Don't own Chuck

Chuck and Casey along with Agent Marley were looking over the charted course the Annabel Lee had sailed and the point where she was boarded. Chuck was trying to see if he could determine the pirates escape route afterwards. Troy, the skipper of the Annabel Lee, and Spike, the acting first mate, were giving their input to the powwow when a Coast Guard officer entered the bridge.

"Lieutenant Tom Martin, USCG, I'm the executive officer on the Mohawk" he said as he shook Chuck and Casey's hands as Marley introduced them to him.

"I just wanted to say goodbye. I think we're done here." said the Lieutenant. "We'll file our report later. Right now, my Skipper wants us back out as soon as possible to organize a search party. A ranger and his boat have gone missing from Saint John's Wild Life Preserve."

"Really," said Chuck as he looked down at the chart a light came on in his head. "Can you point out on the map where your ranger was last heard from?"

"That's the problem he was working alone and on this side of the island the coverage is spotty," said the Lieutenant. "That's a lot of sea to cover to go looking for a small boat. If you're thinking he could've run into our pirates, I have to confess I've thought the same thing. However, the truth is they could've disappeared anywhere so we're hoping for the best."

"Anywhere no, not really, if you think about it. They deliberately delayed your pursuit to give themselves a head start but the weather was bad... foggy," said Chuck as he looked over the chart and traced an escape route.

"They knew they didn't have much time to make their getaway but once they'd gotten around the tip of Saint John here your radar couldn't pick them up until you came after them..."

"So, they pulled into a cove and waited for the fog to clear and for us to give up the hunt. When we had to tow the Annabel Lee in that gave them the window they needed to make their escape. There are a number of coves along that side that are protected."

"When the fog cleared your ranger probably saw them anchored so he went out to tell them to move along. Once on board something happened and... well, I don't think you're going to be seeing your ranger again."

"Crap, by now they're long gone. You know these people are starting to get piss me off and causing my trigger finger to itch. They're in the wind and we've got no way of finding them."

"I wouldn't say that. We know which way they didn't go and that would be the route the Mohawk sailed to get back here."

"That still leaves the other side of the island if they didn't decide to dip down to the Lesser Antilles," said Troy as he pointed them out on the chart. "They could be over halfway to any of these lower islands.

"But that's a lot of open water and with a satellite they'd be seen before they get anywhere. It would be easy to have them interdicted before they reached landfall. No, they're still in our backyard. I'm sure of that and the missing ranger proves it."

"That's still a lot of island to have to search," said the Lieutenant. "I'm sorry but we have to go out and look for whatever's left of the ranger and his boat."

"Well, if he met up with our perps," said Chuck. "I'd start looking here then work your way up the side of island. You're probably not going to find anything unless it got caught up in a vortex inside the cove. By now any debris would have been taken out into open water and there it would be worse than a needle in haystack to find. But, come to think of it, if we could find debris I could recalculated the current that took it away and maybe get an idea where our pirates hid at."

"Then you can work your magic and figure out where they went from there. But that's only as good as if they stayed in the area."

"Like I said I think they stayed in the area. Remember John, they have a vested interest in staying in the area. You're here and they want you. Let me see if I can use our eye in the sky and spot something from above."

"You people can really do that. I thought that was only in the movies," said Troy as he watched Chuck pull out a tablet.

"Okay this is where everything becomes classified. Now if you folks will kindly excuse us or not... I really don't care. You just have to clear out," said John as he and Marley cleared everyone out.

"I'll tell my Skipper you'll be contacting us if you find anything," said Lieutenant Martin as he left. Casey nodded as he got him and the rest out then turned back to Chuck.

"You know next time you get one of your brainstorms you might want to look around and see who's next to you then ask yourself if they have a need to know."

"Okay, you're right," said Chuck as he set about to try to reposition the satellite to get a better image but he found it was already in use. "That's strange someone's already got control of our bird."

"It's probably Langley looking over our shoulder. I don't think Mrs. B. hasn't been keeping the Major in the loop and he's probably got someone breathing down his throat."

"No, whoever's using it, is using it here... local and that's my mother's authorization code," said Chuck as he typed in code.

"Can we piggy back on their signal and look at what they're looking at? You said they were on Spud's trail so they might be using it to either track him or watch him."

"Maybe but they seem to be interested in that one building. He must be holed up inside," said Chuck as he pointed it out on the tablet for Casey but as he did he flashed. Children passed before his eyes going and coming to school. Students sitting in classrooms following lessons.

"Holy crap, that's Sam's school," said Chuck as he jumped up tossing the tablet to Casey. "Spud's in Sam's school that's where he's holed up at. Like crap everything is all right! I've got to go."

"Now just calm down," said John as he pushed him back in his seat. "I'm sure they didn't call us because they have everything under control. Your mother's there and so is Sarah. I'm sure they can handle things. We're only talking about one gunman and let's face it Spud's not the brightest one out of the litter."

"I suppose you're right but I want to make sure," said Chuck as he pulled out his phone. "Let me make a call and I'll find out."

"Who are you going to call? Neither Sarah nor your mother are going to tell you anything. They're in the middle of a mission and you shouldn't even be bothering them."

"I'm not going to call them. Sarah's probably got her phone turned off now so I can't contact her and my mother... well let's just say I have trust issues."

"Then who are you going to call to rat out everyone? Don't you dare get Alex involved. Alex has a good career ahead of her and she doesn't need your mother dropping a letter of reprimand in her Jacket so..."

"Chill, I'm not calling her," said Chuck. Casey looked at him puzzled. "Morgan, how are things going? Where are you guys at right now? You know I've been trying to reach Sarah and it seems her phone is off. Do you know why? ... She just stepped out for a moment and isn't with you guys. Who else stepped out? John wants to talk to Alex," said Chuck as he zoomed in on a roof top to see her in position with a .50.

John just shook his head as he looked over Chuck's shoulder and pointed out the two black SUVs parked across from the school.

"She stepped out too. Sorry John," said Chuck. "So Morgan everyone is out on the town and what did they tell you to do, stay with the vehicle? ... Morgan, we're BFFs right? ... Well why are you lying to me? I can see you. We're looking right at you across from Sam's school. ... Don't lie we're looking at you from above. Wait a minute... crap," said Chuck as he triangulated where Morgan was calling from using his phones GPS.

"Crap, stop talking... Morgan shut up and listen the people looking for Spud are inside your perimeter. ... I don't know how unless they were there before you got there which means they're already inside the school. You don't have one gunman inside but a full wet team and you let Sarah go in alone."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The wet team was having problems of their own. They'd searched most of the school but Spud was nowhere to be found. The team leader was looking over the map and marking off areas they'd cleared but the longer they were inside the more the risk increased that someone would figure out something was going on. However, right now he was more afraid of Luiz than of the authorities.

"What do you mean the teacher asked you what you were doing? Tell her we're with Sanitation and there has been a report of vermin infestation. We're there to take care of the situation. Got that? ... Good now find Spud. He can't have vanished into thin air."

In the meantime, Spud saw Luiz's men when they entered school so he hid in the janitor's closet. There he found a blue smock and a cap. He put both on then started pushing a waste container around on wheels along with a push broom. He spent the whole-time cleaning as Luiz's men walked right past him.

"Hey, you," said one of the men as he tried to stopped him but Spud kept on pushing his broom. "Hey you buddy holdup. I'm looking for a guy," said the man. "Have you seen anyone around here that didn't seem like they belonged?"

"No," said Spud keeping his head down and continued to push his broom as he tried to get away from the man.

"Are you sure," said the man as he ran after him. "Here I've got a photo of the guy I'm looking for. We were told he was in here. Will you turn around," said the man as put his hand on Spud's shoulder to turn him around. "Is there something wrong with you? Are you hard of hearing?"

"Nothing's wrong with my hearing," said Spud as he turned around. The man's eyes got as big as saucers when Spud stabbed him through the chest with a twelve-inch marlin spike. Spud grabbed the man before he fell and dumped him head first in his trash container.

"I've got to get you out of sight and in a hurry," said Spud as he pushed the trash container down to the janitor's closet. By the time Spud got the body in the closet he heard someone yelling over the dead man's radio to report in as he put in the man's earbud in.

"Sorry, I was offloading," said Spud as he muffled his voice trying to disguise it talking into the dead man's sleeve. The man at the other end didn't seem to notice as he continued to bark at him.

"What does 'offloading' mean," repeated Spud. "Do I need to draw you a picture? I talked with a janitor and he told me he saw someone he didn't know around the playground in the back. I'm on my way to check it out now."

Spud got what he wanted. He heard the man over the radio tell everyone to converge on the playground which left the front unguarded. Spud left the janitor's closet and headed back out front where the supply van was parked. He walked outside got in and ripped the ignition wires from under the dashboard then hotwired it. Easing the van out he started to pulled out driving past a very nice looking blonde woman walking towards the school.

"Hello honey," said Spud as he noticed Sarah. He looked right at her as he slowed down driving by and she looked back at him which was a big mistake on his part.

"And where do you think you're going," she said as she drew her Smith and Wesson pointing it at Spud's head. "Stop the vehicle and get out."

"No, Lady," yelled Spud as he waved for her to get out of his way. She fired two rounds into the engine block. Black smoke bellowed out from under the hood as it came to a stop and died. "Are you crazy? Now we're both dead," said Spud as he got out of the van.

"What are you talking about and hands in the air where I can see them. Turn around and lean against the van. I'm not going to repeat myself and you'd better pray that my daughter is all right."

"I don't even know who your daughter is," said Spud as he tried to turn around but Sarah turned him back slamming him against the van.

"What wet team," said Sarah as she got an update from Mary in her ear about what Chuck had told them but she didn't have to be informed as the team leader and the men with him opened fire from across the road.

"That wet team," yelled Spud as more men poured out of the school opening fire on them. Spud drew his weapon and fired as Sarah returned fire across the street. Then suddenly Luiz's men just started dropping over. One by one they dropped.

"What the heck? What's going on," said Spud as he fired his last round from his Tokerov and two men dropped.

"That would be Alex up there," said Sarah as she pointed up at a tall building behind them. Just then one of the SUVs parked across from the street took off driving away as fast as they could.

"Now I want you to tell me where they're holding Beckman and Roan," said Sarah as she turned to Spud but she found him slumped over.

"Crap, I need a medic here asap," radioed Sarah. "Spud needs medical attention now. I'm going inside." She realized she should've stayed with Spud but she had to find Sam and if Mary didn't understand well she'd tell her where she could go.

[A little while before]

Sam was sitting with all the gunman's money in front of her. She's drained him dry and he didn't have two cents left to his name. He was obviously upset that this upstart, half-pint had taken him to the cleaners. He didn't want to call it quits but he had nothing left to gamble but that was when Sam struck a deal with him.

"I'm sorry you're just not having any good luck today. You know what they say unlucky in cards lucky in love and I'm sure your mother loves you."

"I know you're cheating... I do and one more hand I can prove it. Then we'll see who'll have the last laugh here."

"I'd like to play another hand and before you go accusing remember you dealt that last hand. I just cut the cards. Like I said I'd like to play another hand but you don't have anything to bet. We're playing table stakes which means I don't want any useless IOUs. But your pistol is on the table..."

"I can't bet my Beretta. You'd love to win that then what would I have to keep you people in line. No, the pistol is off the table."

"What's that a Beretta 92FS? I'm guess you've got an eighteen-round clip in it. I'm willing to spot you five dollars per bullet."

"I can't do that and how do you know so much about guns? What kind of parents have you got? Are they some sort of gun freaks?"

"My Chuck... my father hates guns of all shapes and sizes. My mommy has a different opinion but my Uncle Casey... yes, I guess you could call him a gun freak. But if you think about mister you only need the one round in the chamber. You could wager the rest. Look around you, do we look like we pose any sort of threat to you? I mean you've got me a kid, two women, and then there's Jesus..."

"Hey watch it. I could take offense to that," said Jesus but he saw the man put his hand on his weapon. "Or I could not and sit right over here and keep my mouth shut."

"See nothing to worry about. So, do you want to try to win your money back? You said you could prove I was cheating or was that just your way of trying to justify how poorly you play cards? You know what they say about talking, don't you?"

"Will you shut up," said the man as he gave her an angry look picking up his Beretta. But Sam stared him down not batting an eye. It seemed like the staring contest lasted forever but Sam wasn't giving in.

"Okay," said the man as he pressed the clip release. There was a loud sigh as everyone let out a deep breath. "Here are eighteen rounds but I'll start the dealing."

"Fine by me as long as I do the cutting," said Sam. She passed the man the deck of cards and he started shuffling. Once he was done he laid the deck on the counter she cut then he started passing out the cards. That was when the man noticed the mirror on the wall behind Sam.

"Let's make this interesting," he said as he opened with four of his bullets and Sam matched his bet. But then he raised her five more.

"Be careful mister that's half your clip," she said as she called. But it didn't end well for Sam or so it seemed at the time. She ended up with two of kind while the gunman had three kings.

"Looks like my luck is changing now that I'm dealing," he said as he shuffled for the next hand. And it certainly looked that way as Sam lost the next three hands.

"What's up there half-pint? Did you lose your luck? You should check your pockets and see if you put it in there?" said the man as he smirked.

"I hate smirkers," said Sam as she looked at her cards and gave him a look. "Tell you what mister Smirker. I'm all in," she said as she pushed all her cash in the middle. "Let's see if you've got any guts to go with that mouth."

"I don't know," said the man as he studied his cards and looked at Sam then looked up in the mirror. But this time Sam didn't look at her cards. She'd gone all in without lifting them up to look at them.

"Is this some sort of trick? Do you want to give me all my money back and yours too? That won't change anything in here. I'm still the man with the gun..."

"And the big mouth. How does it feel to be called out by a kid? It must be pretty crappy to be you but as my Uncle is fond of saying either do your business or get off the toilet seat."

"You know the saying really doesn't go like that," said the gunman as he studied his cards so more.

"I'm a kid, what do you think he said? So, are you in or are you out? You've got all the money you've won back in the pot right now. If you fold then we go back to where we started when... well when you were broke."

"I'm starting to understand now why I don't like kids," said the gunman. He noticed Sam was beginning to sweat. Something she hadn't done until now. He started to smile thinking he'd found her tell. "No, I don't think this is a trick... I think this is desperation on your part. Nice try, trying to throw me off my game. But read them and weep straight flush and unless you've got five of a kind then this is mine," said the gunman then he started to reach of for the pot.

"I'm sorry, I don't have five of a kind," said Sam as she picked up her cards and looked at them. The gunman smiled and started to rake in the pot.

"What I do have is an ace-high straight flush. I believe that's commonly known as a royal flush and it beats your straight."

"No... no, this isn't possible. You cheated... I know you cheated somehow. I know you did," said the man as Sam took the pot.

"What are you talking about cheating? You mean like looking over my shoulder at the mirror behind me to peek at my cards? Remember you dealt I didn't."

"But you cut," said the gunman as he started to get angry with Sam. But as he focused on Sam, Kathy, the principal was able to get up and started to move slowly around behind him. She was almost behind him when they heard gunshots coming from outside.

"Crap, I need to go," said the man as he tried to grab the bullets from the countertop but Sam cleared it off sending everything to the floor. The bullets made a metallic ping sound as they hit the floor then rolled everywhere.

"Why you," he said as he grabbed his weapon with the one round in the chamber. "What are you doing sneaking up behind me," he said as he jumped up from his chair spinning around at the same time.

"Crap, augh," he yelled as he stepped on one of the bullets and his feet came out from under him. He fired his one round into the overhead as he landed on his back making a low thud then moaned. But that was enough to bring Sarah running in. She cold cocked him with the butt of her Smith and Wesson as he tried to get up.

"Is everyone okay in here?" she asked as she rolled the man over and handcuffed him. "Sam, why are there cards on the floor? You know what I've told you about playing cards."

"It's all right this time," said Kathy. "We're all right thinks to her. Maybe you can come into my office and explain what just happened."

"I'd be glad to but first I need to get some cleaners in here and it would be better if you kept all the children in their classrooms for the moment at least," said Sarah as Sam hugged her around her neck.

"Please, don't erase their memory. I like it here," whispered Sam in her ear.