Don't own Chuck

Casey was up early he looked over at Sean sleeping in his bunk soundly with stupid grin on his face. He had a sudden urge to put a pillow over his face and hold it until he stopped breathing. At least he'd go in the middle of his dream. He had his pillow in hand when Morgan woke up. Morgan looked at him then at the pillow.

"No John, please don't tell me you're about to do what I think you're about to do. You know postnatal abortion isn't a real thing."

"What are you talking about? I was just fluffing up my pillow. Go back to sleep before turn off your lights," said Casey as he sat his pillow back on his bunk.

"Aren't you going back to be?" said Morgan as he watched Casey getting dressed. "I know you're and early riser but this has got to be early even for you."

"Will you shut up before you wake everyone up. I'm going to run up to the house to get… to get a glass of milk so go back to sleep," said Casey as he shoved Morgan's head back into his bunk.

"Ouch… hey watch the hair. What's gotten into you? You know I think I'll come with you and get some milk too. Maybe there are some cookies too… I hope they've got some pecan Sandies. That would really hit the spot right now."

"This is your fault. I tried to tell you to go back to sleep but you wouldn't," said Casey as he dug something out of his pack.

"That sounds rather ominous," said Morgan as he started to get up. There's no reason to get all worked up over a glass of milk and a few… okay a pack of cookies. Milk just tastes better when it's being drunk through a cookie."

"Just hold that thought," said Casey. "Now look at this," he said as he took his lighter then gave Morgan whiff of gas and he was out cold. John rolled him over but he couldn't resist he put Morgan's thumb in his mouth.

"There that should do you up," he said. Then he went around the bunkhouse gathering up clothes rolling them up and putting them in his bed. After getting everything together he put his blanket over the heap and made it look like he was fast asleep in his bunk.

"Okay now to go make a nest," said Casey as he grabbed his camera and camera bag then went outside. He looked around to see where he could get the best vantage point and he found it in the hayloft above the stable.

"I wish I'd brought some coffee with me," said John as he took up his position. He found a spot that covered the road that led into the farm and gave him a clear view of the parking areas below.

"She'll probably drive down that road," said John to himself. "Then she'll pull into the parking area below. Whatever way she comes in I should be able to get photos of her," he said as he finished setting up his nest and waiting.

He waited for what seemed forever. In the distance he heard the crows cawing. They must've discovered a field of corn. Shortly afterwards he heard the sound of shotgun blasts. Someone must've found the crows in the corn field thought Casey.

"It must be breakfast time," said Casey as he watched Morgan leave the bunkhouse and started walking up towards the house. He was starting to get stiff and want to move around a bit but just when he started to get up he saw Sean walk out without any shoes on.

"Sneaking out like a thief in the night are we," said John as he watched Sean put his shoes on. In the distance he saw a dust cloud coming their way.

"It's show time," he said to himself as he got the camera ready. As soon as the car came insight he started shooting photos. "Come on a little closer," he said as he tried to get a clear one of Gladys through the windshield but the tinted glass and the glare from the sun wasn't making his job any easier.

"Come on get out of the car," said John. Then as if she'd heard him she stepped out to greet Sean. He watched them hug and kiss.

"I think I'm going to be sick," said John as he snapped photo after phot. Then they got back into her car and she turned it around before driving back out the drive disappearing in a dust cloud the same way she'd arrived.

"I got you now," said John as he put everything away. He just had to upload the pics into the mainframe and have it do its magic but for that he'd need help. John called Alex and put the call on speaker while he was putting things away.

"Hey dad, how's everything going? I wasn't expecting you call. Is everything all right with you and Morgan?"

"Everything is just peachy here and the answer is no. If you wondering if I have strangled Grimes yet with the emphasis on yet."

"Oh Dad, you like to joke around too much. So this is your dime what can I do for you? I figure you called wanting something."

"I don't have to call you just when I want something but in this case you'd be right. I've got some pics I need run through the mainframe can you do that for me?"

"I'd like to but I'm not in L.A. right now. I'll be driving back in a bit and it will take me a while before I'm back in Castle. You can send them to me and I'll take care of it when I get there or you can have Chuck do it remotely?"

"You're not in Castle? Is something wrong with you mother? Is that the reason you're not in… you're at the hospital?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I'm doing Chuck a favor. I can't get into it but I got a late start and so when I got here I had to spend the night. I'll be leaving here shortly to make my way back home."

"And where is here at?"

"I can't tell you. Chuck knows and I promised him I'd keep this on the down low. I hope you understand."

"I understand that I need to strangle Chuck," said Casey to himself. "Sure, I've been on a lot of missions like that. Just watch your back and keep my number on speed dial. Tell your mother I've been thinking of her," said John as he hung up.

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[Meanwhile back in the farmhouse]

"It's time to get ready to go to the auction," said Sarah. "Jack we'll be back before you have to go meet Billy Bob."

"That will give me the afternoon to prepare myself and get in a little practice. Short stuff you up for a few hands poker with your old Jack?"

"We need to make it quick because Alicia and I have things we need to get done this afternoon. Chuck, don't forget I need that camera."

"Camera? Why do you need a camera and what are these big plans you've got going with Alicia this afternoon? Something tells me you're up to something?"

"Who me?" said Sam as innocently as she could. "I don't know wat you mean by up to something but we're going to take photos of Lord Nelson and Sir Winston as keepsakes. Chuck, do you have photos of Peaches I and II? I'd like to see them sometime."

"I should have something somewhere, but if I don't have them then Ellie does. Yes, Peaches was a good dog... man's best friend..."

"Are you talking about Peaches or Morgan," said Sam as she smiled across the table at him. Morgan gave her a look back. "I'm just clarifying who were talking about."

"Funny, very funny, but Chuck is right Peaches was a good dog... both of them were. Too bad they like to chase cars."

"That's why Dad won't let me have one. They could chase the horses and make them nervous. That's a bad thing when you're dealing with Thoroughbreds. I'm going to miss Lord Nelson when we go but I thing I'm going to miss Sir Winston more. I was hoping we'd bring him back with us but it's not fair to Lord Nelson..."

"Yes, he's Lord Nelson's BFF and it wouldn't be easy for either one of them to be separated from the other. It's like the bond that twins have. Is there anymore French Toast?"

"Morgan the only French toast that is left is for Casey. If you want to risk your life and a few broken bones go for it," said Chuck but as they were talking Casey came walking in.

"What were you thinking," said Casey as he barged in. The door flew back and banged against the wall the flew back closed. "How could you do something like this?"

"It's only a piece of French toast," said Morgan as he looked over the table at Casey. "Geez if I'd known you were so hungry I wouldn't have asked for it. Chuck you'd better hand it over to him before he really goes berserk."

"Grimes, what are you blabbering on about?" said Casey as Chuck tried to pass him a plate with two pieces of French toast.

"Maybe you should eat something. It'll help you calm do and dial it back a notch," said Chuck. But John just got even angrier.

"This has nothing to do with French toast or breakfast. I'm not talking to the Troll, I'm talking to you, Chuck and I'm waiting for an answer?"

"Maybe a little clarification is needed here," said Sarah. "Are you sure you're not just hungry? You're acting like you did yesterday when I ate your apples."

"Life I said this has nothing to do with French toast and by the way I'm still ticked off about you eating my apples. I told you to bring them to me not eat them for me, but this has nothing to do with that."

"This has to do with the favor I asked Alex to do for me, doesn't it? John it's just a road trip and ask some questions. Maybe secure some CCTV feed... nothing dangerous."

"Yeah Chuck, what's going on? When I talked with Alex she told me the same thing," said Morgan as he eyed Casey's French toast.

"You touch my plate with your stubby little hands and I'll cut your fingers off then feed them to you as Lady fingers. Why am I only hearing about this now, Grimes?"

"Because Alex told me to keep it on the down low and... well and... and since I'm a good fiancé that's what I did. But you shouldn't be mad at me you should be mad at Chuck. So what's up Chuck?"

"Guys you're blowing this all out of proportion. I'd prefer not to say anything about this because if any heat come back on it I can tell the General no one knew about it but me."

"Oh, now I've got to know," said John. "Bartowski, this sounds like one of your hair brain schemes and is starting to resemble a rogue mission."

"That was exactly what I said when I found out," said Sarah. Chuck gave her a look and rolled his eyes. "What? Those were my exact word."

"So you knew about this too," said Casey. "You didn't think that I might want to know what your husband has gotten my daughter into?"

"John, we're all professionals here and Alex is a part of the team. If we'd been in Burbank I would've gone myself. But I thought seeing that he didn't know Alex or would remember her she could get in and out with no trouble. I had to know if he'd been contacted and Beckman hasn't been very cooperative."

"If who's been contacted. Who is this he you keep talking about?"

"It's Shaw," said Sarah. There was absolute silence in the room. A pin falling now would sound like a red wood. "It's Shaw, John. Chuck thinks that Ettore will contact Shaw to find out about the governors and how they work."

"You asked Alex to drive to Yucca mountain and to talk with Shaw? I don't want her to go anywhere near that lunatic. How could you send her there?"

"Alex is an agent just like the rest of us and I told her she didn't have to see him face to face. I just wanted a copy of their visitor log and their CCTV feeds. The CCTV at Yucca mountain is on a closed feed so I couldn't hack into it. If I could've gone about this differently I would've."

"And you couldn't just wait until we finish this mission then go there yourself? I'm not buying that this was the only way. There's always another way."

"I didn't want to wait around. The longer Ettore is out there on the lose the more dangerous he becomes. The General seems to think he's no longer a threat. Well I don't believe that for one moment and I'm not going to risk my family on what she thinks."

"But you'll risk mine," said Casey. "Don't you see the hypocrisy in that? Chuck, if anything happens to Alex you and I are going to have a problem."

"I'm sorry you feel that way but that's the situation. When I talked with Alex this morning she was done at Yucca mountain and would be leaving shortly to return to L.A."

"Can you get that camera for me," said Sam. Everyone had forgotten Sam and Alicia were still in the kitchen.

"Oh, sorry," said Casey as he started to eat. "This is all Grimes fault." Morgan gave him a look across the table.

"And how do you see that? I didn't tell you to barge in by almost kicking the kitchen door off the hinges. Then bellowing like a..."

"Like someone who's about to end you," said John as he took a big bite and started chewing. "Not another work," said John as he pointed to Morgan with his fork."

"But what did I..." Morgan started to say but Casey cut him off in the middle of his sentence.

"What did I tell you? Not another word."

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Over on the other Bishop farm breakfast we going much differently. There was a breakfast buffet set up with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, Heinz beans and stewed tomatoes as well as toast and marmite. Natasha got Nigel a plate together then took it to him. She was preparing one for herself when Major Moore came up behind her.

"Here let me help you with that," he said. "Here let me put a little bit of everything on it for you. Go sit down and I'll bring it to you. How's your shoulder doing this morning?"

"Yes, love how's your shoulder doing? You know you walking around at night isn't helping it to heal. Night air with your wound could give you pneumonia. Major, did you know she was up and about late last night?"

"Yes, I did. I found her down here when I got back from our detention camp. But a little case of the nerves before an operation is to be expected, especially one of this magnitude."

"Love there's nothing to worry about. The Major and I have got everything cover. Nothing will fall through the cracks so there's nothing to be nervous about."

"Just hearing you say that makes me feel more reassured," she said as she sipped on her tea. "I wish we'd brought Matilda with us. This cook is okay but he's not as good as she is."

"I have to agree with you there. The eggs are undercooked and the bacon is overcooked but after tomorrow all will change. That I can guarantee you."

"We hope for the best," she said in her head. "I can hardly wait for this to over. It seems this has gone on forever."

"Just a little more patience, darling. So, Major any more about that incident yesterday? Do you still think we had an incursion? I called Billy Bob but he was unable to be reached. I talked with his man, Roscoe to beat the bushes and make sure none of the brotherhood has gotten wind of our affairs."

"I still can't be certain which is why I'm putting more guards on over there until tomorrow. Then it won't matter," said the Major as he took a big bite of toast with marmite.

"So, you like marmite," said Natasha as she watched him eat it. "I can't get Nigel to try it. It's supposed to be good for you."

"Have you ever noticed Major that everything that tastes bad people try to convince you to eat by telling you it's good for you? Marmite is a good example of that."

"I don't know I just like it. I'll have a vehicle and driver standing by for the two of you to go to the auction today. I want to go back over to the other farm and make sure everything is ready for Jack and Billy Bob."

"Do you think I should go over and have a look over too," said Natasha. "You know what they say about having a second set of eyes to look over things? It can't hurt."

"I'd really like it if you came with me," said Nigel as he looked at the two of them. "You always keep me out of trouble and I value your opinion especially if I see a horse I like."

"Yes, you should go with Nigel... I mean Sir Bishop," said the Major. He caught Nigel's look and understood it. "Any way I've got this and from the sound of it you're needed here."

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Chuck walked back up to the room with Sam and got her the camera she wanted. He gave her a quick lesson on how to use it then sent her off. Sam ran past Sarah who was standing in the doorway watch. After Sam left she walked in and closed the door behind her.

"Are you mad at me too? I'm not sorry about what I did. This had to be done and Alex was the only person available to do it."

"No. I'm not going to get mad at you about that. I understand why you did what you did but I think you also need to look at this from Casey's perspective. How would you have felt if Casey had sent Sam on a mission like this?"

"This was not a mission. Why does everyone keep calling it a mission? It was just a fact-finding trip and that was all it was. I asked her to go to Super Max talk to the warden and get some intel that was all. There's no need to blow this up out of proportion like Casey's done."

"Sweetie you haven't answered my question. But yourself in John's shoes and you can see he's got every right to be angry."

"Okay, I can see that and I do hear what you're saying but what else was I supposed to do? I can't just sit around on my hands waiting for Ettore to jump out of the bushes."

"I know you can't and I think you're right. But we've got two good intersects and Ettore has only one that doesn't work that well..."

"Is this the nerd version of two heads are better than one?" he said as he put his arms around her. "I love you... I love you with all my heart."

"And you're not so bad yourself," she said as she looked him in the eyes. "Whatever comes our way we'll face it together. Now kiss me and shut up."

They were still kissing when Casey barge in without knocking. He came in carrying his camera in his hand.

"Ew yuck, I think I'm going to be sick," said John as he walked on in. "Don't you guys ever give it a rest? What do you take fish pills or something?"

"Just come on in John," said Sarah. "If you don't know you get what you get when you walk in on a couple. You might remember that when Morgan and Alex are together."

"I can't even visualize that and not think about smothering Grimes in his sleep like I wanted to do to Sean this morning," said Casey. Both Chuck and Sarah looked at him.

"No, he didn't I saw Sean out the kitchen window getting into a sedan this morning. Then he and a woman drove away. I assume she was this Gladys person."

"That's right they had a date today for a picnic in the arboretum near the University. I know because he was going on about it in his sleep."

"You interrogated him while he slept?" said Chuck. "Is that some new form of interrogation I don't know about?"

"Funny, no I just listen to what he was saying and it was disgusting. I love you, you love me, kiss me you fool. Fool he was right. It was almost enough to make me want to heave."

"I assume this is going somewhere. We need to get ready and go to the auction soon," said Chuck as he looked at his watch.

"Yeah, I've got photos of Gladys on here and I need for you to run them through the mainframe. I would've had Alex to do it but you've got her tied up."

"Okay leave the memory card with me and I'll get it going as soon as we get back from the auction." Casey gave him a look. "I promise I will but right now we need to go."

"Okay, but I want a priority rush put on those."

"I'll be sure to tell the main fame that when we chat."

"Was that sarcasm I'm detecting?" said Casey as he cracked his knuckles. "I know how to deal with that."

"Oh, look at the time. We're going to be late."