Don't own Chuck

Devon was led down through the ship. This reminded he a lot of the freighter he was held in when he was taken captive by Somali pirates. But that was something he tried to forget about and the last time he was going to let his frat buddies organize a party cruise in the Red Sea for him. However, that was then and this was now.

"Here," said one of the men as he pushed Devon through a hatch. Inside looked like a make shift sick bay but seeing the grime and dirt he wondered how anyone treated there ever left on their own two feet. On entering the room, he heard a low moan coming from a table with a man lying on it. Then he noticed blood was running off the table and onto the floor where it was pooling.

"Someone grab a swab and clean this up before we fall. Come here and take care of my man," said Yang as me motion for Devon to come near. Devon figured he was the skipper by the way everyone listened to what he said. "My first mate had an accident with one of other our guests."

"Guests? Let me see him," said Devon. He walked over where he could see the man and his wound better. The man had a shiv stuck in his lower abdomen bleed bright red blood. "Crap, this guy needs to be taken to a hospital."

"And where do you think we can call for an ambulance? Doctor, we're in the middle of the pacific," said Yang. "Mr. Ettore told me you were an ER doctor so fix him or I'll fix you. He also told me you were the expendable one if think I'm making idol threats."

"I'm sure he did. Okay, what kind of meds and medical supplied do you have? Please tell me you've got more than a bottle of whiskey, bullet, and a kitchen knife?"

"I have some morphine and a medical kit we keep onboard," said Juan as he handed the content to Devon. He looked inside but there wasn't much. There was a scalpel and a suture kit which was more than he thought he'd have.

"Okay, boil me some water. I'm going to need sterile water to flush out the wound. I'm also going to need to start an IV. Take some of the sterile water add sugar and salt I'll give you the proportions then we're going to need a delivery system a sterile container with a tube and on the end of the tube I need a syringe attached. All that needs to be sterilized. Your man is losing fluids that we need to put back in before he crashes. Now let's move it before we lose him."

"We'd better not if you know what's good for you," said Yang then he told his men to get the things together that Devon had asked for.

"Come on folks," said Devon as he took the man's pulse and checked his pupils. Once he had everything he administered a little morphine then made an incision away from the shiv large enough for him to get his fingers in. Then he felt for the tip of the shiv to get an idea what had been cut.

"Okay when I tell you I want to you to pull the knife out. But pull it straight out without moving it, if you do you risk severing an artery and your friend will bleed out before we can do anything. Have your people standing by with the water. I'm going to need to see what I'm doing. Do you understand?"

"Yes of course, I'm not stupid," barked Yang then he gave instructions to his men. "Everyone is ready just give the word."

"Now," yelled Devon as he finished the incision so the two openings met together. He opened it up to get a better look. Then he worked quickly stitching the nicked artery. He had the wound flushed out again to make sure there was no more bleeding then finished suturing him up leaving a small opening for drainage.

"Do you have any honey? If you do bring me some," said Devon as he admired his handiwork as he tried to clean his hands as best he could.

"If you want a snack I can have our cook throw something together for you," said Yang. "Is he going to make it?"

"He's lost a lot of blood but the IV is going to keep his heart beating and hopefully give him enough time to rebuild his red blood cells. But the honey isn't for me to eat. Honey is a natural antiseptic... like your Eastern medicine. I'll but a little honey on the wound to help fight off infection. You said another guest did this? Were they injured in the fight and do I need to look at them?"

"You don't need to worry about her. The sharks will be feeding off her soon and if they don't get her the ocean will."

"You say her?" Devon had a good idea what kind of cargo was in the hold. "Okay, have it your way if you want. It's just I thought you were a smarter man than this but I guess I was wrong."

"Are you insulting me? If you are I'd pick my next words carefully. You could join her when I toss her over the side. The sharks are always hungry."

"Yes, you could and then Ettore will be upset when my wife refuses to look at him. Who is Ettore going to be angry at then? The same way whoever asked you to transport those girls and tell me if I'm wrong there are more than one."

"They die all the time in transit. It's just a given that some don't make it so the people waiting for us in Shanghai won't miss one."

"But we've just started our voyage. What happens if another one gets sick or another one? You know disease runs rampant in confined spaces. What are the people who are waiting going to say then? I don't expect they'll be very happy."

"What do you expect me to do, nothing? No, my people need to see that if you do something there's punishment."

"You know there is punishment and punishment. You could simply cut her rations or publicly scold her. I'd like to offer my services if you'd like."

"What do you mean? I don't know you and I certainly don't trust you," said Yang as he looked at his man lying on the table.

"Just listen to my proposal first. I'm going to have to keep coming back here to check on your man for a long time. He's not out of the woods yet."

"Okay tell me what you're offering," said Yang. Something told him he wasn't going to like this but he also didn't see how he was going to be able to refuse. "Tell me what you can do for me?"

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Chuck and Sarah made their appearance in Orange Orange with the pretext of checking inventory and picking up some ice cream to take home. They exchanged a little small talk before disappearing into the back while their staff was waiting on clients. Once in the back they did their vanishing act through the freezer and into a connecting tunnel that led to Castle.

"You know the girls in Orange Orange have got to be curious about how we pop in then disappear without any one seeing us leave."

"They are paid enough not to be curious and besides if they don't know when we're going to show up or how we disappear it keeps them on their toes. This is something we could use in the Buy More to turn around that bunch."

"The only way to turn around the Buy More is to fire all of them and hire all new staff. But anyone worth their salt in the IT game won't want to work at the Buy More."

"I guess your right and besides their deficit helps with our taxes. Their loses helps off set out gains in Carmichael Industries. Well, we're almost there have you thought what you're going to say to Clara?"

"I was kind of hoping you'd help me out. Maybe I should go get a cherry cheesecake and see what kind of video games she likes to play?"

"Chuck, she's not you and while most of that I don't think will work with Clara what was it Morgan did for you that helped the most?"

"Well, if I had to break it down like that I'd say just being there for me meant more for me than anything else. We just played Legend of Zelda all night long. I see what you mean but still this isn't going to be easy."

"No, it's not. Look at me I'm sweating. The last time I sweat, gunfire was involved. Well whether you're ready or not we're here."

"Yeah but do you hear that? Who's that speaking? No, she wouldn't be here," said Chuck as they walked in on Anna talking to Kat as Clara and Sam listened.

"For the little ears here it's a Chinese freighter but it's cargo... well it's not the Love Boat. I guess you could say the ship is a part of a triad smuggling ring operating out of Shanghai," said Anna as Chuck and Sarah appeared

"You're talking about the Chenxing," said Chuck. "We tracked Ettore to a yacht but he flew off once it was out of port to Catalina then onto the Chenxing with an AC313. Beckman refuses to board it after the yacht blew up…"

"And what about Mom and Dad," said Clara. He could see the tears welling up in Clara's eyes and he immediately regretted saying anything.

"They weren't on board and neither was Alex. Ettore used the yacht as a decoy and to make us think everyone was… well not… well just not."

"Way to go Bartowski," said Casey as he walked in without Morgan. "Kat, why don't you take the kids in the back where they can color or draw?"

"How old do you think I am," said Clara. "I don't color or draw and you guys are talking about my parents. Sam is right you treat us like mushrooms keeping us in the dark."

"Sam did," said Sarah as she gave Sam a look. She just shrugged her shoulders. "John, I wonder where she heard that from. At least she edited the rest out."

"Here let's do this democratically and let the cards decide," said Sam as she shuffled the deck. "Here pick a card… any card then I'll pick one and high card wins."

"Sam, this is a little serious so for once behave and obey. Go on with Kat, both of you after we're done I'll… we'll sit down with the two of you and tell you what we can. I promise."

"Okay you don't want to color or draw," said Casey. "I've got something for you two do follow me," he said as he took them in the armoury. "You sit there and you sit next to her. Here are two Berettas unloaded. Watch and learn," he said. Casey field stripped both laying the pieces in front of each.

"John, I don't know if this is such a good idea," said Kat as she looked back out at Sarah and Chuck talking to Anna.

"Sure it is. It will be good for them. Besides they're unloaded… the weapons that is and if they come across a weapon they should know what to do and what not to do. Now, I want you to reassemble your weapon as fast as you can then I want you to strip it down again. If you have time put it back together again. Keep track of how many times you do that until Sarah comes for you. That should keep you busy," said John as he walked over to Kat.

"John, I'm worried about Alex. Please tell me I've got nothing to worry about and everything is going to be all right."

"I won't lie to you but I will promise you I'll find her and when I do I will end Ettore. He won't walk away from this one."

"John, where's Morgan," yelled Chuck. "I thought he was supposed to come down with you. Anna wants him here to brief us."

"I'm sure she does. I don't have the Troll watch and I left him with Big Mike. It sounded like Big Mike was trying to tell him he was leaving his mother but I'll go up and drag him down here.

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Ellie and Alex paced the room looking out the porthole to the now darkened sea. If they hadn't been in the situation they were in they might've been able to admire the view. The pacific was living up to its name being almost a sheet of glass with the moon and the stars reflecting off it. But all they saw were the guards that walked back and forth outside their porthole. Suddenly their door opened and Ettore walked in accompanied by a guard.

"It's a good thing you brought protection and why didn't you knock before you came in? Or have good manners left you which begs the question if you ever had any to begin with."

"Where's my husband? Where's Devon? If you've done anything to him you can forget about me helping you to do anything."

"Just calm down… both of you. Your husband is putting to use some of his Emergency Room skills. It seems one of Captain Yang's men was on the wrong end of a knife and got stabbed. Your husband is patching him up."

"I should go see if he needs any help. He probably could use another set of hands. Ettore take me to him now."

"No, from what I understand everything is done and now he's observing his patient. I don't want you to go near Yang. While he is a very competent ship's captain, he has a temper and I'd hate for him to lash out at you. I need you intact and whole when we reach where we're going to…"

"So you sacrificed Devon? How could you? Then you want me to look at you. Do you want me to tell you what I think of you?"

"No, I've got a pretty good idea but what can I say. Yang came to me in need and after your trip to the heart of the Congo with Doctors without Borders I figured Devon was the perfect match. And judging from what I heard I was right."

"Okay so I know why you need Ellie and Devon but what are you going to do with me," said Alex. "Don't expect me to cooperate with you."

"I'd have to be a fool to think that. I haven't made up my mind. I could have the Doctor here work on you… maybe adjust your personality to make you more cooperative."

"What are you talking about? Have you gone completely mad?"

"He's talking about a lobotomy and this is not 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest'. What you're hinting at is unethical and immoral not that you care much about morals. Ettore, might I point out that most of those operations left the patient incapacitated for life."

Ellie knew exactly what she was doing and she got what she wanted. Ettore thought about what she said then flashed. He saw patient after patient with their brain exposed. He saw them before then as vegetables afterward. He leaned against the wall to support himself grabbing his forehead in pain.

"Are you right," asked the guard that came in with him in Mandarin which cause another flash so he could understand and speak back to him.

"Yes, yes just let's go back to my cabin. I'll leave you for now but we're not done here yet," said Ettore as he turned to walk out. The guard tried to help him but he pushed him away. "I'm all right I can walk on my own."

They watched as the door opened then Ettore and his man left. Ellie looked at Alex and took a deep breath.

"You have nothing to worry I will never do anything like that. Well the one good thing is we know what Devon is doing."

"Ellie, I want you to promise me if Ettore forces you to do something like that I want you to slip with the knife and… well…"

"Hey, look at me. That's not going to happen because I will never do it. I took an oath and I plan on keeping it no matter what. I will do no harm."

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While they waited for Morgan to come down Chuck raised Beckman on the horn which left Sarah and Anna alone with a long period of awkward silence. Sarah wanted to ask her how she'd been and how her cousin was but since Alex was her prodigy she felt she owed Alex not to engage with the enemy until she knew what Anna's goals and aims were.

"I need to go check on Bunny. I'll be right back," said Sarah. She went back to detention where Kat had made a makeshift baby bed. Bunny was asleep oblivious to everything that was going on around her.

"At least you can sleep through this," said Sarah as she walked in to pull the covers up and give her a kiss on the forehead. She was also happy because this gave her an excuse to get away from Anna. She could only imagine what was going through Kat's head. Casey was easier to read he just told you how he felt.

"So you decided to have another one? One wasn't enough," said a voice behind her. She could run but she couldn't hide. Anna had followed her.

"Sam needed a sibling. We didn't want her growing up an only child. As it is she spends too much time with adults. And what about you? You've never found anyone to settle down with?"

"You know what they say about love and this game we play. It's a weakness that can be used against you. Besides all the good men are taken."

Sarah was about to ask her what she meant by that when Chuck came waving them to come back to the conference area.

"I've got Beckman up on the big screen and she almost had kittens when she found out you were here. She said she had an interesting talk with Ambassador Mei-Sheng. He refused to talk with her but hinted that the guy we took that we thought was Triad is actually Chinese MSS. Anna what's going on? Since when does the Triad work with the central government."

"I need to talk to your General. She needs to know what's going on then you guys need to leave the rest to me. This is where we need to part company."

"I don't hardly think so," said Casey. "Beckman sent me to find out what's holding you guys up. We need to get out front like now. I left Grimes talking with the General and that's never good. And sister if you think we're just going to stand down so you can take Ettore in… well you've got another thing coming."

"My mission isn't to take Ettore in. My job is to put him in the ground once and for all. He's been declared an enemy of our state and I've been tasked with the job of terminating him."

[A few minutes later they were standing in front of a monitor listening to Anna repeated the same thing.]

"Why is it that I feel there's more to this story," said Chuck. "Why has your government issued a kill order on Ettore? Why was there an MSS agent on the yacht posing as Triad? What is the central government's involvement?"

"I wish I could tell you all the details but I was given the order to tell no one. I'm flying out this evening to arrive in China before the Chenxing pulls in. There will be a welcoming party there waiting…"

"I don't see why we couldn't be there too," said Morgan. "I mean it's only fair after you helped me to let us help you."

"Nice try Morgan but I did what I did so I could talk to you guys together to tell you I can't be responsible for you. My group can blend in while your group would stick out like a sore thumb. Believe me you don't want the MSS to grab you. Chinese prisons are not like yours. I will make sure nothing happens to your people and I'll put them on the first plane back here. Just let me do my job."

"Very well if that's the way you want to play this then go right ahead," said Beckman. Chuck did a double take.

"General, you can't be seriously thinking about going along with this? I don't believe I'm saying this but I agree Ettore is a rabid dog that needs to be put down but I think we are the ones best suited to do that. Anna, Ettore is like no one else you've gone up against. He might look like Morgan but that's where to similarities end…"

"Agent Carmichael enough," said the General. "I don't want you to say anymore. Agent Wu has her orders and what she said about your group sticking out is true. We'll let her handle the situation in Shanghai and monitor the results. The rest of you standby for a new mission but first, Agent Grimes please give Agent Wu a ride to the airport. We wouldn't want her to miss her flight."

"I understand," said Anna. "Come on Morgan. You can buy me a coffee at Starbuck." Casey looked at him then growled.

"Let's go," said Morgan as he shrugged his shoulder then they both left.

"General, I have to protest. I don't want a new mission not with Ellie, Devon and Alex still MIA."

"For once I agree with Chuck," said Casey. "What's this us giving into the Chinese… Taiwanese at that. This isn't right."

"No, it isn't. I only agreed to let her handle the situation in Shanghai. With the intel I got from her I should have no trouble getting the JCOSs to sign off on a boarding. They're all in when we're talking about the war against human trafficking."

"General, I'm glad you're willing to board them now. But we have to make sure what happened with the yacht doesn't repeat itself."

"I concur. The Regan battle group is holding exercises near Hawaii. This time we're not going to announce our arrival but take them by surprise and I know exactly how we're going to do it."