Don't own Chuck

There was a roar from the crowd as Raul took the chair out to the middle of the wire. This was their last act for the night and Raul wanted to finish in glory. Chuck thought Raul was being reckless but his brother Marco wouldn't go against him. Chuck watched as Raul balanced the chair on the wire before sitting down in it. Afterwards Raul pulled out a newspaper and pretended to be reading. The crowd loved it applauding and cheering. Raul seemed quite the showman and a showoff thought Chuck.

"I'm going on the record as saying this is a bad idea," said Chuck as he looked down but Marco shoved him out in front.

"Don't worry go on. You need to go out before me. Don't worry I'll be right behind you. So what if we fall. At least we'll get a standing ovation as we drop," said Marco as he smiled then he motioned for Chuck to continue on out to Raul.

"That's not reassuring but what the heck... oh Momma" said Chuck as flashed then walked out to Raul. Naturally Raul was blocking the way and refused to move as Chuck motioned for him to move. The crowd below loved it and cheered even more.

"It looks like we've got an impasse on the high wire," announced Giovanni as Ringmaster below. He turned off the mic then turned to Rita. "Geez does Raul know what he's doing. The new guy has never done the flip."

"I'm sure Raul knows what he's doing," said Rita but no matter how many times she repeated it to herself she still didn't believe it. "What's he got in mind," she said to herself but she put on a happy face for Giovani.

"Okay so now what," said Chuck as he walked out to Raul sitting in his chair. "What am I supposed to do fly over the top of you?"

"Not you… Marco," said Raul as he looked at Marco behind him. "You need to flip him over me and he'll land on the wire on the other side. Marco knows what he's supposed to do just let him spring off you."

"I'm not comfortable with this," said Chuck but he took Marco's hand then helped him up on his shoulders. "Okay let's do this."

"Just stay steady and on three," said Marco then he counted it down. On three Chuck tossed Marco who did a barrel roll over the top of Raul landing on the other side of the wire. There was a loud roar from the crowd below.

"Seems like the impasse was taken care of," announced Giovanni as he gave a look at Rita. She patted him on the shoulder.

"See I told you Raul knew what he was doing," she said as she let out her breath but just when she thought it was over the accident happened. It looked as if Chuck lost his footing and as a result Raul lost his too. They both tottered on the high wire. The chair Raul was in came tumbling down crashing on ring floor.

[A Little While Before On the High Wire]

Chuck had tossed Marco over and everything was going as it should with the act or it seemed so. Chuck was thanking the intersect mentally when he noticed a chain around Raul's neck. When he saw what it was attached to under Raul's top he flashed.

"Crap, no not now," said Chuck as he tried to stop the flash but couldn't. Images of Bryce Larkin played in his head like a movie. He saw Bryce break into the intersect room download the intersect then escape with men chasing him but Bryce was too fast for them. He saw him almost get away then Casey shot him, but not before Bryce transmitted the intersect to him.

"What's wrong with you," said Raul as he saw Chuck was out of it. Chuck was rocking back and forth looking like he'd seen a bright light and eaten something sour. "Snap out of it man. People use flashes all the time. You're not supposed to look at the cameras."

Raul went for him but in doing so he lost his balance and the chair came crashing down. Raul dropped grabbing hold of the wire as Chuck dropped too.

"What the crap is going on," said Chuck as he snapped out of it just in time to grab the wire. They heard a loud gasp from the crowd below.

"I was about to ask you the same thing. I can't hold on for long I pulled something in my shoulder when I grabbed hold of the wire thanks to you."

"Sorry but don't worry I've got everything under control," said Chuck. Raul gave him a look. "I really do. I just tell me how far behind me is the rope you used to haul the chair up."

"I think it's about nine or ten feet behind you. Why what do you have in mind?" said Raul. "Never mind I don't care just do something fast. I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

"Well here goes nothing," said Chuck as he swung himself back and forth then released. He did a double roll grabbing hold of the rope. "Give me some slack," yelled Chuck below as he climbed it back up to the high wire. He tied the rope around his waist then dove off the wire grabbing Raul by the waist. They swung back and forth as the men below lowered them to the ground.

"I just wanted this coupon," said Chuck as he picked up the newspaper from the ground. "Do you mind? This is a double coupon offer at Subway. I've got a friend that eats there almost every day. His favorite phrase is 'make it a meal'."

"What some people won't do to get a free sub," said Giovanni. The crowd stood up and gave them a loud round of applause and started cheering. Marco came down in the meantime and they all took a bow in the center ring. Chuck could see Sarah's face and knew he had some explaining to do but first he wanted to have a talk with Casey. However, that was going to have to wait.

"Why didn't you tell us you suffered from epilepsy or whatever you call that attack you had on the wire. We could've all been killed up there," said Raul getting angry.

"They are infrequent and I normally can control them but this was the first time I've been on a high wire so you've got to excuse me. I'm not as agile as a cat."

"What's that supposed to mean," said Raul as he looked over at Marco. Rita and Giovanni came running over as well as Sarah and the rest.

"I don't think you want to talk about this is public. We can talk in a little bit in your trailer and don't think about disappearing. I have the number to gendarme on speed dial. I think they'd like a little tip about the robberies in Orléans." Chuck motioned for them to be silent.

"You had us worried," said Giovanni. "That was some save up there. It looked like it was a part of the act." Rita looked at Raul and Marco she didn't have to ask she knew something was going on but she played along keeping silent.

"Chuck, you had me worried," said Sarah. "Are you all right?" He made the mistake of nodding. "Good," she said then she punched him. Chuck went down then he got up only to have her grab him and pull him in tight kissing him. "Don't you ever do that again."

"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick," said Casey as he walked over to make sure everyone was okay. "Don't mind me I'm going somewhere to heave. I don't know why I walked over."

"You do that Johann," said Chuck. "Emma, I think it's time for you to take the girls back to Nice. I'll arrange a taxi for you. But you should go soon."

"But I don't want to go," said Sam as she yawned loudly. "I'm not tired and neither is Molly." But Molly basically had her eyes closed hanging on Emma.

"You go with Emma and we'll bring you back tomorrow. We can make it a full day but for now you guys need to go. I have a curtain call and a parade to march in. Now be good and tomorrow will be here before you know it."

"What was all that about," whispered Sarah in Chuck's ear.

"We need to go somewhere private and I'll explain," said Chuck as he looked over at the Zorros. Raul was trying to stare him down but it wasn't working.

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The General and her men escorted Devon and Dr. Merriweather up to the surface then over to the hospital. They pulled into the parking area near the E.R. then got out and as they were arriving an ambulance pulled up. A team came out to meet it then whisked the patient onboard inside. But as they were wheeling the gurney in Merriweather looked up and thought he recognized two of the men for the FBI team back at his hospital.

"Can't be he," said to himself as he was pushed along with the rest. They walked through the E.R. then over to the elevators.

"Dr. Merriweather you need to keep up," said the General. "Or I'll send you back where you were then I'll deal with you later. Do you want that?"

"No," said the Doctor but he was thinking playing what he'd seen over and over in his head. "Why would they be dressed as doctors."

"What," said Devon hearing Merriweather mumble. "Doctor, do you feel okay? You're acting a little strange not that this is by any means normal. If I had to put a name to it, I'd say you look like you've seen a ghost."

"I have or I think I have. Remember I told you those agents came in and took over. Jones was the one you showed me pictures of but there were three more a Smith, Scully and Mulder. I thought I just saw two coming in the E.R. dressed as doctors behind the gurney that was just wheeled in."

"Why didn't you say something back there," said the General. "Major, I want out patient's floor locked down and every physician going near him I want their IDs double checked."

"Can I make another suggestion," said Devon. "Remember what you said about not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing. I've got an idea.

"It's done General. I also checked on that patient that was brought in too," said the Major interrupting Devon. "It seems a doctor was mugged and badly beaten in the staff parking garage. Someone made an anonymous call to hospital security to report it..."

"That was their access into the building. They knew the ambulance would take him to the E.R. here then it was just a matter of following everyone in. There was an emergency and no one would question someone in a white coat.

"That was just plain mean. We're going to have to act quickly if my plan is going to work," said Devon. Then he explained his plan and the General smiled as she listened.

"I can see some of Chuck has rubbed off on you. I'll make an agent out of you yet," said Diane impressed with his idea. "Major, you heard the doctor get the word out and let's get this done."

"With all due respect General, I like the job I have right now healing people," said Devon. "I'm not cut out to be a spy or anything. I could never break my oath. I suggested this so we could avoid a blood bath in the hospital keeping innocent men and women from getting hurt in the cross fire."

"Whatever the reason, it's a good plan."

[Not Too Far Away]

"This way," said Mulder as he looked at the map they'd been given. "It says we're supposed to go this way. See," he said as he held up the map.

"I can't help it. The sign on the wall is pointing in the opposite direction. Maybe they've moved the diving chamber since that map was drawn. Did you see who they had with them," said Scully.

"Yes Dr. Merriweather, I knew we should've whacked him when we had the chance. You know we might get lucky and get to take him out with the target."

"That would be an added bonus. Look there's another sign," said Scully as he pointed at it. "See we're going in the right direction. Come on keep up we get this done then we can go out for a short stack."

"Now that sounds like a plan but I don't know," said Mulder as he looked over the map once again. "None of this is on the map. Are you sure we're headed in the right direction?"

"Which do you think is most likely to be wrong the hospital or that map that looks like a third grader drew it. If it makes you happy we'll ask that orderly over there." Mulder nodded.

"Excuse me I'm sorry to bother you but we're new here and we've kind of gotten turned around but can you tell us is this the right way to the BHOT chamber?"

"Can't you read the sign buddy," said the orderly as he pointed to the sign on the wall. "Just keep following them and they'll take you there."

"Thanks," said Scully as he turned to Mulder then motioned for him to follow. The orderly stood there and waited until they were out of sight.

"That was a close one. I'd just put the sign up when they showed up but they're following the bread crumbs on the trail towards your direction. You should be in position to intercept any moment now so keep awake and be ready. They're both packing I could make out weapons under their coats"

The General was smiling Devon's plan to change the signs was working. The bad guys were following them right into their trap. They'd have them without firing a shot and then maybe she could find out what was going on.

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Chuck and Sarah sent Emma and the girls back to Nice in a cab. Sam didn't like it much but in the end she went. Sarah noticed as they were loading Sam and Molly in the taxi neither were speaking much which was odd for Sam. Sarah thought she'd protest more but considering the combination of ice cream and cotton candy along with the greenish tint around the gills she knew why.

"Mom, I'm sorry I've got to dump the girls on you like this. But you might want to get room service to bring up a couple of limes and two club sodas when you get it."

"Yes, I can see two massive tummy aches coming on. Reminds me when you were out with your father. He'd take you out fill you up on ice cream then dump you back when you started to... well best we don't give any encouragement. Come on ladies let's get in the taxi."

They said their goodbyes then Chuck put his arm around Sarah as they watched the taxi disappear into the night.

"Okay they're gone. Now tell me what you flashed on up there. I didn't see anything to flash on. You almost broke your neck and I want to know why."

"I know I just couldn't control it. We need to find Casey he's got some explaining to do. Raul had a data collection device around his neck tucked under his top on a chain very similar to the one Bryce used to download the intersect before he sent it to me."

"Geez, are you sure? It's not that I doubt you just... well that would mean someone is working on another intersect. I'm sorry but I have to ask you again are you sure?"

"You be the judge," said Chuck as he took out of his pocket the device. "I took it off Raul as we dangled in midair. He was too worried about dying to feel me take this off him but he'll realize I've got it soon so we need to get a move on it."

"Crap," said Sarah as she flashed on it too. She saw the same thing Chuck had seen Bryce downloading the intersect. "Someone definitely has some explaining to do. There's Casey over there," she said as she pointed him out. "One thing in those shoes he's not going to be able to outrun us. I guess he knows now what it's like to run in heels."

"True but he could take them off and use them as clubs. John, we've got some talking to do about your mission."

"I told you two butt out. This is Roan's and mine we don't need your help so move along like I told you before you have another accident and this time it could be fatal."

"You don't need our help? Then Sarah I say we take this with us and see if we can download the data off it. You never know what we might find," said Chuck as he held up the data device.

"Crap you weren't supposed to... Where'd you get that? Give it to me you don't know what you're messing with," said Casey as he tried to grab it but Chuck pulled it away. "Stop messing around the General has half the world looking for that thing.

"I guess that half didn't include us because of what's on it. Listen I took this off of Raul so I can only guess the cat was active in the States but stealing government secrets isn't their usual modus operandi. Ellie called me about a patient the General wanted her to visit who was being held captive..."

"Ellie called while you were on the high wire they had to do an extraction. The old man is safe and I heard him yelling something in the back ground about his brother doing this to him."

"Give me that thing," said Casey as he yanked the device from Chuck's hand. "We need to replace it with this one," said John as he pulled out of his pocket a similar one. "This has an imbedded tracking device so we'll be able to find out who's behind this. We just have to get this back to the Zorros."

"So now we're invited to be a part of this fiasco? It that what I'm hearing John. Because a little while ago you were telling us to butt out."

"Okay, okay if you want to make sure Raul gets this it would be greatly appreciated," said Casey as he ate his portion of crow.

"That had to be hard for you to say. So let me think about it," said Chuck as Casey grunted and reached out for Chuck's neck. "Just kidding. Okay no problem, I've got an appointment with them as soon as I'm finished here," said Chuck as he took the copy. "But you can tell the General this doesn't end here."

"And you don't think I'm going to let you go meet these people without me," said Sarah. Remember a thief has to run out of town while a good conman can leave whenever he wants."

"I question your dad's influence on you," said Chuck but he could see she wasn't going to budge. "Okay you can come along."

"Come on if you know all the cons you'll never be a sucker and Sweetie we're no suckers," said Sarah as she kissed him.

"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick. Are you sure you can get this to Zorros without them realizing it's been switched out."

"Sure but what's going to happen to them afterwards… I mean they're doing us a favor even if they don't know it. You can't just throw them under the bus like nothing."

"They're criminals if we don't turn them in sooner or later they'll get caught anyway. Besides you don't think Alfredo and his gang are going to let them walk away from this. They know too much. As soon as he's got what he wants they become a loose end to tie up. As far as Alfredo knows they are the only ones that can tie him back to this," said Casey as he held up the data device.

"But we can't allow that can we? We can't just stand by and do nothing," said Chuck. "There has to be something we can do. Sarah, Casey tell me we can do something? This is so wrong."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry but they've made their own bed. I know you want to save everyone and I love that you think you can but some people you just can't save."

"I don't believe that. I can't believe that and I'll prove you both wrong," said Chuck as he took the data device then headed towards the Zorros trailer. He knew it wouldn't be long before Raul missed the device if he hadn't already.

"Go make sure he doesn't compromise my mission," said Casey.

"You mean our mission now and Chuck isn't that wrong. We ought to do something."

"You mean because he came back for you when everyone else gave up on you. That was different and you need to keep that clear in your head."