Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Sarah took Sam with them on their walk down by the waterfront and to the park. They walked through old town down to the kampana tower then across the bridge to Slobode Park. There they found a bench and let Sam play on the rides with the other children while they watched. Sitting on the bench Sarah start eating her half while Chuck called Jack then Igor about the poker game. He put the call on speaker so if he had to he'd get up to get Sam he wouldn't have to worry about the phone and Sarah could eat in peace.
"Jack, I need for you to free yourself up this evening. General Thomas and Igor want to organize a private poker game and I need a dealer."
"Do you want me to guarantee how the cards will fall? That'll mean I'll need to bring my special deck. I call it the 'Reginald'."
"I thought you said you didn't cheat when you played Sir Reginald," said Sarah as she swallowed a big bite of their cheeseburger. "Some misunderstanding, huh."
"Schnook you have me on speaker… Oh, that's so not right," said Jack. "Okay just give me a call when you want me to come up."
"No, I don't want the game rigged and it'll be in the General's suite. I'll call you with the time just be handy and standing by. No dealing from the bottom or second cards."
"Where's the fun in that? Okay I hear you just give me a call schnook." Chuck hung up as Sam came running over with a huge smile.
"Shook," said Sam hearing Jack call Chuck schnook. She ran back calling him "shook" then ran back to where the other children were playing looking at Chuck giggling.
"Yes I see you too," yelled Chuck which made her giggle that much more. But Chuck noticed Sarah was in a sullen mood sitting next to him.
"Are we doing right by her," asked Sarah. "I mean have you ask yourself, I was talking with Jack of all people and he told me that if I ever have any question I should do the opposite of what was done to me."
"So? Sounds like good advice, which is surprising and shocking seeing as if came from Jack. What's going on? Why are asking me this?"
"I don't know," said Sarah as she paused "Don't you see we've… I've done to her exactly what was done to me. We leave her parked with other people while we go off on mission."
"We leave her so she'll be safe and secondly our missions are important as well as dangerous. We protect a lot of Sams out there and their families. Didn't someone once tell me, and I quote, 'that while I appreciate your friendship with Morgan, losing sight of that container endangers many people's best friends. Not just yours, Chuck.' If you haven't figured it out 'container' is a metaphor for 'mission'."
"I got that but I also told you I could've been more sensitive before about your friendship with Morgan. I said, it's just, it's difficult, I don't really have anyone in my life like that, who who cares about me and what did you tell me?"
"I said, 'yeah, you do'." Then Chuck leaned over and kissed her. Sam ran back to them giggled then ran back.
"You ever wonder what she thinks when she sees us kiss?" said Sarah as she watched Sam climb on a merry-go-round for toddlers.
"I think she can see how much I love you and how much I love her even if I am her schnook as Jack says. What's going on?"
"I don't know I'm just worried about Sam. It's not like the agency has child psychologist that we can talk to and if we find one on our own what do we do, lie? That doesn't help any we're back to square one."
"What do you suggest we do? It's not like we know any other spies with kids. There's Casey but Alex doesn't really count as a kid and he missed all her formative years. There's really no one to talk to in your or my family. My mother is the last person I'd ask and Ellie well… she hasn't got a clue as to what our lives are like nor do I want her to."
"There are a couple of people we know we could talk to. Stefan started talking to me about his kids when we were in the airport and I know Anatoly has kids too."
"Sure if it makes you feel better we can talk to them. They're Russian but I think kids are universal around the world."
"Funny you should say that, that's almost exactly what Stefan told me. I know this is a little outside the box and if you don't want to…"
"No I didn't say that. If you want to I do too after all we both want what's best for Sam and if you think talking to those two will help let's go for it. It could've been worse you could've wanted to talk to Skip and Fernando."
"Please, you've got to be joking. I wouldn't even ask them the time of day let alone give me advice on child-rearing."
"That's a little cruel, true but cruel. Let me make this last call then you both will have my undivided attention. I need to call Igor about this poker game," said Chuck as he dialled up Stefan putting him on speaker.
"Stefan this is Chuck. I've got you on speaker but I'm calling about a poker game your boss wanted with my Director."
"Yes, he's been waiting for your call. He's anxious to hear how your meeting with the Iranians went. Let's say about ten in our room?"
"Okay at ten but we need to make in my Director's room. I think he's afraid of being listened in on. Speaking of being listened in; did you tell anyone we were meeting with the Iranians? Somehow it was transmitted almost immediately across the Atlantic to Washington."
"Just our embassy but from what I understand our people couldn't intercept your conversation because of a signal jammer. We figured the Iranians didn't want to risk any word getting out seeing as the situation was a little awkward for them."
"You're probably right," said Chuck wondering when Roan had switched on the jamming device. When it came to electronics Roan was a bit of a klutz. "I was wondering, actually Sarah and I were wondering, if while they play if you couldn't leave Ivan with them while you and Anatoly talk with us about how you guys raised your kids."
"This is coming from Sarah, isn't it? She and I started talking about this the other day in the airport. I promised her we could talk and as far as I'm concerned sure. I don't think it's a problem for Anatoly either."
"Then it's a date see you tonight," said Chuck as he hung up. He held his phone up staring at it for a while thinking.
"What is it? He agreed to talk good. But something else is going on you've got that look about you the same one you get when you're trying to figure out a clue."
"I have a look?... Oh, well okay, I was just thinking how'd the news get back to D.C. so fast especially now if the Russians didn't tell anyone. No one knew I was meeting the Iranians except you, the Russians and that's it. Yet they deny saying anything to anyone. I guess the Iranians, Roan, Beckman and Thomas knew but only after we arrived. None of them could've called because Roan accidently turned on the signal jammer which meant no transmissions in or out so who called the JCOS?"
"What are you saying we have a spy amongst us? Do we need to start looking over our shoulders to see if we're being spied on?" said Sarah as she smiled.
"You're right they could be spying on us now," said Chuck then he noticed the smile on Sarah's face. "Now you're just making fun of me," said Chuck as he leaned over and kissed her.
"Sweetie, you're spiraling and besides we have a casino full of spies. It's only natural that one or all of them spy on us. It's the nature of the beast."
"Speaking of nature and nurture, where's my half of the cheeseburger," asked Chuck as Sarah handed him the empty wrapper.
"Sorry, I guess I was hungrier than I thought," said Sarah looking at him with those big eyes of hers the same ones Sam had that could melt a ton of ice.
"I wasn't that hungry anyway," he said as he kissed her tossing the wrapper in the trash.
"Here," said Sarah as she handed him another one. "I got two because I knew I was hungry and you were going to keep us waiting. I wanted to see what you'd do if you thought I ate yours."
"I should've taken a bite out of you," said Chuck as he gave her hickey on the neck.
"Ouch," said Sarah as she laughed. "Oh no it'll show." She pushed him away then pulled him back in close. "You're mean."
"I guess I was hungrier than I thought."
"We'll see what I can do about that appetite when we get back to our room," said Sarah as she leaned her head against his shoulder then they watched Sam play as Chuck ate his cheeseburger with extra pickles.
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Paul spent the day bringing his men dressed in business suits into the hotel one at a time. Each came in and made their way across the lobby carrying a briefcase. They headed straight for the elevator taking it up to his floor. It hadn't escaped Paul the irony of it all that they were walking right by some of the greatest spy organizations in the world and none of them had a clue as to what they had in store.
"Okay is everyone here now," said Paul as he did a quick headcount. "Breakout the body armor and gear up. We need to be ready in a moment's notice. No screw-ups are allowed, you do and there will be a price. Dusty, you speak Russian?"
"Yeah Paul why? What do you want me to do?
"Good take this," said Paul as he handed him the listening device for the bug he had planted on Anatoly. "I want you to keep listening and let me know what's going on. Come and grab me if something important goes down."
"Roger that Boss," said Dusty as he put the earpiece in and switched on the receiver tuning in the sound until he could make out what everyone was saying clearly.
"Good I need to go check-in and see if we've gotten orders to go," said Paul as he picked up a tablet then went into the other room. Setting it on the stand he logged into the secure dark net.
"We're in place ready to make the hit I just need confirmation. What are your orders? Do we dance or sit this one out?"
"I want you to name a team leader then send them in following your plan. Then while they're executing the Russians I want you to handle another matter for us. It seems Agent Carmichael has been asking the wrong questions and needs to stop permanently."
"What are you orders? Do you want just him stopped?" asked Paul as he smiled. "Or do you want to send a message?"
"We want both. Your orders are to kill him and his whole family. I'm sending you photos you'll find them in an attached e-mail. We confirm your usual fees."
"I'm opening them up now. Yes, I've seen him here in the hotel, both of them and they have a daughter too, she's around two years old."
"The order is to eliminate the whole family. Hydra is tired of their meddling and we want to send a message to anyone else who might want to put their nose in our affairs. If they do there's a price to pay. Are you going to have a problem with this?"
"No, none, I've got no problems and I should have this all wrapped up by morning. Is there anything else you need from us?"
"Just confirm the kills," said the man then the screen went blank. Paul was looking over the pictures when Dusty ran in.
"Paul we have a problem. The Russians found the safe house and a Tac team is on their way now. We need to call the guys to warn them to clear out."
"No hold up," said Paul as his mind was racing. "No we don't do anything. If the Russians get there and find the place empty they'll know we were tipped. Then they'll start looking and find the bug. After the screw-up on the road the other day it won't take them long to figure out we're planning another hit and put up their guard. We're too close to pull back now plus I was just given another mission."
"But Boss the men they'll be captured. Aren't you afraid they'll talk? Won't it be the same but at least our men…"
"No they all know not to talk and they'll hold out at least twenty-four hours that's all we need. Dusty, I'm putting you in charge of this mission tonight. I've got to make another hit and this can only be done if it goes down at the same time. I can count on you as my new lieutenant, right?"
"Sure I got this," said Dusty more for himself than for Paul. "I know the plan. What do you want me to do, go organize the men?"
"Yeah do that while I tap into hotel security to locate my new targets. Just keep me informed nothing has changed for you guys."
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Anatoly got the call from their embassy on the location of the terrorist safe house. Their tech people had downloaded the information from the limo's black box. With that information they were able to put together where the limo had been driven and stops along the way. A team was sent to question people who might have seen it as it was being driven as well as hacking into CCTV feeds to spot anything suspicious going on around it. All this foot work finally paid off.
"Yeah I just talked to a man who said he thought he saw a white delivery truck following it. You want to look at the CCTV footage and see if you can spot that same truck. Look and see if it keeps popping up."
"I got it all right and it was reported stolen but give me a moment and let me see if I can triangulate movement."
A little while later the same agent's phone rang. It was the Russian embassy…
"I got something that truck is at the same place where the limo was found but I've got pictures of the driver. I'm sending them to you."
"That's fine and dandy but that's still like looking for a needle in a haystack," said the agent thinking he'd have to start over asking people if they knew this man."
"I got better for you. There was a local shepherd who lodged a complaint that a man matching our guy's description driving a delivery truck almost ran down one of his prize sheep."
"That's good give me the area where the incident took place and I'll ask around. Maybe I won't have to eat cold borscht after all."
"I've got better again there's an old house in the area that is listed as abandoned but from aerial reconnaissance I've got lights on plus a shed next to it big enough to house a delivery truck."
"Excellent keep eyes on them from above and send a Tac team to meet me at my location. Notify the Director too. He might want to be here."
"Roger that. Team is already on their way and the Director is in route. I'll make sure they keep a bowl of borscht warm for you in the cafeteria."
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Outside the casino….
Igor almost bumped into Chuck as he ran out of the casino. He yelled an apology as he bolted by with Stefan and Anatoly in tow. Chuck didn't have to be told that something was going on but before he could do anything Mike came up to the two of them. Sarah brought up the rear with Sam in her arms. Sam was basically dead weight tired from playing in the park. Sam made a major concession she let Chuck carry Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit while she slept in Sarah's arms.
"Chuck, Sarah I need you both in the Dungeon right away," said Mike. He looked nervous and worried which made them worried.
"Okay, let us get Sam up in the room then we'll be…" Chuck started to say but Mike cut him off abruptly.
"No you both need to come with me right now. Bring Sam along I'll have one of the agents standing by to watch her. I need you both to come with me."
"Lead the way," said Sarah as they followed Mike into the elevator. He was sweating, his pulse seemed rapid and he was nervous. He'd never make it as a field agent but as a tech he was almost as good as Chuck.
"Right over here," said Mike bringing them to a computer station. As they were taking up position Margo walked in.
"I got your message what's so hot that you called in a priority one. Do I need to put the casino in lockdown?"
"Okay this is what happened. I was signaled by the system that someone had breached our firewalls and was looking around our client list."
"I kind of expected something like that with the guests we've got here right now," said Chuck remembering what Sarah had reminded him about the place being filled with spies.
"Yes, but then I started looking at the transmissions that were sent and received around the time of the incursion. Chuck look at this."
"I see you're right those data packs as too big for audio files and they're encrypted over… my God this came via the dark net. Have you been able to open them?"
"Yes well the large data packs turned out to be simple jpg files which were easily recompiled. Chuck, Sarah they're pictures of you two. I'm trying to decode the audio files but as much as I've got now is there's supposed to be a hit out on you and your family."
"What let me look at those files," said Chuck as he realized both hands were filled with rabbits. He turned but Mike stopped him.
"This is all there is. They were self-cancelling and I was lucky to get what I got before they disappeared."
"Any luck tracking source or receiver?" asked Chuck as he looked at their photos. They were taken when they were in Pasadena when they were sent to meet the team of traitors as they were later to reveal themselves.
"Nothing specific, it seems the transmission originated from somewhere beyond the Black Sea on the border area of Georgia. The receiver was in the hotel but our rooms are shielded and the transmission didn't last long enough so I couldn't locate the floor or room number. What are you guys going to do?"
"I'm going to kill someone," said Sarah. "Chuck we need to talk."
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Three Black Mercedes SUVs drove out of town, one with the director sitting in the back. Neither Anatoly nor Stefan liked the fact that the Director was with them but he refused to stay behind and wanted to be a part of this operation. The Director for his part looked calm and relaxed as he stared out the window watching the people. Soon it would be spring and the fields needed to be prepared a story that had remained unchanged since recorded time.
"Sir, we're almost at the point where we'll have to proceed on foot. Our people have arranged for an explosion with a fire at an abandoned building on the other side of town along with gunshots that should keep the police and emergency services away from us while we do our little op."
"Very good, how do we know the people in the house won't try to make a break for it? What kind of plan do you have for that?"
"If they do, they won't get far. We're coming in the front while I've got a chopper setting down in the back with additional forces. We'll have them trapped in the middle."
"Good let's do this and remember I need one with a pulse to talk with," said Igor. Suddenly there was a loud explosion and the house erupted into a ball of flame. "Crap what was that!"
"Are you sure," said Stefan talking into his watch while touching his ear. "Move in and search the area. Look for hidden passages and tell everyone to be careful this could be a trap."
"Don't tell me we've got nothing to show for our effort here," said Igor but the look on Stefan's face was quite clear.
"I'm sorry but they must've seen us coming and blew up the place with themselves inside. You heard what I told our people to do."
"Crap, how did they know we were here? There's no way they could've seen us. No, something isn't right. Have our people continue to search, but we need to be out of here before the police come. Let's go back to the hotel. I want to see Chuck."
Inside the Dungeon…
"Chuck, I just intercepted another message," yelled Mike. Chuck came running back still with Mr. and Mr. Rabbit in his hands. "Can you make heads or tails of this? It's a series of letters, numbers and symbols."
"That is a detonator activation code, someone just set off a bomb. Bring up sat images of the area and look for smoke. Listen up;" yelled Chuck, "someone needs to listen to the police band. They should have reports of an explosion."
"You heard Agent Carmichael," said Margo as she looked at Chuck.
"I'm sorry Margo you're right, they're your people and you're the Station Chief…"
"Chuck, it's alright, we don't have time to pussy foot around with protocols right now. But you'd be a little more credible if you lose the bunnies."
"And risk the wrath of Sam, never."