Chuck vs. Where Loyalty Lies
Surprise! Here's another new chapter for you folks. Sarah actually taking into consideration what Carina, Ellie, Morgan and Bryce is a big step knowing the safety of her baby, as well as is on the line. Now, that they've come to an understanding what happens now? Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Once again, it's getting intense my Chuck peeps so strap on your seat belts.. 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 one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.
I don't own Chuck but I hope there's a movie.
Promises and Vows
XXX
"Other than the poorly timed near escape…" stated Rashid furrowing his eyebrows. He takes a moment to open a bottle of water then take a few swigs. Afterwards, he continues on. "…were there any complications whatsoever with the package?" he inquired. He turns his head looking over his left shoulder towards the passenger's seat behind the driver where Eddie is currently sitting.
It's around 2:45 p.m. and a balmy 98 degrees outside as the caravan of 3 S.U.V.s head toward their intended destination, but within the confines of the vehicle it's well air conditioned. In any case, Eddie along with Rashid in the lead S.U.V. kicks himself concerning the embarrassing situation that happened back in the airport hangar. In his mind, it's bad enough that Chuck nearly escaped from his clutches, but to have his business partner's trusted associate witness it is considerably far worse.
He knows the ramifications of what could have been would be immensely problematic when it concerns his own life knowing at any moment he's be snuffed out within a blink of an eye after Rashid notified the big boss. Fortunately for him, Chuck was taken down before his services would no longer be needed on more permanent basis he thinks to himself.
Chuck is his meal ticket for a better life. It also means laying on some beach on a tropical island with an umbrella drink on one hand and a beautiful exotic lady in the other. A dream that's been 5 years in the making and it's most definitely becoming a reality so much so he can actually taste it. The big payoff is close at hand and as much as he wants his take right now, he's been very patient up to this point.
"No sir." answered Eddie. "If there were any, it would have been taken care of immediately." added the eldest Haschal sibling.
Rashid expresses a hint of a smirk as he turns around facing forward. "Excellent" he added getting comfortable in his seat. "The boss will be very pleased."
For Eddie, he knows he should be reveling in victory concerning acquiring the proverbial all important package but something is nagging at him. However, it's not so much something but someone and his name is Travis Riley. He is 99.9% sure his brother-in-law heard Chuck yelling their intended destination over the phone but with so much noise within the plane itself he may not have.
Of course, being a former soldier for the Zeitgeist he doesn't deal in the what if's. Instead, he deals in facts and the fact is his blood brother did hear the location of where they'll be headed to. In addition to that, he'll be going after us alone and without any help whatsoever from his former teammates.. It's a family issue, so he'll fight his own battles in order to make things right. He knows him too well.
To him, there is a undeniable strong bond between the two of them and he won't allow himself to let outsiders interfere in family business. The boy scout that he is will try to fix this in some way, shape, or form. He'll even try to find a way to reason with him and bring him back from the depths of the dark side he thinks to himself. Granted, it's not a father/son-Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker type relationship but it's considerably similar in his own mind.
In any case, it will be a futile attempt on his part to come to his senses because he's too far gone to seek redemption form what he's done. Yet, when it comes to Travis he'll do everything in his power to do his very best to convince him to join the right team. His team. The dynamic duo back together again and stickin' rich to boot as well. Nobody turns down the amount of money he'll partially share with Travis because after all he did most of the work.
It's at that point, his thoughts concerning Travis are averted to what he thinks he deserves to be given. The money that would be promised to him once the package has not only been acquired, but delivered as well. Both have been accomplished. True, his business partner may not be there upon arrival with said package knowing his right hand enforcer Zondra will be. However, that doesn't mean the money won't. Once the transfer has been made, his offshore and not to mention secret bank account will be full of so many zeros.
"My cut. When do we make the money transfer?" questioned Eddie.
Rashid doesn't answer right away. The silence within the confines of the S.U.V. is deafening despite the rumbling of the engine. For Eddie, he's feeling a mixture of uneasy fear because he knows all too well what this man sitting in right passenger seat is capable of. He also knows what Zondra is capable of as well but when it's about he's worked so hard for up to this point, he'll risk it. His thoughts are subsequently broken when he witnesses Zondra's associate turn his head and stare a hole straight at him.
As uncomfortable as he is right now, he doesn't flinch one bit knowing at any moment it could either go bad or good for him he thinks to himself. In that instance, he notices from his peripheral vision that he has another set of eyes on him causing him to become twice as uncomfortable than he already is. He calmly takes that time to turn his head to see a rather large and menacing associate wearing dark shades staring intently at him as well. Instantly, his mind imagines being taken out by him after being signaled by the man currently sitting in the passenger sit.
He quickly shakes those thoughts out of his head then returns his attention back to Rashid. Eddie remains stoic even though on the inside he can feel his heart beating pounding up to his ears. While sitting there in his seat seemingly comfortable as can be, he suddenly gets his answer.
"I promise you. Once I talk to the boss…" he replied. Once again, Rashid turns around facing forward. "…you'll get what you deserve." added the nefarious associate.
You'll get what you deserve. It's those seemingly haunting 5 words that ring in his head. In his mind, it has 2 different meanings and hopefully he'll get what he deserves in regards to the financial aspect of the entire deal. Afterwards, he turns his head looking over his right shoulder to see the prone body of one Chuck Bartowski with his hands and feet securely/tightly fastened, as well as his head completely covered with a dark hood. A smile slowly graces his lips. One thought pops in his mind. Cha ching!
XXX
It's relatively quiet and somber within the confines of the Bird of Prey. After taking some time to explore the inner workings of the plane like a hyperactive little kid, Morgan is nodding off in a chair. As for Ellie, she is sitting at the conference area with Carina looking over maps involving the Istanbul, Turkey area.
She truly wants to familiarize herself the territory and locate any or all medical facilities just in case something bad happens. Bryce, on the other hand, is off in the kitchen making himself a cup of coffee and raiding the mini fridge.
Meanwhile, Sarah is sitting quietly in a seat near the window with her seat facing away from everyone else. She's staring out into the evening sky. The white frosty clouds giving off a seemingly glowing light bluish hue to them and the mixture of orange, red, as well as a bit of pink to the sunlight within the distant horizon.
A truly beautiful sight to behold, especially to share with someone you love she thinks to herself. Her thoughts are of course concern Chuck and how he's doing. While sitting there, she so badly wants to get him back and make Eddie along with whoever else is involved to pay as well.
Her thought process is inevitably broken up as she feels the presence of someone standing right beside her. She takes a momentary deep breath while looking out the window then acknowledges the individual.
"What do you want Bryce?"
In that instance, Sarah watches as her former partner takes a seat right across from her. As he's sitting down, he has a cup of coffee in his right hand and a package of Twinkies in his right hand. She continues to watch as he sets down the cup of coffee in the built in cup holders then tears open the sealed pack and wolfs one down causing a mixture of amazed displeasure to be expressed on her face. The smell of it nearly causes her throw up. The blonde beauty then watches as Bryce holds up a finger as he takes a moment to take a few sips of coffee to wash it down before he speaks.
"How did you know it was me?" he inquired taking one more sip of his coffee.
"Call it spy intuition." she retorted quirking her right brow.
"Really?"
The flat expression on her face suddenly lightened up as a slight smile graced her lips. "No. I saw your reflection in the window." she remarked with a bit of amusement.
Instantly, Bryce expresses a brief chuckle in response. "I'm glad you're smiling despite everything that's been going on as of late."
The newly reinstated government agent lets those words that Bryce just said sink in for a bit. It's true she thinks to herself. All this time worrying about Chuck and seeking retribution, being able to joke around is something she hasn't been able to do since she woke up. She immediately turned the spy mode on and hasn't turned it off since.
"I give you my…" the now married man and father of one softly quickly corrects himself. "…our solemn vow we'll get Chuck back. My godson or goddaughter will not grow up without a father. I'm putting my name into the hat as well." he added leaning forward expressing a firm nod towards her.
Sarah nodded in response with a bit of laughter mixed in as well after hearing the part about being Godfather to her son or daughter. The emotions are welling up within her but the spy within in restrains herself from letting them take over. After composing herself, she gives her response.
"I know. I appreciate what you, Carina, Ellie, and Morgan are doing." she replied. Sarah pauses for a moment then cups her hands together. After briefly looking out the window again, she continues on. "You've changed."
"New shampoo." retorted Bryce pointing to his dark semi flowing locks. He takes a quick sip of his coffee then speaks again. " Cass and Hunter bought it for me. She says it gives my hair more bounce." he added raking his left hand through his hair and jokingly whipping it around like a model.
It's at that point, Sarah couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing causing Ellie and Carina to stop what they were doing to take notice and smile. Morgan, on the other hand, was completely knocked out. In any case, the laughter eventually subsides between the two former partners leading Graham's former wild card enforcer to express a soft smile towards him.
"I like this new you."
Upon hearing that, the former government agent now security consultant for his father-in-law's company leans back comfortably in his chair. "Me too. Hey…" Bryce replied cracking a smile. "…I owe it to him since he is partly responsible for helping me turn my life around." he nodded. He then briefly turns his attention towards the conference area. "Carina still can't even wrap her brain around it." smirked the family man.
The mother-to-be looks over her right shoulder towards her red headed best friend sitting next to her sister-in-law. The two women make eye contact leading Carina to smile then wink at her to which Sarah reciprocates the wink back. Afterwards, she returns her attention back to Bryce, who she witnesses wolf down the remaining twinkle within a blink of an eye. He takes a long sip of coffee in order to wash it down causing even more displeasured look on her face. However, it causes an unfortunate reaction to her stomach that she and Bryce hear.
"I guess the baby is hungry." smiled the proud momma patting her stomach.
"I heard." remarked Bryce with a smile. It's at that point, he stand up then peers down at a seated Sarah. "Do you want anything? Water? Twinkies?" he said pointing to the location of the kitchen.
Sarah quickly shakes her head. "Oh no. No Twinkies." she blurted out expressing disgust not only in her voice, but face as well. Afterwards, Sarah takes a moment to think about it as Bryce stands there continuing to drink what's left of his coffee. After a few seconds or so, the wife of Charles Irving Bartowski responds. "Is there fruit?"
Bryce looks towards the kitchen then back down at Sarah. "I think I saw some bananas and some apples back there. I'll go get them." he said patting the top of her former partner's seat.
As he walks off, Sarah suddenly leans over to the left side and calls out to him. "Bryce!
The aforementioned Bryce Larkin spins around on his heels planting himself right beside the conference area where Ellie and Carina are. They're full attention is on the two of them. "Yeah."
"Thanks." she simply stated.
Bryce smiles back then gives a slight nod. "No problem."
He turns around and as he does, he keenly notices wide smiles on Ellie and Carina's face. The man who spent much of his time in deep cover spying on Fulcrum and The Ring flashes a smile inevitably disappearing out of sight towards the kitchen. While he's retrieving fruit, Sarah sits back comfortably with a new found appreciation for the people who are not only thinking of her, but protecting her from herself. In that moment, a smile is expressed on her lips as she returns her attention out the plane window.
XXX
Dalton and his co-pilot are sitting behind the sticks of the seaplane for quite some time. All seems to be relatively running smoothly on their end leading Dalton himself to get up and head out of the cockpit to stretch his legs a bit. Once he does, he finds much to his surprise Travis working on the weapons he provided for him in order to rectify what he referred to as "family stuff." He last saw him about to nod off for a spell. In any case, as he walks towards his location, he clearly notices him holding an AR 15 semi automatic assault rifle and sitting to his right is a silent suppressor attachment.
"Getting prepared I see."
"Yup."
There is momentary silence between the two men as Dalton takes a seat just a few feet away from him. He briefly looks back at the cock pit then returns his attention to Travis raising the AR 15 semi atomic assault rifle without the clips and looking through the scope. Travis then pulls back the handle inevitably scanning the bullet chamber. Afterwards, he turns his head spotting something then briefly turns his attention to Dalton.
"Hand me that rag will ya." he nodded. The experienced pilot and alleged weapons dealer turns his head spotting the aforementioned rag hanging/intertwined within the cargo net. He reaches over and retrieves it then tosses it over it over to Travis who immediately uses it without missing a beat whatsoever. "Thanks." he said dryly.
"You're welcome." he replied. After sitting there for a few seconds watching Travis wipe down his weapon he speaks up. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Are you sure you know what you're doing? In his mind, he knows he is in way over his head when it comes to this entire situation. He ultimately reacted without even thinking about it. To him, he acted with his heart instead of head. The total opposite of what his former mentor and commanding officer Tobias Carter taught him. If he were standing in front of him right now he would most definitely either receive a Gibbs slap upside the head or get his ass kicked.
The one time member of the Zeitgeist knows all too well the obstacles he's facing. For one thing he's up against an unknown factor who may be heavily armed. When it comes to another obstacle he'll be facing, it's going to be associates who are secretly working with/for the people who Eddie's aligned himself with. What he'll also being contending with is the extreme heat and how draining it will be on him personally, mentally, and emotionally.
However, the one obstacle that will be difficult to contend with…Eddie. He truly considers him a wild card in this whole messed up situation that he's caused. As much as he wants to believe he was brainwashed into doing this, he can't help but feel he's partly responsible for causing his blood brother to walk down a path he'll never return from. The wife and husband has tortured himself enough with the what if's and what could have happened. Actions speak louder than words and the time for beating yourself up is over.
The time for apologizing is over as well he thinks to himself. What it primarily comes down to is making him realize what he's doing is going to cause a ripple effect. His relationship with Shannon is already strained despite gaining it back 2 weeks ago. In his mind, they're both caught between a rock and hard place knowing it's a member of her family who took Chuck. It's simply unforgivable.
In any case, when it comes to the relationship between the two of them, they'll always be blood brothers. However, choices will have to be made and he knows when push comes to shove he'll make the right decision whatever it will be. It will be difficult to do but it will have to be done or the situation won't be resolved within the moment. It has to knowing it's Chuck's life that is on the line he thinks to himself.
"Not really."
"Then why do it in the first place!?"
It's at that point, Travis completely stops what he is doing. He lowers the assault rifle to the floor then turns his head inevitably locking eyes with Dalton.
"I owe it to a friend of mine."
"Is he involved in this family stuff?" he wondered.
"Yeah." nodded Travis. "I need to fix things for everybody's sake."
"You call going into a gunfight alone and without backup fixing things?"
"You wouldn't understand." he blurted out.
"Yeah…" he quickly responded back. "…I don't understand. Make me understand." Dalton firmly stated.
"It's my mess to clean up. I should've known, further investigated what he was up to but I didn't. Will I fail?" he questioned shaking his head. "I might. I may end up dead. Who knows…" In that instance, he stands up with the assault rifle in hand. "…BUT I do know one thing." he added firmly pointing to himself. His eyes emanating absolutely intensity clearly seen by Dalton.
"What?"
"After this. All this. Things will never be the same…" answered Travis looking around. "…ever again. That's a promise." he added staring straight down at Dalton.
XXX
"What are you waiting for…" growled Casey towards Zondra. "…untie me before they get here. I'm itching to crack some heads." he added expected to be freed from his restraints. "Rashid's mainly." he growled.
Instead of complying with Casey, Zondra stands at the doorway with her arms crossed intently staring at him. She shakes her head then responds to his request.
"I'm afraid I can't do that John." she answered.
The military vet is absolutely incensed upon hearing her answer. "What!?" Casey tightly balls his fists with absolute anger. His eyebrows furrowing, eyes narrowing, jaw clenching, and nostrils flaring. "You listen here…"
Instantly, she cuts him off. NO! You listen…" the deep cover agent emphatically stated. She bends down a bit in order to be eye to eye with him. "…I've spent 6 years in deep cover and I'm this close…" Zondra holds up both hands mere inches apart from each other. "…to taking down my boss. I know you're concerned about your friend Chuck and all but he's a means to an end. For God's sake you of all people should know that Casey." she added firmly pointing at him.
As much as Casey wants to be freed and break a few skulls, he takes what Zondra said into consideration. She's right. For him, it's been a while since he's been in a deep cover mission and when you're in deep cover you'll do what it takes, as well as use anyone to get the mission accomplished. Damn the consequences afterwards.
Of course, it's part of his past that he misses being the cold school killer who did what he wanted to who he wanted without remorse. Only checking in to Beckman for the next mission. Granted, he spent some great years with the best unorthodox team around who got the job done…period. Yet, he knows he's gotten a bit soft but he wouldn't want to admit that out loud to Zondra.
True, there's just something about being in the field and off the radar that just invigorates you he thinks to himself. Just you and your instincts to guide you. The adrenaline rush and risk of being killed in the field of battle. A respectable and honorable warrior's death. To him, Sarah's former Cat Squad teammate exemplifies that to the point where he gives her much respect.
"I do." he grunted. After a brief silence, he continues on. "How close are you?" inquired Casey.
"Real close. My boss has already been notified that we've gotten the package. He'll…"
Upon hearing that, the grizzled military veteran interjects. "The package…" firmly stated Casey. "…has a name. It's Chuck. Business Owner. Former Spy. Husband to the best damn partner I've ever had."
A bit of a smirk is expressed on Zondra's lips. She then responds. "Sorry. I sometimes forget people are human beings, especially in this business. You know." said Zondra shaking her head. "You look into the eyes of the devil himself. You deal with evil as long as we have you nearly lose your sense of self. You're humanity. Most of all your soul. What you end up with is just a shell of your former self." she explained.
Casey let's what she said sink in. He personally knows all too well about coming close to losing his humanity. It's at that he gives his response. "Roger that." he softly stated knowing he almost lost his humanity.
In that instance, Zondra quirks her right brow then shakes her head. "This Chuck…" she said leaning back against the side of the open archway. "…he must have done a real number on you."
Instantly, Casey gives off a clearly audible grunt that Zondra hears. "You have no idea."
After let out a slight chuckle at his expense, she continues on. "I promise you Chuck will not be harmed. You just have to stick to the plan."
"What plan? There's a plan?" wondered Casey.
"It's…" answered Zondra raising both eyebrows. "…a work in progress. Anyways, once Sarah and her team are on the ground I'll make contact with them."
"Speaking of Walker…" chimed in Casey. "…how will she react once she finds our you're her contact." question the NSA agent.
"Good question." answered Zondra. In her mind, she knows it's not going to be a joyous reunion between two former teammates that's for sure.
XXX
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