Don't own Chuck

Chuck and Sarah flew everyone back to the base. The quiet capital city was marred now by fires and signs of the night of the Generals but that was behind them now. Like Emperor Nero, Turrini had his turn at the lyre but short lived. Things were returning to normal as they flew out of the city over the jungle then back to the Los Perdutos. On the way Sam looked up from her lap and Sarah could tell there was something she wanted to ask then Sam said it.

"When you go buy the baby can you can you get a girl. I think I'd like to have a sister and besides I've got a lot of things I could give her."

"What?" asked Sarah. She couldn't believe what Sam had said and Chuck... Chuck just laughed which cause Sam to give him an angry look.

"Well, I guess if they're all sold out of girls then a boy will be fine too. But I'd prefer a girl like Clara so I'd have someone to play with."

"Sweetie, it doesn't work that way," said Sarah as she held her tight and her eyes watered. "This is what you and Clara have been talking about, isn't it?"

"Yeah, Clara heard Aunt El and Uncle Awesome talking about you expecting and one of her friend's parents went to China and came back with a baby. Now she has a sister called Lin. Is that where you're going to buy her?"

"You don't buy children and I'm sure Clara's friend's parents didn't buy a baby, that's illegal. I'm sure they adopted the baby legally. But that's no easy and I'm afraid it's impossible for our situation. I know this is difficult for you to understand," said Sarah as she saw the confusion in Sam's eyes. "We don't have to talk about this now."

"But why did Uncle Awesome say you were expecting? What are you expecting? How do babies get born?"

"Boy, I thought we had a few years for that question," said Chuck as he looked over at the two of them.

"This is your guys fault for all that chatter and speculation," said Sarah as she snapped but she didn't know why. "I'm sorry had I taken the test I could've laid that this to rest."

"Sweetie Pea," Chuck tried to explain. "When two people love each other very much that love is like a plant and the seeds of that love cause other little plants like you."

"So Clara was right," said Sam. "Did you swallow a watermelon seed? She said that some women swallow watermelon seeds and it grows in their stomach then they have a baby. I didn't believe her at first."

"Ellie and Devon are Doctors," said Chuck as Sarah gave him a look.

"Don't tell her that or she'll never eat another watermelon or anything with seeds. No Sweetie your father was joking," said Sarah as Sam gave him a mean look. "It has nothing to do with watermelons. You're tired, why don't you try to go to sleep."

"But I'm not tired. Really I'm not. I'm wide...," said Sam as she yanked. "Awake" then she closed her eyes and almost immediately she dozed off in her arms.

"Oh Chuck, this is exactly why I didn't want anyone saying anything. Now she's thinking about what it will be like. I'm going to have to disappoint her and you... I know you want me to be pregnant but we both know the odds are slim to none."

"Hey where's this coming from? I love you and nothing will ever change that. We're almost at the base. I'll make sure we all get a place to sleep I think we could use it after everything."

"First of all ladies the General will want a briefing," said Casey as he came forward. "Sarah, take Sam and tuck her in. Chuck, you and I can start the brief then you can join us after that..."

"After that you call Kat," said Sarah. "Don't make me find a phone and dial the number for you. I mean it John Casey call home. You talked before about doing the right thing by Kat well this is it."

"John, Sarah's right. She's waiting at home, it's only right to let her know you're okay. It wouldn't get you home any quicker but at least she'll know you're all right. John that pack you brought on board wouldn't be the debris from that spy satellite?"

"Yeah, that crap almost cost me my life so there was no way I was going to leave it behind. Especially after everything and besides Beckman asked for it."

"John, what were you thinking that crap could be radioactive? Just keep it in the back and far away from Sarah."

"Shouldn't be any worse than a couple dozen X-rays, we'll be fine, as long as no one's pregnant," said Casey as he looked at Sarah.

"Okay, guys enough and John the pack's yours so I'm going let you take care of it," said Sarah as Chuck contacted the Control Tower at the base for landing instruction.

On deck when they landed was Devon, the Premier, and his newly appointed ministers as well as group of officers.

"Mi Amor," said the Premier as he ran to Hortencia. Chuck, I don't know how to thank you and your lovely wife for protecting and bringing the love of my life safely to my arms."

"Amor, they could use a place to sleep. The children are tired from their ordeal," said Hortencia as she wrapped her arm around him. "Did you see me on television? What did you think?"

"I heard from my men that you were sensational. The mother of the revolution they're calling you. Maybe we could use you like our Marianne."

"I think one Goya desnuda is enough. We'll talk about this later right now I'm feeling a little tired too."

"I'm sorry, Devon, please take everyone to our quarters there's plenty of room there and John here this came in by messenger from your Embassy addressed to you."

"It's a comm device. I guess the General wants a word with us now," said Casey as he opened it and the screen came on.

"Sarah, take Sam and get her situated. I think between Casey and me we can handle the brief. So there's no need in coming back I'll let you know what happened afterwards.

"I concur with Chuck," said the General from the monitor. "Sarah, you've been through a lot these past couple of days and so has Sam. Go get some rest that's an order."

"I don't particular like it when you two agree," said Sarah as she looked at Chuck then at the monitor. "But I'm too tired to disagree so I'll go. Chuck, come to me as soon as you're done"

"Go rest up, I'll come and join you afterwards I promise," said Chuck then he kissed her.

"Who told her," whispered Sarah in his ear but he shrugged his shoulder then she kissed him back. Casey grunted then she left.

"Okay if we can get our head screwed back on right maybe we can do some real work. I'm sorry General it took so long to get these photos to you but I'll upload them to your cloud as soon as we get done. This is the debris I was able to carry out," said Casey as he handed Chuck the tablet then dumped out his pack on the ground. He took the tablet back then panned the debris so she could see. These are only the pieces I could carry out the rest I destroyed per your instruction."

"I guess we may never know why the thing dropped out of the sky," said the General. "I'll be waiting for those photos and forward them on to our lab techs for analysis. Okay very good..."

"No not very good," said Chuck. "John, this bolt and nut were found like this? I mean separate like this and did you take photos of everything?"

"Yes, why is something wrong Chuck? There's no evidence that anything other than a technical malfunction brought down this satellite or did I miss something?"

"Yes, Chuck what did you flash on?" asked the General. She'd seen his flashes and he didn't even seem to try and fake one. "I could use something for the Joint Chief's. They were hounding me before and now the Coup seems to be over they'll be back."

"I didn't flash on anything but Morgan and I did a project in a high school science fair where we made a reproduction of a TIE fighter," said Chuck as he saw the General make a face and roll her eyes.

"Request permission to slap Chuck ma'am for wasting our time."

"No you didn't see, we researched actual space crafts and propulsion systems to make ours as accurate and functional as possible but what we learned was that each bolt on a satellite had its own nut each custom made," said Chuck as he held the bolt up and screwed on the nut."

"Request permission again, but this time the reason is Chuck's got a screw loose."

"Don't you see, it's right in front of you? The threading on this bolt isn't stripped so if these were found separate then that can mean only one thing someone loosen the nut and took it off. Which also means..."

"I wasn't the first at the crash site. The data core was missing I assumed it was a part of the pieces that were burnt up on reentry."

"But begs the question who and why? The satellite had done a recent download so the memory buffers were almost empty and what you have there would've been more valuable on the black market. This doesn't add up."

"With your permission Ma'am I'd like to look over the photos Casey look and see if I flash on anything."

"Go ahead and a head's up I should be there tomorrow I just got word Turrini's forces have capitulated. I'll be taking the hypersonic so I should be in before lunch. You two can brief me out of the Embassy. I'm having them prepare quarters for you there since the palace was destroyed."

"Any word on what's happened to Turrini or a guy named Luis with a nasty scar? My guess is the rats have gone underground."

"I saw this guy in the palace before the explosion with a nasty scar over his right eye. I didn't know his name. Well I didn't see him before the explosion it was more like during. Let's just say I saw a little of him in the dining room, study and den," said Chuck as Casey was about to ask for permission again. "Wait, he had a bad experience with some C-4 as he was trying to strangle me."

"Chuck, I can understand the man's desire. You always bring out the best in people."

"Gee thanks John," said Chuck as the General gave them both a look and raised an eyebrow. "Sorry Ma'am you were saying."

"Turrini was tracked leaving Costa Gravas traveling east towards Africa then his signal disappeared. I've given our people a head's up on the continent but I expect he'll only stop over for a little while to swap out plane trying to stay under the radar. But sooner or later he'll show up and we'll be waiting. Chuck, the Premier tells me I ought to congratulate you and Sarah."

"I don't know what he told you but nothing is certain. She hasn't done any test as far as I know and is adamant that she's not."

"Well you can tell her to get one done right away and that's an order. I need to know the physical condition of all my agents and that includes knowing if they're pregnant. I expect to know something definitive when I arrive and Diane is a fine name. Beckman out.

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"How's that," said Diane as Mary sat across from the desk from her sipping a cup of coffee. "You could've talked to him if you wanted."

"And said what? Diane was a little over the top but you've read her medical files; you were the one who gave them to me. It's better if she goes ahead and shows them she's not so they can put this behind them. But I don't want Chuck or Sarah thinking I'm pushing them to face anything. I walk a fine line with them."

"I think you ought to give Chuck more credit. He's the kind of person when he likes you he likes you and nothing anyone else says will change that. He's loyal to the end which is something rare in this line of work. Well you're coming with me tomorrow aren't you?"

"I thought I had to or do I suddenly have an option now. When you pulled me in from East Germany I was running down a lead."

"It's just called Germany now and excuse me I thought you'd like to go and congratulate Chuck and Sarah in person."

"More like share a beer and try to cheer them up. But that's what they've got each other for. I'm just in the way. There's a reason they tell you, you can't go home because you can't."

"So what was this lead you were tracking down? I want to hear all about it. Do you think it's reliable?"

"I discovered that there was a meeting of some Hyrda big wigs in a foundry near Stalinstadt on the border with Poland. I was on my way there when your people intercepted me. However, I did hear rumors about something called 'the initiative'."

"Sounds like a codename Hydra would give to one of their projects. Have you heard any rumors flying about as to what it could be?"

"No, it seems they're being pretty closed lip on this one. Only the people high up on the totem pole even know it exists which was why I was going to Stalinstadt to see if I could find a lead to a big fish then reel him in."

"Well, you can go look for that fish when we get done in Costa Gravas. Maybe you ought to spend the rest of the day looking for something to take your son and his wife if it turns out they're going to have a baby."

"Like what Diane?" said Mary. "What would you recommend? I see you've had some much experience in the matter."

"That's called sarcasm bordering on insubordination," said the general as Mary smiles. "Oh, I don't know whatever normal people give on occasions like this."

"That's my point. We're not normal people and neither are they. I'll go with you on your plane but other than that we'll play it by ear. Have they found that missing Russian submarine yet? Half the world's fleets are in the North Sea right now soon they'll be bumping into each other."

"No nothing and that's bothering the White House and the JCOSs. How a new Russian submarine can disappear without a trace just like that. Its stealth technology must be better than ours."

"Well I wouldn't be praising it too much. What if that caused the boat to sink? Ours might not be as advanced but it doesn't kill the crew either. Am I the only one who thinks it's odd that we lose a satellite the same time the Russians lose a sub? This could be that rumored Hyrdra 'initiative'."

"The satellite was geostationary over the middle of the Atlantic and that sub pulled out of Baltiysk Baltic Fleet base in Kaliningrad Oblast so they were nowhere near each other. If you had proof I'd take it to the White House but you don't, do you?"

"No just a gut feeling but my gut's never wrong. Maybe it's a good thing I'm coming along with you that way I can look over that satellite debris first hand."

"Well, I don't care why you come just as long as you come along."

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Frank was sitting in his office looking out his window into the cenote. It was an impressive view water tickled down from above and the light coming through the opening shining through the drops. Each drop was like a prism dividing the light into what seemed a thousand different rainbows. He was standing there looking out when his phone rang. It was a text message to go to his monitor. He logged on and a video call came in. On the monitor in front of him was the man who had given him this job.

"Good day Sir, I was kind of expecting your call. I can explain what I did. Turrini was a loose cannon and I couldn't take the risk he'd talk so I made sure he was taken care of."

"By having him make snowballs at the South Pole," said the man. "I have to say it was ingenious, no one will think to look for him there and by now if they find him it won't matter."

"So the members of the council aren't mad at me?" asked Frank. When he was looking out the window before he was wondering if this would be the last time he saw anything beautiful.

"Some are but I told them just what you told me about him and everyone agreed he had to go. The only problem is now we're risking exposure or at least our plan is. But your little demonstration proved to everyone that the system works so we've decided to move up phase two to tomorrow."

"So you want to run 'the initiative' tomorrow," said Frank as he thought in his head everything he'd have to line up and to face the wrath of a female scientist.

"Is there a problem I don't know about? Your demonstration with Turrini was flawless so I don't understand your hesitation."

"No... No it's not hesitation just a little surprised that you've moved up the date and it's so soon but no there'll be no problem. Just feed us the information on the target and we'll take care of it. It will go as smoothly as it did during our so-called test run."

"I'll be honest with you Frank, I wasn't sure about you when we started but now I have to say I'm pleased. Just keep it up and I can see you on this council someday."

"Thank you Sir. We're standing by for your instruction," said Frank as the screen when blank. He let out a huge sigh of relief then pressed a button for Marcus. There was a knock on his door then Marcus came in.

"We'll it looks like we're not headed for the foundry furnace yet. But the 'initiative' day has been moved up. I need for you to find your girlfriend and have her come to see me. You can stay to listen too but everything has to be ready for tomorrow, no excuses."

"I take it our people weren't angry then."

"No, they think we did a test run and I have every intention of letting them continue to think that. Go find your girlfriend, there are things that need to be done and we don't have much time. They were clear no excuses will be accepted.

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Sarah laid down with Sam for just a moment and four hours later she was waking up. At first she looked around puzzled wondering where Chuck was and why hadn't he come for her. She looked over and next to them were Clara and Ellie sleeping. Devon was missing too so she slowly got up and went to the door. At first she was hesitant to leave Sam but she was with Ellie and Clara so she ventured out. She ran into soldiers that were busy moving things about so she stopped one.

"Me ayuda por favour, can you help me I'm looking for my husband," said Sarah and as soon as she started he nodded his head.

"El americano," said the man as he pointed to an office door down at the end of a hallway. "He's in there and if you're looking for the Angel de la Vida he's outside on a phone.

"Grazias," said Sarah as she started to walk off.

"De nada," replied the man as he smiled then hurried off before his sergeant yelled at him for goldbricking.

Sarah went to find Chuck. As she walked back to where the man told her he was she couldn't help but think about Casey and hoped he took her advice about calling Kat. She walked into a workroom where she found Chuck slumped over a computer with images of the crash site up on the monitor. Walking over to him she could tell he was asleep so she gently kissed him on the neck.

"Cut it out Casey," said Chuck as he smiled pretending to still be asleep.

"Do I need to get jealous of you two when you're out on missions by yourselves?" said Sarah as she spun his chair around then sat down on his lap and wrapped her arms around. "Now let's try that again," she said as she kissed him.

"Augh" said Chuck in pain as he rubbed his chest so she started to get up but he held. "No don't get up I want you to stay with me, always be with me.

"Did Casey break your heart? That heartbreaker, home wrecker," she asked as she kissed him and rubbed his chest.

"Stop it, you're making me laugh. Oh it hurts," said Chuck as he kissed her. "Kevlar or Kevin might stop a round but it still smarts."

"I'm sorry but you shouldn't be sleeping down here that's not helping you. There's an empty cot up above you should go get some real sleep and I mean sleep. Don't give me that look," she said as she put her finger to his lip.

"I can't even if I want to the General's coming in today on the hypersonic and I need to tell her what I found. Before I tell you this, please don't shoot the messenger and don't get mad but she's also expecting you to have done a test and you know what test I'm talking about before she gets here."

"Well I already have one but I haven't gotten the courage up yet to try it," said Sarah as she held for him to see.