Don't own Chuck
Casey hacked his way through the thick underbrush in the direction he had marked on his map. He knew he was getting close when a new smell was added to the musty dank smell of the jungle, burnt. Finally he broke through into a clearing with the hot tropical sun beating down on him. The spot acted like sauna. The heat of the sun reaching jungle floor heated the humid earth then rose in the air in the form of mist. Little Morgan didn't like it he began shattering hanging back in the tree line high above on a safe branch. The ground literally smoked.
"What do we have here" said Casey to himself as he walked the perimeter first. There were downed trees and some signs of charring but there was something that just seemed odd. He's seen places like this after a shelling but it just seemed strange to him. If he had to name what the problem was he felt the whole thing looked too perfect. However, there in the middle of the impact crater were the remains of what looked like the missing satellite after making an uncontrolled re-entry.
"Now to get to work," he said. From his backpack he took out a metal detector and worked out from the center in a circle. First he identified the debris as coming from the downed bird then he sat a scale next to it taking a picture like processing a crime scene. That's what it was a crime scene either someone murdered a satellite or it committed suicide either way it was a crime. Afterwards he collected the pieces placing them all in one of two heaps. Not important he'd leave and important he had to take with him or destroy. But of all the pieces that miraculously survived the one part missing was the data storage unit.
"Phew someone turned down the furnace," he said as he stopped for a moment to take a drink from his canteen. Being in the clearing there was not foliage over head to block the sun's rays that was beat down on his head and insect activity had increase by a hundred fold.
"Do you feel safe over there," yelled Casey talking to the spider monkey Morgan who was watching his every move from the safety of a nearby tree. "You're about as useful as your human counterpart," John said as he swatted. Little Morgan responded with a yawn and stretching out relaxing on a branch.
"I'm sorry if I'm boring you but this has to be done right. You don't get any second chances when you do this type of mission," said Casey. Little Morgan got up then disappeared back into the forest. Casey felt a little sad he at least he had company. After working most of the morning he was almost done gather pieces now he had to figure out what and how much he could actually carry out.
"What the heck," he said when a banana came flying out of a tree hitting him in the head then he hear the sound of Morgan laughing in tree near him.
"Augh, ouch," said Casey as he picked up the banana and looked up at little Morgan sitting on a branch eating a second banana. "At least it was a banana thanks I think, not bad," said Casey as he picked it up and ate it.
"Here you go," he said as he tossed Morgan an apple in the tree. He had to make room in his backpack for the things he had to take which meant tossing things he brought like extra food. Until he got back to civilization he'd have to forage. Once he had his pack together he dug a pit for the things he that need to be destroyed and place a C-4 charge with it then ran back to safety just past the tree line before it exploded.
"I know pipe down it couldn't be helped," yelled Casey as Morgan started screaming after the explosion. But he still felt hot and nothing he could do seemed to cool him down. Worst he was beginning to feel weak and the extra weight he was carrying made the trek that much more difficult.
"Crap," said Casey as he kept stopping to rest. He took his pulse it was fast. "Got to keep move," he told himself. He walked a mile or so farther then had to stop again.
"Just a little rest then got to keep going," he said to himself. He felt like he had a bout of malaria coming on but it came on too fast. "Maybe dengue fever or something else," he said to himself as he drank the last of his water.
"Come on John let's get our butt in gear," he told himself. But when he got up he passed out and dropped face first. Somewhere as his delirium started to set in he heard the sound of Morgan in the trees screaming and the voices of men then nothing.
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Back at the Hydra Command Center Frank was standing in the communications room talking with one of the patrols he'd sent out. They were to locate and capture the Colonel. He and El Comandante had a plan and the key player in this was Casey. However, finding him was not as easy as they thought it would be.
"What do you mean you can't find him?" radioed Frank. "We all heard the explosion start from the clearing and work your way out from there."
"But boss we found what looks like to be his trail but it's erratic. It looks like he's wandering in no fixed direction and the places he's going just don't make sense."
"You idiots, he's probably on to you and he's trying to give you the slip. I don't care what you have to do to find him just do it or don't bother coming back. But remember we need him alive and unharmed," said Frank as he signed out. "What rock did you turn over to find this bunch of winners?"
"Are you sure about Turrini's plan?" said Marcus as he handed Frank a work progress update. "I mean do you really trust him?"
"No, not really," he said as he looked over the details. "But he's the one we have to deal with and I have to thank the guy who tried to throw me under the bus for this. However, that being said Turrini's given me leverage I can use against him if something goes wrong in the future. I'm glad to see your girlfriend has gotten our project back on track but I'd still prefer her giving this to me in person."
"HQ we located the Colonel," radioed in one of the patrols. But he's in bad shape. He looks like he's got malaria or something similar. Request instruction?"
"Crap," said Frank as he thought over his options. "Bring him to the infirmary and tell the Doctor we need him to give him something then transport him into the capital. Someone will meet you at Pablo's Parrot. They'll take him off your hands then you can come home and good work."
"Roger that," said the man. "Okay Miguel, let's get him loaded up in the quad. You grab one arm I'll grab the other and we lift." They started to drag John through the jungle, but when they picked him up they heard screaming from the tree above them followed by a barrage of objects being hurled down at them.
"Hey stop that," yelled Miguel getting angry. He let Casey drop, picked up a rock and threw it back up into the tree but that just got more things hurled back down at them along with louder screaming.
"Gez, that really didn't help. Come on before they find something to throw that really hurts. Don't you know not to piss off the monkeys they get even? Move it before we get into real trouble."
"I'm sorry Pablo but get monkey pooh thrown at me isn't exactly pleasant,' said Miguel as he grabbed Casey. Finally they got Casey loaded with his gear then took off to the infirmary. After the Doctor gave him an antibiotic and an IV to re-hydrate him they were sent on their way.
"What do you think they're going to do with him?" asked Miguel riding shotgun. They had Casey laid out in the back of a Land Rover Defender bouncing down a dusty road.
"I don't know and really I don't care and you shouldn't either. We just follow orders and get paid. I could care less what happens to that guy in the back."
"You are the least bit curious?" said Miguel as he pulled out a map checking their position to make sure they were heading in the right direction.
"You know what they say about curiosity and the cat. I have no intention of being the cat and you should listen up and do the same. When we get there don't start asking questions like 'hey what are you up to'. We go in hand the guy over then leave."
"Oh man I really wanted to stop for a Subway. They just opened up a second franchise in the Capital. We could make it a meal."
"We'll see but I'm not promising anything."
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Chuck got up early to surprise everyone with pancakes but it seemed he was the one surprised. He found Ellie already in the kitchen cooking pancakes. He smiled as he walked in. Then from nowhere a memory came back he was twelve years old again and he walked in to find Ellie cooking pancakes instead of his Dad. He remembered asking where was their Dad and she told him eat your pancake.
"What's the matter," asked Ellie seeing him standing there with a look on his face. "Is everything okay? I hope you guys are in a mood for pancakes."
"That's why I got up I was going to make them. I guess great minds and all that," said Chuck as he got himself a cup of coffee. "Hey can you do me a favor and layoff telling Sarah she's pregnant."
"What's the matter? Did she say something? If she did I'm sorry but as a doctor I think she should..." Chuck held up his hand.
"That's what I'm talking about. Yes you're a doctor, but you're also my sister and I'm asking as your brother to layoff. No, Sarah didn't say anything actually she appreciates the fact that you're concerned about her."
"Then where's this coming from? Mom isn't it. I should've guessed if it wasn't Sarah the only other person you'd listen to is her."
"Not true I listen to Morgan too I just chose to take his advice with a grain of salt," he said as Ellie gave him a look. "Okay a very large coarse grain of salt."
"Okay, I won't say anything else as long as she sees Gwen when you guys get home. I talked with her and she told me Sarah's been long overdue for a checkup but she's been putting it off for one reason or another."
"I think I'm the 'one reason or another' but I hear you and I'll make sure it gets taken care of as soon as we get home. But you and Devon have you ever thought about giving Clara a brother or sister?"
"Sure we've talked about it and well if it happened we wouldn't mind it. However, with that being said we're both busy. I know Devon's got two brothers and Woody and Honey took care of all three and all five are doctors. Do I know that... But it's hard to find the time I want to spend with Clara and if I had another child... Well I don't know if it would be fair for him or her."
"I see what you're saying double the energy but double the fun. I mean look at us we didn't do so bad and no one looked out for us except each other."
"I wonder sometimes if that just wasn't pure luck. I know there were times I could've strangled you especially when you dragged that pet home."
"I thought you like peaches?"
"I'm talking about Morgan. They both shed hair all over the furniture and had a habit of showing up in the kitchen when it was time to eat. Not to mention they both wanted me to scratch their stomachs."
"That was when you issued the no touch policy."
"You guys must be taking about Morgan," said Devon as he walked in wearing only the bottom part of his pajama. "I smell pancakes. Chuck, how's my favor pregnant sister-in-law?"
"Devon can you try and be a little Awesome and layoff telling Sarah she's pregnant," said Chuck as he took a sip.
"Yes, Honey Mom told Chuck that well you never did tell me why she got into the middle of this? I think I'd be upset with her if I were you."
"Whatever, but the reason I asked bro is because when I walked past the bathroom I heard her inside heaving. I think you ought to go check on her."
"And you're only telling me this now," said Chuck as he sat his coffee cup down then went back to the bedroom to find Sarah sitting on the bed.
"Are you feeling all right," asked Chuck as he walked in. "We don't have to go with them today if you don't want to. I can call Beckman and tell her..."
"Tell her what? No, we're going... I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped. Sit down next to me and hold me I'll be okay in few minutes." Chuck sat down and put his arm around her holding her tight.
"What do you feel? Maybe we ought to stop by the hospital before we leave and let them run some tests. You know just to make sure this isn't anything serious."
"It's nothing just a stomach flu or a bug or something. Chuck, Sweetie, I can't be pregnant... I can't ever be."
"I know and I don't care. I love you and we have Sam that's all I need," he said as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"You say that now but what about the future. What are you going to say when you're a hundred and four. Are you still going to be happy with me?"
"I'll be happy with you to infinity and beyond," said Chuck. Sarah raised her head up and looked at him smiling.
"You know Sweetie just knowing that line was said by a toy spaceman in a cartoon makes it less romantic."
"It was actually an animated cartoon just to be precise," said Chuck then he kissed her.
"Well then that does make a difference," Sarah said as she laughed. "I can always count on you to make me feel better when I'm down. I love you."
"You can always count on me. I love you too," he said as he kissed her. "You look a lot better now how do you feel?"
"Much better I just needed to be with you. You're my best medicine," she said as she looked into his eyes then kissed him. "I hate to say this but we need to go even if the plane will wait for us we still have to make our move."
"Ellie made pancakes but somehow I wouldn't recommend them. Not that they aren't good, just with the way you're feeling they probably aren't the best choice for you right now."
"No I agree, I'll just have a couple of slices of plain toast and some apple juice. I don't want anything with acid or that can sour on my stomach."
"Guys, you need to hurry up," said Devon as he stuck his head in their bedroom. "Ellie's taking care of the girls and I'm staging the luggage by the door. Can I take your things out?"
"I can get them but thanks,' said Chuck as they got up ate breakfast then prepared for the trip. A few hours later they were on Stevenson Expressway headed for Midway International Airport.
"Everyone got everything right?" said Devon, "passports, travel gum, suntan lotion all check."
"Honey, I don't want to say anything but wouldn't it have been better if you had asked that before we left the house not when we're almost at the airport?"
"Don't worry Devon everything is cover," said Sarah as she looked over at Sam. She was riding in her car seat whispering back and forth with Clara. They kept looking at her then started whispering again. They were up to something she was sure but that was okay thought Sarah. Sam didn't often get a chance to interact with other kids so having Clara to play with was good. Even though Clara was older they played with each other like sisters. In fact Clara was the only kid besides Molly, Sam ever let play with her bunnies.
"We're here Agents Carmichael," said the driver. They drove past a series of hangars until they got to one with a plane half outside that had the Costa Gravas flag painted on the tail. The Colonel was standing down at the bottom of the ladder waiting next to an Aeroflot Yakovlev Yak-40.
"Good Morning and on behalf of our beloved Premier I greet you. Please board and we'll be in the air shortly. Chuck grabbed Sam up so Devon grabbed Clara who started protesting.
"Put me down I can walk up on my own. I'm not that little anymore," said Clara. "You're embarrassing me. Mom, please tell him to put me down." Ellie and Sarah lagged behind letting the guys handle the children.
"I'm sorry if I bugged you about being pregnant," said Ellie. "I'm just concerned and sometimes I tend to over react with the people I care about."
"No, I should apologize for being so hyper-sensitive but you guys are... well I've never had anyone like you guys in my life. People who really care about me and I don't know how to deal with that. So I guess sometimes I go on the offensive for no reason. I want you to know I don't mean it."
"Well, I'm calling a truce. No more talk about being pregnant or expecting on this trip we're just two couples with kids going to a tropical country to participate in their... what is it called?"
"I guess it would be like our Fourth of July."
"So no more talk about this while we're participating in the Fourth of July celebration held on the First of May."
"Thanks Ellie and I promise I'll make an appointment to see Gwen as soon as we get back home. It's on my 'to do list' in my phone."
"You don't have to worry, I already called her and you have a walk-in appointment. She'll see you anytime you want. I had to promise to do some consulting for her but that's okay."
"Ladies," yelled Devon from the top of the ladder. "Could you two kindly hurry up and board? The pilot wants to get us up in the air, he's got night blindness and needs to set down before sunset or we're in trouble. He also said he was having a little problem with the number two engine but not to worry he's got two others."
"Now I really want to board this thing. It's a good thing you're not pregnant. I can still say that we haven't taken off yet."
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The beloved Premier went out for his morning walk through the open air market of the Capital. He stopped people, shook their hands and chatted. As a boy he played on these very same streets and the people loved him because he was one of them. He especially loved the market because there were all sorts of bright colors and tantalizing smells. He stopped by one merchant in particular old Carlo who sold sweets in the market.
"Carlo, how's business today? Looks like things are kind of slow. Give me a half a pound, no make it a full pound of your canillitas de leche. Mi Amor will love me even more when I bring them home."
"Here you go Alejandro," said Old Carlo as he handed the Premier a bag full with way more than a pound.
"How much do I owe you," asked the Premier as he pulled out money from his pocket. "My wife gave me my allowance today." They both laughed.
"Nothing, just give my best wishes to your wife from Old Carlo," said the old man as he took hold of the Premier's hands.
"Nonsense you'll go out of business then who will I be able to buy canillitas de leche from," said the Premier as he shoved money into the old man's pocket.
"No wait this is way too much," said the old man trying to give the Premier back his change but he waved him off.
"No, considering how many I stole when I was young I probably still owe you that and more. Say hello to your family for me," said the Premier as he started heading back to the palace but on the way a billboard caught his attention.
"What's this," said the Premier as he read in Spanish 'Vote Juan Pablo Turrini for President the people's choice.'
"What does the sign say? Or do you only read English now?" said Turrini coming out of the crowd. "I understand you've got your new friends from the North coming for our celebration. You aren't thinking about bringing in a CIA assassin to take out your competition are you?"
"What in the devil are you talking about?" said the Premier that was when he noticed the reporters standing around them. "Is this some sort of publicity stunt? Do you think you can get votes like this? My friend you were the head of the secret police who's going to vote for you?"
"I don't know maybe your wife. She like the little coup d'état we cooked up together at least in the beginning," said Turrini trying to egg on the Premier.
"Why you, I should've had shot," said the Premier as he started for Turrini but his Chief of Security intervened.
"Not here Sir, we're in public and you're surrounded by journalists."
"Did you send for the Angel de la Muerte to kill me? Is that your game plan Alejandro?"
"I don't like this," said Goya to his Security Officer. "We need to find Casey right away. Turrini wouldn't have mentioned him if he didn't have something cooked up."