Don't own Chuck

Natasha got angrier by the minute listening to Aramas rattle on about how he needed her to call Paul on his behalf. She thought he wanted something else but not only did he not want that but he wanted her to call Paul, something she couldn't do. She should've listened to her inner self when she said this was a bad idea because she was right.

"I'm sorry but Paul is out of pocket right now… Kenya or something like that," she said coming up with a quick answer. "He won't be in for a couple of days or so. I tell you what, I've got your number and I'll call you as soon as I get in touch with him. Look at the time, it's really late and I should be going," she said as she got up and straightened out her dress.

"You aren't just saying that then as soon as you get out the door you're going to forget about me and I'm never going to hear from you again," he said as she got close to her. It was Natasha's turn to move back as he continued to beg. "I don't know how to impress on you that I really need this but I do. Please believe me when I tell you this is almost life and death."

"That I do believe but I'd never do you that way or any way for that matter now. I really need to go back to my cabin I'm starting to come down with a headache and it's getting late," she said hoping Aramas would let this go, but he didn't.

"I think I ought to call Paul and see if he answers," said Aramas as he took out his phone. "If it's like you say then he won't answer." It was then Natasha knew what had to be done.

"Are you saying you think I'm lying to you? Are you calling me a liar? You have a funny way of asking for favors," said Natasha as she picked up the champagne bottle holding it up to the light to see if there was anymore.

"I'm not calling you a liar. For all we know Paul could've had a change of plans and be someplace where we can reach him. I've got his number here on speed dial."

"Believe me you don't want to do that," she said as drained the bottle of the last drop of champagne in her glass then placing it on the counter top where the bottle was.

"Why not? You don't understand I've got to do this," he said as he turned his back to her a fatal mistake.

"I understand you just couldn't let it go, could you," said Natasha as she whacked Aramas over the head with the champagne bottle. It made a loud ping and his head made a loud crack then he went down hard on the floor.

"You're not going to need these anymore," she said as she took his phone, watch and wallet. Then She went to the door, opened it checking to make sure the coast was clear out in the hallway. After that she grabbed Aramas by the feet and dragged him out into the corridor then down to a hatch that gave onto the weather deck.

"Time to do a little float test. Don't worry Aramas you won't feel a thing," she said as she propped him up next to the railing. "The water is so cold your muscles will lock up and you'll go straight to the bottom. We could've had some fun first but you ruined that. However, don't feel badly this was the way it was going to play out in any case. They say there's nothing like a late-night swim."

She waited for the moon to go behind a cloud and the night sky became pitch black then she gave him the old heave-ho and over the side he went. The sound he made when he hit the water was muffled by the ship's horn and the waves lapping up again the ship as it cut through the water.

"Now to make you disappear," she said to herself. She went back to his cabin and cleared it out. She made one more trip to the weather deck to toss over the champagne bottle and glasses then she finished packing all of Aramas' things into a suitcase. After that she brought them to her cabin including his phone, wallet and watch. If she was right no one would be checking them off when the brow went down. All she need to do was to get ashore and dump his suitcase then after that she would let someone steal his personal belongings.

"You're pure evil," she said to herself in the mirror as she pictured in her head the police arresting some small time crook pinning Aramas' murder on him or her. "And why shouldn't they? They'll call it an open and shut case once they find his phone and watch on the crook. The credit cards will seal his fate and by then I'll be long gone," she said to her reflection as she smiled.

"So, you're really going to do this," she said to her reflection. "You're really going to go to Honduras after all these years?"

"As I see it I don't have much of a choice. But it will be good to be among friends again and not have to lead this double life."

"Yes, it will. But will they feel the same way or have you thought about that," she answered back then she turned out the lights and got into bed.

"I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Tomorrow will be another day and any day above ground is a good day… Just ask Aramas."

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Before the raid on the compound shortly after the firefight began Luiz called one of his men and they went together to another room. Luiz took a wooden box that looked like a cigar humidor. He opened the lid adjusted a dial inside then handed it to the man.

"This needs to go on the boat then tell the skipper to shove off immediately. We'll meet them in Honduras but it's important to tell him he needs to leave now," Luiz said as he handed the man the box then waved him off after that we went back into the dining room.

"Come on Señor Roan, it's time for us to leave," said Luiz as he nodded to his man guarding Roan. "I think we're going to have to change our plans. Go get Donna Rosenda," he said to another man. "Tell her to drop whatever she's doing and to come to the basement immediately."

"Our people have found you. Why don't you do everyone a favour and give up? Your holding out will just make things worse for everyone including your mother."

"Señor Roan, don't think we haven't thought that this day might come. There's a plan in place… there's always a plan. So now, if you don't mind let's go or I can shoot you here and leave your body for your people to find."

"After you then," said Roan as he and Luiz along with a couple of guards made there way down into the basement then to the holding cell where they had Casey locked up.

"I trust you to do as you're told but I'm not so sure about your friend inside. Here's a sedative," said Luiz as he handed Roan a syringe. "I want you to go inside and give that to him. The other option is we leave his body here."

"Like I really have a choice," said Roan as he took the syringe then walked towards the door. But Luiz motion for his man to stop him.

"Just one last thing. I will check to make sure you actually did tranq him and if you didn't your friend will suffer the consequences."

"You keep mentioning Diane but so far you've not given me any proof of life. One of these times I'm going to call your bluff."

"You want proof of life? I can get you a finger, an ear or how about an eye. Yes, an eye that you can look into. Just do as your told and this will be over soon. I give you my word no harm will come to your friend as long as you do as you're told."

If Roan had known that Diane was free, he wouldn't have done what he did and gone along with Luiz's demands. However, he didn't so he did what he thought he had to do because it didn't seem to him that he had any other choice.

[A little while later]

"Where am I," said Casey as he started to come to. He looked around where he was and heard the sound of jet engines. "We're in a plane? How'd I get here? Roan, I knew I should've gone for that record when I had the chance. What did you do to me?"

"It was nothing Señor," said Luiz. "Your friend did what I told him to do to keep his friend unharmed. We learned our lesson from the hospital and the sedative we… well he gave you was much stronger. They use it in the zoo on elephants and other large animals but prolonged use can lead to infertility."

"You'd better hope I don't get free from here or you and I will dance. I'll wipe that smirk right off your face," said Casey as he tried to get up but found he was shackled to the seat.

"Nice talk but that won't happen," said Luiz as he walked forward in the plane closing off the curtain that divided the aft section from the front.

"Never say never," said Casey as he turned back to Roan. "Well this is another fine mess you've gotten us into. What happened at the villa after I took a nap?"

"What was I supposed to do? They've got Diane and as long as they do we need to play along. I don't know much there was some gunfire that came from the back of the villa. They took us out through a tunnel to vehicles they had waiting then we drove us to the airport. Luiz has been tight lipped about where we're heading but we're heading East."

"East from where we were would be Central America, Honduras maybe. Yes, it makes sense. They're taking us back to where this all started. I know you're concerned for Beckman but if we don't get out of this it's not going to end well for us. Besides there's no guarantee they'll release Beckman or that she's even still alive. Have they given you proof of life?"

"No, I asked for it but the last time Luiz got angry and threatened to deliver her in parts. I've been working on Donna Rosenda and I think I'm almost there with her."

"Almost where? Do you see where we're at? From where I'm sitting you're doing all the cooperation and they're giving squat in return. The next time he threatens to cut off something tell him to go ahead. Tell him you dare him to and then let's see what happens."

"And what am I supposed to do it he backs up his words with deeds? I can't do that."

"Yes, you can. So what, we call his bluff and if it's not... well we can get by with some acceptable losses. But nothing vital."

"I hate to ask this but okay Colonel 'Shoot 'em up' what do you define as acceptable losses," asked Roan. He was afraid he had an idea what Casey was going to say but he had to ask anyway.

"Maybe some breaks and punctures even possibly losing a finger or ear, but definitely no major organ damage," said John looking at Roan facing him in the opposite chair.

"I don't know if I can or if I want to do that. Listen, let me try my angle. I know I can get this done if I can get a little more face time with Donna Rosenda."

"Look, the only other options get us dead and it's kind of harm to come back after that happens. It's kind of permanent. So, you need to wise up and stop being their stooge. Take my word for it there will come a reckoning day for Luiz and I'll be there to dish it out."

"I don't know but maybe you're right. I need to make sure Diane is all right and I can only do that if I can see her."

"Then that's what you need to tell Luiz and his Mommy. If they want us to cooperate then they need to give us something."

"Right, like a Martini. I'll even hold out for three olives," said Roan. Casey just shook his head as he looked at him wishing he could reach Roan with his hands.

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Anatoly and Stefan drove to Pulkovo International Airport and on the way Igor called them to let them know there had been movement on Paul's credit card. Ticket's had been purchased from Saint Petersburg for Havana. He wanted them to hang around the airport to make sure she hadn't pulled a fast one and used the ferry as a distraction.

"Sir, with all due respect, it's the other way around," said Anatoly as they pulled into the airport parking garage. "She's using this as a distraction and she's skipping out of Dodge as we speak on the ferry. I'm sure of this as I live and breathe."

"Skipping out of Dodge? You've been watching too many American Westerns," said Igor. Anatoly started to correct him but Stefan elbowed him then shook his head.

"You and I know what you're trying to say but the Director is sitting in Moscow and he's got people he has to answer to. If she does board the plane here and we're on our way to Helsinki then it wouldn't look good for us and especially not for him."

"Thank you," said Igor. "At least one of you has some good sense and now can see my predicament. If she doesn't show up you can catch the next flight out for Helsinki. The ferry won't get in until tomorrow morning and if you catch the red eye out of Saint Petersburg you'll be able to grab her there. I'm having an international arrest warrant processed as we speak through Interpol so no one will get in your way when you grab her."

"So what you're say is you don't want to follow her anymore and see who else she might give up in the process. I'm not saying we shouldn't grab her but it just seems a waste after we've come so far."

"And we've... you've almost lost her or have you already forgotten that. No, this ends here let's bring her in. This was a good idea but there were just too many variables that we didn't take into account."

"Very well Sir, we need to go," said Anatoly. "We've just parked at the airport and we're heading inside to set up surveillance."

"I want to be keep in the loop as things develop and for once do as you're told... Director out," said Igor before either Anatoly or Stefan could answer.

"You know as well as I do she's not going to turn up here. She's on that ferry right now in Baltic sea heading for Helsinki."

"But we never found anyone who actually saw her get on the ferry," said Stefan as he played the devil's advocate. "Now did we? The Director is just being cautious."

"That's because anyone who would've seen her get on the ferry is on it with her in the middle of the Baltic too. She's a loose canon and you know it. And what's this about bringing her in now," said Anatoly as they trudged across the walkway from the parking garage to the terminal.

"You need to dial it back a notch when you talk to the director. I thought I was the one who was supposed to push his buttons. What's gotten into you?"

"I don't know. It's just... well I've known a few people like Natasha especially from before. The party was everything for them and they didn't care who they had to ruin to get ahead in it. They seem so devote to the cause but really, they were just out for number one. They're hypocrites and they no more believe in the party rhetoric then they believe in Santa Claus..."

"What do you mean? He's not real. K chertu, maybe that explains why I keep writing letters but I never get anything. I just thought it was because I was bad."

"Very funny but I'm serious. You heard the crap she spewed out in the holding cell and I for one would like to give her a little more rope to see if we can't hang some more of her kind with it."

"Come on let's go," said Stefan as they walked up to the security check point. "We've got our orders that we have to follow," he said as they both showed the man operating the x-ray machine their badges.

"Call your boss we need to talk with him about setting up a secure perimeter inside the airport and access to your CCTV equipment," said Anatoly then he turned back to Stefan. "You know we could grab a plane for Helsinki and leave this up to Ivan to monitor from Moscow."

"Then we might as well stay in Finland because when we come back we'll be sent to Siberia if not worse. You know as well as I do that your wife will kill me if I let you do this."

"Okay, okay, it was just a suggestion and maybe you two are right. This looks like their boss coming now. You know you could set this up while I go check on flights to Helsinki."

"If that will make you happy, go ahead but remember I'll be in the security office watching the CCTV feeds so I'd better not see you trying to board a plane for Finland. If I do I'll come and get you."

"How does it go? I cross my heart and hope to die or would you like to pinky swear?" said Anatoly as he caught Stefan's look. "Okay, I promise I won't get on any flights for Finland..."

"Or anywhere else either. If you want to do me a favor then find us some place to get some tea. I don't know about you but I'm starting to feel a little tired and I could use something to keep me awake."

"Who knows I might even try to find you a slice of tea cake to go with it," said Anatoly as a man uniform approached them accompanied by another man in the same type of uniform.

"Now you're speaking my kind of language," said Stefan. Then he turned to the men and introduced himself. Anatoly watched for a second then walked off heading for the check-in desk. He wanted to keep his word but he heard the board call for Finnish airlines flight and when they mention Helsinki... well it was just greater than he was.

"Stefan will understand," he said to himself as he hurried over to the gate. He got in the back of the line and started to move up when he saw Stefan standing beside the door leading to the jet bridge.

"There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you and this is where I find you." said Anatoly as he tried to play it off why he was there.

"Don't even try it and you promised. What was that about cross my heart and what? Okay, if you weren't going to board and were looking for me where's my tea and cake?"

"That's why I was looking for you. I forgot how much sugar you wanted with it."

"Come on let's go to the security office. This was the last flight to Helsinki until the red eye in the morning so you're going to have to do this stake out with me. I have half a mind to tell your wife what you've done and let her take care of you."

"You wouldn't dare. Besides she knows what I do and that sometimes means taking risks so she won't say anything."

"Do you really want to take that risk and talking about risks. It's one thing to take them in the line of duty but it's another to go out of your way to find that. That woman of yours should be put up for sainthood for putting up with you."

"Now, on that we can both agree. But remember if you tell on me she'll get mad at me then there won't be anymore tea or cake for a while."

"And that's the only reason why I won't," said Stefan as he smiled then patted Anatoly on the back. "I hope you're wrong and Natasha shows up. I want to go home and sleep in my bed."

"Well my friend I'm afraid to tell you that I don't think I'm wrong and the only sleep you're going to get will be on the flight over to Helsinki."

"You know I can't sleep on planes. Well at least it will only be a short flight if we have to fly. Now let's find that cup of tea then get setup."

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Chuck and the team boarded a flight for Honduras tracking the Lear that had departed before them. Sam wasn't happy that she and Bunny were being sent back to L.A. with Mary. However, Sam had a private meeting with the General before they departed and seemed to accept the situation now.

"Get a little sleep now. We'll be leaving around midday," said Mary as she tucked Sam in her bed. "You know you can tell me anything you want and I won't tell anyone."

"That's nice to know but if you're trying to find out what Aunt Diane and I talked about it's a secret and I can't tell you."

"I just want you to know you can and I won't tell a soul not even Chuck or your Mommy… especially her," said Mary as she bent over and kissed Sam on the forehead. "Sam, if Aunt Diane has asked you to do something then I think I need to know."

"We shouldn't be talking about this but she didn't ask me for anything. I asked her for a favour… a wish and as everyone knows for wishes to come true you can't say what they are. I'm going to miss school here even if it was only for one day."

"Is that what your wish was? You want to stay here to go to school? You know we have to leave… well in a few hours that is," said Mary looking at her watch.

"I know and no, I've got friends at home from the park I want to see. Now, if you don't mind I'd like to get a little sleep before we have to leave," said Sam as she yawned. "I love you."

"I love you too," said Mary then she gave her another kiss then started to leave. She turned around in the doorway and looked back at Sam who was now snoring.

"What did you wish for that you thought Beckman could give you? Welcome to the family little one another member with secrets," said Mary as she close the door behind her.