Don't own Chuck

The man Chuck flashed on ran out of the hotel made his way across the street then jumped in a black Mercedes SUV and sped off driving out of town. He took a side street off the main road honking his horn to scatter a herd of sheep that he found blocking his way. The shepherd hurled insults at him as he went by driving to an isolated run down house in the middle nowhere. He parked in the back then walked inside only to be greeted by a .357 magnum pointed at his face as he walked through the door.

"Get that thing out of my face or we're going to have trouble," said Jorgen as he batted the pistol away. "Don't you know better than to play with guns?"

"You were supposed to use the password before you came in like we agreed. You're just lucky I didn't blow your fool head off."

"I guess I wouldn't have to worry about buying another hat and think about how much money I'd save on razors but talk about a headache."

"Cut the crap and tell me what you found out or I just might decide to shoot you anyway," said the blonde headed woman as she laid her Colt on a table.

"I saw both of them in the casino today. Yes they're there together and I overheard them say that they're going to eat in the restaurant then go to the old town for ice cream."

"Inside the casino could be a problem with the CIA watching but did you hear which ice cream place they're going to go to in old town?"

"There's only one that serves Rocky Road and I also happen to know they're looking for help. This could be our chance to cash in big. With your skillset you could make this quick and silent. They'll be dead before they realize it."

"Yes I like the way you think Jorgen. Yes, yes I can make this work. I've got a nice cyanide hybrid I've used before in Berlin on a Syrian ambassador those were the salad days working for the Ring. There was only one guy who got away and because of him I rotted behind bars."

"Just remember Serena you work for us now and the Merchant was the man who got you out of that French prison. He wants his pound of flesh delivered afterwards."

"I thought it was a half a kilo," said Serena as Jorgen made a face. Jorgen realized Serena had never dealt with Imperial units.

"A half a kilo is one pound but never mind all he really wants is proof of death and we can do that with a photo along with a newspaper clipping. Come on we need to get you hired and ready for this evening."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sarah and Chuck went to their room with Sam. Sarah sat her on the bed as she pulled clothes out of her suitcase for herself and Sam. She dressed Sam in a new blue sundress with a bright yellow hairband that Sam kept touching. Chunk sat on the bed and waited for Sarah to bring Sam out dressed. He smiled as he clapped and Sam giggled.

"I'm the luckiest man alive I have two gorgeous women to take care of me," said Chuck as he got up and kissed Sarah then kissed Sam on the forehead.

"Let me get ready then I'll help you with your shoulder," said Sarah as she ducked back into the bathroom. Chuck laid back on the bed with Sam who took off her hairband and decided she would try and put it on Chuck. When she figured it wouldn't fit she decided to give Mr. Rabbit a try.

"You don't think this group of assassins have anything to do with us," asked Chuck as he tickled Sam's tummy and she balled up giggling.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," said Sarah as she stuck her head out of the bathroom. "Don't let her get her dress dirty or wrinkled."

"Sorry we were just playing," said Chuck. "You don't think it's too much a coincidence that we show up and they do too?"

"You know there's no such thing as a coincidence in our line of work. I'm glad Sam has found someone her own age to play with," said Sarah as she came out and turned around for Chuck to zip her up.

"Ha, ha very funny Mrs. Carmichael," said Chuck as he kissed her on the neck. Sam took both hands and put them over her eyes then fell over giggling.

"You made her do that admit it!" said Sarah laughing. "It's too cute for her to do that on her own she had help. Confess Mr. Carmichael or there could be torture."

"Okay, okay," said Chuck. "We might have been playing peekaboo but can we still have some torture. I've been very bad you know."

"Yes you have been," said Sarah as she put her arms around him then kissed him. "But now we need to get down to the bank."

"Can't we bank on line from up here," said Chuck as he kissed her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Emma was in the bar next to the casino entrance when she saw Jack walk through. He seemed to be in a hurry which caught her attention she didn't know why but she decided to follow him to see what he was up to. He went straight into his office but in his rush forgot to close the door so she stood outside looking in. Watching him from the doorway she saw him open his safe then he took out a large sum of money and placed it in a case before closing it. She stood off to the side when he came back out carrying the case so she followed him. She trailed him out of the hotel and across the street he hung a right then headed towards the old town.

"Crap Jack what are you into," said Emma as she tried to keep up but not close enough to be seen. In the old town it was difficult the streets were narrow and crowded so she needed to stay closer. The cobblestone pavement didn't help any either she had to keep an eye on him not on the pavement so she was tripping and risked twisting her ankle quite a few times.

"Okay what now," said Emma as she watched Jack enter a doorway with hanging beads so she followed him inside only to find men looking at her strange that was when she discover it was a Turkish bath.

"You have to leave," said a man in broken English. "No women allowed here. Go away," said the man in a loud voice. There was only one option for her and that was to turn and run. She didn't know if she was flushed because she was embarrassed or if it was the warm air of the sauna but she knew she was.

"Emma what are you doing here," she heard a voice call her. She turned around to find Margo standing there.

"I was just… well I just… You see I thought I'd stretch my legs and walk down here to old town and see some of the sights. I never get out."

"You can save it I was tailing Jack too and I saw you. I've got two men inside following him so before you and I cause a scandal and let Jack know we're following let's go have a tea. I was thinking about going to the Citadella and sitting out on the terrace. I hear the views of the bay, town and mountain

Battlements are wonderful."

"I've heard the same thing and also I heard their Jasmine tea was good," said Emma then looked at Margo. "Do you know what Jack's up to? And would you tell me if you knew?"

"Emma I can tell you with all honesty I don't know what he's doing and if I did you're right I might not be able to so believe me when I say I don't know," said Margo as she led the way on foot to the bar. "I was hoping you could tell me if you knew why he needed all that money?"

"I saw him clean out the safe in the casino," said Emma feeling guilty then angry. She felt guilty that she was telling on Jack and angry with him for putting her in this position.

"I don't know but I know his contact Marco Di Padua was seen arriving at the airport. He arrived yesterday and is staying not too far from here. I've got a tail on him and the last report I got on him was he was heading this way."

"What does that mean? Is he Jack's partner in crime? I trusted him again and this is what he does. He just can't help himself and I let him get close to Molly. I just never learn do I? And now I've let him ruin another life."

"You're talking about Sarah. I talked to her and Chuck about Jack. They're supposed to talk to him but I'm interested in this Di Padua. After Jack makes the drop we're going to let him walk away then grab Di Padua. I want a heart to heart with him I'm not sure he's Jack accomplice or if he's Jack's blackmailer."

"So you think this man is forcing Jack to give him money but for what? I don't know of anything that he's done that he could be blackmailed for. Just ask him and he'll tell you just about everything he's done. If he doesn't mention something it's because he's done so many cons he can't remember them all."

"We're here," said Margo as she let Emma pass then she followed. "Wow they were right the view is gorgeous from up here. Two Jasmine teas," said Margo seeing the waiter head for them.

"I really wanted Jack to be different this time but part of me knew he could never change," said Emma as she sat down in a chair with her back to the sea. She just couldn't enjoy the view not with the mood she was in now.

"Don't beat yourself up some much you did good by Sarah. She seems to have come out alright and she found her love in Chuck."

"Sarah was more an accident in all senses of the word and you're right. Chuck is what every mother in law hopes to have in a son in law. Chuck is the antithesis of Jack in almost every way but Jack is a charmer."

The waiter came over and sat their teas on the table in front of them then left. They had to blow on them to cool them but the Jasmine smell was so inviting they took little sips and the tasted matched the fragrance.

"This is really good," said Margo as she sipped more and Emma nodded her head agreeing the tea almost helped her forget her problems but then Margo's phone rang. "Tell me what you got. … Okay take him back to the bank put him in a cell and tell him to get comfortable he won't be going anywhere right away. I'll interrogate him after we sweat him a bit." Margo hung up her phone and put it away.

"I take it you got your man," said Emma as she drank her tea. "Can I ask you to give me a heads up when you arrest Jack so I can pack up and take Molly away? I don't want her to see him taken away. I couldn't protect Sarah but I won't let history repeat itself."

"I'll get you tickets back to Burbank and hand them to you that will be our signal for you to leave but I hope it doesn't come to that."

"Neither do I but I have to think of Molly. Jack made his bed and I've laid in it too many times. I won't put that poor child through this."

"I'm heading back to the casino if you want to walk back with me you can come along. I've got to go and check on our prisoner and then prepare him for questioning."

"No I think I'll just sit here for a while but you go ahead and don't forget about dinner this evening at nine. I know Chuck and Sarah will want you there."

"I'll see them back at the bank and if I can come depends on how cooperative Mr. Di Padua is." Emma watched as Margo got up and left then disappeared. She liked Margo and Razib, Margo reminded her a lot of herself a lifetime ago. However, she had had a little girl whose life she screwed up and marred forever. Now there was another little girl and she wasn't going to get it wrong this time.

"Excuse me are you finished," asked the waiter as he removed their cups and wiped the table down. "Can I get you something else?"

"What?" said Emma lost in her thoughts. "Oh yes I'll have another tea please… No wait, I'll have a bourbon neat instead and I really don't care what brand."

The waiter walked away looking a little perplexed but Emma got up and moved her chair around to look out at the sea. She needed a little liquid fire to do some soul searching and she wasn't sure if she'd like what she found.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Oscar's charter jet took off from Gatwick with a flight plan that took him straight to Tivat International. The ride was a little bouncy but he didn't pay much attention, he was busy reading all the material his employer had left for him on the plane. He had hotel and casino information along with a stack of chips to play so he could gather his own intel first hand. There was also a map of the hotel with room numbers marked. He thought about a window shot but seeing as there were two targets that would be problematic then none of the surround buildings offered him a good vantage point. After a while he put everything away then inspected his tool box. Inside he found a Dragunov, a Russian made sniper rifle, light weight easy to conceal but precise and reliable the best choice considering the targets and location. Then there was a Makarov 9mm with suppressor. Oscar could see his boss did most of his weapons shopping in Gorky park.

"Mister Oscar," said the Co-pilot as he was closing the tool box. "We'll be landing it Tivat soon. I was told to tell you a car with keys will be waiting for you in our hangar. If you don't need anything I have to go back to the cockpit this is a tricky airport to land in."

"No, no I don't need anything. I think I have everything I need right here," said Oscar as he patted the case he had just closed then he went back to his seat and got all his things together.

The Learjet touched down in Tivat then taxied over to a hangar where it disappeared inside away from prying eyes and curious on lookers. There were no customs inspections that Oscar had to worry about. He was manifested as an EU citizen and the plane was registered and chartered out of a member EU nation so under the Schengen Convention he had freedom of movement.

He took his bags put them in the black BMW SUV waiting for him in the hangar. Oscar got into the vehicle then activated its GPS.

"State you destination," said a female metallic voice more sounding like she was inviting him back to her place then giving directions.

"Gran Casino, Kotor shortest route."

"Penetrate exit, and go straight…" said the same metallic voice.

"You keep that up and we'll get along smashing," said Oscar smiling.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chuck and Sarah finished changing then left their room with Sam. They went down to the elevator where Chuck put his hand on the mirror like panel next to the keypad a blue light came on passing over his hand then he looked into the panel and a green light scanned both eyes. A text came on the mirror asking for voice recognition.

"Agent Carmichael," said Chuck.

"Recognition confirmed. Welcome to the bank Agent Carmichael we hope you have a pleasant experience with us today." Chuck looked over at Sarah and she shrugged her shoulders as the elevator descended.

"Sounds to me like the programmers didn't have anything to do or were bored," said Chuck. "But I would've done the same just maybe tweaked the voice a little giving it a more sultry sound."

"Oh really, you would've huh… and do we women get a say in who we talk to or is this as usual a guy thing." Suddenly Chuck felt he was on the spot with both Sarah and Sam staring at him.

"I don't know who'd you like to talk to Daniel Crag perhaps or Roger Moore. I know how about Pierce Brosnan?"

"Why does it have to be someone who played James Bond? Are those the only voices you can think of? How about Miles Davis or Quincy Jones?"

"And you're giving me crap about sultry? Well we can rule out Sean Connery by the time you figured out what he said the thing would time out and kick you out." Sarah laughed and Sam giggled. "What did you understand," said Chuck. He kissed both his women as the elevator opened up.

"Welcome to the Bank," said a familiar voice as they stepped off. "I don't know if you remembered me from Rome…."

"Yes Mike isn't it? You were tech support back there," said Sarah. "Sorry if I don't shake your hand but I've got mine full as you can see."

"I can. Just follow me," said Mike as he walked them over to a terminal. "This is your workstation while you're here. One second there you go I've logged you in so you can get started. Here is the menu and the video feeds are recorded here," said Mike as he walked them through the setup.

"I hate to impose but you used to make the best coffee. Margo told us she brought a coffee machine from Italy and I was wondering if…"

"Sure two espresso coffees coming up. I should also tell you she brought a bottle of grappa with her too. It's in her desk over there I'm sure you can pick the lock." They all laughed as Sam looked at them like they were crazy.

"Maybe later," said Sarah. "Where is Margo anyway? I thought she said she'd be here when we came down?"

"She got word about a sighting at the airport so she took a team out to do an extraction. From what I understand everything went like clockwork and she should be back soon. Looks like we'll have a guest down here for a while," said Mike as a couple men in black dragged a hooded man through back to the detention area.

"Not our problem," said Sarah as she caught Chuck's look and knew he was about to offer. "Let's start looking through the feeds this will take us long enough without adding to it. There that's the man you saw in the lobby." Sarah braced herself and had the same flash Chuck had before. "Yes Jorgen White, crap there's another one at the front desk. That's Pablo 'the cleaver' Stilton known for hacking his victims to death."

"Margo was right what's going on? This looks like a hitman class reunion. Where did they go to school at Bullet High and their colors only one 'black'. Their school mascot was 'death' and their principal and vice principal were Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson."

"Chuck Sweetie, don't freak out your spiralling. Let's just make a list of names then give them to Margo to run. Somewhere down the line there has to be a unifying denominator we just haven't found it yet."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Looking out a window from his Venetian office a man stared out at the setting sun on the Gran Canal with a drink in his hand. Smiling to himself he took a sip thinking his long wait for revenge was finally coming to an end. There was a knock at his door and he turned as another man entered carrying a folder.

"How goes everything in Kotor? Have we heard back from Di Padua yet?" asked the man as he walked over to refresh his drink. "Would you like one?"

"No thanks Boss. No we haven't heard from him, he's actually late checking in but he did send us more photos," said the man as he laid them out on the man's desk. "As you can see the two of them are in Kotor now staying at the Gran Casino. I've passed all this on to our operatives in the field as well as to all the private contractors."

"Good, good I've waited a long time for this day. Can you blame me for wanting to savour the moment," he said as he took a drink.

"Sir, I don't want to overstep my position but are you sure you want to go through with this? The CIA and the FSB might not like what you've got planned and retaliate."

"We've been working for both sides for a long time acting as their go between. We've passed their little messages and secrets back and forth, arranged their dealings with each other when they didn't want to get their hands dirty now I've got their secrets. The proof is locked up beneath us so if they decide to get between me and my prize I'll publish it all. It's all about profits and losses. I don't think they'll risk me burning down their houses for two people."

"Boss I hope you're right. We don't need new enemies. Our Hydra contacts have all but dried up after their last failure and our revenues took a hit with them."

"But I took care of their problem in the Shetlands for them. Paolo you worry like an old woman. Have a drink and relax with me," said the man as he handed him a grappa then went back to his window. "Did you know the Doges used to marry the sea?"