Don't own Chuck
General Beckman was sitting in her office with her eyes closed. World War Three at least for the time being seemed averted and now she just wanted a few minutes to herself. She didn't think she was asking for a lot just a little time to take a breather before the next crisis came knocking at her door. She'd thought she'd have more time to rest before the next incident required her attention but she was wrong because little did she realize the next one was already on its way.
"General," said the Major as he knock on the door after he'd already entered. "There's something you might want to see. It's most urgent."
"You know this might sound strange but most people knock on the door before they come in and some even wait to be told to come in before they enter. Isn't this a really strange concept?"
"I'm sorry Ma'am if I'm bothering you. I can come back if you want," said the Major as he turned around and started to leave.
"Stop, where you are going? I don't know who's going to give me an ulcer first you or agent Carmichael. Major continue. You're already here so out with it. Tell me what's going on that's so hot that it's got you in a tailspin. Please tell me Igor confirmed possession of the cheget and it's on its way back home."
"No... I mean yes... It doesn't have anything to do with it... well it might be but not that it's actually linked to it directly more indirectly."
"You realize I keep a weapon in my desk drawer and right now I'm seriously tempted to use it. Continue that's an order."
"Right, I'm sorry but the submarine that the Russians sent to rescue the flight crew ran into some difficulties. The Russians lost comms with them a little while ago and haven't been able to reestablish communications. However, our spy sat picked up images of the sub on the surface near the crash site. It seems they had some sort of onboard explosion and... well the rescue party now needs to be rescued," said the Major as he showed the General photos of the sub.
"Has anyone that knows anything really looked at these photos? If you notice the blast site here they didn't have an onboard explosion but something exploded close to them. The jagged edges are pointed inwards. Send these photos over to State and ask them if they want us to offer the Russians assistance. We can let State run point on this," said the General as she studied the images.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No probably not I just thought I recognized one of the Russians on the ice. But you know what they say they all look alike."
"This 'they' says this about Russians? I thought it was..."
"Major that's unbefitting of your uniform," said the General as she looked up over her reading glasses at him.
"Not that I think it I was just saying... well never mind. I'll make sure this get over to State right away," he said as he put the photos together then started to leave.
"Wait," said Beckman stopping him before he could get out of the office. "I want you to send a copy over to the pentagon. Ask the CNO to have some of his naval engineers look them over. Obviously the Russians will try to repair their own vessel but I want to know if that explosion could've compromised the boat's structural integrity. The last thing they'd want is to submerge in a leaky boat."
"A leaky boat with a nuclear reactor that could devastate the delicate ecological system of the Arctic that is already under stress from global warming."
"Yes the situation needs to be monitored closely but I still think State should run point. The Russians still have the recent incident in mind even if we were exonerated no one came out from their side and said sorry so let's not antagonize them with sending in a military presence."
"If a rescue mission has to be put together we could ask assistance from the Canadians out of Resolute Bay."
"That's an option you might want to propose to the people over at the State Department," said the General as she picked up her phone. "Okay you can run with that," said the General as she dialed a number.
"Roan, I've got a mission for you," she said as he left. "I want to go somewhere for brunch. I don't care where just as long as there are no spies. ... Except for us of course. I could use a Denver omelet and good company right now. ... Okay so I'll see you in half an hour." She hung up then leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. The photo of the wounded sub came back to mind.
"Crap that Russian looked familiar," said Diane. Somewhere between closing and opening her eyes a half an hour flew by. Because when she opened them Roan was sitting across from her sipping on a cup of coffee.
"There we are. Do you feel better now?" said Roan as he sipped. "For a moment I thought you called me over to watch you sleep not that I mind it."
"Oh crap I must've dozed off. What time is it?"
"It's not that late and I called and told the owner to hold our reservations. Come to find out there's always a table available for us a Chez Roan."
"Oh there is... well we should get on our way then."
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At Echo Park it got late. Everyone went home and after a tiring past few days they were able to have this short time alone. Sam was in her bedroom pretending to be asleep but the light from under her covers was from the tablet. She still had it on and was watching Masha and the Bear.
"Sam I'm going to come by in half an hour and that tablet had better be off and you'd better be asleep. We need to get up early tomorrow if you want to go to the beach."
"So that's what you've decided to do tomorrow," asked Chuck as he walked by and checked on Bunny before climbing into bed.
"Yes, but you know you could come along with us," she said as she rolled over and kissed him then laid her head on his chest.
"I'd love to and you know I would if I could but I need to go to Tijuana with Casey and Imma tomorrow. This could be the mission where we take down Ettore and his cohort once and for all."
"I know but I don't know if I like you going on mission without me. We're a team and the team shouldn't be split. Explain to me again why you want to take this Imma person with you?"
"Are you jealous? Oh my, you are, aren't you? Listen I've got to take her because Ettore knows us all. I would've taken Anatoly and Stefan with me but their colds make them unreliable so that leaves Imma. She's trained and can handle herself although I think she might have a problem when it comes to independent thinking."
"So you're telling me she's basically a younger version of me then you're telling me I've got nothing to worry about."
"I don't like going on mission without you and if I didn't have to I wouldn't," said Chuck as he played with her hair. "Imma is just a part of the team. I have no illusion about where her loyalties lie. She's with us now because Igor told her to work with us but if things change so will she and her loyalties."
"I should go check on Sam to make sure she's asleep," said Sarah. She kissed him then started to get up but he held her hand.
"No you stay here and I'll go check on her," Chuck said. He got up then walked down to Sam's room. She'd fallen asleep with the tablet on. Masha was doing somersaults on bear's bed giggling until it broke. Chuck picked up the tablet then started watching and before long he felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Do I need to tell you too it's time to go to bed and to put that thing away? You do realize that program is for children?"
"I know but the animation is really good and the story plots might seem ridiculous but they're better than some of the things on television that are for 'adults'."
"Maybe but it's late and we need to get up early," said Sarah as she took the tablet from him and powered it down. "Chuck, I know that look. We've both got to get up early mister."
"You realize this is the first time we've been alone in a long time and we should take advantage of it. But then again if you don't want to I'll be with Imma..."
"Oh you really you want to get hurt don't you. Come here," she said she pulled him close and kissed him. "Let's take this to the living room sofa. I'll get the baby monitor."
[The Next Morning]
Casey was up early too. The deal was they were going to leave Jeff and Lester on benches in Union Station with tickets to a musical festival in Perris. Casey had other ideas like putting them head first in the fountain and wait for the bubbles to stop but no one would go along with him so this was the compromise.
"Bunch of Nancies," mumbled Casey as he walked through Chuck's front door. "Why have you got your curtains drawn and what are you doing sleeping on the sofa."
"None of your business," said Sarah as she grabbed the throw off the back of the sofa then ran back to their bedroom with it wrapped around her. "One of these days I'm going to shoot you coming in without knocking."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah come on Chuck we've got to unload cargo before we can start heading south. You realize I'm never going to be able to sit on that sofa again."
"Well that's a shame isn't it," said Chuck as he slipped his pants on. "John, why don't you go round up Imma while I get ready? I'm going to need forty-five minutes."
"For what? You need extra time to put your makeup on. You've got a half an hour then I'm dragging you out by the feet."
"Just go John. Crap," said Chuck as he stubbed his toe on the coffee table. "Augh just go," said Chuck as he hobbled down the hall.
"What's going on out here," asked Sam as she walked out in the hall in her pajamas. "Do you need a doctor? I can have you all better in no time."
"Thanks sweetie I'm find I just stubbed my toe. Go back in your room and your mommy will be with you soon..."
"I can get myself ready I'm five years old I'm not a baby anymore. Have you seen my tablet? I think I might have fallen asleep with it in bed."
"You mean where is my tablet that you borrowed," said Chuck. "My tablet is in the kitchen on table."
"Yours, mine, ours what are they just possessions and the greatest joy a possession can give you is the joy of sharing with someone you love."
"You're terrible you know that. The tablet is on the table. I saved the episode of Masha and the Bear that was playing. It was the episode where she jumps up and down on bear's bed until she breaks it."
"I can save you some episodes while you're gone so you can watch them when you come back home. Maybe we can watch some of them together?"
"I'd like that but now I need to get ready before uncle Casey comes back and I'm still not ready. That would make him angry but I've got time for half a show. We can watch it together while I shave."
"Youpy" yelled Sam as she ran to the kitchen then ran back to the bathroom. Chuck had already lathered up.
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Jasmine changed out her clothes with the doctor's. They were a little bit large but what was important was they wouldn't draw as much attention as her blood stained clothes would. She stepped out on the street and found an old Chevy Nova parked out front. Looking at it she had doubts if it would start. She got in and much to her amazement. It turned right over.
"Doc I guess you work on anything that purrs," said Jasmine as she pulled out. Her next stop was in bar she knew in the barrio. It was risky Ettore would have his people looking for her but in this bar it didn't matter what color or creed you were as long as you had green.
"What are you going to do when you get there? You don't have anything to negotiate with. You're going to have to play it by ear." She didn't like it but she had no choice and she knew it. She pulled up outside of Black Orchard.
When the Black Orchard opened up it was probably a nice uptown establishment but as uptown moved further uptown and the neighborhood it was in declined as the drug cartels moved in so had the Black Orchard. Now it was just a shadow of its former self. But there was one rule the current owners established that seemed to hold was that crap could take place around the bar but nothing... nothing was to take place inside.
Jasmine walked in suddenly the place got quiet. She looked around then the music started again and the voices of men chatting and arguing started again too. She walked up to the bar and sat down.
"Lady the first drink's on the house," said the bartender as he poured her a Tequila. "I think you're lost. If I were you I'd go back out that door you just came in and not look back."
"I wish it were that easy," said Jasmine as she downed the shot. "I need another and some information. I need a coyote who knows his business and can keep his mouth shut."
"Why don't you just drive across? You're American or is someone looking for you," he said as he poured her another drink.
"I just need a name then point me in the right direction," said Jasmine as she downed the second shot.
"Little lady I'd hold up on the firewater before you try to get up and find you've had too much. That Tequila can wrap you around the axel before you know it."
"I bet that's where you'd like to take me," said Jasmine as she pointed at her glass. "While you're filling mine give my friend one too and pour yourself one too." She dropped a 'c' note on the counter.
"Thanks," said the man as he raised his glass to her and they both downed the toast. "I couldn't help but over hear you're looking for a coyote. It just so happens that's what I do for a living. If you walk with me in back we can hammer out an agreement."
"Could you get me out tonight? I need to go see some friends and thank them in person for all the help they gave me."
"I don't see why not. Like I said you just need to come with me in the back then we can talk about the arrangements. I don't like doing work up here there are too many big ears. Starting with Pedro here behind the counter, so if you really want my services then let's go talk. If not I'll put out a rumor that you're working for the Federales and that will buy you a shallow grave in the desert."
"Okay let's go talk about this but I'm warning you now don't try to charge me some crazy figure and think you can blackmail me into taking it."
"Of course not my prices are reasonable and in line with the current market price that's why I've got a lot of return clients."
"Why would you have a lot of return business? Once a person makes it across the border why would they need you service?"
"Right... Why... Why would they? Oh I help them get the rest of their family across the border. One person gets across then brings the rest over once they're making good money. I've even got a few testimonials. You wouldn't have any relatives you'd like to get across I can give you eternal peace of mind."
"No it's just me but like I said I really need to get across border tonight," said Jasmine as she walked through the open door he held for her. They walked into the men's bathroom.
"Okay, everyone out of here," said the man as he banged on the stalls then shoved everyone out.
"So can we start with how much this is going to cost me? I have resources but they are not limitless."
"Oh this isn't going to cost you a dime," said the man as he pointed a Browning Power at her. "You see it's me who's going to collect the reward on your head from Ettore. This is just business nothing personal. I think you can understand that. I mean you've been in my shoes many times."
"Yes I have but I've never violated the sanctity of the sanctuary which is what this bar is. You aren't even a little bit worried about what management will do when they find out what you've done here?"
"Screw them and screw their dumb rules. Ettore is paying top dollar to bring back your head on a platter and that's what I intend to do. Again no offense this is just work."
"None taken but what would you do if I told you Pedro the bartender is standing right behind you with a very long knife."
"I'd say nice try but you're going to have to try harder. You might start begging for your life now if you want."
"But I don't think it would do any good. Are you sure you want to go through with this? I can match what Ettore is going to pay you if you give me a little while."
"Sorry but then I'd have to start looking over my shoulder like you. No make your peace. This is the end of the line for you."
"I couldn't have said it better," said a voice behind the man. Before he could turn around a blade came poking through his shirt as he was stabbed in the back. His shirt started out with a small red circle around the blade but quickly grew larger. He looked down at it protruding from his chest with a perplexed look.
"Sorry but no offense this was just business," said Pedro as he whispered in the man's ear. "I think the rules you wanted to screw just screwed you. Jasmine, if you want I've got a man at the counter who can get you across the border. His name is Joe Clarke."
"That doesn't sound very Mexican," said Jasmine. They heard a loud thud as the man dropped in the middle of the bathroom floor. "Sorry about that," she said as she looked back.
"Don't worry about it. It helps keep up the reputation and makes the rest stay in line. I'll have a couple of my boys clean up back here then go feed the hogs."
"That reminds me why I don't eat pork. So you say this guy is good? Because I need to get over the border this evening. I've got some payback to dish out."
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Igor was going home for the evening when the Foreign Minister paid him a late visit. Igor was already to leave with his coat and hat on when the Minister walked in. Igor looked at him then took his hat off and handed his secretary his coat then waved for the minister to follow him into his office.
"So what do I owed this honor to? They say no good deed goes unpunished so is this for recovering the cheget?"
"Well technically you haven't recovered it yet. It's still in transit and it's one of my diplomats who found it and recovered it. He's on his way back to us as we speak."
"Is this why you came by to rub my face in it or is there some actual purpose to your visit that eludes me."
"Igor you should be careful how you talk to people. You don't have the friends you used to have..."
"So is that it? You came by to tell me that we're suddenly friends? I need to know so I can include your name on my Christmas card list."
"Funny, very funny but no that's not why I'm here. My office was contacted by the American State Ddepartment and they passed on to me some information about one of our missing submarines."
"We don't have any missing submarines or none that I know of," said Igor. "Are they sure that it's one of ours?"
"Here are photos they sent of it. It seems they were dispatched to rescue the flight crew of our missing X-craft. You wouldn't know anything about that either would you?"
"Of course I do I passed word about it over to the Kremlin. Crap someone over there must've decided to put a rescue plan together. The Americans offered to help and so did the Canadians. This hole in the side is going to make it impossible to sail back. I hope the reactor is intact."
"I don't know and they aren't answering our called and no one is taking responsibility over at the Kremlin or over at the Defense Ministry."
"So what are you saying? Everyone is pointing their fingers at me? The cowards."
"I just wanted to give you a head's up. Why I don't know but I am. Maybe one day you can return the favor."