Don't own Chuck
Chuck sat on a stool in the war room and had finished sending a false message to Stavros. The Greek was being moved into position and the trap was set. Now there was little to do except wait. The lull set in and suddenly all the stress and tiredness hit him. As he sat on the stool he felt as if all the earth's gravity was concentrated on him.
"Hey, why don't you go get a half hours' worth of nap," said Carina. "If you tell me what I need to watch for I'll stand guard and send someone if something comes up."
"Listen to her Chuck," said Ivanoff, "tired men make mistakes and in this game you're playing you can't afford that."
"Maybe you two are right. Okay I'll go but only for thirty minutes not one more. I've got Stavros on the move. We'll need to go ashore soon so can you let Captain Aleksei know we'll need to surface," Chuck said as he disappeared out the hatch.
"So Sasha, how long have you known my friend?"
"Well for a while but I know his wife much better. She and I used to work together on a team and you? I don't understand your relationship to Chuck?"
"There's not much to tell. I was desperate for glory not so much for money. I had been put out to pasture and longed for the sea. I was offered a command of submarine, Oscar class, by some not so nice people and I grabbed it. They wanted to steal something they shouldn't have, one of these men kidnapped Sarah and Chuck came for her. I admired him from the first time I met him. He did what I would have done for my family. I remember telling him that in his chest beat a Slavic heart. Needless to say he talked my whole crew down. He knew everything about us our lives and our families."
"That sounds kind of scary."
"Yes and no, he was simply telling us you touch mine and I touch yours. Family is everything. Do you have anyone like that in your life? Someone you'd do anything for?"
"I don't know? Maybe?"
"Listen, my young friend, life is only worth living if you have someone to share it with. Money, glory, power are fickle mistresses and will leave you at the first opportunity but to have someone close to hold. Someone who knows you and you know them now that's worth fighting for. Chuck knows that and his love is Sarah. She is the light that shines in his lighthouse and brings him safely home."
"I know what you mean but they seem intense sometimes."
"Intense? Love is not a fifty-fifty relationship something that if it doesn't work out you just walk away. Love is an all or nothing, a do or die and anything less is not love. I'm old and sometimes my friends tell me I'm senile but let me give you some advice. This person in your life you need to take the question mark out and put in an exclamation mark. Now, let's finish this cheese and bread. Here, try this it will make it taste better," he said as he handed her a hip flask and she took a drink.
"Vodka, this is good."
"Thank you, I made it. When you live on subs all your life you have to learn to do and to make things on your own. So tell me about this 'mister maybe'? Does 'maybe' have a name?"
"Cole Barker," she said as she took another drink. It tasted good and burned as it went down warming her up inside. It made her feel like she wanted to talk. "He works for MI6."
"So tell me about Mister James Bond, 007 what kind of man is he?"
"It's just that, I have both feet in and Cole's only one foot in. So then, it's just me taking care of three feet and I want it to be us, you know, taking care of four feet. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Completely, maybe we ought to put the cap on the flask for now."
"You know I'm usually not like this. I don't talk a lot about myself. It's not what we're taught and not what I do. Your Vodka could be used instead of sodium pentathlon." They both laughed then she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"What's that for?"
"For listening to me babble it felt good to finally let it out."
"If you can't talk to your dedushka, who can you talk to?"
"Well, grandfather," said Chuck as he came back in through the hatch, "we need to get ready for the fun and festivities." Suddenly there was a siren and something announced in Russian. Carina looked puzzled back and forth to Chuck and Ivanoff.
"We're surfacing," said Chuck as she felt the sub suddenly rise and the Vodka in her stomach felt like it wanted to do the same.
"Keep it in the can," said Chuck as he kicked a trash can close to her and both men laughed.
"Not funny," she said as she heaved speaking in it.
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Stavros arrived at Mykonos port where he had his newly repaired BMW X3 waiting of him and another one for his men. After loading them up they headed towards the Pelican leaving the boat crew to tend to the yacht and to prepare it for his return journey to the island.
"Listen, I want my boat gassed and ready to go. I don't want to stay any longer here than necessary is that clear," he told the yacht's skipper.
"Yes, sir we'll take care of everything and be ready to shove off as soon as you're ready."
"I want guards posted on the pier and make sure they stay sharp. I'm paying you good money to keep me safe." With that Stavros departed for his club.
"Skipper, he might be paying us," said the first mate, "but if we're not alive it's hard to spend it."
"I know and I feel the same. The first sign of danger we cast off and find safer ports." They didn't get the opportunity to put into practice their plan to retreat. Commandos boarded the yacht from the outboard side and quickly tranq'd the crew.
"Team one, team gold," radioed the squad leader, "target one secured."
"Roger, team gold, team one, implement phase two place charges and take it out in the port to anchorage."
"Roger that." The commando team took the crew off the boat then placed molniya 'lightning charges' before towing it out to an anchorage within sight but far enough away from anything else.
"Team gold, team one, port ready for fourth of July."
"Roger team one." Chuck looked up from his radio and smiled.
"I take it things are proceeding," said Carina. Her stomach was still feeling queasy and the ride in the launch didn't help.
"Here," said Chuck as he handed her some bread he brought with him. "It'll help settle your stomach and if you heave again at least you'll have something to throw up."
"Thanks," she said as she bit off a piece and swallowed it almost whole. "You're right I feel much better."
"When Sarah left me I spent a lot of time where you were back there and I found out this was the only thing that helped the next day. Things are moving forward," said Chuck as he turned back to the task at hand and radioed. "Team two, team Gold stand by. Home base, team Gold, land the eagles."
"Roger team Gold, home base landing eagles." Suddenly Chuck and his team watched as three Kh-101 cruise missiles blasted off from the Yasen and disappeared in the sky.
"Team Gold, home base, eagles in flight."
"Roger, home base," said Chuck.
"I think you've played too much Angry Birds," said Carina. Chuck just smiled back at her.
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At Echo Park Mary was playing with Sam on the sofa as Sarah was in the kitchen with Emma and Molly. Lou was talking about going back to the deli so she could clean up. She wanted to get her place back up and running as quickly as possible especially since she knew the cleanup crew would be working to clean up the debris from the explosions.
"I can't miss this. They're going to be working round the clock and are going to be hungry. I can make enough to cover the damages and then some."
"But do you think it's safe to be going around. Stavros could have other people around," said Morgan.
"No, she's right," said Mary as she was playing got your nose with Sam. "Stavros is too worried about Chuck right now to think about Lou and plus he's short on manpower. And with someone coming after him like Juri he won't be getting to many applicants from the bad guy want ads."
"Mary's right," said Sarah, "if Lou wants to go it's okay. Morgan, can you run her there?"
"Sure, Alex do you want to come with me?"
"Okay, if it's alright with everyone."
"Go, I won't be giving up my granddaughter anytime soon unless Emma wants a turn."
"No, Mary I think this has long been coming and you deserve your share of Sam time."
"Thank you," said Mary then turned back to Sam, "Can you say thank you? Can you say thank you?" But instead Sam said, "kay see."
"What?" Mary looked up at Sarah and Emma.
"We know," said Sarah. Morgan and Alex had just left when Casey came over with Cole in a hurry.
"Listen up, Beckman is trying to get in touch," he said.
"Let me take Molly to the nursery," said Emma as she disappeared down the hallway with Molly. "Let's look for that picture you drew for Uncle Casey."
"Uncle Casey? I kind of like that," he grunted as the monitor in the living room came on and General Beckman began to address them.
"Good the team is together. I have some breaking news from Mykonos," she said as the monitor became a split screen. "Our spy satellites caught the following. Watch this," she said as they saw Stavros strong hold on his private island.
"General, that's Stavros' island there's nothing new there. We've already mapped it out."
"Be patient Colonel and now." There were three balls of light and explosions that seemed to rock the whole island. The manor house was completely destroyed with a gapping crater that replaced it. Two of the sealed wells where hit with explosions and fires that seemed to erupt afterwards.
"General what was that?"
"It was a missile attack from a Russian submarine off the coast of Mykonos. The best we can tell they used some sort of stealth technology to avoid detection by Stavros' anti-aircraft batteries."
"Do we know where Stavros is," asked Mary, "if he's accidently killed those nukes could explode."
"Our satellites have him departing before and his current location is at Mykonos."
"The idiot went club hopping," said Mary.
"That's what we're thinking. Wait I've just got another dispatch. Let me bring up the feed in real time. Can you see that?"
"Looks like an all-out invasion," said Casey.
"Wait one," said the General as an aid handed her a piece of paper and she glanced down at it. "It seems the FSB has seized Stavros' island and have placed three of his ships in quarantine. I've been called to brief the Director and the President any idea what I'm supposed to say?"
"Diane, tell them that my son has everything in hand," said Mary as she walked back to Sarah and took her hand.
"Yes General," said Sarah, "tell them that Chuck is handling it."
"I hope for everyone's sake, you're right. Beckman out."
"That went well," said Mary.
"I thought so too," said Sarah. But they both knew better.
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Stavros arrived at his club and made his way inside. The music was loud and there were people on the dance floor, the usual crowd that always hung out at his place on a Friday night. He never understood Saturday night fever for him it made more sense that is should've been called Friday night but truthfully it could've been any day of the week because he never had to get up the next day to go to work.
"Bring me a Scotch neat and the manager," said Stavros has he made his way to the VIP booth. Shortly afterwards the club manger showed up with Stavros' drink.
"Evening Mr. Stavros, what can I do for you?"
"What? Didn't you call for me?" Crap, his brain started racing as he began to look around the club.
"No, but I'm glad you came by. People have been talking."
"Really and what have they been saying," he asked as he took a gulp from his glass.
"They're worried that you might bring trouble here to our island and you know that would be bad for tourism."
"Tourism! You bunch of cowards, go get out of my sight before I do something that I might enjoy." The man scurried away as fast as he could.
"Now Mr. Demetrios is that any way to treat someone who works for you," said an elderly man with a thick Russian accent. At first he thought the man was Juri Sheshenko but as he walked into better lighting he could see he was not.
"I'm sorry but I didn't get your name?" Stavros asked as they began the dance.
"My name is Captain Gorgey Ivanoff."
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?"
"It would if you were in the Russian Navy."
"But I'm not so can you get to the point." Stavros knew that this man wasn't here by accident and had a good idea what he wanted but he wanted to hear him say it.
"I'm here on behalf of the FSB, we're willing to offer you our assistance in your current situation."
"I assume your assistance comes with a price."
"Yes, we just want what's ours back and we'll guarantee your safety."
"And if I refuse?"
"We leave you to the Bravta and Mr. Sheshenko."
"Would you do that knowing that your three warheads will explode and you'll get the blame?"
"We won't be blamed you've made sure of that by your threats to world leaders and if we do things will be different in the new world order afterwards. Maybe for the better or for the worse but you won't see it. Your dead man switch, how long before Juri starts torturing you will it kick in?"
"What kinds of torture?"
"There are no clear definitions but it will be long and under torture seconds can be like days." As they were talking Chuck walk over to the booth and sat down with Carina standing guard.
"Evening Stavros," said Chuck now Juri, "I hope you've got everything in order. Captain it's nice to see you again."
"I wish I could say the same. Stavros, think about my proposition," said Ivanoff as he got up to leave. "I have a launch at the pier that can take us out to my boat. I leave in an hour." Then he left.
"Are you going somewhere? I see the FSB has made their offer. I wish I could make a counter but you see I have a policy of not paying for something that is already mine."
Stavros tried to signal to his men behind the bar but Carina, Sasha dispatched them quicker than they could react.
"Now that was just rude," said Juri. "All I want to do is talk and have a civil conversation. Think you can do that?"
"Do what?"
"Be civil, if not we can move to plan B quickly which involves dentistry without anesthesia," said Juri as Stavros gulped down his Scotch.
"That's no way to drink," said Juri. "Sasha, love, can you get your father a glass, wait on second thought bring me the bottle too." Chuck didn't offer Carina because he knew her stomach was still upside down. She walked over slowly as every eye in the place followed her then she came back.
"Here you are otets," she said as she sat the bottle and glass on the table.
"Thank you doch', a loving child," Juri said, "beautiful, isn't she? I'm her father you can tell me you agree there's nothing wrong with admiring beauty."
"Yes, she is."
"She's as deadly as she's beautiful. She can keep you alive and awake for weeks before your little switch goes off," Juri said as he poured them both a drink. "Budem zdorovy," said Juri as he lifted his glass and drank. "Do you speak Russian?" Stavros shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you can you please speak up?"
"No I don't," said Stavros as his voice quivered.
"It means, 'let's stay healthy' and I think that's what you want, no?" Stavros nodded. "I'm sorry but you really need to learn to speak up, can you repeat please?"
"No, I mean yes, yes of course I want to stay healthy. Yes, of course."
"Good, good because let me illustrate your situation," said Juri as he took out a deck of cards. "Please be still you're shaking the table and I need the table steady if this is going to work. Okay let me try," said Juri as be began to build a tower made from the cards. He carefully, slowly placed one after another until it was almost eye level.
"This is your house right now. Can you see it and speak don't nod, nodding is so rude. My Sasha learnt that when she was a very little girl, right Sasha?"
"Yes father," Carina said as Chuck winked at her and looked down at the table. 'Bang!' was the noise heard as Carina slammed her fist on the table and the tower crumbled with cards flying everywhere.
"That's your world right now. We'll be waiting at the airport for you. You have until midnight after that you're pumpkin pie," Chuck said as he got up and left.
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"You've been reading too many fairy tales to Sam," said Carina outside. "Where did pumpkin pie come from any way?"
"You know Cinderella, turn into a pumpkin, pumpkins are squashed to make pies with."
"Not really," said Carina.
"Forget it, if you have to explain it, it's not worth it besides he understood.
"He understood a bad translation."
"I'm supposed to be Russian and I was in character. Okay, okay whatever; we need to get down to the port."