A/N: My muse is back indeed. I've already got the next chapter ready. Hopefully, you like the story so far. Now, Chuck and Sarah finally meet the Army Wives.
Usual disclaimers: Chuck – NBC property; Army Wives – Lifetime TV property
Chuck vs. Army Wives Chapter 3
Chuck was never an early riser. So, it was no surprise that he was determined to destroy the alarm clock in his hotel room as it went off at 6:00 AM sharp. Thankfully, he didn't have to. Sarah had taken care of that with the help of one of her knives. So, she'd have some room damages to pay for. More specifically, the CIA would have some damages to pay for.
Chuck, Sarah, and Casey were in the hotel lobby waiting for the fort sentinels to take them back to Fort Marshall. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon when they arrived in the transport. The mood in the vehicle was considerably more serious than the day before. In particular, Chuck was keenly focused on every individual he saw in case in flashed. Sarah and Casey were also equally on guard regarding their surroundings. Soon enough, the Holden house neared.
The trio left the transport and made their way up to the front door. After they knocked, both General and Mrs. Holden were at the door to greet them.
"Good morning, Colonel. Chuck. Sarah." General Holden said with a smile.
"Good morning General!" They greeted in unison.
"So, Colonel Casey. Are you ready to join me at work today?" General Holden asked.
"Looking forward to it"
"Claudia Joy, would you mind showing Chuck and Sarah around the base? Maybe even have them meet some of our friends?" General Holden inquired.
"My pleasure" Claudia Joy replied.
"Great. I'll see the three of you later!" With that, General Holden kissed his wife and he and Casey were off to the General's office.
"Well, let's go off to the P.X. I actually have a few things I need to buy." Claudia Joy explained. Chuck and Sarah obediently followed her along.
When the General and Colonel finally made their way to the main building, one could see military life at work everywhere. The driver opening the car door for both officers. A soldier on stand-by saluting while another soldier opened the front office door.
"Attenhut!" a soldier bellowed. Soon, every soldier in the office stood at perfect attention.
"As you were." General Holden responded.
The two men at last came to the General's office. Upon entering, an African American soldier rose and saluted her boss.
"At ease, Joan. Joan, I'd like you to meet Colonel Casey. Colonel Casey, this is Lt. Colonel Joan Burton. She's sort of my right hand man around here."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Casey." Joan said in shaking his hand.
"Likewise!" Casey replied.
"Unfortunately, Colonel Connor just stepped out but he should be returning shortly. I'll be sure to introduce you. Anyway, Joan, I need to brief you on the reason why Colonel Casey is here." With that, he proceeded to explain the situation to her.
"And just how are we going to find these alleged terrorists, General?"
"I was asking the colonel that very same question last night. He brought along two others – one of them has this incredible power to identify these bad guys using some database in his head", the General explained.
"Database in his head, sir? That seems farfetched to me." Joan replied.
In hearing this, General Holden raised an extra eyebrow in Casey's direction. "Colonel, are you certain that Chuck can do this? What if all of this is for naught? I'm still not completely convinced about his abilities, do you know what I mean?"
"Like you wouldn't believe!" Casey smirked.
"Home at last", Claudia Joy parked her car near the front of her house. With that, she helped open the door for Chuck and Sarah. Although the base itself was not as big as some other Army bases, her taking time to show them every detail along with her errands made for a longer trip than would be otherwise.
"Hey. Everyone's here. Come on. I have some people I'd like you to meet" Claudia Joy beamed.
Indeed, waiting on the front porch were four individuals. They all waved in Claudia Joy's direction but cast a slightly wary glance at the two strangers walking alongside her. Soon, they were within shaking hands distance and the salutations began.
"Chuck and Sarah, I'd like you to meet Denise Sherwood. She's a practicing nurse who used to work in the hospital here on base. She's married to Major Frank Sherwood who's currently in Iraq."
A woman with shoulder length, brown hair and slender frame approached Chuck and Sarah with a warm smile. "Nice to meet both of you!" Denise greeted.
"You too, Denise!"
"And this is Pamela Moran. She used to be a cop. Now, she's just a happy housewife married to Chase Moran in Special Ops." Claudia Joy said.
A red haired, physically fit, and beautiful woman replied with a slight laugh, "Well, usually happy housewife. It's nice to meet you, Chuck and Sarah".
"Likewise, Pamela".
"This is Roxy LeBlanc. She's the relative newbie in our group. Her husband is Sergeant Trevor LeBlanc. Be careful what you say around her. She's not afraid to put it right back at you!" Claudia Joy interjected.
"Yeah. So, y'all be reeeeal nice to me!" Roxy spoke with a distinct Alabama drawl to go along with her long, blonde hair, slight frame, and crazy outfit. "Nice to meet you both".
"Same to you, Roxy"
"Finally, this is Roland Burton. As you can see, he's not exactly of the female variety but we certainly consider him one of our own. His wife is Lt. Colonel Joan Burton who works directly for my husband". Claudia Joy said as she made the final introduction.
Indeed, Roland stood out in the group by being an African American, muscular, scholarly looking male. Still, he exuded a quiet confidence and gentle demeanor.
"It's a pleasure to meet the two of you"
"Same to you, Roland"
"So, what brings you here to Fort Marshall, Chuck and Sarah?" Denise asked.
"Actually, Denise, that's why I asked all of you to come over this morning. There's something I need to talk with you about. Come on, let's sit." With that, she had everyone sit in the long porch. "Sarah, would you like to tell them?"
"Sure" Sarah then proceeded to inform them of the serious news. After she finished, silence ensued for a few minutes.
"Oh my God! I need to make sure that TJ and Finn don't leave the house", Roxy muttered.
"Yeah, same for Katie and Lucas", Pamela joined in.
"There will be time to make sure everyone's safe. But, for right now, we need to find these bad guys first" Claudia Joy posited.
"And how would we do that?" Roland asked.
"Chuck, I think you'd better explain." Claudia Joy offered.
"OK. First of all everyone, don't freak out!" Chuck said. Then, just like the night before, he proceeded to spill the nitty-gritty regarding the Intersect. Upon finishing, the same dazed looks that enveloped the Holdens previously now infested the four other Army Wives.
Only Roxy had enough strength in her voice to speak. "Let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that you have some computer database thingy in your brain?"
"And this database is able to recognize terrorists?" Pamela seconded.
"In a nutshell, yes." Chuck demurred.
"I've seen some pretty amazing things as a nurse. But, I think this one really takes the cake!" Denise said.
As the Army Wives proceeded to talk amongst themselves about this incredible development, Chuck couldn't help but steal a glance from out over the porch. In the northeasterly direction, he spotted a couple walking arm in arm. A happy looking couple it seemed on the surface. Unfortunately, his body began to feel that familiar but awful feeling of a computer kicking into gear. Within moments, his mind began to see awful images of heinous murders and crimes that this couple had perpetrated. Upon finishing, Chuck shook slightly in fear.
Sarah immediately noticed something was amiss. She leaned in his ear and asked, "Chuck what's wrong? Did you just flash?"
"Yeah, I did, hon." It took him a few seconds to collect himself and speak as calmly as he could muster.
"Who's the couple walking over there in the distance?" Chuck asked with a slight palpitation in his voice.
"That's Colonel Connor and his wife Jennifer" Denise recognized.
"You mean the rats that stole my radio show!" Pamela snorted.
"And the rats that are trying to ruin everything good here on the base!" Roxy spat.
"Not my favorite people!" Roland commented.
Only Claudia Joy could see that Chuck was bothered by seeing them. "Chuck, what's the matter?"
"Guys, I hate to be the one to tell you. But, that is not Colonel and Mrs. Connor. That's THEM!"
"Them?! You mean Evan and Jennifer are the terrorists you're looking for?" Claudia Joy asked incredulously.
"I'm afraid so. Except their real names are Matthew and Lisa Remer. They're Ring agents who've been in training with a small Al-Qaeda splinter group that operates near Toronto. They somehow managed to sneak across the border to be here" Chuck responded.
"I knew those two were bad news. I need to get home to TJ and Finn" Roxy panicked.
"Roxy, just calm down. Everyone calm down!" Claudia Joy implored the group. "Sarah, is Chuck really sure about this?"
"Chuck's never been wrong with one of his flashes, Claudia Joy. So, yes, I believe him if he's identified the guys we're looking for" Sarah mused.
"In that case, we need to see Michael now. Roxy, now you can go and make sure your boys don't go anywhere. Pamela, you check on your kids as well".
"Got it boss!" Roxy responded.
"I need to get to the hospital and make sure that everyone there knows what's going on" Denise offered.
"And I'll hit some of the other hot spots on base!" Roland said.
"Great! Thanks everyone. And again, no matter what you do, don't engage with the Connors for any reason. Chuck and Sarah, let's go!" With that, she, Chuck and Sarah were on their way to General Holden's office.
As she neared the parking lot, she parked in a huge hurry. Soon, she, Chuck, and Sarah were running up to the front of the General's building. They were approached by one of the stand-by soldiers.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. Is everything all right?" asked the soldier.
"I need to speak with Michael. Now!" she said excitedly.
For a moment, the soldier looked at Mrs. Holden in slight disbelief. Fortunately, the General happened to walk past the door and heard the entire conversation.
"You heard my wife! Let them in!" he ordered the guard.
"Yes sir!" the soldier replied in slight embarrassment.
Soon, Claudia Joy, Sarah, and Chuck joined General Holden, Casey, and Joan in his office.
"Hi hon! This is a surprise. What brings the three of you over?" General Holden asked upon seeing his wife, Chuck, and Sarah.
Clearly out of breath, Claudia Joy managed enough air in her lungs to speak, "Michael. We just found out some horrible news."
"Fine. But, first, let me introduce our guests." After all the appropriate introductions were made, General Holden resumed.
"OK. What's the horrible news?" General Holden inquired.
"Sweetheart. I'll think that you'll want to sit down for this one!"