Chapter 12: Italy Mission
A/N: Same disclaimers as every other chapter so you know the drill. This chapter is un betad but ill work on getting it fixed.
It had been a couple of weeks since they had rescued Carina and the couple was now on a mission in Italy. Some of their hard work had finally paid off. One of the leads from Wells computer had paid off in a roundabout way. They found most of the contributors to the CFCB Charity to be honest businessmen. One of the businessmen however had a brother that had been arrested on possession of illegal weapons. Those weapons just happened to be Soviet made AK-47's. Since it had been another slow period for them, if you discount the times they had to attend the parties and business dinners they were required to attend to gather information on who may be involved with the funding of the Trans World Shipping, the group they were ultimately trying to get in to. The General gave them the go ahead to track any leads they thought would enable them to get information on Fulcrum. They tracked those weapons to a gang operating in New York. The gang in turn got those weapons from a man that was associated with a know arms dealer in Italy. They contacted Interpol and MI-6 for any information they may have on the arms dealer. They got a file that had several photos of suspected associates and Chuck flashed on a couple as being Fulcrum. When Beckman got that bit of information she had them pack up and head to Naples Italy.
For this mission Sarah had gone with light brown hair and brown contacts. Chuck had trimmed his hair and dyed his hair a dark black. He added green contacts to complete his look. Gone were the high end designer dresses and suits. Instead their wardrobe now consisted of jeans and dress slacks for Chuck while Sarah went with Capri's, jeans and normal dresses and skirts. They now were as close to the way they used to dressing before their current long term mission began.
Sarah and Chuck had just finished a nice meal at Antica Osteria Pisano and were deciding what else to do or see. They had been here for over three weeks now with very little to show for it. They had been unable to track down either of the two men Chuck had flashed on. They had begun to drop hints around the City that they were interested in acquiring some hard to find historic weapons. They began to get some leads on where to purchase some small caliber hand guns with the promise of more to come if they needed them. They had a meeting set up for the next day with Antonio their contacts boss.
Their meal finished they began to take their evening walk. The walk had become somewhat of a ritual back at the residence. At first they did it to learn what the grounds looked like but it morphed into a way to just clear their heads after a long day of doing reports or checking the files Beckman had sent them. Now they just do it for fun. On the way back to the small house the CIA had provided them with Sarah felt a niggling on the back of neck.
"Chuck does something seem off to you?"
"Not really why?"
"I can't really explain it. It's like my spy senses are tingling. I get the feeling were either being followed or watched."
"I hate to break it to you but every time we go out you ARE being watched."
"Not like that you big nerd like in somebody is keeping tabs on us."
"You have more experience than me at this stuff so I think we should follow your instincts."
"I'd like to call Beckman when we get in and have a backup team in place for tomorrows meet. There's no way I want to get surprised tomorrow by Antonio and his men without back up."
"I agree with you on that point. Speaking of back up teams you know what I miss about us working here?"
"Why don't you tell me and we'll both know."
"Smart ass, it's not having anyone from Gabriel's team to call in as our back up" Chuck completes his statement while opening the door and entering their place.
"Isn't that the truth. We've been working with them for just over six months and so far everything has gone according to plan. I know if the feces hit the rotary oscillating device and his team would have us out in a heartbeat. I never felt that way when I was working for just the CIA. Back then it was like if you get caught oh well." As she finishes her mind begins to drift you know the real reason now though don't you? Pimp Daddy Graham and I sold your ass Larkin could have cared less if you got out. They would have just gotten another pretty face to spread her legs.
A tap on her elbow brings her back and she continues "Sorry I got caught up in a moment of reflection. Beckman said this mission we were on would require a lot of travel and she was right. By the way have you talked to Ellie lately?"
"I talked to her the other day while you were at your appointment. The wedding plans are coming along nicely but she did ask for a favor."
"What does she need?"
"She wants us to send our plane to pick up her bridal party the week before the wedding and bring them to our place. Then take them on an aerial tour of Philadelphia and maybe New York. Then we can all fly back on our plane for the wedding. I told her I would have to ask you."
"I don't see why not. We can treat it as one long bachelorette party."
"How did the appointment go?"
"It was good. I never thought I would need help but after talking to Carina and hearing her say how much it helped her I figured I should give it a try. We both did a lot of the same things."
"Gabriel almost bit my head off when I said to him I could handle it one my own. Then he explained how he got help after his first kills and my decision was made. If he got help I'd be a damn fool if I didn't"
"He really cares about his people. It's no wonder they are so loyal to him."
"I thought just crossed my mind. It's been a while since I showed my wife exactly how much I love her." He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom where he showed her, several times.
Chris and Seanna Wilson AKA the Bartowski's arrived at the meeting location as scheduled. They chose the Galleria Umberto I possibly the largest glass roofed arcade in the world for the meeting. They were seated at a table outside one of the small restaurants waiting for Antonio to arrive. When Antonio did arrive they were not surprised he wasn't alone. What surprised them was who he was with Bryce Larkin.
"Antonio a pleasure to see you again" asked Seanna "and who might this man be?" you have got to be fucking kidding me. I can't wait to hear what Beckman says about this.
"Allow me to introduce to you my business partner Bruce Lawson. Bruce this is Seanna and her husband Chris" answered Antonio.
"Nice to meet you Bruce now that we have all the players here can we get down to business" Chuck says barely concealing his shock. Ok this has to be some kind of cosmic injustice. I killed some bad dudes. Lots of people have so why do I have to go through this now. Couldn't this have waited till I died?
"Antonio we would like to acquire some assault weapons for some friends of ours. Say around 200. With a promise for more if you can deliver. If you can provide them my friends will pay well." Chuck began the negotiation.
"For such a small quantity seventy five percent over retail if that's agreeable to your friends" Bruce added.
"That might be doable if you can provide what we need now and on our next order we pay you fifty percent. Of course it will be for a larger quantity." Sarah smoothly entered back into the negotiation.
"The lady drives a hard bargain. But we agree on the price. We can have your merchandise in a week. We will contact you when delivery can be made" Antonio said concluding the negotiations. The four business persons shook hands to seal the deal.
Chuck and Sarah left as soon as their deal had been agreed upon and headed straight to their house to contact Beckman. Once inside the booted up the laptop that Gabriel had given them. With the difference in time General would be at her office so they let the five minute rule slide.
"Beckman secure."
"Bartowski's pissed" snapped Sarah "No disrespect General but what is Bryce Larkin doing here working with our mark Antonio?"
"Whoa back up the bus Sarah!" Beckman exclaimed
"What my dear wife is trying to say is during our meeting with Antonio. His business partner turned out to be Bryce, but his cover name is Bruce Lawson. He is acting as Antonio's partner. We need to know if he is trying to get Antonio as well or if there is another reason for him to be here."
"I never sent him on any missions in Italy. Because I spend so much of my time working with your team and Gabriel's I have let the CIA handle most of their agents. I have not had eyes on Larkin's missions in almost six months. Let me call my liaison at the CIA and have them send over Bryce's latest mission reports. I will contact you when I have any more information" and Beckman signed off.
"That was a shock seeing him here. I hope Beckman has some good answers for us" said Chuck.
"He had better hope that this does not affect our other mission because if he does it will not be pretty" conceded Sarah.
"How do you feel about this Sarah? Something does not make sense here. Do you think that maybe he went rogue for real this time?"
"That I can't answer plus I have no idea what he is doing here either."
Just then the screen came to life and Beckman was back "I have some very bad news for you two. It seems like Agent Larkin is supposed to be in Columbia working with a DEA Agent trying to bring down a drug cartel."
"Ma'am we know that's not true." Chuck interrupted the General.
The General just rolled her eyes and continued on "Chuck if you would allow me to finish before you interrupt again I may answer some of your questions. It gets worse Agents, according to the reports the CIA has received from Agent Larkin they all state that he is currently working undercover with DEA Agent Carina Hansen. We have personally seen Agent Hansen several times during the last month we know she is working for Gabriel. I have asked for his help and he should be joining us in a minute."
Almost as soon as the General finishes her statement the screen splits in half and Gabriel appears. "Good evening Agents Bartowski Diane has informed me that you have a situation that I can help with. After speaking with Diane I had my techs do some checking in the DEA data base. What I found disturbed me. Carina was listed as missing and presumed dead on the same day I recruited her. Six months later her status was changed from missing to inactive status due to injuries. The name of the Agent who reported her alive was CIA Agent Bryce Larkin" as was his habit Gabriel paused to allow the information to sink in.
"Agent Larkin contacted the Head of the DEA and requested a Temporary Duty Assignment (TDA) and partnership with Agent Hansen. His ruse was that they were both after the same cartel. His handler in the CIA approved and reported him TDA. That was about six months ago. General with your permission I would like to send in a team to assist yours in light of this new information. Your teams are good General don't doubt that. You've seen my teams in action and they are better. Agents Bartowski and Agent Casey are every bit as good as mine. I could not in good conscience allow them to be protected by anyone not as equally skilled."
This revelation left the three others in the briefing doing the fish out of water routine. "I have not seen it fit to interfere with the missions Team Bartowski has run. Granted we may run nonintrusive observation on your team but we let them do everything. When Larkin involved one of MY team members in his plan it became my business. We protect our own to include Team Bartowski." Gabriel paused for a second to prepare them for what was coming next.
Sarah and Chuck watched Gabriel's eyes change to the exact color they were at the party. Beckman had never seen his eyes turn so cold. He continued on in a voice as cold as ice, "put this message out from the head of the DNI to the lowest members in the security field, 'If any harm comes to any of my team members I WILL find out who betrayed them and work up their chain of command until I reach the top.' Word it however you deem necessary just make it happen. Are there any questions for me before I go select my team?"
Chuck and Sarah now being used to Gabriel going off once in a while spoke up, "Do you have an ETA on your team and where will they fly into so we can pick them up."
The will fly into Naples on your plane. I will contact you with the arrival time. Please stay inside until you depart for the pickup. I need them to stay with you until we figure out what Larkin is up to. General do you agree to my plan?"
"I concur with your assessment of the situation and the response. Thank you for the review of my team they are the best I have. Agents sit tight until tomorrow and I will begin looking for the person or persons helping Larkin. We will brief in two days on the status of the mission. Beckman out."
"Sarah and Chuck everything I said is true but until my team arrives watch each other's backs. Gabriel out."
"I am not even going to ask if he was pissed. We've both seen those eyes before and they signal hellfire and brimstone for anyone in his way" stated Sarah.
"I just wonder who he is sending. It better not be Paris and Kim. They have a reputation of all play and no work" Chuck said with a chuckle.
"Enough about the mission and Bryce let's make dinner and relax. Then figure out what to do for the next two days until we are off lock down."
Unknown location Naples Italy
"Are you sure it was Walker and Bartowski?"
"I'm sure Sir. They were at the meeting today with Antonio and I."
"We need her back ASAP. That team Beckman has is making me look like a fool. Her whole job should be taking down Fulcrum not watching an asset."
"I know you want her back in the fold and she's wasting her talents with him."
"According to the grapevine she's in a relationship with the asset."
"No way is she compromised. She lives for this kind of thing. All I have to do is get him out of the picture and she'll come crawling back."
"How sure of your plan succeeding are you? If it fails I will disavow any knowledge of it and declare you a rogue Agent."
"It's been well over a year since Hansen went missing there is no chance of her coming back. All my sources say she died in that Bar. Our mole in the DEA has her in Columbia working with a team to take out a drug cartel. The mission there is at a standstill so they sent me here on a solo mission."
"For your sake I hope your right. Remember the saying Bryce 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray'" "I will take it under advisement Sir. You have a good night." Early the next morning Chuck and Sarah got the email they had been waiting for. The backup/security team would arrive at the airport around noon on the following day. They took the day they off to complete all the paperwork they had let slide. Sarah noticed in the last few months she had let her paperwork start to slide. She finally figured out the decline of her paperwork skill began after she married Chuck. The rewards for her outweighed the consequences so she didn't mind the occasional day where she had to play catch up. Their two day lock down had finally come to an end and it was time to pick up their support team. They went to the small Aeroporto di Napoli that is used for charter flights and only has to terminals. One is for the loading of passenger and one for the unloading of passengers. They watched as their plane pulled up to the arrival terminal. When the hatch opened the first person to debark the plane was a woman of average looks and long blond hair dressed in jeans and a lightweight jacket. She was followed by a tall stunning red head wearing skinny jeans and a form fitting cowl neck sweater. When the blond got to the bottom of the jet ramp she waited. When the red head reached the bottom the blond took the red heads hand in hers walked towards where Chuck and Sarah standing. Chuck and Sarah were surprised when they saw the pair walking towards them. Sarah broke into a fast walk and headed towards her long time friend while Chuck just lagged behind allowing the two friends to catch up. "You're the team that Gabriel sent out to be our backup?" Sarah said while hugging her friend. "He said he wanted to stir the pot a bit. We can talk about it more at your place. Chuck and Sarah you remember my girl friend Samantha." "Yes I do Carina. It's nice to see you again Samantha." Chuck said as he reached out to shake her hand. But Samantha had other ideas and pulled him into a hug. "After what you did for my girl I'm sorry but a simple hand shake won't do it." "No we should be thanking you for helping us pick out our wedding rings." "So you finally remembered who I was?" "It took us a while but yes." "Let's head back to our place and get caught up and discuss what is going on." They made their way back to the house the couple was staying at. "Gabriel he wanted to shake things up so he sent us. He gave us the information on Bryce and what is going on. Our plan is for Sam and I to let Bryce get some glimpses of us together. He does think I am dead so by seeing glimpses of me we hope we can get him nervous and he starts to panic. He knows me from before as being straight so it should help keeping him confused about me." "That sounds go to us. So what have you two been doing since we last saw you?" asked Chuck.
"After you saved her ass" Sam points to Carina "Gabe gave us a couple weeks off to reconnect. She was on that damn detail for three months. But we did get to talk almost every night."
"But that's not the same as laying next to her in bed. I bet you two know all about that huh Sarah?"
"Not really Carina after Beckman sanctioned our relationship I moved in with him. We got married and have never been apart for even a night."
"I would love to hear that story" said Sam. Sarah and Chuck spent the next hour or so telling the new couple all the details. Then Carina and Sam explained how they ended up getting together to Chuck and Sarah. Carina was very impressed at how far Chuck had come along since the first time she had met him. As the conversation was coming to a close Chuck's phone started to ring.
"Hello"
"Mr. Wilson I can have your merchandise for you in two days. I expect you will have my money?" Antonio asked.
"I have the agreed upon amount. Where and when should we meet to complete our deal?"replied Chuck.
"My associate Mr. Lawson will contact you to arrange it. Meet him at the Antica Osteria Pisano in three hours. He has already made the reservations. I look forward to completing our deal."
"We will be there. Good bye Antonio."
"Good bye Chris and good day." And the call ended.
"Well this sucks" starts Chuck "we have a meeting with Bryce in three hours at the Antica Osteria Pisano. He already made the plans."
"That bastard" exclaimed Sarah "he was watching us when we went there. I knew something felt off."
"Calm down Sarah this meeting is a good thing for us" Sam said in a calming voice. "It is great time to start operation confuse Bryce."
"Sam's right you guys. It could have taken us days to find out where he is. Now we get him delivered right into our hands" Carina added in. "Now let's discuss our plans."
At the appointed time Chuck and Sarah were seated at their table waiting for Bryce. It wasn't long before he showed up. "Mr. Lawson how are you doing today" asked Chuck with a very questioning tone.
"Good Mr. Wilson, thank you for asking. Would you care to tell me why you guys are here?" hissed Bryce.
"Mr. Lawson I think we should keep to the reason we are here. When and where are we doing the transfer?" Sarah hissed back. Bryce was starting to realize this might not have been the smartest thing he ever did. They say if looks could kill then the looks he was getting from Chuck and Sarah would turn him into a fine red mist. "When we get done eating we will take a walk and discuss the deal."
"Fine we will do it your way but I want some answers from you two" said Bryce not willing to give in.
"Yeah and I want a million dollars so how does it feel to want" questioned Chuck.
"So let's cut the crap finish eating and take that walk" Bryce fired back.
They finished their meals in an awkward tension filled silence. When the meal finished they paid the bill and headed out. When they left the restaurant Chuck pointed a couple making out on the corner. "Now that's amore" Bryce turned to look at the couple and flinched. Locked in a heated embrace is a tall red head and a shorter blond female whose hands were freely roaming along the red heads back. The couple broke off the kiss and without turning walked down the street and away from the three Agents.
Bryce noticed the red head first. Ok that's weird Chuck's acting like he sees this every day. And the red head looks familiar. "Let's head up the street where there is less traffic." Chuck and Sarah looped their arms around each other and followed Bryce.
Carina and Sam ducked into an alley where they had hid prior to starting their part in the operation. They waited a couple of minutes before going to phase two of the plan. They went to the car they had parked a block away from the restaurant and made their way to the next spot they were to be seen.
Chuck and Sarah carefully led Bryce in the direction they wanted him to go. Finally it was time to confront Bryce. "OK Bryce what the hell are you doing here?" Sarah snapped. "And what are you doing with Antonio?
"I was at a standstill on my mission and got a lead on some activity here so I came to follow up." That should work. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the sight of the red head he had seen earlier and recognized her. No way! I know she is dead it can't be her. Just as fast she was gone. "I used some of my fulcrum contacts to get information on an arms dealer that was selling weapons to the cartel I am trying to get the support of."
He really is trying to be smooth Chuck mused. "What we need to know is, are the weapons real?"
"Yes they are real. Fulcrum wants this cartel real bad. Their funding is getting cut off by someone and they can't figure out whom. They've lost most of their income from the west coast over the last couple months. In an effort to get closer to the leadership I'm trying to get them the Cartel and maybe Antonio. We do the deal tomorrow at three o'clock. What about you two?"
Sarah knew they couldn't say too much looked at Chuck and silently gave the signal she would handle it. "We came here for vacation and Chuck recognized Antonio from some pictures. Beckman asked me to see if we could get any information on him or his dealings. We want to get him off the streets."
As Sarah was finishing her tale Carina made herself visible again this time with Sam but only for a few seconds as they crossed the street ahead of Chuck's group.
I know that's her. I better find out real fast if Sarah knows anything. "Sarah I've been deep for a long time. Have you heard from Carina? I know you guys used to talk when you had a chance."
Sarah put her best upset face on and stiffened. "She died over a year ago in a bar while under cover with a drug gang. They raped her before the gunned her down." Best keep with the story as it supposedly happened.
"Sarah why don't I give you and Bryce a few minutes to go over what you want to do. I'm just the asset here I'll leave the spy work up to you." Chuck slumped his shoulders and walked dejectedly away from the pair and went into a nearby store. I hope that was good enough to fool that conceited ass. Once in the store he found Carina and Sam waiting for him. Carina was the first to speak up "Is he getting nervous yet?"
"Oh yeah he is. He tried feeding us a line of crap about the fake mission he is on. And he asked about you. Sarah played up your death perfectly. Plus we are getting some good intel from him."
"You did good today as well getting Bryce getting to think it bothered you that he was here" Sam added.
Back on the street Bryce and Sarah continued on with Bryce. "Bryce what your telling me is that we are attempting to by weapons from Antonio who is getting the weapons from Fulcrum. So in the end we will be sending money to Fulcrum the same people we are trying to bring down."
"Sarah this could be the big break we are looking for. I'm getting closer to the leaders every day if you came with me it would cement my position with them. I can call my CIA handler and have you partnered with me. It's a win win situation for you. You can get back to deep cover work and stop babysitting Chuck."
"Are you sure you can get me partnered with you? Beckman has a pretty good hold on my current assignment. It would sure be good to get away from Burbank for good. Chucks a nice enough guy but he keeps bugging me to go a real date with him. He's getting to be a pain in the ass. Idiot even started talking about getting married on day. I really need to get out of there."
This is going better than planned. A few phone calls and it's a done deal. Maybe I can even get Chuck out of the way while I'm at it. "Let me make a call and see how soon you can join me." Bryce whips out his phone and makes the call "Larkin secure" Sarah sidles up to Bryce and puts her arm around him trying to listen in on the call but can only hear Bryce's conversation.
"Agent Walker would like to ask to be reassigned to me as soon as you can make it happen."
"Let me get her for you she'd right here. Sarah my handler wants to talk to you" as he hands her the phone.
"Walker here" Sarah needs all her skills not to slip up. She hasn't used that name for over six months. In an effort to keep their mission and relationship out of intelligence communities' hands she still does all her paperwork using Walker to sign her reports.
"Agent Daniel Shaw speaking I'm glad to finally get a chance to talk to you."
"How soon can I get out of the lame ass assignment I'm on and be partnered with Bryce."
"The director has been waiting for you to come to him for reassignment. We are both surprised it took you this long. Let me call the Director and let him know you want to work with Bryce. I can have your answer in a couple of hours."
"The sooner the better Shaw I'll give Larkin my address. When you have the answer call Larkin and he can tell me in person." She hand the phone back to Bryce and is grinning ear to ear. "I gotta head back to Chuck. He gets all clingy when I'm gone too long. Here's my address find me when you have the answer." And she leaves to go find Chuck. As soon as she reaches the store where Chuck went she ducks inside.
Bryce barely gets one hundred yards from where he was when his phone begins to ring. "Larkin Secure"
"Excellent work Agent Larkin excellent work" the Director says.
"Thank you Sir I told you it would be easy. What's our next move?"
"She wasn't kidding about the General having her on a tight leash. So here's what's going to happen. The arms deal goes down tomorrow as planned. Call me when you get close to her place and I'll call you back fifteen minutes later and tell her myself. Now here it gets tricky, Beckman won't let her go. So when she goes with you I'll leak it that she went rogue to follow you to Fulcrum. It will cement both of your covers. As for the asset I don't give a hoot about him. This is more important than on asset. This is about my pride. That team out there is making us look stupid. This could put us back on top where we should be."
"I hear you Sir. She will disappear with me as soon as the sale is over. Larkin out."
Back at Chuck and Sarah's another plan is taking shape. As soon as they got to the house Chuck contacted Beckman for a meeting while Sarah went to take a shower and change. She need to wash the stench of the poisonous snake off and was yelling about how she was going to burn her clothes that he had touched. When General Beckman came online Sarah quickly went over what they had found out. Sam suggested they wait to tell Gabriel about the events of the day saying he would blow a gasket and move to early. She explained he was fiercely protective of his people.
Beckman began speaking "I'm calling the Commanding General of Camp Ederle the US Army Garrison at Vicenza, home of the 173rd Airborne Brigade for assistance. We can use the soldiers to raid the Fulcrum hive with the assistance of Interpol and the local authorities. We can inform them of the location after Sarah gets it from Bryce later tonight." She takes a sip of water before continuing.
"Sarah and Chuck you go to the meeting tomorrow as planned with Sam and Carina as backup. I will notify my team as well. The mission has changed now. We can get Antonio into custody but because his supplier is Fulcrum there is no sense going any further. Once we have him and his small group you can come home. Good luck team and happy hunting."
"Chuck tonight is going to be hard on you. We are going to say some nasty things to each other. Can you handle it?"
"Six months ago I would have said no, but now it'll be a piece of cake. We know where we stand and if you let that prick touch you and not vomit I guess I can hear you cuss me out."
"Carina and Sam you better hide he will be here soon" added Sarah.
A short while later Bryce arrived. Chuck playing the upset nerd to perfection left the room. Bryce's cell rang a short time after Chuck left. "Larkin secure Sir I am with her now. He wants to speak with you."
"Walker tell me you have good news Sir."
"Your transfer has been approved. Welcome back Walker."
"Thank you Sir it's good to be back."
"That's all for now. After the deal goes down leave with Bryce and go to the hive. He tells me it's close to your location. Good bye."
"That's it Sarah we're partners again."
"Chuck get your ass in here." Chuck returns from where he is hiding "I'm done with this lame assignment. After the deal goes down I am leaving with Bryce. You can tell Casey because I'm not going back." Sarah seethed.
"Why are you doing this Sarah? We're a good team" whined Chuck.
"Bryce and I are better. I can do so much more with him than I can with you. As an added bonus I can get away from you constantly asking me out!" her voice was at a fever pitch now.
"But I like you! We could be good together if you ever got that stick out of your ass!"
"I have told you hundreds of times YOU ARE AN ASSET! But it never gets through your think head. I don't like you like that!"
"Fine then I hope you enjoy your life with that jerk." And with fake tears in his eyes chuck storms out of the room.
The time for the deal finally arrived. Before Bryce arrived Chuck and Sarah got themselves kitted out in their protective gear and weapons. So far the plan was working perfectly. Sarah and chuck were at each other's throats and Bryce had to play referee. They were waiting in a nondescript conference room with Antonio and five goons waiting for the first crate of AK's. When the crate arrived they opened it to inspect the weapons. Chuck handed to money over to Antonio. It was then that Bryce decided to make his move.
"Antonio that man there is an Agent of the CIA" pointing to Chuck "Seanna is a member of my group and was using him to feed us information. You can keep the money and weapons.." Bryce was cut off by a backhand from Sarah. Antonio's men began to attack Chuck but left Sarah and Bruce alone.
Chuck used a Flash and his own skilled moves to take out the first man to attack. The man led with a straight left hand, Chuck grabbed the man's wrist with his right hand and twisted it violently counter clock wise forcing the man's elbow upward towards the ceiling. He then brought his free left hand crashing downward on the elbow dislocating it and driving the man to his knees. He then delivered a sharp knee to the face knocking him out. He was now in full offensive mode. He leapt to where the second goon was and delivered a well placed front kick to the man's sternum dropping him to the ground. A hard left to the back of his head knocked the man out.
Sarah watched Chuck as he dispatched the first of his opponents. She watched as he efficiently took him out. She noticed that one of the attackers not engaged with Chuck began to reach into his jacket for his weapon. Sarah wasted no time in whipping out one of her throwing knives unleashed a blade at him. Her throw was right on the money and the third attacker dropped to the ground with a knife in his neck. She headed straight towards Chuck who was waiting for her. He let her get close the grabbed her arms and used her momentum to swing her in the direction of the forth attacker. Her foot made contact with the attacker's stomach but not hard enough to knock him out. She landed with the grace and agility of a large cat and continued her assault with a series of punches and kicks until he joined his friends in dream land.
Antonio's fifth man decided hand to hand would not end well for him so he drew his weapon. It was probably the dumbest thing he ever did, and his last. Chuck caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and mimicked his wife's actions from just a short time ago. In one fluid motion he unsheathed one of his own knives and released it at the attacker. It struck true hitting the attacker to the left center of his chest. The strike did not result in instant death but if the amount of blood that was being coughed up by the attacker was any indication the knife had hit a lung. Death was a possibility if he did not receive medical attention soon.
Bryce was amazed at what was happening before him. The meek mild mannered Chuck he knew from Stanford and months ago is now a highly skilled offensive fighting machine. He was sure Chuck was going to get is ass kicked when the first guy attacked but was shocked when Chuck used lightning fast reflexes to snap the man's elbow and knock him out. Then he went on the offense by going right at his next attacker taking him out as well. He began to realize the mistake in his plan when Sarah jumped to Chuck's aid. He was stunned as he watched Chuck and Sarah perform their deadly dance then groaned in frustration as he watched Chuck's knife fly true. He never thought he would see the day when Chuck could stand on his own in a fight and kill somebody. His last coherent thought was I was wrong in Stanford.
They were about to take on Antonio when Sam came rushing in followed by a female completely covered in black. The masked attacker went straight to Bryce and knocked him on his ass and into goofy land. She continued to beat on him as her blows were not designed to knock him completely out but to inflict as much pain as she could. The beat down continued until she was pulled off by Sam. It took both Sam and Sarah to keep her under control. Antonio having just watched his five body guards get either knocked out or killed decided that discretion was the better part of valor and surrendered.
While the two women tried to get Carina under control Chuck quickly zip tied Antonio's wrists behind his back and moved to assist the attacker whom he had downed with a knife. He began to administer what aide he could to the man. The NSA back up team was called in by Carina right before she entered the building. The NSA team arrived soon after Carina and Sam entered the building. They soon had what was left of Antonio's group cuffed and ready for pick up. The ones that were injured were taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment. A cleaner was called in to sanitize the room.
While the deal was going down the members of the 173rd had no trouble taking down the Fulcrum hive. Thanks to the information provided to them they were able to reach the hives location fairly quickly. They cordoned off the area around the hives location and waited for the signal to go. The signal came for the operation to begin and the Interpol agents with the local police advance to the door requesting them to surrender. A few Fulcrum members tried to resist but when faced with the number of men facing them they quickly surrendered. Members of the local police were proud about being able to help bring down part of a terrorist organization.
With the mission complete they headed back to the house to conduct the briefing. Carina would not be attending in order to keep her being alive a secret from Bryce. The monitors sparked to life and the team was greeted by the Face of General Beckman and another guest whose screen was left dark. The General spoke first "Agent Bartowski inform me on the events the occurred after our last briefing."
Bryce began to pale at hearing Chuck addressed as Agent. He's an agent now who would have thought. I need a way to fix this. I know Sarah will have my back on this. I was doing it for her.
"We weren't sure Agent Larkin was still on our side so Agent Walker and I set up a little sting operation of our own to test him out. Sarah got alone with him and put the plan into motion. She played the part of pissed of agent to perfection. Bryce believed she was willing to leave the team and join him in his fight against Fulcrum. We got the information we needed on the hives location and relayed it to you. I don't know how he arranged it Sarah and I have yet to discuss it. We had to keep up the appearance of her wanting to leave and me being heartbroken over it. Sarah can fill in the blanks" said Chuck ending his part of the briefing.
"Ma'am when I was alone with Larkin he explained that he could use his handler to get me back as his partner. He contacted CIA Agent Shaw and allowed me to speak to him. I convinced him I wanted to join Larkin. A couple of hours later I spoke directly to the Director of the CIA who welcomed me back. I was supposed to leave with Bryce right after the mission. Chuck and I will have the rest of the mission details sent to you when we finish up with the reports."
"Agent Larkin what do you have to add to this discussion?" asked a very annoyed General.
"At the time I did not know Chuck was an agent. The director has been trying to get Agent Walker back under his control. We both felt she was wasting her time babysitting an asset. I was wrong about that. During the meeting with Antonio I tried a ruse that didn't work out. I wanted Antonio to think Chuck was a CIA agent to throw him off. I figured he would be distracted enough for Sarah and I to take out his men and apprehend him. Chuck messed up my plan by attacking Antonio's men first. He almost ruined my mission" Bryce snapped out glaring at Chuck.
A loud growl could be heard from the direction of the blackened monitor followed by a icy voice "General we need to talk immediately."
"Team give us a couple minutes" stated Beckman.
Almost five thousand miles away a private conversation was taking place between the leaders of the elite team currently working in Italy. "Diane we have a problem. Agent Larkin is attempting to get Sarah away from Chuck. My opinion is Larkin wants Sarah for himself so he can use her again. I will not let this happen. I will handle this in my own way. Diane please stay out of it, it will only end badly for you."
"Gabe let me handle Larkin. He has been a pain in the ass for a while now. I have a suitable 'making air quotes' mission for him. I am sure you will agree it's a fitting punishment for him."
"Fine Diane but I get the director and Shaw. Now let's get back to the team."
The screens came back to life and the General started speaking
"Agent Larkin pack up and report to me in DC the day after tomorrow transportation has been arranged. I have a special mission for you. It requires you unique set of skill with seduction. Your director has approved your transfer to me effective immediately. You're dismissed so get out."
"Agents Bartowski you just completed another fine mission for your team. We not only got an arms dealer we took down a Fulcrum hive. The information Sarah got about Fulcrum feeling the financial pressure on them proves Gabriel's plan is working. You can take a few days to relax and see the sights before returning home."
As she ended her part of the conference Gabriel's face appeared. "Well done ladies and you too Chuck. Enjoy your stay in Italy I have some personal business to take care of so I will be out of the loop for a few days. Sirella will be in charge during my absence." And he cut the transmission.
What the team didn't know about were the thoughts in Gabriel's mind as he ended the call. Goodbye Shaw, I am Gabriel the Archangel of Death. I am the Hunter. And you just became my prey.
Several weeks later the General was sitting at her desk when her Aide knocked at the door.
"Enter" called the General from the confines of her office.
"Ma'am it just came over the wire. The director of the CIA was found dead in his home. He apparently had a heart attack while in bed with female companion" her aide reported.
A smile crept to her lips as the General just shook her head. "That will be all Lieutenant."
The General received her second surprise three weeks later when she was walking to the cafeteria to get some lunch. She overheard some workers talking about a story they heard on the news.
"Excuse me ladies" asked Beckman "who did you say was found dead"
"They found a guy named Shaw in a parking lot. It was really weird. Witnesses said he had left the restaurant he was eating at, paused to look at some minor damage to his car and fell over dead. He was shot in the head but nobody heard the shot."
"Thank you for explaining it. Have a good day ladies" said the General as she continued her trip. This time a knowing smile was on her lips. I am really glad he is on my side because he doesn't play games.
