Don't own Chuck
Alex rode in the Crown Vic with Casey to the beach at Santa Monica. They took the 10 East and in a half an hour they were there. John looked over at Alex who was sitting there quietly. He had an idea what was going through her head and he wanted to tell her it was okay. He wanted to tell her she couldn't dwell on it that it would eat her up inside. In this moment he wanted to be her Dad.
"Look in the glove box and pull out the flask," said John. Alex obeyed digging it out from under another Sig and three extra clips.
"That's my back up to my back up to my backup," explained John. "Open the flask and take a hit. It will help you clear your head." Alex took the cap off then took a whiff and made a face. "Don't worry, just take the hit."
"Isn't it awfully early," said Alex as she coughed after she took a sip. It felt as if it was burning all the way down to her toes then she passed the flask over to John. "You know it's illegal to drink and drive."
"And I'm such a law abiding citizen," said Casey as he took a swig then handed it back to her. "Listen you've got to let go of what happened this morning. You can't hold onto it. If you do it'll fester inside you like disease and eat you alive. They made their minds up when they broke out and what I told the General is what I believe. They shot at us we shot back and they died. It could've easily been the other way around and I'm sure they would've liked that but it didn't happen."
"You make it sound simple and easy," said Alex as she took another hit without realizing it. This time she didn't cough and it went down smooth.
"No it's not simple and it isn't easy because life isn't. Life is messy and difficult at times. We Caseys- we don't like to open up, make ourselves vulnerable. Because when someone does rip our heart out and stomp on it right in front of our eyes, it could be like the worst torture of all. I just want you to know that I'm always here for you. I always will be."
"Thanks Dad I appreciate it," said Alex as she took another hit.
"I just want you to know I'm not going anywhere and if that Troll mistreats you again. Well… I've got a shovel in the trunk. Alex you'd better but a cap on that besides we're here."
"Morgan and Mom are already here," said Alex as she got out of Casey's car. The sun was hot and her head was spinning a bit. Alex looked over the top of the car as Casey got out. "I want you to know Dad I'm glad you're not dead. I mean I glad I have you as my Dad."
"I'm glad you're my daughter and if I had known I wouldn't…." Casey started to speak but Alex cut him off.
"Maybe it was supposed to be like this. But we have now and that's what's important. Is that what you tried to tell me before?"
"Yeah, in the Reader's Digest condensed edition," said Casey. "Why don't you let Kat and me set the picnic table while you and Morgan go for a walk along the beach?"
"Do you feel okay? How much did you drink," said Alex as she smiled at Casey. "Thanks Dad, we'll be right back." Alex took Morgens hand and they started walking down the beach.
"You can remind the Troll I've got plan B in the trunk," yelled Casey after them. "Troll, yes you," yelled Casey at Morgan. "I've got my eyes on you."
Alex took Morgan by the hand and they walked down the beach. The weather was ideal for beach combing. The gulls hung in the sky above them calling back and forth as the wind caught Alex's hair. Morgan gave a glance back making sure Casey was looking the other way then he kissed her. She looked up into his eyes and kissed him back. Her father was right if she compartmentalized things then all would be fine.
"I was worried about you this morning when you called," said Morgan as they continued their walk. "You didn't sound like yourself but I can see you're okay now."
"Because I'm with you Morgan, you make everything all good, thank you," said Alex as she stopped and looked into his eyes again.
"What did I do special," said Morgan. He pulled her along as they continued to walk. "I haven't done anything. The only thing I've done and continue to do is love you."
"Oh Morgan," said Alex as she put her arms around him. "Don't you see that's enough? I love you too," said Alex as she kissed him.
Morgan glanced back at the picnic table because his Casey alarm was ringing in his ears. John was looking back down at them but Kat interceded turning John's attention. Thank God for Kat thought Morgan as he was momentarily distracted.
"What's this?" said Alex as she pulled the rolled up catalog out of Morgan's back pocket. "Frederick's of Hollywood, Morgan, what's this?"
"No I can explain," said Morgan as Alex began to thumb through it. "Are you listening?" said Morgan but she was too busy looking at the catalog smiling.
"These things circled do you really want to get them for me?" said Alex as she turned beet red. "Morgan if I were you I'd make sure my father doesn't see this." Alex was thinking about what John had said about plan B.
"No you don't understand Big Mike gave that to me," said Morgan but he could see from Alex's look she misunderstood. "No he didn't give it to me to get you anything. He got it to get those things for my mother and wanted me to look at them to see what I think."
"Big Mike wants you to look at lingerie for your mother?" said Alex with a face that said more than words. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"
"I know what it sounds like but yes that's what he wants but I'm not going to look at it. I'm happy with L.L. Bean."
"What's that supposed to mean," said Alex as she was starting to get upset. "I have sexy things if that's what you guys are hinting at and it's not very nice you men talking about us like we're… well you know what."
"No, no not me I love your flannel nightshirts and fleece onesies. You're adorable in them. Really you are and we don't have to be like Chuck and Sarah sharing pajamas although they do save on their laundry."
"Morgan, I don't think we need to be like anyone else. Our private life is just that private and I don't care what anyone else says or does."
"I hear you and I agree that's exactly what I said," said Morgan. 'But maybe not in those words,' he kept to himself.
"Good," said Alex as John and Kat waved for them to come back to eat. Alex handed back the catalog then they headed back.
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Emma and Jack took the girls home after a full day at the Zoo and they were exhausted. They were so tired they said no to stopping for ice cream on the way home. By the time they reached Echo Park they both were both passed out sound asleep in the back. Molly was leaning against Sam in her booster seat and Sam had her hand over Molly's face while Mr. Rabbit was tucked under the other. Emma smiled looking back at them wondering how they could sleep like that then she turned to Jack.
"The girls are sound asleep. We're going to have a time getting them into the apartment and changed. I'm glad Chuck and Sarah could come to the Zoo too," said Emma as she looked over at Jack. "I think the girls really like it."
"And what about you, did you like going to the Zoo?" asked Jack as he looked back over at her. "Kind of reminds me of my wedding proposal.
"No not really there were balloons yes but that's about it and most importantly there was no fire thank God," she said as they laughed.
"See, now that's what I've missed. I love the sound of your laughter," said Jack as the pulled into out front of Echo Park. "Time to unload the cargo," said Jack as he tried to pick up Molly. "Jesus, talking about dead weight I think she must eaten some rocks." Neither girl was receptive as they were pulled out. When Emma carried Sam in she just dangled in her arms like a doll.
"Let them sleep on the couch for a bit than I'll move them back later on. I'll warm up some goulash for us. I've got plenty left over."
"I'm sorry about that," said Jack as he grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and the bottle of Chuck's Black Label Johnny Walker. "Here drink with me."
"You're not thinking about trying to get me drunk are you?" said Emma as she took the glass then passed him a bowl of goulash she'd warmed up in the microwave. Jack laughed.
"I think we both know you can drink me under the table. Emma I think there's something I'd like to say…" But she cut him off.
"Jack, I had a good time and things are better between us but I'm going to need more time. I'm sorry but this thing has brought up a lot of bad memories. I wish it wasn't that way and what you did was kind and loving…"
"But, there's a 'but' and I understand. We've got a lot of baggage to deal with and you want to be sure before you commit. I wish I could promise you I've changed but I don't want to con you or myself. Let's just wait and see. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
"You should eat your food before it gets cold. I might have put in too much paprika my eyes are watering," said Emma. She wiped her eyes and tried to clear her throat. "I wonder how Chuck and Sarah's dinner went."
"Probably boring, they were supposed to eat with a group of eggheads, but talking about the mother lode of Liechtenstein ideas. Think what I could get for something from there. I'll need to pick Sarah's brain when I see her. I wonder if they give away free samples," said Jack as he caught Emma's look. "Just joking."
"I'm sure you were. Eat your food before you end up wearing it. By the way you're on the couch tonight Jack."
"Oh darling, I was only joking, come on.
"Oh honey, I'm not, shut up and eat."
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It had been a good afternoon with Sam and Molly. They were so cute the way they marveled at the animals. Sam giggled when she went with Molly to feed the goats and one licked her. Emma and Jack looked like they were having a good time too. Chuck pulled Sarah aside so they could watch them. Together they looked like any happy couple. But now they were on the road driving back to Pasadena on the Santa Ana Freeway.
"Thank you," said Sarah as she glanced over at Chuck. She put on her turn signal to turn off onto the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
"Thanks for what? I had a good afternoon too and the way Jack and Emma were carrying on. Well I wouldn't be….
"Stop, don't go there I don't want to talk about it. I've wanted that for so long. Well, I'd prefer not to think about it so it won't get jinxed."
"I think I understand," said Chuck as he put his arm around her and he brushed her hair back that was when he found a piece of straw. She probably got it when she was with Molly and the goats. He started to laugh then he showed her the straw before Sarah thought he'd gone crazy then she laughed too.
When they arrived at the restaurant they parked in the parking garage across the street then walked over. The restaurant was nice inside. Chuck thought it was a little Zen and he told Sarah but she said that was probably by design considering the cuisine.
"Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael," said Dr. Ryder as he stood up acting as the host. He handed them both a glass of Prosecco.
"Please call us Chuck and Sarah," said Chuck as he pulled the chair out for Sarah then sat down. He could feel an air of uneasiness as they walked in being the odd people out.
"Let me introduce you to everyone. You know Holter already and Roberta," said Ralph. She couldn't help turning different shades of red. "Well that leaves Stan and Herman who are sitting over there and we're missing Julie but I know she couldn't make it because she called me and said her packing was running late. That leaves only Ross who's AWOL." Everyone started to laugh except Chuck and Sarah. They just looked at each other.
"I hope the laughter wasn't because of us," said Sarah as she looked herself over then Chuck. "Can you let us in on the joke?" Afterwards she thought she might have come across a little touchy but what was done was done.
"No. we're sorry but it's an inside joke. You see it's Ross. He's got this old car he swears is a classic and one of these days he's going to fix up but it keeps breaking down on him. Well, I think we can get started without him. A toast to our adventure and to the Blue Lightning Initiative," said Ralph. There was a round of cheers and everyone drank to the toast.
"I see," said Chuck. "Did you take that from the saying a bolt from the blue?" Chuck flashed. He remembered the manifests off the crates then he saw the device assembled. Sarah looked at him realizing what had happened she placed her hand on his "Sarah, they've found a way to harvest lightning, haven't you? "
"Give the man a cigar," said Holter. The jury just came back and Chuck definitely didn't like Dr. Shepherd.
"Sarah, the phrase a bolt from the blue is when there's a lightning strike on a clear day. Lightning can travel miles to hit its target. The only thing that is needed it for a charged cloud to find an opposite charged target and the atmosphere acts as resistance."
"So you know the principals of lightning but let's say we can make a target, rotate its polarity until it's the opposite then project that charge. The lightning bolt will always strike it. Dispelling the misbelief that lightning never strikes the same spot twice."
"That's what those battery cells are for that I saw in the warehouse. They're to store the electricity. But won't they overheat or explode because of super charging?"
"The current is run through a coolant capacitor. And as you might have guessed we do lose some of the charge but if the strike is frequent that makes up for it. Enough shop talk for now let's eat I'm hungry."
"Hawaiian fusion what is that? What do you guys recommend?" asked Sarah as she and Chuck looked over the menu.
"Try the salt and pepper crisp calamari," said Roberta. "The Kobe beef is good too but I usually have to have my husband help me with it."
"Hum, that sounds good for me," said Sarah. "Chuck, why don't you do an appetizer then we share the Kobe beef like Roberta suggested?"
"So you two are a couple and you work together how did that come about," asked Holter. "Sounds like there ought to be a good story there."
"Well a friend of ours got us together through an e-mail and we just hit it off. Sure there were some missed signals and wires that got crossed but I knew from the moment I met her she was the woman for me. I knew other girls but I can honestly say I've never known another woman like my wife."
"Thank you Sweetie and you're not so bad yourself," said Sarah. They sat there and chatted having a pleasant evening out. Finally Ross came in halfway through the meal.
"Sorry but I had car trouble," he said as everyone laughed. Then Ralph introduced him to Chuck and Sarah. At the end of the night it was nice being able to be normal. After the meal they walked back over to the parking garage where they had left Sarah's car.
"Well was I mistaken or did you have a good time with my people," said Chuck. "I did think though Roberta intentionally kept downwind from me." Sarah laughed as they walked hand in hand across the street.
"Yeah I got that impression too. It was fun and the food was good too," said Sarah as she shivered. Chuck took off his jacket and put it around her.
"Here you're cold. We could bring the rest of the guys here sometime. It's not that far away," said Chuck as he pulled her into him to kiss then he whispered in her ear. "We're being followed."
"I know there are two more over by that Audi. Let's keep walking to the car. Do you have your dart gun? Please tell me you remember the thirty foot rule."
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Just across the border in Mexico at the temporary VAJA headquarters. Mr. Robinson was wondering what was going on the other side of the border. There was a lot at stake here and he had to make sure it didn't come back to them. If it did the US government might tank the mission to Zamibia then where would they be and his bosses wouldn't be happy but by using the Cartel and their men. It would be masked like any other case of gang violence. His Lieutenant, Mr. Brown brought him a cup of jasmine tea that they took out on the veranda.
"This is about the only good thing here," he said as his man nodded his head. "But even this reminds me that we have to boil the water before we drink it."
"Well Boss seclusion comes with price. But you're right. Who builds a house in the middle of nowhere?"
"For an answer to that you need to ask Carlos. Speaking of Carlos why haven't we heard from him? He'd better not screw this up."
"If you ask me I'm almost sure he will. The man's got a big mouth but I don't see anything that backs up his big talk."
"Now, now, I know and I feel the same but we need him for now but after we're done you can do the honors. He'll be a loose end."
"And one I'll gladly tie up," said Mr. Brown. One of their men from the inside came out holding a phone.
"Mr. Robinson, there's a call for you," said the man as he pass the phone. "Maybe this is word form Carlos?" said Mr. Robinson but as soon as he heard the voice on the other end he knew who it was. "Baleh, [Yes], speaking" said Mr. Robinson as he listened to new instructions nodding his head. "I understand. I'd like to leave Mr. Brown in charge. … Yes he's loyal to the cause and I trust him. I trained him. … Very good I'll see to it," said Mr. Robinson.
"Ask about Kasper," said Mr. Brown in a low voice. Mr. Robinson didn't like asking for anything that the organization didn't offer and Kasper was one of those topics. "See if they know anything."
"Can you tell me anything about Kasper and his men, the ones that were captured? … I know they're not my concern. I'm just asking because we worked with them. … Right okay I'll be there the day after tomorrow," he said then hung up.
"Well the good news, I've got the go ahead. I have to leave right away to meet up with a team in Zamibia the organization is sending. You heard you're to stay here and run the station as the new chief."
"What did they say about Kasper? Is it true the rumor that's floating around, he's dead?" Mr. Robinson didn't have to answer he saw it in his face. "He was a good man."
"He was killed trying to escape CIA custody or that's what I was told," said Mr. Robinson. "That's all I know. Yes he was a good agent but he shouldn't have let himself be taken to begin with. Listen, you aren't thinking about getting revenge, are you? I put my neck out for you tell them you were command material. Don't go throw that away on some rash decision. You need to keep your emotions under control or I will."
"Who me? How could I? First I'd have to find out who was responsible. Don't you need to run to catch a flight?" said Mr. Brown as he finished his tea.
But that was exactly what Mr. Brown wanted to do. He just had to wait until Mr. Robinson gone and he was in charge. What he needed he had all mapped out in his head. First he would grab someone from the downtown Black Op site. They would know who was responsible and after some persuasion they'd give up the name. From there he could move on to the next level, actually getting even. No one would complain if he did it after they grabbed the chip in Zamibia. He might even get a promotion. He smiled inside at the idea that Mr. Robinson could one day be working for him.
"Do you feel okay?" asked Mr. Robinson. "You have a look on your face. Didn't the tea agree with you? Maybe you should've boiled the water longer."
"No I'm fine but you need to get packed."