Don't own Chuck

Chuck got off the line with Sarah now that she was safe and he had a moment to take a breath. Suddenly all the weight of his illness and the past few days fell on him. The tiredness he had fought through came back with vengeance and he felt exhausted but he had one last thing he had to do before he could rest. He told himself he could push through as he took his tablet and logged into the Castle mainframe then rerouted his transmission.

[Back at Echo Park]

Casey along with Alex and Morgan were dragging in from working grilling Morgan on his cover story. Casey made a beeline to his place to get cleaned up while Morgan and Alex went over to Chuck and Sarah's to check on Sam and Kat.

"We're home," announced Morgan as he walked through the door with Alex. But he was greeted with silence and a hand over the mouth. "What the..."

"Shush, hold it down," said Kat. She pointed at the monitor in the living room. "Chuck's on talking with Sam. Come into the kitchen where we can chat but try to hold it down."

"Sam I need to talk to Chuck when you're done," said Morgan. Sam turned and nodded then motioned for them to go away. This was her time and she had no intention of sharing it.

"Where's Noora and Samaa? I thought they'd be here," asked Alex looking around and seeing Sam and Kat by themselves.

"Banai took them to Mosque for prayer then they're going out for dinner together. He wanted to spend some alone time with them since he's going to have to leave. Where's your father?"

"He went over to get cleaned up he should be over soon. I think he's thinking about taking you out somewhere nice and when I say nice I don't mean a ten dollars all you can eat buffet." Suddenly Morgan felt warm but not as much as Kat.

"Crap and I look like a mess. I wish he'd tell me ahead of time before he does things like this," said Kat as she checked herself in her reflection from the microwave door.

"Oh Mom you look fine don't worry about it. If you want we can go into the bathroom and spruce you up a bit. Maybe revisit your make up and your hair? But really you look fine."

"That's a good idea," said Kat as they started down the hall. "I think I need more than a spruce I could use a complete makeover and then some."

"Oh Mom you're exaggerating as usual. Morgan, watch Sam until we get back and you can think about what to order for us? I could go for some Chinese I guess."

"Ettore La Barba sputta on Chinese poo poo," said Morgan as he pretended to spit. "We gonna eat good Italian food like spaghetti and da meatballs."

"I hate to break some news to you but spaghetti with meatballs is an American Italian dish. In Italy they're usually served separately," said Kat. "Morgan, do you feel okay? Why are speaking funny? Who's this Ettore La Barba anyway?"

"Oh Morgan's just fooling around," said Alex as she gave him a look then pulled her mother along. "Come on if you want to get this done before Dad gets here we need to hurry up."

"Right, let's go I need a miracle cure," said Kat as they disappeared into the bathroom. Morgan turned around to find Sam standing in front of him with her white coat on and stethoscope around her neck.

"The patient will see you now. Please follow me," said Sam. Morgan was trying not to laugh as he walked behind her into the living room. "Chuck you can talk to Morgan for a little while then you have to go to sleep and rest like you promised."

"Yes Doctor Sam," said Chuck as he smiled. "I love you Sweet Pea." He blew her a kiss she pretended to catch and put in her pocket. Then she blew him one back. After that she took out her pretend glasses and put them on to look serious.

"Morgan I'm watching you. Do not agitate my patient," said Sam sternly. "You know you're looking a little pale. I'm going to have to give you an examination after you're done here. No I don't like your color at all. I'll see you in my office when you're done," she said then she turned to the monitor. "I love you daddy."

"I love you more," said Chuck as he wiped his eyes. Sam gave Morgan a menacing looked then disappeared into her room.

"I hope when she said she didn't like my color she doesn't have spray paint in her room to change it. Alex and Kat better get done before we're through."

"If I were you I'd watch out. Ellie gave her a reflex hammer and I think she's dying to try it out on someone like you. So Morgan what is it you want to tell me?"

"First dude you need to rest up. No offense intended but Chuck dude you look like death warmed over."

"Gee thanks Morgan. I would be resting and probably asleep right now if I wasn't talking to you so what is it you want to tell me?"

"I'm going undercover can you believe that? How cool is that but I'm a little nervous after the last time I had to use this cover."

"Morgan slow down and start from the beginning. You're going undercover as whom? What do you mean when you said the last time you used this cover?"

"Yes remember when Vivian was going to sell the Norseman and I infiltrated the buyers as Ettore La Barba well I'm doing it again…"

"Beckman's found out about the auction off the dark net. Little Buddy I don't want to scare you but you're going to rubbing shoulders with some of the most ruthless and blood thirsty killers in the world."

"Piece of cake Chuck, it'll be just like Thanksgiving dinner with my mother's relatives from the old country. You should see them dive into a turkey. Believe me it's not a pretty sight."

"The old country? We're not talking about Pasadena here. Morgan you're going to be bidding on something they want and I don't think they appreciate healthy competition. Actually I'm almost sure it won't be healthy and I wouldn't be surprised if some people don't walk away from the auction."

"Well it's going to be hard to walk away because the auction is going to be held on board a cruise ship, the Serenity.

"Who's the Captain? Mal Reynolds," asked Chuck as he smiled. Morgan nodded his head smiling back. "Is Casey going with you? He could be your Jayne Cobb."

"I know he'd be perfect but no he's coming as my man servant 'John' and Alex is coming as my mob boss girlfriend 'Alex'."

"I see you've given a lot of thought into your covers. Morgan listen to me this is not a joke. These people kill people for a living and they're not going to be playing around."

"And what do you think Ettore La Barba does? I'm a merchant of death, a seller of doom. I'm the man who ordered the hit on his own puppy."

"Morgan you don't have a puppy."

"Ah but have you ever ask yourself why." Chuck just shook his head.

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Down on the pier things were moving along for the auction. Hamid was on board with the ship's captain going over the last details. The first officer handed him a list of berthing assignments. The cruise was a trip out into International waters where they could open their casino without having to worry about state or federal regulations with gambling the first day then the auction the next day.

"Why don't we just go out and get this over with," said the Captain. "I don't like having those canisters on my ship."

"No our guests need a day Captain to sort themselves out," said Hamid. "It also gives us a day to vet them to make sure they are who they say they are. The IRA contacted me saying they'd been infiltrated so I don't want to take any chances."

"And what do you want to do if we find people on board who aren't who they say they are," asked the First Mate.

"Captain Bligh I think there's a fine naval tradition that will also give us some sport as well as entertainment called walking the plank," said Hamid as everyone laughed.

"Okay that being said this is the berthing arrangements I've come up with so far," said the First Mate as he laid out the map of the ship pointing out where people and groups were. "I've done like you said separated the Russian bratva people from the Chechens and the Corsican group and the Germans. I've got the Basque separatists separated by themselves and the Chinese, they're here."

"That won't do it's above the laundry. Here you need to switch them with the ETA separatists. They won't care and the last thing we want is to piss off over a billion people. Besides I like good Chinese."

"Okay I'll do that but where do you want to put that Italian guy? What's his name? Ettore La Barba. There's not that much room left."

"Put his group up here close to us," said Hamid. "I want to keep an eye on him. He's a wild card and before he gets any ideas about keeping the price down by eliminated his competition I want to head him off."

"You think he'd do that? Kill off the other bidders before the auction to drive down the price?" said the First Officer as he penned in La Barba.

"The man took out his own puppy or the story goes. But the truth is I think they'll all make a run at each other before the bidding starts and after it is concluded. We're going to be out another day before we pull back in after the auction."

"You did that on purpose, didn't you," said the First Mate. "I see, smart move… you grab the cash from the winner but if he has an accident then you can cash in the money from the runner up too."

"Double the profits, double the fun. I hope none of the winners make it ashore alive," said Hamid. "We'll all be rich and floating in money by the time this is over with."

"Come with me and I'll show you the state of the art surveillance system we've put in," said the Captain. He led Hamid through the ship pointing out the hidden cameras as they made their way up to the bridge then into the control room.

"From here we can monitor all the activity that's happening on board. We've got cameras in every room and in the passageways. There are 360 degree cameras in the different areas of congregation plus I have special ones in the auction room. Watch this," said the Captain. He spotted one of his men sitting down smoking when he was supposed to be working. He pressed a button and the man fell off. They watched as other men went over to him then carried him off.

"Impressive," said Hamid as he smiled. "I guess that proves smoking can be hazardous to your health. I see you've got things well under control so there's no need in me hanging around. I'll go now and be back when we start embarking our first guests."

"There is just one question. What are we going to do with the Consul?" said the Captain. "You don't think he won't catch on to what's really going on or that General either you put on the list? They could be a thorn in our sides."

"My dear Captain Bligh you of all people should know that seafaring is a dangerous profession and not without its risks. Accidents happen all the time at sea and some of them I'm sure are just that. You leave the consul and his guest up to me. You just worry about the rest and soon you'll have more money then you'll know what to do with."

"If you have time we could go to my cabin and have a drink," said the Captain without thinking. "I'm sorry I forgot you don't imbibe."

"Don't worry about it and I would if I had the time but right now I need to get back. I still have to play the overworked and underpaid public employee for another day or so then I can be the king of kings. Naturally that goes for the both of you too of course," said Hamid as he made his way to the hatch.

"Of course," said the First Mate. "Well if you have to go I'll show you the way off the ship. If you'll follow me this way," said the man as he motioned him. The Captain watched the two men leave thinking that there wasn't anything to stop Hamid from eliminating them when this was all over and taking everything for himself. He'd already done it to his other partners why should he or the First Mate think they were any different. No he had to come up with a plan and it didn't necessarily have to include the First Mate.

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Sarah stayed in the hospital finally the doctor came out and told her Carina was all right. He explained that the bullet had lodged in her shoulder but had missed everything vital. However, she would have a nice scar and war story to go along with it to tell everyone but that was about it. The only drawback was the doctor informed her he was going to hold her overnight for observation.

"Well I guess ladies night out is off this time round," said Sarah as she stuck her head in Carina's room. "But we can try again my next swing through."

"I guess you're right but damn the bad luck I wanted to kick your butt in darts," said Carina as she smiled at Sarah. Sarah shook her head back.

"At least like this you'd have an excuse for losing," said Sarah as she pulled up a chair to sit next to her bed. "You and Cole need to get a move on it and decide what you want to do."

"He keeps asking and I keep dragging my feet. I don't know if I'm ready to become you. Just look at you a good husband and kid at home another one on the way but where are at? You're here holding my hand. I don't know if it's just me but something's wrong with this picture."

"You're right but this is our life and it's not easy to let go. I've tried and believe me when I say I've tried but it keeps coming back to grab me. But there's nothing to say you can't have it all. Why should the guys get the option to keep on going out on mission? There's not law that says that and I don't see you at home cleaning and cooking."

"Keep on telling yourself that but I don't know," said Carina as she tried to look at her wound. "I'm not there yet and I'm glad Cole understands."

"I understand what?" said Cole as he walked into her room with Jamil in tow behind him. "I guess this is my fault for leaving you all by yourselves."

"It's no bodies fault," said Sarah. "Crap happens sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. You can't second guess yourself or you won't get anything done. At least we took a lot of bad guys off the street and we recovered the canister of gas. I'd chalk that up as a win for the home team."

"I guess you're right," said Cole as he walked over to the other side of Carina's bed. "I just finished briefing Sir Reginald and he seems to be happy so I guess I should be too. So what shall we have for dinner? Your doctor says your pint is out for tonight something about interactions with your meds. But I'll have one of the guys swing by the Boar's Head and bring us whatever the special is. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me as long as there's no kidney pies or haggis but some bangers and mash with mushy peas would be nice too."

"If that's what my princess wants then that's what she's going to get. I'll make it happen," said Cole as he stepped out to call in their order. Sarah smiled like the Cheshire cat at Carina as Cole stepped out.

"Shut up I don't want to hear a word about going native. When in Rome and all that," said Carina as she tried to sit up. "Besides you don't know what you're missing."

"Let me help you before you pull your stitches out and your doctor yells at me," said Sarah. She went to the foot of the bed and worked the crank to raise the head. "No, I wasn't going to comment about you going native I was going to comment on 'princess'. Somehow I don't see you as the princess type or better more the Fiona type."

"What can I say that's how he sees me and I don't think Chuck sees you any differently just in your condition you look more like Fiona after more than before."

"Well our orders are in," announced Cole as he came back inside. "Oh how rude of me, I'm sorry I forgot to ask you two if you wanted anything?"

"Don't mind us we're going to grab a cab and got to the barge. There's nothing in the pub Jamil can eat and right now I just want to go to sleep. There are things in cans and pasta on board if we get desperate. Jamil, do you know how to cook?"

"No I never learned," said Jamil as he shook his head. "I never had to. At home Noora does all the cooking."

"Why am I not surprised. Come on we need to go or at least I do. Cole call me in the morning before your driver stops by and give me his name along with some details. I'd hate to shoot a MI6 agent before I leave."

"I'll call but I'll give you a lift. I'd hate for you to shoot my guy too. Then Princess when I come back I'll take you home." Sarah smiled at Carina as Cole was talking and Carina responded by giving her the finger. Sarah laughed then she took Jamil and they left.

[A Few Minutes Later on the Quay]

Sarah was tired and all she really wanted was a nice hot shower then bed. She was so tired she didn't notice Jamil was wringing his hands and getting nervous. When they got to the barge she led him on board then took him down below. Her first stop was in the galley.

"Jamil this is a box of pasta. You take a pan," she said as she pulled one out and filled it with water. "You bring this to boil then add a little bit of salt. You throw the pasta in and wait for the water to start boiling again then you time it for the minutes written on the box. See this says twelve minutes. Then you drain off the water and it's ready to eat."

"What do I put with it?" asked Jamil as he studied the box turning it around looking it over carefully. "I don't know if I can do this?"

"I think you can handle this. Here is a can of tomatoes," said Sarah as she sat one out for him. "There's no wine or vinegar with it so it's good to go. Here's some olive oil put it in a sauce pan warm it up then add the tomatoes. There's some dry oregano in the pantry. I realize this is not the greatest but we have to make do."

"No this is fine and I can follow directions but…" said Jamil as he looked around nervously. Sarah finally noticed his anxiety level was high. She naturally attributed it to what had just happened to them.

"What is it? Don't worry you're safe here you can trust me. Once I activate the topside security system there really will be nothing to worry about. If you're wondering where you can sleep there are berths… I mean beds down below aft. Pick any one and that's yours. Mine is up forward where I'm headed to now. There's a computer over there in the living area you can use with skype if you want to call Noora but I recommend keeping it quick and getting some sleep. We're going to get out of here early tomorrow to make Mildenhall and our flight back to L.A."

"Thanks but that's not it either. You're okay with us sleeping together on this barge. Your husband doesn't care if men sleep over?"

"Okay Jamil I understand the cultural difference but we're not sleeping together, sleeping together. You've got your bed and I've got mine. As far as my husband caring… I sleep with three men every night," said Sarah. She saw the surprise on his face. "I sleep with Chuck then I sleep with Mr. Smith and Wesson under my pillow so I hope you don't sleep walk because if you do you'd better make sure you don't go sleep walking up forwards or you might meet Mr. Smith and Wesson's little friends. Goodnight or day or whatever time it is I'm out of here see you tomorrow."

Jamil just shook his head as he watch Sarah disappear forward.