Don't own Chuck
Chuck asked Ellie about the fictitious medical conference she was supposed to be attending so she described the last one she attended to make it sound realistic. At the same time she made mental notes of everything she saw around her. When Kat arrived to watch Sam Ellie suggested they make a run to the Buy More.
"Let me get this," said Chuck amazed and looking over at Sarah who just shrugged her shoulders. "You want to go to the Buy More to say hello to Morgan? The same Morgan you issued a 'no touch' policy in ninety-eight. Are we talking about that Morgan?"
"Yes well he's got a girlfriend now and things have changed so yeah I'd like to see him. That is if he's at work?"
"A fiancée actually, they're engaged, although it does seem like they're going for some sort of record as the world's longest engagement. What can I say we you find the right person you know they're it," said Chuck as he kissed Sarah.
"So let's make a run," said Sarah. They left Kat with Sam then piled into Sarah's car and drove straight over chatting along the way about how Clara, Devon and Chicago in that order. When they pulled in the parking lot Ellie notice Orange orange and had an idea.
"Why don't we get some yoghurt? You know I've been dying for one and we just can't seem to find any as good in Chicago as you've got here."
"Really because I could have sworn there were at least three Orange oranges in Chicago. There kind of like any other fast food place once you eaten in one you've eaten in them all."
"Chuck, you realize we own the concession here and you just slammed your own business," said Sarah. As she tried to point out what he was saying wasn't exactly the position to have if you owned one.
"Tell you what little brother, Sarah and I can order and you can go get Morgan. Maybe Alex is in and we all can have a bit together."
"Okay or you two can go in and wait for Morgan and Alex then we can all order together," said Chuck as he gazed with a puzzled expression over at Sarah who looked back with the same expression. "I'll be right back."
Ellie and Sarah went into Orange orange and the girls immediately came over to say hello and asked them how they were doing. Sarah introduced them to Chuck's sister they were all polite but then they had to get back to work.
"You've got good help in here," said Ellie as she looked around. "The people seem to be friendly and the place looks nice."
"It helps that we pay above minimum wage and that all our employees have an above routine background check," said Sarah. If she'd been anyone else Sarah would've started breaking fingers for information but instead she had to smile.
"I can see that would help. You know I was thinking about ordering some ice cream instead of yoghurt. How would you feel about mint?"
"You know that's Chuck's flavor while mine is Rocky Road the same as you daughter's. Ellie I'm sorry I have to ask you are you all right? I mean you've been acting oddly since you got arrived. Is it this conference or something else?"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about and no I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Well then is everything okay between you and Devon? This spur of the moment trip did someone send you here?"
"Well yes," said Ellie as she paused. Finally thought Sarah I can get to the bottom of this. "My administrator did." Crap thought Sarah again with the runaround as Ellie continued to talk.
"The hospital received a government endowment and a part of the stipulation was I come to this conference so my administrator she put me on the first plane here. I have to admit I didn't mind because this way I could spend time with you guys especially after Chuck told me about the problems you were having with turkey day. The whole thing revolves around prepping and cooking."
"Yes I'm sure," said Sarah but she couldn't help but feel there was more than what Ellie as saying but she had to be careful how she probed.
"Look who I found," said Chuck as he walked in with Morgan. "We just missed Alex she's on an errand for John but Morgan wants to thank you personally."
"Yes El you saved me from a fate worse than death. Big Mike was going on again about my mother and him. If I hear the words 'muy caliente' one more time I'm going to scream especially after he took that training film home."
"Come on Morgan, it can't be that bad," said Ellie as Morgan sat down next to her. "I mean at least he doesn't take her for granted."
"That's for sure," said Chuck as Sarah gave him an elbow in the side.
"You aren't talking about that pallet that came in by mistake?" asked Sarah. Chuck nodded his head. "Augh yuck."
"Exactly," said Morgan.
"Love, Casey said he needs to see us for a moment down in Castle. You guys will be okay here by yourselves for a little bit, right?" said Chuck as he helped Sarah up
"So El it's good to see you again. How are Clara and Devon doing?" said Morgan as he reached out and took her hand.
"Don't do that," said Ellie as she pulled her hand away.
"Are you all right you seem awfully nervous? You sure you're all right? You know you can talk to your old pal Morgan," said Morgan as he tried to bat his eyes.
"Morgan shut up."
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Sarah and Chuck got up walking past the girls as they served clients going into the back then disappearing. Chuck took his jacket off placing it around Sarah as they walked inside the freezers. The girls in the front didn't bat an eye they'd seen the vanishing act before so this was old hat for them. Chuck and Sarah rode the elevator down to Castle to find Casey looking over the video feeds from home and now Orange orange.
"Sarah, Ellie's up to something. Everything she said so far has been a lie. My own sister is lying to me that story about the medical conference is BS."
"Chuck's right," said Casey. "I did a little background investigating and that story she fed you was true. She failed to mention that it was the one she just attended in Atlanta. As far as the endowment goes I've got a friend looking into it."
"Thanks John I think. Guys what are we doing? I'm spying on my own sister and now I have to ask were you able to get that tracker on her?"
"Yes Sweetie I grabbed her phone and put it inside the case so she wouldn't notice it. Chuck you know this is for her own good."
"I've got a signal. It's up and running so from now on we can track her throughout the city. But if we really want to know what's going on I could bring her down her and take her in the back. If she were anyone else that's what I'd do."
"If she were anyone else I wouldn't stop you but no John this is still Ellie were talking about. Guy this is my sister."
"We know Sweetie… We know… Maybe we're looking at this from the wrong angle. Maybe Beckman doesn't have anything to do with it or maybe she does. You know she was asking me a lot of personal questions. You don't think she's checking up on me to see if my intersect is working? Maybe the General asked her to check on me to make sure I'm not on the fritz."
"Can a person be on the fritz?" said Chuck as he took her by the hands. He knew this was a sore subject for her for obvious reasons. "You're fine, don't worry and if you were I'd tell you."
"But you can't be certain," said Sarah as she tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her go so she looked away.
"Hey look at me," said Chuck as he lifted her face. "I won't let anything happen to you and I'll move mountains to make sure you're okay. I've done it before and I'll do it again."
"I know you will but I'm scared. Chuck I don't scare or at least I didn't before. You know what I mean this thing in our heads for as much good it does can also be our own personal nightmare. There are times when I wish I could rip it out."
"I know and I also remember why you put it in there. I'm sorry I really am because it's my fault and I live with that."
"No I took this on because I love you and there was no other choice. I don't want you to blame yourself. Sweetie it's not your fault if it's anyone's it was Quinn's but he's dead. I'm here and you're here that's all that matters. Chuck, hold me." Chuck wrapped his arms around her as Casey retreated to the armory. This was too much PDA for him.
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General Beckman was standing by inside a hanger at Hickam AFB. She was waiting for the C-130 that was just touching down coming from an embassy run in Bora-Bora or that was the cover story. The truth was the General had sent in a tac team to do an extraction now she was going to have to deal to get her expert to cooperate but what she was about to offer she knew her target couldn't resist.
"General," said one of the Tech Sergeants, "Ma'am you could wait in the offices they've got A/C and it would be a lot cooler then back here in this metal building."
"Son, I appreciate the concern but a wise man once said if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. My wait is almost over anyway," said the General as a gray bird rolled inside then shut down her engines. The door opened and they rolled a ladder up to the side. A man in black tac gear walked down the ladder then saluted the General.
"The person you want is on board with her child. She didn't have anyone to leave her will so we brought them both. I told her you wanted to talk to her."
"Did she come peaceably or did she put up a fight?" The General wanted to know this to understand the person she was going to have to deal with.
"Let's say peaceably after we disarmed her and she found out that we weren't trying to kill her or hurt her family."
"Good, I want you to get everyone off the plane right now," said the General. She could tell the man had serious reservations about her order. "I want to talk to the doctor alone."
"But ma'am she is, or was Fulcrum."
"You don't think I know that? No I need for everyone to get off the plane I need to have a private conversation then we'll go from there."
"Very well you're the boss," said the agent. He went back on board then his team began walking off followed by the aircrew and pilot.
"It's done," said the man. "But if you want I'd like to accompany you General. I don't like that you should be alone with an enemy agent."
"I appreciate your concern, but I've been going to the bathroom on my own for a long time," she said trying to make a joke but it didn't fly. "Really I'll be okay."
"Then at least take my weapon," said the man as he drew his Beretta 9mm from his holster offering it to her.
"You really don't think I'm packing? Agent I invented the thirty foot rule. Now let me get this over with." Beckman pushed by the man then climbed on board making her way aft. Sitting silently in the dimly lit belly of the bird was a thin brunette holding her daughter.
"I'm sorry if my men frightened your daughter we don't terrorize children. But I had you brought here because I need your specialty…"
"General Beckman," said the woman interrupting the General's apology as she turned her head and looked straight into Beckman's eyes giving her a cold stare. "I know you and you know me so can we just cut to the chase and let me hear your offer."
"If that's the way you want it Dr. Roberts. I've known where you were since you left the States. However, I respected the decision Agents Bartowski made, but now they need your help so one way or another you'll give it. Since we're clearing the air I don't like traitors and as a policy I prosecute them to the maximum but I'm willing to make an exception in your case. And let me tell you you're the only one I've offered this to so think twice before you turn me down. I'm offering you a full pardon if you assist us in whatever way we need."
"How long do I have to decide," said Jill as she looked down at her daughter who she looked back up at her but they both realized what she had to lose if she refused.
"I don't have time to mess around with you," said the General as she got up. "You have until I walk off this plane after that it's out of my hands. There's no statute of limitations on treason and once I'm out the door I'm not responsible. What you had you can consider as borrowed time."
"I need you to promise me when we get to California you'll take my daughter to her grandparents then she calls me from there after that I'll help you anyway I can."
"I understand what you're asking and I can make that happen," said the General as she stood over the top of Jill.
"Mom I don't want to leave you," said Skye. "Please let me come I don't want you to send me away I promise I'll be good."
"It'll only be for a few days. In the meantime you can start school like all the other kids your age and make friends. You remember Chuck how he helped us?" Skye nodded her head as she looked at the deck plate of the plane and started sniffling trying to hold back the tears. "Well he needs my help now and we owe him. Grandpa and Grandma are anxious to see you I'm sure," said Jill as she kissed her daughter on the forehead and tears welled up. "Children oughtn't suffer because of the sins of their parents. Okay, tell me what you need."
"Follow me I've got my jet waiting," said the General as she led them off and out of the hangar to an away Lear. Once on board the plane took off and headed towards Travis once in the air the General wave for her aid to come over.
"Major take Skye with you and see what kind of ice cream we brought," said the General then she turned to Skye. "Go and take whatever you want, I'm sure you'll find something."
"Go ahead I need to talk to the General," said Jill. She watched Skye take the Major's hand then disappear into the forward part of the plane.
"I'm sorry but I need to hand you this folder and the documents inside are autopsy reports. They're not the kind of things children should be looking at. Dr. Woodcomb thought the marker on the fourth chromosome was of interest."
Jill looked over the report then glance at the lab findings and DNA results with special attention to the chromosome four that the General mentioned.
"I know this work this is based on the studies of the Kowambe brothers Luther and Martin. The fourth chromosome is extremely important it controls the rate of development and if you like, it can also be called the death gene. You said this has to do with Chuck how? You mention three DNA hits but here are two where is your third?"
"Here are the photos of the bodies. I think these will answer everything," said the General as she looked back to make sure Skye wasn't around.
"This can't be," said Jill as she looked at them. "This is impossible… Unless… Yes, I know how it's possible but we're going to have to run some lab tests on Sarah."
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After driving around and seeing that things hadn't changed since her last visit which really wasn't that long ago they decided to go home. They had to, Kat needed to go so she could go home to get dinner ready and besides Sarah had a desire to get back home to Sam. They pulled up outside Echo Park then walked in through the courtyard.
"You know this is one of the things I miss in Chicago, this courtyard with its birds of paradise and flowers. If I want to visit something like this I have to go to the botanical gardens at Glencoe but it's not the same. I don't know we moved all over the place but California is my home."
"Sarah, what about you? You moved around your whole childhood too where would you like to live if you could choose?"
"That's easy," said Sarah as she they walked through the door and she was greeted by Sam with arms held out wide wanting her to pick her up. "I'd be happy anywhere as long as I was with Chuck and Sam."
"I like that answer," said Chuck as he kissed both. "Sorry Kat if we were a little late I know you need to get home so we won't hold you up."
"I'm in no rush John's taking me out for dinner so I'm just going next door. He wants to go to that French place everyone's talking about but I'm trying to keep our diet domestic if you know what I mean. I don't digest French or Russian cuisine so well these days."
"I understand perfectly and good luck. I always pegged Casey as a Steak and potatoes kind of guy anyway. I think he's had his fill of the exotic."
"Thanks Chuck. Bye Sarah and it was nice to see you again Ellie… Oh Morgan called he's coming over and bringing Alex. He wants Alex to say hello to Ellie. Well I've got to go." Kat walked out the door then Chuck looked at Sarah and smiled.
"No you don't. No Chuck I mean it, don't," said Sarah trying to look commanding and serious but her smile said something else.
"Come on, aren't you at least a little curious? Just a little peek it can't hurt."
"What are you two talking about?" asked Ellie totally lost realizing she was missing something.
"Come here and watch but be careful not to be seen," said Chuck as they went to the window. He lifted the curtain a little then they waited as Kathleen rang Casey's doorbell.
"What are we watching?" asked Ellie as she looked over Chuck's shoulder. "Chuck, are you spying on John Casey? You know this is very nice."
"Shush or he'll hear you. Besides we're spies it's just a little tit for tat he did the same to Sarah and I so…"
"Shush he's opening the door," said Sarah. Chuck wanted to point out to her that she was the one who a little while before had told him not to.
"Wait for it," said Chuck and then Casey looked around first then kissed Kat as he took her inside. John disappeared with Kat inside then came back out carrying a Sig 9 with a tactical laser light.
"I think we've been made," said Chuck as he looked crossed-eyed at the red dot in the middle of his forehead. Casey smiled then went back inside.
"You think," said Sarah as she took Sam to the living room where they sat on the sofa and played with Mr. Rabbit and Bunny.
"Sam's got a new stuffed friend I see," said Ellie. "What's his name?"
"This is Bunny he was my friend when I was little. We found him but that's a long story. Now we need to think what we're going to eat especially with Morgan coming over."
"The way I see it we have two options, Sizzling Shrimp or pizza," said Chuck. "But I'll leave the decision up to the women in the house."
"Ellie you make the decision, you're the guest. Maybe we should call Morgan and tell him to come over tomorrow night. You've got to be exhausted and you've got that conference tomorrow. I bet you just want to eat and turn in."
"Well I don't want to hurt Morgan's feeling but I am tired. Little brother would you call him and tell them tomorrow night," said Ellie then she waited until Chuck was gone. "Let's do pizza. How about we order a couple combinations with the works?"
"Ellie what's going on? You've been testing me since you got here. Now the pizza, you know I like my pizza vegetarian with no olives the same as Clara, your daughter. What's going on?"
"Nothing I just forgot is all," said Ellie as Chuck came back.
"Okay it's taken care of Morgan said you owed him but I told him… What's going on you both have a look what did I just walk in on."
"Nothing, it's nothing," said Ellie as she tried to walk away.
"Oh no you don't something is going on. I noticed it and so did Chuck. Ellie if there's something wrong with me I want to know. Is it my intersect? Do you think I'm forgetting again? Please turn around and answer me I have to know. Ellie I'm begging."
"I don't know it could be nothing but I need for you to come into Westside tomorrow and let me run some tests. There's supposed to be an expert coming in to look over the results. Don't ask me anymore that's all I know."
"This is Beckman's doing I can tell. I should've let her get fired."
"No Chuck," said Ellie. "This time she's looking out for your own good. Listen I'll draw some blood then we'll run some tests and that will be that. From what you've told me today I don't think there will be any problem."
"I want to be there when you do these tests. If there's nothing to them then it shouldn't be a problem."
"Chuck I don't think that such a good idea," said Ellie. "The tests could be long and boring. You'll just end up standing around doing nothing."
"I don't care I'm going to be there or we go somewhere else."
"Chuck, it's all right I'll be okay. You don't need to come I'll be with Ellie."
"El I don't like this. I don't like this at all. You guys can order whatever you want suddenly I don't feel like eating. I'm going to step out in the courtyard before… to get some of fresh air." With that he walked out and slammed the door behind him.
"Yuck boo-boo," said Sam.