Don't own Chuck

The next morning came early for Chuck. When he got up the sun wasn't even up yet but he wanted to call Ellie and tell her the story of the school bag as well as make breakfast for everyone before they got up. His little girl was growing up which gave him mix feelings and he wanted to talk to El about them. He was lucky catching her at home before she went out for work.

"I wish you guys could've stayed a little longer here so you could've been here when we got home," said Chuck. He put the call on speaker as he went about getting breakfast cooking.

"I wish we could've too but we had responsibilities that couldn't wait and Clara can't keep missing school. You're going to find out about that now."

"Don't remind me. I was thinking just yesterday she was crawling around here on all fours and now she's starting school."

"Little brother, I hate to tell you but we're getting old. You might not like this but time is no one's friend. I'm glad Sam could use the backpack I gave her and when it looked like you were going to get back late then Mom mention she was going to handle it. Well, I remembered what happened to me when I started school. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Well, I have to say you saved the day. I don't know if I should tell you this but Beckman is on vacation and guess who's been put in charge?"

"No Mom? Well, you can tell me what it's like working your own mother," said Ellie as Chuck heard her laugh through his phone.

"Funny, I'm the one she's going to interrogate. Somehow this whole situation just seems wrong. I mean I don't feel bad when I tell Beckman what I know she wants to hear which doesn't always correspond to the truth."

"You mean alternative facts? You never had a hard time when were kids telling Mom or Dad your version of the truth…"

"But I never lied to you… at least not when we were kids," said Chuck as he broke eggs in the flour then added milk.

"No, you didn't but that was a lifetime ago. I know this is going to sound bad before I say it. You need to keep in mind Mom may be our mother, but she's been a spy longer than that. So, if I were you I wouldn't deal with her any different than you deal with Beckman. It's not your fault you're in this situation."

"That was basically the same advice Sarah gave me," said Chuck as he started putting batter in the skillet for the first pancake.

"What can I say great minds and you're surrounded by beautiful smart women. I hate to run but I have to run. Devon took Clara to school so I could get to the hospital early. I have a backlog of patients waiting to see me."

"Sorry to bother you but I wanted to tell you about the backpack," said Chuck as he flipped the pancake to cook it on the other side.

"No bother and I expect to get a report about Sam's first day at school. Maybe we can do something on Skype so we all can see each other and talk."

"Consider it an appointment. Bye Sis for now," said Chuck as he hung up then poured batter in for the second pancake.

"So, what did Ellie have to say," asked Sarah as she appeared from the hall. "That smells good. Are there any ready?"

"Yes, I've got one on a plate and another one about to come out of the skillet," said Chuck as he poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her.

"They're mine," she said as she took the cup. She took a sip looking at him over the top. "So, what did Ellie have to say about how you should deal with your mother? Don't tell me you didn't ask her because that won't fly with me. You ask her everything."

"Well we just talked and the topic of my mother might have come up," said Chuck as he plated the pancake for her then started the next one. "The syrup is behind you. She basically told me the same thing you did that I should treat Mom the same way I treat Beckman."

"It's for both of your own good," said Sarah as she started eating. "Every time they get better than the last ones. What I was trying to say is if you say something that comprises you she'll be in a dilemma. If she reports you you'll get into trouble but if she doesn't then she'll get herself and indirectly Beckman as well as the agency in trouble…"

"And no one person, no matter who he or she is, is more important than the agency," said Chuck as he plated another pancake.

"That's the way we were trained. So, if I were you I'd watch what I had to say around her," said Sarah as Casey came walking in through the front door.

"I hope there's a pancake with my name on it or there's going to a problem," he said as he walked on into the kitchen. "Where's the Boss Momma at?"

"There's a pancake on the table and here's another one. Good morning John," said Chuck as he slid the second one on top the first. Sarah handed him a fork and the bottle of syrup.

"Thanks, so where's the Boss Momma at? I saw your Mom up and about way before sunrise. At first I thought she was an intruder and I was about to take her out when I recognized her."

"Gee, John, thanks for not taking out my mother…"

"That would've taken care of a lot of our problems," said Sarah as Chuck gave her a look. "Hey, I'm just putting it out there."

"So that's what you're going with… Boss Momma? Really? And what's this about her being out early this morning? I haven't seen her."

"She was out in the courtyard is all I have to say and I've got security camera footage to back it up. Maybe she went into work. The Major is supposed to fly in to turn over the keys to the gingerbread house to her." As they were speaking Casey's phone rang telling him he had a message.

"We'll speak of the devil… Boss Momma wants to see me in Castle right away. Maybe I'll get to scratch my trigger finger. This is a little backward. Usually I have a short stack after the hit. I don't know there's something about pancakes that tell me I'm alive. Well I've got to run. I don't want to keep Boss Momma waiting."

"If I were you I'd come up with another name for her before you slip and call her that to her face. You ever thought she might be calling you in for your after-action report from China?"

"Doubtful since I haven't written one," said Casey as he headed for the door.

"Hold up John, do want me to come along with you? She is my Mom after all and I can run interference for you."

"I can finish cooking breakfast here and getting everyone fed," said Sarah. "You might want to take Chuck up on the offer just in case. You know you never can tell."

"The way I look at it's a fifty-fifty call. Either she's pissed and you'll make it worse or she's pissed and you'll make it better. If I were going to see Beckman it definitely would be the former but what the hell just don't let this go to your head."

"Oh, come on Casey you know you love me and that's why you need me. You should let those inner feelings out."

"If I did you'd be dead so keep it in your pants and don't make me regret this decision. Remember the Crown Vic has an ejection seat and you'll be sitting right in it. Now let's go, I don't want to keep the Boss Momma waiting."

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Back in Saint Thomas, Donna Rosenda was sitting in the bar of the Waldron International finishing a short stack. The night had been busy at the Waldron with guests running out of the hotel semi dressed after the gunshot. The night manager investigated and found the gruesome scene then called the appropriate authorities. From her vantage point in the bar Donna Rosenda had a bird's eye view of the constant flow of police and other officials investigating the crime scene.

"You know what they say about criminals returning to the scene of their crime," said her lieutenant as he sat down opposite her observing the body being wheeled out in a bag.

"Returning means I left and came back. I've been here all night observing and waiting," she said as she took the last bite of pancake after getting what remained of the syrup. "I know this is a little heavy here but it's something I picked up from the Americans."

"You've been here all night and no one's noticed you? Are you crazy? Why have you been here that long?"

"I was waiting for them," she said as she nodded towards the men in black as they came down after the body. "I wanted to make sure they got the word."

"Now I know you're crazy. If our targets find out about this they may not show up. Is that what you really want after all the effort we've put into this?"

"You worry too much Luiz. You're beginning to sound like an old woman and being one I am offended," she said as she took a sip of her coffee.

"You're not that old. I met with our man on the boat and he gave me the charts like he promised. I have them outside in our van. There's only one hitch, Captain Troy has plotted two courses and intends on letting our targets pick which one they want to use."

"I take it that could be a problem. We won't know which one they're sailing before they leave port. So, what's your solution? You wouldn't have brought this up unless you already had a plan."

"The courses have one thing in common. If our man can't get word to us about which course they're taking then they both end with a run up to Nassau in the Bahamas."

"I see. You are a clever boy… other victims of the Devil's Triangle," she said as he nodded back. "We may not need Black Bart for this one."

"I wouldn't count the Captain out yet. I was thinking about using him and the triangle together. That should get a few tongues wagging around here."

"That's a good idea and will give the good Captain an even greater reputation than when he was actually alive and sailing these waters. I've seen everything I need to see here we can go," said Donna Rosenda as she got up. Luiz dropped money on the table as a second body bag came out of the elevator.

"I hope this was worth it," thought Luiz as he watched them wheel out the body through the lobby doors.

"What did you say," said Rosenda. He hadn't realized he'd been speaking out loud and he knew he had to think fast.

"I said I don't know why they took her out the lobby door and not through the service entrance in the back. A body being wheel out the front door can't be good for business."

"You're probably right. But most of the business that goes on here is done in the afternoon or late evening. However, that could've been the General they just wheeled out. You don't know that was the girl."

"You're right. That was just my impression from the body mass inside but I have no way of knowing," said Luiz as they walked out to the waiting van. Actually, he did. He'd known Juanita in carnal form and could tell from the contour of the body in the bag it had been hers.

"Come on Luiz," yelled Rosenda. "I don't know what's in you today. Get in the van we've got things that need to be gotten done."

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When Sam woke up the first thing that hit her was the fragrant smell of pancakes. There was something about the pancakes Chuck made that were better than anything anyone else prepared that made her feel … well like home. She also knew Morgan loved them too so if she wanted one she needed to hurry. Sarah heard the patter of little feet running down the hall.

"Morgan, if you've eaten them all you'll answer to me," screamed Sam as she ran into the kitchen. "Oh, you're doing the cooking."

"And good morning to you too. Keep it down Bunny's still sleeping," said Sarah as she plated the last one and put everything in the sink.

"Sorry, I thought Chuck was doing the cooking… I mean from the smell," said Sam. She realized she'd dug herself a hole. "Where is he?"

"Just sit down at the table and I'll take care of you," said Sarah as she put syrup on one then put it in front of her. Sam looked at it then looked at her. "Don't worry Chuck made the batter. He had to go into work with Casey but he'll be home this afternoon."

"Well maybe it's good he's not here. You and I need to talk," said Sam then she took her first bite. It was soft and fluffy with the right amount of syrup. And real syrup not that cornstarch knockoff. "Now this is good."

"You were saying we needed to talk," said Sarah as got herself another cup of coffee then sat down next to Sam. "They are good, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are," said Sam as she nodded. "Well, I need your help. Nanna Mary wants to take me clothes shopping for school…"

"I don't think you need anything new for school," said Sarah as she took another sip of coffee. "But if Mary insists what's the harm?"

"Disaster is what can happen and don't say I'm exaggerating because I'm not. She wants to get me skirts to wear to school. Is she crazy?"

"It wouldn't hurt you to wear a skirt every now and then. After all you are a little girl but that doesn't mean you have to wear them everyday."

"Are you high?" said Sam. She could tell from Sarah's look she'd gone too far. "Sorry, but has school changed so much since you two were young? Picture this in your head. It's recess and we go out on the playground to play. I slide down the slide and the boys start laughing. I go to the monkey bars and climb up only to hear boys down below snickering. When I ask them what they're laughing at and they tell me they can see my underwear. Then I have no choice I pull out my hammer which becomes the hammer of just retribution…"

"Okay I get your point and I'll talk with Mary but you're not taking your hammer to school. That's a quick way to get suspended or sent to detention."

"Like Chuck? Mary tells me he spent a lot of time in suspension so if it happens... but understand I'm not saying it will. However, if it does it will be because of a family trait. You know in my DNA."

"You've been watching too much Discovery channel and DNA doesn't work that way. I'm going to look inside your school bag before you leave the house."

"And what about my privacy? I don't think that's right. I have a right to my privacy."

"Not at six and besides privacy is an illusion that gives people a false sense security. The truth is very different. If you don't want the rest of that…"

"Back off," said Sam as she pulled he plate towards her. There was a knock at the door then Morgan and Alex walked in.

"I smelt pancakes out in the courtyard," said Morgan. He came in sniffing the air. "Please tell there are some left."

"There are a couple left in the oven. I put them there to keep them warm for you guys. The syrup is here on the table."

"Morgan, we just ate breakfast at home. How can you still be hungry?" said Alex as she watched Morgan help himself.

"There's always room for Chuck's pancakes… speaking of Chuck, where is he? Wait a minute you didn't make these, did you?"

"Gee thanks, I'm getting all sorts of compliments this morning. But no Morgan, I didn't… well partially. Chuck mixed the batter then I cooked them."

"Oh, okay," he said as he started chowing down. "I knew from the smell there was something different but they are still good."

"Morgan, is that anyway to talk," said Alex. "So where did Chuck go this morning? Don't tell me Mary has him on a mission already?"

"No, actually I was expecting him to call in by now," she said as she looked at her watch. "Casey got a message to report into Mary early this morning and Chuck went in with him."

"Mary, didn't wait very long to take hold of the reins, did she? Should I be worried about Dad? I don't know what it is but I don't think they care too much for each other." Sarah coughed then looked over at Sam. "Oh right, but that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."

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Casey pulled up in front of the Buy More. It was early and his was the only car in the parking lot. On the way in he'd mulled over in his head what the Acting Director could want with him. There were a lot of skeletons in his closet but they were all well buried or so he thought. He looked over at Chuck as they both got out.

"You know I was thinking maybe it's better if I go in alone. If I take you in with me it might send the wrong signal. She might think I'm weak."

"Is that the real reason or are you afraid I might find out more about your G-man slash assassin past. If that's the case I've got all that stored away up here," said Chuck as he pointed to his head.

"That I seriously doubt but I don't want this to go the wrong way. So just wait up here and let me handle this," said Casey but as they were talking they both received a text message.

"Crap, Mom's seen us on the monitor. Now she wants me to come down with you and she's in a hurry. This is worst than with Beckman. It's like being called into the Principal's office and finding your mother there sitting behind his desk."

"That's pretty much this. Come on we don't want to leave Boss Momma waiting," said Casey as they walked towards the front door of the Buy More.

"Take a whiff of that," said Chuck as the doors opened. "That's the smell of electronics. No other place in the world smells like an electronics store. It has its own particular ambiance if you like... a combination of cheat plastic, tainted paint and motor grease all combine to make it a unique smell."

"Remind me to tell Sarah she needs to get you out more," said Casey as they made their way to the breakroom. John looked into the retinal scanner.

"Access granted. Good morning Colonel Casey. The weather today is clear and sunny with a mild ocean breeze keeping temperatures in the low nineties to the mid-eights. Have a pleasant day."

"What gives with the main frame? It never tells me that when I come in. The red light just turns green then the door opens."

"It tried to lock me out once so I ripped out its wires and from then on she's been extra nice to me. You just have to show she who's boss and speaking of bosses this jabbering is going to get us in trouble. We need to get down and check in with Momma Boss."

"I keep telling you not to call her that. Take my word for it when she's like this she's all business and she doesn't care who you are. If you want an example just watch the way she treats me. But I can handle this... yes, I can handle it."

"You sure you came to be my back up or is it the other way around. Just breath in and breath out Momma B is going to take care of her little Chucky," said Casey as they rode down in the elevator.

"There you two are," said Mary as she sat at the conference table with a stack of folders in front of her and the Major by her side. "When I call someone to come see me I don't expect to have to wait half a day for them to show up Colonel. The General wouldn't put up with this and neither will I. Do I make myself clear?"

"Well it really wasn't all his fault," said Chuck. "I asked if I could hitch a ride in with him to get some things done before the store opened up so he waited for me."

"Men have gotten killed for waiting around and Charles others have gotten them killed asking them to wait for them. I will deal with you later. But right now, I need to talk to the Colonel in private."

"Yes Mom," said Chuck. She coughed. "What? Oh right. Yes, Acting Director... Is that better?"

"We'll have to talk about your attitude but later. For right now why don't you go and put a pot of coffee on then bring me a cup."

"Aren't you forgetting the magic word?"

"You mean that's an order?"