Don't own Chuck
When Major Moore returned it was late and just about everyone was tucked away in their beds. Nigel was fast asleep dreaming about his future kingdom and visions of sugar plums dancing in his head. Meanwhile Natasha was up wandering around on the terrace looking over the lawn with the moon and stars looking down on her.
"What are you still doing up," said the Major. He noticed the window open so he came out to see who was still up.
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up and walk around. How'd things go over at the other farm? Did you find out anything conclusive?"
"No, not really but I brought the tire back with me so I can get a better look at it during the day. I have to admit I might be bias in thinking that it was a possible incursion."
"Oh really and why is that," said Natasha as she rubbed her shoulders as a night chill started to set in.
"Here take my jacket," said the Major offering it to her. "I might be bias because I used this same trick to eliminate an apartheid leader. He liked to drive fast… too fast so I waited for him to cross this bridge. I took out his front left tire causing him to lose control. He went over the side and into the river never to come up again."
"I think I remember that. The police wrote it off as an accident if I remember correctly. But now you're saying it wasn't?"
"I made sure to make it look like the tire blew out and everyone knew how fast he drove so the police naturally added one and one then came up with an accident."
"So you think we've got a copying cat working here," she said. The jacket made staying outside pleasant.
"Like I said I don't know but it does seem that way. How is your shoulder healing? I never did get to tell you how sorry I am for getting you shot."
"It's healing fine and there are times I completely forget about it. But don't apologize things like this happens. Don't think this is the first time I've been shot. I was thirteen with a group of plaas hande farm hands took up arms against my father and that was the first time I killed a man. A swart man shot my father in front of me and would've killed me too but he had other ideas. I remember him smiling at me but he didn't realize I had my father's knife. I buried in up to the hilt in his stomach then I grabbed his weapon opening fire on the rest."
"Wow that was pretty brave of you. It took a lot to do something like that. I know a lot of men who wouldn't be able."
"I was scared to death but I was so angry that my anger got the best of me and it that moment I didn't care if I lived or died. I just want to wipe that stupid smile off that man's face. The rest of the men ran away… the ones I didn't kill. I buried my father then left the farm for the city and have never looked back. You know I've never told that story to anyone else."
"Then I'm honored that you felt you could shared this with me. But between Afrikaners we can share anything."
"True so is there something you want to share with me," said Natasha. Her question seemed to catch the Major off guard.
"I'm not sure I know what you're hinting at. Is there something I should know," said the Major as he looked at her trying to understand what she was talking about.
"Come on my husband hasn't told you he plans on setting me aside after he establishes his little kingdom. He wasn't too subtle when he bought me the memoirs of Princess Soraya of Iran, 'The Palace of Loneliness'. You know she was repudiated by her husband the Shah because she wasn't able to produce a successor."
"Of course I knew about her but no he's never said any… are you sure he plans to put you aside? He seems very much in love with you."
"And so was the Shah but affairs of state take precedence over affairs of the heart or as Nigel likes to say 'it's good to be the king'.
"I see and where will you be sent? I'm assuming there must be some sort of exile he's got in mind or is he thinking about putting you in a convent since he has a medieval way of looking at things?"
"I really don't know. I was hoping you might know something which was why I approached you. Nigel… how to put this nicely well he's a little scared of me so until the moment comes he's probably not going to raise the topic."
"Then why did he buy you the book? Maybe you're reading more into this than is really there," said the Major having a hard time buying off on this.
"The book I think was a Freudian slip. He even denied he bought it and I almost believe him until I double checked with .uk and they confirmed he bought it and paid for it from his private account. I check the bank statement and before you tell me that all that could be faked I check deeper.
"How deep did you check," said the Major. He found himself getting a little aroused by Natasha's tenacity.
"Well let's just say I check with one of Nigel's barristers and he confirmed that he'd been consulting with Nigel about what to do."
"That was rather rash and risky. How could you know that the man wouldn't run back and tell Bishop that you talked to him."
"Well, I should've specified former barrister. They found him at home a victim of an unfortunate accident. More accidents happen in the home then any other place and I'm sure some of them are accidents."
"Bishop won't hear about this from me. When it comes time to decide what you want to do just look me up."
"I appreciate that. Now I think we need to go to sleep. It's funny that Nigel got so upset when he found out that her Majesty decided not to auction off her horse. What was he going to do with it? Ride it around his little island? It's hardly the place to ride a thoroughbred and breeding… well he can't even breed his own kind."
"Maybe that's not a bad thing."
"Why Major talk like that will get you in on my good side."
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Chuck got up early the sun wasn't up yet it was so early. He made a quick phone call to Alex then decided to get breakfast ready. He'd just decided to make French toast when Sam and Alicia ran in the kitchen. They grabbed some biscuits then started for the door.
"Hold up you two. I'm going to start cooking French toast here soon so don't wander off too far if you want to eat."
"Don't worry we're not going to go very far. In fact, we're going to be right outside," said Sam. Then they disappeared out the door.
"Where's he at," asked Alicia as they both looked around. "I don't see him anywhere. You don't think… well he got into trouble?"
"I don't think so. It could be that we're a little early," said Sam as they waited for Boss to show up. "Look up there," said Sam as she pointed to a gray streak that came running across the pasture towards them.
"He must've slept in this morning," said Alicia as they watching him come running up to them. This time it was Alicia Boss jumped on. She fell backwards laughing as he licked her in the face.
"See you didn't need to wash your face this morning," said Sam as she laughed. Then she tossed him a biscuit that he gulped down
"I guess you're right," said Alicia as she got back up and dusted herself off. "He is very affectionate."
"So are we still on for after everyone leaves? I still need to get a camera but that won't be a problem for me."
"Sure I can't wait. If you need I can borrow one from my Dad," said Alicia as the back door opened and Chuck stuck his head out.
"Come on in and get cleaned up. I'm plating the first ones now for you two," said Chuck. They said so long for now to Boss then went back into the house.
"Can we wash our hands in the sink so I don't have to go back upstairs and risk waking Mommy and Bunny up?"
"Sure, I don't see why not," said Chuck as he turned the water on for them. "Make sure you clean them well. I couldn't help but overhearing," said Chuck. Sam and Alicia looked at each other. For a moment, they thought they were busted. "You were talking about borrowing something from your father?"
"Yes… well we were… you see we need," said Alicia as she got tongue tied trying to tell Chuck what they needed but she didn't want to tell him why they need it. Sam jumped in.
"We were talking about trying to get a camera to take pictures or Lord Nelson and Sir Winston. I wanted to take their pictures as a keepsake… you know a memory."
"I know what a keepsake is," said Chuck as he looked at the two of them. "This is all you two were talking about?"
"What else would we be talking about other than Boss," said Sam as Chuck put a plate of French toast in front of both of them.
"Somehow I think you two are up to something but I'm going to trust you. I'll get you that camera after breakfast but I want to see the photos you take. We can put them up on the cloud afterwards. Alicia might want to send them to her friends back in London."
"I really don't have any friends to send them to but Sam's right as a keepsake they would be nice and I know Dad would enjoy looking at them."
"Okay eat you breakfasts and I'll get you the camera afterwards. Sam, I'm surprised you haven't run off into the woods yet. Remember here is the same as in our cabin."
"I know," said Sam as Alicia gave her a look. Sam signaled her to keep quiet. "The cabin is nice but I like it here too."
"I know you do but we can't stay here forever. Sooner or later we're going to have to go back home to Echo Park. Maybe someday Alicia and her father can come and visit us."
"I'd like that a lot," said Sam. "I could show you around if you want. I could show you the Buy More and introduce you to everyone who works there."
"Now that sounds like fun to come all the way from London to visit the Buy More. You know they have Buy Mores in England."
"But do they have Big Mike in them?" said Sam as she ate her piece of French toast. She had syrup all over her face and hands.
"No thank goodness for that," said Chuck as he tried to clean her face then her hands with a damp towel. "I think this world can handle just one."
"What's a Big Mike," said Alicia as she ate. But before Chuck could answer Morgan came in with his nose in the air.
"I smell French toast," said Morgan as he made himself a place at the table. "What's everyone talking about?"
"Señor Muy Caliente," said Sam as she laughed. Morgan looked over at her with a strange expression. "Isn't that what Big Mike always says? Big Mike is Morgan's father."
"No, he's not," snapped Morgan. "He's my step father which means no relation to me whatsoever and before you say anything Chuck remember we have children present."
"Yes, I see all three of them at the table. Here's your French toast but you might want to let it cool down first because it's muy caliente right now."
"Funny Chuck, very funny so will you stop with the muy caliente jokes," said Morgan as he took the plate from Chuck.
"I'm sorry I don't get it," said Alicia. I don't understand what Spanish has to do with Big Mike and Morgan?"
"I never really understood it either," said Sam. "Just when Big Mike says it he's usually talking about Morgan's mother…"
"Here you two go," said Chuck as he quickly changed the subject by giving each of them another piece of French toast. "I'll give you two double rations."
"Here you guys are," said Sarah as she came in carrying Bunny with Jack behind her. "We woke up and everyone was gone. What do have cooking?"
"French toast, just sit down and I'll plate you one. Jack, French toast okay for you," asked Chuck as he passed Sarah a plate.
"Yeah, okay but you people get up too early around here," said Jack as he went over and got himself a cup of coffee. "I mean I realize there's not much to do around here but Geez the sun is just waking up. Where's Roscoe and Clive at anyway?"
"My father's still asleep and I'm guessing that's where Mr. Roscoe is too," said Alicia. "They were up late last night in the stable talking. It was after two when Dad dragged in. I know because I woke up and checked my watch."
"Two in the morning? What were they talking about that late night? It's kind of late to be talking about hay," said Morgan. Chuck gave him a look.
"Yes, sweetie what were they talking about that late at night," said Sarah as she managed to eat with one hand and hold Bunny with the other.
"You'll have to ask them," said Chuck as he turned off the burner and put the pan in the sink. "Here give Bunny to me so you can eat." Chuck took Bunny from Sarah then got himself a cup of coffee before sitting down at the table with the rest.
"Speaking of where everyone is at," said Chuck. "Where's Casey he's usually up and about at this hour? I've never know him to miss out of French toast or pancakes or waffles or just about anything."
"Whatever you do don't let him make those bran muffins of his. They could choke an elephant. They're so bad rats refuse them. I have one in my office under the leg of my desk to balance it out."
"Okay we get it Morgan but where is he?"
"I know where he's at," said Sarah. "He's trying to get a photo of Gladys, isn't he? He was talking about doing a background check on her to make sure she's who she says she is. He just thinks this think between her and Sean came on too soon and at an opportune time for someone who wanted to get close to the Queen."
"if that's what she's up to she had plenty of opportunity yesterday at the race track but I didn't see her at all. From what I know she dropped Sean off then left. Why would she do that if her target was the Queen?"
"So Chuck, you agree with me that Casey's exaggerating," said Morgan. "Why can't he let San have his moment?"
"I don't know if Casey's exaggerating. He's got some pretty valid points and what I said was I don't think her target is the Queen. That doesn't mean it can't be someone else."
"So, you agree with Casey? Come on Dude you of all people… you don't believe in love at first sight," said Morgan as he looked over at Sarah.
"I didn't say that I said Casey has valid points whether he's right or wrong is another issue. However, I agree we need to look deeper into who this woman is. Just because she's not in the intersect doesn't mean she's not a threat. Besides what's the harm? John runs her photo through facial recognition if nothing come back we keep this whole thing among ourselves."
"What do we do if it comes back with a hit? What do we do then? Are you willing to break Sean's heart?"
"What comes next is I introduce her to my two friends Smith and Wesson then we go from there. Sean might get a broken heart but at least is will still be beating."
"Chuck not to complain," said Jack. "But you wouldn't have any bacon to go along with this French toast?"
"You hold Bunny and I'll cook you up some," said Chuck. He handed Bunny to Jack then got up and went to the fridge.
"Well Chuck while you're cooking maybe throw on a couple or four slice of bacon for me too," said Morgan. "This country life is really giving me an appetite."
"Also the air in L.A. as well as Chicago and come to think of it just about everywhere I've seen you," said Sam smiling at him with a little mischief grin.
"Funny, very funny," said Morgan as he looked over at Sam. "Chuck, your whole family is a family of jokers." She replied by sticking her tongue out.
"And what does that make you the court jester?" said Chuck as he put the bacon in a skillet and it started to sizzle.
But when Sam saw the bacon a light came on in her head she had an idea. She coughed and looked at Alicia then looked over at the bacon. Alicia smiled and understood what she was trying to tell her so she nodded back.
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Back at the bunkhouse Sean got up early went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Then he got ready for Gladys to pick him up. He had to get out of the bunkhouse before she arrived because it reeked of feet… big men's feet. There was no way he could invite her in. Plus, he wanted to be gone before Casey got up or anyone else who could embarrass him in front of Gladys.
"Okay, got everything wallet, watch and phone," said Sean as he tiptoed around inside the bunkhouse using a flashlight to see by.
"Just put my shoes on and then I'm out of here," he said as he looked over at Casey in his bunk all bundled up fast asleep.
"Good, now to make my escape," he said as he went to the door. But as he opened it the door made a squeaking noise. "Crap couldn't someone grease that." He looked back to see if he'd been made but everyone seemed to still be asleep.
"Phew, that was a close one," he said to himself as he stepped outside then slowly closed the door behind him. "She should be here any time now," said Sean as he checked his watch. Then in the distance he saw a column of dust heading his way that grew nearer.
"Here's my gal now," said Sean as the sun started rising over the horizon. "Today is going to be a good day. I can tell."
Gladys pulled up next to him then got out. She walked up to him then threw her arms around him and kissed him.
"Oh, I'm sorry are we still taking it slow," she said as she laughed. "Come on jump in and let's go have some fun together."
"You don't have to tell me twice," said Sean. Slow lasted one evening. He was ready now to throw caution to the wind. "It's too early to go to the arboretum so what do you want to do until then?"
"Oh, I think we can find something to do," said Gladys as they got into her car. She turned around then drove off kicking up another column of dust.
"By the way," said Gladys. "I didn't know what you wanted in the picnic basket so I thought we could stop by Subway's and get a couple of subs and make them meals. I did bring a blanket to roll… I mean throw on the grass."
"So where are we going now?" asked Sean as he looked over at Gladys. She had her window down and the wind was running through her hair. Her perfume was intense intoxicating him with it's scent. A big difference from the previous smell of feet.
"I thought we'd go grab some breakfast then play it by ear," said Gladys as she glanced over at him smiling. In that moment, he forgot why he ever suggested they should take it slowly. Somewhere in the far corner of his mind he heard Casey's voice say 'sucker'. But he quickly shut that down.
"I'm game for whatever you want to do," said Sean. "I'm all yours."
"You should be careful what you say. I just might take you up on that," said Gladys as she drove back out onto I-71 then turned to go into town.
[Meanwhile back in the bunkhouse]
Joe got up to go do start his chores. He jumped out of the top bunk onto the floor then reached over to get his clothes he'd left on the chair next to his bunk only to find they were missing.
"Hey Willy did you pull some sort of trick on me? Where are my clothes?"
"What are you griping about? I didn't do anything with your clothes. If I did anything with them I'd wash them."
"Well they're missing and what am I going to do? It's not Sunday yet when I change them. I can't get next week's clothes dirty today."
"Ask Casey or Morgan just let me go back to sleep. I don't need to get up yet." Joe grumbled as he went to a John.
"What the heck," he said. He found his clothes and Willy's all rolled up under John's blanket.
