Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Sarah took Sam down to the cafeteria with Mary while the nurses and orderlies moved Morgan down to an inpatient room. They had just gotten situated around a table when Casey came in looking for them. John had a look that said this wasn't there to make a social call so Chuck asked Mary if she would take Sam to get her a fruit juice. She saw John heading over and noticed the same look.
"Okay but I expect a full briefing later," said Mary. "Come on kiddo let's see what fruit juice they have. What do you want?"
"I'd like to try a grape soda, please," said Sam. "Can we get two so I can take one to Morgan after they move him?"
"Sweetie," said Sarah. "That's a kind thought for Morgan but I'd prefer if you got something with more fruit in it. Morgan's grape soda is mainly food coloring, natural and artificial flavoring, and lots of sugar. Good for dentists not so good for little children." Sam looked at Sarah perplexed.
"I wish I knew what all that meant because it doesn't sound good. Remember I'm almost five. But if it's not good for you why does Morgan drink it?"
"Have you ever ask yourself why he stayed a Troll," said Casey. Every one turned and looked at him. "Okay, you wonder why he looks like baby bear? You want to stay short and become hairy and end up looking like a dust bunny?"
"Come with your Nana we'll find something that says 100% fruit juice on it then we only have to worry about the lead and arsenic levels," said Mary as she looked over at Sarah.
"Okay I might've exaggerated a little but am I wrong for worrying what my child ingests. A healthy lifestyle is learnt at home.
"I only have one question. How does Rocky Road figure into that," asked Chuck as he smiled at her and took her hand.
"Shut up before I punch you," said Sarah as she smiled back at him. "There's milk in it which is good for you and... oh just shut up," she said as she kissed him.
"Yuck, I think I'm going to get sick. I didn't come down here to get my ears abused. There are two things I need to tell you guys. One they moved the Grimes to his new room and secondly Beckman office called and her Major wants us to contact him as soon as possible."
"We can do that right now," said Chuck. He pulled out his Surface Pro from his messenger bag. He went to an open window typed in command protocols then connect via Wi-Fi and secure Sat directly with Langley. The screen flickered a bit but then the image of Beckman's office came on with her Aide sitting at her desk.
"Major, the Colonel told us you wanted to talk to the team," said Chuck. "I take it the General's out of pocket. What do you have to pass on?"
"The General got called by the Director of the Secret Service who told her he wanted to disband the joint task force with our agency, which would be you..."
"Thanks for the clarification," said Casey. "Good we can get rid of the creepy cousins and set them on the curb. Do we have a new mission?"
"The General said she'd be in touch but for now you can stand down," said the Major. But he noticed a look of apprehension on Chuck's face. "Agent Carmichael, Chuck is there a problem?"
"I don't think we're done. I know this is coming from the Secret Service Chief here. He as much admitted to me this was what he was going to ask for last night in the elevator. But there are too many loose ends. We still don't know where the presses are even though I have a gut feeling the Russians have them. I'd like to relook at that map you guys had up I know I saw something there and maybe with a second look I'll see what I was missing."
"I can't authorize this. For the agency this operation is finished. If you need something to investigate intel has it that Sung Khan is staying at the Waldron."
"Sung Khan," said Chuck as he flashed. Axe murders along with cold case files, opium and heroin being smuggled on and off Chinese ships. A string of high value hits that lead to the supreme council of the Triad. "Deputy Mountain Master," said Chuck. Everyone looked at him. "It's the next highest position on the Triad Council.
"Word on the street is there's a power play going on now within the council. A number of the old guard have been eliminated and now everything is up for grabs."
"He wants to become the next Dragon head," said Chuck as he rubbed his side the flash had caused him some discomfort with his injury.
"Why is he here?" asked Casey. "It seems to me if he wants to make a move for the chair he should be back there where he can fight for it."
"And where his rivals can get at him," said Chuck. "Plus these recent hits by his being here he has plausible deniability. He can deny he had anything to do with them."
"But of all the places in the world to come to he chooses to come to Burbank?" said Casey. "I don't know but am I the only one who thinks this is crazy on his part."
"Not really and we're probably the reason he's here," said Chuck. "I assume this intel came directly from a high ranking Chinese source. Don't answer that I know who it was. Khan's family and Tong's are connected by friendship and marriage so Tong's benefactor on the Triad council was Khan. My guess is he left China as soon as he found out Tong was moving against Ivan to try and stop him or as soon as Tong was arrested. Oh my God..." said as he suddenly stopped speaking.
"Sarah I swear if you don't slap him on the back of the head I will. The record's stuck... again," said Casey. "Oh my God what? Subject verb object Chuck you can't leave us hanging like this."
"Thank you John Casey for that lesson in English grammar," said Chuck as John grunted and gave him a look.
"Gentleman, can we turn back to what we were talking about," said the Major. Now he wished he had tickets to the opera, maybe Verdi's Nabucco. "Chuck, you were saying?"
"Right, I was saying that if Khan has been travelling all this time and the council has been going through this upheaval he might not know Tong's dead. The question that comes to mind is what's he going to do when he finds out."
"Wouldn't he be obligated to find out who ordered the hit on Tong and get even? If he doesn't how is that going to look for someone who wants to take over the Triad council?"
"No well," said Chuck. "Not well at all I think we need to go to the Waldron and have a chat with Mr. Khan."
"Just don't get into trouble. The General and Roan are at the Kennedy Center watching an opera. Roan go some hard to get tickets for Pagliacci with Plácido Domingo as Canio. The General was adamant before she left that she did not want to be disturbed for anything short of the end of the world."
"Roger that Colonel out," said Casey. "You heard the Major, Chuck, are you sure you want to go down to the Waldron?"
"Can you flash and recognize Khan? I don't think so. Besides I'm just going to go down and have a chat."
"About what? Life in China? His favorite Dim Sum? Remember Sweetie, the task force has been disbanded and tracking down this counterfeiting ring is a job for the Secret Service. According to our mandate we're not even supposed to operate within the United States."
"Has that ever stopped us before?"
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It took Khan about forty minutes to ride in the taxi from the LAX to the Waldron. He looked out the window at all the cars passing by wondering where all these people were going so early in the morning. Back in Shanghai his father would have him out in a park at this hour with Tong's father practicing Tai Chi and BaGua. Khan laughed inside thinking what unruly students he and Tong were.
"Here we go," said the taxi driver as he pulled up out front. Khan got out and paid the driver then took his bag inside after that he went to the check-in desk.
"Sung Khan, I believe I have a reservation," he said as he handed the receptionist his passport and credit card.
"One second let me check... Yes Mr. Khan we've got your reservation. Your room number is 116 that's on the second floor off to your right as soon as you get off the elevator," said the man as he handed Khan his room card. "One second let me make a copy of these then I'll give them right back to you. The reservation is an open reservation. Do you have any idea how long you'll be our guest?"
"I'm sorry it depends on how work goes. I won't know anything for a couple of days at least. It that a problem?"
"No we can be flexible just that we'd like a day's notice before you plan on checking out to prepare your bill and make sure everything is in order."
"I'll do my best," said Khan as the man handed back his passport and credit card.
"Would you like me to get you a bus boy to help you with your luggage?" Khan looked down at his one bag.
"No I've managed so far I don't see why I can't make it up to my room but thanks," said Khan as he was about to leave. But a girl working next to the receptionist broke into their conversation.
"I'm sorry Mr. Khan but I was just making a note for your box. There's a gentleman in the bar who's waiting for you. He said it was urgent that he speak to you."
"Thank you," said Khan. He picked up his bag then walked into the bar. Who could it be he asked himself? It was too soon for Ivan but other than him who else knew he was there.
"He walked in the bar and looked around. The lighting was so dim he had to let his eyes adjust. There were some old bar flies that were sitting in a booth. Judging from their pale skin he wondered if they ever left."
"Mr. Khan," said a man in Mandarin Chinese. "I've been waiting for you my name is Wu and I work for or used to work for Mr. Tong."
"Then you work for me," said Khan. "Here take my bag. Let's go up to my room I want to know everything that happened. How did Tong end up in the hospital?"
"I'm not sure I was left to guard the presses when we were overrun by men who spoke Russian," said Wu but Khan shut him up.
"Okay enough let's continue this conversation up in the room," said Khan. He led Wu over to the elevators then they rode up to the second floor then they went to his room.
"Just sit the bag in the corner and tell me everything you know. First of all how many men do we have left and where are they?"
"We've got eight, nine including me and ten with yourself. After being routed out of the basement where we had the print shop set up we regrouped down at the port back at the warehouse where we were at before. Since the police had already raided the place we figured that would be the last place they'd look for us at."
"Smart move afterwards I want you to take me down there to meet them. We're not finished here, not by a long shot. Now tell me about Tong what do you know or what have you heard?"
"All I know was after the police raided Tong was taken away. There was a rumor that a hit was put out on him from Shanghai but you'd know about that."
"If they did it was after I left and before I could take action," said Khan. He saw Wu's look. "Never mind... let's just say there has been some forced restructuring back in Shanghai. Here," said Khan as he handed Wu a hundred dollars. "Don't worry that's real. I want you to go downstairs and hang out. Go back in the bar and order something just chill out. I might be meeting Ivan for lunch I want you to join us. He's supposed to come alone but I doubt if he will."
"You can't trust him he's the one who took our presses and shot Tong. I know it. Let me get the guys and we can dish him out some of his own medicine when he shows up."
"No we can't. I loved Tong like a brother but I know this war with Ivan he started but before I can start dishing out medicine as you put it I need to know I'm giving the right about to the people who deserve it. Remember a mad dog is put down in a hurry. Now go downstairs and wait, when Ivan shows up use the house phone and call me. I need to get a little sleep I've been up for over twenty-four hours."
"I'll call the men and tell them I met you. They'll be glad to know you're here. If you need me just call," said Wu as he wrote out his number and handed it to Khan.
"Thanks just do as I told you and let the guys know I've got everything under control. When you see Ivan come and call me like I said and let me know he's here."
Khan waited for Wu to leave then he went to his suitcase and took out a Sat phone then he called a number back in Shanghai. He had no idea what time it was back there but he didn't care with everything that was in up in the air right now he had to stay in the loop. He put the phone on speaker resting it on a dresser as he got undress.
"Khan, I'm glad you called everything is proceeding as planned. We moved simultaneously against the board like we talked about and with the first wave we've taken out all the heavy hitters. Now we're just mopping up the minor ones who won't swear allegiance."
"Good," said Khan as he undid his tie and started unbuttoning his shirt. "What about Dragon Head? Do we have DNA confirmation that he was taken out?"
"That's going to be hard to do he was taken out with a NSA Incinerator that was planted in his car. It eliminated all biological traces so getting even a DNA sample will be impossible."
"I guess we're just going to have to run with the news that he's gone. I'm here and make sure everyone knows that. In a little while I should be meeting the Russian then we take it from there."
"You need to get back here as quickly as possible to shore up your position before some else jumps in the power void."
"That's what I'm paying you for to keep everyone in line. Listen I have to go finish getting ready to meet this guy. Keep me informed as things evolve. If anyone steps out of line deal with them I trust your judgement. Call if things change if not I'll be in touch," said Khan. He hung up before going into the bathroom to take a shower.
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Evans and Gardner returned to their desks to find it a little mundane now and slow compared to what they had gotten used to with Chuck. They looked over the post-its that were left stuck on their desk but it was as if no one had really noticed they had been gone. They logged on network to find out what headway the lab had made to coming up with a system to detect the new super notes but nothing seemed to have been done so Evans decided to call them up and shake the tree.
"Hey you guys in the lab," said Evans. "What have you been doing while we were gone, sleeping over your Bunsen burners? I don't see any progress in bill detection... Yes we were gone... Funny you never missed us. So what gives I thought you'd have something by now... Wait I want to put this on speaker so my partner can hear too. Okay go ahead."
"Well like I was saying we were making headway by using florescent lighting to come up with a quick spectrum check but the Chief came down and canned it. He said it was too expensive to implement and that you guys were close to blowing the case wide open. Now it sounds like he was overly optimistic."
"Funny," said Gardner. "We need to go because we've got jobs that need to be done. At least we don't have to look ashamed on payday." He hung up before he got an earful.
"Let's go talk to the Chief and ask him what that was about and see what direction he wants us to go now." They walked across the office to the Chief's office and knocked on his door.
"Come in," said the Chief. "Oh it's you two, good I was looking for the files on the locations where we found the super notes. But I can't find it anywhere I wanted to take a second look at the distribution points."
"Sorry we checked those out and left them with Chuck. At the time we were looking for possible distribution points ourselves."
"But those are our files not theirs. You should've told me you were checking them out because I would've told you no. They can get their own intel."
"But we were on the Joint Task Force and we were making headway. What's this you told the lab to hold off putting together a device that would detect the super note?"
"Not that I have to justify myself to you two but it was too costly. I want you guy to run back over to the CIA and retrieve those files then I want you to bring them back here to me. I'm going to lock them up in my safe where I'll know they're safe. You're both dismissed," said the Chief as he got rid of them.
He did some hand wringing after they left. He didn't like the fact that Chuck had those specific records. It wasn't good... it wasn't good at all.
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Chuck and Sarah pulled up into the parking garage under the Waldron. Chuck got out then walked around and helped Sarah out. They walked over to the elevator then took it up. Little did they know they were being observed from a distance. In a black van not far away Mikhail and some of Ivan's men he brought to his luncheon engagement saw them suddenly appear near the elevators.
"Geez where did he appear from," said Mikhail. Ivan had just gone up with Anton to meet Khan. "Ivan listen up that Kolonel from the FSB we had lunch with is here," radioed Mikhail. "He's about to get on the elevator to go up with a very attractive and very pregnant blond."
"What's he doing here," radioed Ivan back. He was in the lobby with Anton who was looking around for Khan. "Let's not jump to conclusions the Waldron is famous for lovers' trysts so he might just be here to hook up. But I don't believe that if he's here he's either been invited or is inviting himself."
"What do you want us to do?" asked Mikhail. "I could bring some of the guys up there and kindly or not so kindly escort him out."
"Mikhail while I appreciate the bravado if half of what I was told about him is true we're one army short of enough people. No if he's here for our little powwow it might not be that bad. His presence will force everyone to play nicely together."
The elevator door opened and Chuck and Sarah stepped on board then the doors closed behind them and started up.
"You didn't have to come along I could just as easily meet this Khan guy alone. He's not going to do anything in public and this is more a get to know you. I see him he sees me and I tell him not to try anything funny while he's here."
"Yeah well I could've sent Casey to be with you. But right now you're the only functioning intersect we've got so we've got to protect you even from yourself."
"Because you're worried about me but you're right you could've sent Casey," said Chuck as he smiled. "But if I were with Casey I couldn't do this," he said as he kissed her. "But come to think of it I did do that once."
"And if you bring it up to him it won't just be your ribs that hurt. Sam makes a cute little doctor. I wouldn't mind if she grew up to be like Ellie and not like us."
"I agree but she'll be whatever she's meant to be. My parents didn't want this life for me yet here I am. But I'm glad I am because I can be with the most intelligent beautiful woman I've ever known and I get to wake up next to her every day."
"Oh really and what about Jill?"
"Jill was just a road sign that pointed me in the direction of the woman I loved."
"If that road sign says wide load I'm going to punch you." They were laughing when the elevator doors opened and there to greet them stood Ivan.