Don't own Chuck

Joe was in the cubicle looking at all the cash. Dollar signs floated around in his head and all the Donald Duck comics with Uncle Scrooge Mcduck swimming in money. This was more money than he'd ever seen at one time and it was intoxicating. Why should he be content for the measly sum she was going to pay him when he could have it all? He had it all every last cent... it was his... his precious. He reached up and pressed the button to tell the bank manager he was ready to leave.

"Thanks," said Joe to the teller as he stepped out of the cubical then started to make his way out of the bank. The manager ran after him to stop him then held out his hand.

"I'm extremely sorry about the misunderstanding before and I want to thank you for banking with us. I hope you'll come back soon." Joe just wanted to get out but the manager seemed to be deliberately trying to stop him.

"I really need to go so if you don't mind... You know places to go, people to visit," said Joe as he pushed by. That was never more true than now. He had the cash and he was thinking that maybe it would be in his best interest that he made himself disappear and lay low for a while. Certainly, with all the cash he had in his bag he could him do that and live well.

The bank manager ran back into his office and took out his phone again. He hit speed dial again and was waiting when one of his tellers walked it.

"The girls asked me to come and find out if we can go ahead and take our breaks Bobby or do you want us to wait."

"What? Can't you people do anything on your own? You've got your work schedules follow them or look for somewhere else that will pay you to shop. Can't you see I'm on the phone so don't let the door catch you on the way out."

"I'm sorry I tried to hold him. You have to believe me when I tell you I did the best I could. ... He just stepped out the doors," said Mr. Burton. He was nervous and sweating these were people he didn't want to piss off. "I put the GPS tracker on him like you asked when he left so you should be able to track him. How did he get that key? I thought those keys were supposed to be with Mr. La Barba and with him only. ... Yes I'm sorry you're right it's none of my business. Have a good day and thank you for banking with us," rolled off his tongue. The line dropped on the other end.

"Crap why did I say that?

[Meanwhile outside]

Joe walked out of the bank then circled back around through a back alley to stay out the public eye. The deal was he was supposed to go down a couple blocks then climb into his truck that would be waiting for him with Jasmine inside. But as far as he was concerned she could keep on waiting for him. That was one appointment he was going to miss today.

He was headed for Union Station then to board a train for parts east. Any place outside of California would be good for him. But he had a friend who had a dive outside of Albuquerque that would be the ideal place to lay low in for a while. He just had to make it out of L.A. and the first step in his escape plan was to get on a train. As he was cutting through a side street the sat phone in his bag started to ring.

"Crap, what do I do," he said to himself as the phone rang. It was probably Jasmine he said to himself. If he didn't answer then she would know he was on the run and come looking for him. But if he answered it he might be able to convince her there was a hold up in the bank.

"Hey I just finished cleaning out your box. Things went slower than expected before because... because... because the manager stepped out for a coffee so I had to wait for him to come back."

"Really because when I was looking through the window with my binoculars I could've sworn I saw him and you talking together before you disappeared for the vault." There was silence on the line. "Did I miss something?"

"I'll be right there just wait for me," said Joe as picked up his pace. "Just give me a few more minutes. I'm on my way."

"I could but I don't think Ettore will," Jasmine as she hung up. Then she walked into the same bank. She smiled walking up to the manager's office.

"I'm kind of busy right now," said the manager as he looked down at his desk drawer. "Can this wait until tomorrow?"

"Sorry but I need into these two boxes," she said as she dropped the keys on his desk. He immediately recognized them. He looked up at her and took a big gulp.

"Can I have a moment? I need to make a quick phone call," said the man as he reached down in the drawer but she closed it on his hand. "Augh!"

"Don't scream or someone might come. You and I have business to attend to. You can make your phone call on your own time," said Jasmine as she poured him a drink. Here have a glass of pain killer then let's move along."

He downed the glass then pulled his drawer out to get his keys to lead her back but not before she poured another glass then dropped his burner phone in it.

"Just a little precaution now let's go to the vault. I like banking here, do you offer any sort of rewards for opening an account? I don't know like a toaster, microwave or maybe even a shotgun?"

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Imma arrived at the marina first as they had planned. The weather was sunny and hot and the marina was nice. Imma walked down past the different yachts but none were the one she was looking for. So she yelled onboard one asking them if they could tell here where it was.

"Oh they pulled out I think I heard them say something about going to anchorage. They were tied up where that speedboat's at now. If you want I could take you out for a little cruise. Maybe we can stay out late and navigate by the stars."

"Thanks but can I take a rain check. I'm with some friends and we've got plans for today but maybe tomorrow?"

"Sure I don't see why not. If your friends look like you then bring them along. You know what they say the more the merrier."

"Okay we'll see," said Imma as she walked away. "Did you guys hear that? John, I hope you've got a bathing suit."

"Of course he does," radioed Chuck. "Verbanski bought him a nice one. John, did you bring that one along."

"Cut the chatter Bartowski before you catch some friendly fire. You won't have to worry about Ettore taking you out. I'll do it for him. Head in the game how are you going to meet Ettore now?"

"Isn't it rather obvious I'd say," said Chuck as he walked down the marina pier. "Ettore left me transportation that's why it's tied up where it's at."

"No Chuck, this could be a trap," said Casey but Chuck hopped onboard slipped the lines then fired up the twin in boards and he started to make his way out of port. Just outside the break water he got a hail over the radio.

"Good Chuck, I'm glad to see you took me up on my invitation. I can't believe your wife or Casey are happy with it though," said Ettore.

"Casey and Sarah know to expect the unexpected with me but they have little say with what I'm doing here."

"Come on now you didn't think I wouldn't have someone at the border waiting to give me a head's up when you cross. I'm here waiting for you with a very good single malt. I'll have my Captain give you our gps position," said Ettore as he passed the mic to another man who gave him the location of his anchorage.

"John, did you get all that. I'm on my way out to Ettore's yacht. He knows you are here with me but he thinks Imma is Sarah so her cover is still good. Imma can you hear me I've got an idea but it involves your new friend." Chuck told her his idea. "So what do you think can we make it work?"

"Piece of cake just let me get a few things then I'll be ready. John, you can come aboard after me just give me five first."

"Roger that I'm breaking down the nest now. I'll meet you at the target location."

Chuck sailed on out past the harbor then over to the anchorages. There he found Ettore's yacht with him on the fantail waving holding up two glasses. He turned the wheel then locked the steering so he could drop the fenders. Then he brought steering back on line and backed down the engines as he brought the boat in alongside. Two of Ettore's men were there to help bring him alongside then tie him off. Chuck jumped over.

"Thanks guys that's not a half bad boat I might have to get one for myself. Be careful and please try not to scuff it up.

"I like it too. My men know to take care of my toys," said Ettore as he passed Chuck a glass of scotch. "It's a 1938 29 foot Twin engine Chris Craft Sportsman that I picked up in Maine. There was a rumor that it was owned by a Kennedy but I really didn't care. I just liked the boat. I had the teak decks refinished and the bright work replaced and you see the result."

"Amazing," said Chuck as he took a sip of his scotch. "Amazing like this scotch, so you said you had information for me."

"And you said you had a football for me but I don't see anything with you. But I didn't expect you to bring it with you because my sources tell me that it's on its way back to Russia."

"Really do they," said Chuck as he reached inside his jacket. Ettore's men got excited and blocked his arm. "Gentlemen, what's wrong with you? You don't think I'd hurt my host especially with you men standing right here. In my inside jacket pocket you'll find some Polaroids."

"Do they even make that film anymore," said Ettore as he motioned for his man to hand them over. He started looking through them.

"I got a Polaroid when I graduated for high school then I got a deal when I was working at the Buy More on the film. I've got a lot of it. If you need some I can hook you up."

"I meant to ask you how Morgan and Alex are doing? Have they set a date? You can tell Alex I expect and invitation. What do you think they'd like for as a wedding present?"

"If I had to guess it would probably be that you not show up," said Chuck as he finished his scotch then handed his glass to one of the men standing next to him. "What you're looking at is the contents of the football. You see that device it's an activation mechanism. The only thing is that device is keyed to the Russian Defense Minister's handprint."

"You see Chuck let's just say for a moment that I was aware what was inside the case and I've been working on a way around it. Okay so it seems you do have the cheget. What did you do? Oh don't tell me you sent them back an empty case. Chuck, someone is going to be very angry with you."

"That's my problem now I want to know about Frost. Do you have her? For your sake she'd better be alive. Do you know where she is?"

"Hold up there Chuckie I'd like to know why this person is so important for you? What did this woman do to you? She had to do something to make you go to all this trouble."

"She's just someone I was tasked with bringing in and I hate to leave things unfinished. Which means one of these days Ettore, it will be your turn."

"Come on Chuck I think we've got something going on here. You can't tell me you don't like me a little. Is it because I remind you of Morgan?"

"You're nothing like Morgan. You might share his face but Morgan is a nice guy he'd never hurt all the people you've hurt."

"And you Chuck? Are you like Morgan or are you like me? I think if you're honest with yourself you'd agree you're more like me than him."

"Ettore, can we get down to business now? Or do you want to waste some more of my time? I have someone to track down so do you have her or not?"

"Well this is the folder I have on your Frost," said Ettore as he waved it in front of Chuck. "I was going to give this to you but I don't know now. I don't think you've told me everything about her. You know I did some digging and much to my amazement I found out that Frost is her cover name. You want to know her real name Chuck. I was shocked when I found out you two had the same last name. What's this, the dark side of the Bartowski family tree?"

"Something like that so are you going to give me that folder or aren't you," said Chuck. "If you're not fine I'm out of here."

"Hold up, don't be like that. I hate to tell you but I had people on the pier when you pulled out and they saw you put the football onboard the speedboat," Ettore waved for his man to bring him the case.

"Okay so you got it now give me the folder and let me go that was our deal after all," said Chuck. Ettore handed him the folder and smiled. The folder was filled with blank sheets of paper. "What's the meaning of this Ettore?"

"Sorry Chuck but the truth is other than finding out her name is Mary Bartowski that was all I could find on her. She went off the grid in Romania. There's a rumor that she cross into Russia then went north. I took advantage of it to get the General and Minister together. We all did work for Volkoff and the Ring so that's how I knew with the right push I could bring them all together not that it's going to do you any good," said Ettore as one of his men pulled a pistol on him.

"Ettore, Ettore, I thought you said we had a feeling then you go and do this. I always knew you were a snake in the grass. I have to say I'm not surprised."

"That's why I want you to open the cheget. After your last surprise package I'm not taking any risks. Jasmine really wasn't happy with you. She begged me to let her have another crack at you but that ship already sailed. Get the nautical pun?"

"Yeah I picked up on that so you ended poor Jasmine. The lady was just trying to make a living after all. I think management is as much to blame as she was."

"I'll be sure to tell her that you defended her when I catch her. Seems she's a slippery one but my men are hot on her trail. As a matter of fact they tracked her back to L.A. But her luck is about to run out like yours. Now will you please open the case like I said this has dragged on long enough?"

"Yes it has," said Chuck as rolled the dials on the lock. "Ettore I have to ask you before I open this do you want to surrender and turn yourself end?"

"I've heard a lot of people beg for their lives when I was about to whack them and then there have been those who went out like men but this is a first," said Ettore as he started laughing. Ettore's men standing around him started laughing too.

"This is your last chance when I open this it will be too late. Ettore listen to me I can guarantee you a nice cell at Supermax and yard time if you give up now."

"I can pop the lock. Someone shoot him."

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Across town in L.A. outside of Union Station a dark panel van pulled up. Men poured out to cover all the entrances and exits to the station. Men walked around inside with earbuds looking for the source of the GPS signal. Then one of the men picked up a weak ping that was getting louder.

"I've got a signal our target's coming in from the south entrance," said a man in maintenance coveralls touching his ear.

"Hold on I'm hacking into the CCTV feeds now. Yes I've got movement and I'm getting the same ping. There he is he's the man with the red, white and blue shoulder back. Geez, you can't miss him he looks like something out of spaghetti western."

"This is Bravo I've got a visual on the target. I'm following behind him tell me when I've got a green light to grab him."

"Hold up for a few. Everyone move back and take up positions out of sight. We want to see if he'll lead us to Jasmine. She has to be around somewhere."

"Guys he's at the ticket window now buying passage on a train. You don't think she's going to meet him here she might meet him on the train?"

"Hold up I repositioning a camera so I can see his ticket. One moment I'm almost there... Okay he's traveling by himself to Albuquerque. Someone grab a couple of tickets the rest follow him down to the platform."

"This is Bravo, I've got tickets. Alpha and I are going to board the train when it pulls in but we won't have much of an opportunity to grab him if he gets onboard."

"Roger that. Tag team get in place, everyone stand by to give them support. Are we all ready to make this happen?" All the stations gave a good to go. "Okay tag team this is a go you've got the green light."

"Roger that green light for a go," said the man in charge of the tag team. You with me let's go. You guys behind the target you need to keep up."

Joe was nervous after his phone call with Jasmine. He started looking around becoming a little paranoid worrying that Jasmine could jump out from behind some pillar and grab him. Hearing his train being called made him feel better. He let out a deep sigh of relief. Then he noticed these two men walking towards him. They seemed to be arguing.

"I tell you they just called our train. We need to stay here on the platform we don't have time to run up and grab a cup of coffee. You can get one on the train."

"You know how expensive that is? Are you crazy? Besides we've got plenty of time. Mister, tell him," said the one man as he face Joe while the other one walked over to his side. "What train did they just call?"

"Well I'm afraid your partner is right. They just called... Ouch," said Joe. He felt the syringe go in as he turned back to the man. In that moment the other two member of the tag team blocked Joe from view. The man he was talking to helped support him as another took his coat off wrapping it around Joe as they quickly walked him out. This they timed with the arrival of the train so the platform was filled with people but no one was really paying any attention. They were all concerned with getting out of the station and to wherever it was that they had to get to.

"The target is ours we're on our way out," radioed in the tag team leader. "Meet us at the south end exit for delivery."

"Alpha and Bravo search the train for Jasmine. If she's there radio in if she's not get off at Riverside for pick up."

"What the...," said Joe as he got a whiff of smelling salts. "Where am I? Who are you guys? Don't tell me you work for Jasmine?" One man looked at the other.

"No we don't work for Jasmine. Now we can go about this one of two ways. There's the easy way like what we're doing now or..." The man gut punched him. Joe wheezed and groaned then coughed.

"Well that might be good if I were your grandmother but I was raised in East Texas and my daddy he was an alcoholic who loved to beat the crap out of me so let's rethink this. I don't suppose after you break the stick on me you can give me the carrot."

"Why you..." said the one man. He pulled his piece and pressed it next to Joe's temple. Give me a reason not to shoot you."

"I can give you two. One you'd mess up my day and secondly you'd make a mess inside your van. I guess another one could be I know what vehicle Jasmine is in but you're going to have to let me keep some of my earnings if you want me to tell you that."

"I say plug him here then we can go look for Jasmine. We know she's got to be around nearby. She isn't going anywhere without her money."

"Excuse me if you don't mind me interrupting but who says I was meeting Jasmine? I was taking the money and running when you grabbed me." There was a knock on the back of the van then a man climbed in.

"Alpha and Bravo just checked in Jasmine isn't on the train."

"Crap, okay Joe is it? Joe listen up this is your get out of jail free card. Where were you supposed to meet Jasmine at?"

"Is there a collect two hundred dollars with that card? If not no dice."