Don't own Chuck
It was four in the morning and with jetlag Chuck really had no idea what time it was. They had fallen asleep almost as soon as he switched off the light. Even if he had other ideas neither of them had the strength to proceed so she rolled over and he wrapped his arms around her holding her. That was the way they stayed until four when Sarah began tossing and turning. Chuck waited to wake her to see if her nightmare would go away. She was tired and needed to sleep but when he heard her begin to moan he knew he had waited long enough.
"Sarah love," he said as softly as he could but that had no effect so he gently shook her and called out to her a little louder. When that didn't work he rolled her towards him.
"Oh no," she yelled almost gasping for breath and swung at him. He blocked the left but the right hook landed catching him in the jaw. It made a loud whack as it landed and drove his face into his pillow.
"Sarah wake up," said Chuck as he pinned her arms to the bed. His jaw was throbbing and he could feel it start to swell. So once he saw she was waking he went to bathroom ran water and applied a cold compress. He heard her get out of bed then he looked over at her sleepy face standing in the doorway.
"Crap, then I did punch you," said Sarah. "I thought it was part of my dream or at least I hoped so. I'm so sorry."
"Seems like a new habit lately," said Chuck as he laughed but she wasn't laughing. "Come on it could've been worse. You could've gone for your Smith and Wesson but then you'd have to change the sheets."
"It's not funny. I don't know what's going on with me and worse I'm starting to forget what I dreamed about. Now if things couldn't get any worse I'm starting to confuse what's real with my dreams."
"Just because you punched me and thought it was a dream doesn't mean anything. It's perfectly understandable you were having a nightmare I woke you and you reacted. The fault here is mine I should've expected it."
"You're too nice to me and always defending me. I wonder some times what I ever did to deserve you and your love. I'm just afraid one of these days I'm going to let you down. Oh come here and let me take care of that," said Sarah as she took the washcloth from him and ran water over it again getting it cool then held it to his jaw.
"You really don't remember what you dreamed about," asked Chuck as she put the compress on his face. "Ouch!"
"Sorry no. I just know I didn't like it and I wanted to get out but I couldn't," said Sarah as she checked his eyes for blood. "Wait there was a chair I was stuck to. I remember I couldn't get out but that's it."
"So we need to get rid of all the chairs and start sitting on the floor. That might actually work out. It would save on getting furniture upholstered or buying new pieces."
"Will you be serious or do I need to punch the other jaw just to even you up and I don't want to hear anything about turning the other cheek."
"You took the words right out of my mouth. But since we're both up there is something we can do," said Chuck as he threw on clothes and started to head up above. Sarah did the same and followed him. He went to the wheel house and started the barges engines, gas turbine started like a car put the key in and turn.
"Here take the wheel and keep us against the quay while I go topside and cast off. Just take the stress off the lines then I'll come back to get us underway."
Sarah held the wheel and watched Chuck cast off the lines then haul them back on board soon he was back in the wheel house and they were on their way. After Chuck relieved her she went back down to the galley and made coffee then brought Chuck up a cup.
"Here Sweetie, I thought you could use this," said Sarah as she sat it down next to him as he studies the river and traffic ahead of him.
"Thanks just what I needed. It's a little bit cool topside so when Mom comes up tell her to keep Sam inside."
"So does this move have something to do with our meeting with Hannah today," said Sarah as she took a sip from her cup.
"Yes I'm putting our base of operations almost under the Eiffel tower between the Ponte de Bir-Hakeim and the Ponte d'Léna just in case we need to make a fast getaway."
"That's pretty good thinking for a four o'clock wakeup call," said Sarah as she leaned on him. "Maybe I should punch you more often."
"You can do anything you want to me just as long as you don't leave me," said Chuck as he kissed her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hannah woke up in a start she had a dream replaying the events of the night before. She looked at the clock in her room and realized she'd missed her standing morning appointment. This morning Francis would have to go without his croissant and coffee. It was silly of her to worry about something so mundane after everything that had happened. But she needed something normal to cling to something normal in this world of abnormal she had been propelled into.
"My tee-shirt looks good on you," said Captain Perry as he walking into his bedroom with a tray of juice, coffee and toast with a pink rose lying across the tray.
"What's this," asked Hannah as he put the tray on the bed then buttered her toast for her handing it to her.
"I believe you call it breakfast. I didn't know what you wanted so I put together what I had. When you're being hunted you don't really get a chance to run down to the local grocer's and do the shopping. How do you like your coffee?"
"Black is fine, thanks. You saved my life last night and I don't even know your name… well your real name."
"We can correct that my name is Kaptain Pieter Sokolov, Russian Special Forces at your service. Wow that was so odd it's been so long since I've heard my name spoken even by myself that it's almost like talking about someone else."
"May I call you Pieter," said Hannah as he handed her the other slice of toast buttered and refilled her coffee.
"Certainly I wouldn't have it any other way. When you get up we can check that blog to see if we received an answer," said Perry being both polite as well as persistent.
"Sure we can do that," said Hannah as she sipped on her coffee and looked him in the eyes. "Listen I don't want anything bad to happen to Chuck, he's my friend."
"I can't promise that because some of this is out of my control. I can promise that it's in his best interest to meet and maybe he'll be able to resolve his situation with my former boss and get both of us out of hot water. But there's more than concern here? Do you feel something for this Chuck?" asked Perry and Hannah hesitated.
"We're just friends now and that's all. Anyway that's none of your business," said Hannah a she went on the defensive.
"Oh Chuck Bartowski the lady's man who would've ever figured that," said Perry as Hannah turned bright red and got mad. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have pried after all I've got my own scarlet past too."
"Chuck is happily married to a woman he loves deeply and they have a child. Chuck has no eyes for anyone other than Sarah. She was in a horrible car accident some years past and lost her memory. She couldn't remember him and even left but he fought to bring her back. I've never seen a love that strong before or a man so dedicated to a woman. No there's no room in Chuck's life for other women."
"What is he, awesome?"
"No that's Chuck's brother in law. Never mind we need to get ready and for as much as food costs on the Eiffel tower you don't order unless you can eat everything.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Back at the Embassy, Morgan and Alex were looking over the satellite feeds using Echelon protocols and Big Brother in the sky looking down over Paris. Casey was in a brief with the Station Chief tracking the General's flight. Morgan yawned and stretched which spread like a virus throughout the room. Everyone was tired but Morgan and Alex were fighting off jetlag too.
"I'm going to get a cup of coffee," said Alex as she got up. "Can I get you one too? Cream and sugar?
"I want it black just like I like my…" Morgan stopped as he saw the look Alex was giving him. "Sorry I was thinking about my mother and Big Mike… That came out wrong didn't it?"
"Yeah and in more ways than one," said Alex as she went over and brought him back a black cup of coffee.
"What no cream and sugar?" said Morgan as he looked into it.
"Keep on looking inside and let's see if you can see your future? Can you see a wet Morgan with coffee spilt over his head? If you do you're right on the money."
"Just joking," said Morgan as switched views with one hand and zoomed while taking a sip. Then suddenly he spit coffee everywhere.
"Morgan!" yelled Alex as she got up wiping off coffee wondering how she was going to get the stains out. Her first reaction was to dump her cup on him but too many people where now staring at them.
"No, I'm sorry. Go get Casey right away I think I found them," said Morgan as he pointed at a couple walking towards the Eiffel tower. But she didn't have to, Casey heard the commotion and came to investigate.
"What happened here?" asked John looking at all the spilt coffee. "This is why you're not supposed to drink next to electronic equipment."
"What? John shut up and look?" said Morgan as he pointed at the screen.
"You said what? This had better be good or your life insurance had better be paid up. Tell me what I'm looking at?"
"See that couple going into the Eiffel tower, don't you see something familiar? Let me give you a clue," said Morgan as he ran away then came back with his rucksack. "Remember this, every world traveller knows that he should own a sturdy rucksack and then you said," said Morgan as he deepened his voice to sound like Casey. "Oh, what's with the stupid Maple leaf patch? Every American also knows to act Canadian as to be well-liked and you said…"
"That's a cliché so what are you saying? Try plain English this time and cut the crappy imitation or you'll be imitating a wall with your head." Morgan started to say something but Alex directed him back to the monitor and she froze the frame.
"Okay the man has a backpack with a Maple leaf too so what Morgan? Paris is open to Canadians to visit too?"
"You're both blind that's the same Maples leaf. That's Chuck; we bought these bags when we were going on a camping trip to Vancouver. I got the rucksack and he bought the backpack as you can see mine is bigger than his."
"I'm not going to touch that line with my daughter present. Good work," said Casey as Morgan smiled. "Oh don't break your arm patting yourself on the back you're still an idiot."
"I love you too John."
"Augh, keep it in your pants," said Casey then he yelled out to the rest of the station. "Listen up everybody let's gear up and head out. Remember they're still our own until we're told otherwise. Morgan you're with me. Alex I think you need to go get changed."
"Sorry," said Morgan as Alex growled at him. "The growl must be a family trait."
"Listen Colonel," said the Station Chief, "I've got some concerns with the way you're running this mission in my town. Are we absolutely sure he or they are still one of our own? Shouldn't we go in fully prepared?"
"Your concern is noted and discarded. The General put me in charge and until I'm told otherwise I'm in charge. If it makes you happy have your men ready. If we found them Hydra could too but there's no gunplay unless it is absolutely necessary and I'm doing the shooting. Your guys' mission in this is strictly support I'm on point with my team."
"Your team?" said the Chief as he looked over at Morgan with a puzzled look and whimsical expression on his face.
"If I were you I'd wipe that look off my face and follow orders. You've got yours so let's roll or do I have to say pretty please."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The barge pulled along the quay wall. Chuck had Sarah drop the bumpers after they passed Ponte de Bir-Hakeim. She came to the wheel house and took over at the helm while he went topside and threw the lines over then jumped on the quay tying off the barge to the bollards. Once they were tied up he switched off the turbine and settled into the Command Center hacking into the CCTV feeds from the Eiffel tower. Sarah went into the galley to find Mary and Sam at work preparing a late breakfast. Mary was trying her hand at making croissants and Sam was covered with flour.
"You know they're easier to buy," said Sarah as she took a damp towel and started to try and clean Sam but she was happy the way she was. She giggled each time she patted herself to create a little white dust cloud.
"What am I going to do with you," said Sarah as Sam held out her hands to be held. She picked her up and got covered with flour too.
"French grandmothers do this so I thought I could too but it looked easier than what it actually was. Maybe I need to rethink this plan."
"If it were easy people wouldn't go to pastry shops and buy them. But they don't look that bad," said Sarah as she looked at the first batch. "Do you mind if I try one?"
"No go ahead if you've got the courage I need your opinion," said Mary as she watched Sarah try one. "You can tell me what you think you won't hurt my feelings. I know Emma is better at this than I am."
"She's had more time and practice but they're not bad. I wouldn't even have tried," said Sarah trying to minimalize but it didn't escape Mary that she only took one bite.
"You wouldn't have tried what?" said Chuck as he came walking in from up forward. "Here you guys go." Chuck handed them both earpieces. "We're now all sync'd together."
"Did you cut yourself?" asked Sarah noticing Chuck had a Band-Aid behind his ear as she tried to take a closer look.
"No just something I'm working on. So what is it you would have tried and does is have something to do with all the flour that's flying around? Who's this, the Pillsbury dough Sam," said Chuck as he took Sam and got himself covered with flour too.
"Try this," said Mary as she shoved a croissant in Chuck's mouth the she broke off a little piece and put it in Sam's mouth. Sam didn't try to be nice. She chewed on if made a disgusted face then spit it out.
"Sam! No! Mom they're not that bad… Well, I mean we could always use more door stops," said Chuck. But Mary didn't have to appreciate his humor.
"No really they're not that bad… And if we add some Nutella then they'd be even better, right Chuck," said Sarah as she elbowed him.
"Right, certainly they would be. Mom I'm sorry but we've got to go," said Chuck as he handed her Sam and dusted himself off. "Let's go I want to get setup before Hannah gets here." He handed Sarah a backpack and put one on.
"What's this for," asked Sarah as she put hers on. "Jesus what's in it, bricks?" It was surprisingly heavy to be so small.
"This is our alternative exit strategy if we need it. I'm not taking any chances once we're up there's only one way out and that's down. Mom you can monitor us from the living room I've tied in the monitor there to the CCTV feeds from the tower." Chuck and Sarah did a radio check with Mary then kissed Sam each left lip prints in the flour.
"You realize that cross this park we're exposed and the only way Mary can follow us is if you leave the cameras live,' said Sarah as they walked off the barge and across the quay.
"I know," said Chuck as he stood at the beginning of the grass lawn that stretched out to the tower's base. He began narrating some facts to Sarah about the tower. "Wow, it's eighty-one stories tall, there are three observation decks and our restaurant is on the second deck. There are three hundred steps to the first level and three hundred more to the second, our restaurant and three hundred more to the top level which is at the 906 foot mark. But don't worry we're going to take the elevator to go up.
They made their way to the base of the tower then took the lift up to the top deck. Once they got off the elevator Chuck waited then he hid their backpacks while Sarah kept an eye out to make sure the coast was clear. Afterwards they rode the elevator back down to the restaurant.
"I'm sorry but we're early would it be possible for us to be seated and wait for our guest," said Chuck in French to the maître.
"Certainly this way," said the man as he led then to a table with a stunning view of Paris from the window. "Is there anything I can get you while you're waiting for your friend?"
"You wouldn't have any rocky road ice cream would you?" asked Chuck as Sarah reached across the table and took his hand.
"I'm sorry but no. However might I suggest the Tower Bolt? It's made of dark chocolate praline with a hazel nut ice cream or there's the iced milk chocolate bar with walnuts."
"I think the Tower Bolt will be fine. Can you bring my wife one and we'll both have American coffee while we wait."
"Yes sir," said the maître. "I'll make sure a waiter delivers your order. When your guest arrives just signal him and he'll take your order."
"Did you read this," said a woman to her husband sitting across from them. "What has this world come to that someone's mother has to place an ad to get her son to contact her."
"I know in this age of technology you'd think we'd all be within reach especially here in the West. It does sound like the poor woman is desperate doesn't it? I hope she's not on her deathbed or anything that really would make it a tragedy."
"Our dinner's coming let's not talk about this anymore or I'll lose my appetite."
"A penny for your thoughts," said Sarah as she could see Chuck's mind was turning something over in his head.
"Nothing I was just listening in on other people's conversation. I know I shouldn't but something drew my attention."
"What was it," said Sarah as she reached over and caressed his face. She noticed his jaw was a little puffy and there were signs of light bruising.
"I don't know just something in the back of my head made me flash on French and I could understand them but I'm not sure why."
"How's your jaw? I'm so sorry. I know you can punch me that would make us even. It'd be something Casey would do," said Sarah laughingly.
"You're probably right but I could never hurt you," said Chuck as a waiter appeared placing Sarah's dessert in front of her then setting a coffee carafe and cups before them along with cream and milk.
"Just call sir if you need anything else," said the waiter as he left, leaving as discreetly as he arrived. Sarah tried her dessert and her eyes grew wide.
"Oh my God this is good. Here you have to try this," she said as she put a spoonful in Chuck's mouth. "Isn't the best thing you've ever eaten?
"Wow you're right I might have to get one," said Chuck but just then he saw Hannah arrive. He stood up and waited for her to arrive then he pulled her chair out for her.
"I'm so sorry you got caught up in this mess," said Chuck as he began to apologize but Sarah reached over and took his hand.
"First things first we should order," said Sarah but as she was speaking she noticed a man walking across the room towards them. She squeezed Chuck's hand again and he looked up. Chuck flashed and reached under his jacket while Sarah put her hand in her bag.
"Then it is true you two are spies."