Don't own Chuck

Sarah explained that near Pasadena in the Angeles National Forrest was Bellevue the government's secret hospital for the criminally insane. It was also where Chuck was supposed to go today to see Dr. Dreyfus and to do a security inspection. However, that was where Dr. Stanley Wheelwright the creator of atroxium was interned and being held for treatment.

"I can't get through," said Sarah as she kept getting the same recorded message the person you're trying to call is momentarily out of reach. Please try later. After the second try she called the General.

Six hours earlier….

Anton and his men got off the Lear then made their way through the airport. Anton went and secured the chopper, a Bell 412, while Popov went to the car rentals and got a Jeep Wrangler. It was the only one he found with an open cab and roll bar.

"Okay we got the vehicles now let's gear up," said Anton as they unloaded the Lear putting everything in the jeep then drove over to the chopper.

"Give me a hand," yelled Popov as they bolted down the mount for the Browning. He had them help him as he secured the weapon on the mount.

"What's the matter," said Anton as he noticed the face Popov was making as he inspected his work. "You don't look too convinced."

"It's the brackets. Once we start firing the recoiling is going to shake the crap out of the frame and sooner or later something is going to come loose. If we had more time I'd weld it but you said…"

"I know what I said and what I said is still true we just don't have the time. It doesn't have to last forever it just has to hold for the time it takes to do the extraction. If we time this right it shouldn't take more than ten or fifteen minutes. I want you to pick four men to go with you I'll take the rest. We'll keep in radio contact. If you get there early pull off to the side of the road out of sight and wait. The key to this is timing."

"I got that," said Popov. Anton showed him targets to hit on the way up the drive into the hospital like the junction box for all land line communications.

"Hit that and they won't be able to call for help. Then this," said Anton pointing at a Sat image of the complex. "This is an electrical relay once that goes down all the doors automatically unlock."

"Okay no problem let me get my guys and head out," said Popov. He went and got his four men then the rest loaded up on the chopper. Popov signaled he was ready and then took off. Anton gave him a forty-five minute head start then took off in the Chopper. They kept track of each other's position until the front gate came in sight.

"I'm going in," radioed Popov. That was Anton signal to start jamming signals no communications in none out. The guard came out but a blast from the Brown ended any resistance there. Then it was a clear shot all the way to the hospital. Shooting the two junction boxes was like Nintendo duck hunt but with live ammunition.

"Okay you two go in," yelled Popov sending two of his men inside to help clear a path for Anton with his man while he jumped back and manned the Browning strafing the second floor of the hospital. "Look alive boys, we've got company," yelled Popov as Hospital security, armed with side arms came running but they were no match for the automatic fire of the Browning and 47s. Popov had done his part he had drawn what little security the hospital had towards the front leaving the back wide open.

"Okay let's go get the Doctor," yelled Anton. He pulled out a RPG 22 and fired at the back of the hospital creating a breech point. From there it was an easy extraction and soon his men brought the Doctor to the chopper.

"Doctor Wheelwright I presume," said Anton as his men got him on board. "Just sit back and enjoy the ride you're with us now."

"We need to get out of here we've got incoming," yelled one of his men. Anton saw Chuck and Casey come running out of the hospital. He switched off the signal jammer.

"Popov, break off and retreat. We'll meet up at the designated area. Torch the vehicle and wait for us if you get there first. Do you copy?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

An hour before the incursion…..

Chuck and Casey were almost at Bellevue driving up to the front gate which was wide open. As they approached a guard stepped and asked for identification. They handed the man their IDs but Chuck took a mental note. After they were cleared they proceeded.

"One guard on the front gate without back up doesn't seem like enough," said Chuck. "I think they could use a video camera with facial recognition software. But one quick fix would be to close the gate."

"The guard's sidearm looked like there were cobwebs on the cobwebs. I hate to see a good weapon in that shape it's inhuman. I think I'm going to have a chat with the guy in charge of their armory. You should find out the last time their security went through small arms qualifications something tells me it's been a while."

"Thanks for the ride along John, I appreciate it," said Chuck but looking at Casey he could tell there was something else he wanted to say. "John, what is it? You want to ask me something about this morning? I've been thinking about it too and what you said about burning down the apartment…"

"No that's not it, but yes in a certain way it is… Chuck, when you asked me what you should do I didn't say anything but... well I've known guys who have had what you've got and the one thing they told me that helped them was to face their fears."

"But I'm afraid of everything that's why I try to stick to the PG-13s. Let's face, it just getting up in the morning I meet my fears head on every time I come to work."

"No you're not afraid of everything or you wouldn't be here now although some of it I chalk up to luck but you're getting me off track. There's no other way to do this then just to tell you. I know about what happened in the airport so you don't have to pretend with me. That Iranian agent Aron told me and I didn't say anything because I saw you didn't mention it in your report."

"What about the butcher's shop? Why would you hold back on that? Everyone thinks I'm crazy yes I felt sorry for the rabbits and it really wasn't that hygienic but…"

"Chuck, there was no butcher's shop. You made that ridiculous story up to cover what really happened. You really don't remember? Chuck, you were at the hangings."

"No way, I would've remembered something like that. There was no way… at the hangings. Yes, I was taken to see them afterwards but I think I'd…" Casey cut him off as they pulled in the parking lot.

"You weren't just there, you really don't remember?" said Casey. Chuck shook his head no. "Chuck, you participated in their execution."

What Casey said hit him like a lightning bolt; his stomach twisted, and re-tasted his breakfast. He wanted to call Casey a lair straight to his face but he couldn't. Deep down inside something told him that what Casey told him wasn't a lie but the truth was even worse.

"I'm sorry Chuck; I really thought you didn't want Sarah to find out the depth of your involvement. And like I said I left it out of my report when I saw you didn't mention it. But judging how things went when you came back that was probably good."

"Right John… Of course you're right. But are you sure that's what Aron said? You know Farsi is a funny language you can take one thing for another really easy."

"We spoke in English. Did you know he spoke pretty good English? Plus he has a cousin in the States that sells carpets cut rate."

"He told me he spoke English but I don't think we ever spoke in English and no, he never mentioned his cousin," said Chuck shocked at this latest piece of the puzzle. He couldn't help but wonder if this was the key to what he was trying to repress.

"Come on Chuck get you crap together Dr. Dreyfus is here waiting for us," said Casey as they got out of his Crown Vic then walked up to the Doctor.

"Welcome Chuck shall we go inside and get this over with. I see you've brought reinforcements to help out," said the Doctor looking at Casey. "Or is he your enforcer?"

"Casey is a friend and that's it unless you've got someone who needs to see the errors of his ways? If you do John would be more than happy to show them the light."

"It's usually at the end of the tunnel though with a voice telling them to go to the light and it's the last thing they see." Chuck and Casey laughed as the Doctor wrote in his notepad.

"Maybe we can have a talk after I'm finished with Chuck," said Dr. Dreyfus. Casey rolled his eyes looking at Chuck who shrugged his shoulders.

"Can we get on with this," said Casey. "We're kind of on a tight schedule and I need to get back to castle for pressing business." Chuck gave him a look and Casey responded by cracking his knuckles.

"Chuck, what I meant about getting this done," said Dr. Dreyfus, "was so we could get to work. I have some ink stains I'd like you to look at later."

"Sure but first things first we need to see Dr. Wheelwright. Where's he being held and can you take us to see him? The Colonel needs to interrogate him and we both have some questions about Melville's escape."

"We don't like to use the word 'held' here. My patients are free to walk about the facility for the most part…"

"Seems some are free to walk off," added Casey.

"That took place at West Side Memorial not here and might I add Melville was under guard so I can't see how that is pertinent to here. But you're more than welcome to try to talk to Stanley but I don't think you're going to get very far. He really hasn't been the same since the incident," said Dr. Dreyfus as he heaved a sigh. "Stanley was showing clear signs of progress. Now we're back to square one I'm afraid." He led them through the hospital down to the Wheelwright's room.

"Stanley look who came to say hello," said Dr. Dreyfus as they all walked in. Chuck walked up to Wheelwright's bed so he could get a good look at him.

"Chuck, it's nice to see you again. It's been a while and how's your girlfriend that other agent what was her name?"

"Sarah, she's fine but she couldn't come with us because of work. Dr. Wheelwright…" said Chuck but the Doctor cut him off.

"Please call me Stanley why be so formal," said Wheelwright. He talked calmly, no tick and his speech was normal nothing strange at least up until then. If Chuck hadn't known he was stark raving mad he would've had to wonder why he was in this place.

"Okay Stanley we want to talk to you about a case of atroxium that MI6 recovered. Do you know were it…" Chuck stopped speaking as he noticed Stanley looking up so he looked up too. "Oh my God," said Chuck as he looked at the ceiling and flashed.

"Shush, it's a secret," said Stanley as he held his finger to his mouth. He didn't want Chuck to tell everyone what he had written on the ceiling.

"Chuck, what's that chicken scratch on the ceiling?" asked Casey realizing Chuck had flashed. He took out his phone and took a photo of it.

"Oh the formula, we encourage our guests to express themselves in whatever way they deem that will give them the maximum benefit and be conducive to their recovery."

"Well Doc, in Stanley's freedom of expression and I'm assuming venting his demons he wrote the formula for atroxium on the ceiling or a chemical compound very similar."

"I told you shush or they'll hear you and come for me," said Stanley as he leaped from his bed and grabbed Chuck shaking him. "You need to be careful Chuck or they'll come for you and your family. You can't tell anyone, trust no one especially that Frost woman."

"Thanks for the warning," said Chuck as he pulled Stanley off. "Why don't you just lie back down and relax. I've got to go with the Dr. Dreyfus but we'll be back soon."

"Remember you promise not to tell a soul not even to yourself. Mum's the word," said Stanley as he closed his mouth acted like he turned a key then threw it away.

"Yes Stanley they promise," said Dr. Dreyfus as he herded everyone out. They went outside then started back to the Doctor's office. "Have a seat," said Dr. Dreyfus to the two of them.

"Well his banana's split," said Casey as he sat down. "Looks like we won't be getting much out of him but the boys in Langley will want to have a look at that formula."

"You see what I mean Stanley's still suffering from extreme anxiety manifesting itself in delusions which has led to schizophrenic paranoia. He's made some progress but after the outburst the other night he seems to have retreated back into his himself."

"Doc you said he was suffering from a massive mental collapse brought on by hyperhysteria which caused his mania and led to an omniphobia that cause schizophrenic paranoia? But why weren't his hands shaking and when he grabbed me his eyes weren't dilated?" Suddenly there was a loud noise outside followed by a series of bangs.

"What's that?" said the Doc as he went to the window to look outside. Casey leaped and took him down just in time as a series of automatic fire opened up breaking the glass and strafing the room with shrapnel and debris.

"Down stay down," yelled Casey pinning the Doctor to the floor.

"John we can't stay here this is a break out and I know who they're after," yelled Chuck and the moment the firing paused he was up and out the door.

"Chuck hold on wait for me," yelled Casey as he jumped up. "Doc stay down it's for your own good." Casey pulled his Sig then went out the door after Chuck.

On the main floor Chuck encountered part of the incursion team. There was a loud explosion as Chuck dove off the stairs taking down one of the commandos. When the man's partner saw Chuck on his friend he opened fired. Chuck rolled the man over on top of him as a shield and the man's a partner shot him dead. Casey caught up with Chuck in time to take the guy out.

"Thanks John," said Chuck as he recovered a 47. "They're here for Wheelwright. He's been faking it for a while," said Chuck as they made their way to Wheelwright's room to find him gone.

"Come on they must be heading for the chopper," said Casey but once they got out in the corridor they found that someone had let out all the crazies. It was like night of the living dead. Casey raised his Sig.

"No John this isn't their fault," said Chuck as he pulled his traq pistol and began darting to make their way through the horde and out the gaping hole in the wall.

"There, there's a bell helicopter and Wheelwright's inside," said Chuck as the chopper lifted off and the Doctor smiled waving to them from the inside. Casey grabbed the 47 from Chuck and emptied the clip but it was quickly out of range.

"Crap, if only I'd figured out earlier that he was faking we could've stopped him. What's the matter with me? I'm useless."

"Okay this is going to sound out of character for me but don't beat yourself up over this. He had a professional fooled too and what should give you cause to think is he's the same professional who's treating you." Suddenly Chuck's phone rang and almost at the same time Casey's did too.

"Sarah," said Chuck as he listened. "You say people are coming to free Wheelwright. I hate to tell you Love but they were just here and took him." He looked over and Casey was on his phone with the General explaining what happened. "I'm sorry Sarah, Casey? He's on the phone with Beckman and from the look on his face she's not happy."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Stojon got good and bad news. The bad news was Vasev had botched up the hit at the Boar's Head and the good news was the Doctor's extraction was successful with only a few losses. Then to add the cherry on the cake one of his men came in and said they found out what happened to the missing canister.

"Yes, sir I found it hidden deep in Gavran's books. I don't think he intentionally hid it, it was just mislabeled that's why we didn't find it earlier," said the man but Stojon really didn't care about all that.

"Okay good but can you get to the point, where is the missing canister? I want to know who I need to kill next and if you don't want it to be you I suggest you hurry up."

"The New IRA bought it," said the man blurting it out. "It just has a first name Sean as being the buyer but it gives a date and location of the purchase. You can see it's all here," said the man as he showed it to Stojon.

"Good have our people comb the area and pull all the video we can find from the area on the day of the sell. If we're lucky we can put a face to this name and come up with a last name."

"Then what sir?" asked the man.

"I don't know I could ask him over for tea or we could go to the pub and down a few pints. Get my merchandise back! What do you think I'm going to do? Gez where do we find you guys?"

"I'm sorry Sir I'll go start working on it right now and get you those video feeds ASAP. But if you don't mind me asking now that you have Dr. Wheelwright you can make more so what's one canister to you?"

"That's one of the few intelligent things you've asked me. Well, the Doctor hasn't made any gas for us yet so until he does that's the last one. Plus I don't like people taking my things even if they don't know their mine. Now go and make sure I keep getting updates on Anton."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sarah and the rest went back to Vauxhall to monitor the events coming out of Bellevue. She was relieved when she spoke to Chuck but was a bit disconcerted when she learned of Wheelwright's escape. He couldn't speak for long though because he and Casey had to help the staff that had survived the assault to secure the facility until help could arrive.

"Well at least you know he's okay," said Carina. "But I don't see what breaking Wheelwright has to do with our case of atroxium."

"Nothing and everything," said Sarah as she put her phone away. "You're busting that arms dealer took someone's supply off the market so he was forced to see if he could make more to sell. There's no telling how long this plan has been in play and we won't know until we find out who's behind this or what their end game is."

"Well I might have a lead on that. I've been in contact with some of my informants and they tell me the NIRA has been bragging about having a new weapon to use again British Imperialism."

"You think they have the last canister," asked Sir Reginald. He'd been listening, gathering information before talking and everyone closing up. "Based on what facts?"

"On a hunch but if you think about it the Bulgarians have been known to be arms dealers for the NIRA. Maybe the Serbs wanted a piece of the action and got their hands smacked for it…"

"Or the Serbs got greedy," said Carina. "The Bulgarians got their weapons confiscated in Croatia and here so they might have turned to someone who had up until lately been successful in getting his merchandise in country."

"But we got Gavran's last big shipment," said Cole then thinking. "I get it now. That put him short on product. He probably already sold the weapons we confiscated so he needed to replace the goods fast and what did he have on hand, the Bulgarians. He didn't have exactly everything he promised the NIRA but he sweetened the pot with a canister of gas."

"Which got him out of the NIRA's frying pan but into the Bulgarian's fire," said the Chief. "Makes logical sense but I'm going to need more to go before the Secretary and Prime Minister than logic."

"Well I thought you might say that so I've arranged a meeting with my informant. He's supposed to introduce me to someone high on the NIRA food chain by the name of Sean."

"Good, make it happen and keep me informed but be careful that this could be a set up. You're going to need back up but you can't take agent Miller with you."

"Before you yell the Chief is right, all the men tonight had your picture on them and Marty in the pub told me men came asking about you."

"Then that leaves me," said Sarah. "I don't see any other choice."

"Are you sure about this?" said the Chief. "I can't make you do this but if you insist I'll clear it with Diane. I know she won't have a problem."

"But Chuck will," said Carina. "I don't like this. I can wear a disguise and no one will recognize me. You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do and you know it. Besides, the quicker we track down that missing canister the quicker I can go home. This isn't the first time I've gone undercover. Well now that's been decided, I need to use your Sat comms to call home.

"Okay," said Cole as he motioned her to follow him. "But then we need to get home and get some sleep tomorrow could be a long day."