What do we do now…go on waiting

This story is the follow-on to the Chuck vs the Plan Series

Still don't own Chuck. Normal disclaimers apply. Characters and events are fictitious.

"Sometimes it helps to know that you got something to lose."

-Agent Walker, Episode 3.4

Chapter 10—The Rush

Analysis Center, Langley, VA

Chuck was rereading the report. Sarah, Mary and Casey were doing the same thing. They had already called out and discussed possible corrections and tweaks to the document. They knew as soon as they were done, the report and them with it would be ushered off to see Director Robin and the DNI, the Honorable John H. Wabash. Reaching the last paragraph they turned to look at each other and nodded. Chuck spoke first, "That does sum it up. The Cartel with a high probability of backing from MS directed the hit. There are several indicators showing the Senator may have been linked to trafficking of some kind. And may have been trying to steal from either or both. To what end, we have not been able to determine." He knew he was really practicing the report in his head, just as he used to in college before a major presentation. But this time he did not know how serious the little speech would be.

Casey grunted in approval and then saw Mary eying him, "Right, the missile was definitely one MS was able to get them scummy little hands on." While being directed to another clearing for the extraction, Mary had literally stumbled over the launcher. Chuck's flash and further analysis by Sarah's center had shown that it was part of the shipment that had gone missing some twelve years before. Three of the other launchers had been reacquired after a raid of a MS cell in Germany. The other launchers were reportedly in MS hands.

"And Carina has definitely identified the cut diamonds as a part of a drug trade by the Cartel," Sarah added nodding at Chuck. She smiled at how well he was doing. She often thought back to their first encounters in the spy world and how nervous Chuck had been. But now he was more confident and as Ellie put it, more like the established, in control Chuck he was in his first years at Stanford.

Sarah waved at Mrs. Reynolds. They were ready. She would signal the boss and the presentation would begin as soon as the DNI joined.

Route 123

It was truly a rush. The briefing had been repeated five times. By the time they were done Chuck was sure that he downed at least a gallon of water trying to keep his mouth from drying up and his throat clear. Chuck and Sarah were now on their way to meet with the DNI. Casey and Mary stayed behind to clear up an incident in Paris. They were to meet up with Chuck and Sarah for dinner.

Chuck was holding Sarah's hand as they sat next to each other in the armored limo. Like normal now there was a small caravan in the procession. Director Robin's staff had arranged for escort details to be deployed. Chuck was looking out the window watching the scenery. He could see Sarah watching him in the reflection of the window. "So what do you think?"

"You did well Chuck. I don't think there were any questions about our research or your information."

"So, why this extra trip?"

Sarah shook her head, "I don't know for sure. Kelly seemed to shrug when the DNI asked for us."

They cruised on for a while longer until pulling into the driveway leading to a country estate owned by the Honorable John H. Wabash. Chuck's was impressed. The yard was several acres, trimmed perfectly and lined by huge oak trees. The mansion was equally impressive with old stonewalls, shuttered windows and granite pathway leading to the front door.

When they got out of the limo, Chuck went swiftly around to the opposite side to get Sarah and hold her door open. She smiled at him as this was becoming one of their little rituals, trying to see if Chuck could beat the whatever escort to open Sarah's door for her. And once again he succeeded.

Smiling at each other over the small victory, they walked to the front door to find it open and their host waiting for them. "Welcome. You did good today."

Chuck was surprised, "Really? I was so busy keeping up with the questions, I am not even sure what I said." Sarah was smiling at him. She was happy with how he handled everything including the questions.

"You did fine. Good job." The Honorable John H. Wabash waved his hand down the hall and pointed to a room on the north. "Please join me. We have much to consider."

They walked down the hall. Chuck was looking at the paintings and the Remington sculptures that filled the tables along the way. One of the paintings had an eagle's head on a parchment and another was of an open field with a prairie dog. He remembered the symbolism of the family's fight for America.

Chuck followed Sarah into the office. Its high walls were lined with books. One section was obviously law books. Chuck was surprised to see another section with physics and electrical engineering titles. He smiled to himself, 'The DNI must have been a Nerd at sometime.'

After they had taken their seats the DNI began, "As you know or should have surmised by now, the Senator was well connected. He was a college friend of the President and they maintained their friendship. He was also well connected with other very wealthy individuals both here and aboard.

"While we have not been able to divine his intentions, your report does at least support the premise that he was not a Ring or Sion agent. Now for the real problem that confronts us. We have been requested to identify the principles from the Cartel involved and any MS connection or shall we say cell that is related.

"To that end," looking at Sarah, "you will be asked to send two of your teams down to the area as on a reconnaissance mission." And then turning to Chuck, "You will be sent to visit with an old contact. While I believe his information has been redacted from the Interest files, you might get some information from his original project called Sacramento." The DNI watched as Chuck began to flash and then opened his eyes. "Out of curiosity, was there much information?"

Chuck shrugged, "Well, you were right there were several reports with the name Sacramento with most all of the information redacted. But there were enough pieces to match with old information, including my father, project Omaha and a mention of other projects before Omaha. While I must admit, I would be extremely interested in the connection with my father, I did not see any connection with the current problem."

Sarah watched the exchange and saw a sparkle in the eye of the DNI. He knew a lot more than he was currently revealing.

"Yes, I would suppose those would come up. Marcos Sanchez is an interesting man. I'll set up a meet for you the day after tomorrow. It will be 10:00 in Bogota at the Café Mendes. He does not like to have coffee past 10:30. The Ambassador will know you are in country. Pay him a visit, but your real host is the DEA office.

"Now, I have one other item. There have been new reports of a major Ring figure operating in the area. We don't have a name or picture yet. If you are able to make any headway on that problem, inform me immediately. We'll make plans from there.

"And you are not going," he was looking at Sarah. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Chuck's relief. "We need you to lead your teams. I believe they have been in the field long enough to draw the attention of our adversaries. Your expertise will be required to guide them."

He got up and waited for Chuck and Sarah to follow, "It is time we left, if we are to meet Mary and John. I apologize for not offering to dine here, but the kitchen is being renovated."

With Sarah down the hallway, the DNI looked to Chuck, "So, when are you going to tell your sister." He smiled and continued on, leaving Chuck aghast in his wake.

Analysis Center, Langley, VA

While dinner was outstanding, the news from Mary and Casey was not. Clay Carston's team in Paris was tracking an agent named Shaw. The French police were cooperating and following her too closely. The reports were still coming in. But either Clay's team or the French police spooked her. She stepped out into the street and was run down by a passing taxi.

Chuck read the traffic and remembered back to the earlier reports. Agent Evelyn Shaw had gone through the Farm before Sarah and reportedly was involved in art thefts. While the French police had identified her as a likely participant in multiple art thefts, none of those pieces had shown up in any auction or any known trades. He was working with his model again. This time he was trying to trace her identified movements to see whether there was any intersects with other Ring or Sion activity. Chuck looked over at Sarah. She was seated next to him at her console. "I show nothing here. We need more information."

Sarah looked up, "Okay. So far this looks like an accident. While the French news reports talk about someone suspicious following her, there is nothing that confirms our team caused this. Clay had monitors on his people but we do not have any of the feeds."

Casey chimed in, "I've looked at the cameras from the area. There was no clear picture of the activity behind Agent Shaw."

"Yeah, and we have some new reports of suspected MS activities in the area." Mary pointed to her monitor. "I'll forward this. There have been at least two kidnappings of tourists near where our team is operating. Steven already had the reports run in the model and the characteristics match with MS."

Kelly had walked into the room at that point and had heard the discussion. "Okay, sounds like we need a little on scene investigation. And I would rather you do this now, than let some other agency get involved."

Casey leaned back at the direction.

Sarah realized she would have to lead the investigation. She looked over, "Chuck?"

Chuck was surprised. He wouldn't be with Sarah. He would be meeting someone named Marcos.

A/N A little beginning to some new operations. Hope you enjoy.