Don't own Chuck
Sam woke up early the next morning and jumped out of bed. This was her first day back in school and she didn't want to be late. She hit the floor running then stopped looking at the clothes Mary had laid out for her the night before and she was not at all happy with the choice. She saw a skirt lying with her blouse which she'd told Mary she didn't want to wear.
"I told you I didn't want to wear a skirt. Well, I'll fix you," said Sam so first she went to her closet and dug out a pair of shorts that seemed to match the top. As she found her prize there came a knock on her door. "Crap, can she see through walls?"
"Are you up in there? What do you want for breakfast? I'm making pancakes," said Mary as she started to stick her head in.
"That's fine. I'm getting ready. What time is it? I don't want to be late for my second day of school here. Is Bunny ready? Uncle Casey is always saying leave no man behind and I guess that applies to babies too, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does and family members. If you don't need any help I'll go cook breakfast. You did see the clothes I laid out for you, didn't you?"
"Oh, I saw them," said Sam as looked around for a place to hide the skirt then she had an idea. "I'll be right out. I've got first dibs on the bathroom."
"Your pancakes will be waiting but we do need to shake a leg. I'll get Bunny ready while you're eating."
Sam ran as quickly as she could into the bathroom with the skirt wadded up under her arm. Mary was in the kitchen so she got in without being seen.
"I'll hide you in plan sight," said Sam as she put the skirt in the hamper with the rest of the dirty clothes. Then she finished getting ready and in a few minutes, she was sitting at the table ready to eat. She scooted her chair near the table and sat on the opposite side from Mary so she couldn't see what she had on.
"Here's your pancakes and I don't like to brag but these are good. You know I taught your father how to make them when he was about your age. Maybe I can teach you?"
"I'd like that," said Sam as she started to eat. "Wow, these are good. I don't know what's different about them but they're good."
"I added applesauce and cinnamon for extra flavour. If I can find blueberries we'll use them tomorrow. Is your backpack ready for school?"
"It's next to the door," said Sam as she ate. "I got it ready last night. I still don't know why I can't take my doctor bag. What am I going to do if one of the kids gets hurt?"
"He or she will see the school nurse like he or she is supposed to because that's what the nurse is there for and why we pay taxes."
"Uncle Casey says there are only two sure things in life… death and taxes. I don't understand what he was trying to say," said Sam as she ate her pancake.
"Don't worry about it. There's plenty of time to learn and don't listen too much to what Uncle Casey says. He says a lot things he shouldn't."
"That's what Mommy says too," said Sam as Mary refilled her coffee cup. "Can I have more juice please?"
"Well, that's one thing we can agree on," said Mary as she got the bottle out of the fridge and refilled Sam's glass then put it away. "Are you okay in here Sweet Pea? I need to get your sister ready."
"Sure, I'm almost done anyway. These pancakes were super good. Any word when Mommy or Chuck will be home?"
"Sarah called last night while you were asleep and said everything was going as planned and she'd be in touch. I need to get Bunny ready or we're going to be late."
"Can't be late," said Sam as she climbed out of her chair and put her dish in the sink. She ran in the bathroom finished up then to her bedroom where she grabbed a sweater. By the time Mary finished getting Bunny ready, Sam was standing next to the door tapping her foot ready to go.
"Hey, I didn't lay out those shorts. What happened the skirt I put out? It was so cute and it matched your eyes as well as that top."
"Nana, we've been over this before. On the play ground there are slides and swings as well as boys," she said as she rolled her eyes. "I don't want to be stuck with the other girls playing with Barbies. I want to be the first on scene."
"Okay, now you've lost me… first on scene. You can explain in the car as we drive to school," said Mary as they went out the door. A few minutes later they were on the road headed for Barnum Memorial Elementary School.
"I hate to ask this but what did you mean about being the 'first on scene'," said Mary as she drove down North Alvarado Street.
"That's easy, I figure these are the place with the highest probabilities that someone could get hurt so I'll be on scene to provide assistance. I think I'm going to be a good doctor…"
"Or a rich lawyer," mumbled Mary. "That's okay just don't go causing any… well let's call them 'accidents' to create work for yourself."
"Aunt Ellie says that would be a violation of the Hippocratic oath to do no harm. Whatever that is but if I want to be a doctor I have to follow it."
"Thank you Eleanor," mumbled Mary as she pulled into the school parking lot.
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Morgan and Sarah walked around the two rooms looking for a way out but everything was sealed tight as a drum. There was no way to get out. Sarah even tried to pick the lock on the door with a lock pick she had up her sleeve but with no luck.
"Crap, this is some sort of electronic lock. The key must have a chip in it that the door recognizes to open the lock."
"Translated, we're not going anywhere," said Morgan as he started eating an apple from the fruit basket. In the short time they'd been locked inside, he'd managed to eat most of it leaving only peels, seeds and cores.
"Morgan, pace yourself. We don't know if Beckman got my signal so we can't be sure how long we're going to be in here so that food needs to last."
"I'm sorry but I can't help myself when I'm nervous or stressed I eat and right now I'm both," said Morgan as he ate both the apple and the core.
"Then you must be stressed and nervous all the time," said Casey's voice coming from the wall. Morgan looked puzzled at Sarah.
"Please tell me you heard that or am I losing it? I can't stand being cooped up like this and it's starting to take its toll on me. I'm hearing Casey's voice everywhere that's got to be a bad sign."
"Will you pipe down moron and let me talk," said John. Sarah went over and started tapping on the walls until she hear a hallow sound.
"John, are you in there?" said Sarah as she took a knife off the fruit tray and made a hole in the wall. She punched through the plaster board and saw an eye on the other side looking at her.
"A little deeper there and I'd be looking like Black Bart," said John as he blinked ad tried to get the plaster dust out of his eye.
"John it's good to see you even if it's just one eye. You caused that Defender to run off the road. Is Roan with you and is he all right?"
"Unfortunately, he is but if he keeps up doing what he has been doing he won't be all right," said Casey. "He's here next to me and he wants to know if you guys have been able to free Beckman."
"Actually, she freed herself and is in our compound running this operation. If she got my message she should be heading this way with men to... well you're already free. I guess to capture Miguel and Donna Rosenda..."
"Don't forget about Luiz," said Morgan. "You want to know that Sarah went to school with him and he's got it hot for her."
"I went to Harvard and he went to Harvard which is a big university. No one has the hots for anyone and don't you dare repeat that to Chuck."
"Where is Chuck anyway and Alex too? I thought he'd be with you and not the human Brillo pad," asked Casey but he got no reply. There was a sound at the door and then it opened.
"I thought I'd come up and check on you to see how you are doing," said Miguel as he walked into the room. "Luiz had to pop back into town for his mother."
"Is there something wrong?" asked Sarah as she and Morgan watched him looking around the room. He walked over and threw open a closet. "Maybe if you tell me what you're looking for I can help you?"
"Nothing... I thought I heard voices before I walked in. I must've been mistaken," said Miguel as he continued to look around the room.
"Well, we were talking, asking ourselves what's going on and why you've locked us in this room," said Sarah but Miguel was distracted looking around and didn't hear her so she spoke louder. "Well, I asked you a question? Why have you locked us in this room?"
"Oh, it's for your own safety. These old houses have loose floor boards and things. You really need to be escorted around and right now I'm shorthanded. Luiz will explain everything when he gets back. In the meantime, I took the liberty of having your favorite food prepared and brought up," said Miguel as he leaned out the door and waved. Two servants came in with covered trays.
"Enjoy," he said as he motioned for his servants to take the covers off. Underneath were a couple of cheeseburgers and fries. "The favorite food of Americans."
"I hate to sound rude but I'm Canadian, remember," said Morgan as he grabbed a fry and ate it. "But I'll let it slide... this time. I hate to point this out but do you think we could get a little ketchup to go with these?" Miguel gave the servants a look.
"I'm so sorry," said the one with a nervous tone in his voice. "We must've forgotten it. I'll run down to the kitchen and get a bottle."
"Don't worry about it," said Sarah. "These are fine without. We don't want to get anyone in trouble, right Morgan?"
"That's right but they would taste better." Sarah rolled her eyes. "What? Don't tell me you don't think ketchup wouldn't improve their flavor?"
"Are you sure you're Canadian?" said Miguel.
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Chuck and Alex walked into the backroom with Chuck's new duelling guitar buddy who motioned for them to sit down. He went over and picked up a bottle of dark rum then walked back with three glasses. No one said anything as he poured them all a drink. The man put the bottle down on the table then slide them their glasses.
"Hasta la victoria siempre," said the man as he raised his glass and downed it. "Drink up my friends," said the man as he tuned his guitar.
"I can drink to that," said Chuck as he threw his down and pounded the glass on the table. The man smiled at Chuck. Alex was a little more cautious taking only a small sip as she studied the man sitting across from her. He was bearded and had long flowing hair both were salt and pepper but there was something about his eyes... something that pulled her in.
"So, who am I talking to Mr. CIA and who is your beautiful partner? But above all how did you find me and I have to ask why?" asked the man as he strummed on his guitar. "Hear that? There was a time when I could make magic with this."
"You mean like the magic of resurrection? Because you my dear Pablito the bandito are supposed to be dead."
"Si, magic like that so again I have to ask you who you are and what do you want with an old ex-revolutionary like me?"
"I need you because some of you revolutionaries aren't ex and they're looking to take revenge for your death on my friends. They're holding my friend's father because they believe he killed you and they're planning on executing him."
"I'm deeply sorry for your father's situation but I'm no longer involved in those sort of activities. You seem like an able young man. I'm sure you can come up with a way to save him that doesn't involve me."
"But you have to help us," said Alex. "Didn't you hear a word Chuck had to say? They're going to execute him along with another friend."
"You mean CIA friend... Chica, the CIA is no friend of mine. I'm living like this in this hellhole because of people like you. Now it looks like I'll have to find another place to live."
"You help us and we'll help you. How does witness protection in the States sound to you? We can give you a new life and a new chance..."
"Chance at what? I just wanted to play my music. Sure, I wrote a few... let's call them patriotic tunes and then this Russian woman tells me I can do much more. Look around you, this is what I got from listening to her. Some would say I made my bed and yes, I did. Now I've grown accustomed to sleeping in it."
"Nice words but how does Donna Rosenda fit into your bed or was it uncomfortable with her in it. You needed to get away and this is where you got to."
"That woman was infuriating... all she cared about was the revolucíon. She thought I was some sort of Che and she was jealous of anyone else who looked at me. I couldn't live like that I have to be free so I had no choice I had to get away."
"And in getting away did that mean you had to get away from your son too? You turned your back on Luiz and left him with your wife."
"What son? I don't have any son?" said Pablito. Chuck reached over and poured them both another round. "That's not possible, I would've known. You're lying to get me to help you."
"If you want to meet him he's here with Donna Rosenda. They were picked up by a Latino man at the airport. We're looking for them now and we believe they're staying in a Plantation just outside the city."
"Miguel... it has to be Miguel. I knew he had a soft spot for Donna Rosenda and I kind of hoped he would take her when I left..."
"But he knows you're still alive and since you two are still married..." said Chuck as pieces began falling into place.
"Yes, he helped me to disappear and then... well, you see I needed a banker to run my affairs for me so I could stay out of the lime light. That's how I bought this place and how I maintain myself..."
"In the lap of luxury and I bet he acted as the middle man for Donna Rosenda selling off her ill got gains from her pirating adventure. Pablito, we need you to tell us where Miguel is so we can get our people back. If you don't want to tell us for their sake then tell us for your son's, for Luiz's."
"I'll do better... I'll take you to him and I'll face Donna Rosenda. I never knew I had a son. I'd like to think if I had I would've done things differently but..."
"But you don't know if you would've. I know a little about problems with fathers and my perceptive is from the son's point of view. I think as a son, Luiz deserves to hear your side of the story and let him make his own conclusions."
[That was before and now they were walking out from behind the bar when all hell broke loose]
"Natasha? Is that you? What are you..." said Pablito as he looked at the woman who just walked into the bar.
"It's a trap. That man's CIA," she yelled as she started to raise her weapon but in that moment Anatoly and Stefan came out of hiding.
"But we're not. It's over give yourself up," yelled Stefan as Anatoly fired not waiting to see if she was going to surrender.
"What the... Oh crap," said Chuck when he saw Miguel's two men jump up from their table kicking back their chairs each with H&K MP5s. "Come on Pablito... Alex, we need to get out of here." He grabbed them ducking behind the bar and back into the backroom.
"What the heck is going on," yelled Anatoly as he and Stefan had to quickly find cover. "Where did those other shooters come from?"
"I don't know but Natasha got away. If you'd let her come in a little bit further we might have been able to get her before she went out the door."
"How was I to know that we'd walked into the O.K. corral? Those two gunmen were shooting at Chuck but why? I think we stepped in the middle of his op."
"Do you think? You accuse me of being the hothead but look what you've done," said Stefan as he called Tatiana. He explained their situation over the sound of gunfire.
"... that right. We need an extraction pronto at our location. Things have gone sideways... No, we're fine for now but we need a car waiting out behind the Dead Parrot."
"They're wearing vests," said Anatoly as he got off two rounds. "Well let's see if you like this," he said as he fired two rounds at one of the shooter's knee caps. The man squealed like a stuck pig and fired a burst at the ceiling before dropping to the floor on his back. The man's partner stopped firing for a few seconds while he checked his friend.
"This is our chance. Come on we need to get out of here," yelled Stefan as he grabbed Anatoly by the collar pulling him down the hallway towards the emergency exit. "Chuck is going to have to organize his own extraction plan."
Suddenly as they were running down the dark hallway the restroom door opened and the man they'd knock unconscious before walked out. He looked at them and began to growl but before he could do or say anything they both punched him. The man flew back and landed on his back just under the emergency exit so Stefan and Anatoly had to walk over the top of him.
"Sorry," said Stefan as he walked over the man. "You know some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed."
"Come on get in," yelled Tatiana from the van. The side door was open and the motor was running. "We need to get out of here."
They ran and jumped inside taking off at full speed with the side door still open. Stefan closed it as they peeled off.
"What happened? Did you get our target?" asked Tatiana. Anatoly shook his head as he tried to catch his breath.
"No, she ducked back out as soon as the firefight started. We don't know who they were but they just opened up. We really should go back and help Chuck. He'd do that for us."
"No, we can't go back," said Tatiana. "We heard over the police band that they are dispatching vehicles here and we can't be caught here. This Chuck is going to have to take care of himself."
"Look, this is our op," said Stefan. "I don't think Natasha went very far. Turn around the block then let's double back and see if we can't pick her up."
"What are you saying? You don't think she's dumb enough to go back. She has to know that would be crazy," said Tatiana as she looked at the two of them.
"Stefan is right," said Anatoly as he grabbed a bottle of water. "She's fought to come this far she's not going to turn back now. Stefan is right double back. If there's any heat from the Director you can direct him our way."
"Well this is on your heads," said Tatiana. "I hope you two have long underwear I hear the nights in Yakutsk can be pretty cold."
"Been there, done that," said Stefan as Anatoly nodded his head.