Four days had passed since the meeting with the creeps who previously held complete dominion over him. In a way he had liberated himself from their control. In other ways he had further entrenched into their deadly web. By forcibly making a deal favourable to them both, he was now a member of a service he didn't particularly like. With all the deceit, bending the rules and outright inhumane actions, being an intelligence community member wasn't exactly his version of recovering from the hellholes of criminal life.

Yet, to him, it was worth it. Not only did he have more control over what he could do, but he could positively contribute to their missions beside being a human database. Even though he was relegated to being the "intersect", being in the field equates to being on missions with the super-spies. More importantly, he could prove himself to Sarah.

Speaking of Sarah, she seemed a bit distant for the first half day. In the latter half, she had warmed up enough to take him to a local dojo for "training". More like a beatdown. The number of times he lifted himself of the mat didn't matter. The frequency bothered him. It took her no more than 3 seconds to have him back on the floor. He could see she was venting her frustrations from earlier as she was more of an action person unlike he.

After a while, he defiantly threw his gear down and left. However, at the entrance he realized that no matter what happens, he can never quit. If he did, the probationary status of his analyst position would be revoked without any more possible chances in the future. So, he sighed and trudged back determined to never show that weakness again.

That night, he had his worst pains since being shot and being shanked. He was in an ice bath when he heard knocks on his door. Groaning loudly, he wrapped himself in a towel, hastily put on a 'everything's better in california' t-shirt and slowly moved to open the door.

If there was someone he didn't want to see that night, even if the world ended, it was her. She was standing there with an icepack and a takeout from their first date - first pretend date. But, her apologetic smile and hesitant nature thawed him a bit.

"I didn't really expect anyone tonight." He folded his hands and lent against the door frame. "After this afternoon, I definitely didn't expect you here. If I didn't know better, I would have mistaken you for trying to kill me - about a gajillion times."

She wore a small smile and said, "I needed to test your resolve and work out a few of my frustrations. It seemed like a win-win then."

He was more than a little aggravated. But, he sighed again, realizing that he was as much responsible for their predicament and it wouldn't do any favours for them both for him to stay frosty. He remarked, "Next time, you might need to keep in mind that I ain't a punching bag." He saw guilt worm its way into her eyes while her expressions remained as they were. He sighed, once more, before standing aside and said, "Maybe from tomorrow, you could train me?"

She took his action as a sign of forgiveness and flashed him a blinding smile. Nonetheless, she decided to banter and tease him. "Didn't you get enough looks today being taken down by a girl, a few gajillion times? You sure you want to go through that humiliation again?"

He let out a small smile. "The choice is between a dazzling bimbo and a freakish gorilla. I chose the bimbo." She laughed. "Bimbo? Really, Chuck? You want a repeat performance tomorrow as well?"

He was practically gleaming, "Knowing you, I have feeling that it isn't going to be any other way."

Her smile dimmed a bit. "I know I was a bit harsh today, but I needed to make sure you knew what you had asked for. Today might have been brutal. But, being a field analyst is essentially the same as being a field agent without a few aspects of the job. You take similar risks and while we are more overt, you will be targeted just as much as us. Today was nothing. There will be days where you will be beaten within an inch of death but will be forced to remain alive. I just needed to make sure, for you and me, that you know what you are getting into."

He wore a soft smile that touched the depths of her heart. "I kinda figured that. Don't worry. No hard feelings here... Well. After the apology takeout and icepack that is"

A comfortable silence enveloped them.

Chuck broke it first. "I need to show you a tape... Keep an open mind, okay?" He played Bryce's apology slash affidavit. At the end of the video, Sarah spoke first. "Atleast he cared genuinely for you." He was a bit perturbed by that. "Well, he had a weird way of showing it."

Sarah stiffened. She spoke in a crushed tone. "It isn't easy for us field agents to express ourselves well, Chuck. Our very nature is molded into one of secrecy and unwavering focus to get the job done. No matter what the job is. For him to do this, and tearfully, he genuinely cared about you. And... and, I envy you. I envy Ellie. I envy Devon. I envy even Morgan. No matter what hardships you face, you all retain a light, that burns effulgently and I guess agents like me and Bryce are attracted like moths to a flame."

Chuck was stumped. More speechless than stumped. Sarah just indicated that she was attracted to him. To his family. And she made a lot of sense in what she said. Her remarks were the final nail in that coffin of his anger and hurt against a dead man. He was done. He would be no more bitter than the next person. It still didn't make things right. Not even close. But he was better off than so many others. So he would let it all drop.

Chuck looked at the tears in Sarah's eyes and said, "I have no right to say this, but hear me out. Bryce was always very popular with the girls in Stanford. He had this effortless charm and his naturally good looks didn't hurt either. But if there's one thing I can say for certain is for those he cared, he did so with the depths of his heart. Before my expulsion from Stanford, Bryce and I were inseparable. I was never the adventurous type... And I was relentlessly picked on back then for my nerdy nature, looks and basically the then me. Bryce would always step in and help me out. He stood up to everybody for me and I guess he was still looking out for me at the end.

"I cannot say I would do the same things Bryce did or for that matter do it the same way he did, but from what I gleaned from you two, I know that he cared for you too, Sarah. I believe he did deeply." It was Sarah's turn to be stumped. "How do you know about me and Bryce being more...? How much do you know?"

Chuck was nervous with his reply. He decided to be forthright. "The intersect gave me everything on your and Bryce's CIA history - all your aliases, your sanctioned missions, unsanctioned ones. To be frank, I know almost everything about you from when you graduated from high school to date. It didn't take much to jump to the conclusion that you and Bryce were more than just lovers after your string of successful missions and intermittent downtime together."

"Why did you trust me then, Chuck? After everything Bryce had done then, you still trusted me? I wouldn't trust me." Sarah looked into eyes while being fearful off his reply. "You earned it."

Her eyes conveyed the most expression. More than even her beaming face. The displayed the depth of her joy when she heard it. "And Bryce always got the extraordinary women. Keeping him as a benchmark would be disastrous." They both broke into laughter.

That night, they both reconciled and it was late, later than usual she left, after giving him a hug that still raised goosebumps.


The next three days, he settled into a comfortable routine. After their Batty in the morning, the three of them worked to get a few actual clients for their business. They primarily did development and penetration testing. Sarah managed the clientele, Casey the scheduling and planning and operations and he the development and testing. He decided to give five percent stake of his company shares to each of them as a way to express his gratitude for their sincerity and expertise. By the third day, they managed to sign two big clients and had a contract worth half a million dollars annually, Their total collections had gone up to three-quarters of a million dollars per annum.

After working through the morning till late afternoon, he would head to the gun range where Casey instructed him in the art of firearms. The depths of Casey's firearm knowledge was astounding. He picked up very quickly the handling of the weapon and how to shoot. He had a little trouble in keeping a steady aim and adjusting to the recoil, but after an hour, he did that well too. Now, he needed to become a better shot. He was at 40% already and Casey was impressed with his progress.

In the evening, he and Sarah would go to the dojo where she began training him in defensive moves and postures. A little bit of Jujitsu, Krav Maga, modern wrestling, boxing and few kickboxing moves. She tried to streamline his posture and technique through active and aggressive combat. Suffice to say, he had a long way to go before he became field ready, let alone anywhere to close to her level.

Something he took note of was her protective streak came out when some of the other combatants, male or female disparaged or laughed at him. That glare and stink eye drove them away with none bothering them again. It was sweet and terrifying at the same time.

Later, at night, he spent some time with either Sarah or Morgan. Ellie and Devon too, but on rare occasions.

Devon. Another consequence of that meeting. Devon couldn't believe his ears when they told him that he was being offered a job as a spy doctor. And how could he refuse? He lived for the thrill and adrenaline. This was like his dream job. When Devon got to know that he was the central figure in this setup, he was overjoyed. Beyond overjoyed. In fact, he kept bellowing to Ellie about the time he proclaimed Chuck's capacity for greatness. Yeah... Devon's overbearing enthusiasm and positivity were grating on all their nerves. But they loved him for it.

Morgan was the only person in Chuck's family circle that didn't know what he did and he planned on keeping his little buddy in the dark. Morgan had this tendency of trying to be involved in places where he really shouldn't. He would unnecessarily complicate things. It would be more prudent to leave him be in the BuyMore and outside this dangerous alleyway to keep things good and well.

It was for the best as he was sure if Casey ever saw him and Morgan together discussing about anything, he would have shot him. Casey was really annoyed by them both and since he couldn't shoot the intersect... Last night, he showed Casey the recording of Bryce and Casey finally stopped giving him grief about being the fat kid being picked last when he heard the complexity behind the entire issue. Instead he muttered something about lady feelings and left.
Tonight, however, was the night of the year. The night where everyone he knew and cared for will meet everyone else. It also coincided suspiciously with Tiny's release. And the annual 'evening-of-Morgan'.

Tiny's stint was supposed to last for a little while longer. However, someone high had fast tracked his release on good behaviour and expedited his parole. So, Chuck invited him to their evening, along with Jones and his new besties from work, Sarah and Casey. Atleast that's Morgan's view on things. Besides them, Ellie and Devon were coming too.

He was absolutely excited.


He couldn't believe his luck. After almost loosing out on the Bamboo Dragon, and convincing Morgan to leave fireworks out of the celebrations that night, he had to flash. Just when things were getting good.

Morgan was trying to compete with Tiny on who was Chuck's true best friend. It was absolutely hilarious. Tiny's gigantic frame looking down on the pinball that was Morgan. Yet the bearded boy wonder was daring to keep the Goliath at bay. Casey was sure getting his entertainment that night from the CCTV footage here. Even Ellie was amused while Jones, Sarah and Devon were laughing outright.

When Jones met Sarah, it had been awkward. Jones knew of her but never met her in person. Sarah didn't even know he existed. Nonetheless, he passed along a message from Bryce and hugged her fiercely. She was statuesque for a few moments before she reciprocated. For most of the evening, she was slightly dazed, obviously reeling from the shock of whatever that message contained.

The sizzling shrimp was surprisingly good for a $10 meal and with it being Morgan's treat, none protested about it. Though all were surprised that it tasted almost as good as a three star restaurant's. However, a waitress and her unsual tattoo caught his eye triggering an intersect flash. If that wasn't enough he looked at her face and he began loosing focus of his surroundings rapidly. He managed to suffer through it without blacking out but was too woozy when the knockout punch landed. Behind Tiny, he glanced at another guy with a scar from his right eye down and the intersect went into overdrive. He couldn't retain his balance any longer and slumped from his chair, banging his head into the table in front of him and fell off the chair, conking off on the floor.


The commotion of the people surrounding Chuck was enough to disrupt any plans the two individuals had. This also gave Chuck's family and friends time to get into action. Morgan was immediately at Chuck's side cradling his head in his lap. Tiny was also sitting next to him checking his pulse and any other visible injuries. The many bruises that were fading and the gunshot wound certainly caused him to worry.

Chuck had this unique habit of getting into and causing more trouble than should be humanly possibly. And he was sure that something really crazy happened in Chuck's life that he kept from him. Chuck was his best and one true friend. If there was anything he learnt from their stint in lock-up, his former buddies and mates in the drug cartels and gangs were all fake. They used and threw you away. But not Chuck. Chuck taught him the value of true friendship and he was going to make life hell for those that did this to Chuck.

However, he looked at the two docs on the scene for directions. They were heavily invested in his survival and he knew they would ensure his safety. He had never met Chuck's family in lock-up due to whatever disagreements they had. Looks like they made up and he was truly happy for him. And his sister was truly beautiful. Like a diamond in the rough beautiful. But she was taken and he would respect that.

Her fiance was handsome too. Compared to the ugly mugs he was accustomed to, this guy was like a million on a thousand scale. He was seriously a candidate for modelling and he didn't know what led him into becoming a doctor. From their limited interactions, he knew the two of them would get along just fine.

Morgan... was interesting. He was the last remaining vestige of Chuck's pre-joint years. Where he was naive and generally innocent. Chuck had told him as much and he could see it too. He hated to admit it... but it was kinda refreshing. And he was absolutely amused at that munchkin trying to take him on. Biblical tales had nothing on them.

Casey... He didn't get a good enough read on him but he could peg him anywhere as a spook. The govt. controller of Chuck. So was Chuck's supposed girlfriend. He needed to make backup plans for whisking Chuck away to safety in case things got hairy and these two try to deal with him. He knew of enough tales to know that these assholes might be using Chuck forever and he might delude himself into thinking they were here for his safety. He would never trust them, especially the blonde. He had seen it all. The female spooks were far more conniving and cunning.

It was due to the system... Males thought of themselves as Bonds and Bournes. What they fail to realize is that in their desperation for big glory and bombastic achievements, it was the female spies that completely and utterly crippled the global crime world. He was no longer a part of it, but that doesn't mean he would trust them with Chuck.

Yet, he held out hope that maybe Chuck can change them the way he did him. For now, it was his job to defend Chuck. So he decided to be the imposing, towering presence to stave off any of the others except for the three already tending to him, standing tall like his bodyguard.


Casey was freaking out on the inside. On the outside, he got the vibes of stay away from the big guy. He could take him, but it won't be easy. He saw Sarah keeping her distance too. It was clear that Tiny suspected them for whatever this was. He was right in a way.

Both he and Sarah noticed Chuck flash twice. And they were huge ones. That information, whatever he got would be critical, vital even to national security. They were in an underground gambling club cum restaurant with undoubtedly many Chinese assets and criminals who all were probably undocumented in this country. And from his previous two flashes as well as his input in cleaning up both NSA and CIA, it had to be something big. Over the two months, he had come to trust Chuck with reporting the information as best as he could. It was a testament to the time-tested nature of the true American people like Chuck whose determination and commitment to make the best of his situation gave him hope; Hope for the future of the nation that he fought tooth and nail to preserve. It also broke the frigid container, the cast iron shield that he had created within himself for feeling things again. His way of life didn't afford him that luxury. But Chuck, not the asset, had changed it all. In two months.

He couldn't imagine an innocent, nerdy, looking-at-the-best-brightest-in-everything guy going to hell, surviving and still be willing to do the right thing. His country had given up on him. Failed him. It had sent an innocent to the worst zone of modern society and he persevered. The strength of character it took to accomplish that was akin to that in a marine. In some cases, even more so. He knew some marines who underwent similar situations and lost their way in their anger. He couldn't give him shit anymore even if he tried.

So when he stood up for himself in that meeting, he was angry, frustrated and surprised. Yet he was proud now. He was proud to have known the individual that was Chuck. An edgy guy who still looks to the right thing no matter the personal cost. He had the opportunity to get out of this cycle completely with enough skills to have the press have a field day with this scandal, but he leveraged it to do more for his country... even if it was mainly to get into Walker's pants.

Walker. He could feel the magnetism between Walker and Chuck. It was incredible to watch from the sidelines. Walker kept falling for him everyday, just a bit more. And she didn't even know it. Love. Something he never afforded himself a thought of after Kathleen and his french rose. It was past his time. But maybe, just maybe, he might still have a chance.

For now, he needed to do his job and keep this scene clean off all inquisitive and prying eyes. Chuck's physical safety was guaranteed by his convict friend and he was sure that anything that got past Tiny would be met with Walker's knives, inch-deep. He was not needed here for securing the scene but more to do with coverup. And he went to do his job.


By the time the ambulance arrived, they had been forced, about a block away. The undocumented workers, had insisted that they needed to be off the radar of the police and ICE. Morgan, the slimy little porcupine, took advantage and got them to cover this meal and another for forcing them out. They were all welcome, together as a group, for a free meal within the next seven days.

When the ambulance came, Jones was the first to go as he was needed urgently for something. He asked them to keep him updated. As the ambulance sped away with Chuck, Ellie and Devon onboard, the team were left to figure out what to do. They decided that they would head back to Chuck's while Morgan took off to the hospital to stay by Chuck's side. Tiny wanted to do that but given that he had been paroled just a few hours earlier, he knew his presence won't be appreciated.

As they all entered Chuck's place, Tiny had two small revolvers out and pointed them at the two of them. If they had been surprised by it at all, they didn't show it. In fact, they looked barely troubled. "I don't know what Chuck did or what he got mixed up in. But that doesn't give you spooks the right to shoot him and beat him up. So here's what's going to happen, I am..."

Before he could finish, the asshole and the blonde attacked as one and removed the revolvers from hi hand and pointed it back at him. Fortunately for him, there was chair nearby and he grabbed it and clobbered Casey. With the power behind that blow, Casey fell back on his knee and dropped the gun. When he tried doing the same with Sarah, he found himself dealing with an agile, quick fighter and instantly knew he was outmatched. He could barely reach her and he saw she wasn't even attempting to get to him. Just trying to tire him out. He had one last trick. One he picked up from Chuck. He had a vial of chloroform. He threw it on the ground and immediately put on the mask. Casey rushed to put on his mask and Sarah did the same but they had already inhaled enough to become woozy. Both of them were too dazed. Tiny picked up a gun from the floor and knocked them into unconsciousness.

Casey was the first to wake up. He looked around and he saw that Tiny had them tied up in a classic cartel style interrogation setup. However, he didn't have any of the equipment they generally did. No pliers, no burners, no tolls of any kind. He was simply sitting in front of them.

Tiny looked at him. "Good. You are awake..." Taking a small glass of water he woke Sarah too. "Now you both are."

"Before we start, I want to tell a story. When I first met Chuck, I was in a bad space. Like a really bad space. I was in for possession, assault and battery charges and they used every trick in the book to get me fourteen years. When Chuck came along, I was in my eighth year.

"Whoever said that prison was the worst of human civilization was wrong... No worst means that there is a degree of bad you can assign. But the bars ain't something you can assign a word and call it a day. Chuck was a white, nerdy kid. Everyone in that crappy shithole, knew that he didn't have the temperament to commit the crimes they had said he committed. And he had committed only white collar crimes but he landed in gen pop. Somehow, the judicial system was coerced to an extent I have never known and he was put with killers, mass murderers and pigs like me.

"When people think of prison they think it can possibly reform a person. But for most it doesn't. It transforms them into something much worse. And for new pickings like Chuck, they always had it worse. In the first three months, Chuck was used in ways most of the people in the outside world would find beyond vile. Even some guards got in on the action. Thinking of it now, it is among the most vile things a human being can experience. And I have done some pretty despicable acts in my span on earth.

"But in there, unless there was a reason to, you wouldn't look out for someone else. By the end of the third month, Chuck was broken. Broken beyond any help. The only way for him to survive would have been if he finally fought back. And he got the nerve to do it and he did it in the cafeteria. He mixed this concoction of chemicals he derived from food and detergents from cleaning duty and nearly poisoned those who tormented him. But, he stopped short of killing them.

"You see... In there, it is kill or be killed. There is no in between. There isn't wiggle-room. I guess soldiers and spooks understand the harshness, but whatever you think you have seen, prison is worse. Once the inmates recovered, they were going to get their pound of flesh by killing him. This is where I stepped in. Not voluntarily. Chuck doesn't know this. But this guy approached me through his lawyer and offered me a million dollars to keep Chuck alive through prison. And I accepted it. The next day I heard from my family that $50K had been deposited in the account I had asked for. It wan't until later when I saw Jones today, did I recognize the lawyer.

"Anyway, the next day when they came for Chuck, I put them all down and I told him all the truth except for the payment. I don't know why, but I didn't tell him that. In fact, that is my biggest regret till today. But the rest I told him was true, he had earned my respect and he was a stronger person, a better person than all in that prison. And he told me his story. Of how he got railroaded into prison on a white collar crime and through powers unknown to him, he had been placed in a maximum security prison. It seems that the hacking signature on his computer was connected by the feds to a hitman but they never found enough evidence to make these charges stick in court. However, they were able to convince the judge and jury about the supposed danger he presented to society and thus his life got even worse.

"At that time, I never understood the reason behind his sob story. However, over the next few months, I learnt about the the real Chuck. The guy behind the veneer the prison had made him wear. Even broken, he still found something bright in the darkest of places. And somehow, I got attached to him. It didn't help that he took a shank that was meant for me and went to intensive medical care for nearly three months before he began to walk properly again.

"After that... I made a promise to myself... Money or no money, I am going to do one good act in my life, I will ensure Chuck safely gets out of the prison without more physical harm. Together, we were practically unstoppable. But, Chuck somehow did something more impressive. He helped out other inmates in getting their GEDs, etc. It just broke mine and many of the hardened criminal hearts to see a genuinely good guy, who was obviously framed, still trying to do something incredibly good, in a prison.

"But I digress... I kept that promise. Chuck was out... free to do as he pleased. And when with a stroke of luck, I am released nine months early, I find him bruised and shot in the care of two spooks. So let us get back to why you both are tied up... I don't care what you want or need. But, you aren't getting Chuck hurt ever again. I have enough contacts to ensure that he disappears completely. Unless, you convince me you mean him no harm."

When he finished his monologue, both Casey and Sarah had tears in their eyes. They never knew all this. Chuck never talked about his stint in prison. And to think that the moment he was exonerated, he still decided to help them finish their mission. He tried to adjust and help them as much as he could. Even though they were using him no better than convicts. Sarah's heart stopped when she tried to understand what she might have done in his situation. Before this, she had definitely thought if she were him, she would have run away and killed them all. She treasured her freedom. But learning about the torture and this new information, it is clear that Chuck functioning at all, was a miracle. He had never been to rehab or a psychiatrist since.

Sarah always regarded her darker acts as those done in the name of the greater good; enabling her country its prominence. She was no ultra nationalistic patriot like Casey, but she found peace in the supposed security she was able to grant the average American to have the American Dream. But with Budapest and now Chuck, she was no longer sure. She knew she shouldn't dwell on it as injustice is prevalent and rampant through the world. Yet, her heart couldn't let it go that her country, even her own organization had been so callously responsible in destroying Chuck - the very essence of the concept of "the greater good" she fought so hard for. And to think that it all began with Bryce, an individual she thought she would be in a comfortable relationship with; a person whom she shared her most intimate state with; a person who hurt Chuck so much. She just couldn't take it any more. But, she needed to keep her cool.

"It's not like we want him to get hurt. Or we wished this for him. He was pretty much non-existent on our radar until something drastically changed. It's classified so we can't exactly reveal it to you. But we truly mean him no harm. In fact, we are here to protect him from harm." Sarah replied with a crack in her voice.

"And yet I don't believe you... (Pausing) Come to think of it, I think I know you." He tapped his fingers to the side of his forehead and slowly started again. "Yeah... Yeah. We met once. In Mexico. You looked a little bit different then - with brownish hair and green eyes, and crimson shades. You had two other companions, one redhead and one brunette. And your blonde-headed friend was the boss's sidefuck. The red head was helping the boss's brother with his pants. Your name was Yvette... Yvette Hon-something.

"And after you left, we were all reeling with a big explosion in our warehouse." He slapped his forehead and resounding smack stunned them both awake. "Of course. None of us were able to understand the cause of the explosion. We lost about $5 Million in product and a lot more in arms and labour. Bosses executed a bunch of us to make sure we would be more vigilant."

Sarah was panicking internally. CATs were in Mexico only for missions involving the 'Gentle Hand'. The only black mark besides Budapest in her record. And this guy put them all at the scene. If this was just a year ago, she would have executed him on the spot. Now, she wouldn't. He didn't pose a threat to her current mission. In fact, he maybe was an asset. Before she could continue, he set them at ease.

"It doesn't matter now. I am going legit. Got inspired by Chuck. I don't care what happened there now or ever. Back to the problem at hand, how can I trust you now that I know you are capable of such mayhem. Especially with someone as important as Chuck."

"Perhaps, I get to be the one to decide that Tiny." In a voice that can only be described as amused, and a bit disappointed, a response came from unexpected quarters. Chuck's face was glowing on the TV opposite them. All of them didn't notice when he joined the conversation. "After all, they are here to protect me. And if they get hurt, the ones that replace them will be far less accommodating."

Tiny looked a little like a deer caught in the headlights. He had sheepish smile and turned around, "Chuck... Buddy how long have you been here man?"

"The microphones I planted at home caught a new voice and I decided to listen in what was going on." Tiny's face fell. "Chuck, I am so s-".

"It doesn't matter now. No matter how it started, I am thankful that it did. You got me through hell, Tiny. I am a bit sad you wouldn't tell me how it started, but I am okay with it. Life goes on. Now... would you release Sarah and Casey. Keeping spooks bound isn't going to end well. Ever. So next time, just talk with them." Chuck's voice blared softly.

Tiny was abashed but did as Chuck asked of him. He also apologized to Sarah and Casey. Surprisingly, Sarah pulled him into a hug and whispered into his ears. "I know you don't believe me yet, but Chuck is the most important person in my life right now. I will do my best to keep him as he is. Thank you for getting him through prison." The pause meant the threat was going to follow and Tiny was a tiny bit on the edge. The blonde hadn't even tried t hurt him before, simply toying with him. He knew that she knew that. And she would make good on her promise. "Also, the next time you tie me up, I will cut off your balls and make your breakfast soup. Are we clear?"

Tiny grinned at her. Casey and Tiny just had the weird alpha male acknowledges. Chuck then spoke directly to Tiny, "I have bad news Tiny. They are coming after you."

Tiny's smile faded away. "The Council? Or my former bosses only." Chuck's grim tone spoke for them all. "The council. Your former bosses were unable to get anything to happen in prison so they decided to deal with it outside. They sent their top hitman. The Panther. He was in the diner tonight."

Tiny was visibly worried. "You have two options. Atleast those I can see. You could proceed with our planned runaway. I have everything ready. Or I could help a little more with the situation with the help of my new... friends. In my opinion, option two guarantees a chance at a somewhat normal life. Option one can result in danger to... you know who."

Tiny was clearly worried. "I... I... I- I need some time, Chuck. I can't ask for your help right now. You aren't even well. And how can I or even you trust them after what they do. They lie and deceive for a living. They might do it even after we help them and they help us."

Chuck was not amused. "Your problems are my problems too, Tiny. I thought that was clear. And... I guess you will only have my word to get you trust them. I won't ask you trust them with everything. Just this one time." He then pleaded with him. "Please, Tiny. I don't want to see your photo in the papers. Unmoving."

Tiny took a while to convince before he capitulated to Chuck's reasoning. Now, they just had to get their mission along. Operation "Save Tiny" was to be planned and executed and Chuck, he wasn't going to fail another friend.