Don't own Chuck

Ricky slipped into the locker room at the hospital where the doctors and staff changed. He grabbed the first white coat he could find that looked like it would fit. Then he looked through some of the lockers until he found a stethoscope he could hang around his neck. He went to the door looked out to make sure the coast was clear then he retreated back inside. He pulled his Glock attached a suppressor, then slipped it in his belt behind his back. On his way out he checked himself one last time in the mirror making sure it wasn't visible and he was good to go.

"Okay you've got this," said Ricky as he looked at himself in the mirror. He left the changing room but quickly noticed all the doctors and nurses had badges pinned to their pockets.

"Doctor," said one of the nurses. "Where's your radiation badge? You'd better not let the head nurse or the hospital administrator catch you without it. You must be new. Didn't they give you one in orientation?"

"Yes but I forgot it at home. I was late for my shift and I ran out the door so it's still on my night stand. I'm new and I didn't want to make a bad impression by being late."

"I understand that but if you get caught they won't be happy with you. Come with me," she said. He started to protest but she stopped him. "Do you want to get fired on your first day at work?"

"No, it's just... well I need to get up to the ward," said Ricky but he quickly found it was useless to argue with the woman.

"You go up on the ward like that you might as well go home and pack. Just follow me and I'll take care of you. After all we're colleagues. She led him to her desk where she pulled out an extra radiation badge from the drawer.

"Don't tell anyone about this. There's no film inside I just keep this here in case I do what you did. You can wear this around tonight and when you get off shift just leave it in my desk drawer here."

"Thanks," said Rick as he shook her hand. "I don't know what I would've done if we hadn't met. I wish there was something I could do for you."

"You can offer me a coffee sometime. My name is Wendy by the way and you are?"

"George, George O'Malley. I'm supposed to pick up my nametag tomorrow," said Ricky noticing she had one and he didn't.

"Boy you must be new. Well, have a good shift I might look you up in the morning for that coffee," said Wendy as she smiled.

"Thanks I'd like that," said Rick as he watched her walk off. "Boy I wish I were a real Doctor now," he said. He went over to the stairs and took them up to Laura's floor. He stepped off as Devon and the four agents got off the elevator and started walking down. Ricky slowed up then ducked back into the bathroom when he saw them go into his target's room.

"Crap I'm going to have to wait," he said to himself as he started reasoning. "I could cowboy it but there are too many of them and I'd most likely get killed. No, you need to wait the boss will just have to understand," said Rick as he peeked back out the door hoping some of the agents would leave.

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The Black Hawk sat down on the hospital roof an E.R. team was there to meet them. Chuck and Sarah got off with Zondra. Chuck told Sheila before he got off that he'd hook up with her later after they got Ettore processed and if she needed a place to crash until Ettore's status could be hashed out she was welcome to their sofa. Sarah being put on the spot reluctantly agreed but she was just happy the mission was over and her Chuck was back.

"Patient is a Caucasian female in her mid-thirties. She's suffering from a single GSW to the right shoulder. I removed the slug but she's lost a lot of blood," said Chuck as he gave the doctor the rest of her vitals as they were wheeling her along.

"Thank you doctor, we'll take it from here" said the E.R. doctor. "Nurse, get the patient into the O.R. and prep her. Let's start getting some blood in her, begin with O negative until we type her. If you want you can scrub in and assist."

"I'm not a doctor but my brother-in-law and my sister are. Devon and Ellie Woodcomb you might know them they used to work here."

"Oh yeah I do... you did this? Well if you want you can go sit in the gallery as I try to save your friend. But you really did this... boy this is some good work," said the doctor as he took a quick peek. "So your Ellie's brother I remember her saying you worked at the Buy More and now you're coming in on a Black Hawk. Well I guess Devon was wrong you're not the loser he thought you were."

"I guess not and I don't know why he'd say that," said Chuck as he smiled watching the doctor and nurses disappear with Zondra. "That was a little hurtful but probably true."

"Chuck, I'm going to go sit in the gallery and watch. Can you go find Devon and ask him to come? I'd like his opinion."

"I'm sorry if I invited Sheila to couch surf at our place. I should've talked this over with your first. I'm sorry I wasn't thinking."

"No you weren't but I get it and I understand. However, she should know I sleep with a loaded pistol under my pillow and sleep walking can be detrimental to her health."

They walked into the hospital together hand in hand then rode the elevator together. Sarah got off at the O.R. Chuck gave her a kiss before she got off then rode the elevator back up to the wards. He walked down to the corridor to where Devon was supposed to be but he noticed there was no guard standing on the door. He thought that was odd considering the value of the asset then he heard the sound of suppressed gunfire. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He pulled his Makarov and pressed his emergency distress beacon on his watch.

Sarah received the alarm on her phone she grabbed her Smith and Wesson and ran out of the gallery heading towards the elevators. As she was waiting her phone rang it was Casey she put in an earbud then got on.

"What's going on? I can't leave you guys alone five seconds before you get into crap. Do I need to get you guys backup?"

"I don't know yet. Chuck went to get Devon who's with that witness for the explosion today. I'm on my way up now to see what's going on. I'll get back to you but you should have the people downtown do a radio check with the men they've posted here to be on the safe side. I'm almost there," said Sarah. However, as the doors opened her heart stopped when she heard gunfire.

[A few minutes before]

"Boss, I don't know if you realize what you're asking me to do. There are five agency men and two doctors inside with her. If I go down now I don't know if I can take them all out before I get the target."

"I don't care just go and take care of this or I'll take care of you. "You've got your orders now carry them out," said Cassius as he hung up

"Geez this isn't going to work but here goes nothing," said Ricky as he took a deep breath then pulled his suppressed piece holding it under a folder he grabbed off Wendy's desk. He left the bathroom and headed down towards the man in black standing outside the door. He could hear male voices talking about something medical inside.

"Excuse me doctor but I'm going to need your name and some ID before I can let you in," said the guard outside the door as he pulled out a clipboard with names.

"Heir Glock and this is my ID," said Ricky as he shot the man at the door then leaped inside dropping the agents before they could react.

"Dude, what've you done?" said Devon as he looked around at the carnage. "What about your oath to do no harm? Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"I think you're getting me confused with a real doctor although if I had listened to my mother... Well anyway hands in the air and move away from the lady. I promise I won't hurt you if you do as I say. I'm sorry lady but your luck has run out."

"Wait I can't let you hurt her," said Devon as he stepped in his way. "She's our patient and we're responsible for her, right Doctor Kildare?"

"You're doing the talking so she's all yours," said the other doctor. "I just met this woman sorry lady nothing personal but that's the way the fortune cookie crumbles."

"What are you talking about?" said Devon as he looked over at the man. "What about your oath? Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"You tried that on him and it didn't get you very far. I hate to tell you but... well I'm afraid you whistling Dixie again."

"Guys, guys I'm not messing around here. My boss wants this lady dead so for me you guys are just collateral. If you don't want to move then I'll just shoot through you."

"I'm not moving," said Devon as he stared down the barrel of Ricky's gun. "But some day you're going to need a doctor and there won't be one."

"Well, have it your way," said Ricky as he raised his Glock. Devon closed his eyes and cringed waiting for the inevitable thinking about Ellie and Clara when he heard a gunshot. Then he opened one eye and felt himself. "Wow I'm still alive."

"Of course you are," said Chuck as he holster his weapon. Then he went around checking the other men. "You guys might want to help me here."

"Hold up there," said Dr. Kildare as raised his hands. He tried to leave only to run into Sarah's Smith & Wesson. "You're looking for the guys inside I think."

"Chuck, are you okay? What happened?" said Sarah as she cleared the room. She grabbed one of the men's radios. "Agent down, agent down request immediate back up," radioed Sarah then she gave their location.

"Chuck, he's dead. You killed him. Not cool Dude not cool."

"And if I hadn't you'd been dead then I'd have to put up with Ellie blaming me so just say thank you and help me out with these guys. Where's your doctor friend that was just standing here?"

"I saw a doctor leave as I was coming in," said Sarah. Then she realized the woman was shaking in bed. "Lady, are you all right?"

"You ask me if I'm all right. Well I'm peachy. Today I went to work got blown up, broke my arm, got a concussion then I just had a man try to shoot me. No, I don't think I'm all right. I'm not all right by a long shot."

"I bet you wished you'd never asked," said Chuck. Sarah put her arm around him and kissed him then removed the pistol from his holster.

"I think we can retire this too," she said as she replaced it with his tranq gun she had in her purse. "Now I've got my Chuck back. I love you."

"I love you too," he said as he put his arm around her and kissed her back.

"Yuck I think I'm going to be sick," said Casey as he came running in with his Sig drawn. "Can't you guys give it a rest or at least leave me someone to shoot." He grabbed another Black Hawk and flew a team in.

"Oh John, you came. I knew you cared. Do you want a hug?"

"Keep it in your pants Bartowski. Now can someone tell me what's going on?"

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Nothing had gone right for Cassius he thought as he boarded his plane for Columbia. But he couldn't worry about that now. He was going into the council meeting with a solid hand. Sure if things had gone his way it would've been a better one but as it was he didn't see how anyone could really oppose him.

"I see," said Cassius as he talked with his office back in L.A. "Is there any way this can come back on me."

"I don't see how," said a voice from his phone. He had the call on speaker so he could drink and talk at the same time.

"I don't see how. However, there's been a slight change to the council meeting agenda. It seems Mr. Big left a will with instructions that it be read at the meeting."

"I don't like this. Is there any way to find out what's in it before I get a bomb dropped on me? Look into it and let me know but make it quick."

"You could try giving a brief eulogy beforehand that would distance yourself from any blame. If you praised him..."

"I could probably explain better why someone would want him dead without someone pointing the finger at me. Okay... right I hear what you're saying. I can do this," said Cassius as he looked up and saw the copilot walking back towards him. "Forget about trying to find out what's in that will I don't think we have time."

"Sir the pilot wanted me to tell we'll be landing soon. If I can take your glass and could you bring your chair up we should be in landing momentarily."

Cassius handed him the glass then raised his table and chair up getting in a landing position. But as he did he was thinking when he became the next Mr. Big he'd have to have his own plane to ferry him around.

Soon he was on the ground and from the airport he got whisked over to the meeting. He walked through the dark smoke filled gambling hall. He knocked on a back door as he looked around making a mental note that this would have to change.

"It's me Cassius," he said at the door then he gave the password and was let in. Everyone seemed to be there. He could tell by their looks he was being sized up so he got himself a drink then decided to take the bull by the horns.

"I guess we're supposed to be patient until this guy comes and reads whatever it is that Mr. Big left for us to hear. But for me I look around this council and I see my countrymen, and friends. I'm sure whoever did this had good reason for doing it," he said. There was a flurry of whispers.

"Let's face it not everyone liked the guy. If you'll listen up I'll give you a few reasons why whoever did this, did it. I swear on my honor that what I'm telling you is true but just listen you don't have to believe me but when I'm done you'll agree with me. First if there's anyone in this council, any dear friend of Mr. Big's, I'd say to him that my friendship for Mr. Big was no less than his. If, then, that friend demands to know why someone would do what they did against Mr. Big, this is my answer: it's not that they liked Mr. Big less, but that they liked this council more," said Cassius. As he was speaking a man came in he didn't know carrying a notebook in his hand but the man just waved for him to continue his speech.

"Would you rather that Mr. Big were living and we would all go to our graves as slaves, or that Mr. Big were dead and we all lived as free men? I'm heartbroken for Mr. Big in that he was good to me. He was good to all of us and we made some good money with him. He was brave. But his was ambitious and for that someone killed him. There are tears for his friendship, joy for his fortune, honor for his bravery, and death for his ambition. Who here is so stupid that he wants to be a slave? If there is anyone let him speak. Who here is so dense that he doesn't want to be a part of our council? If there is they are free to leave. Mr. Big wouldn't have given you that opportunity. I think the man we've been waiting for is here," said Cassius as me motion for the stranger to speak.

"We don't need this guy to speak," said one of Cassius' friends. "I think we all know who put the tyrant to an end and who deserves to lead us."

"Now, now friends this man has come to pay his respects so we should hear him out. There will be time to vote afterwards on who's best suited to lead and if you pick me with a heavy heart I will accept. Now let's listen," said Cassius as he motion the man to come forward and start. The man opened a small notepad looked at then began in a thin voice.

"Thank you Cassius I call you by your first name because I know you so well even if you don't know me. The same way I can call you all friends and countrymen. I ask you to give me your attention. I have come here to bury Julius, not to praise him. Julius, yes that was his name some say the evil that men do is remembered after their deaths, but the good is often buried with them. It might as well be the same with Julius. Cassius told you that Julius was ambitious. If that's true, it's a serious fault, and certainly Julius has paid the price for it. With the permission of Cassius and the others—for Cassius is an honorable man; they are all honorable men—I have come here to speak of Julius the man. He was my friend; he was faithful and just to me. But Cassius says he was ambitious, and Cassius is an honorable man. He brought much wealth and honor to his council. Its very creation was caused by Julius. He wanted us all to share in it. I ask you is this the work of an ambitious man? When anyone of you cried, did not Julius cry with you too? Ambition shouldn't be so soft. Yet Cassius says he was ambitious, and Cassius is an honorable man. You may not know this but I was his silent partner and on a number of occasions I told him we could do better on our own. I offered him a king's ransom three times, but he refused it three times. He said he could not be separated from his friends. Was this ambition? Yet Cassius says he was ambitious. And, no question, Cassius is an honorable man. I am not here to disprove what Cassius has said, but to say what I know. You all were his friend once upon a time, and not without reason. Then what reason holds you back from mourning him now? Have you become brutish beasts and lost your reason! Mourn with me. My heart and my voice is in the coffin there with Julius, and I must pause until it comes back to me."

There was an awkward silence as the man closed his notebook then put it away. The man turned and started to leave.

"Wait," said Cassius as he followed the man out. "I need to speak with you. You said you were his partner."

"Follow me to my car and we can talk," said the man. "I have to run and we can talk on the way. You're wondering why you haven't hear about me until now."

"Well yes but more I'm wondering what your position is going to be on the council now that Mr. Big is no longer around. Are you going to vote and who are you going to support?"

"I will continue to support who I've always supported, me. And who says Mr. Big isn't around," said the man as a loud explosion took place behind them. "I guess they found the humidor. You asked about my place on the council? I counter with what council? Oh if I were you I'd find a hole to hide in. I warned some of the members that you'd be trying to take them out so they left before the blast. I liked your little speech by the way I couldn't have nailed your coffin closed any better."

"But why? Why did you kill off Mr. Big... I mean Julius? He was your man, your friend after all. I don't understand."

"He was fixated on getting his brother then you followed him down that rabbit hole. It was only a matter of time before all roads led to Rome and that would bring the authorities to me. Besides I'm tired of keeping my head down, but don't worry you'll get used to it. I hear they're opening a Buy More in Havana you might try there."

"Who are you?" asked Cassius. He was dumbfounded. He'd been played like a violin and there was nothing he could do about it now.

"You can call me Mr. Big and now I really have to go. Have a wonderful life... whatever's left of it."

"I ought to shoot you right here," said Cassius as he reached inside his jacket but when he did red dots appear on him from all around.

"You could try but your short life expectancy would get even shorter. Like I said before, good bye."

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[Three days later at the airport]

Sheila along with men the General sent escorted Ettore to the airport at LAX where she was met by a colleague who flew in to pick him up on chartered flight. She was surprised to see who came to meet her there standing in front of her was Hector.

"They sent you? I thought you were still in Bogotá," said Sheila as she turned her prisoner over to him handing him a clipboard with paperwork to sign. "How'd you get roped into this?"

"You weren't the only one to get a change of jobs," said Hector as he motioned for the men with him to escort Ettore out to the aircraft. He shook her hand then handed her back the clipboard. She waved then watched his plane roll out before taking off.

"Here, this is for your files," said Sheila as she handed the clipboard back to the man standing next to her. He looked at it with a perplexed look. "What's the matter?"

"Did you see this signature?" he said as he showed it to her. "Your guy signed this Mr. Big. What's up with that?"

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Chuck and Sarah paid Zondra a visit in the hospital with Sam. Sam wore her white coat and was armed with her stethoscope she had around her neck. The first thing she did was to pull Zondra's chart from the foot of her bed and looked it over then made a face as she pretended to read it.

"So what's the verdict am I going to survive," said Zondra trying to hold a straight face. But it was too much when Sam put her glasses on.

"So colleague what is your diagnosis and treatment," asked Devon as he walked in behind her. She smiled at him as she handed him Zondra's chart.

"She needs some medicine," said Sam as she pulled out her PEZ candy dispenser holding it up for him to see. He nodded and waved for her to proceed.

"Oh I like this medicine," said Zondra as she held out her good hand and Sam gave her some. "So Chuck what's going on with Ettore?"

"The General is turning him over to Interpol as we speak. Sheila is escorting him to the airport where another agent is going to fly back to Rome with him."

"So when's our next mission," said Zondra. Chuck couldn't figure out if she was joking or not but he shook his head.

"I'm going to tell you what I told Beckman I'm done until after Stephy B. Bartowski is born."

"The B stands for Bunny," whispered Sam. "That was my idea."

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Continued in Chuck vs Bunny