Don't own Chuck
Sarah took Chuck into the kitchen of the cabin while Mary watched over the recovery team. They removed Rose's men that were still alive to a detention facility where they could be questioned and processed. Sarah removed Chuck's shirt and undershirt to examine his wound and as she feared he had torn out most of her stitches.
"Mary," Sarah yelled out, "can you ask them to bring me in a med kit and to make sure there is a suture kit in it, please."
"How bad is it?"
"It's going to have to be redone. It's times like these I wish Ellie or Devon were here," said Sarah. "You're going to have a nasty scar now."
"My shirt will hide it," said Chuck as he lifted her head up so he could look into her eyes. "I'm just happy you're here with me," he said as he kissed her.
"Here you go," said an embarrassed medic as he dropped the kit on the kitchen table. She opened it up and got to work removing the old sutures then she cleaned out the wound having to open it up.
"Sorry," she said as she felt him cringe as she probed.
"It's okay at least Casey isn't here to accuse me of girlish screams."
"Who says I'm not," said Casey from the doorway with Verbanski who had what looked like stray in her hair. Sarah cleared her throat and brushed her hair trying to signal to Gertrude to do something.
"Can you hold this for me," said Sarah as she handed Gertrude a mirror when she didn't get the hint to look at herself.
"Sure, oh thanks," said Verbanski as she used the mirror to remove the evidence of their roll in the hay.
"Were you able to get Pepe?" asked Chuck as Sarah began to stitch and he cringed in pain.
"Sorry but there's no novacane."
"No, he was gone by the time our people got to where he was supposed to be."
"Rose probably got to him first. She left here during the confusion which means by now she could be anywhere. However, I still think she's in the area she didn't impress me as someone who'd give up so easily. Whatever, I need to get back to Castle to brief General Beckman."
"Oh no you don't," said Sarah, "you're coming home with me, Casey can brief General Beckman. If you insist I still have a tranq gun in the Lotus but I'd prefer you be awake for what I've got planned for you," she said as she kissed him.
"Yuck, you know Chuck since you swallowed that tracker we could use it to give you a colonoscopy and save you some money. You won't even have to get sedated."
"Thank you, John for that free medical consult. You know I was missing your glowing personality when I was with our friends."
"I noticed that you got them pissed off at you too. What, they shot each other to get away from you."
"Oh," said Chuck, "don't make me laugh."
"It's just a little tender. Let me call Emma and let her know everything is okay. I'll have her pull out something we can warm up when we get home."
"Maybe we can stop and get some rocky road instead."
"Okay but-", she stopped talking and looked at him with a mischief grin and he knew what she was going to say.
"Go ahead and say it. I know you want to. Go ahead it's okay."
"You need to stay in the car."
"And there you have the story of my life. Remember you're supposed to roll the window a little and leave a bowl of water."
"I'd be more afraid of fleas. You might want to invest in a flea collar. I'm sorry I might be getting you confused with the troll."
"Let's get our head back in the game," said Chuck as Sarah helped him get his clothes back on. "How is everyone getting home?"
"I had a car dropped off so I can take Verbanski, Gertrude home then I can run Mary back to Echo Park." Chuck looked at Sarah and she nodded back.
"No John, I'll take care of my mother," said Chuck.
"Right John, besides it wouldn't be fair she rode up with me so I'm responsible for her," said Sarah as Gertrude walked up behind her.
"Thank you," she whispered to Sarah.
"Okay let's rendezvous at Castle tomorrow morning. We'll meet the excavating team at eight and get this mission over with."
"Roger that," said Casey.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rose and Pepe drove back to Burbank and found a flop house to spend the night. It was a no-tell-motel just off Burbank Boulevard whose customers usually paid by the hour. It was a good place to lay low until the morning, a place that didn't like police or people coming around asking too many questions.
"We need a room for the night," said Pepe to the motel manager. He looked at the vehicle outside from a monitor.
"Nice car, are you people on the run? We don't need no people coming round making trouble. We've got a respectable business here," said the greasy haired fat man in a cage. Pepe could hear music blaring from a TV inside with the man.
"Respectable right, I'm looking for someplace to be with my girlfriend where my wife won't find out so no we're not on the run from the law at least."
"Well, it's two hundred a night."
"But your sign says a hundred?"
"Two hundred dollars plus I don't call the police and see if you're wanted," said the fat man wanting to get back to Dancing with the Stars that he recorded earlier. "Take it or leave it, just hurry up and make up your mind I don't have all night."
Pepe started to pull out a credit card but the man pointed at a sign above the cage that read, 'In God we trust everyone else pays in cash.' Pepe pulled out the cash and laid it on counter. The man handed him a key along with the registry to sign. Pepe wrote down only last names, Mr. and Mrs. Toulemonde then shoved it back. They drove back and parked in front of their room then Pepe unloaded the car and brought in two cases.
"We don't have much," said Pepe. "We've got a grenade, two semi-automatics, five clips but different calibers and a Remington 700 .30-06 with one clip plus a bottle of Scotch. Rose I don't want to sound negative but this isn't much to work with."
"It will have to do," she said. "We can't go back home with our tail between our legs. If we avenge out defeat there might be a chance we can still walk away from this alive. Let's break out the Scotch as we try and map this through, that way we can hit them tomorrow and hit them hard."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Morning came early in the Bartowski household even though Chuck had been awake for over an hour. He just laid there watching Sarah sleep. She looked radiant the way the early light shined off her making her blond hair almost shimmer like golden threads. She could have modeled for Botticelli or Titan. Slowly she opened her eyes and found his staring at her.
"Morning Sweetie, were you watching me sleep again?"
"Yes, you know we ought to go to Italy on a vacation when this is done?
"I'd like that but what are we going to do with Sam?"
"School will be out soon so we can bring Emma and Molly along too," he said.
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"Of course I am this was something I've been thinking about for a while and well after almost losing all of you I came to this conclusion that I don't want to miss one second I don't have to."
"Okay, so what do we do when we're on mission? What do you want to do then? We can't drag them into harm's way."
"No but we could establish safe houses. Example if have to go to Russia we could send them to Paris or Rome. Hannah could take care of the logistics for us and we can hire a tutor. The world could be their classroom. Think about what kind of education they could have."
"Remember Vivian started out like that too."
"But that was also because Alexei never spent time with her. We would be with them every moment we can and what we need to do is to build quality time."
"Wow, you really have thought this through, haven't you? I don't know I need time to think. I have to admit I like the idea but I need to talk with Emma and Mary."
"I understand Emma but why my mother?"
"Emma for the heart and Mary for the head."
"You know you're not just beautiful but you're smart too."
"You're not half bad yourself Mr. Bartowski," she said as she rolled over and kissed him. "I wish we could stay here forever," Sarah said as she looked into his dreamy eyes.
"Me, too," he said as he kissed her on the forehead then on the nose. She smiled back at him and sighed.
"But we can't Casey will be waiting for us soon at the Buy More along with everyone else."
"I don't know if Casey will be that punctual this morning after Gertrude got done with him." Sarah laughed then she put her finger over his lips.
"Don't tease Casey about Verbanski, promise me please. He's already what he is and I don't want him to shy away from something that could be important for him just because of a poor joke."
"Wow, where did my wife go? Did we have a role reversal somewhere during the night? You accuse me of being the romantic now listen to you."
"Shut up and promise."
"On my honor as a Boy Scout," Chuck said as he raised his right hand and grinned.
"But you were never a Boy Scout. I hate you."
"I hate you too. So you dreadful person give this despicable man a kiss," he said as they laughed and kissed. Somewhere in the laughing and kissing Sarah noticed Chuck was crying.
"Hey did I hit you wound? Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm glad Casey can't see me. I was just thinking I love you so very, very much. I wouldn't know what to do without you."
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere ever again so buster you're stuck with me."
"For longer than forever."
"For longer than forever."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Casey pulled into the Buy More parking lot into his usual spot. Alex and Morgan rode along since they were on his way to work from his night out. He briefed them on the night's events omitting the parts that involved Gertrude.
"So John tell me again how this deer committed suicide by running in front of your car," said Morgan.
"Shut up troll, it was obviously mentally disturbed like you."
"You should've come and got me. You could've used the Cobra."
"We didn't need any dead weight but on second thought the bullet magnet would've come in handy. Next time we'll leave you to man the base so if you get taken it won't be any great loss."
"Thank you John you really know how to build a man's self-esteem."
"Don't worry Morgan I'd come to your rescue," said Alex.
"Thanks, it's nice to know I'm appreciated by someone."
"Yeah, Lassie, I think you two are the same breed."
"Funny John very funny indeed," said Morgan. "If only I were taller, stronger and more handsome."
"Then what," asked Casey.
"I don't know I wouldn't be me.
"How's Chuck doing anyway," asked Alex.
"You can ask him yourself he just pulled in with Sarah," said Casey as he pointed them out in the parking lot. Morgan waved for them to come over and gave Chuck a big hug.
"Christ, you're both men act like it," said Casey.
"Come on and give it a group hug," said Chuck.
"You touch me and she'll have to stitch you up again just all over."
"Running a little late aren't we," said Chuck looking down at his watch and up at Casey with a big smile on his face.
"You promised, remember," whispered Sarah as she elbowed him.
"John, where were you this morning anyway? You said you'd pick us up on your way to work because we were on the way but we're not on your way from Echo Park." Chuck was about to speak when Sarah kissed him.
"Come on in the parking lot. Give me a break, please," said Casey.
"Don't answer, just let it go," she whispered in his ear, "and tonight will be a repeat performance." Chuck grinned from ear to ear.
"Sweetie, I could use some ice cream before we head out, anyone want some rocky road?" But she had no takers.
"Well then it's just me and you Love," said Chuck as they started for Orange orange when Casey called Chuck back.
"Here, I thought you should have this back," Casey said as he palmed Chuck the Micro SD card he had left in the camper.
"Thanks I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything. It took balls to do what you did and keep your wits about you. Good work Chuck."
"Thanks."
"Now go get your daily dose of face sucking done so we can get to work."
"Oh I was missing that." Casey grunted and turned to follow Morgan and Alex into the Buy More. Chuck thought it looked more like Casey stalked them into the Buy More. He just shrugged his shoulders and ran to catch up with Sarah. Chuck and Sarah had just gone inside Orange orange when a black Escalade pulled into the parking lot.
Are we clear what we're going to do?" asked Rose. She just wanted to hear Pepe say it to calm down his nerves.
"I go in ask for this Chuck Bartowski then cap him and run out. If I get into trouble I throw the grenade."
"And if you get caught, what do you say?"
"I tell them I'm a soldier for the FLQ and have to be treated as an enemy combatant."
"Good, I'll have your back from on top of the Yoghurt stop. If anything happens I'll start taking out people."
"Rose, can I ask just one thing before I go."
"What is it? We need to hurry up or we'll get caught here."
"Will you give me a kiss for good luck?"
"There'll be time for that afterwards now go," she said as she got out and took the rifle case with herself making a large circle around the parking lot to the side of Orange orange. Rose looked around and when she saw no one was looking she climbed up.
Morgan entered the Buy More and immediately ducked behind a row of shelves. Then made his way to the end and peaked around the corner. He waved for Alex to follow him to the next row then he held up his fist to tell her to stop.
"Morgan, what are you doing? Dad's already gone down below so there's no one to worry about up here."
"That's what you think, sister."
"Morgan, I'm not your sister."
"Believe me I know if you were well it'd be creepy and just wrong, Jeff and Lester wrong."
"Then who are you hiding from?"
"Son, son, son here you are I've been looking for you all morning long."
"Crap, he found me. What did you want Big Mike," said Morgan resigned as to what was going to happen.
"Are you done with your roughing it in the wilderness? I don't see Bartowski anywhere. You know that boy is going to be the anchor around your neck and he's going to bring you down one of these days."
"No Chuck's not here you see he got shot while we were camping."
"Shot! Goodness gracious what happened? How'd he get shot? I bet it was that John Casey I heard him talking once about his itchy trigger finger."
"No it wasn't my Dad," said Alex. This was one rumor she needed to nip in the bud before the whole Mall thought her father was a trigger happy assassin but then she thought well he is. "No, no better thought then proven," she mumbled to herself.
"You see Big Mike," said Morgan giving Alex a perplex look. "We were on a hike and this deer hunter thought Chuck was a ten point buck and well you can understand what the result was."
"Is the boy alright? How's his wife?"
"They're both okay. He was just winged, a flesh wound."
"Good thing I didn't come with you, if that man thought he was a ten point buck what would've happened if that hunter had seen me? He'd probably think I was a twenty point. I know your Mom does. Yes sir, she looks at me with those doe eyes of hers just like Bambi and well let's just say there ain't no hibernating while we're in the forest.
"Big Mike, I hate to break it to you but Bambi was a buck, a male deer."
"What are talking about? Everybody knows Bambi is a woman's name and what a woman your Mamma is. Makes a man feel good like a man should. Man o man she makes me feel like pawing at the ground and snorting."
"Big Mike, I don't want to say anything but my fiancée is here and you're talking about her future mother in law but Bambi was a male deer and he had twins with Faline. The movie ends with him becoming the new Prince of the forest."
"I think you're getting confused with one of those home movies of Jeffster. One of their record demos or something, I always thought that Patel character was a closet drag queen. There was something shifty about the way he looked and that Barnes guy, he wasn't missing a few cards from the deck, hell no he was missing the whole deck."
"On that I'd have to say you're right. Well we need to go to my office I need to check on the invoices and sales. Then we're heading back out to the park for one last day of fun in the sun."
"You know fishing is a much safer sport. You don't hear of any catfish packing a .30-30 or any Carp carrying a shotgun. The most you might get is yourself caught on a hook but most of the time that's some fool's fault."
"Well, Charlton Heston said people shoot people."
"That man wasn't the same after those chimpanzees got through with him."
"And their upper lips didn't move," said Morgan.
"What son?"
"Nothing we got go, bye," said Morgan as he grabbed Alex and quickly disappeared into his office.
