A/N: I'm almost nearing the end of this story. It's actually been a blast to write. I can only hope that you're still hanging on for the ride. Again, reviews. Keep them coming!
Usual disclaimers: Chuck – NBC property; Army Wives – Lifetime TV property
Chuck vs. Army Wives Chapter 5
Chuck fidgeted around the General's office for seemingly an eternity. His thoughts drifted singularly on Sarah. He wondered if he should've disobeyed General Holden's directive and went with her and Claudia Joy anyway. Although the Intersect does not specifically work for clairvoyance, he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach on the welfare of his beautiful wife. Surely, she was OK. Of course, she was OK. She was Sarah Bartowski, the CIA's best. She'd have to be. He was about to reminisce about their wedding day when unfamiliar footsteps approached the room.
A man in full Army regalia with a poker face entered the room. Upon seeing General Holden, he saluted crisply.
"Evan, good you're here. I have some people I'd like you to meet. These are Colonel Casey and Chuck. Colonel, Chuck, this is Evan Connor". The latter eyed the officer with understandable grave suspicion. The officer, in return, seemed to sense this unease but offered nothing in the way of expression.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Casey and Chuck. General Holden, I came to inform you that I've just set up preparations for the annual War Games".
"Thank you, Evan. Good work!" The General clearly his throat slightly knowing that his next line of questioning would prove tricky to say the least.
"Evan. I'm actually glad you're here. I have something I mean to ask you"
"Yes, General?"
"It's really hard for me to ask. Oh, screw it. I'll just come right out and ask. Evan, where did you receive basic training?"
"What?"
"Where did you receive basic training?"
"Why are you asking me this, General?"
"It's a simple question, Evan. Where did you receive basic training?"
"I'm not at liberty to say, General"
The responses simply floored General Holden. He couldn't believe that this supposed Army officer wouldn't answer his question, let alone answer it incorrectly. Fully recognizing that Chuck was right all along, the General persisted in his questioning.
"Who are you really, Evan? Who do you really work for?"
"What do you mean?" By this time, Evan a.k.a. Matthew Remer was growing heated under the collar. Also, he cast more suspicious looks at the other people in the room.
"The Ring. Do you work for the Ring?"
"How do you know about the Ring? Who told you?"
"Never mind how I know. All I do know is that I am within my powers to have you apprehended for starting a terrorist act on Army soil!"
"You're right, General. I'm just starting an act of terror!" With that, he pulled a gun and aimed it squarely at General Holden. Upon instinct, Casey pulled out his gun and aimed it at Matthew, "Put it down! "
"You put yours down, Colonel ! Or else the General gets a shiny new bullet right between the eyes!"
With a simmering growl, Casey returned his gun back into its holster. Meanwhile, Matthew approached General Holden even closer with gun still in tow. Within seconds, he was standing mere inches from the General with the gun now atop his belly.
"Nobody be a hero! I'm warning you all! Nobody try anything! Now that you've figured out who I really am, I guess there's no loss in telling you. Yes, my wife and I are Ring agents. We came to this base in hopes to follow in the footsteps of those who tried to get Fort Dix and even Fort Hood. But that's just the beginning. There's something else that we want!"
"What could you and your slimy wife possibly want from us?" Joan asked in exasperation.
"An important piece of government software. We know we're close to finding it. It's only a matter of time"
"Excuse me, Matthew!" Chuck said with an unusual air of debonair. Suddenly, Matthew removed the gun from General Holden and took aim squarely at Chuck's noggin.
"How do you know my name?!" Then, the reality dawned on him. "Wait a second! You're the Intersect, aren't you?"
"Moron!" Casey muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, that's right. The Intersect is right here!" Chuck pointed to his brain. "So, you can try to do your dirty work, but you've got one big hurdle to pass"
"Oh, what's that?" Matthew asked sarcastically.
"ME!" Chuck was actually expecting Intersect 2.0 to activate the kung-fu fighting powers that he had grown accustomed to. Still, it became clear that Chuck still had difficulty getting this upgraded version of the Intersect to work at his command. For try as he might, he didn't feel the fighting prowess upon him at that minute.
"You're kidding me, right? OK. Have it your way! And just to show I can be a nice guy, I'll even put down my gun to even give you a chance".
Despite the "malfunction", Chuck engaged in a fighting stance. Yet, he was unprepared for the sucker punch that Matthew landed squarely on his right side. Chuck fell hard to the ground. Casey and Joan went over to make sure he's OK. Yet, interestingly, Matthew didn't feel much like engaging in more physical combat. Rather, he chose psychological warfare.
"So, you're the best that the US government has got? It's no wonder that 9-11 happened to you. You Americans are pathetic. All bravado and no balls! The US army – the finest army in the world? I can laugh and puke at the same time hearing that! By the way, I believe that you know Sarah Walker? She's a hottie, isn't she? You know, there are days that I'm actually tempted to leave my wife for her. Man, I dream of the things that I want to do to her! I know she'd be awesome in bed. Of course, then I'd blow her pretty little brains out!"
The last statements made Chuck's brain click literally. Within seconds, he could feel the Intersect employing kung-fu powers. Suddenly, he leapt up and turned to face Matthew one more time.
"Matthew, I'm going to set the record straight" He then landed a perfect roundhouse kick that knocked Matthew unconscious.
"Sarah's a hottie all right! She's my hottie! One that wouldn't even give a scumbag like you the time of day!" He then looked at Casey, "Casey!" He pointed for Matthew's body to be removed.
"With pleasure!" Casey replied. With that, a prostrate Matthew ended up on Casey's shoulders and out of harm's way.
"Chuck, are you OK?" the General asked him.
"I'm fine, General. Are you OK?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I want to apologize for not believing you before. I'm really relieved that you're able to not only identify but also take care of this potential situation. Thank you! You saved many lives today, Chuck!"
"All in a day's work, General." Chuck replied meekly.
"That was some kick, Chuck. You'll have to show me how to do that sometime!" Joan remarked with a smile.
At that moment, Claudia Joy and Sarah both entered the General's office. They soon embrace their respective partners and asked if the other was OK.
"So, did you take care of Lisa?" Chuck asked Sarah.
"Of course. Did you take care of Matthew?" Sarah asked in return with a smile.
"What do you think?" Chuck asked with his signature goofy grin.
"I love you, Chuck"
"I love you too, Sarah". They immediately kiss which draws the attention of everyone in the room, especially the Holdens.
"Do they remind you of someone?" General Holden asked his wife.
"Oh. Shut up and kiss me, you goofball!" Claudia Joy said with a great smile.
That's the thing about Generals. They don't need to be told twice to do anything!