Don't own Chuck

The evening wore on at Echo Park and after finishing dinner Sam helped Mary with the washing up while Kate took care of Bunny by drawing and giving her an evening bath. Once household chores were finished Sam wrote down the license plate number for Mary then she went to the living room where she played with Bunny.

"I'm going next door to Casey's to run this number. I want you to stay here and watch Bunny. Aunt Kate will be right outside I just need to talk to her a moment. If you need her you know where she is, is that all right?" Sam nodded then started playing a game of peek-a-boo with Bunny.

"Bunny, that's adult talk for they don't want us to know what's going on. But that's all right because it's me and you from here on out and don't worry I'll take care of you Sis. I've got your back."

"Am," said Bunny as she laughed and giggled grabbing Sam's nose then she repeated it. "Am" she said then gave Sam a pat on the face.

"She said my name! Guys did you hear that? She said 'am'. Okay, it's not Sam but it's close... Guys," said Sam. But looking up no one was there. Mary was still outside with Kate. "Rats, no one is going to believe me. Can you say my name again...please? Come on say 'Sam'. Look at me you can do it."

But the only thing she got from insisting were some giggles and a laugh. Bunny evidently though Sam was playing with her and she was having fun.

"I don't know Sis, maybe you are mentally challenged," said Sam. Bunny reached over and gave her a strong swat with her open hand. "Ouch!" she said as she rubbed her cheek. "I guess I had that coming. I wonder what they're talking about. Aunt Kate has been outside for a long time."

"Am," said Bunny then she hid her face behind her hands and when she opened then started laughing. She repeated it over and over again.

"Okay, I can take a hint you want to play peek-a-boo. All right, but that doesn't mean I've stopped wondering what they're talking about.

Bunny's answer to Sam was to do as she had done before and hid her face behind her hands then when she opened them she laughed, but this time she fell over.

"Don't make me re-evaluate what I said about you before."

[Meanwhile outside in the courtyard]

Kate followed Mary outside. She'd picked up from Mary's reaction to what Sam had said at dinner that something wasn't right. However, she wasn't sure what it was, but she knew if anyone could figure out what was wrong it was Mary.

"What is it," asked Kate as soon as they were out the door and out of Sam's hearing range. "Do you know what's going on? If you do how bad is it? I can take so you can tell me and it's better to be prepared for what's to come."

"I really don't know but I'll know more once I've run this plate number," said Mary as she held up the piece of paper in her hand. "At first I was thinking that the men might be Treasury agents. Buddy's father owes the government a little money in back taxes and there's an ongoing investigation into his business practices. As well as the fact that he skipped town with the former principal of Sam's school when the noose around his neck started to tighten."

"It sounds like you've been doing some digging into Sam's schoolmates and their families as well as the school staff."

"That's what you do when you're about to enter a possible hostile environment. It's just SOP," said Mary. Kate gave her a puzzled look. "Hasn't John taught you anything? SOP means standard operating procedures."

"And to think my biggest worry when Alex was going to school was remembering to pack her lunch. How things have changed. But what if these guys aren't treasury agents?"

"That opens an all new can of worms. Four agents in a vehicle I think is a little over kill which makes me even more concerned but I'll know more in a little while. Whatever the case might be I'll handle it."

"What's that supposed to mean? Or do I even want to know?" said Kate as she looked at Mary but Mary had her poker face on.

"I think to avoid you having to perjure yourself in any future court of law, you're probably better off not knowing."

"But what if this is much more dangerous. You hear about all these horrible things that are happening in schools nowadays. Is Sam's bookbag bullet proof?"

"You're overthinking this but yes, it is. Just know I'm taking care of it," said Mary as she looked at her watch. "I really need to get this taken care of and you need to get inside. Sam's been alone with Bunny for a while now and there's no telling what the two of them are up to. You might check with her and make sure she's got her bag ready for school."

"That I can take care of," said Kate. Then she turned around and went back inside. Mary waited for Kate to close the door behind her before she pulled out her phone.

"Hey, it's Frost... I know it's been a while what can I say I've been out of town. ... All you need to know is I'm back and I need favor. I've got a license plate I want you to run. ... I think it might be one of ours. If it is I want to know what the heck it was doing sitting outside of an elementary school and what Brainiac was in it. Geez, four men in a vehicle sitting outside an elementary school and they didn't think someone wouldn't take notice. ... Yes, I'm done ranting. I don't know why I haven't shot you. ... Because I always need favors. Let's leave it at that. Now be nice go on and run it. I'll hold.

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It didn't take Anatoly and Stefan long to figure out they'd been duped. When the dust cleared then completely died down it was obvious they were in the middle of the jungle with Natasha and the Range Rover nowhere in sight. Tatiana stopped their van then turned to them with fire in her eyes wanting some sort of explanation.

"The sun will be setting soon and we've got no idea where to go other than not forward. You said follow their dust cloud it will lead us to them. Well, following their dust cloud has let them give us the slip or was that your plan from the beginning? Back in the old days I would shoot you right here for treason."

"In the old days you wouldn't be talking to us with that tone of voice and the person in front of the firing squad would be you. Crap never flowed uphill my dear Tatiana."

"If we'd done like I suggested this would be over with now. We'd past them up then set up a sniper and bang Natasha is no more. You two would be on a plan back to Moscow and I'd be back in the embassy filing an after-action report with the Center."

"And who's to say they wouldn't have pulled off before they reached your sniper? We'd be right where we're at right now."

"No, this has to be Chuck's doing... It just has to be him. He must've figured someone would've been behind them even if he couldn't see them. It just would've been good op sec. Tatiana that's how spies get to become old spies."

"I agree," said Stefan as he nodded. "Chuck can always think two or three steps ahead. What we need to do is turn around and head back. Maybe we can figure out where they turned off."

"That's a big maybe. We might just go back into town and then regroup. We can call the Center and ask for further guidance."

"Do you want to call them and let them know that Natasha has given us the slip? Do you really want to do that? Stefan and I can weather this crap storm but I don't know about you. You're still in your early years when the wrong note in your file could have... well let say negative results."

Tatiana reluctantly agreed and had the driver turn around. But before they started back they pulled out a map and looked over where they were.

"Okay, gps puts us here," said Tatiana as she marked where they were on the map. "Here is the last time we sighted Natasha and her van," she said as she marked that place too.

"So, it makes sense that she disappeared in one of these side roads or paths," said Anatoly as he looked over the large area they had to cover realizing it wasn't going to be easy. "Do we have a sat imagine from above we can overlay on this map?"

"That's a good idea but I was thinking there were two other shooters in that bar. Is there any way to know who they were or better who they worked for? Maybe if we can figure that out it will help us find them?"

"Good idea Stefan," said Anatoly then he turned to Tatiana. "See if you can you get on that? You can use facial recognition from the CCTV cameras in the area of the bar."

"I'll have my men get right on to it," said Tatiana as she noticed Anatoly holding his finger on the map looking at Stefan who was nodding back. "What is it? Have you found something?"

"There's a large tobacco plantation that's indicated on the map. We're thinking that would be a good place to start looking."

"But they could be anywhere by now? Why do you want to waste time looking there? They could've taken off into the jungle for all we know."

"No, they... Natasha came here with a purpose and that purpose was Pablito the bandito. And I willing to bet it has something to do with this plantation or that's what my gut is telling me."

"And now you're going to tell me that your gut is never wrong? If that were the case they'd still be in front of us."

"Your gut may not always be right but it will keep you alive a little longer if you listen to it and mine is telling me they're at that plantation. Let's look at it like this we have to go back anyway so what's the harm in checking out this place? If we're lucky we find them and if we're not then we can scratch it off our list and move on."

"Very well," said Tatiana as she took the map and showed it to the driver. But as she was talking with the driver the man on comms told them they got a hit on the shooters identities.

"According to records your shooters were workers on a tobacco plantation run by a man that goes by Miguel. He took the plantation over when the former owners went missing."

"I know what you're going to say but don't," said Tatiana cutting Anatoly off before he said, 'I told you so'. "Whatever this Miguel's past might be we're still not sure that Natasha is there. So, don't count your chickens before they hatch."

"Who me? Would I tell you I told you so? That can wait until we find them right now we need to hurry up and get there," said Anatoly as he sat back in his seat looking out the window into the lush jungle.

"What's the matter? You look pensive which suits you. We slavs always like to look like we're brooding over something but you look worried too so what gives? Remember no secrets from wives or partners."

"You just made that up," said Anatoly as he laughed. "Okay, I don't know. I'm trying to figure Natasha's connection with this Miguel. You don't think he might be one of her old assets from back in the day?"

"I hadn't thought about it but now that you mention it I wouldn't be surprised. You can ask him when we get there if you like."

"Yeah like for sure... That will go over like a lead balloon. Excuse me sir but were you or are you on the pay role of the KGB or the SVR? Asking something like that could get us shoot or worse. No, we need to play this one coy. But it is strange that they go see the very man who was trying to have them killed just a little while ago."

"Well, not so strange where Chuck's involved strange things are bound to happen. We just need to be prepared for them."

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Morgan was looking out the window at the grounds below when suddenly he notices a Range Rover pulling up at the gate. He didn't understand it at the time but something captured his attention. He watched as doors opened on the vehicle and people got out then back inside in a hurry. He thought it was a little strange but considering their current situation no stranger than what was happening to them.

"Morgan what are you looking at? Come away from there and get over to the wall. John's back with intel he wants to share and he needs to keep his voice down so come over here. We can't take the risk that Miguel might overhear anything like he did before."

"I'm coming," he said as he looked once more out the window seeing the Rover drive up to the house. "What is it Big Guy?"

"Shush and hold it down," said Sarah. "You need to keep you voice down. Remember what I said about Miguel."

"What's that noise," said Morgan. They heard scratching sounds coming from inside the wall as if every rat or mouse was scurrying by but why?

"That sound you guys are hearing at the rats inside here running past us," said Roan. "It's kind of disgusting and strange. If we were at sea I'd think we were sinking."

"You guys need to look out for Willard and whatever you do, don't piss him off," said Morgan. Sarah gave him a look. "Well they do. I swear I had nightmares for two weeks after I saw that movie and it was a while before I went in a pet store. I didn't want those little beady eyes looking back at me and even after I did they sent shivers up my spine."

"I'll break your spine if you don't pipe down and shut up," said Casey from the other side of the wall. "Miguel is making his move on Donna Rosenda," said John as he continued briefing them about what he'd overheard.

"Did you hear that," said Roan. Casey gave him an angry look. "I'm serious don't tell me you didn't hear that."

"Hear what? If you don't mind I'd like to finish telling them that they need to watch their sixs because Miguel is plotting to have them taken out. So, if you don't mind I'd like to finish and don't worry about the rats. They're as scared of you as you are of them... well maybe you're a little more scared. If I were you I'd tuck my pants leg in my socks to keep them from running up my legs."

"They'll actually do that? Crap, and why are you only telling me now," said Roan as he quickly tried to tuck his pants leg in but as he was doing it he saw two green eyes starting at him from the dark. Those pair of eyes were quickly joined by two more.

"Holy crap," said Roan as he froze looking at the huge eyes. "Colonel, I think we've got a problem," said Roan as he continued to stare at the four eyes.

"Yeah, I can see we have a problem too and if you don't pipe down I'm going to take care of it. But I don't think you're going to like the way I'm going to handle it."

"What are you talking about? No, not that... I know what's gotten the rats stirred up," said Roan as he stood up slowly. "Just look over there," he said as he pointed into the darkness.

"I can see I'm not going to be able to finish my brief until you say whatever ridiculous thing you have to say so let's hear it. What's got the rats agitated?"

"Look over there. There are two very large Dobermans," said Roan as he pointed at them coming out of the darkness. Both of the dogs were drooling and growling as they moved in near and nearer to them. "I wonder if where the rats went if there's still a little room for us?"

"John, what's going on back there," said Sarah as she tapped on the wall. "Is that growling we hear? What's back there with you?"

"Big guy if it's your stomach maybe we can make your eye hole bigger and I could shove a banana inside. But they do say not to feed the animals in the zoo."

"When I get out of here I'm going to shove my fist somewhere," said Casey. "Roan, get on the other side of me just move slowly."

"Sorry, excuse me. Sorry again, tight space... coming through," said Roan as he moved past Casey leaving him face to face with the two Dobermans. They growled and bared their teeth as the hair stood up on their necks. Casey stared them back down looking at them square in the eyes with out flinching then he growled back moving closer and closer to them.

Morgan looked at Sarah with a puzzled look. She too wondered what had happened when they suddenly heard a yelping sound from the other side of the wall.

"John, tell me you didn't hurt those poor dogs, did you? It's not their fault they were put inside that crawl space."

"Gee, thanks for the concern. No, I didn't hurt them I just had to show them who the bigger dog was. Now let me finish telling you what I overheard before I'm interrupted again."

[Meanwhile behind the plantation house]

"How long do you think Rex and Max are going to take to root out those rats? They've been in there for over a half an hour."

"I don't know but I wouldn't want to be the rats when they catch up to them. They're both pretty vicious when it comes to ratting. But why do you care how long it's been? Have you got some place to be?" But before the other man could say anything the two Dobermans came barreling out.

"Geez, what in the heck?" said the one man as the dogs knocked him down to the ground then trampled him. They didn't even slow down but continued running until they disappear from sight. "What got into them?"

"Hurry up and get up off the ground! Help me get this vent cover back on before whatever's in there gets out. I don't know about you but if it scared them like that I don't want any part of that rat."

"Do you think it's a rat? Somehow, I think it might be something different," said the one man as they tightened the screws down on the cover.

"What are you talking about? What else could it be? You're not making any sense and before you say anything pass me that Philips screwdriver," he said as he pointed at the screw driver in the toolbox.

"Okay but I'm going to have to let go. You got it?" asked the one and his partner nodded so he let go then reached inside the tool box and found the screw driver. "Here you go and getting back to what I was saying... Well, I know this is going to sound crazy but when I was little my old man used to tell me stories about el Chupacabra…

"What? Don't tell me you believe in that nonsense? That's just crap parents tell their kids to keep them in line. There it's back on," said the man as he stepped back to admire his handiwork. "Look before you go spouting off something that's going to get you kill just answer me this first. How would a Chupacabra get into the crawl spaces if all the vents are covered?"

"You're forgetting we found the one in that pantry off. But okay say you're right there isn't a Chupacapra then what scared the dogs? You can't tell me they were afraid of some rats. This isn't the first time we've used them to de-rat the house."

"I don't know what it was. Nor do I care and neither should you. When Miguel asks if we ran the dogs we're going to tell him yes and nothing more. You piss Miguel off and we'll be like that guy they hauled out a few hours ago. Do you want that?"

"Well I don't know... what happens if Miguel finds out we knew something then didn't tell him? Wouldn't that be worse?"

"The correct answer is no, we don't. And Miguel will only know if you open that cave you have for a mouth. Look at me, look at me in the eyes... I'm only going to tell you this once. I don't want you to start spreading that crap around and you know what crap I'm talking about."

"What crap are you talking about? Do you mean about the Chupacapra or that the dogs ran off and we don't know where they are?"

"I'm not joking around with you. If you do I'll tell everyone you made it up... I swear I will. I'm not going to get fed to the pigs because of you or your stupid Chupacapra story. Now let's get these tools put away then we need to go find those stupid mutts."

"Look at the gate one of the teams is back from town," said the one as he pointed towards the main gate.

"Maybe now Miguel can relax for a bit and we all can breathe a little easier."

"Until he finds out about the Chupacapra."