Don't own Chuck

Sam woke up and immediately remembered what day it was. She jumped out of bed with excitement and ran to her parents' bedroom to make sure they were awake. They were burning daylight as far as she was concerned and she didn't want to be late, not today. However, she stopped dead in her tracks when she found it empty. Even Bunny was missing from her bed. She started to get worried when she heard voices coming from the kitchen so she ran back down the hall and found everyone there.

"There she is," said Chuck as he picked her up and sat her in her chair. "We thought we were going to have to come and wake you up."

"Why didn't you? You should have we don't have time for breakfast we've got to get on the road. I don't want to be late my first day."

"This isn't your first real day of school and no one is going to be taking attendance so you don't have to worry. Besides, we have plenty of time so let me get you your breakfast," said Sarah as she got Sam as bowl and poured her cereal.

"What's that smell? It smells yummy. Did I miss out on pancakes," asked Sam as she looked down at her bowl of cornflakes. "This is hardly the same thing."

"Nope, there are no pancakes today but Chuck baked you some cookies to take to school so you can share with your new friends."

"But how do I know I'm going to like these kids?" said Sam as she started eating. "I don't know them yet and if I bring cookies today are they going to expect me to bring them all the time?"

"Just tell them they are for today," said Chuck as he cut up a banana in her cereal as she ate. "You could've waited and let me put this in before you started eating."

"There's no time to waste this morning," said Sam as Bunny giggle looking over at Sam then launched a plastic block at her that she'd been playing with. "Hey, watch it! Just wait this day will come for you too." Bunny turned her head and looked at Sam perplexed.

"It's okay kiddo," said Sam as she took a deep breath then tossed Bunny back her toy. "I'm leaving today to blaze a trail for you to follow…"

"In your covered wagon pulled by a mule team across the wild west searching for a better life," said Chuck as he went into a rendition of 'Raw Hide'.

"Funny, very funny," said Sam as she gave him a mean look from over her cereal bowl. "I'm trying to imagine what you'd look like wearing this. Do you want to find out?"

"You're going to have to check that attitude at the door when you start school. That's a quick way to get yourself in trouble. People will piss you off but that doesn't mean you have to react," said Sarah as she wiped Bunny's face. "You need to be like a duck and let it roll off your back."

"I hear you telling me this but I don't see you doing it. Every time you get mad at Chuck you punch him or is that what you do when you like someone? So, if I find kids I like I ought to punch them? Is that a way you make friends?"

"No, you don't punch anyone… well unless they deserve it," said Sarah. Chuck gave her a look. "No, you don't punch anyone and no, you don't make friends like that... well not normally."

"What your mother is trying to say is there are other ways to resolve conflict. Normally, it's just a matter of talking out your problem and coming to a mutual agreement. Violence never solves anything and can make the situation worse."

"But it makes you feel better," whispered Sarah over her coffee cup. Chuck gave her a look. "What? I totally agree with you… for her. Look what time it is. I should really take Bunny and get her ready to go. Finish your breakfast Sweetie then we'll pick out something nice for you to wear today," said Sarah. Then she kissed Chuck and grabbed Bunny disappearing down the hall.

An hour later….

They were heading for Sam's school driving through light traffic. Sam sat quietly in the back looking out the window next to Bunny who was strapped into her car seat. This was the quietest Chuck could remember Sam ever being. It was obvious she was nervous and he didn't need the intersect to tell him.

"Well, we're almost there," said Chuck trying to break the silence. "This will be your first look at your new school."

"New school? You mean the only school. New means that there was one before this one and since that's not the case this is the… well you know what I mean."

"I meant new to you. Just relax there's no reason to be nervous. Remember most of the kids you're going to meet today are in the same boat as you and are probably as nervous too."

"I'm not nervous and I wish you would stop telling me to stop being nervous because you're making me nervous by telling me I'm nervous."

"Like father like daughter," said Sarah as she pulled into the guest parking lot. Other parents were pulling in too so the parking lot was starting to fill up quickly. Just as Sarah was about to pull into a spot another car, a jaguar F-type, cut her off.

"Why that big butt hole," said Sarah as she honked her horn but a woman wearing a mink stole got out along with two boys totally ignoring what she'd done. She snubbed Sarah as turned on her car alarm then walked inside.

"You know since we're at school, I ought to get out and teach her some manners," said Sarah as she honked her horn again but the woman just flipped her off then walked inside.

"Did you see that? Oh Lady, you're asking for it," said Sarah as she whipped into a parking spot behind the Jaguar.

"What's she asking for?" said Sam from the back as Chuck got her out of the car. "What did you two tell me about talking out my problems with the other kids and coming up with mutual agreements?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do… yes we'll talk this out like to civilized adults then I'll give her the address of a good plastic surgeon."

"That one boy she had with her was awfully tall to be starting school. I guess he could've been held back," said Chuck. But before he could continue Mary showed up.

"Well, we need to hurry up and get inside," said Mary as she stepped out behind an SUV. "Just like normal you're almost late. We're probably going to have to sit in the back now. Come on Sweetie and here you go you can take this with you," said Mary as she handed her a bag. "I made some Rice Krispy treats for you to share with your little friends."

"But I make cookies for her Mom," said Chuck holding out a bag.

"You can leave those in the car for us to eat them later. Right now, we need to go before things start," she said as took Sam by the hand and whisked her off inside.

"But Mom," said Chuck but she was gone with Sam. "Did you see that? I can't believe this. Come on Sarah or we will be late. What are you doing?"

"Here you hold Bunny for a little while. Tell me when they've entered the building," said Sarah as she fiddled with her keys in her bag.

"Okay, they've already gone inside where we need to be. Wait a minute what have you got in mind," said Chuck as Sarah pushed holding her keys out of sight. He heard a scratching sound as she ran them down the side of the Jaguar.

"Now we can go inside and don't say a word about what I just did being petty and beneath me."

"Well, I hope you feel better now?"

"Actually, yes I do," said Sarah as she took Bunny back then they walked inside.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Casey drove to the Buy More turning over in his head the fact that Roan had ratted him out. The more he thought about it the angrier he got until he was really boiling when he pulled into the parking lot. He got out of his car and slammed the door shut wishing Roan's head was in the doorframe.

"What a big A-hole," said John as he stormed towards to the main entrance. On the way across the parking lot he passed a car where a woman was getting out of a black Discovery with her Pomeranian but as he walked by it started barking at him. John just turned and growl back. The dog started yelping and jumped in the woman's arms for safety.

"Why I never," said the woman as she cuddled her dog. "Mister that's not a very nice thing to do to my poor snookums. You should apologize to him."

"You want me to apologize to a dog? Okay... okay, I can do this. Fleabag, I'm sorry you've got this lady as an owner because she's about one card shy of a full deck."

"I should report you to your manager. Why I've never been so insulted in all my life," said the woman still cuddling the dog."

"Stick around lady and I can make up for all those lost years. Why don't you bring that dog inside the Buy More? I'm going to demonstrate how to use the Beastmaster and I can always use something to throw on the grill. Although with a dog that size there isn't going to be much meat but I bet you carry it around everywhere so it doesn't get to walk around which means the meat will be really tender."

"You're a horrible, horrible man. If you're not careful I'll take my business somewhere else then what will you do Mister Smarty Pants?"

"I don't know I was thinking about either a mesquite or a bourbon barbeque rub. That will take that gamey taste out then marry it with a bottle of pinot noir and a green salad. But there's also something to be said for a hickory rub too."

"You can't eat my dog..." said the woman as she started squeezing snookums tighter until he started wiggling trying to get free.

"I'm not going to eat all of him. No, I was thinking about making a mouse pad out of his hide," said Casey. That was enough for snookums. He leaped out of the woman's arms and started running for safety.

"Snookums come back, I'm not going to let that mean man hurt you. Look what you've done. I hope you're proud of what you've done."

"To tell you the truth, I am. Lady, you'd better get in your car and go after your dog because with what you weigh you'll have a heart attack before you catch him. Then snookums will be eating you."

"You horrible, horrible man. This isn't over yet... I'll be back... Yes, just wait and see I'll be back," said the woman as she got into her car then sped off.

"Thanks for the warning and drive safely," said John as he turned around and headed for the Buy More. He was still pissed at Roan but he wasn't as angry now.

"What was that going on in the parking lot," asked Big Mike standing inside the building where it was air conditioned. "I hope you told that woman we don't allow animals in the Buy More."

"She was asking me about recipes for the grill and since I knew the store policy on animals I was explaining them too her in the parking lot. But really no animals, then how do you explain Skip and Fernando?"

"They're the reason for the policy but they got themselves grandfathered in. I have to make Skip wear a flea collar, who knows what's living up in that hair. I heard that was where Stanley met Livingston."

"Well, I need to go on into the back and start that inventory. Morgan called me at home and told me that it needed to be done first thing this morning."

"Look at you going the extra mile. First, you're giving clients recipes in the parking lot and now you're coming in early to help out the store. You're going to go far in the Buy More. Yes, I can see good things in your future," said Big Mike as they looked over and saw Skip and Fernando sword fighting with plastic light sabers.

"Yes, you're going to go far because the people you're competing against are imbeciles. Now, what did I tell you about doing that," yelled Big Mike as he walked away. "If any of them are broken they're going to come out of your pay and I mean it this time."

John used the distraction to escape into the breakroom then into the elevator. A few minutes later he was down in Castle sitting in front of the main frame watching the lights blink off and on. John picked up the phone then dialed a number.

"Hey, it's me Casey. I need a favor, I want you to get me an unredacted service jacket on a Roan Montgomery. He's a company man. ... Yes, I know he's the Seduction Master. I don't care about that. Just get me the folder and I'll forget that other little incident ever took place. ... Don't be cute with me. You and I both know what I'm talking about. But if you want me to I can call your supervisor... I thought you'd have a change of heart. You can send it to me at Castle. I'll give you the secure address," said John then he gave the man what he needed and hung up.

"Now I have to wait. But let's see what I can find out shall we," said John at his reflection in the monitor that was in front of him.

"Wait on what?" said Morgan as he walked in on John from the elevator above. "I heard you speaking but I don't see anyone. Are you talking to yourself again? You know that's not healthy."

"Neither is a knuckle sandwich so do you want one? You know I can give you a two for one sale if you like? What are you doing down here anyway?"

"I came down to check on you. Chuck called me and told me you were a little down so I told him I'd check on you throughout the day. I just want you to know I'm here for you Big Guy. We all get the blues every now and then."

"Yours are going to black and blue if you don't leave me alone and get out of here. I don't need you down here checking up on me. You're not fooling me I know why you're here. Chuck told you about Roan, didn't he? I should've known he couldn't keep his big mouth shut."

"He's just worried about you... we all are and we don't want to see you make a big mistake that will ruin your career."

"The only big mistake around here is standing in front of me. If you want to stay and stay in one piece then pipe down. Why don't you make yourself useful and go make a pot of coffee?"

"Sure Big Guy, but if you want to talk you know you can always count on me," said Morgan. He caught Casey's look. "One thing John before you follow through on your threats I want you to know I've got Alex on speed dial."

"How long do you think it will take her to get here? I'd say maybe twenty to thirty minutes. By then I could have you killed and disposed of. You do know Large Mart sells mulch? Drop a person in that then they become fertilizer or in your case finally useful."

"Okay I'm going to make coffee but only because I want to not because I'm afraid... because I'm not," said Morgan as Casey cracked his knuckles. "Well maybe a little but I'm making coffee because I want a cup."

"I'm sure you do. I want mine with cream and two sugars," said John as his phone rang. He looked at the number first then answered. "Well did you get me what I asked you for? ... Good, okay, yes we're even now," said John as he hung up. Then he got on the computer and checked his e-mail. There was the file he'd been waiting for. When Morgan brought John his coffee he was scrolling through the attachment.

"John, here you go. Two sugars and cream, just like you asked for. What are you doing? Who was that on the phone," asked Morgan as he passed him his cup of coffee.

"Where are the coasters? I hope you're not planning on setting that cup down without a coaster under it. You know how hard it is to get a water ring out? You never mind what I'm doing go get us a couple of coasters."

"Why is Roan's name written on those pages? Oh John, you're not looking through Roan's record, are you? I thought Mary told you that was a no, no?"

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her and I'll know if you opened up your big mouth and blabbed. So for your own good, go get us a couple of coasters to go under our coffee then pretend you never saw this."

"John, I can't do that. I'm a terrible lair and I've never been able to fib to Mrs. B. There was a time when we broke a window in Chuck's house and Mrs. B called me in then gave me some Rice Krispy treats. The next thing I was doing was telling her how it was all Chuck's fault."

"I bet he thanked you for that and all the more reason you need to go get those coasters. It won't take me long to look through this and I might even call you to tell you I'm done even though common sense would dictate I should leave you wandering around in the breakroom for the rest of the day."

"Okay, I'll go but remember John that what was, was and what will be has yet to come. You know I asked my mother what would I be and here's what she said to me, 'the future's not yours to see'."

"Okay, Que Sera, Sera, there Doris Day. Whatever Will Be, Will Be. Now move along and stop bothering me or I'm going to have to hurt you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Annabel Lee had been sailing for most of the day and for most of that time a yacht had been following them. They'd stayed just beyond the horizon following the Annabel Lee's wake and only getting close enough for a visual every now and then. The men on the yacht were using their radar to follow their prey and waiting for nightfall to pounce.

"Hey, Spike," said Troy. "What's up with our radio and radar? I thought all our equipment was checked out before we left port."

"It went on the blitz a little while after we pulled out. I haven't had a chance to check it you yet. I'll get to it as soon as I can. What do you want to if we can't fix it? We could turnaround and head back to Saint Thomas."

"No, I don't want to do that. I need for this charter to go and if we sail back I'm going to have to reimburse our guests money I've already spent. No, let's keep on sailing and we both can have a look at it. Maybe it's just a card that needs to be replaced and if worse comes to worst we can have someone look at it when we pull into our first port."

"Sounds all good to me but what do you want to tell our riders if they want to send a message ashore? Well, have to come up with a story to tell them."

"We can simply tell them the radio is down for maintenance... that we're working on it because there wasn't time in port and that we'll have it up soon then stall them until we get close enough to land that they can use their cellphone."

"That just might work. I don't like the radar and the radio not working," said Spike as he scanned the horizon. He saw the dot on the horizon then watched it disappear.

"What?" said Tory. He wasn't following what Spike was saying then it dawned on him. "Oh, sorry, no I don't like it either but there's not much we can do about it now."

"No, that wasn't what I was talking about. This was the area where we were boarded and well... I wouldn't wish that on you."

"What are you two up to," said Spud as he came up to the wheelhouse. "I just thought I'd tell you the passengers are all fed. I set them up a table middeck and they seem to be having a good time."

"Good, I think I'm going to go to my cabin and get a little sleep. Spike, you and I can work on that other things when I come back up."

"Sure, no problem," said Spike then Troy disappeared. He turned to see Spud staring off at the horizon. "What are you doing? Don't you have something to do?"

"Yeah, but I was just thinking, isn't this around the area where you had your close encounter with you know who? You don't have to answer because I know it was. You said they boarded you at about midnight. I bet you don't get any sleep tonight."

Before Spike could ask what Spud meant he disappeared too leaving him with just the helmsman and a speck on the horizon.