the Kolonel wasn't in much of a talking mood as he quickly trained his gun on Sarah.

"No," yelled Chuck jumped up and got between them. "I won't let you, you were invited here the same as we were. We were asked to help a friend so stand down."

"But I came also for her and I won't stop this time. Step aside or I'll shoot through you. This is a PSM you know it can shoot through fifty-seven layers of Kevlar so it will go through you like a hot knife through butter."

"Chuck, step away," radioed Casey, "I can't get a clear shot you're in the way."

"I can't if I do he'll shoot her before you can shoot him," radioed Chuck back to Casey. "I know what your pistol can do but if you're going to shoot through me make it my heart because without Sarah I'll have no use for it anymore."

"I'm warning you step aside this is my last warning," said Mischa as he seemed perplexed and hesitant. Chuck was the reason they were still alive. The Kononel as much as he wanted to kill Sarah couldn't justify killing Chuck.

"No old friend you put it down," said Stefan as he put the barrel of his Makarov to Mischa's head. "Chuck is a friend like you and if the true were told and friendship could be measured more so. You came to me because you needed me for a home and help, while Chuck came to me as an equal. No Mischa, Chuck had his hand out but not because he wanted something but because he had something to offer me his friendship."

"Is this the way things end between us, you siding with the Americans. I never took you for a traitor so if need to shoot. But I won't be denied my revenge any longer."

"I'm not siding with anyone and I don't want to shoot you but I will if you make me. I'm here to set the record straight and to get the real traitor among us."

"Her," said Mischa, "there's your killer. She's the traitor. You saw the photos the same as I did, you know she stole the money and the baby. God only knowd how she killed her. No I can't, I won't!"

"This is personal," said Chuck as he looked at the hatred in Mischa's eyes. "You really believe what you said don't you. I need to know what this baby is to you. I'll tell you a secret in exchange for your secret."

"No Chuck I can't let you," said Sarah as she raised her pistol at him. "Don't make me. We agreed, please don't make me."

"Okay first there was my mother who shot me not once but twice now I'm going to have to add my wife to my loved ones who have shot me? In a few years will I have to add Sam to the list too?"

"Chuck you've got an interesting family tradition," said Stefan. "I think if I were you I'd invest in Kevlar."

"Man's got a point," radioed Casey, "maybe a pair of PJs too with horses."

"Guys, not helping. Sarah do you trust me? I'm not talking about words that you say, I'm talking about fact because if you don't then I want you to shoot me because if you don't then that would mean our whole life together has been a farce and well I can't live with that. So either shoot me or put that thing away," said Chuck as he turned back to Mischa and walked up close to him.

"Oh Chuck, why do you do this to me," she said as she began to cry.

"Because I love you," he said. Suddenly the gun in her hand became too heavy to hold. It felt big and cumbersome, she felt like she couldn't hold it anymore. It dropped to the ground making a loud metallic clunk as it hit the pavement and she held her hands up to her face as she cried.

Chuck turned back and bent in close to Mischa with his gun barrel stuck in his stomach when he received Mischa's confession. Whatever it was is moved Chuck, he grabbed Mischa and hugged him then whispered back something back to him. Mischa began to cry as he hugged Chuck and they huddled together.

"Yuck another commie love fest," said Casey as he bent over and retrieved Sarah's weapon for her handing it back. "I think you dropped this."

"Thanks, you're not calling Chuck a commie are you," said Sarah as she wiped her eyes and dried her tears taking her pistol back, tucking it away.

"No but I haven't quite figured out what to call him other than just Chuck and sometimes idiot but most of the time he's a genius not that I'll ever tell him."

"You know you should really put that away," said Chuck pointing at Mischa's pistol still poking him in the ribs. "I'd hate for you to sneeze and ruin theses clothes as well as my day."

"Well you could always put on that outfit you had on last night," said Mischa with a smile. Stefan gave Chuck a puzzled look.

"Inside joke you wouldn't understand. Well let's all head to the Waldron for drinks I'm buying and we can talk out this misunderstanding then we can plan out our next move."

"I've already got our next move planned out but we're going to need a safe house."

"We can arrange that but how do you two feel about blindfolds," said Chuck as he put his arm around Sarah pulling her in tight. Casey just shook his head and walked back to his car.

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Petr finished off the bottle of bourbon then got dressed in the dead man's clothes. They were a little large and short but they'd do. He checked both for cash, he was running low and he had every intention of making Heir Genosser General pay through the nose. Both had phones so he took them along with the man's car keys then he wiped the room down and was out.

As he walked quietly down past the check in desk, he heard the TV blaring. Looking through the cage he noticed the man sitting in a chair in the back with his arms dangling down the side. One would think he was asleep if not for a red line that ran down one of his arms and a pool of dried blood beneath his hand.

"I told you not to tell anyone I was here mister so in a sense you brought all this on yourself," said Petr as he walked out into the night. He took the car keys and flashed the alarm button on the keychain until a car lit up. Nothing fancy a non-descript red Nissan, a good car to get out of the neighbourhood in unnoticed. The General's men would still be patrolling the area looking for him so he had to be careful. On foot he couldn't have gone far and they were probably monitoring police bands for reported stolen vehicles.

"Crap," he thought to himself he'd been sloppy and that almost got him killed because that was how they found him. Someone must've found the Impala and called it in to the police. From there it was easy, they just looked under 'S' in the phone directory for Sleazy hotels. He drove away mindful to speed and traffic signs noticing men in dark suits going from pharmacy to pharmacy.

"Keep on looking fellows," Petr said to himself wanting to wave then after he was far enough away he pulled over to the side of the road and made a call. His felt a bolt of pain in his side as the bourbon began to wear off so he put the phone on speaker and laid it on the dashboard.

"Yes, who is this and how did you get this number," said a voice with thick heavy accent on the other end. Petr waited a moment to talk, letting the General stew in his own sweat.

"I'd say you're having a worse day than me but you didn't get shot. You know your men could use some extra training. If you want to get something from someone they need to take them alive. It's kind of hard to ask someone where they put something when they're dead or is there something wrong with this picture. Maybe you have a Medium?"

"There were some miscommunications I admit, but if you come in we can work everything out. I've got your money, all of it and it's just waiting for you. All we have to do is meet at the rendezvous point like we planned. I'm sure you want this cat and mouse thing to be over."

"You don't think I'm just going to come walking in and let you take me and the goods. Do you really think I'm that stupid after the crap you pulled? No this is the way this is going down. We'll make the exchange at Union Station tomorrow noon at the ticket counter. You come alone and in person."

"How do I know you'll come alone? Can I trust you after you asked for more money or is this a trap to get revenge?"

"Looks like we've got quite the conundrum here, well I don't have anyone left to come with me except enough explosives to send you into orbit with Yuri Gagarin. Along with the money I want a diplomatic passport too."

"I don't know if I can get that done on such short notice. If I had a little more time I'm sure something could be worked out."

"I think you can manage with all your connections and the clock is ticking on the deadline so make it happen or I find another buyer."

"Okay I'll do my best, what name would you like on it?"

"The name isn't important as long as it's clean and it gives me diplomatic immunity. Don't get cute General I'm a hair away from disappearing into the woodwork. But I won't disappear before I get even and if your men haven't been able to get me yet that testifies to what I'm capable of. Oh by the way don't bother trying to trace this number," said Petr as he hung up then tossed the phone out the window into the back of a passing garbage truck.

"What are you going to do Genosser General," asked his aid sitting in front of the General in his office in the Embassy. The General got up from behind his desk then went to his window admiring the view of Washington by night.

"The only thing I can do right I'm flying to California tonight. Get my plane ready and make sure I have a car waiting for me there. Call Sergei in the consulate he can arrange everything. Tell him I'll need his skills at Union Station tomorrow and make sure he has a picture of our friend Petr. Oh by the way I'll need that passport just in case I do have to meet our Bulgarian friend."

"But General aren't you worried that this will attract the wrong attention back home. I heard the SVR were asking questions."

"Only one and he well let's say he got a reception he wasn't expecting. This will be all over before anyone realizes he's missing. Soon Komrade, soon we'll have our country back then we can come out of the shadows."

"Yes General and the passport what name do you want me to put in it? Or do you want me to make one up?"

"No, use Georgi Markov's name and who says German's don't have a sense of humor," said the General as he laughed.

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It was late evening at the Waldron, Sergei Gromeko had finished his day's work at the consulate and wanted to see if he could finish the evening off by getting lucky at the bar. As soon as he walked in he looked around to see if there was any easy prey. That's when he noticed her, a hot blonde sitting by herself at the end of the bar.

"Bartender send that woman at the end of the bar another drink and tell it is from me," said Sergei as passed the bartender twenty bucks.

"Right, big spender," said the bartender. Sergei didn't catch the sarcasm he just watched the bartender take her the drink then pointed back at him out. He couldn't believe his luck; she smiled then waved for him to come over. He picked up his drink and tried the John Travolta strut he'd been studying. One of the first American films he watched after Perestroika was 'Saturday Night Fever' and he felt he had a Tony Manero thing going on.

"I just wanted to thank you for the drink and to tell you I'm sorry," said Sarah as she downed her free drink.

"Slow down there we have all night baby and there's no reason to be sorry at least not until tomorrow morning," Sergei said as Chuck shot him in the back with a tranq dart. Chuck took Sergei head and bounced it off the counter a couple of times.

"Honey, I don't know why we keep meeting Sergei in bars. The man can't hold his liquor, just look at him he's an embarrassment. My good man can you help me take our friend to the car."

"Sure," said Casey as he pretended to be passing by. "What a light weight I thought Russians were drinkers." Chuck and Casey carried Sergei out to their van as Sarah walked beside them.

"Were you a little jealous back there? You really didn't have to bang his head on the counter and twice was a little over kill."

"Yeah Chuck if you brain him too much we won't be able to get any intel out of him. But afterwards if you want to take him out, go for it. You know what I say one dead commie is a good beginning."

"You really weren't going to shot me back at the hanger? You know I still can't believe you pulled your gun on me."

"How did we get here when we were talking about Sergei? But I could ask you why do you have to push me? If you had told me what you were going to do beforehand maybe I would have reacted differently."

"Well I couldn't because I didn't know a gun was going to be pointed at you now did I. I just reacted to the situation."

"Which is what I'm saying. You're always doing this to me. Like that bear you put in Sam's room, it would've been nice to have been consulted before you invaded our daughter's privacy."

"Guys this is really not the place to be having this conversation," said Casey as they were half way across the parking lot.

"Sam is a little over a year old," said Chuck ignoring what Casey said. "We have to change her so she really doesn't have any privacy at least not from us. And I'm sorry if you feel that way I'll take it out when we get home. I just thought her safety took precedence."

"Like Molly's does over ours. I made a promise to Molly years ago that everything was going to be okay and I plan on keeping it. If the Kolonel or Mischa or whatever his name is, is a treat I will end him. But I don't want to have to worry that my husband is going to get in the way."

"In the way!" said Chuck hurt.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that of course you're not in the way. Oh, you've just got me so fluster," said Sarah as she took a deep breath. "Can we take a step back?"

"Sure, listen Molly's safety is all I've been thinking about and you'll see if you can be patient for a little longer. You do trust me?"

"Of course I do, I love you."

"Well now that we've all made up can someone get the van door? Sergei should think about a diet our man is a little heavy, too much vodka and maybe lay off the blinis for a while."

"Sergei has been living the American dream for too long which for him includes too much fast food. His favorite words are 'supersize it' now," said Stefan as he opened the van door helping Casey and Chuck drop him inside. Mischa sat in the back studying Sarah from a distance then he walked forward with a bottle of water in his hand.

"You want this," he said as he offered it to her. "You look dehydrated with that vest on. You know you need to drink even when your not thirsty."

"Thanks," said Sarah as she took it from him. She didn't ask him how he knew she could tell when someone was wearing one too but she appreciated the peace offering. Maybe Chuck was right.