Chuck vs. The Proposal
To recap the previous chapter: Morgan has a plan when it comes to Casey's supposed challenge. That challenge is reveal to Casey's former teammates that he is a psychic and amazingly uses his fake abilities to hook Packard, T.I. and Mackintosh in to his lies. Also, he mentally goes through his own nerdy experiences in playing Dungeons and Dragons to where he compares the games characters to the trio and Casey as well who he considers the Dungeon Master. Ultimately, its Packard who offers Morgan a deal of a lifetime to join him instead of being recruited to the agency. As for Team Chuck, they are on the tale of Casey who is on the tail of his former teammates. Chuck is worried about his best bud and Sarah reassures him that they'll get to him knowing Casey will also be after him as well. Its a thought that worries Sarah even more. So what happens this chapter? How are Prince William and Kate involved? What anime characters is Alex and Casey being compared to? Read and find out! Anyways, hope you enjoy the read and leave a comment to share your own thoughts on this particular chapters. As always, reviews are awesome.
Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment I truly appreciate it. Please continue to do so as it gives me the incentive to write more chapters.
I don't own Chuck.
Royalty
XXX
Alex awakens from her nap on the comfortable couch she took the opportunity to sleep on. Of course, she doesn't know how long she's been out but what she does know it took her a while to zonk out because of how worried she's been for the 2 most important men in her life. As she lays for a bit experiencing a bit of post sleep haze , she gradually regains focus soon and slowly realizes where she is. In that moment, she pushes herself into a seated position and while sitting there she turns her to the right looking out the window. A beautifully scenic view from where she is seat and at the time a sense of unknown dread as to what could be possibly happen when they encounter the her father's former teammates.
It's a thought that rattles her to the core but at the same time knows that she can most definitely count on and not to mention trust the best team that's known for their unorthodox tactics. In any case, she expresses a satisfying yawn and stretches out some kinks after sleeping on a somewhat comfy couch. Yet, despite that she was able to be comfortable enough to get as much sleep as she can before the potential chaos her and the team will soon encounter.
For her, it would be something she's totally prepared for but when it comes to her man she'll absolutely risk everything to save him even if it means giving up her own life to save his. In her mind, it's certainly a sacrifice that she'll willing to give knowing full well Morgan did the same for her putting his own life on the line during the escape from the underground bunker several years ago thanks to The Ring.
Her thoughts turn from that past near death experience to now as she peers down to check the time on her watch. She knows that it was around 3p.m. when they left The Hangar but after several hours asleep she has no earthly idea what time it is now, especially with the change in time zone. True, she primarily used to the time zones in the United States but when it comes to dealing with time zones overseas it can quite difficult to figure out.
Of course, it was relatively easy in figuring out what time to wake up when it involved the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. A wedding that started at 11 a.m. and planned being up for at 3 a.m. so much so that she even had Morgan watch it along with her much to his chagrin. Yet, he for the most part did anyway with some complaints in between and once it was all over he actually enjoyed the time spent watching the wedding together. True, he immediately went back to bed in order to regain back the sleep he lost after being woken up by her, which is a moment she truly cherishes shared with the man she loves with all her heart.
In any case, that was something she prepared herself for but when it comes to the situation she's in now it's something that she wasn't able to prepare for. To her, it's taking part in the absolute unknown and facing dangers that she will never get used to even though she has unknowingly been in danger ever since she was born. It's that particular thought in which she shakes her head as she swings her legs over from the couch to the floor. After taking a moment to take another brief stretch she pushes herself into a standing position and makes her way to the conference area.
Once there she sees that Chuck and Sarah seated comfortably side by side with the lanky business owner lovingly embracing his wife. Both passed out asleep in the back seats right behind the conference table. In that instance, she can't help but express a soft smile seeing a couple who has stated that will never betray each other, especially Chuck when it comes to Sarah. A royal couple version of William and Kate but in the spy world. who she and Morgan inspire to be, which is something that they don't out rightly say out loud she thinks to herself.
Truth be told, she considers the two of them the quintessential measuring stick in regards to a close to perfect relationship. Yet, they may dispute that knowing they don't consider their relationship nowhere near perfect and they've said that many times in the past. According to them, it's a constant work in progress where sacrifices are made and not to mention constantly communicating with each other. The basis for their entire relationship since the day the 2 of them years ago at the Buy More nerd herd desk from what Morgan shared with her. A man who has always considered those 2 royalty in his mind at least.
Unfortunately, the seemingly silent moment is suddenly interrupted by a gurgled growl. The source of that sound…her stomach. After placing her hand on her stomach, she realizes she hasn't eaten anything causing to experience instant hunger pangs. It's at that point, she heads towards the kitchen area that Sarah pointed to when giving a brief tour of the aforementioned Bird of Prey. Thankfully the sound of her hungry stomach doesn't wake up the slumbering spy couple as she turns inevitably heading towards the kitchen area.
Once there, she finds that she's not alone as she sees the fridge door open with the lower half of a body sticking out. A lower half of someone she knows. "Anything good Trav?" she said lower her voice in a respectable level. Unfortunately, even at a respectable level the sudden sound of a voice causes Travis to be startled to which he stumbles back holding the back of his head after hitting it on whatever part of the inside fridge. "Sorry. My bad."
Travis briefly winces as he rubs the back of his head. After a few moments, he expresses a grin while leaning back against the counter. "No worries…" responded the 4th member of Team Chuck. "…it happens." he added shrugging his shoulders. "How you'd you sleep?"
"Fine, considering the circumstances. What time is it?"
"That's good to hear. As for the time…" Travis pauses for a second to calculate the time difference in his head. "…I'd say it's about its about 7:45 in the morning since we recently crossed the international dateline." he answered.
"Thanks." she replied. The daughter of Alex Coburn steps forward and past Travis. Afterwards she turns around leaning to her right in order peak inside the fridge. "So anything good to eat in here?"
"It was stocked on short notice. I was about to grab a ham sandwich in there before you appeared out of nowhere like a soul reaper grabbing my soul. A regular Rukia." he jokingly responded in amusement.
Without missing a beat, Alex reaches in a grabs a ham sandwich sealed in a container and hands it over to over to him. She briefly glances in the fridge again. "Drink?"
"Water."
"Coming up sir." she retorted. She retrieves 2 bottles of water. One for Travis and one for herself. After handing over one of the bottles of water to her friend, she reaches in to retrieve another ham sandwich for herself along with a small blue berry yogurt container. After placing the blue berry yogurt and her bottle of water on the small counter on the opposite side of the kitchen area. She then reaches for a plastic spoon located in the corner within an assortment of plastic utensils and places it on top of the blue berry yogurt container for later consumption. She the focuses her attention on the ham sandwich itself by ripping it open and chowing down. Once she gulps down part of the sandwich she took a bite of, she takes a moment to reach over and twists open her bottle of water. After taking a sip, she's about to take another bite but speaks up before she does. "Who's Rukia?"
In that moment, a growing smile appears on Travis' lips while opening up his ham sandwich. "Well..."
XXX
"Ultimately…" stated Travis sharing the tail end of his knowledge of a popular Japanese anime. "…the Bleach animated series ended with the relationship between Rukia and Ichigo up in the air. Fans like myself believe they should be together. However, their relationship in the manga have them married to other people. Ichigo with Irohime and Rukia with Renji." he explained.
Alex is momentarily silent after getting the clift notes version of what seemed like the entire series minus the filler episodes much to her relief being that there were 366 episodes according to Travis. After what seemed like an eternity, the young woman finally speaks up.
"So, she was born into a lower class …" she said leaning back against the shelf in the kitch area of the plane. "…and even though she's part of the royal guards as a captain of squad 13..."
"Right." Travis nodded once again.
"…she's primarily adopted because of a promise?" questioned Alex.
"Pretty much figuratively and literally. A promise that Byakuya made to his dying wife Hisana who was her biological sister who abandoned her years ago. It was her dying wish that even though their relationship as sister would have never really be mended, she hoped there would be a relationship between the two of them where she would call him her brother." he explained. "I'm surprised Morgan hasn't mentioned it to you since he enjoys a number of Japanese anime."
"He probably has…" shrugged Alex expressed a half-hearted smile. "…but I tend to zone out on stuff like that like he does whenever I mention anything about shows like Downtown Abby. I try though when it comes to his nerdy passions and he does with mine." she added shrugging her shoulders once again.
Travis nods while he takes a quick swig of his bottle of water. "Understandable. Some women aren't into Japanese anime like my wife. She enjoys Grey's Anatomy and the occasional episodes of Real Housewives Orange County or whatever mind numbing incarnation the tv execs are doling out these days." he retorted rolling his eyes with of sense of annoyance.
"This Byakuya guy seems cold and heartless from the way you describe him."
"He is…" responded Travis with a quick nod. "… for the most part. Yet, he really does care for his sister and he has saved her on more than one occasion. It's just that he doesn't show it at times." he added shrugging his shoulders a bit.
Upon hearing that, Alex can't help but relate the character of Byakuya to her own father. Just like that character, she's heard that her father has the reputation of mostly being unfriendly, unforgiving and not to mention unquestioning about the orders he's been giving. A cold school killer who would stop at nothing to get the job done and would stick anyone in a deep, dark cell if need be. Of course, she's witnessed just a bit of that man during their escape from the underground Ring facility and truth be told she doesn't ever want to truly see that man if he were ever fully unleashed she thinks to herself because of her.
For her, she doesn't have any doubts whatsoever that he would lay down his life for her as would any father would to protect his daughter. The look of utter rage in his eyes as he took a man's life right before her very eyes and admittedly the bastard deserved it she mentally acknowledged to herself. She would have done it herself for putting her such through a hellish situation that would mentally scary anyone. However, whether its Alex Coburn or John Casey she's just like him in certain ways one of them tenacious individual who should never be underestimated. A tenacious individual who may look and seem like a petite young lady but get on her bad side and watch out.
In any case, the situation is completely different in comparison as involves her relationship with the man that goes by the name of John Casey. A father-daughter relationship instead of a brother-sister relationship. Although, it was difficult in the beginning of the relationship after finding out who he really was, he made the first move to put in the effort in trying to make a connection. A connection that was truly genuine and not a forced one because it would look as if he's just trying too hard, which is a thought that brings about a faint smile to her lips.
Thinking about it further, there's also fact she's hasn't been born into or even adopted into royalty of any kind for that matter. She's just a simple California girl who loves the beach, extended family, her nerdy bearded boyfriend her mom, and her dad. Her thoughts then focus on her mom and dad. In her mind, she knows they are both happy with their significant other but is equally happy in knowing that they are on such friendly terms know fulling well that a part of him still loves her and always will. The love of his life and a woman that has a special place in his heart and although her father has never really said it out loud she knows it in her own heart.
Essentially, they have a past with such a deeply, strong connection that will never be forgotten no matter how many years pass by. They both have closure after talking with after a mission in which her mom saw what he really does for a living and for the most part she came to understanding. An understanding that even she will always know him as Alex Coburn he's someone else that has changed personality wise. True, a part of him emerges every now and then but he'll never fully turn back into the man he used to be. That's ok she thinks to herself.
Her thoughts concerning the semi complicated relationship with her parents is abruptly ended by the appearance of someone stepping inside the kitchen area. That someone in question is the pilot Lt. Commander Franklin.
"ETA to Iran 3 hours."
"Duly noted Lt. Commander." nodded Travis.
"What happens when we get there?" wondered Alex a concerned tone in her voice.
"Things get serious." the 4th member of Team Chuck stated.
In that instance, Lt. Commander Franklin nods then continues on. "It will. So whatever your team is planning you better go over it before we arrive."
"We will. Thanks for the heads up."
"No problem." His attention turns from Travis to Alex. "Ma'am." he said before disappearing out of sight.
Alex reciprocates a nod back. There is a brief momentary silence but is broken with the sound of Alex speaking up. So…" she said with curiosity. "…what is the plan? Does it involves parachutes after what Sarah said to the pilot before we left?"
After taking another swig from his bottle of water. He motion his head out of the kitchen area of the plane. "Come on. Let's go wake Sarah and Chuck up find to find out."
XXX
"So…" stated Sarah. She stands in front of the conference room flatscreen as everybody else stands around letting the information they just heard sink in, especially Alex. "…that's the plan."
For the past 15 minutes Sarah went over the plan and Alex stood there intently listen to every word that came out of her mouth. She didn't want to miss a thing and didn't want to end up embarrassingly ask Sarah to repeat what she said. Granted, the blonde agent would have gladly said it again for her benefit but being that it's a serious situation and she's seemed to be full on agent mode she decided against it. Instead, she hung on every word that was uttered by a woman who is she considers to be in some ways royalty in her eyes. In any case she speaks up with concerns.
"When you asked about the parachutes it was so that we would jump out like we're going skydiving or something like that?"
"Don't worry Alex." Travis responded. "You'll be attached to me. You'll be safe. Trust me."
"You can trust him." Sarah interjected. "I trust him with my life, especially the time I was free falling without a chute and he came after me."
"Yeah. Sarah's boss Langston Graham captured by Kirk Archer. Graham sacrificed his life and the helicopter blowing up causing her to bail. That was awesome and a scary experience to say the least. He went all Point Break to save my then girlfriend.
"Indeed my friend. From what I remember I couldn't pull the chord because Sarah was covering it so I flipped her and screamed for to do it. Seconds to spare and we both made it." Travis recalled.
Sarah smiled in gratitude for the act of heroism that Travis did to save her. Her attention on him would inevitably be averted towards her husband. "I do recall I became you're fiancé after I proposed at our beach." The smile would quickly fade once she realized that the initial topic at hand had gotten off track. She averts her attention from her nerdy husband to Alex. " To answer your question Alex…" she stated with a sense of seriousness. "…the reason why I asked for the parachutes is we're going to need to make a quick exit from the Bird of Prey. Since we're heading into Iranian airspace we've got an ample amount of time before they detect us then scramble their jets to intercept it."
"She's right." responded Chuck. "The good news is we can fly low enough to avoid radar detection."
"Something tells me there's some bad news."
"You'd be right Alex…" chimed in Travis crossing his arms. "…because of the current condition of the plane itself the necessary electronic devices may not work when needed like chafe dispensing system in case a barrage of missile attacks happen. What this all means…"
In that moment Sarah interjects. "What this all means is we're going to have get in and jump out while Lt. Commander Franklin makes a quick exit before it gets extremely does for him. I suspect Casey's former teammates have their own mode of transportation so once they've been taken down for good we'll use it to make our out of there. All of us…" she firmly stated with seriousness in her voice. "…safe and sound."
Alex is once again briefly silent after letting all the information that Chuck, Travis, and Sarah shared with her. She has so much on her mind right now and the thoughts that are swirling within her head would make any person be pushed to the brink of insanity. Fortunately, she has an awesome support system standing before her and knowing that gives her a sense of comfort knowing there have been moments where she's been a royal pain in the ass. In any case, she takes a deep breath then slowly exhales. Afterwards, the young woman speaks up.
"I'm good with plan but what about weapons? You did come armed…" inquired Alex. "…I hope." she added with considerable concern in her voice. In that instance, Alex stands taking notice of the noticeable smiles on all 3 individuals' faces. "What? Is that a yes? No? Maybe? What!?"
It's at that point, Chuck motions for her to follow them as they head towards an area of the Bird of Prey she hasn't actually see inside of. Granted, she was shown a door with a retinal scanner/voice recognition key pad but it was never opened for her to step inside and take a tour of it. Of course, she imagined the countless possibilities of what could be behind that door, which was nagging at her in the back of her mind. Fortunately, the nagging feeling subsequently faded as she had other things to occupy her mind that were considered to be more important matters at hand.
It's not long before they are all standing at said door with Sarah stepping forward and leaning closely in front of the retinal scanner key pad. Once the retinal scanner activated and reads Sarah eyes the following word appears on the screen: PASSWORD. Afterwards, Sarah turns around to face Alex.
"The 3 of us including your dad have their own voice recognition code to access what's behind this door. However, it only matches to our voice." Sarah shared expressing a faint smile on her face. Her attention then turns briefly to her husband who she then expresses the password. "My Chuck"
Instantly, the door unlocks and slides open to the right. This leads all 4 individuals to step through into the darkness. It wouldn't be long before the lights would come on and Alex would find herself standing in a conference-meeting room area filled with a large table and chairs. That's not case here. What she sees a room full of wall to wall weapons with an additional array of weapons situated in the middle of the room as well. Alex is rendered somewhat speeches as she steps forward doing a 360 around room leading her to her stop in the middle of the room.
"Yup. You're prepared." she nodded in absolute awe. Her 3 cohorts standing noticeably tickled and not mention amused by her reaction.
XXX
Casey emerges from cockpit of the cargo plane. He switched over to auto pilot but made sure to be alerted if any dangers arises. Fortunately, they are at least 2 and half hours or so away from Iranian airspace so he's got enough time to make preparations. As he makes his way towards the crate of cached weapons situated near the middle/back area of the, he inevitably walks passed Dalton who is sleeping off drinking the rest of the remaining bottle of beers. The last remaining now empty bottle still clutched against his chest like a comfy pillow while the remaining bottles are stuck in the carrier box upside down.
In any case, he's letting him sleep it off until he truly needs him. Granted, he'll have a huge hanger over once he wakes up but the impending danger they'll be potentially encountering will most certainly sober him up he thinks to himself. The sound of a muffled belch is heard behind him causing Casey to expresses a faint grunt in response as he stands in front of the creates. As much as he would like to throw cold water on the supposed retired weapon dealer's for being more of a king of his own delusional mind who may end up being a royally screwed idealist once this whole situation is over and done with.
Whether he lives to tell about it or not is not of his concern as he has to focus on his own plan of action once again comes face to face with his former team for the final time. While standing in front of a weapons create he glances to his left notice 2 things. Those two things are a green duffle bag large enough to hold an assortment of weapons hanging on a hook and a parachute secured behind a net on a shelf with a 2 additional parachutes next to it. He takes note of the parachute's location because he's going need it in order to make the jump down to his intended location and not waste any time in doing for that matter.
In any case, his attention is averted back to the green duffle bag and reaches over retrieving it from off the hook. He then places it on top of a weapons crate next to the one he standing in front of. Once the green duffle bag is opened, he reaches down to unlock the weapons crate and then lifts the lid. What he finds inside is a couple of AR-15's along with ammo clips and the sight of them causes Casey to give off a slight grin added with that an expressive grunt signifying he's most pleased at what he sees. As he reaches down and picks up an AR-15 to physically inspect it, he hears once again the sound a not only another belch being sounded off, but a fart as well. This causes the grizzled military vet and government agent to shakes his head but doesn't look back not breaking his concentration whatsoever at what he's currently doing.
The one thing Casey knows is that his former teammates won't go do down without a fight. Neither will I. It's going to be a clash between titans and Morgan will be most definitely caught in the middle. In his mind, if Morgan ends up getting injured in the fracas the injuries he perceives would possibly be minimal at best. Unfortunately, things tend to get out of control when all hell breaks loose when it involves he and his former teammates with a personal vendetta mixed in. Ultimately, he just has to be ready for anything that may go down and hopefully he'll be able to grab his daughter's moronic boyfriend before it goes completely sideways, which is one of many possibilities.
As for his current teammates, he knows they are following him but how far back they are is an absolute unknown. Unfortunately, they'll be considered more of a problem than a way to help because the more people that get involved the increase in chaos become significantly greater. For him it's imperative to get their first in order to neutralize the trio quick and by any means necessary before the danger escalates even further. It's that particular thought that gives him the mental determination in doing this not just for him but his daughter as well. Upon thinking that, Casey pops in and hit the bottom of ammo clip into the AR-15 slot locking into place.
After pulling back the handle to put one bullet in the chamber, he then lifts weapon to eye level inevitably looking into the scope. A few seconds later he lowers it and hits the safety to secure weapon itself from prematurely going off within the confines of the cargo plane. He sets aside placing it inside the green duffle back and then goes back retrieving another AR-15 to do the same thing again. While doing so, the sound of farts and belches are given off much to Casey's chagrin.
XXX
NOTE: HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER. I KNOW ITS BEEN A WHILE SINCE MY LAST CHAPTER BUT LIFE TENDS TO GET IN THE WAY. I'LL DO MY BEST TO GET THE NEXT CHAPTER OUT ASAP! AS ALWAYS PLEASE GIVE A REVIEW AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!
