Don't own Chuck
The team loaded up in the Embassy vehicle then headed back to the capital. The Premier was already in town hard at work overseeing the cleanup and restoration of services. The Palace was gone so he occupied a hotel, the Waldron an American franchise and used the penthouse as his new residence and held cabinet meetings in the conference room. Each meeting was televised so the people could see their country and their Premier at work. Now the team was almost at the compound when the Premier called.
"Chuck, Devon I hope you'll bring your lovely consorts tonight to my little soirée this evening. I'm inviting my closest friends and everyone who's tried to kill me so John you're invited too."
"Maybe I can finish the job," Casey grunted. "But if you put yourself in a room with just all your friends I bet you'd be awfully lonely."
"He's just joking," said Hortencia as she pushed the Premier out of view. "If you're worried you won't have anything to wear. Don't worry it's informal and I'll send over something you can try on. You have to come you saved our lives and we owe you this."
"I don't know," said Chuck. "We'll try but it depends on how our meeting with our General goes. You know how she can be."
"Bring her along I'm sure she'd like to come. She'll want to meet the new members of our cabinet and talk my ear off about reforms. You can tell her I'm having Subway cater the event with six foot subs."
"Then you've consulted with their Sandwich Artist?" said Devon. "That's a healthy choice."
"We'll have to get back with you," said Chuck. "We're entering the Embassy now but all I can promise you is that we'll try."
"Very well please let me know. I'm busy today interviewing new maids. Juanita up and disappeared on me without notice now I have to replace her. Sarah, you were the last person with her do you know where she went?"
"I think she mentioned something about leaving but everything was chaotic. I could be mistaken but she probably felt she was safer on her own."
"I saw her. I know exactly where she's at," said Casey. Sarah gave him a cold stare. "She's down under now so I wouldn't expect to see her back at least not in this life."
"She never told me she had relatives in Australia? I guess there really was no reason to, but that just goes to show you never really know a person, do you?"
"Well we have to run. We'll be in touch," said Chuck as he signed off. Looking back and forth at Sarah and Casey he figured he didn't want to know about Juanita. He also knew that down under didn't mean the land of kangaroos.
The van pulled into the Embassy parking lot then stopped. The side opened up and there to meet them was the RSO Mike Carver sweating like Sarah had described.
"Please let's get inside the heat out here is unbearable," said the RSO as he led them into the Embassy. "Agent Walker, I wasn't told you were a part of this group."
"It's Carmichael, Agent Carmichael now," she said as she held up her left hand. This is my real husband and daughter along with my sister-in-law, her husband and my niece. You already know Casey"
"The Colonel yes, but wow that's a shocker," said Mike. "I'm sorry but the last time I met you, you were with that other agent... Oh I didn't just say that out loud. I'm sorry you have to forgive me but these past few days have been none stop here in the Embassy..."
"It hasn't been exactly a cake walk for us either," grunted Casey. "The kids need something to eat. We need to shower and change before the General gets here."
"I apologize for the Ambassador, he wanted to be here but he's caught up in the flailex that's going on this morning. The Hypersonic is causing a diplomatic incident. The plane being stealth can't be tracked by normal radar and the Costa Gravans at the airport are mad because they're worried the plane will drop in when they're moving other planes around. They don't want to shut down their operations to wait for one plane and, to add to the confusion, it's late."
"Well, they've got a valid concern but the plane will make radio contact first," said Chuck as he looked at his watch. "They're really not that late yet. Keep us in the loop but let's get everyone situated."
"Sure, breakfast is waiting for you in your suite. Follow me," said Mike as he took them through the Embassy to an apartment. "Here we are this is a suite we use for visiting State Department personnel. It's has a living area and three bedrooms with private baths."
"Thanks," said Chuck then he walked back out with Mike closing the door behind him so they could talk alone. "Hey like I said I want to be kept in the loop and I'd appreciate if we were granted access."
"Sure no problem, consider it done. You guys can drop by the vault and we'll get you lanyards for the compound. But just you, the Colonel and your wife will have access to the vault... So you married Walker well I never saw that one coming. But then I never saw her marrying that other guy."
"I need to get back inside," said Chuck. He had to get away from Mike before he was tempted to do something, the minimum being telling him to watch his mouth.
"Oh I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you this or not, but the General isn't coming alone. She's bringing with her another agent. A real ogre from what I understand, not a person you want to have a run in with or so I've been told. Some people say she's got ice water instead of blood in her veins."
"And what's this woman's name?" asked Chuck even though he already knew. "It wouldn't be Mary Bartowski, would it?"
"Why yes," said Mike wondering how Chuck guessed. "How'd you know? Have you dealt with her before? Is she as bad as everyone says she is?"
"You could say so well I need to get back inside. If we don't see you first come and get us when the plane arrives. We should be on hand when the General and my mother arrive."
"Your mother?" said Mike standing with his mouth opened. Chuck just turned and went back inside closing the door in Mike's face.
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Over the middle of the Atlantic the Hypersonic was making good time. The Lieutenant Colonel has just said good bye to Iceland control as they began the curve down. At first he thought they were making the arch too soon but a check of their GPS and it indicated they were on track. He looked over at the Major staring at him trying to figure out what was wrong.
"What? I just wanted to verify our position. I know you're too young but there was a day when we had a man sitting behind us that actually use a map and plotted our course.
"And we had wind in our sails too. When men were iron and ships made of wood, Colonel, I think you've confused us with the wrong branch of service," said the Major as the both laughed.
What neither saw was the lights on the black box that was attached to their onboard computer came on and data was beginning the flow from an invisible source to the plane's brain. The first thing that happened was the oxygen level inside was slowly lowered but the sensors were disabled so the oxygen masks wouldn't deployed when the levels became critical. Both the Major and the Colonel gradually became sleepy so slow that neither were aware until it was almost too late. But the Colonel with years of flight time under his belt recognized the symptoms and grabbed his oxygen reserve and manually over rode the system.
"Put this on Major," said the Colonel as he slipped an oxygen mask over the man's face. That was when he noticed autopilot had engaged itself. Someone was flying the plane and it wasn't him. He ran back to the cabin and put masks on the General and Mary. Then he ran back to the cockpit by then the Major was conscious.
"What just happened?" asked the Major looking at the plane flying itself.
"I don't know but if I didn't know better I'd say we've been hijacked," said the Colonel as he sat back down flipping switches to disengage the autopilot but it wouldn't disengage.
"What do you make of this?" said the Major as he tried to reboot the system but it was no longer under their control.
"I don't know but whoever's in control doesn't want to kill us the oxygen levels are hanging on the minimum."
"What the hell is going on," asked Mary standing behind them. Her breathing was labored but see seemed all right.
"Here use this," said Greg as he passed her a portable oxygen tank with mask. "We don't know but you ought to be in the back sitting down. How can you be up and about any way?"
"High altitude training like you I guess. I missed the signals but I'm glad you caught them so what's our situation?"
"You know about the proverbial stream well we're riding its current right now. Major, try the radio..."
"I already did while you were in the back cabin but nothing it's dead. We do have parachutes in case we have to bail." Both Mary and Greg looked at him.
"Major maybe on a normal aircraft that would be possible but at the altitude we're flying you'd freeze to death the moment you opened whatever hatch you used which would have to be one of the wheel wells. But even if by some miracle you didn't freeze your body would be torn to shreds from our drag."
"Wait a minute maybe the Major's right, maybe one of us could parachute to safety but when we're getting ready to land so we'd be at a lower altitude and flying slower."
"You think they intend to land us?"
"Why else hijack us. If they wanted a plane to ram into a building they would've gone for something a lot bigger and with a lot more fuel. We might be fast but we'd be like a bug on the windshield."
"So I'll make the jump," said Greg but Mary shook her head.
"No, this is my idea," said Mary as the Major looked at her. "Okay technically it's yours but I'll see it through besides you two need to stay with the plane. I'll go back and brief the General.
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Marcus looked at Frank with disbelief. How could he or was he a double agent working someone else embedded in their organization. His mind was running in a hundred different directions. But now Frank was standing in front of him with a Beretta nine pointed at his head.
"Listen Marcus, the decision was made to terminate our operation here probably for all the reasons you said but that doesn't matter. What matters is the order was given and we have to execute it. You're lucky because you're tied to me and that's the reason you'll be walking away."
"How do I know what you're saying is true and you're not some turncoat or a deep covert operative that's infiltrated our ranks?"
"Because I'm putting away my weapon, you can come with me or go out and warn everyone but it won't do any good. Hydra has decided they're all redundant and we eliminate redundancy. If you do warn them though you risk getting me killed but almost certainly sign your own death warrant along with that of anyone you've ever cared about."
"There's nothing that can be done? We can't save anyone?" asked Marcus. Frank knew what he was trying to say.
"I'm sorry but Doctor Martin was specifically mentioned. She knows too much to be allowed to walk away. I'm sorry, I actually like her but the decision has been made. What I'm doing now is to try and give her something." As they were talking Oscar knocked on the door then came in.
"Doctor Martin sent me to find you; we've control of the plane and are changing its course for the assigned coordinates."
"Good, I'll be right there. Marcus finish here then wait for me in the Mercedes," said Frank. He waited for Oscar to leave. "Take my advice go to the Mercedes and don't look back."
Frank left and Marcus tried to do what Frank told him. He boxed everything up then had it carried up and placed on the SUV. However, every time he met someone he could only think that in a little while that person would be gone. He just couldn't accept that he couldn't do anything about it.
Once everything was loaded he sat in the vehicle behind the steering wheel tapping on it. Memories came to him, visions of times he and Silvia had together but now all that was about to be over. He hated himself for what he was about to do or better for what he wasn't going to do. As he was turning this around in his head his phone rang. He looked at who was calling, it was Silvia.
"Crap, what am I going to do now," said Marcus. He answered putting it on speaker pretending she was in the SUV with him one last time.
"We just got done and Frank is on his way to you. I wish you were here to share in the celebration. Tell you what I'll put away a bottle of champagne that you and I can share the next time we meet."
"You don't have to do that... You sure I'm the person you want to share that champagne with. You and Frank looked pretty chummy."
"You aren't jealous are you? Frank is or was just my boss and yes I was a little flirtatious with him but I know what I like... You know what I'm trying to say?"
"Don't do this. Don't try to play it off both you and I know it was something else. I hope you like your new command."
Oh Marcus, don't be like this, can't you just be happy for me? This is something I've wished for since Hydra recruited me in Stanford."
"You need to be careful what you wish for because sometimes you just might get it," said Marcus. He knew he was getting her mad at him and that was the last thing he wanted. He looked up and saw the elevator was moving that could only mean Frank was coming.
"I'm sorry I bothered you by calling..." Silvia started to say but Marcus cut her off.
"No Silvia wait, hold on you need to listen. Get out of there. Get out right now. Run grab the elevator we're at the top just get out, please. Frank's here I've got to go." He hung up as doors to the elevator started to open and Frank walked out. He made his way over to the Mercedes and got in.
"I see you took my advice and stayed with the vehicle," he said as he pulled out a detonator from his pocket. "Believe me it's better this way just like pulling a band aid."
"Wait you don't want to press that now let's get a little distance first. I wouldn't want the sides to collapse caving in and taking us with them."
"See now that's the reason you're still with me and not down below with the rest. Let's get a move on it then. We've got a plane to catch."
Marcus started the Mercedes then turned around looking in the mirror to see if the elevator busy light came on. Then as they were pulling away he thought he saw movement inside. He could only hope that Silvia listened.
"This should be far enough," said Frank pressing the button. The ground shook under them as they drove and in the mirror behind a huge fire ball reached up into the sky. "Well that's that," said Frank without ever looking back. "I could go for something to eat, maybe pancakes?"
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Sarah got Sam cleaned up and changed then she did the same. She took Sam out front to grab something to eat and at the same time Ellie showed up with Clara. The girls found a continental breakfast laid out which they didn't mind because they found Nutella filled croissants. So hours of scrubbing to get Sam clean was wasted in the blink of an eye.
"Sam, what are you doing?" asked Sarah. She noticed Sam was putting half her croissants in her pockets. "No you're a dirty little bunny."
"I'm saving them. If I'm going to have a little sister she's going to be hungry and I'm going to have something for her to eat when she gets here."
"Sweetie, it doesn't work that way. Babies don't start off eating solid food right away. They drink milk and your croissants will go bad before he or she'd be able to eat them. But honey nothing is sure yet. We may not have a baby."
"But you can't go to China like Clara's friend's mother? I really would like to have a sister. I'll even take a brother if they're all sold out."
"Oh Sweetie, we talked about this. Remember I told you can't buy children not even in China," said Sarah as Ellie gave her a look. "Ask Clara she'll tell you what we're talking about."
"No... no it's not that, Clara and I already had the same conversation a while back," said Ellie as she looked away.
"Is there something else you wanted to talk to me about," asked Sarah noticing how strange Ellie was acting.
"Well no... maybe... yes but let's let the kids eat and we can talk over here. Clara please help Sam take the pastries out of her pockets without getting too Nutella'd," said Ellie as they walked to the other end of the room.
"I thought I should tell you this after this morning," said Ellie as she lowered her voice. "But... well... this is hard."
"Ellie... Ellie listen to me, I'm starting to sweat the last time I sweat there was gunfire involved so can you just spit it out."
"Okay, the light line on your home pregnancy test could also indicate a chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is... okay you know all pregnancies don't come to term for one reason or another. Most are aborted in the first week and during that period your body still has enough hCG to cause a false positive."
"What are you trying to tell me I had a miscarriage? It's not enough that I probably don't have any eggs but if I do they're what?"
"I'm just telling you because it's a possibility. It is possible that your body just produces a low level of hCG too which could result in the same reading next time. I guess what I'm tell you is I'd like to draw some blood and if it comes back positive we should get you in for an ultrasound right away. Please this is something we shouldn't take lightly."
"Do you think I could've had a miscarriage?" asked Sarah thinking about everything that had happened since they arrived.
"I can't answer that and don't spiral. What you did you had to do to keep us safe. No one can slight you for what you did. I'm just saying... well wouldn't you like to know before you do something you shouldn't when you don't have to."
"Of course I do, but what are we going to do? It's not like we're back home. Do you have some place to run the blood work?"
"As a matter of fact I do, we know the new minister of health. Remember the Doctor who saved Casey, well the Premier gave him the job after Devon recommended him," said Ellie as Chuck and Devon walked out both coming in at the same time.
"Little Brother, I think you need to take your daughter and wash her hands again," said Ellie as she started to take Sarah in their room.
"Sweetie, the kids ate all the croissants with Nutella..." Sarah started to say but Sam cut her off.
"No, I still have two halves in my pockets if you want some," said Sam as she smile with a Nutella covered mouth and two Nutella covered hands. Sarah and Ellie laughed as they disappeared in Ellie's room.
"Gee thanks," said Chuck as he started to take Sam in their room to get cleaned up when Casey came it.
"Chuck, you need to come with me right away," said Casey. "They want you in the vault to check something out for them."
"Sure, just let me get Sam cleaned up and I'll be right with you."
"No they want you there right now, Devon, take over for Chuck. Where's Sarah she should come too," asked Casey looking around but not seeing her.
"She and Ellie are doing girl things in the room."
"Yuck I think I'm going to be sick. Captain Awesome tell her to come to the vault when she comes out. You got that."
"Sure John but is everything all right? Do we need to be worried? Please tell me there's not another coup, one per year is enough."
"What? No, everything is okay here and yes you're safe so there's no need to panic. There's no coup. There was an explosion and fire close to where I was investigating. I don't know it just seems suspicious so come on," said Casey as he grabbed him by the arm.
"Sam go with Uncle Devon," said Chuck as he broke free from Casey then gave Sam a kiss on the forehead and she gave him a Nutella kiss on the cheek.
"Gez, will you come with me now," said Casey as they walked out the door. Casey handed him a handkerchief to wipe his face.
"Any word yet on the Hypersonic?" said Chuck as he wiped his face but Casey shook his head no. "It's starting to be late enough to worry."
"Don't worry, the General will be here soon enough and be demanding answers."
"Along with my mother, Mike told me she's on board too."
"Oh this is going to be lovely."