Don't own Chuck
Chuck poured them both a scotch as Sarah went up to check on Sam. Casey hadn't come back from dropping off the van which could only mean the Generals were playing twenty questions with him. He didn't know if he was being paranoid but it sure seemed he was the hot topic of everyone's conversations. But he should've expected it though considering how he left. Part of him wished he'd never gone but the other half knew he had to and if he could be here right now drinking this scotch in the same house as Saran and Sam it was because of what he had done.
"I wonder what's taking her so long," he said to himself as he took their drinks over to the sofa and sat them on the coffee table. He sipped his then sat down. The sofa seemed to reach up and grab him he was tired more tired than he realized and somewhere sitting there he fell asleep.
"Wake up sleepy head," said Sarah as she prodded him then took him by the hands to pull him up. "Come on or we'll be late and we don't want that."
"Is it that time already? Are you coming with me to Capitol Hill?" said Chuck smiling. "I'd hoped you would I'm glad..."
"What Capitol Hill? We aren't going to Capitol Hill silly. Now come on or we'll be late for the puppet show. You know Sam has been talking about this all week. Come on or face the wrath of Sam."
"Puppet show? What puppet show?" he said but she pulled him out of the house and they were suddenly on the tarmac at the airport in Khoy.
"No, this can't be happening I can't lose it now. This is a dream. This is all in my head," he said but the Sarah that was with him touched his face with her hand and he felt her caress then he tasted her kiss. It felt so real he let himself believe.
"Come on or we won't be able to find any good seats if we don't hurry up," she said as she pulled him along inside the airport. "You've got to move it."
"Okay, okay I'm coming just give me time," he said as he followed her inside.
She led him inside the airport to a place he seemed to remember but he wasn't quite sure. But she pulled him on until they were standing with a crowd of other people looking up at life size marionettes. They were dancing and prancing in front of them suspended from a second story balcony by wires.
"What's this," said Chuck turning to find Banai standing next to him instead of Sarah. "How did you get here and where's Sarah?"
"Come on the marionettist wants you to assist and the crowd is restless. Everyone is waiting for you. Come with me you know it's a great honor he doesn't let just anyone."
"But really I'd rather not I'm fine right where I am, besides marionettes are a little creepy," said Chuck as he started to look around. "I need to find Sarah and Sam then go this really isn't for me."
"Don't be silly come with me," said Banai. He grabbed Chuck's arm and led him through the crowd up some stairs to the balcony railing. He wanted to pull free but he couldn't. There on the balcony was Sarah standing looking at him.
"Here you are," said Chuck. "Can we please go this place is giving me the creeps? Do you know where Sam is? We need to get her and go I have a bad feeling about this place." But Sarah was immobile. "Did you hear me? Let's go."
As if from some celestial choir Chuck hear a low song being sung, Tili-tili-bom. You hear someone nearby? Lurking around the corner, And piercing gaze. Tili-tili-bom. Hide all night silent. He sneaks up behind you, And about to catch. He goes ... It is close ...
"Chuck you need to throw the puppets off the balcony," said Sarah. "Come on you need to finish your puppet show. They have to go over."
"No I can't. Please don't make me. Please," said Chuck as he heard the same song again and he began to sing along. Tili-tili-bom. Krichit nochnaya ptitsa. On uzhe probralsya v dom. K tem, komu ne spitsya. Tili-tili-bom. Ty slyshish', kto-to ryadom? Pritailsya za uglom, I pronzayet vzglyadom. Tili-tili-bom. Vse skroyet noch' nemaya. Za toboy kradetsya on, I vot-vot poymayet...
Sarah went upstairs to check on Sam…..
She stood in the doorway watching Sam sleep with her arms around her two rabbits. She seemed like a little cupid asleep like one of those little angels you see in baroque churches. She loved Sam but by the same token she liked her work. No they weren't the same thing but she also didn't want to be reduced down to Sam's mom. She hated herself for feeling like this maybe she was the one who needed some time on Dr. Dreyfus' couch.
As she watched Sam she thought about how Sam needed her and how she needed Sam. Then she had an epiphany, all the men she had known every one of they had used her for their purposes, every one of them starting from her own father. The only man to need her was Chuck and now he seemed to need her even more.
"Crap," she said when she checked the time. She'd lost track of time and there was no telling what Chuck thought after their conversation before. As she was walking down the stairs she heard him talking. "John, are you back?" But there was silence and Chuck was still talking. She got down to living room to find Chuck was talking in his sleep.
"No I can't. Please don't make me. Please, Sarah no," said Chuck in his sleep as he became agitated and restless.
"Chuck wake up you're having a nightmare," said Sarah as she began to shake him. Chuck wake up it's only a dream." Suddenly he grabbed her.
"Tili-tili-bom. Hide all night silent. He sneaks up behind you, And about to catch. He goes ... It is close ...," Chuck said in Russian as he looked at her wildly.
"Eto tol'ko koshmar, It's only a nightmare," said Sarah as she broke one arm free and slapped him. "Chuck what's the matter? Tell me what's going on."
"Ouch that hurt," he said rubbing his face looking around. "What happened?" Looking up at her worried look staring down at him he saw he had her arm held tight. "I'm sorry, please tell me I didn't hurt you," he said as he release her arm. She sat down next to him.
"No but you scared me. You were having a nightmare and speaking Russian again. Chuck, I'm worried about you. What do you remember about your nightmare?"
"It was terrible you were there and you took me back to Iran. There were marionettes," Chuck started to say.
"I think they're kind of creepy," said Sarah as she caressed his face. Her hand was soft it felt just like it had in his dream.
"I know I feel the same way but you wanted to see a puppet show," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. "I didn't want to go but you took my hand and pulled me along with you to the airport to see them…" Chuck went on to describe his nightmare and as he talked Sarah couldn't help but notice his was still shaking.
"So I was making you throw these life size marionettes over the balcony railing for the puppet show, is that what you dreamt?"
"I guess then I woke up or you woke me up. But I remember this creepy boys' choir was singing in the background a Russian lullaby 'Tili-tili-bom'."
"Chuck, I don't know how to tell you this but remember in the car you told me about Banai taking you to the butcher's shop in the airport. I asked Casey and he said there was no butcher in the airport."
"That's ridiculous; I saw it as clear as day and those two poor rabbits hanging there. I saw them as clear as day too one white and one black."
"Chuck, don't you see like Sam's stuffed bunnies one black, Sarah and one white, Chuck. I think your conscious mind saw something so horrific that it interpreted it in a way that you could accept."
"When did you go into practise with Dr. Dreyfus? Are you planning on taking over some of his patient load?"
"Chuck, don't get mad and stop joking about this it's serious. We're all worried about you and I know you did this for us so I feel responsible. I told you I wanted to spend more time with Sam and this is the result. I slacked up and you had to pull my weight."
"And a beautiful load indeed but no don't think that. You did what you had to do too. You protected our daughter when I couldn't and you were there for her I wasn't. I was off chasing windmills and you were keeping the hearth warm. I love you," he said as he reached over and kissed her. He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't pull away or slap him.
"Chuck, these nightmares aren't going to go away unless you get some help. Will you do one thing for me?" She didn't have to ask Chuck could tell from the direction their conversation was headed what she wanted.
"You want me to see Dr. Dreyfus, don't you? I'm not crazy… well crazy in love with you," he said but he could tell she wasn't budging. "Okay, I'll see him when we get back to California if that's what you want."
"Yes it is and speaking about wanting. You know I still feel a little chill from the rain. Why don't we go to back to the bathroom and take another shower? I could use some help scrubbing my back."
"Say no more I'm your man."
"Yes you are and don't you every forget it."
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The Generals marched back and forth in front of the Capitol in full uniform while Roan was on the phone trying to find out where Chuck was. He was a half an hour late and they had to ask the sub-committee to give them a little time more time. Greene loved it; it made her feel like she had them. However, the Director did have friends on the board. She needed to make it look like the Director fell on his own sword so she had to toss out a bone.
"Well we did move the date up on you," said Admiral Greene looking over at her Chairman. "If my esteemed colleagues will agree I move we postpone the start of the hearings until after lunch."
"I second the motion," said Senator Daniels. "Can we see a show of hands? Then we're all in agreement. Director, we'll reconvene promptly at one o'clock with or without your witnesses."
"Yes Sir," said the General. "I'm going to kill him myself with my own bare hands. Roan, tell me you've been able to reach him."
"I talked with John and he said they were on their way in and should be here anytime now. In fact I see them pulling up now."
They pulled up in front. Casey got out and handed Morgan the keys. Morgan was about to drive off to spent the day with Sam on the Mall while they went to testify when Sarah stopped him.
"Morgan, I don't need to remind you not to let Sam out of your sight not even for a second. We're all counting on you."
"This 'we're all counting on me' does that include Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. Don't answer that. Has anyone ever told you that you can be pretty scary when you want to be?"
"John, I want to apologize again," said Chuck. "I'll have someone looking at the hot water heater as soon as all this is over. I know big guy cold showers are no fun," said Chuck as he looked over at Sarah and she smiled back.
"Where the hell have you guys been?" barked Tank. "You were supposed to be waiting for us here when we arrive."
"Tell me the sub-committee adjourned for the morning and will reconvene after lunch?" said Chuck the Generals nodded. "Good everything is moving along as planned. I could use a cup of coffee how about anyone else. Then maybe we can spend some time with Sam on the Mall like real people."
"Chuck, you planned this, didn't you?" said Beckman. "Why didn't you tell us? You know General Thomas was ready to have you dragged in."
"Good, I hope you both showed how irritated you were with me to the board. Agnes is probably tickled pink thinking she's got us. 'A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective,' said a wise man once."
"You're quoting Lao Tzu," said Tank. "Diane that was the book I was looking in your office that day I came the visit."
"General, if you know Lao Tzu then you know, 'If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles….' I know myself and I know the Admiral she's already lost just she doesn't know it yet. Now let's go find Morgan I told him to wait for us on the other side of the reflecting pool. Sam is really going to make me pay, isn't she?"
"Yes, I'm afraid she is," said Sarah as she took his arm.
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Agnes Greene ran back up to her office now that the committee was on break. She had time now so she could enjoy her lunch in peace and quiet then go down to the sub-committee meeting for her dessert. She was bubbling over with joy as she walked in then she saw Ms. Bloom's empty desk.
"No we still don't know where she is. I thought about calling the police but I thought it best to talk to you first about it."
"Why?" asked Agnes pointing out if Ms. Bloom didn't show up to work that didn't mean they had to report it to the police. It wasn't a capital offense
"If she's missing don't we have to report it?"
"No, I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt. She's worked with me for years now and she's a trusted confident. I can say without a doubt I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her." She wanted to say also that she'd been her handler but that was best omitted.
"That might be the case but something like this could generate a scandal. Remember what I told you about gossip. This is town lives on it and the last thing you want is to provide them with anything that can be used against you. My advice is cut the ties throw her under the bus and move on. I know it sounds cruel but you've got to cover yourself. Listen I'll draft a letter saying you're putting her on suspension for unethical behavior and pre-date it two days ago. If she got herself mixed up in anything she shouldn't have then you can wave the paper in front of them saying you already sacked her. If she comes back and it turns out to be nothing you can shred the document. She'll never know."
"You know Eddie you're devious but good. I like it make it happen and now for lunch." Eddie went over to the fridge and got her her Subway sub.
"Thank you," said the Senator as she took the sub from him. "If it's not earth shaking I'm eating lunch and I don't want to be disturbed by anyone."
She went into her office and closed the door behind her setting her bag on the floor next to her chair. Slowly she unwrapped the sub, the smell of the extra Jalapenos caused her eyes to water but as she was about to take her first bite the Sat phone in her bag began to ring.
"Crap" she said as she laid down her lunch Hydra was contacting her. As she dug it out she thought to herself that it was a good thing they'd postponed the start time or the phone would've rung in the middle of testimony. Senator Daniels would've had her for lunch.
"Here you are," she said as she pulled it out. "It's a message." She opened it up and it read 'Carmichael location found confirm kill order. Have wet team standing by'. She had to read it again she'd never gotten anything that explicit before in a text.
"Confirm," she typed in smiling. Although her anonymous friend had been explicit she wasn't sure if that was prudent. Then the phone rang again almost immediately.
"Confirm kill?" she got back. Her new Hydra friend wanted her to commit. Maybe this was his or her way of testing her.
"Confirm kill," she typed then pressed send.
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Outside the Capitol building after a lovely walk on the Mall they had to go back to the hearings. Chuck tried to give Sam a kiss but she turned her head. She was indeed going to make him pay but he didn't have time to try and persuade her. They had to get back and when they arrived they found everyone was beginning to file back in past the metal detectors. Chuck passed General Beckman a package of things he asked her to take in for him. She looked at him this was the second time she had snuck things in for him around metal detectors.
"Chuck, this is becoming a habit," said General Beckman as she and Tank walked around the metal detectors because of their uniform and rank. Chuck pulled out a voice recorder and a USB pen drive laying them on the desk along with all his other metal objects.
"Sweetie, don't worry, Sam will come around. She was treating me the same but you told me to keep on trying and it worked."
"You called me Sweetie that's the first time you've called me that since I got back. You don't know how much I missed hearing you call me that."
"Agent Carmichael, if you don't want the next time she calls you that to be through a glass window on a phone you need to get yourself on into the hearings. They are about to begin."
They went inside and the proceedings began with everyone being sworn in. The Admiral pounced right on Chuck asking about his off the record trip to Russia and his involvement with the FSB. Chuck admitted to doing them a favor but that they had returned him a favor standing aside letting him destroy the chip production plant.
"So you're happy that you robbed this country of a vital new technology because you felt it wasn't safe? It's nice to know people like you are patrolling what is and isn't safe. Who are you going after next McDonalds? Are you going to take out Ronald?"
"I couldn't bring the facility here and I had to make sure it didn't fall into the wrong hands. There was no other choice but to destroy it. If there was I'd like you to explain it to me."
"Does that include the two American scientists that you handed over to the Iranians? Did or did you not give them over so they would be executed?"
"Admiral," interrupted Tank, "I mean Senator. Chuck was forced down by Iranian fighters the same as the Lear that the terrorists were in."
"We know that how? From a videotape conveniently found a year after the fact and after the lab had been previously searched then this video recorder magically appears."
"Are insinuating my people planted it? That's absolutely absurd."
"Is it? We all know your people have done worse before. May I remind you that you are under oath."
"Enough," said Chuck as he stood up. "I said this is enough."
"Excuse me Agent, sit down and give this committee its proper respect or I'll hold you in contempt and have you taken away."
"Mister Chairman, I'd like a little wiggle room if you don't mind," said Chuck. "As your colleague threatened to have me arrested I should be given a chance to clear myself and my friends. If at the end you're not completely convinced then you may arrest me."
"Go ahead Agent Carmichael, I'm familiar with your work and so is everyone else on this board," said Senator Daniels. Agnes didn't like this something was wrong.
"Diane, can I have that envelope I gave you to bring in for me," said Chuck as he took out a USB pen drive. Agnes looked at him. "You didn't think I was going to pass my evidence through the scanners outside and have everything accidently get erased, did you? You all are aware of the incident at Twin Peaks and the so-called accidental drone strike that destroyed all of Dr. Parker's files. People crucified General Beckman on the way the labs were run at Pasadena when it wasn't her fault."
"Your agency had overall management so I'm afraid it did fall back on her," said Greene seeing where Chuck was going.
"Maybe but the JCS ran their own black ops projects out of the labs without our knowledge and that's why Parker recorded everything. He knew some day he'd be held accountable but when he wanted to shut down the Blue Lightning initiative someone tipped off the other members of the team. That's how they knew to lay the trap for Parker that particular night."
"I suppose that pen is your proof but I know all the evidence was destroyed at Twin Peaks cabin. So I'll call your bluff Agent Carmichael."
"At Twin Peaks yes but Ryder knew someday this would all come back to bite him so he kept files too and within reach on a pen drive," said Chuck as he held the pen in front of the committee.
"That's absurd, how do we know that even came from Ryder. You could've picked it up at the Buy More for all we know. Until it's examined it doesn't prove anything."
"Here look at this," said Chuck as he passed his phone around with photos he had taken in the airport. "These are all the belongings that were taken off Izad, Ryder and Shepherd. "The Iranians let me take some. Do you want to see what I've got?"
"Like the convenient pen drive. I can see this is all a plant," said the Admiral. "I'm ready to impeach you and move on as far as I'm concerned you're just wasting my time."
"Really, you don't believe me. You can see the Iranian airport behind the table and that…" Chuck stopped and stared at the photo. There were whispers from the committee members as everyone tried to figure out what had come over him.