Don't own Chuck

Finally after some work Sarah and Chuck had their bags packed and were ready to call it a night. Sam had crashed with Molly so they reluctantly let her sleep over, even though they'd have to leave tomorrow. Sarah would've preferred that she slept with them seeing as they had to leave but since she was already out they let her sleep. Sam was getting the age when she'd start to notice her parents leaving her and Sarah was worried about what she'd think.

"Do you really think it's right for us to leave Sam here? You know we could take her with us," said Sarah as she laid across the bed watching Chuck finish packing.

"Do you want to put her through all those immunizations we had to go through? Yellow fever, the antimalarial and others these are just some on top of her regular immunizations."

"Well no," said Sarah as she rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. "But don't you ever wonder what she thinks about us leaving her all the time with people?"

"I don't know I can see that it could be confusing. But that's why I think we need to start setting aside family time."

"What do you mean? Time we do what?" said Sarah as she rolled back over and looked at all his bags and shook her head.

"What?" he said as she laughed looking at his three bags.

"Nothing tell me about family time. Can you explain the way it works?"

"Family time is like what the name implies. Time you spend with the family and devote to the family. We used to go on vacations together and trips. Ellie and I both played little league that was all before we were abandoned. Now looking back it was like our parents were preparing us for it."

"Well.. my family time with Jack was devoted to his cons. Either I was getting run over by armored cars in Butte or selling Girl Scout cookies door to door."

"Wasn't being a Girl Scout fun?" said Chuck as he looked at his three bags. He still was convinced he hadn't taken everything.

"The problem was I never was a Girl Scout and then there was the annual Christmas Salvation Army cons. That was my family time. I don't want Sam to grow up like me where her only friends are stuffed animals and she's well on the way with Mr. Rabbit."

"Don't you think you might be exaggerating? Maybe a little bit," said Chuck as he sat down next to her on the bed and kissed her.

"I might be exaggerating but you've over packed again. Chuck really three bags. Spies travel light. You could get everything you need into one bag. You have way too many clothes. If we need something we can pick it up in country plus that way we blend in with the locals. Chuck, one dinner jack is all you need and even that you'll probably won't even wear. All those video games, what are planning to do play games all the way over?"

"Well it's a long flight," said Chuck as Sarah laid he head on his lap. "I've also packed some back issues of the Justice League in case I get bored.

"I'm sure we can find something else to pass the time," said Sarah as she reached up and pulled him down so she could kiss him.

"Not to be crude, but you were talking about sex, right?"

"Turn off the light and come to bed."

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Casey dropped Morgan off at the Buy More then headed out with Alex to Pasadena. They were going to spend the day making sure the cargo got stowed on the C-17. The goal was to have the team in the air by tomorrow which meant everything had to be on board and stowed. The only problem in getting them airborne was getting the gear ready. Casey was driving to Pasadena with the realization that he was going to have to put his size twelve shoe in them to get this done. He wasn't going to scare the natives no they were going to be terrified of him. However, the mission would get done and he knew just where to start but Morgan was having his own adventure when he walked into the Buy More.

"Morgan, son," said Big Mike as soon as he walked in the store. "Chuck is on another home install? This time to where? Zamibia? Does his wife know about this?"

"Big Mike, it's work. Why?" asked Morgan. Big Mike was acting strange even by Big Mike standards. "It was a request that came down from cooperate Buy More."

"I'm sure it was and you hooked your friend up. I understand that," said Big Mike. "Crap, I knew I should've taken that home course on Computer repair."

"Do you think I could run down and help him out," said Skip. "I'm a white shirt. You know I could use the training. I'll even clock out and do this on my own time. It won't cost the store a cent."

"If you go take a camera with you and take lots of picture," said Fernando pushing up his glasses as he turned beet red with a smile that went from ear to ear.

"Idiot, they don't let you take pictures inside," said Big Mike. Besides the lighting's too low for anything to come out and the girls will beat you silly if you used flash." Everyone looked at him. "Or that's what I've been told."

"Hey wait a minute," said Morgan as he realized what they were thinking. "Lighting? Pictures? Girls? Flash? Inside? What do you think Zamibia is?"

"Isn't that the new strip joint that took over Bennigan's Bar," said Big Mike as Skip and Fernando nodded their heads. "I hear they call the stage Safari land. The girls come out and start their act dressed like animals. Sweet dreams on the Serengeti I believe they call it. Mind you this was all told me."

"Too bad Lester and Jeff aren't here they'd be steady customers. Probably even have season passes," said Skip as Fernando laughed. His laugh always sounded like he had problems with his adenoids.

"What kind of noise is that a sick Hyena? Both of you are imbeciles and it's for that very reason you two need to stay here. I'll have to sacrifice myself and run any tool Chuck might need like a pair of plyers or a screwdriver down there for him. Maybe I could take him lunch? It's about time he might be getting hungry. Boy can't work on an empty lunch, not in the jungle."

"Chill out guys, Zamibia isn't a strip club, it's a country in Africa," said Morgan. He could see in their faces it was like he'd told them Santa Claus didn't exist. "Guys really? Anyway cooperate Buy More is sending Chuck to set up computers in an orphanage in Africa. He's taking Sarah along and they're spreading American good will aboard to poor under privileged kids."

"Oh well, so much for that," said Big Mike as Skip and Fernando walked off.

"That's it," said Morgan. "So it's not a strip club so no one cares?"

"Pretty much that's it," said Big Mike. "Son and you say you're Chuck's friend and you shipped him off over there to the Dark Continent. You know why they call it dark."

"No Big Mike, haven't got a clue," said Morgan opting to keep his mouth shut. But he was afraid of what was going to come next and he wasn't disappointed.

"Son, there are diseases over there that don't even have names and they kill you. You could be walking down the road and zap you're gone. Jesus, just about everything over there can kill you. Don't you watch Animal Planet? The wounded Gazelle for example, you every ask yourself how it got wounded?"

"No can't say as I have," said Morgan wondering where Big Mike was going to take this idiocy and just when he thought he'd heard it all Bik Mike takes it to a new level.

"Some disease got it that's what happened. Take Zebras? Most of them have stripped fever but you never know because they're already stripped. No Sir, I like my nature in the zoo behind bars where it belongs. Talking about animals that ought to be behind bars, you two knucklehead what are you doing," yelled Big Mike at Skip and Fernando as he walked off. "This ain't Full Monty up in here so get your shirts back on."

Morgan shook his head as he walk into his office. He didn't get much sleep the night before then Alex had to get up early so he sat down at his desk leaned back in his chair and before long he was fast snoring.

"Captain Morgan, Captain you need to come quickly," said a man who looked like Casey. "You need to come the natives have captured my daughter and are about to eat her."

"Alex? They want to do what? That's not hygienic not to mention disgusting. What kind of people would want my fiancée as a meal?"

"More like a snack between dinner and supper to hold you over or something to tide you over before you go to bed," said Casey as Morgan gave him a look. "Just saying."

"Lead the way man," said Morgan as he grabbed a bolt action 30-06. "Show me the way where these dastardly people are hiding."

"Oh Captain Morgan you're my hero," said John as they made cut a path through the thick jungle underbrush of the Buy More until they came to a clearing in the home theater center with Animal Planet playing on the flat screens on the wall behind them. Emilio was on one TV talking about recipes on how to cook young virgins. Alex was in a big caldron with Big Mike, Skip and Fernando peeling potatoes, cutting up carrots and onions throwing them in the water.

"Big Mike, you don't have to cry," said Skip. "Morgan can find another girl. There are other tuna melts in the sea especially at subway with the special six inch menu at their new bargain price."

"I know that you two imbeciles but what am I supposed to do with his mother." Good, thought Morgan maybe he's coming to his senses. "You fools we used up all the vegetables what am I going to use when I cook Mexican tonight."

"Enough, I've heard enough," said Morgan as he pulled out his rifle. "You're the disease and I'm the cure. Eat lead." But when he pulled the trigger a sign popped out the barrel that read 'bang'. "Crap this is Chuck's gun."

"Get him and put him in the pot," said Big Mike as he tasted the water. "Huh needs salt. Now just relax tension only toughens the meat."

"Son, son, son," said Big Mike trying to wake him up.

"What? No get away from me," yelled Morgan as he pushed off the desk still leaning in his chair falling backward. "Ouch! Oh where am I? What's going on?"

"You were sleeping and from the sound of it you were having a nightmare," said Big Mike as he helped him up. "You were mentioning something about a making it a meal?"

"It was terrible let me tell you about it there was Fernando, Skid and…." Morgan started to say but Big Mike cut him off.

"With those two in it that would be nightmare enough, but I woke you up to tell you I'm going for my mid-morning snack. I'm meeting your mother. She's bringing me some special cookies she calls them Mexican lady fingers. Muy Caliente."

"There's no place like home," Morgan repeat closing his eyes but when he opened them up Big Mike was still there. "Well Dorothy this isn't Kansas."

"Son you sure you didn't bump your head when you fell?"

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Chuck and Sarah said their good byes at Echo Park. They didn't want to take Sam to the airport and have her watch them fly off. Sarah didn't want to go but she had to she'd agreed to the deal the same as Chuck had so she was obliged to fulfil her end. Emma came up with an idea that she sprang on them after they got their bags stowed in her car.

"I've got an idea. We're going to have to go back to Montenegro so Molly can get back to her studies," said Emma. Molly let out an 'uffa' which meant as far as she was concerned that could wait. "No Miss it's time the holidays were over and Jack needs to get back. I hear the owners wanted to replace him."

"I think we might be able to talk them out of that," said Sarah. "If you need to go back Kat or Alex can watch Sam. I understand." That's what she said but inside she didn't. This made her even more worried about what she was doing to Sam.

"No my idea is this. We'll take Sam back with us to Montenegro. She knows the place and the kids like to play with her. She'll be closer to you guys than here so if you get a chance you can pop up or when you leave you can swing up and pick her up so you'll have her on the plane for the whole trip back."

"Mom, are you sure that's not too much for you? I don't want to impose we're already doing it by leaving her with you here."

"We all know why you've got to do this and no it's no imposition and even if it were it's what family does. I know I haven't done much to teach you what a real family is like but listen to Chuck, you won't go wrong. This is something I should've done with you instead of leaving you with Jack."

"You did what you had to do and grandma wasn't much help. But things seem to be going well now," said Sarah as Chuck came in after taking out the last of the things. "Okay let's do that."

"I'll let you know the plans and remember to call home whenever you can and when I say whenever I mean it night or day. I love you honey," said Emma as she and Sarah got watery eyed as they kissed. "You look out after her. I'm counting on you Chuck."

"I'll do my best," said Chuck as she kissed him on the cheek.

"I know you will," said Emma. "Of that I have no doubt."

They walked back outside where Jack was sitting with the girls. Molly had cut some of the flowers from the garden and put them in everyone's hair. Sam was playing with Jack and Mr. Rabbit which seemed to bother Sarah a little, probably because it reminded her of her childhood. Emma understood and put her arm around Sarah as they walked over.

"Come here sister golden hair," said Chuck as he picked up Sam. Molly looked at him like she wanted to ask something.

"Sister who?" said Molly finally asking what she was thinking. "She's your daughter not your sister. Ellie's you sister and so am I… Well your sister-in-law. Oh, you're not making any sense."

"That's what people tell me all the time. Sister Golden Hair is a song by a group called America," said Chuck. "I have the album. Your mother can play it for you while we're go. Emma, it's in our bedroom."

"I bet that might be worth something. What else do you have? Any first recordings or signed copies but that doesn't matter. All you need is a marker and that can be taken care of."

"Jack, everything is numbered. I know what I have and what I have had better be there when we get back. I take my music seriously."

"Yes he does," said Sarah as she took Sam from him.

"I'm just saying it might be worth it to have it appraised. You could be sitting on a fortune and not know it. One of these days you might be hard up and need to unload at least you'd know what it's worth."

"No Jack," said Sarah. "Jack's just trying to get you worked up Sweetie and no you can't pack a fourth suitcase. Jack won't touch anything he promises, right Jack?"

"Sure I'll promise anything," said Jack as he laughed.

"Come on we need to go," said Sarah as they hugged and kissed Sam then kissed Molly before heading for the car.

"Mommy no go," they heard Sam say and it tore Sarah up inside to hear. She ran back to hug Sam once more.

"Mommy will be back soon and when she comes back she'll bring you another rabbit. This one will be black so Mr. Rabbit will have a friend. Would you like that?" Sam nodded. Sarah kissed her then ran to the car. Chuck was behind the steering wheel rightfully he thought she'd be able to drive.

"Here," said Chuck as he handed her his handkerchief.

"Thanks, I know I'm a mess," said Sarah as she dried her eyes then took out her bag to try and straighten up her make-up but looking in the mirror it seemed a lost cause.

"So what's this idea Emma had," said Chuck as he got on the I-5. Sarah explained as she tried to put herself back together. "All in all it's not a bad plan similar to what I wanted to go. I think we should tell her to go for it and once Ryder's team is in place doing their data collection then I don't see why you couldn't sneak out for a weekend."

"I'd prefer not to think about that but I'll let her know to go ahead with the plan. I love you," she said as she reached over and put her arm around him and leaned over on his shoulder.

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Casey and Alex pulled up on Campus and were met by Dr. Ryder. He wasn't happy with the swap and his first impression of Casey was 'Oh my God who have they sent us.' However, after he heard about the incident the night before he was okay with it.

"Are you sure they targeted Chuck and Sarah? There have been a lot of gang related incidents around and they could've just pissed the wrong guy off. I hear that sort of thing can happen."

"Maybe in the movies but this is real life and yes we are sure," said Casey. "That's why we need to hurry up and get you people out of here. Where's the scuttlebutt?"

"The scuttle what?" said Ryder as he looked at Casey as if he were speaking a foreign language or said a bad word.

"See that's what I feel like when you people speak nerd. Where's the water fountain," said Casey. Dr. Ryder walked him over there standing next to it were Stan, Herman and Ross.

"Listen you guys need to get your crap in crates ASAP and stop screwing around," said Casey. "If I catch anyone else standing around with their hands in their pockets you'll be drinking water with a straw."

"Hey you can't talk to us like that we're…" Casey cut him off.

"About to piss me off and we're about to test one of my favorite theories. What happens when an irresistible force, your head meets and immovable object, my fist," said Casey as he cracked his knuckles.

"I'd listen to him if I were you," said Dr. Ryder. "Mr. Casey was sent to make sure we get in the air by tomorrow."

"What happened to the nice couple last night?" asked Herman as he hid behind Stan. "Please don't tell he… he's coming with us."

"Thank God no or someone would get hurt starting with you."

"Chuck and Sara are flying out ahead of us to make sure everything is ready. Roberta and Julie are traveling with them to help."

"That's news to me. I hope you at least got that cleared first," said Casey but he got no answer. "Tell me they got there crap already box up at least. Alex can you…" But she didn't need to be told she already had Sarah on the line.

"Sarah this is Alex two of the team should be flying with you. … They're supposed to fly with you to Zamibia and help with getting the site ready. … Who? Ryder said Roberta and someone called Julie. … Yes, he said Roberta. I don't know their last names. Have a safe flight. … Sure I'll look in on her. You can count on me." Alex hung up then walked back over to catch up with Casey and Ryder. She arrived in time to hear Casey explain why he headed to the water fountain first.

"It's the waterhole where you find the gazelles at this time of day. I bet those are the guys that are always behind with their projects," said Casey as Ryder nodded his head.

"Waterhole, gazelles, I don't understand."

"It's a herd instinct animals like you guys hang out where you feel safe. Some place they can keep an eye out for a lion or tiger that might eat them. They'll spend the whole day there until some predator come along and scatters the herd that's what we just did. I bet you before the day's done they'll have all their crap together but just to be sure we'll give them an hour then I'll make another pass. This time all I'll have to do is look at them."

"You sure you don't want to come with us? I can find you a spot on the plane."

"You don't want me in a confined space with your people. Just take my word on that the tiger has to be the tiger."

"All done," said Alex as she smiled. "There's a roach coach outside. I'll buy coffee."

"We have an espresso machine in our break room," said Dr. Ryder. Casey shook his head then just turned and walked out with Alex.

"Like they're going to find one over there," but then he laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't in one of those crates."

"Have you ever thought about writing a book on office management?"

"What should I call it? 'John Casey's size twelve method'."