Chuck vs. Where Loyalty Lies
Here's another new chapter for you folks. Thankfully, you didn't have to wait long. This chapter will focus on the mindset of Travis, Sarah, and the friends/family who were left behind to wonder what is happening. Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Once again, it's getting intense now that Team B has arrived in Istanbul Turkey 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.
Weight Of The World
XXX
It's a warm evening in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey and the sun is beginning to set. Travis Riley is lost in thought as he weaves his way like a snake through the crowded market street of people. A few moments ago he parted ways with Dalton but not before having a toast to what may have possibly been his last taste of an alcoholic beverage. It's was a small taste mind you but he savored every second of it. Fortunately for him, the amount of beer he drank on the plane ride over here hasn't diminished any of his faculties whatsoever.
He's fully aware of his surroundings, battle ready, and of course being able to drain the lizard beforehand did help immensely allowing him to be completely focused concerning the objective at hand. However, as much as he doesn't want to think about it, he has to be totally realistic about the situation he'll eventually face. When it's all said and done, I may not live to tell about it.
He has to at least try he thinks to himself. In his mind, he's not about to give up knowing full well not only one person is going to be affected but countless people as well. If he doesn't, then he won't be able to look himself in mirror ever again and instead of his own reflection staring back at him it's the metaphorical face of failure. To him, it's something he's never really experienced…at all.
The protégé of Tobias Carter succeeded and excelled in everything he did personally, as well as professionally. Granted, his wife Shannon would disagree went it came their relationship from the their first meeting, to the time they dated, and when he asked her to marry him. A possibly different perspective than the one he remembers and despite the seriousness of what's going on he can't help but express a slight smile with an amused soft chuckle thinking about it.
Unfortunately, his amusement would be brief. There is so much riding on whether or not he can be able to convince Eddie to reconsider what he's done and help him. In a sense, it would be like Luke Skywalker attempting to convince his father Darth Vader to the side of the force that is good. In his thinking, Luke still believes there is good left in him as Anikin Skywalker and his assumption paid off. Sadly, Vader's last heroic deed before he died was saving his son from The Emperor.
Travis wants that exact same thing to happen minus him dying. In a way, the allure of the dark side of the force has grabbed hold of him. His guess it's money and whoever promised it to him. For it's up to him to somehow wake him up and get through to him before it's all to late. It will be a tall order but it's a risk he's willing to take to save those he cares about. If only I was a Master Jedi Knight and had the power of the force to be able to foresee the future.
Of course, what he hopes to foresee once the dust settles are his own wife, kids, and friends because no matter what happens at the end of all this it's a lose-lose situation for everybody. Ever since making the decision to go after Eddie, he feels the pressure to make it right and most of it he placed on himself. Anxiety, frustration, confusion, doubt, anger, fear, etc. all rolled up into ball of emotion. Yet, he has to compartmentalize them all to avoid be severely injured or worse…killed.
Thinking about it, he can't help but be reminded about how in Greek mythology, the Titan Atlas carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. A punishment that supposedly came down upon him by the King of the Gods Zeus. For the former Team Chuck member, he believes he's carrying the weight of the world and then some on his very own shoulders. The weight itself is a burden and certainly difficult to keep from falling off and if it does then the blood of Chuck, Casey, and Eddie is on his hands.
True, he's not being punished by The Gods or God himself but it sure does feel like it. Essentially, it's practically a self imposed punishment that will continue until the right people are saved. Their/His wrath being inflicted down on to him for not just speaking up down in Castle when it concerned who took Chuck. In addition, it was going on a rescue mission alone without back up too. Going rogue as it's been labeled. Overall, there has been so many strikes against him and the odds are so insurmountable facing possible death seems comforting.
In that instance, he quickly shakes that particular thought out of his mind. As he does, he continues traversing through the crowded market streets until he spots a mode of transportation. Granted, it's unconventional but when has it stopped him or Team Chuck for that matter. After a few minutes, he approaches the elderly gentlemen with a distinguishable grey and bushy mustache standing by a flatbed cargo truck. The cargo…a bale of hay and at least 4 sheep.
Since he knows the language, it was considerably easy to communicate with him. It didn't take long for Travis to give all the money he had left in his wallet to the elderly gentlemen. Although he couldn't tell if he was smiling from behind the grey, bushy mustache after receiving the 75 dollars, the way the elderly gentlemen plucked it out between his fingers spoke volumes.
Once the transaction was made, the elderly gentlemen hopped into the driver's seat while Travis made his way around the back and climbed up inevitably getting into the back with the rest of the livestock. Afterwards, he pushes away a curious sheep wondering who the stranger is invading his space. He then sets the green duffle back down, turns around, and plops himself down making his comfortable as he can with his back resting against the bale of hay.
A few seconds later, he hears the engine turn on and the distinct sound of gears shifting. After lunging forward with his head snapping back a bit hitting the considerably pointy bale of hay, Travis knows it's not going to be a comfortable ride by any stretch of the imagine. Ultimately, one question pops into his mind after that momentary thought. Has anything up to this point been comfortable? The answer.
"Nope and it's not expected to be either." he softly stated closing his eyes.
XXX
ETA 5 minutes to Istanbul, Turkey Agent Walker.
Sarah and the rest of the B Team heard the announcement over the intercom from the pilot assigned to them by General Beckman. It also turned the atmosphere within the main cabin of the plane from somewhat relaxed to so quiet that every individual including the pilot could hear a pin drop. They all essentially knew that once the plane touches down it would most definitely be game on and everybody is on the same page concerning what they're here to do. No playing around. No wise cracks and absolutely no time to waste because time is of the essence.
All 5 individuals are seated in the main conference area of the Bird of Prey. The faces of each individual expressing a mixture of emotions but more so on Morgan and Ellie who showing considerable pensive nervousness. Morgan by the way, he's twiddling his thumbs and peering out the window every few seconds. As for Ellie, she's trying to stay calm as possible by closing her eyes and taking some much needed deep breaths. It's in that moment, she feels a hand placed on her left knee causing her to immediately open her eyes to know who.
"Hey." softly stated Sarah. The blonde beauty expressing an encouraging smile toward her sister-in-law. The eldest Bartowski sibling reciprocates the smile back with a tight lipped smile of her own. "You okay sis? Your left leg was visibly shaking. If I hadn't stopped it, you would have stomped a hole in the floor" she jokingly remarked. The reinstated C.I.A. agent reaches over with her right hand placing it over Ellie's right hand intertwined with her left in a comforting manner.
"I'm just anxious that's all. I want to find Chuck so badly." replied Ellie.
"Me too." Sarah briefly pauses for a moment then continues on. "However, we all have to keep our emotions in check or any one of us could get injured, captured, or much worse." she added with a ominous tone to her voice.
The reality of the situation hits Ellie right at that moment. Sarah's haunting words impacting her with such force it feels like a punch to the stomach. In her mind, she didn't necessarily volunteer for this but she has both feet in and there is no turning back now. It's her little brother for crying out loud she thinks to herself.
If they switched positions, he would most definitely do the same for her now knowing his secret former life he kept from her as a spy. It's in that instance, a question looms within the female doctor's mind concerning the preparations of the mission or many missions for that matter. The questionable expression on her face is something that Sarah takes notice of.
"Something on your mind El?
"Is it obvious?" she softly grinned.
A soft but brief chuckle is expressed upon hearing that. "I'm a trained government agent who takes notice of everything…" she explained. "…so yeah. What's up? Ask me anything." encouraged the mother-to-be.
Ellie paused for a second feeling somewhat hesitant to even ask the question. However, she resolves to do just that.
"How are you able to even handle the pressure? The craziness of it all knowing Chuck and Casey are in danger. I know I would be falling apart right now if it were Clara and Devon." she replied. "It has to weight on you?"
Sarah sits there beside her dark haired sister-in-law for a moment letting the question she asked sink in. It's a question she never really sat down and deeply thought about until now. Truth be told, when you're a trained spy you learn to focus on and live in the moment primarily taking any situation coming at/towards you with a defensive or offensive aggressiveness. You basically have no time to stop and think, which is why most spies are quick on their feet mentally, as well as physically.
In just a matter of mere seconds, you have so many options to pick for either a well planned or completely impromptu exit strategy. You deal with the consequences and emotions later when you're knowingly out of harm's way. Of course, some of those missions in the past I was partnered with Bryce and the way I dealt with the pressure afterwards is not something I wouldn't want to share now. It would make for a very awkward rescue mission.
"It's easy. I have you…" Sarah turns attention from Ellie to everyone else in the main conference area who are focused on other matters. "…my friends and family as support. We're stronger as a unit. In the past, I didn't have that." she explained shaking her head thinking back.
It's Sarah's response that causes a soft smile to spread on Ellie's lips. "Now you do." The mother of Clara Bartowski unclasps her right hand inevitably reaching over the top and gently places it on her blonde sister-in-law's right hand. "And you're right…" she firmly nodded." "…we are stronger as a unit."
"You damn right we are." firmly nodded Sarah. "Plus, everyone has their way in dealing with pressure." Instantly, the trained government agent turns her head to the right where a noticeably nervous and pensive Morgan is currently seated next to the window. "Take Morgan for instance. I've noticed, the way he copes with pressure is to talk…a lot. It's his go to mechanism and its how he tends to cope. I've also noticed…"
Sarah's observation of Morgan would subsequently be interrupted by an all too familiar sound causing not only her to turn her heard towards the source, but Ellie as well. The two women are transfixed at the sight of Carina and Bryce doing maintenance and proper weapons check of their weapons. Both individual's focus are inevitably broken leading the two of them to briefly look at each other then look towards Sarah and Ellie.
"What?" Carina and Bryce state in unison.
Mrs. Sarah Bartwoski doesn't even respond to them. Instead, she turns to Ellie and motions with her head towards her two colleagues sitting across from them. "And that's how those two deal with pressure."
Ellie could only express laughter after that. The expressions on Carina and Bryce's face along with the somewhat soft, comforting look on Sarah's face made the impending mission they were about to embark on considerably less tense. As the two of them go back to resuming their preparations, Sarah gets up out of her seat to check on Morgan. While left alone sitting in her seat, the eldest Bartowski sibling didn't know how long the comforting feeling would last knowing that in less than 3 minutes they would be stepping on to foreign soil and be racing against time to find her baby brother.
XXX
"I'm worried about Morgan." Alex proclaimed. The daughter of Alex Coburn paces back and forth in the main living room of the Wexler Condo.
Worry and tension wasn't normally the type of jovial atmosphere that typically graced Thursday morning breakfast at 9 a.m. for the group. Yet, this isn't a normal situation whatsoever as The Wexlers, Cassidy with son Hunter, Devon with daughter Clara, and Jayne are congregating around the marble island table trying to enjoy a warm family meal.
"We all should be worried about Morgan. Him with a gun could very well cause an international incident." Cassidy jokingly remarked. The wife of Bryce Larkin turns her attention towards her young adopted son sitting beside her eating his breakfast.
Instantly, Alex stops pacing and stares right at the back of Cassidy's head. As much as she knows Cass is trying to lighten the mood, she doesn't find it at all funny knowing he's going to possibly face imminent danger. She is about to respond when Emily speaks up.
"Cassidy bite your tongue." reprimanded the matriarch of the Wexler family. "Can't you see Alex is really concerned about him. Plus…" Emily gets off her stool and steps over towards the young woman comfortingly wrapping her right around her. "…the poor dear looks like she didn't even sleep last night." she added softly rubbing her right arm.
"You're right…" Alex replied shaking her head. "…I didn't."
The brief moment of silence between the two of them would subsequently be interrupted by Devon chiming in.
"Sleep is important. Lack of it causes reduction in performance and alertness. Impairs memory. Increases stress. In addition, it can lead to possible occupational and automobile injuries. Definitely not awesome." he explained while feeding his baby daughter formula.
It's at that point, all three women direct their laser beam like stare towards Devon. The icy stare leaves him considerably uncomfortable to the point where Jayne immediately makes her way around towards him. Upon approaching, she gently retrieves Clara into her arms and continues feeding her.
"For safety reasons." she responded. The dark haired raven makes her way back to her spot sitting next Cassidy
Afterwards, its at that point Jeremiah Wexler steps in knowing full well the pressure of not knowing what is going on is getting to all of them. In his mind, he needs to calm things down before three women are arrested for assaulting a doctor. Instantly, he swallows the remaining remnants of his breakfast inevitably pushing himself from his stool and holds his hands up in front of him.
"All right ladies, stand down. I don't think I have enough bail money for what you three were possibly thinking of doing to him." he said with amusement. The CEO of Wexler Industries steps over to his right placing his right hand on Devon's left shoulder in a comforting, helpful manner and giving a brief squeeze in the process.
Welxer's request is acknowledged leading Emily and Alex to head towards the living room. As for Devon, he gives a nod of relief along with raised eyebrows towards the man who helped him avoid a possible beat down by 3 women. While the handsome heart surgeon returns to his breakfast, Jayne chimes in while continuing to feed baby Clara.
"Has anyone called or even heard from Shannon?" she inquired.
"I did." Emily answered. "It must be hard for her during this difficult time. Her kids wondering where their father is. She must be a wreck." she added shaking her head in disbelief. "I invited her and the kids over for breakfast."
"That's very hospitable of you Mrs. Wexler. We got to show solidarity and be there for each other in a very supportive way. To make her feel like she's exiled from this group wouldn't be considered awesome." stated Devon.
"Yeah, it wasn't her fault that Travis lied about not knowing who took Chuck." she angrily said. "If my dad dies because of him…"
Jayne quickly cuts in. "He won't." firmly said looking at Alex. The co-owner of J&J Bonsai Emporium makes her way into the living room but not before handing over baby Clara back to her father. Afterwards, she sits down next to Casey's daughter taking her hands and hold them in hers.
The two women share a strong common bond when it comes to Casey. They love him in different ways but that love is what has brought both of them closer together. Two very strong and independent women who share a soft spot when it comes to a man that doesn't necessarily enjoy expressing his lady feelings. Yet, they both know he cares for/love them and would most definitely kill anyone with his own two hands if anyone laid a finger on them.
In that moment, Hunter speaks up leading the attention to avert to him. "I'm done mommy. Can I go and play?" he innocently asked.
A number of proud smiles graces the lips of each individual in the room but none more prouder than Cassidy. While peering down at him, she replies to his query. "Go ahead baby."
As Hunter hops off the stool, he's about to scamper off upstairs to play, when a knock is heard at the door. The rambunctious 7 year old quickly spins around announcing intentions.
"I'll get it!" he bellowed out. He speeds towards the door intent on opening the door leading Jeremiah Wexler to quickly follow suit.
"Hold on grandson! I'll go with you." hollered out the weapons industry mogul. He approaches the door helping to unlock the chain as his grandson opens it. The two of them step back and then greet whoever is behind the door.
"Shannon…" smiled Wexler. "…nice to you and the kids." He stands there as he sees somewhat of a hesitant but soft smile expressed on her lips. To him, he knows she's quite possibly hesitant to enter due to the severity of the situation. However, he attempts to quell that right then and there. "Welcome! Come on in…" he said ushering them in. "…we're having breakfast. Hope you brought your appetites." The door shuts behind them as savvy business man escorts Shannon and her kids towards the kitchen.
XXX
"So this is a C.I.A. owned facility? If Devon were here…" Ellie is awestruck by her surroundings along with the people employed in it. "…he would say awesome." she added with a grin.
Team B exit The Bird of Prey parked within the private hangar of the Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Ellie along with Sarah, Bryce, and Carina descend down the flight of stairs with gear in hand while Morgan is the last to exit out. All 5 converge on an awaiting black S.U.V. several feet away from the plane. The two highly trained agents and former deep cover agent against The Ring reach their transportation inevitably stopping to look behind them. They are waiting on Morgan who is somewhat straggling behind.
"Yup. There are a lot these located around the world and in the U.S. Trust me, it's a time saver." nodded Carina.
"We're like the Agents of Shield from the Marvel universe…" interjected Bryce. "…only this is for real." he added with a smirk.
While standing next to her best friend, Sarah disregards what Bryce said noticing Morgan still standing on the steps mesmerized at what he sees before/around him. "No time for sight seeing Morg. The trail is going to get cold." stated Sarah.
Morgan is about to respond when the sound of his stomach responds for him, which can clearly be heard by everyone else. After a brief moment, he continues on. "Sorry. I guess I'm hungry. Is there any way to grab a bite to eat?" he wondered.
"Yeah Sarah. It's not good to go tracking while on an empty stomach." Bryce chimed in patting his stomach. A look of hope expressed in his eyes.
For blonde beauty, she stand there knowing she has two options. She can either go at this thinking with her spy instincts and force them to not eat until they find a clue to Chuck's whereabouts. It's vital they due because an experienced tracker doesn't allow the trail to grow cold. True, it will inevitably help to not only find Chuck much quicker, but her former partner Casey as well.
Essentially, the old Sarah would go with her instinct to forgo food for the betterment of the mission at hand. At times, it came at a great risk to her health but as an experienced agent she was able to accomplish what she was assigned to do. In the past, she would merely block everything out…the things that were considered distractions all for the greater good.
On the other hand, she goes at this with her heart. As an expectant mother who hasn't eaten in a while and needs to not only nourish herself but her unborn baby too. She knows that there is the well being of others to think off because it's important that the team stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. If not, then there is no team to back her up.
Ultimately, that is what family is. They care about each other. Look out for one another's well being to the point where they need to be told to take a step back. Family helps take the weight of every day pressure off when you know you can't do it all alone. For so long, she's done things alone and relied only on herself to get the job done but no matter any as she's now carrying a baby inside her. Chuck's baby. It's at that point, she makes the call.
"Let's eat." she nodded with a smile.
"Awesome." Morgan happily responded.
"So where to?" wondered Carina. The red headed vixen opens the back right side of the black S.U.V. inevitably hopping in.
It's a question that stumps everyone sitting in the van with Bryce in the driver's seat. As for Morgan he's seated on the other side of Carina with Ellie in the middle. Sarah takes shotgun leading all 4 individuals turn their attention to the woman in charge.
"Somewhere near Haco Pulo Café." she answered.
A perplexed looks graces the faces of all 4 individuals sitting in the S.U.V.. "That was fast…" said Ellie quirking her right brow.
"And specific." chimed in Bryce. "Why there?" he inquired.
"It's where Casey was last heard from by Beckman. We'll set up our base of operations there. Plus, talk to the manager of the hotel he stayed at. " she replied looking straight forward. She then turns to briefly look at everyone else in the black S.U.V. "What you waiting for Larkin…" Sarah said turning to look at Bryce. She motion for him to start the vehicle. "…I don't know about you but we're hungry." she added patting her stomach with a smirk.
"Yes ma'am." Bryce nods with acknowledgement then starts up the car. After buckling up, the dark S.U.V. drives off and out of the private hanger in order to refuel their stomachs.
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