Chuck vs. The Proposal

To recap the previous chapter: T.I., Mackintosh, and Packard along with Morgan land relatively safe several yards away from the location of the underground facility. Packard provides Morgan with some protection for the heavy sandstorm they'll be encounter on the way. Plus, instructs him to keep close or end up getting blown away or worse get completely lost. After they disembark from the copter on the ground, Dalton receives a wet wake up call several thousand feet in the air. A wake up call in which he learns that Iranian aircraft are heading their way, which freaks out Dalton. Casey, on the other hand, jumps out of the plane leaving him to fend for himself. As for Team Chuck with the new addition of Alex, they formulate another unorthodox plan and head towards the transporter room but not before Sarah hands Casey's daughter a dagger. Finally, Casey's former teammates and Morgan finally reach the underground facility to which Morgan believe is the final stage of the challenge. So what's in store for this chapter? How is a deleted scene from Iron Man 2 in any way relate to it. What code name is given to Alex that is directly related to the Star Wars prequels? 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.

Trapped

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"Be careful…" Sarah whispered in Chuck's ear. Husband and wife embrace each other as Chuck is about to step onto the transporter room platform. "…and I'll be down with you soon." she added squeezer a bit tighter around his neck with both her arms.

"Not if I see you first." he whispered back.

As husband and wife release the embrace they have on each other in front of the transporter platform, Alex stands there observing for the first time the interaction between the couple she's considered extended family. In her mind, she's witnessed the loving interaction of "lady feelings" as her father best labeled it before. Yet, it considerably far different than anything she's previously seen as it now involves a high dangerous situation pertaining to a mission.

While standing there, she keenly observes their overall body language as it's more tightened than the usual relaxed nature of their shared mutual love of one another she thinks to herself. For her, their body language reads more of a heightened state of awareness with absolute concern, especially seen within their facial expressions. Granted, there is a faint hint of a soft smile mutually directed towards the quintessential spy couple; but it isn't that overtly pronounced as it should be.

What is significantly pronounced for the two of them is the fact that not much has been said between the couple. True, she just overhead them whispering to each other but that's pretty much the extent of it. About what? She had no earthly idea. The only daughter of John Casey has been around Chuck and Sarah for so long that she's gotten used to the verbal communication of love between them that defines the entirety of their whole relationship much to her father's chagrin.

The only rolls, grunts, growls, and the looks of annoyed disgust have been prominently plastered on her father's face whenever displays of affection were directed to and/or exchanged by the 2 people who has had the longest relationship with as teammates. A relationship that has actually benefited him greatly as it in a sense changed him to gradually gravitate to become the type of guy who she knows he's capable of being. She's seen it along with Jayne and practically everybody else who been around him has seen it as well.

In any case, it's what she's observing now with Chuck and Sarah is the total opposite of everything she's known as if they're a completely different couple when it comes down to a mission. The level of absolute seriousness and the gradually dialing down of emotions are most definitely noteworthy, especially for the nerdy individual who is primarily known for joking around and emotionally upbeat. The quintessential go to guy you gravitate towards because he has the uncanny ability to help make you feel better to where you have a smile on your face.

Unfortunately, now isn't the time for all smiles as her concentration is broken when the she suddenly notices Chuck turn around in order to step on the platform. She watches as husband and wife slip on ear pieces to better communicate with each other, which was also given to her and Travis as well. Since they'll be strapped together in tandem it helps Travis more than for her in making the situation less scarier knowing she has her teammates in her ear every step of the way. Her thoughts quickly fade as the man who is known as her bearded beau's hetero life partner does a quick turn expressing a slight smirk on his lips.

"Quick Iron Man 2 opening deleted scene kiss?"

Sarah shakes her head in amusement. She then reaches up with her right hand placing her palm against her husband's chest. For her she knows the particular scene in question quite well since her nerdy husband watches the deleted scenes every time he watches Iron Man 2. A scene where Tony Stark just puked his guts out and then proceeds to freak out to the point where he wants to abort "the mission". Yet, it's Pepper who is able to somehow calm him down.

"First off…" the blonde beauty began. "…Pepper didn't actually kiss Tony. She kissed the helmet then tossed it out the back of the cargo plane." she lovingly reiterated nudging him on to the transporter platform.

"Technically…" retorted Chuck holding it up his right finger. "…the helmet is part of Tony's face." he added raising both Bartowski eyebrows nearly making the dance.

Meanwhile, Alex is watching the interaction all go down and can't help but smile because of it. Her focus on them is subsequently broken when the glass partition for the transporter platform suddenly raises. She's fully aware that it wasn't Sarah who raised it as she has been standing in Chuck's location the whole time. So, by process of elimination that leaves Travis who she turns her head and finds that he's standing at the control panel that opens the platform underneath his teammate's feet.

Her attention then averts back to Chuck standing within the platform as the glass partition beings to rise up. As it does, Chuck once again speaks ups.

"I know I can be selfish sometimes…" He takes a moment to pause then continues on. "…and I know I don't say it enough but how's my hair?"

As he is saying that, Alex rolls her eyes because she's watched Iron Man 2 enough times with Morgan to know the deleted opening scene between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. "There it is. That's the couple I know." she faintly muttered under her breath.

"I'm not going to say it."

"Come on babe." he pleaded like a 4 year old. In that instance, he then initiates his other secret weapon.

"Not fair!" retorted Sarah trying to restrain herself from smiling. Unfortunately, she fails. "The Bartowski eyebrow dance and the puppy dog eyes always get me. Fine!"

"Awesome!" After taking a moment to prepare, he begins again. "How's my hair?"

"You've said that before."

"I know but this time I mean it. PC enough? Do I need more product? Is it doing funny animal shapes?"

"Yeah. Looking good." she answered giving a somewhat enthusiastic 2 thumbs up.

"The wind-blown look?" he inquired waving his around in a male model-esque sort of way. "Give me a smooch for good luck."

In that moment, Sarah and Alex were waiting for the next line that comes after it. Instead of Chuck saying it, he lets the partition lower till it attaches to the platform. It's at the point, the 2 women realize he didn't say it because the line proceeding it after mentions the character not making it back. So, he left it out entirely not wanting himself to end up possibly trapping himself by those very words because of the current situation they're all in. Its then that's Alex notices Chuck and Sarah locking eyes with each other as the inner confines of the glass partition pressurizes evident by the faint signs of air swirling around inside.

For Alex, it's a considerably mesmerizing moment giving the tell-tale sign of significant strong of relationship they truly have with each other. The impactful nonverbal communication as they simply smile at each other added to that the momentary Kirk and Spock hand touch on the glass. Once again, a very notable movie scene from Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan where in order to save the crew Spock ends up risking his own life to get Enterprise out of the blast zone. A movie scene that still to this day Morgan cries over she thinks to herself.

In any case, her thoughts abruptly end when a sound is given off leading Travis to speak up. As he does, he does a 3 finger countdown towards Chuck. Chuck nods in acknowledge then returns his attention to Sarah on the other side of the glass. He then mouths the following 3 words: You complete me. It's those three words that were mouthed from inside the glass partition, were heard loud and clear by Sarah even though she didn't actually hear him say it. It's those same 3 words that Alex could clearly understand since part of her course in training to be a potential government profiler is reading lips.

Once again her attention would be returned to the sound of Travis' voice: "Beaming down in 3..2.."

In an instant, the floor underneath Chuck opens up and within a blink of an eye Chuck drops down disappearing out of sight. When he does, the open platform closes and after a few moments the glass partitions lowers down. As it does, Sarah briefly stands there then turns around eye both Travis and Alex. "You two are up next." she firmly stated.

Upon saying that, Alex's eyes widen. Don't freak out!

XXX

The wind trajectory of the sandstorm ever since entering into it has been giving Casey problems, especially with visibility. Yet, the word doable can most definitely be the best word to describe any foreseeable and not to mention unforeseeable obstacle standing in his way. In any case, Casey checks the altitude meter and then goes with his veteran gut instincts by reach over and pulling the chord to his chute. Lucky he did because he nearly went splat on some rocky terrain formations but because of the way the sandstorm is right now it blew him back up just in the nick of time.

Unfortunately, the windstorm is blowing him up and backwards, which isn't the right direction he needs to go. So, he retrieves a tactical knife that he so kindly "borrowed" from Dalton's weapons cache and quickly cut the straps. However, before doing so he waits for a moment for a wind gust to move his forward and after patiently waiting for it the move forward is thankfully provided to him. Afterwards, he then quickly slices away at his straps then prepares for an immensely brutal impact to where he can hopefully turn it into a military roll.

It's a landing all right. Instead of sticking it to where he's able to land feet first then do a forward military roll, he simply finds himself waist deep in loose desert sand. Not one of his finest moments he thinks to himself. Undaunted, he gradually pushes himself out of the desert sand that he finds himself implanted into like a patriot missile dropped from the sky hitting intended insurgent targets. Thankfully, it isn't the type of sand that traps an individuals like quicksand and the more you struggle the deeper you sink into it.

In any case, after struggling to push himself out of the sand he's deeply embedded in, he's finally free after using some embedded rock close to him to firmly establish a firm grip on to and pull himself up. The energy it took to free himself would have been better spent conserving it in order to face his former teammates; but he'll make do he thinks to himself. Afterwards, he takes a knee for a bit of a breather as he's being bombarded by the heavy sandstorm swirling in every direction making it difficult to keep his balance even though he's taking a knee. It's during his momentary breather, he reaches up with his right arm to check the device attached to his left forearm. He taps a few buttons and then begins to track the duffel bag's exact location and coinciding that to his current location.

Casey gives off a grunt underneath his protective covering after the readings indicate the green duffel bag is not that far away. Fortunately, for him it's not behind him as it's located somewhere ahead of him and because of that he'll gain some ground instead of losing it. It doesn't take long for the determined military vet to rise up in a standing position and after taking one more look at the tracking device on his left forearm he makes his way towards intended location Once he has the weapons bag in his position, he's setting his sights on his former teammates who took his daughter's moronic boyfriend for the simple act of leverage. As the proud marine shields his eyes with both hands from the ensuing heavy sandstorm swirling around him, he inevitably disappears out of sight and heading towards a long overdue final showdown.

XXX

The momentary shock of instantly dropping from a moving plane would be something that Alex would mostly definitely wear off and be replaced by a mixture of terrified exhilaration. True, tandem skydiving with Travis is something she has never done before and is certainly going to be crossed off her bucket list. Of course, it's not under circumstances that would allow her to experience the pure enjoyment of it all, especially doing it with the man she loves. Yet, her thoughts of Morgan and her current worries would soon wear off as well as she is fully aware of her surroundings as they heads down towards and following after Chuck who is somewhere below them.

While the former nerd herd leader is making his way to the target landing zone below them, Alex knows that her blonde compadre is doing the same after they transported out of the plane as well. In her mind, Sarah is a pro at this and even though she's been out of the spy business for a quite some time the skills and not to mention the instincts are still there just like her father's. They never really leave you she thinks to herself. In the midst of free-falling, she knows and has heard of her father's reputation for being unfriendly, unforgiving and unquestioning about his orders. Truth to be told, the same can be said about Sarah when the situation turns serious and anyone standing in her way will feel the full force of her reckoning she thinks to herself.

Her thoughts concerning the best damn partner her dad has ever had abruptly end when she suddenly notices Travis reaching forward with his left arm to show her the altitude readings. Afterwards then signals her by giving her the okay sign telling her that at a certain altitude he's pulling the chord to open the chute so be ready. As much as she's physically preparing for that moment, she knows that all she can really do is trust in Travis to keep her safe as best he can without any potential problems happening. Fortunately, she doesn't have any time in mentally thinking up every worst case scenario happening as she suddenly feels her whole momentum suddenly stop then jerked back up whereby giving her a momentary body jolt.

Afterwards, the fast descent has now turned into a peaceful glide within a seemingly calming atmosphere several thousand feet in the air. She takes a few moments to get her bearings straight after experience such a jolt to her body that she trying to be ready for but wasn't. Plus, the fact that she experiencing a serious wedgie like you wouldn't believe.

"How you doing Alex!?"

"A little uncomfortable Trav!" answered Alex after hearing his voice in her right ear.

"Wedgie?"

As embarrassed as she is to admit that piece of information, she gives her response. "I think the straps are up in me." she jokingly remarked.

"I got you." he retorted back. "Feel my feet and then stand on top of them."

Alex complies with Travis' instruction and gradually places her feet on top. As she does, she feels both of his feet instantly lock into position telling her he's done this before and with Sarah no less. After taking a brief moment to do some much needed readjusting, Alex suddenly feels more comfortable and far less constricting within her inner thighs. "Thanks. That feels so much better."

"No problem."

I wonder how Chuck is doing? Her mental question would be answered as a familiar voice is heard in her ear piece. "What's your 20 team!? Obi Wan?

"Obi Wan here! Copy!" answered Travis.

"Amidala?"

For a split second, Alex wondered who Chuck was talking to and then it hit her. She or in this particular case her call sign is Amidala. A character from the Star Wars prequels that is characterized as rebellious, headstrong, reckless, impulsive, hind, caring, selfless, and has a strong sense of justice added with tremendous amount of honor. In addition, she morally a person who doesn't like being lied to or deceived. At least that's what she mostly knows of the character every since Morgan took her on a double date with Chuck and Sarah to see it opening day. Thankfully, she didn't go with him or Chuck to see the movie several more times. Once was enough for her but is fortunate enough to watch it with her bearded boyfriend in the comfort of their own apartment whenever a Star Wars marathon rolls around on tv, which she doesn't mind doing with him.

In any case, the daughter of John Casey can't help but feel honored to be given a call sign to where she to her mind at least has become an official member of Team Chuck. Its then she feels a slight nudge from Travis to snap her back to reality. "Oh..." began Alex. "Amidala here! Copy!" she added with a hint of a smile on her face.

"Organa, what's your 20?"

There is a momentary silence as Alex anticipates with anxious wonder on her status right now. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long as she hears a response from the woman herself. "Right behind you, Nerfherder!"

"Didn't we agree on Solo?"

"You agreed to Solo. I liked Nerfherder better."

As Chuck and Sarah are discussing their call signs, Alex can't help but smile knowing once again the situation their heading into. It's at this point, the determined dark haired woman hears Travis intervening on behalf of the couple having a discussion about said call signs.

"Confirmation on the packages Organa. I say again..." inquired Travis. "Confirmation on the packages."

After another communication pause Sarah is heard once again. "Delivery on packages has been made Obi Wan."

"Copy that. Once our boots our on the ground, we lock and load. Copy to confirm."

"Copy." all 3 say in unison.

For Alex, the realization of the entire situation is looming closer and closer. It won't really hit her until she actually finds herself firmly stepping foot on the ground in a foreign country millions of miles away from home. A foreign country in which she takes the moment to scan the surrounding scenery before her. Unfortunately, there's not much to see with it being an vast desert wasteland but what instantly catches her eye is the aforementioned heavy sandstorm that Lt. Commander Franklin mentioned earlier. Thankfully, they're not landing into the chaotic nature within but behind it in order to avoid being completely lost in it's treacherous, as well as dangerous clutches. A sight that is both breathtaking and at the same time scary she thinks to herself. A feeling that she's experiencing right now as well.

XXX

Packard, T.I. and Mackintosh along with Morgan situated in between emerge from out of the tunnel and find themselves standing a few feet away from a rather large sliding metal door. A door that holds their retirement that they've so patiently waited for after being thrown in prison for so many years. All three 3 express smiles on their faces as they briefly turn their attention towards one another. As for Morgan, he believes it's nearing the end of the challenge and this could very well be his final exam. A final test in which will have to truly prove himself that he can outplay, outsmart, and most certainly out wit the so called Dungeon Master one John Casey.

As he stands there, he suddenly notices the Packard along with his 2 cohorts huddling up and the white piece of paper that was previously taken out in the copter makes an appearance again. He keenly observes the man with the charming smile start point in the direction down the tunnel and faintly hears the following two words once again: party favors. After exchanging smile and what seemed to him some sinister chuckles, he sees T.I. and Mackintosh head back in the same tunnel they just emerged from causing him to furrow his eyebrows in absolute wonder of what they're going to. His concentration down the down is interrupted by the sudden slap of hand on his shoulders causing Morgan to be startled.

"A little jumpy there Morgan?"

For Morgan, he doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that he was indeed startled. What he does notice of is the white piece of paper still clutched in his right hand, which he's not drawing to for the sake of the challenge itself. In any case, he plays it off like nothing happened and then turns around and makes his way towards the large metal sliding door. While doing so, he briefly glances back. "So this is where you're retirement that you've talked non stop about?"

"Yeah. Just behind those doors. Doors that we can't get behind thanks to Casey."

Upon saying that, Morgan attention on the door drifts down to his left where he sees the hand-print identification scanner. "The only way to open..."

"Packard immediately chimes in. "Is with Casey's hand. You know there's not just our retirement in there." he stated with a hint of concern in his voice. A tone that Morgan picks up on.

Once again Morgan glances back briefly and turns his attention back to the seemingly impenetrable sliding metal door standing before him. In order to further his charade as a psychic, he reaches up placing his right finger on his right temple and with his left hand places it every so gently on the metal door itself. He then surmises what the hulking marine would leave behind and then it hits him.

"Explosives." he dramatically announced taking a few steps back. Afterwards, he slowly turns around quirking his right brow. A faint smirk expressed on his lips. "Am I right?"

In that moment, Packard flashes his trademark charming smile and point at him inevitably wagging it him. "I like you Morgan." The salt and pepper haired leader of the trio steps toward and inevitably past Morgan and stands inches away from the metal door. He takes a deep breath and basks in all their efforts to get to where they are now. After taking it all in, he continues on. "Have you considered the offer?"

Morgan is silent as he steps forward momentarily looking back zeroing in on the white piece of paper again. It's not long before he's standing at the entrance of the tunnel once again and with a bit of dramatic affect, he sticks his hands into pant pockets then slowly turns around. "I have."

As Packard awaits his response, the pilot of the Sikorsky CH-53K Stallion is relaxing with his back against the door and his legs stretched out. His feet resting on the co-pilots seat. The condition outside are gradually lighting up as the heavy sandstorm is passing through causing the shaking motion of the copter itself to be far less jostling. Granted, it did assist in helping the pilot take a siesta evident by the sound of loud snoring. However, the snoring would be interrupted as the pilot's door is yanked open causing the upper half of his body to fall outside into the the awaiting arms of individual. Yet, it's not any individual. It's Casey and it's not so much his arms but arm as he the pilot is captured in a sleeper hold that instantly puts him out.

The wily veteran then takes that time to subdue the pilot knowing the copter itself will certainly be ticket out of here when its all said and done. Afterwards, he retrieves the duffel bag that he was able to locate and makes his way towards the entrance of the underground facility. Casey was able to easily traverse his way towards the open entrance to the underground facility due to the heavy storm now gradually lighting up. Once he reaches the open entrance, he takes a quick peek inside to where he faintly hears a bit of commotion and voice inside. His attention is then focused on the green duffel bag where he sets it down and then unzips it.

He then takes out a number of electronic devices and positions them into place to where he switches on the devices. Once those are set, he directs his attention on the electrical panel box and pries it open with his tactical knife letting it drop to the sandy ground. It's not long before he retrieves a pair of black leather gloves and begins to focusing on not only the wiring itself but more on piece of wiring. After locating said wiring to the security camera feed, he attaches it to the electronic devices that were set up previously. Thankfully, they still work after so many years evident by the clear image but lacking in sound of Packard and Morgan inside talking to each other.

It's at the point, he grabs the covering of the electrical panel box that was laying on the sandy ground. He then uses his tactical knife to etch some writing on it. To him, he knows that Chuck, Travis and Sarah are quite possibly in the area. How far he doesn't know. That doesn't concern him right now. What does concern him is that in case his strategy fails then its up to them to read the message that's left for him. Once he's done, he removes the gloves then reaches back into the duffel bag in order to retrieve a fully loaded Heckler and Koch HK416. A weapon specially developed for the Delta Force by German gunsmiths. He also takes a number of clips and some explosives with him as well.

Casey is fully ready to face his former teammates once again knowing its 3 against 1. Plus, the fact they're setting a trap for him and he's just fine with that. It's just the way he likes it because as he's stated before easy is overrated. Upon thinking that, he takes once last look at the image on security feed of Morgan and Packard talking then carefully ducks inside. The former team leader's final showdown with his subordinates and unbeknownst to him his current teammates landing safely on the ground one by one. All will be converging in one area for a epic face off that will come to end one way or another.

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