Don't own Chuck

Khan took a quick shower then got dressed for his luncheon appointment with Ivan. He turned on the news then looked for CNN International, the Asian edition. He turned up the volume when they reported a series of accidental deaths of high ranking corporate executives in Shanghai. He smiled when the newscaster spoke of the deaths as accidental because he and the People's Republic knew better. As he was tying his tie he received a call from the lobby.

"Yes, I assume Ivan is here," said Khan. "... very well I'll be right down. See I knew he wouldn't come alone. I'm glad you're with me just stay out of sight and I'll be right down." After he said that he hung up and finished getting ready. He was almost ready when his phone rang again this time the caller I.D. read anonymous. He had an idea who it was when he answered it.

"Hello, who am I speaking to," he asked. He put the call on speaker so he could finish getting ready. If you don't speak up soon I'm going to hang up." At first the call sounded like it was a prank with a lot of heavy breathing. "If this is supposed to be intimidating you need to rethink your strategy because all I'm getting is annoyed." Finally a voice came on.

"Mister Khan I don't think we've ever spoken together directly but people call me Mister X and I work for the Collective. We're very curious as to why you're here."

"I bet you are. Mister X you say your name is? That's rather ambiguous don't you think? Is X your first or last name? Or why don't you call yourself Mr. XY? At least we would identify you as a Mister instead of XX which could be misleading? Unless that's your intent."

"Amusing but we're still concerned and we've voiced our concerns with your Triad Council. I don't know if you've been in touch with them lately but you ought..."

"I don't know if you've been following the latest news out of Shanghai but you should turn on your television before you say something rash you'll regret or could be very embarrassing for you later on. The Collective ought to be careful who they tell what they ought to do or oughtn't do."

"I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot so let me start this again. Mr. Khan we would like to maintain the status quo which means we would like for you to continue manufacturing the money we require and Ivan handle the distribution."

"Which will be difficult seeing as a group of Russian speaking men broke into out print shop and made off with all our equipment and workers. Have you looked into that or have you just complained to the council about me being here?"

"I see... I don't know if this will mean anything to you but I did talk with Ivan and he reassured me he had nothing to do with heist."

"I'm sure he did and you believed him," said Khan as he shook his head. "Did he also admit to chopping down the cherry tree? Never mind, well I'm meeting Ivan for lunch and as a matter of fact he's waiting for me now in the lobby. When we meet we can talk this out and see if I get the same answer."

"Please do anything rash or hasty. The police and other governmental agencies are watching us closely. This was something Mr. Tong refused to realize and partly this is his fault that now we have to clean up his mess."

"Yes speaking of Tong I'm going to run over to the hospital afterwards to talk this out with Tong. I'm recalling him to China..."

"You are? I thought the council had to make that decision as a whole," said Mister X. Something was going on and he was behind the power curve.

"They used to have that prerogative but I've taken that myself and as far as Ivan goes. I can offer him a finders fee then we can brush all this under the rug and get back to making money which is in everyone's interest."

"That's exactly what we wanted to heard," said Mister X. "Then I hope your lunch with Ivan goes as you planned. I'll be in touch."

"I'm sure you will," said Khan as he hung up. "And if you believe that pigs can fly." He opened his suitcase dumping the contents on the bed. Then he removed its false bottom. From a hidden compartment he took out a QSZ-92 then loaded it with a twenty round clip with proprietary 5.8×21mm Chinese-made armor-piercing projectiles. Slipping the weapon into his shoulder holster he was now ready for lunch.

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Chuck and Sarah were laughing when the elevator doors opened but there standing in front of them was Ivan and Anton. Anton had his pistol out under his jacket as did Ivan. Chuck moved in front of Sarah to shield her best he could with his body. What followed can only be described as a very long moment of awkward silence with neither side knowing what to do. The break came when a crowd came over to use the elevator which forced the Russians to stand down and to move aside.

"Ivan, are you trying out new places to eat? How long before you reopen the Matryoshka? Or are you here for other reasons? I don't believe you'll find bear on the menu."

"I've got people working around the clock and hopefully we'll be reopening for business by the end of the month with limited service."

"If I were you I'd put those weapons away before someone gets hurt and we wouldn't want that. Not in a public space with all these civilians around."

"I'd like to see you try to take my weapon away," said Anton as he got up in Chuck's face. "I hear a lot of talk but you don't look so tough to me."

"Ivan, curb you dog or I'll have to curb him for you," said Chuck. "Anton you should think of you sister in Grozny. I could have a friend of mine visit her if you want check up on her to make sure she's in good health. You might've heard of him Kommandant Boris."

"You know Boris the butcher?" said Anton. "Everyone in Chechnya knows Boris but how do you know him? Now I know you're lying there's no way."

"You don't ask how I know you have a sister yet you doubt I know Boris?" said Chuck. But Chuck got what he was looking for a day manager walked over with a radio in hand to call the authorities. He walked over to see what the disturbance was about.

"Is there a problem here," asked the manager. "If you continue disturbing our guests I'll have to ask you to leave the premises at once."

"No there's just been a misunderstanding," said Ivan. "We're old friends actually and we're just getting caught up on events back home. I guess we can be rather boisterous but we're Russians. You know you haven't told me what you're doing here?" Ivan said in Russian.

"We're here to see a Mr. Khan but I think that's why you're here too," said Chuck in English. "We should probably let him know we're here."

"You can use the house phones over there," said the Manager. "If you check at the front desk they can give you the room number. I'll leave you now just try to hold down the noise and confusion." The manger walked away but not before looking them over one more time.

"Ivan," said Anton as he pointed at an oriental man who just got off the elevator. "That's him over there." Chuck saw him too and flashed.

"I'd tell you this was a private luncheon but I think you'd come and join us anyway. Who knows maybe with you there you'll make us all play nice and not kill each other."

"I doubt that... about the playing nice part," said Chuck as they all walked over. Khan was looking around then he saw this group coming over at him so he waved for Wu who came up behind him. Wu whispered in his ear then pointed out Ivan.

"Ivan," said Khan as he put out his hand. "Tong has told me so very much about you it's a pleasure to finally get a chance to meet you." Ivan shook it looking back at Chuck and Anton perplexed. "Shall we grab something to eat and can you introduce me to your friends?"

"Well you met Anton already at the airport and this is Charles Carmichael with the Central Intelligence Agency. He's a spy and this well I'm not sure who she is," said Ivan. He caught Chuck's look. "What Chuck that is your real name isn't it? Remember, I have friends in Lubyanka too."

"At least you got the name right this time. By the way a mutual friend said he'd love to give you a tour of the basement. You might even admire the view. I'm sorry I'm being rude," said Chuck. Then he turned and introduced Sarah. "This is my better half Sarah, my wife." Sarah shook Khan's hand.

"Well I just flew eighteen hours and I'm famished," said Khan. "Let's go grab something to eat and talk. Mr. Carmichael I have to say I'm not sure why you're here or what we've got to talk about?"

"We're here to make sure there is no more collateral among the guests. The last time your sides collided there was quite the body count so we'd like to avoid that and they make a good grilled cheese here. But if you like Dim Sum you have to go to the Sizzling Shrimp in Chinatown."

"I see and thanks for the tip. I have to ask but do you work for our third party?" asked Khan trying to sort out who Chuck was. Ivan began to cough and shook his head then tried to redirect the conversation.

"Sarah is it? I can see why your husband never mentioned he was married. You are a prize to pretty to risk on the likes of us. We who are really in the Bratva never marry."

"I can assure you Ivan I can take care of myself pregnant or not and personally I have a problem with some of your bylaws. I find them antiquated and chauvinistic typical of a narrow minded people."

"I think you just insulted me and my family," said Ivan as he looked around then laughed.

"I could be clearer and even provide a road map if you like," said Sarah as they all laughed even more. Chuck gave her a look as he pulled her chair out then got seated.

"I'm sorry but I need to hurry this meeting along," said Khan as everyone got seated. "I want to go to the hospital and visit Tong to see how he's doing. Mr. Carmichael do you think you could get me in to see him?" There was a sudden silence at the table. "What did I say? Is he still unconscious or in custody? I brought him a diplomatic passport he's got diplomatic immunity," said Khan but still everyone was quiet. "Will someone tell me what's going on? Mr. Carmichael, please."

"Well Tong… there's no diplomatic immunity where he's at. I guess the best way to tell you this is to just come out with it. Tong is with his ancestors. I'm sorry but he was assassinated in the hospital by a hired killer. If you wish I can take you to the morgue where you can official recognize the body."

"Ivan did you...," said Khan as he put his hand on the knife on the table. "Did you have anything to do with this?"

"No, of course not and I'm not just saying this because our friend is here I'm saying it because I didn't. You don't have to believe me but it's the truth."

"I believe he's telling the truth," said Chuck. "The man that was sent was killed also. He was a nameless assassin very expensive and very precise. He tried twice before he was successful to assassinate Tong. The first time was by poisoning him but I foiled his plan. Then he came back later on that same night to cowboy the contract no one expected him to try again so soon."

"How did he find out that his first plan had been foiled so quickly unless the person who issued the contract was there or he had a mole there?"

"That's what I'm thinking. His killer was carrying a CZ-75 so he wasn't afraid to throw around lead but cowboying the hit was what got him killed. One of our fellow agents and a member of my team took him out."

"I would've liked to talk with him but I'm glad he didn't get away. After we eat I'd like to take you up on your offer to go to the morgue. As soon as I can I'd like his body released to me so I can have it sent back to Shanghai."

"I'll see what I can do," said Chuck.

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Mister X called his contact in Shanghai almost immediately after hanging up from Khan. Khan had told him enough to get him wondering what was going on across the pacific. He had a lot of questions he needed answers now and he hoped by phoning he'd find out what was going on. After dialing the number he put the call on speaker then he began to pace the room.

"Come on and answer," said the man. It seemed like it was taking forever for his colleague to answer. Then there was clicking sound and he heard his colleague's voice.

"I was kind of expecting your call and I wish I had good news but things are chaotic here. I don't know what they're reporting on television but most of the old guard have been eliminated or on the run. The hits were well orchestrated going down almost simultaneously. The old men really didn't have time to warn anyone else or to be warned."

"So who does it look like will end up on top?" asked Mister X. His next moves depended on the answer he was given. "Or can you see that far out?"

"I don't know things are still evolving but right now it looks like Khan has the upper hand seeing he was next in charged but everyone isn't happy over this change. Some are wondering if his absence isn't a convenient alibi."

"What would our position be like without Khan? Khan is meeting with Ivan to talk out their differences and I'm not sure they're looking out for everyone's best interest."

"Without Khan we could support a minor household and prop them up pushing them over the top. At least in theory they should support our common interests and maybe concede to us certain privileges there and here. However, I would caution on the side of prudence. If this goes sideways we don't want this to come back on us. Khan has to be aware there will be blow back so he'll be expecting it."

"He'll be expecting it in Shanghai or China. He won't be expecting it here. I know where he's staying I can get a wet team together then they can go pay him a visit."

"Like I said caution already our cash flow has been interrupted. With what money are you going to pay this contractor? You need to talk to the rest of the collective to get approval. This is the type of attitude that got Tong killed. You sure Ivan ordered that hit?"

"Well if it wasn't him then it was one of the elders on the Triad council. I need to run I can't keep my door locked all day or someone will start to get suspicious." Mister X hung up the phone then walked over to his door. He unlocked it then stuck his head outside.

"Oh good you're off your phone," said his secretary. "Agent Carmichael just called asking if we'd sign off on the release of Tong's body to next of kin."

"Next of kin? I didn't think Tong had any next of kin and for sure not here in the States. Did he specify what the relationship was to this party?"

"No just that he'd like it if you'd sign off on it. He mentioned that he was going to the morgue to do some sort of official recognition."

"What official recognition? The body was identified by everyone present so I don't see any need for an official recognition. You said he was headed to the morgue well if anyone askes where I went I went down to the Morgue and make sure they realize I'm just visiting," he said as he grabbed his hat and jacket.

"I know what you're up to Chuck and it's not going to work," he said to himself. "You're trying to bring the Task Force back together well it's not happening... not if I can help it."

"Call Gardner and Evan," he said on the way out. "I'm still waiting on those files they left with the CIA. I want them back by the close of business and I don't want to hear any excuses."

"Yes Sir I'll get right on it," said the secretary. "Do you want me to call the Morgue and tell them you're coming and to wait?"

"No I want this to be a surprise. Just call Gardner and Evans I'll handle the rest," said the Chief as he left. "Nice try Chuck but you're going to have to get up a lot early if you want to pull something over on me."

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Evans and Gardner drove over to Echo Park where they parked on the street. Then they cut across the courtyard going straight over to Chuck and Sarah's apartment. Trying the door they found it locked so they went over to Casey's only to find it was locked too. Looking at each other they were trying to figure out what to do next when they heard Sam's voice coming from another apartment.

"Do you hear that? That's the kid and her voice is coming from over there," said Evans. They walked over and rang the doorbell. Mary came to the door to greet them. They could see Sam in the living room playing.

"Agents, what are you doing here? I thought the word that came down from on high was the Task Force was disbanded?"

"It is... I mean it was... yes we're not working together and that's the reason we're here. We left some of our files with Chuck and our Chief wants us to get them back. His latest is he wants them back by the end of the day."

"I see but there's not a lot I can do for you. Chuck and Sarah have the keys to their apartment and neither are at home. Come on in and sit down," she said. "Can I get you boys a cup of coffee?"

"If it's no problem but we really need those folders before our boss skins us alive. There's no way you can let us in? I think he has them on his coffee table."

"I'm sorry I can't but let me call them to see where they are. We all went to the hospital to see Morgan this morning then they went off for a luncheon date at the Waldron. You're young you know what that means."

"Yuck I think I'm going to be sick," said Sam as she came over to them in her little white smock with stethoscope in her pocket holding a clip board. "Are these my two new patients? There must be an epidemic."

"She's playing like she's a doctor. Can you two watch her while I make this call to find out when one of her parents are getting home so you can get out of here?"

"Sure," said Gardner as Evans looked at him like he was crazy. "Come on like this we can get those files and get out of here quicker."

"I didn't become a Secret Service agent to become a babysitter."

"Really and what is the presidential detail in reality if not a baby sitting operation for the president, the first lady and their children."

"That's why I'm here," said Evans as they let Sam lead them over to the sofa. "Thank my word you're going to regret this."

"Sit down and give me your right hand," said Sam to Evans. She took his pulse and as she did she had a little worried look. "Do you smoke or drink?"

"A little," he said as she pulled out the stethoscope.

"I see," she said as she put it on his chest. "Cough for me," she said with the same little worried look. "Can you just breathe in and breathe out? Okay I'm going to need to take your temperature. Put this under your tongue," she said. "Hold it there until I tell you that you can take it out." She then turned to Gardner and did the same thing.

"I'll take that thermometer now," said Sam. He reached up and took it then she penned in make believe numbers on the clip board. "Now it's your turn," said Sam as she shoved the thermometer into Gardner's mouth without wiping it down. Evans began to laugh.

"Doc, I think you need to work on your hygiene," said Evans as he laughed at Gardner. "So what's the diagnosis will I live?"

"Open wide," she said as she took a spoon depress his tongue then shined a flash light in his eyes all the time going "humm".

"So will I live," asked Evans.

"Here you need to take two of these," said Sam as she took a Hello Kitty Pez dispenser giving him two candies. "Call me in the morning if you feel worse."

"I'm sorry," said Sarah as she came in the front door. "Mary just called me as I was pulling up. If you come with me I'll get you those files. Sam I told you this morning not to use that Thermometer when you tried to use it on Morgan."

"What's wrong with it?" asked Gardner pulling it out of his mouth.

"Nothing... well it's just... we haven't used it for a long time. So come with me and we'll get you those files."