Chuck vs. Where Loyalty Lies

Here's another new chapter for you folks. I know I left off with a cliffhanger concerning Casey being captured. So, to remedy that you'll read where Casey wound up and if Zondra is quite possibly a triple agent. Plus, I know there hasn't been much Charah lately so I wrote in some. I hope it satisfies your Charah palette. Once again, it's getting intense my Chuck peeps. Anyways, I think you'll enjoy it. Enjoy the read peeps.

Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.

I don't own Chuck but I would like to meet the cast.

Partner In Crime

XXX

It's pitch black but a sound is heard within the darkness. It starts off very faint and distant but it progressively becomes more pronounced, as well as louder. The sound itself becomes a bit more distinguished to make out as it appears to be a husky male tone and upon making that distinction sporadic flickers of light but its only temporary. The flickers of light come much faster to where the blurry vision being experienced becomes increasingly clearer by the second. As that happens, the sound being heard can clearly be distinctively described due to the repetitive sound it's making just off to the right.

Casey instantly turns his head to the right. The distinctive sound is droplets of water dropping down and hitting a seemingly rust ridden metal tray on the ground. Afterwards, he furrows his eyebrows expressing a soft grunt then begins scanning the interior of the room he's currently locked in. While taking a careful scan of his surroundings he can clearly smells the musty, slimy dingy odor telling him the place has not been kept up in quite a while. What he also takes into account are the brick walls that have progressively been degraded over the years, which makes the building itself possibly degraded as well.

He lifts his head clearly seeing the overhead light flickering above him causing him to wince a bit. Just off to his left, a working security camera with a red blinking light is fixed on him to which he expresses a soft grunt towards it. He glares at it for several moments then turns his attention to the metal door in front of him. It's at that point, he assesses the room he is not only in is some type of cell, but he's tied tightly down with his wrists, as well as ankles in his chair. In his mind, he's been in the particular position before many times in the past.

Granted, cuffs were usually the method of restraint used and he was able to free himself by breaking his thumbs, which he considered an acceptable loss. Not in this case however. In that moment, he does his best moving side to side in order to free himself from his restraints, but unfortunately he's unable to. He furrows his eyebrows and clenches his teeth as he continues to at least attempt to loosen his tightly bound retrains. While doing so, he suddenly hears the faint echo of footsteps coming from the other side of the door.

The footsteps grow increasingly louder to the point where they inevitably stop in front of his cell door. A few seconds later, he hears the door to the cell being unlocked and once it opens the individual who he passed in corridor at the hotel he stays at walks through the door then steps off the right side. His attention on him is essentially broken up as the person who is responsible for being tied up walk in causing him to express a snarl towards the individual's way.

"Let's make this easy on yourself…" stated Zondra with her arms crossed. Her hair is tied back into a pony tail and instead of the blue top she wore at the café she is all dressed in black. "…you have information we want Colonel Casey. We can do this easy way or the hard way. Your call." she explained furrowing her eyebrows at him.

For Casey, it takes him a split second before he realizes the play here. Since Zondra is a deep cover operative for the agency and she has to keep up the façade of being a rogue agent. In his mind, her boss got wind of him being here and ordered her to capture him in order to get any kind of information he has. Unfortunately, all he knows is the bits and pieces of information General Beckman gave him, as well as what Zondra told him just a few days ago at the café. As he continues to sit there strapped to the chair, he knows that she knows that he can't divulge anything or her cover will be blown.

However, in the back of his mind he can't help but think she could be triple crossing him. In other words, letting him think she's working for the good guys pretending to be bad only to find out she's working for herself. I wouldn't put it past her. In some ways, she's similar to Carina but unlike the red headed vixen she doesn't use her sexuality all that much to get the job done. To the burly NSA agent, it's the one quality that he respects concerning the woman who is currently standing in front of him with her arms crossed. A woman who is all about the job and doesn't play games either. A patriot through and through.

True, as much as he wants to rip the lips of the guy standing just off to his left he has to keep Zondra's play going. Essentially, that means keeping a tight lip and not saying a word like a steel trap. Since, he's known as a man of few words by his former teammates he'll use it to his absolute advantage. Yet, by making the decision to be his usual cordial albeit threatening self it will lead him to experience great and unbearable pain he thinks to himself. A faint hint of a smirk appears on his lips knowing he's been through this before and he'll get to experience the type of torture Zondra has planned for him.

The grizzle military vet briefly glances at Zondra's associate narrowing his eyes at him. Afterwards, he returns his attention to the woman in question knowing full well what's in store for him but is prepared for the worst. "Easy is overrated." he grunted.

In response, Zondra steps forward in front of a seated Casey then bends down placing both hands on top of Casey's bulging forearms. She leans forwards directly eye to eye with him. For a few moments, she doesn't say a word but then continues on. "Well then Colonel…" she responded. "…we'll see how long it takes before you break." added the double agent.

"Trust me. I will see to that." Zondra's associate stated with a sinister smile expressed on his lips. While doing so, he rubs his hands together as if he's imagining the process in his mind. His response causes Casey to turn his head and glare at him.

Zondra stands straight up but continues to keep her eye locked on Casey. "Later Rashid." she insisted. She then turns her head in order to look at her associate. "We have business to attend to first. Then you can have your fun with him." she added expressing a grin.

Rashid nodded. Once he does, Zondra turns around inevitably walks out of the cell with Rashid following suit. However, before closing the cell door the man who will be performing the torture on Casey momentarily stands there at the doorway. He continues to express the sinister smile on his lips towards their captured foe. After he does, he shuts the door making sure to lock it. As for Casey, he should be worried concerning what is in store for him but instead he does something totally different…smiles.

XXX

"Hey squirt, I need to talk to you." said Eddie walking into the Riley kitchen.

The eldest Haschal sibling pulls out the stool underneath the right side of the island situated near/in front of the sink. He leans forward placing both arms on the smooth marble counter top where a number of sliced food items have been placed possibly for dinner, which is few hours away. One of those sliced food items being carrots. In any case, as he intertwines his hands together, he can hear Travis and his two nieces happily interacting with each other in the living room. He refocuses his attention on Shannon and in doing so he reaches over picking the thicker half of an un-sliced carrot only to have it be slapped out his hand by his young sister.

"You may be my older brother…" answered Shannon pointing a knife at him with a grin towards Eddie. "…but I'm a mother who doesn't like it when someone picks up food off the table, especially if they haven't washed their hands." she firmly added quirking her right brow.

Eddie raises his hands up and leans back for his own protection. At the same time he does, he expresses a hint of brief laughter. Afterwards, he speaks up once again. "I get the message. Put the knife down and step back slowly sis." he jokingly remarked.

In that instance, Shannon reaches down to her right grabbing a rag off the smooth marble counter top and throws it at her brother. He quickly reacts leaning over to his left to where the rag hits hits/lands on his right shoulder. Once it does, he takes and is about to throw it back at her youngster sister when he notices her not only eyeing him but wiggling the knife in front of her. It's at that point, he makes the decision to just set the rag down in front of him much to the delight of his youngster sister who smirks then continues on with her cooking.

"So what's up?" she inquired.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

Shannon immediately stops slicing letting the 3 words that Eddie said slowly sink in. She calmly and slowly sets the knife down on the cutting board then turns to face him. Once she does, the mother of 3 shakes her head in disbelief. "You just got here." she softly replied.

"I know sis." he answered briefly lowering his head. "It's just that…"

"It's just what?" Shannon wondered taking a step forward. "Hey, you can talk to me big brother remember." she smiled reaching over gently placing her hand on her brother's.

Eddie lifts his head then reciprocates the smile back to his younger sister. The two exchange soft smiles to one another then Shannon's big brother responds. "It's nothing you, the kids, or your knuckle head of a husband did."

A somewhat confused Shannon stands there wondering why he's leaving after only being here for almost a week. In that moment, she intends to find out. "Then what?"

"Well…" retorted Eddie. He leans back taking a quick sharp breath. "…I'm taking a relationship I've been having to the next level." he added. The flat expression on his face inevitably turns into a bright smile.

Instantly, the bright smile exuded on Eddie's face is expressing on Shannon's as well. She is about to react as all women do causing the eldest Haschal sibling to take action himself by quickly standing up and firmly pointing at his younger sister. At the same time he does, he turns his head from left to right at both openings of the kitchen leading to the living room. After quickly assessing no one is coming, he lowers himself down back on to the stool along with his sister who is clearly wondering why he just did that and aims to find out.

"You're going to ask her to marry you?" she whispered excitedly. The joy and adulation can clearly be seen on not only on her face, but in her entire body language.

For Eddie, it looks as if his baby sister is going to explode giving him considerable amusement. "Listen, I don't want to jinx it okay. I'm going to head out tomorrow and finalize the relationship we established." he explained.

In that moment, Shannon couldn't contain her excitement any longer and starts giggling like a school girl, as well as hopping up and down. Her reaction causes Eddie to shoot up from his stool once again in order to calm Mt. Saint Shannon from fully exploding causing mass chaos to ensue.

"Shhhh!" Eddie quickly takes a look on either side of doorway leading to the living room where Travis and the kids are. Afterwards, he returns his attention back to his over excited younger sister. "Calm down."

"I'm just so happy for you." she happily stated. Shannon steps forward going in for a warm hug. It lasts for a few moments then she releases the hold then leans back with a wide, bright smile on her face. "Are you going to tell Travis? He's your best friend and the kids. I know Emma and Leah will be disappointed but they'll at least understand." she asked.

"Don't worry…" nodded Eddie. "…I'll tell them. I just wanted to tell you first." he added reaching over to squeeze his little sister's left hand.

"I'm glad you did." she said getting all choked up.

"Are you crying?"

Shannon is about to answer when Travis suddenly appears responding to Eddie's question. "Why are you crying babe?"

Shannon does her best to compose herself and for the most part is successful. She does some quick thinking and responds to her dark haired husband. "Just slicing some onions. You know how it goes."

"Ah. Gotcha." nodded Travis leaning forward on the smooth marble counter. As Travis stands there, he notices the two Haschal siblings nonverbally interacting with each other all-the-while exchanging smiles towards one another. He wonders what is up and decides to investigate. "What's going on?" he inquired looking back and forth at the two people standing in front of him.

The two siblings are briefly silent but then Eddie stands up and gives his response. "Let's go outside and talk bro." he answered motion towards the back porch.

"Okay." he retorted quirking his right brow. As Travis follows Eddie towards the back porch he glances back at his wife who is wiping the tears from her eyes. He has no idea what is going on and hopes he gets answers from Eddie as they head outside.

XXX

It's around 6:15 p.m. on a Friday night at Casa Bartowski. The happily married couple and not to mention parents to be are having dinner together sitting on the black leather couch with the dog Peaches patiently waiting for any morsel of food to fall on the floor or tossed over to her. Instead of cooking, they decided to buy Chinese take out consisting of chicken wings, lo mein, and most definitely sizzling shrimp. As they sit comfortably watching Blue Bloods on CBS and eating they meal, Chuck brings up something that has been on his mind.

"You know…" he said taking a moment to swallow the lo mein in his mouth. "…Tom Selleck's mustache should be in the hall of fame." Chuck added turning to his wife.

Sarah nodded. For the blonde beauty, she got hooked on to the show by way of her nerdy husband. It wasn't because of Tom Selleck and his hall fame worthy mustache but it helps she thinks to herself. Essentially, it's for the simple reason of a strong, tight knight family who sticks together through thick and thin. A simply awesome quality show that rings true to the family dynamic where it real life it rarely exists with family members sitting at a table together having a meal having conversations. In her mind, it's the one thing she did have growing up as a kid but as she got older it sorely lacked. Thankfully, that dynamic has returned since meeting her loving husband who is sitting closely by her side.

"I agree babe." she replied. Afterwards, she takes a bite of sizzling shrimp from her box using the chop sticks provided for not only her but Chuck as well.

"I've been a big fan of his since his days in Magnum P.I. When I was kid, I always wanted to drive the red Ferrari he used on the show. Of course, I could buy one." he said slowly turning his head towards his wife raising both eyebrows.

In that instance, Sarah quirks her right brow in response to her husband's potential purchase. "I know you could sweetie." she grinned. "Now isn't a good time."

Chuck expressed a hint of laughter. "I know because of the baby. Doesn't hurt to live a childhood dream." he replied taking a moment to take a bite of chicken wings.

After leaning over towards to the coffee table and taking a couple sips of water, she sets the glass back down inevitably sitting back comfortably on her spot on the couch. In doing so, she continues on. "Speaking of childhood dreams…" she stated. "…I never told you this but I had a major crush on Donnie Wahlberg growing up."

Upon saying that, Chuck nearly choked on the piece of chicken wing in his mouth. Instantly, he starts coughing to the point where he quickly leans over reaching for his glass of water sitting just a few feet away from his wife. After chugging down some much needed refreshment in order to wash the remnants of chicken wing he nearly choked on down his throat, he turns to his concerned wife who he feels rubbing his back.

"Seriously?"

"Yup."

"Donnie Wahlberg? New Kids On The Block Donnie Wahlberg?" he questioned with absolute curiosity.

"You think it's funny don't you." she asked. Her attention focused on her box of sizzling shrimp.

It takes a moment for Chuck to respond. He takes another sip of water then places it back down on the coffee table. After wiping his mouth with his hand he responds. "No…no not at all honey. All teenage girls were crazy about them back in the day. Ellie was too. She was more in love with Jordan Knight that anyone else. She even had his posters plastered all over her bedroom wall."

"At least I wasn't the only one." Sarah retorted with laughter.

"So you were into the bad boys. It does explain a lot." he jokingly nodded.

In response, Sarah instinctively jabs her right elbow into her lanky husband's ribs causing him to express not only a bit of painful discomfort, but laughter as well. "Hey, I was a teenager and Cass was into Joey McIntyre."

Upon hearing that Chuck's eyebrows immediately raise up. "Oh, I'm so sharing this with Bryce." he chuckled.

"Don't you dare." Sarah points the chops sticks directly at the father of their baby. "She will kill me."

Chuck shakes his head. "No, she'll kill Bryce first..." he remarked with amusement. "...then you." the papa to be added pointing his chopsticks at her.

"I know."

Sarah shakes her head knowing full well that piece of unfortunate information will get passed on to Bryce. However, she doesn't worry about that right now as she continues on enjoying the meal she and her husband are partaking in. After a few minutes, Chuck speaks up.

"Travis called me and said Eddie is leaving tomorrow."

"Any reason why?" she wondered.

"From what he told me, Eddie wants to take his relationship with some woman to the next level." he answered shrugging his shoulder.

"So marriage. Good for him." nodded the mother-to-be.

"Indeed. With all that he's been through and the accusations thrown at him it's good that he has someone in his life. A partner in crime if you will to spend the rest of his days with. " responded Chuck with a soft smile towards his wife.

"I know I have my partner in crime sitting right here beside me."

Sarah leans forwards and gently presses her lips against her husbands. The gentle kiss lasts for a few moments but is unfortunately interrupted by the sound of a whimpering dog sitting down below them. The proud parents-to-be turn there attention from each other to Peaches who is expressing puppy dog eyes towards the two of them. The brown haired business owner can't help but chuckle a bit as he briefly glances back at his wife. He then turns to the box of sizzling shrimp gripped in his left hand. He peers down into the box and begins fishing within the contents with his chopsticks. After a few seconds, he finally has within the grasps of the chopsticks what he's been searching for.

He lifts it out of the box revealing it to be a large piece of sizzling shrimp. However, Chuck doesn't give it to his lovable pooch right away. He holds up his left finger while holding the box then leans over placing it on left corner of the coffee table. Afterwards, he leans back sitting comfortably with mother of his child. The two watch as Peaches locks her attention on the tender and not to mention tasty morsel sitting on the corner of the coffee table. It's at that point, Sarah turns to her husband and with a simple look non verbally tells him to stop torturing peaches. Chuck complies with a nod then turns his attention back to Peaches.

"Go on girl."

The second Peaches hears Chuck's voice, she pounces on the tasty morsel of shrimp. Afterwards, the golden lab turns her head with absolute satisfaction towards her two owners sitting on the black leather couch. As for Mr. and Mrs. Bartowski, they return to watching the CBS show Blue Blood while continuing to partake in their delicious meal with Peaches by the side hoping to get another extra morsel of food tossed her way.

XXX

The clock reads 11:45 p.m. and Eddie is sitting in semi-darkness in the living room couch/bed he's been sleeping on since his unorthodox arrival. Granted, it's somewhat uncomfortable but it's much better accommodations than what he's previously slept on in the past. A past that involved sex and drugs one of which nearly cost him his life. However, if it wasn't for his now partner in crime, he would have ended up dead in an ally somewhere not only broke, but completely at rock bottom.

While sitting there, he's channel surfing the seemingly thousands of channels his sister and brother-in-law have. At one point, the eldest Haschal sibling attempts to view the adult channels but unfortunately they are all blocked much to his chagrin. In his mind, since the two parents have children in the house, they don't want their two daughters and eventually their son's impressionable minds corrupted by such filth he thinks to himself. It's that particular that causes him to express a faint grin.

He continues channel surfing until he stumbles upon on a show on FX. It peeks his interest as it involves a group of bikers leading him to check to the guide channel for the name of the show in question. Once he does, he finds out that the name of the show is Sons of Anarchy. Motorcycles, blood, violence, death, women…all that a man could ask for. Plus, the chick from Married with Children is in it. She's no longer Peg Bundy that's for damn sure.

As he sits there engrossed in the riveting drama that is Sons of Anarchy, he hears the distinct sound of a vibrating phone. He turns to his right where his phone is located at…on top of his green duffle bag. He pushes himself forward then leans over grabbing the phone on top of it. Eddie checks the screen then briefly pauses. Afterwards he accepts the call then places it to his ear.

"Yeah?" he graveling answered. In that instance, Eddie gets up walking quietly to the entrance to the living room. He looks out and up for any sign of anyone who may possibly hear the conversation. "I'm alone." he said walking back into the living room.

While he resumes the conversation with whoever is on the other end of the line, Travis steps out of the master bedroom. He closes the door behind him then proceeds to walk down the hallways. His first stop is his daughter's room. Once he reaches it, he quietly opens the door in order to check on them. Upon inspection, they are sound asleep judging by the loud snoring going on in there.

He smiles. "Just like their mother." he quietly whispered to himself.

Afterwards, he quietly closes the door then proceeds to head towards the next room…his son Wesley's nursery. He opens the door quietly once again making sure not to wake him. He pokes his head in and notices he's sound asleep. In that moment, the proud papa can't help but smile at his proverbial mini me knowing he most wanted a son in order to keep the Riley last name going. The check up on his son doesn't last long as he discreetly sticks his head out of the nursery. As he stands there in front of the door, he hears the oh so familiar sound of his tummy grumbling. Instantly, he knows where he is going in order to have a late night snack.

While heading downstairs he hears a somewhat faint conversation going on below. It's at that point, he creeps downstairs thinking Eddie is possibly talking to his lady maybe popping the question to her. Granted, his wife would say it's not right to eve's drop on someone but this particular case can most certainly be an exception. As Travis stands there hidden out of sight, Eddie continues the conversation with the person on the other end of the line.

"I'm looking forward to our very lucrative partnership." he said. Eddie paces back and forth within the living room. He is at the opening of the aforementioned living room where Travis is peaking his head out from atop of the stairs. The dark haired former member of Team Chuck quickly ducks his head back as Eddie peers up thinking he saw something out of the corner of his right eye. He shakes his head thinking it's just the darkness playing around with him. In that instance, he turns around responding to the other end of the call. "I agree. It's going to be considered a big score for the both of us. I'll have the package and will bring it to you personally. We'll both be very happy." he explained.

The conversation ends. Eddie places his cell phone in his pocket then turns left heading towards the kitchen. When he disappears into it, the sound of the refrigerator is heard among other things. As this is going on, Travis emerges from atop the stairs hidden from view. He quietly makes his way down the step but then suddenly stops in the middle. In doing so, he places both hands on the wooden rail then bends down a bit lowering his head towards the direction of the kitchen. The former member of the Zeitgeist expresses a somewhat confused look on his face after hearing the conversation with whoever his brother-in-law is having. One thought crosses his mind as he stands there listening to Eddie raiding the fridge. What package?

XXX


NOTE: YEAH, SINCE SARAH IS IN HER 30's I DECIDED TO MAKE HER A FAN OF NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK? REVIEWS ARE AWESOME!