Don't own Chuck

Not far away Natasha and Nigel were getting ready for bed. Nigel called sleeping at the farmhouse roughing it but Natasha reminded him he had to put up with it just for a little while. When this was over he'd have a palace filled with serfs and courtesans to take care of his needs and whims.

"It's good to be the king," he said to himself in the mirror. The reflection smiled back at him and nodded. "Soon… very soon."

"Augh," said Natasha as she took off her blouse and started to change her bandage. "Love, can you give me a little help. It's difficult to do this with one hand."

"Sure, my darling," he said as he removed the bandage then took the disinfectant and squirted in on the wound both front and back. As he did he held a sterile gauze underneath so the disinfectant wouldn't stain her clothes.

"Thank you love. I can't wait for this thing to heal. It's getting in the way of me being able to move my arm and when I forget it lets me know in a hurry that it's still there."

"I'm sorry I wish there was something else I could do for you," he said as he leaned over and kissed. Then brushed the hair back out of her face. "Don't worry this will be over soon. We just need to do this right and you'll be living in a castle with maids to wait on you."

"I was just getting used to Godfrey now you want to bring in other people," said Natasha as she kissed him back. "You know you've got another problem."

"I know I do but like you said we need him. At least for now we need Billy Bob but soon he'll out live his usefulness."

"He is a loose end but then what are you going to do? Are you going to take care of him yourself? That could look a little ungrateful considering everything he's done for you."

"You mean like bringing MI6 to our front door but don't worry I thought about what you said too. However, in the end his own people will have him taken care of. I wonder what this brotherhood does to their own people who betray it?"

"Oh, you know it's got to be good whatever they do. Ouch!" said Natasha as he put her new bandage on then started to secure it.

"Sorry, I had to move some of the tape. I'm almost done then we can call it a night and get some sleep finally. Have I told you that you look ravishing this evening?"

"No, but don't let me stop you," she said then she kisses him and as they were kissing there was a knock at the door. "You should go see who that is it might be important."

"I'll be right back keep my page marked so we can start again where we left off," said Nigel as he gave her a quick kiss then went to the door. He opened it up and there stood Major Moore.

"Unless it is earth shaking can't it wait until the morning? We were just about to go to bed," said Nigel but the Major just held open his hand. In it was a small object that looked like a watch battery just a little larger.

"Sorry about the timing but I thought you'd want to see this. It's a tracking device I found on one of the Nissans under the front bumper. I asked the guys who came in on it from the airport and they said there was this nutjob in the airport garage who fell down in front of them."

"They should've run over him. So this is how Cole found us?" said Nigel. Natasha must've heard because she came out of the bathroom with an evening gown on with a sweater on the top.

"So, you found it," Natasha as she came over to take a look at it too. "Are you sure it's not a bug and they're not listening to us right now?"

"No, this isn't a listening device it's a GLG-4000 tracker but the odd thing is it's not from Q Branch. This is a small, exceptionally powerful tracking device designed specifically by the company for use in the mountainous, cave-riddled border regions of Afghanistan. It takes about six feet of solid steel to dampen the signal."

"We definitely need to clear out of here now. However, I need to do that teleconference tomorrow first."

"I've already split the men and sent half over to the new location. We can move the other half tomorrow whenever you want to go. I just got an idea we can use this tracker to our advantage."

"I'm all ears," said Nigel as he smiled. "I think I'm going to like what I'm going to hear."

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Chuck and Sarah got ready for bed but Sarah was still going on about how bullheaded Carina was and how she wouldn't listen to reason. Chuck listened and agreed with some of what Sarah said but he mainly tried to stay with head nodding. It was the safest course of action he thought given the circumstances.

"You know what the worst thing is," she said but before he could ask what she told him. "Carina's probably right now telling Cole that this is all my fault… that I've blown this all out of proportion."

"You mean like you're doing right now with me," he said but as the words came out he knew he should've stayed his previous course of action.

"What do you mean? Do you think I'm exaggerating like she's accused me of doing? I'm not the one who pretended to be me."

"No, you didn't because if you did you would be you," he said again not helping his situation. "I'm just saying you can't pretend to be yourself now can you."

"You're missing the point all together. She shouldn't have pretended to be me in the first place that way at the poker party… well things would've been different."

"Hold on a minute, different in what way? She thought they were going to eliminate them but they didn't. If you'd been there they might've just gone ahead and tried it."

"Tried is right because I won't go down that easily. I don't know who these jokers are but they don't know me or what I'm capable of."

"No, now you're missing the point. Love, you could've been hurt that I won't let happen. Carina might've been wrong to take your place but I'm not sorry she did."

"But this is our mission and with each mission there is a certain amount of risk. I know you don't like it and I wouldn't like it if our roles were reversed but it will happen."

"I'd prefer not to think about that right now. Can I say something without you getting angry with me or upset? Can you promise me that?"

"I never get angry with you… maybe upset and occasionally maybe a little ticked off but I don't think I get angry and if I do it's never for long."

"I guess that will have to do as an answer. Well here it goes," said Chuck as took a deep breath first. "You know Morgan is my best friend."

"Yes of course I know he's your best friend," said Sarah wondering where all this was going to lead to as she spread cream on her face.

"You know, you say that, but I don't think you have a clue what it means. Look, Sarah you know what happened with my parents. I grew up basically without them. And I don't talk about it because that's just the way that things were. Morgan was there the first day that my mom took off. He didn't say much because, honestly, what is a fifth grader supposed to say? But we sat there and split a cherry cheesecake and played Legend of Zelda all night long. And my dad, Morgan was there for that, too. Morgan is more than just my best friend. He's my family."

"You've told me this all before and I apologized. I told you I could've been more sensitive about your friendship with Morgan and I have been trying. I explained that it was difficult, that I didn't really have anyone in my life like that, who cared about me.

"Then I told you yeah, you do and you will always have someone in me but you also had someone then… Carina. Look friendships are strange animals. Morgan is a pain sometimes in my backside but he's always been there for me when I needed him. I think if you look back you'll find Carina is the same for you."

"Yes, Carina is my friend… my best friend and okay she is a pain sometimes but lately it's as if she's trying to deliberately push me away. I don't understand her anymore."

"You don't, are you sure? When Morgan acts up it's usually because I've ignored him for a while or he has something he wants to tell me and doesn't know how to so he acts out."

"Sounds more like you're talking about a puppy and speaking about puppies I told Sam she needed to wait until she was old so she'd know how to take care of it."

"Good to know I told her basically the same thing but let's not get off topic. We're talking about you and Carina not Sam and her future pet."

"So what do you think I ought to do," said Sarah as she climbed into bed. "You're the one with the intersect on how to deal with friendships."

"I don't know maybe you should just get her alone and ask her what her problem is. You don't want to do it when other people are around or she'll go on the defensive and it will be worse than what you have now."

"Okay so I get her by herself and ask her what her problem is? And you think that will solve everything? I don't know about this. I'm not sure it will work… I know you like to talk about everything but Carina and I aren't that way."

"Well, first of all, I wouldn't start with saying to her what's your problem. I would ease into it by saying something like, 'I've noticed lately that you seem to be upset with me over something. If I've done something to offend you I'm sorry and if you'll tell me what it is I can make sure I don't do it again.'"

"I don't know Carina isn't the kind of person to beat around the bush. She's more of the go straight for the throat type of girl and take no prisoners. That's what got her in trouble in Pakistan…"

"Now that's another thing that you might not want to bring up. Carina might be tired of that always being brought up. Let's face it, it wasn't her finest moment. You wouldn't like if I constantly brought up the fact that you walked out on me…"

"But that was because I couldn't remember… it wasn't my fault. You told me you forgave me for that," said Sarah as she went on the defensive.

"See that's the type of reaction Carina has when you bring it up. Why don't you shelve it away in the archives of bygone days and build new memories together? You know another source of anxiety for her could be her upcoming marriage to Cole and how everything is going to change for her."

"Oh and I did bring that up when we were arguing… I really shouldn't have but she got me so angry. She so good at pushing my buttons."

"But it's still no excuse for attacking her on that and you know it. What she and Cole have is for them to figure out. If they want to wait until both are in a nursing home to get married, then that's up to them. If she marries Cole will the DEA let her stay on? She'll still be married to a foreign spy. The reverse is true too how will MI6 feel about Cole marrying Carina."

"I hadn't thought about it, but we're both on the same side."

"Now that sounds like something I would've said but you as well as I know that flags change direction with the wind and even in the same agency pawns are sacrificed for the sake of the nation."

"Or the agency they're working for. I know that all too well but how is all this going to help me with Carina?"

"I think you can figure it out now," he said as he rolled over and kissed her then reached over and turned off the light.

"This is it? I was expecting more," said Sarah in the dark. "Chuck, I thought you'd shower me with... I don't know advice. Chuck? Sweetie?" But all she heard back was a low snore. Chuck was fast asleep.

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Sam was up at first light. She climbed out of bed quietly so as not to wake up her parents. She quickly changed out of her pajama and into the same clothes she had on the day before. Then she headed for the hallway and went down to Alicia's room where she knocked lightly on the door. Alicia came out and they both ran down the stairs. Sam ran into the kitchen.

"Hey what are you doing with those biscuits I just bake," said Willy but she was gone before he could protest too much. She grabbed four or five biscuits stuffed them in her pocket then ran out.

"I got what we need," yelled Sam as they went out the door. There lying in the yard between the house and the barn was Boss. He raised his head and his eyes glistened when he heard the girls come outside.

"Are you sure he's safe," said Alicia. She'd never been near anything like a coyote even if he was half dog. She hoped the important part was dog.

"Oh, come on he's fine. Just watch me," said Sam as she held out a biscuit for him. He crept up slowly then cautiously took the biscuit from her hand. Once he got it he retreated then ate it and after he finished it he came back for more.

"Are we still hungry," asked Sam. She was going to pull another one from her pocket but he jumped on her knocked her backwards then licked her in the face. She tried to push him away but as she did he stole one out of her pocket. Alicia started laughing.

"That's not playing fair," said Sam as she got him. He looked at her then lowered his head as if he was sorry. "Okay I forgive you. Here have another one," she said as she tossed him another biscuit. His tail was wagging beating Sam as he ran around her and she laughed.

"Can I give him one," asked Alicia as she gathered courage coming down near Sam and patted Boss. He licked her back.

"Reach into my pocket and take one. If I pull it out he's liable to take it from me before I can give it to you." So Alicia did as Sam told her she reaching in she took out a biscuit then held it out for Boss. He stopped sat with his tail wagging behind him then waited for her to give it to him.

"Nice boy," said Alicia as she petted him. "There you go."

"Boy, he's eating up the attention," said Roscoe as he came out with biscuits and a cup of coffee in his hand. "I think he's eaten enough and if you girls keep this up we won't have enough for the two legged animals around here."

They laughed and played with Boss until they heard people stirring around inside the house. Alicia had to go because they had to get Lord Nelson in the horse trailer to take to the track which gave Sam an opportunity to try to make friends with Sir Winston. However, she was keeping her that plan close to heart unless Sarah object.

"There you are," said Sarah as she came down from their room in a housecoat. "I thought I might find you out here. Is this your friend Boss?"

"Yes, see how nice he is," she said as she rubbed him on the head. He turned and licked her making her laugh. "I know what you're going to say wild animals belong in the wild but he's only half wild."

"It doesn't matter his home is here. There's probably a Mrs. Boss somewhere along with baby Bosses that need their father."

"I guess you're right… I wish you weren't but you are. Boss, I need to go inside now and eat my breakfast. Maybe we can play some more later?" Boss barked back at her as if he understood what she said.

"Come on we need to wash those hands before you touch anything."

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Sean woke up slowly rolling over in his rack. The sun seemed especially bright shining in on his face and into his eyes. Everything hurt on him even his eyes. He sat up for a bit on his rack as the room spun around him then it hit him he was supposed to ride today. Morgan walked over and handed him a cup of coffee that he threw down. It was probably the worst tasting coffee he'd ever had but he needed something to wash the medicine taste out of his mouth.

"Can I have another cup? My mouth tastes like sandpaper. What did I do last night? I didn't think I drank that much when I was out."

"It slips up on you sometimes," said Morgan as he looked over at Casey who just grunted. "You need to get yourself together. They're getting the horse loaded up in the trailer. We're supposed to give you a ride over to the track."

"Good… good just give me a moment to get myself together. Do you have any of those American scone things? I need to put something in my stomach that won't taste terrible the second time around."

"I guess you shouldn't have gone out the night before you're supposed to mount up," said Casey as he passed him a plate of biscuits.

"I don't remember drinking that much just a couple of pints then coming back here but everything after that is kind of blurry."

"That's because you hit the sauce here when you came back. That wasn't a smart decision. But I guess that's what happens to people in love. They do stupid things. Don't tell me you forgot what you asked us to do for you."

"I asked you to do something? I'm sorry but I don't remember any of this. I made you guys promise what?"

"Yeah, he made us promise what?" said Morgan. Casey gave him the look of death then smacked him on the back of the head. "Ouch! Oh, right that promise… how could I forget."

"Yes, how could you," said John. "You made us promise to never leave you alone again and that no matter where you went one of us has to come with you. Does that sound familiar?"

"I have to say it does sound familiar but I don't remember me saying it. Well, I made you make that promise while I was drunk so I can't really hold you to it."

"No, you might not but a promise is a promise and you have to keep your promises or what kind of man are you? You're only as good as your word."

"But… but I don't… how to say this without offending you. Look there are certain situations where three is a crowd if you get what I mean?"

"No, sorry," said Casey as he looked over at Morgan who shook his head too. "You've kind of lost us on that analogy but don't worry about it. We made the promise so we'll keep it. Don't worry about thing now let's get ready and go. We wouldn't want to keep Lord Nelson waiting."

"But I've got a date after the workout with the woman I met on the plane, Gladys. We're going to eat in the clubhouse."

"No problem we can come along and be with you in the dining room. We don't have to eat at the same table with you and your girlfriend we just need to keep you in sight."

"It's too early to call her my girlfriend," said Sean as he turned over in his head everything that Casey was telling him and not everything sounded true.

"Well she is a girl and she's your friend so that would make her your girlfriend," said Morgan. Sean scratched his head and thought.

"I guess you're right so let me get ready. I'm going to need to shave and take a quick shower then we can go," he said but as he was talking his phone rang. He looked at the number and smiled as Casey rolled his eyes. He'd guessed who was on the other end.

"Hey, I hope you aren't calling to cancel? I'm almost out the door to run over to the race track. … Good, I'll look for you up in the grandstand. … Me too, I'll look for you after the workout," said Sean then he turned to Morgan and Casey. "Do you mind giving me a moment here? I need a little privacy."

"Come on John we can wait outside the door," said Morgan as he went to the door. "It's not like he can go anywhere without us."

"No, I can't put you people out. You can wait in here and I'll step outside. How about putting another pot of coffee on? I'll be right back inside," said Sean.

"Just make it quick or we'll be late," said John. Sean left quickly closing the door behind him. "I bet he's outside now slobbering all over his phone. Remind me never to use it. The thing is probably covered in germs." As Casey was going off on Sean and his situation the door opened to the bunkroom and Chuck walked in.

"He, I just dropped in to see what was the matter. I thought you guys were supposed to go with the guys to the track to keep an eye on them."

"There's nothing the matter we're waiting for lover boy Sean to come back in and get ready so we can go to the track," said Casey. "Wait you didn't see him? He's just outside."

"I did see him. I saw him driving off in Joe's junker that's why I stopped by to see what was up. Oh, don't tell me he gave you the slip. Come on we still have the Discovery we can take and catch up with him," said Chuck as he laughed and continued laughing all the way over to shed. Only to find that the vehicle had two flat tires and in one was the tranq dart Casey had used on Sean.

"You know what they say about payback Casey," said Morgan. "Payback is a…"

"Do you want to die right now," said Casey. "I'm so going to kill him. I don't care if we need him or not Sean's so dead."