Don't own Chuck
Sarah saw Chuck standing there looking at her but instead of running to her he remained immobile as if he were studying her. She ran to him instead as he took his hand she noticed his governor had been damaged so she wondered if that was what was wrong with him. He took her left hand then studied it outlining the scar with his finger his eyes welled up and he kissed her. There it was that something he missing when he had kissed Nee-san. This was his Sarah.
"It's really you," he said as he kissed her again. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," said Casey as he came up behind the two of them. "And it's really me and we really need to get out of here. Your swimmers are starting to come ashore. By the way that was pretty good maneuvering with the forklift but if you go up against a car load of armed bad guys try to have something more than a crescent wrench and a dashing personality."
"Did you hear that," said Chuck. "Casey said I have a dashing personality. I don't suppose you'd let me record that?"
Whack! was the sound Sarah's hand made as she slapped him leaving a big red mark on the side of his face. "You went off with another woman!"
"Ouch, I thought she was you. I realized when I kissed her she wasn't you…. I'm not helping my case am I?"
"No you're not," said Casey "but I really want to see where this is heading. Keep on going."
"Thanks John. But we need to get in your… You brought a Humvee now that really will go unnoticed. Come on we need to go, we can catch them they just left out the back side of the port."
"Chuck our mission is over," said Sarah. "We came for you and now we can go home to celebrate Thanksgiving."
"I gave my word to Jill that I'd make sure she didn't get hurt. What kind of Thanksgiving will Jill's daughter and parents have knowing she's missing? I grew up like that without my mother and my father. No child should have to go through that."
"Our daughter deserves one too with her parents being there for her," said Sarah but she was having a hard time looking in Chuck's eyes. She knew he was right.
"You know he's got a point," said Casey. "Dr. Roberts was kind of under our protection too when she was taken.
"Oh I hate you sometimes but mainly I love you. Come on I guess we've still got a mission to finish," said Sarah as she and Chuck got in the back.
"Who's been eating Subway cookies? What did you get?" said Chuck noticing a half-eaten one on the dashboard.
"Hands off," said Casey. "Chocolate with Macadamia and she's all mine.
"That's okay I've got all I need back here," said Chuck as he kissed Sarah. "Oh how I missed doing that."
"Yuck," said Casey as he adjusted the mirror. "I'll take my cookie any day." Then he grabbed it and took a big bit.
"I'm sorry I over reacted," said Sarah as she caressed the red mark on his cheek. "So you kissed this other me?"
"Only once! That was when I knew something was wrong. It just didn't feel right I don't know what it was, I just knew she wasn't you. Then when we were on the plane I took her hand."
"That's why you looked at my left hand, my scar. She doesn't have it does she but how does she know so much about me and I know nothing about her?"
"I think we'll find out when we get to this laboratory. Listen this could be the place Quinn first took you after the bullet train so if things get too much for you let me know. Casey and I can see this through beside Nee-san owes me."
"Is that what she calls herself? Nee-san. I owe her something too and I'll tell her to keep the change after I'm through."
"Sarah she's dying. That's the reason she took Jill to see if Jill can come up with a miracle cure to save her like she did Shaw."
"Shaw! What the hell does he have to do with any of this," said Casey from the front. Chuck tried to bring them up speed and briefed them both from the back.
"… so I think Kenji was getting a little jealous that's why he decided to leave me back at the warehouse. Then I spotted the two cars with Tokugawa's men at the pier. They were going to tail Kenji and Nee-san so I took them out."
"You know Rod Sterling ought to be the narrating on this one," said Casey yelling back. "There's a Sarah look-a-like who kidnaps you and your ex then takes you on a plane ride where you almost get shot down but you pull everyone through then you bail out of the plane. However instead of Gilligan and the Skipper you're captured by a North Korean sub."
"Technically Kenji and Jill were, we infiltrated. But okay sorry you were saying."
"Excuse me if I'm a little imprecise but there's a lot to digest here," said Casey as he continued restating everything Chuck had told them. "So then you manage to turn the Submarine's Captain and crew. Instead of being turned over to this yakuza boss who thinks he's some warlord's heir apparent you get a ride here where this look-a-like's second gets jealous and clobbers you. Have I missed anything?"
"No I think you've pretty much nailed it on the head John."
"You really could tell she wasn't me just by kissing her?" said Sarah as she looked into his eyes then kissed him. She wondered if she'd be able to do the same.
"I know you'd be able to do the same," said Chuck as if he'd been reading her mind.
"Yuck, I'm almost up on them but they pulled off on that old abandoned road. Any idea what those signs say with the big open hand mean?" Sarah looked up and flashed.
"Military property, keep out," she said. "Sounds promising."
"You make flashing look and sound sexy," said Chuck as he kissed her.
"Yuck I think I'm going to be sick. It sounds nerdy to me."
"That it does too."
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At the Tokugawa compound Takeo was getting anxious his men were late checking in which meant things hadn't gone as planned. Larry's kendo lessons were about over and he'd want to know what was going on but Takeo had nothing to tell him. Finally when he was about to go in and literally fall on his sword he received a phone call.
"What do you mean they got away?" said Takeo. "What do you mean you were ambushed? Hold on you can tell the boss directly there's no need in me repeating what you're telling me."
Takeo knocked on the door that led to the compound's dojo then went in. Larry was in the middle of a bout with his instructor. They both had full armor except for head gear. It was hot so they decided not to wear them. Both had wooden bokken swords and they had just parried blows with Larry's instructor following up with a downward strike to the top of his head. Larry was momentarily distracted when Takeo walked in so he didn't parry and the instructor connected. There was a loud audible crack as the wooden sword came down on Larry's head causing a gash that started bleeding.
"Shitsureishimashita Tokogawasan. I'm so sorry," said the embarrassed man as he bowed deeply to apologize.
"Dō itashimashite, don't worry about it. I was distracted," said Larry as he helped the man up then as he stood up right Larry swung his bokken with both hands striking the man across the face breaking his nose and fracturing the man's skull. I accept your apology take him to the hospital and when he comes to tell him I expect my lesson tomorrow." Larry's men bowed then they dragged the unconscious man off.
"Jesus you know how difficult it is to get blood out of the tatami," said Larry as a man took a wash cloth and cleaned his wound. "Ouch! Give me that thing and get out of here," said Larry as he shoved the servant to the ground then kicked him after taking the damp rag. Takeo what is it? You know better than to come in here when I'm working out."
"You need to hear this first hand. Our men lost that woman?" Takeo failed to mention that he had switched locations but that would've reflected back on him.
"What? How'd they manage that?" said Larry as he grabbed the phone from Takeo. "Tell me what happened and whose fault this is. Tell me now or you can stop by the funeral home and pick out your casket I'd hate to think we get you the wrong one."
"Makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen deshita, I'm so very sorry, truly I am but our leader was trying to follow that blonde American gaijin and we were ambushed. These men came out of nowhere somehow they drove the lead car into the bay. I swear there must've been a hundred or more. Tanaka was shot dead. Honest we fought hard but we were just out numbered."
"You did well wait there and I'll have someone come down and pick you up," said Larry as he hung up. "Takeo when they get back mount their heads on pikes out front that will sent a message to the rest, you don't screw up."
"Yes Tokugawasan, but I don't think it will be difficult to find out where they went. Our mole in Defense Intelligence can use his connection to upload sat imaging. We look when our guys were attacked then follow the vehicles and see where they went. I'll have a tac team on them by sundown."
"Wait until dark that way we'll have the advantage. I was afraid I was going to have to put your head on a pike with the other guys."
"I'm glad you changed your mind."
"At least for now."
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Morgan walked through the Buy More heading down to relieve Alex. He stopped by to check on Kat to make sure she and Sam were good. They decided to go ahead with Thanksgiving if nothing else for Sam. Ellie stayed and organized with Devon that he and Clara would come out as soon as they could.
"Son you're looking a little low these days," said Big Mike jumping Morgan as soon as he walked into the store.
"What? Oh hi Big Mike what? I guess I'm just thinking about Chuck being gone on that install during the holidays."
"You see that's what I wanted to talk to you about. That boy sure catches a lot of them you think at cooperate they'd pick someone else every now and then. At least he could take his wife and that should make her happy because it's important that you keep your spouse happy."
"Okay what is it? Just tell me and be done with it," said Morgan as he braced himself for one of Big Mike's barrages of lewd remarks about his mother.
"Well your momma was talking to me about the holidays and since Chuck and Sarah won't be here then we were wondering what you and Alex will be doing…
"Gee thanks but I'll have to ask Alex if we can come over. I don't know if she's made plans with her mother but…
"Hell no… I mean wait up son I think you've misunderstood, we were thinking about coming over and eating with you two. You know a chance for your mother to get to know her daughter in law and we all bond over a football game."
Morgan remembered the scene down in Castle between Chuck and Sarah over Chuck's inviting everyone over and knew he'd be in the same doghouse so he had to think fast.
"You know Big Mike you're right you should come over, everyone should come over…" Morgan started to say when Big Mike cut him off.
"I don't know if I were you I'd have everyone over. Skip might end up smoking the turkey and Fernando might drink the gravy bowl dry then throw up in your car."
"No not to our house…."
"Not the hell in your mother's, I mean our house either. Son what are you talking about? You haven't been hanging around too long with that group on the loading docks. Emmett told me once what goes on back there."
"No Big Mike what I'm talking about is having a potluck here at the Buy More for our employees, their families and friends. The Buy More will supply the meat. I can order Turkeys and hams. Everyone can bring a side dish and a dessert."
"Your momma is the main course of my life and let me tell you," said Big Mike. Here we go thought Morgan. "Muy caliente."
"And there we go."
"What'd you say son? I'm sorry I was lost in my thoughts thinking about the sweet and sultry Bolonia Garcia Bougainvillea Grimes-Tucker's rump roast with extra gravy."
"Sultry, my mother? Oh my God that used to be my favorite dish."
"I know son, I know. Hum hum, mouthwatering good, something I dying to get my hand on."
"No stop or I'll end up a vegetarian for life. I get it… well not really but yeah I do. Can you put a notice up in the break room and have everyone write in what they're bringing so we don't end up with ten green bean casseroles."
"Heaven forbid, I haven't been able to touch one since Anna brought in that one last Christmas. We can say Christmas now that Lester isn't here? I never could figure out that boy's affiliation if you know what I mean."
"I don't know if he knew either. Well Mike, make it happen I've got to duck into the office." Morgan shook of Big Mike and made it inside he sat at his desk then pressed the button for the trap door and was gone in a chute leading down below. Big Mike walked in right after him but Morgan was gone.
"One of these days that boy's going to have to show me how he does that," said Big Mike as he walked back out. He saw Skip standing by electronics picking his noise then looked over at Fernando scratching himself in home appliances. "No I don't want anything those hands have touched on my plate."
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Chuck, Sarah and Casey parked their Humvee not far from the beginning of the road, then covered it with brush so it couldn't be seen then hiked their way back the gravel road to a disused military complex. Fresh tire tracks led up to a tunnel dug in the side of a hill probably built during the war to protect against aerial bombardment and now to hide from big brother looking down from the sky.
"Okay the tracks disappear inside the tunnel. I'm not flashing so I haven't got a clue about how to get us in there. Anyone got any suggestions other than just walking in?"
"Reminds me of a hit I had to do in a stinking commie hell hole…" Casey started to say when Chuck interrupted him.
"John you ever wonder if you weren't being typecasted? It sure seems like every time the NSA wanted to whack someone if it was in a stinking commie hell hole someone would yell 'send John Casey'. I'm just saying there are plenty of commies on the French Riviera who deserve a good whacking."
"That just came out all wrong," said Sarah as she gave him a face. "Sweetie let Casey speak."
"Right what I was trying to say," said Casey as he looked at Chuck who shrugged his shoulders. "There was this rebel leader who thought if he slept in a tunnel he'd be safe with only one way in, one way out. His guards found him one day with a ka-bar buried in his chest."
"That's nice but maybe you should skip telling bed time stories to Sam and leave that to Kat," said Chuck. "How is that supposed to get us in the tunnel? Or do you want us to slash our way in?"
"I get it," said Sarah. "The ventilation shaft that's how you got in. No one thought about it because cause why? It was too narrow?"
"I was a little thinner back then."
"Not as many hot pockets or Subway Chocolate macadamia nut cookies," said Chuck as Casey grunted.
"Guys cut it out before we get caught," said Sarah as she led them around the tunnel entrance. "Here we go," she said as they started pulling away years of growth. Under some dense foliage they found the entrance to an air shaft then lowered themselves inside. Crawling on hands and feet they made their way deep inside the tunnel until they could hear Kenji, Jill and Nee-san talking.
"Don't freak out," Chuck said the Sarah. "I realize this has got to be creeping you out hearing yourself."
"Chuck, why are we here," asked Sarah. But what she wanted to know was more than why they were physically there she wanted to know more.
"Yeah Chuck," said Casey adding gasoline to the fire. "You brought you wife to help your ex and her twin."
"I don't have a twin," said Sarah giving them both a look.
"Right, well whatever," said Casey. "What are we going to do now?"
"You guys stay out of sight and let me do the talking. If things go sideways feel free to intervene but I got this," said Chuck. He realized he hadn't answered her question but he wasn't sure he had an answer.
"Chuck, Sweetie please be careful," said Sarah as they kissed kneeling not very comfortable but they kissed the same.
"Hey don't worry I know who my wife is and where my heart belongs," said Chuck as he worked his way closer then dropped inside a supply room just off the main lab where he could listen better.
"So Chuck just decided to make a run for it," said Jill. "Well I'm not buying it. You had better not have hurt him."
"Or what?" said Kenji. "Doctor, can you hurry up and do your job. Can't you see Nee-san isn't feeling good?"
"I could hurry up a lot faster if I could read Korean but I don't. All I can do is read the formulas and hope to decipher something from them."
"Kenji let her work," said Nee-san. "I think it's about time we talked about what's going to happen after I'm no longer in charge."
"No we're not there yet…"
"No you're not," said Chuck as he walked out. Everyone was dumbfounded some of Kenji's men ran into the supply room but there was no one else "Jill let me see those journals."
"Chuck but…" Nee-san started to speak but stopped as she looked at Kenji who was staring at the ground.
"It wasn't his fault he was only trying to protect you," said Chuck as he leafed through the different pages of notes looking for any reference to viruses and gene reversal.
"Kenji protect me from what?" said Nee-san wanting Kenji to speak but he wasn't able to find the words he was looking for.
"From yourself, I believe. He was worried that the more time we spent together the more you'd be attracted to me like my Sarah. But love isn't decided by genes. You might look and sound like my Sarah but you aren't her and if you both were honest with each other you would know you are more than business partners. That's how things might have started but that's not the way things are now. Here we go looks like he had a virus already primed to try out H5N1. Jesus this is an Ebola strain."
"If it doesn't kill you then it makes you stronger."
"According to the notes you need to administer 10ccs and then she needs to spend a day in a stasis chamber. Do you have any functional life pods here?"
"Yes they're in the other room. This way," said Kenji as he helped Nee-san with Chuck and Jill brought up the rear.
"Lay her inside while I go get what we need," said Jill as she went to get the vial and a syringe. She came back drew what she need and was about to inject her.
"Wait," yelled Chuck, "you need to know there's a side effect. You're going to run a very high fever the stasis chamber will help your body but there could be adverse effects to your brain."
"If I don't take this I will die. I watched my sisters die Chuck I'm not ready. Jill go ahead." Jill administered the shot then connected her to the pod closing it afterwards.
"We can monitor her from the control panel on the outside of the pod. She'll be able to hear and see us but if Chuck is right then delirium will set in as soon as her fever peaks."
"Kenji one of the adverse effects Lee listed is memory loss. I've been down that road but if you love her fight for her. A relationship Kenji isn't like what some people say a fifty-fifty deal. It's a hundred percent every day but it's a labor of love as easy as breathing. I won't lie to you there are ups and downs but when she says 'I love you' everything melts away."
Chuck motion Jill to leave with him as they left Kenji in the room to talk with Nee-san through the stasis chamber.
"That was really nice what you told Kenji," said Jill as she noticed a strange look on Chuck's face then she looked in the direction he was staring. Inside an open metal cabinet there were video tapes marked 'Subject Alpha Test/Interrogation Quinn/Lee'. "Chuck nothing good can come from you watching those."
"Oh no like your connection to Lee. Your name is written in the last part of his journal along with a note on how hopeful he was that between your research in genetics and his, new breakthroughs could be made possible. What was he a kindred soul or two mad scientists sharing a common goal? What happened Jill, the heat got too hot in the kitchen so you had to get out?"
"Chuck what would you say if I said yes to everything."