Don't own Chuck
Sarah had waited long enough. Both Anatoly and Stefan were right she couldn't avoid talking to Chuck just because she knew he'd be angry with her. But angry was a big word. Chuck was never really angry with her. Cross yes but angry not even when he ought to be. That was one of the things that made her love him. He was never judgmental with her even when he had a right to be. She turned the phone on and there were almost fifty missed phone calls. She didn't have to wait long for the phone to ring.
Casey was driving full speed up the I-5 as fast as he could trying to get back to Burbank before Jasmine turned herself in when Chuck got notified that the party he'd been trying to contact was now available. Chuck started dialing.
"Put that call on speaker I have a few choice words to say to her," said Casey as he swerved past slow motorists weaving in and out of traffic. "Get out of my way. Can't you see my flashing lights? Idiots every one of you how may box tops did it take to get your licenses!"
"Chuck, before you say anything," said Sarah. She had a whole speech rehearsed that now went out the window. "I know you're probably mad at me. But there wasn't anything I could do. I saw your mother in the photo and..."
"And you abandon your station," yelled Casey. "You left Alex and Morgan high and dry to bring in a wanted fugitive, Jasmine. What were you thinking? I know where your head was at..."
"John, please moderate your language. This is still Sarah and my wife you're talking about. As you can tell John isn't very happy with you and he's not wrong. What you don't know is there's a wet team gunning for Jasmine and one of the last things Ettore told me was they were close to grabbing her."
"Oh I didn't know that. But Alex has been trained well and despite Morgan she should be able to handle herself. How far out are you from the Buy More?"
"Not that far now and I gave them a heads up but you should've really waited for me," said Chuck. "I want to be angry with you but I can't. I realize why you went, I do. You went for me so how can I be angry with you. Just promise me you'll be careful. You know if my mother is involved up there something isn't right."
"I had to go because one of the stipulations Igor put on the agreement was that we depart ASAP. There just wasn't any time to wait for you to get back. I love you and take care of everyone until I get back."
"Listen, I don't pretend to know what's going on up there. However, a plane crashed there then there's this crippled sub and if you add to that equation my mother... all that adds up to trouble with a capital 'T'. Please be careful and I mean it. Don't take any risks for her."
"Chuck," said Imma from the back as she interrupted. "Do me a favor ask Sarah to ask Stefan or Anatoly what I'm supposed to do now?"
"I heard that. One second I need to go get one of them up here. They're still looking over the recon photos looking for a good drop sight," said Sarah. She left for a few minutes then Stefan came on the line.
"Captain Stanasolovski you asked that you need to do well I don't know. Since you were added to our team for a specific secret mission that neither of us was were made aware of you should contact the person who sent you for further instructions. That would be the director I guess. You could assist the GRU that are working in the basement of the consulate if you're looking for work to do. But first I would call the director or your boss and get marching orders from them."
"Stefan, I don't have to tell you and Anatoly to watch out for Sarah, do I? Stefan I'm not dumb I know there's more going on with this mission than you guys are letting on. I just hope you know what you're getting yourselves and Sarah into."
Suddenly the line dropped and Chuck was left with static. They were no longer near any cell towers to pick up reception. They were in a dead zone.
[Meanwhile in the cockpit]
While Sarah was talking with Chuck and as soon as Anatoly and Stefan went to be with her the Load Master went forwards into the cockpit. Once inside he closed the door behind him and locked it. The three men talked over their approach and how they were going to accomplish their new mission. The Load Master had his own recon photos he'd taken of the Russians and now they were looking over their destination searching for what they needed.
"I wish I knew how thick the ice was," said the pilot. "If we come in someplace where it's thin we risk breaking through and this thing isn't exactly light."
"I know. Sergeant is there any way we can get a signal to our people on the ground to mark off a landing field?"
"I don't know I'll try to type out a coded message and see if I can get through. But the bottom line is you guys are going to have to bring this bird down. What do we do with our passengers in the back? Do we go ahead and let them jump then have our ground people pick them up? Naturally, only after they've had a horrible parachuting accident."
"That sounds interesting but what happens if one of them survives then they become a pain for us while we're on deck."
"No I was thinking more close to the target site we're going to have engine problems which is going to make it necessary for us to set down. Our friends come on board escort the people in the back out behind a snowbank then tap them. I don't want to spend too much time on deck so I want the plane loaded as quickly as we can then we're out of there."
"That will work for me too," said the Sergeant. "As far as loading quickly it depends if they've got everything palletized or not. If they do our turnaround time will be quick if not I'm going to need some time putting everything on pallets. The last thing you want is for the cargo to start shifting around especially at takeoff or landing."
"No you're right we don't. Okay take your time make sure it's done the right way but the longer we're on the deck the more likely well be seen then we'll have to justify why we sat down."
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Big Mike was coming back into the Buy More after his extended break chomping on a double chocolate macadamia nut cookie he got from Subway. He was happy because in a half an hour he'd be on his lunch break and he was meeting Morgan's mother. He was singing in his head "afternoon delight," as he headed back to work eating his cookie.
"Got to keep up the strength," said Big Mike. "I need to go check in on Morgan. Nothing can kill the mood like an idiot relative getting taken to the emergency room." Just ahead of him he saw a group of unsavory men walking into the store. He got up close enough to hear them talk and he heard one of them mention Jasmine.
"Oh crap I told the boy not to bring that woman here," said Big Mike. "Son, what have you gotten yourself mixed up in." Big Mike surveyed the store until he spotted Morgan walking over to the breakroom so he went to intercept him.
"Big Mike not now, this isn't a good time," said Morgan seeing Big Mike coming up too him. "You aren't just now getting back from your break are you?" he said as he looked at his watch. You're supposed to go on a lunch break in half an hour."
"Who me? Just getting back no... I just grabbed a cookie you know to maintain strength. I'm supposed to meet your momma for lunch and well I might be a little late coming back so if I were you I won't drop by because you might hear those cats fighting again."
"Geez, why do you tell me these things? I'm never going to get that picture out of my head. You know I'm busy I don't have time for this."
"Son, we need to talk," said Big Mike as he looked back around at the men taking up position inside the store.
"And what are we doing now? Unless you want to call this torture and if that's the case I have to point out that torture is considered inhuman under the Geneva convent."
"What? No... oh Morgan I don't know how to tell you this but if I were you I'd duck out the back before I got my butt kicked."
"What are you talking about? I told you Jasmine and Alex are getting along like to civilized adults. They're in my office talking now. Crap look over there, that's Skip and Fernando trying to listen in at the door," said Morgan. Suddenly Alex opened the door catching both in the face knocking them to backwards to the floor. "I swear one of these days those boys are going to be the death of me."
"Not if Jasmine's boyfriend doesn't get you first," said Big Mike. "I don't know maybe he's her brother but that boy is here with friends and they're looking to give someone a spanking. Look over there," said Big Mike as he pointed them out for Morgan.
"What are you talking about boyfriend or bother," said Morgan as he looked at the men Big Mike pointed out. "Morgan saw the weapons hidden under their jacket. "Crap you're right... what to do... what to do?"
"Go out the back then disappear from the loading dock. I'll cover for you here telling everyone you had to run to the hospital because your allergies started acting up."
Allegies? What allergies?"
"Your allergy to getting your butt whipped."
"Big Mike, pineapple. Get everyone out of the store now and I'll handle them," said Morgan. "Don't worry I got this."
"Son, you're either the most courageous person I know or the most stupid. You know who you need right now? You need your future father-in-law, John Casey. I bet he could chew them up and spit them out."
"Well John's not here and neither is Chuck so it's just yours truly," said Morgan. He needed to get away from Big Mike so he could get to Castle. From there he might be able to put the place in lock down.
"Chuck? What's Chuck going to do? He might tire them out after they beat on him for a while but take my word for it you need John Casey."
"Don't sell Chuck short. He'll surprise you. Now go get the idiot brothers then pull the fire alarm. We need to get all these people out of here before someone gets hurt."
"This should serve you as a warning. This is what you get for going around smelling the Jasmine in other people's garden."
Morgan didn't know how to answer that one.
[Outside the manager's office]
Mr. Perkins got his men in position then he went over to the Manager's office with a couple of his men. Big Mike ran over and grabbed Skip and Fernando by the ear then led them away as the three men walked up to the door. Mr. Perkins waited for the three men to disappear then he looked around nodded to his man. They erupted together only to find the office empty.
"I thought you said she was in here?" said Perkins as he turned back to his man who had been standing lookout.
"I don't understand I saw her go in here and she hasn't left," said the man as he went around on the other side of the desk opening the drawers.
"Yeah like she's going to be hiding in there," said Perkins. "I guess we all can make mistakes. We need to find out where she went. You two round up some of the employees and question them."
"Mr. Perkins I'm glad you're not angry with me. You're right we all can make mistakes. I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted," he said as he raised his weapon then capped the man right there in Morgan's office. "Now if no one else wants to join him let's find this woman and those ledgers." As they were talking the fire alarm went off and people began running out the door. "Crap, find me the store manager then grab that big guy and the two idiots that were outside the door now."
[Shortly before]
Morgan ran down to Castle where he called Alex up on the phone and explained the situation. He monitored from below that was when he knew he had to get them out. He watched the wet team converge on his office so he had Alex and Jasmine sit in his chair then he brought them down below in the chute.
"That was a thrill can we do that again?" said Jasmine as she got up. "Next time you can sit on my lap and tell me what you want for Christmas."
"Very amusing," said Alex as her trigger finger started to itch. "I've got other ideas what to do for fun but they all involve target practice. Morgan, what's the problem."
"Look for yourselves. Jasmine are these your friends looking for you," said Morgan as he brought them up on the monitor.
"Those are Ettore's henchmen. They must be dedicated to their work if they're still after me or... oh Mr. Big has taken up the hunt. Well they aren't my problem anymore. You've got the ledgers so I'm ready for WITSEC."
"Hey wait a minute you just waltz in here bring your goons in after you then wash your hands of the whole thing. Then what? Waltz in like a warm summer breeze."
"Yeah in a nutshell that's it. Call the Marshals and tell them I'm ready. I was thinking about starting WITSEC at Palm Springs then kicking it up this summer and heading out for the French Rivera. Nice is nice then and then there's always Monti Carlo."
"Monti Carlo? What are you talking about this is as much your problem as it is ours," said Morgan as he watched Perkins start to round up everyone. Morgan did the only thing he could think of doing he called Chuck.
"Morgan what is it little buddy? Casey's playing death race to get us back. I'm not sure how many points little old ladies give you but John's racking up the points here."
"That's good… I mean no that's not… oh just get your butts back here on the double. Jasmine's friends just walked through the front door and are rounding up people as we speak… Oh no! They just got Big Mike. What is he going to do if they make him go on a diet? No, he's family I can't let anything happen to him. My mother will kill me if I do," said Morgan. I've got an idea but you need to get back here are quickly as you can."
"Morgan just stay put and don't do anything stupid," said Chuck. "Just hold on. We'll be there soon. You can count on us."
"I know I can Chuck but like I said he's family."
[In the breakroom]
The gunmen herded everyone in then made them sit at the table. Big Mike looked around for something to grab. If he was going down he was going down swinging. Skip and Fernando sat on the other side from him and they were quaking in their boots if they had them. Big Mike signaled for them to keep calm.
"That's everyone left in the store," said the one goon to Mr. Perkins. "We searched everywhere. Jasmine isn't here."
"How's that possible? If that idiot lookout were still alive I'd shoot him again," said Perkins as he stepped out for a moment.
"Your buddy Morgan abandoned us here. What's the rule the manager always goes down with his store. Your son's a coward," said Skip then he continued on. "Morgan's got a wide yellow streak running up the middle of his back."
"It's not his fault I warned him to run and I guess he did with both his women. Don't worry when Jasmine's boyfriend figures out she isn't here he'll leave. You just got to be patient…"
"Hey what's this who gave you permission to talk? Okay I'm willing to bet there's some hidden place around here where your manager and Jasmine are holed up and I want to know where that is or I start shooting. Who'll be the first one to die? I bet once I shoot one of you the rest of you will get all chatty."
"Listen son, I know what it's like to love someone and they not love you back. It can make you do silly things... crazy things even but if you just step back and take a deep breath you'll see this isn't the answer."
"So we have a volunteer to be the first one to die. Do we have any other volunteers?" asked Mr. Perkins there was a silence that fell over the room. "I guess not so too bad fatso it looks like you're up next."
"Hey who are you calling fatso? I have a mind to put you over my knee and give you a spanking which is what your momma ought to have done. Actually no I take that back... I ought to spank her for raising a kid like you. So what do you think about those pineapples?"
"I think I've put up with your mouth long enough and it's about time for you to die," said Mr. Perkins as he nodded to the man behind Big Mike.
"Hold that thought," said Morgan as he walked into the breakroom. "I've got what you want. Let's make a deal. I'll give it to you but first you're going to have to give me something. I want you to let these people go."
"I thought you said you checked everywhere? Go check again," said Mr. Perkins then he turned back to Morgan. "What is it you think you have that I would be willing to negotiate for?"
"How about your love letters? Everything there is in black and white" said Morgan as he tossed Perkins a few pages he ripped out of Jasmine's ledgers. "A little careless letting that lay around don't you think?"
"What's to keep me from beating it out of you? Or even better maybe I'll just gut shoot you and watch you suffer until you tell me where I can find the rest of this."
"You could try but before you get any ideas by now the police have been alerted and are on their way. So you need to get this over with as quickly as you can. All I have to do is hold out for a little while then what happens to you? Do you want to go back empty handed? All you have to do is let everyone go and I'll stay here with you."
"You bet you will," said Mr. Perkins as he thought over the deal. Morgan could tell he had him. He just had to reel him in.
"Morgan you're my hero," said Skip as he gave him the thumbs up. "I'm putting your poster up on my wall next to babes from Baywatch."
"That wasn't what you said a little while ago," said Fernando. Skip put his hand over Fernando's mouth.
"Don't pay an attention to him. He misheard me. I said that Morgan hasn't got a yellow bone in his body. Maybe if you washed your ears every now and then you could hear. Ouch! You bit me."
"I can hear just fine," said Fernando after he clamped down on Skip's hand. "And that's what you deserve. I bet you won't put that paw over my mouth again. Who knows what you've done with it."
"Just look at that you drew blood. I can't believe you. I'm going to need a rabies shot or I cut your head off and take it to a vet."
"I'm about to draw more if you two don't pipe down," said Perkins as he pressed his gun barrel next to Ferdinando's head. "I'd shoot you in the head but it's probably one of the least used organs you've got."
"I think you were just insulted," said Skip. "You know you just came in here and although you might be mad at Morgan it doesn't give you the right..."
"What part of shut up don't you two get," said Perkins as he put the barrel in Skip's mouth. "I think this gives me the right. Okay all of you clear out of here. Go and don't look back or risk taking a round. You, Mr. Manager, I want the rest of this and I don't want excuses or you're dead and that you can take to the bank. But you can't because we killed everyone there. Now let's move it."
"Sure just don't get pushy. What you want is in my office," said Morgan. "Just follow me this way."
They walked out of the breakroom across the store to the manager's office. Morgan opened the door and sitting behind Morgan's desk was Chuck.
"What's this? I know you. You were supposed to meet Ettore. Did you change your plans?"
"We need to talk," said Chuck.