Don't own Chuck
Evans and Gardner slowly came to in the back of the van. Evans opened his eyes slowly his head felt like someone had danced on it and his mouth felt like he'd eaten sand. He looked over at his partner Gardner he was coming out of it too. They looked around then and realized they weren't in Kansas anymore.
"What did you do to us," asked Evans. He saw Morgan and Alex watching a monitor. "You drugged us, why? What's going on?"
"Yeah if drugged you mean darted and Chuck does send his apologies but he couldn't take the risk," said Morgan. "Good you're both coming to so you can come with us. Here you'll both need this," he said as he handed them body armor.
"Couldn't risk what? What are you talking about? Why do we need body armor for anyway," asked Gardner showing he was following what was going on. "What's going on?"
"Well there's not much time to explain but we're about to arrest Dale and take down the leader of the Triad, Brother Tong," said Morgan pointing at the monitor for them to see.
"We need to call our Chief," said Evans. "He'll have our heads if we don't report this in. How'd you get the lead anyway? Oh Chuck of course and his lunch. Hey I don't have any bars."
"Neither do I," said Gardner. "How are we supposed to report in? You don't understand our boss will be livid if we don't report a bust this important."
"Sorry all cellphone service to this area is being jammed until the mission is completed. Chuck couldn't risk word getting back to Triad that we're on to their meeting."
"Where are Chuck and the rest at now? We need to talk to him and see if he can get word back to our Chief before he gets pissed at us and him."
"I think that's low on Chuck's priorities right now. Mary and John are in sniper nests and Chuck is out hunting. He's taking out the Triad's men around the perimeter before DiMarco arrives with the cavalry. We're waiting for the two Mercedes to arrive then we're to go out and arrest Dale and if we get the chance to arrest Tong too. You guys can be our back up."
"Your back up? Excuse me I'm having a hard time following you," said Evans as he watched Gardner put in the body armor. "You're not actually going to go out there with them after what they did to us?"
"Come on Evans I don't see as we have much of choice. However, if we want some of the credit for the cuff we need to participate in the operation. Which will the Chief be angrier at that we didn't call him because we couldn't or that we got our selves sidelined on a sting operation this big?"
"I hate it when you make sense," said Evans as he started suiting up. "What's the plan for us? We just walk up to Dale and tell him he's under arrest then read him his rights?"
"Something like that you sure you were out during the mission brief? Just joking. Look, here on the monitor, see those two Mercedes? According to Ivan one of them has Dale in it so when they get in here we're going to walk up to them find the one Dale is in and arrest him.
"Just like that," said Evans thinking the whole operation seemed crazy. "Without back up or anything just walk in and make the collar.
"Yes, just like that. Chuck thinks that once we try to arrest Dale Tong will jump out to try and intercept us. However, when he does we'll be waiting."
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Chuck dodged Liang's dagger then dislodged Liang's weapon from his hand with a double crescent kick. Now they were squaring off for a fight. Liang faked a couple of punches then came in with a side thrust kick. Chuck anticipated the move dropped under Liang's leg then sweep him off his feet with a low spinning kick.
"Pufff" was the sound Liang made as he landed on his back. A small dust cloud rose but he sprung off jumping back up on his feet then moved back and shook it off.
"Not bad, so you've had some martial arts training," said Liang as he circled Chuck. "Good! That will make it better when I kill you. You should know I was a champion back in China so prepare to die."
"I think 'was' is the operative word here. Did you do any work for Shaw Brothers? I think I saw you in the Drunk Monkey. You were either a drunk or a monkey I forget which," said Chuck.
As they were squaring off again they both heard Tong yelling on Liang's radio asking what was going on. Liang grabbed the radio but Chuck did a crescent kick again to knock it from his hands. However, this time it was Liang who anticipated Chuck's move with a spinning back kick that sent him flying across the courtyard.
"Ow," groaned Chuck. He landed hard on some metal piping his side ache and burned. The minimum he had was a couple bruised ribs if they weren't broke and he had Sarah yelling in his ear to get up but he laid there and moaned.
"No a half bad fight but skill and style always win out," said Liang as he moved in on Chuck for the kill. "What did you say before about 'was'? Now let's end this farce."
"I said I wasn't over and I agree let's end this," said Chuck. He'd wait for Liang to get in close and being overly confident he let his guard down. So when he was within striking range he delivered a heel kick to Liang's knee. There was a loud crack as the knee cap broke. Chuck blocked the pain from his side rolled then in a scissor motion from wrestling he took Liang down. With the broken knee he wasn't getting up fast. Chuck got up first and knocked him out with a right.
"Chuck, are you okay? Chuck respond over. Chuck answer me are you all right," radioed Sarah. All she had were IR scans and in the fracas she lost track which one of the heat readings was Chuck's.
"I'm going down to check," said Mary as she started to leave her nest. She heard the tone in Sarah's voice and knew she had to go to check on him.
"No, everyone stay put... remain on station," radioed Chuck. "Okay, everyone heads up Tong's getting nervous it won't be long before he orders his troops in so keep a sharp eye out. Sarah I'm fine, really I am."
"Don't do that to me again or I swear I'll come down there or I'll kick your butt when I get a hold of it."
"That might not be that bad an offer but we can talk about that later," said Chuck as he let out a low moan as he bent down to recovered his dart pistol.
"You're not fine," radioed Sarah. "What's the matter? Head back to the comms van and let the team take care of the rest. DiMarco's men are in position so there's no reason to take any more risks. Morgan, Alex move in and take Dale."
"Roger that," replied Morgan as he looked over at Alex. "It's time are you sure you're up to this? If you want you can stay here? I can go in with Evans and Gardner."
"No, absolutely not I'm coming and I'm going to prove to all of you Dale doesn't mean anything to me. I want to be the first in the vehicle to cuff him. I'm not asking, I'm telling got that."
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Two black Mercedes pulled up at the designated area. Tong watched their progress from his monitor and what was supposed to be his big triumph was quickly becoming a monumental disaster. His radio comms started crapping out with the rest of his troops which made him livid with rage. If he couldn't communicate with his men how was he supposed to tell them to move in?
"Give me a radio I'm going in," said Tong. He took the radio and looked at the back of the radio there was a sticker that read made in Taiwan. "I should've known." He did the radio check then left the van heading for the two Mercedes with his axe. On the way he went to where his men were waiting.
"Hey why aren't you guys answering my calls," said Tong. "What's the matter with you guys?" He pushed on one and they all fell over. "What the...," he said as he realized they'd been tranq'd.
"Crap something's going on here," radioed back Tong to the comms van. "Do a radio check with all our men and do it quickly. I need to know how many men we still have. Our equipment isn't down but our men are. Someone has been busy taking our men out under our very noses. What? Can you see what I'm seeing who's that going up to the van?" Tong didn't need an answer he read Homeland written across the backs of their vests.
"Homeland? Who could've tipped them off that we were meeting here?" he said to himself then it hit him "Ivan doesn't have the know how to pull this off that leaves... the collective... yes those SOBs they knew we wouldn't let this go so they decided to take us both out. What to do... Think Tong what do you do now? The old men on the board in Shanghai will have your head now and there's nothing Khan can do about it. I'm on my own."
He watched the four man team hit the two Mercedes. Two people erupted in the one and two went into the other simultaneously. However, shortly after going in the vehicles he heard a loud bang the sound of a weapon discharge coming from inside.
"Well Ivan showed them what he was made of," said Tong. His remaining men heard the sound too and they charged the two Mercedes but rapid fire from snipers above halted their charge.
Tong was about to join his men and get them back in play when he heard the sound of police sirens. He knew it was over then. His men scattered like rats from a sinking ship and he was alone. Doing an about face he ran back to his van.
"Let's get out of here," yelled Tong as he hopped back inside slamming the side door shut. "Everything has gone to crap. Come on turn the key let's get out of here the police will be here soon."
"Brother Tong the phones are working again you need to call the base. They called for you," said the driver as he looked at Tong in the rearview. There was something about the man's look he didn't like.
"Sure just let's get a move on it," he said as he reached in his jacket for his phone but he saw the driver turn around with his weapon in his hand. Tong knew exactly what was going on instead of his phone he went for his pistol. The driver got the first shot off hitting Tong but Tong got a second shot off. The man slumped over to the side leaving a large red blotch on the inside of the windshield.
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Morgan and Alex made their way across the compound to where the two Mercedes had pulled up. Already something wasn't right why didn't anyone get out of the vehicles? Sarah watched from overhead doing an IR scan of the vehicles.
"Morgan, Alex you've got two men in each vehicle. Be careful something seems off there are too few," radioed Sarah. "Tell Evans and Gardner to take one you take the other but be careful."
"Alex," wait for me, said Chuck. He'd just made it back to the van. His side was aching and throbbing but he wasn't going to let that get in his way.
"That's a negative," radioed Casey. "Bartowski you're the poster child for friendly fire. Alex, you and Grimes proceed but watch your six's that goes also for Evans and Gardner. I've got you covered from above."
Alex looked at Evans pointed at the one Mercedes then she held up two fingers so he'd know there were two men inside. He nodded his head. Alex held up her hand then did a silent counted down from three then on three they opened the doors.
"Out of the vehicles this is Homeland. You're under arrest," yelled Alex. Gardner and Evans did basically the same thing.
"Dale, keep your hands where I can see them and don't move," yelled Alex as she pulled the driver out of the vehicle shoving him to the ground. As she was doing that Morgan covered Dale but as she turned her back to get the driver down the driver put up resistance trying to get back up.
"Stay down," yelled Alex as she put her knee in the man's back. Morgan looked at her for a second to see if she needed help and it that moment Dale pulled his Beretta he had hidden under the seat.
"Alex you had this coming but as they say each man kills the thing he loves," said Dale as he drew the weapon and fired.
"No," yelled Morgan. He leaped on top of Alex shielding her with his own body. Had the round hit front or back he would've been okay but as he was turning as he landed on her he got caught in the his side where the front and back plates met.
Gardner ran instinctively to the passenger side of the Mercedes busted the window with his pistol butt then literally snatched Dale out the window by the collar. He threw him to the ground where he put his knee on Dale's neck as he cuffed him.
"If you so much as blink in the wrong direction I'll snap your neck like a twig," said Gardner as he yanked him up to his feet. "How is everyone over there?"
"Morgan's hit," said Alex. Chuck came running for the van and together with Alex they took off his body armor. They heard sirens screaming DiMarco's men were moving in but Chuck wasn't sure they'd make it to them in time.
"Just hold in there little buddy you're going to be okay I promise," said Chuck as he applied pressure to keep Morgan from bleeding out.
"Now we're even. Morgan can I get a refund on a slightly used handgun," said Dale half laughing standing between Evans and Gardner in handcuffs.
"Get him out of here before I forget we need him alive," said Chuck. "Hang in there little buddy it's not as bad as it looks I should know remember."
"Morgan you saved me," said Alex as she caressed him face then kissed him. "Don't you leave me alone. You can't I won't let you."
"Alex I'll always be there for you. I don't want to ever see you hurt not by Dale or by me or anyone ever again. Guys I'm feeling very tired right now. I think I'm going to take a short nap. Chuck can you get me a grape soda from the fridge? Is there any pizza left 'cause I'm feeling a little hungry."
"Sorry little buddy but we're out of soda. If you stay awake I'll run to the store and grab a six pack for you but you've got to stay awake for me. Morgan... Morgan wake up. Alex, take over here," said Chuck. "We need to cauterize the wound he's losing to much blood."
"What's going on," yelled Casey as he and Mary walked in. "We heard the gunshot and thought you shot Dale."
"I wish. Dale tried to shoot me but Morgan jumped into the line of fire and too the bullet meant for me," said Alex as she watched Chuck limp to the back of the SUV.
Chuck went to the back of the Mercedes holding his side. He was having difficulty breathing now but he had to push through the pain for Morgan. Once in the back he found what he was looking for a pair of jumper cables and a screw driver. He threw them over his shoulder then popped the hood. Connecting them to the battery he took the ground and placed it under Morgan then put the screw driver in the positive lead.
"John get me some light so I can see better," said Chuck as he started work using the screw driver in the positive lead as an electrocautery. There was a strong smell of burned flesh but little by little it worked. By the time the ambulance got there Chuck had stopped the bleeding and they took Morgan to Westside Memorial.
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Tong laid on the van floor half-conscious looking up at the ceiling going in and out. The sirens got closer and closer he wondered if they'd get there in time. He felt like he was flying away as he became lighter and lighter then he felt cold, very cold. Just when he was sure he was dead he felt a pain in his chest then he was looking up at a bright light.
"Go to the light," he muttered except for him it was the surgical light that was over the operating table as a surgeon worked frantically to save him. It was touch and go in the beginning but in the end the surgeon saved him... at least for the time being. They wheeled Tong out to the post op recovery room under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service and the L.A. police, both providing security details for the door as they fought to see who'd get the prize.
"Well I think Tong should be ours," said Evans and Gardner nodded his head in agreement. But Joe wasn't budging and he had possession which under normal conditions was worth nine-tenths but he knew he was on a slippery slope.
"You guys were barely conscious for the collar," said Joe as he argued his point, "and until my commissioner calls me this was our case and you guys were just ride-alongs. Tell them Chuck. What do you say? Come on help a friend out it was Ivan who gave us the tip after all."
"Oh no, you're not getting me in the middle of this. You people can work out who is whose without me getting in the middle," said Chuck as he stood outside of Morgan's post op room which was almost across the hall from Tongs.
"Will everyone hold it down out here," said the Surgeon as he came out after getting cleaned up. "First of all no one is talking let alone taking anyone. The oriental man I just operated on isn't out of the woods yet. We have to wait twenty-fours to see in what direction he's going and as for your agent. The bullet nicked an artery and if you hadn't cauterized the wound he'd bleed out before he got here. But he'll be fine in a few days. He just needs to rest and get liquids back in him.
"Doctor, I've got another patient for you who needs to be looked at," said Sarah. She came up on them silently. No one knew she was there until she started speaking.
"Really who's that," he said as he looked around. "I only operated on two people. Who's the other patient?"
"I told you I'm fine. Really I am," said Chuck but she put her hand on his side. "Augh," he said as he grimaced in pain and almost doubled over.
"You do this every time," said Sarah. "I wish for once you'd admit it when you're hurt and let me take care of you."
"You're Devon's brother-in-law," said the Doctor. "I should've recognized you. He and I were interns together with your sister Ellie. Come on let me look at that side. Wow it's been ages since I heard from them."
"They're both doing fine in Chicago," said Chuck as the physician led them into the OR where the nurses were busy cleaning up.
"Sorry I need the room for a second," said the Doctor. "Take your jacket and shirt off. So you work for the government now. That's good Devon was afraid you'd stay a loser forever at... where did he say you used to work?"
"The Buy More," said Chuck as he jumped when the Doctor poked him. "But loser is a bit harsh, don't you think?"
"Well good news I don't think you broke anything but I think you might have some internal bruising. That area's going to be a little tender for a while. Keep track of you urine if you see blood come back in right away. I could give a prescription for some pain relievers but really if you can just put up with it that would be the best. All pain isn't bad its nature's way of telling us we're over doing it."
"Thanks Doc," said Chuck as he got dressed. Sarah helped him on with his shirt buttoning it up for him.
"Next time you talk to Devon or Ellie tell them that Jack says hi. If they ask which Jack tell Devon Captain Jack then he'll remember me I'm sure."
"Sounds like there's a story in that," said Chuck as Sarah helped him on with his jacket. "Maybe you can tell me later on."
"Doctor," yelled a nurse who came running in. "You need to come there's a complication with one of your patients."
"What do you mean complication?" asked the doctor. She looked at Chuck and Sarah. "Go ahead you can talk in front of them."
"He flat lined and we have a crash team with him now trying to resuscitate him as we speak."