Don't own Chuck
Chuck had both Excedrin headaches numbers thirty-nine and twenty-four after looking through the video feeds. He grabbed a sandwich for lunch so he could work through all the footage alone. Chuck had a hard time convincing Sarah to go but in the end she left because Sam needed to be fed. They both agreed an ex-dungeon even though freshly painted, decorated with a few posters, artificial plants and illuminated with new florescent lighting was no place for a child. Plus, after seeing the who's who list, Chuck figured they'd both end up with a headache and he was right. There was no reason they both should suffer so he sent Sarah along with the promise he'd catch up with her as soon as he was done.
"There you go Margo," said Chuck as he slid a notepad over to her wiping the tiredness out of his eyes. "I could use a bottle of Motrin right about now but not the over the counter kind I mean the good stuff."
"How about this," said Margo as she laughed pouring some grappa into his coffee. "This is better and you don't have to worry about popping positive on the next urine test."
"Thanks I shouldn't, I'm still on antibiotics but one can't hurt. Sarah would kill me if she knew," said Chuck as he took a sip. "I don't know what you've got going on here to attract this type of company. I just don't see a connector," he said then slouched back into his chair. "I'll be honest; I'm beginning to think it might be us or me."
"I was wondering the same thing," said Margo as she sat on the desk next to him. "Chuck you took a big hunk out of Hydra with your last two missions and if anyone is looking for some payback it would be them."
"Sarah and I talked about that too but I don't know that's just the problem we took a big hunk out of them. I don't think they have pockets deep enough now to put a price on my head that would justify the sheer number of mechanics that are on that list. I mean if you look at how much they're used to getting paid the payoff would have to be astronomical to justify the risk?"
"I don't know. Bring your coffee and come with me, I've got something I want you to see," said Margo as she led him into the back area of the bank. He recognized it as the detention area.
"Are you going to show me the guy you brought in when we came down? I know about him does he know what's going on?" asked Chuck as Margo showed him into the viewing room.
"This is…" Margo started to introduce him but Chuck flashed. He leaned on the glass as he looked in at the man pacing back and forth.
"That's Marco Di Padua, Jack's informant or that's what he told us today when we cornered him. You picked him up today? Does Jack know or did you bring Jack in too?"
"No, Jack just met him and gave him that case full of cash," said Margo pointing to the briefcase now sitting empty on the desk. "We waited for Jack to leave before we took down Di Padua."
"I just don't know. That guy is just a low life scumbag a bottom feeder on the Hyrda food chain what information could Jack get from him that would warrant that kind of payoff. We're missing something here," said Chuck watching the man pace around in the cell like a caged animal. He noticed the black eye and busted lip signs Margo already had a go at him.
"I'm thinking the same thing. I'm letting you know we brought him in as a courtesy but I don't want you to tell Jack not until I've had a chance to break him and so far he's being uncooperative."
"Well that tells you something he's more afraid of the people he works for than of you which makes an obstacle you've got to breech if you want him to talk. You need to dig into his past find a weakness. He worked out of Venice for a holding company. You might send an agent there to do some snooping. Go to his hotel room find out how he paid for it then trace the account back to a bank. Once you know the account number you can look for payments to restaurants where he might take a girlfriend, boyfriend or a mistress. Use CCTV to give you a picture then use facial recognition for a name and address. Look for purchases at boutiques or other places he might buy gifts for a significant other then use her or him to break him. Do you want me to go in and sit with him?"
"Chuck I appreciate the advice and offer but I don't want you or Sarah involved. I, We, can't afford for someone to come along and accuse us of tainting the case to give Jack a break. This has got to be done by the book following proper protocols."
"There's a proper protocol? Sorry I know, I know I'm not helping I guess I'm just tired from watching all that video footage. Okay I can live with that at least for now." said Chuck as he looked at his watch. "I'm late I need to go get changed for this evening."
"Chuck I don't think I'm going to be able to make it or even if I should with everything that's happening. The evening could turn awkward or embarrassing fast. I hope you understand if I sit this one out."
"I see your point but we should keep the kids out of this. Razib should come like normal and we don't say anything to him or to Molly."
"Agreed but I should tell you I talked with Emma," said Margo as she went into their conversation.
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Sarah was finishing feed Sam in their room when Razib and Molly knocked then came in. They had finished their classwork and wanted to spend time with Chuck and Sarah. When they walked in Sarah could tell there was something strange going on between the two of them but she didn't know what it was. Molly kept twisting back and forth and Razib was counting the tiles on the floor. After about five minutes of awkward silence Sarah knew she had to do something.
"Okay this is the last spoonful. Does Emma feed her or does she let Sam feed herself?" Sarah asked as she wiped down Sam who giggled as Sarah tickled her noise. "I probably ought to let her start feeding herself but I missed her like I've missed you guys. Don't worry I won't force feed you." They laughed.
"I think she lets her try for a while then when it gets too messy Mom takes over. It also depends if we're in a hurry or not," said Molly still dancing in place.
"Razib, I hope you've kept up with your Maghrebi script it was lovely and I'd like to see some later on if you don't mind."
"Yes I do Mr. Jefferies our teacher lets me write for art. Although he doesn't understand a word of what I write he likes the images. It was a compromise I didn't feel it was right to draw people or animals so I write," said Razib looking down at his feet.
"It sounds like a wonderful compromise. Okay guys, you know you two can ask me anything and I won't bite," said Sarah then she saw the horror on Razib's face. "I didn't mean it like that I meant you can tell me anything and I promise not to get angry. You've both had a look since you walked it. You know I love you two and nothing will change that. Razib you saved my life and Molly you're my sister. Guys what is it?" Molly looked over at Razib and nodded for him to go ahead but he shook his head. Then signaled back for her to go ahead which made her oscillate even more.
"Are you going to arrest Jack?" Molly blurted out.
"What? Where did you hear that we were going to arrest Jack?" said Sarah making a mental note that Molly wasn't calling him Dad anymore.
"We saw some men follow him out of the hotel. I know them because they work for my Mom and one of them always gives me chewing gum," said Razib. "I always take it because it would be rude not to but I really don't like it. Is that some sort of American custom?"
"Raz!" said Molly. "Do boys always go off the topic?" Sarah laughed and gave them both a kiss on the forehead. Razib turned red.
"I'm sorry continue please and no it's not, I guess the man just likes to share," said Sarah.
"Well, we saw Mom then Margo follow him out. Oh and Jack had one of those metal cases like you see in the spy movies with him. You know the ones where people put bombs in or carry guns. You don't think Jack has a gun?"
"Excuse me, no Jack doesn't like guns," said Sarah thinking they'd make a good surveillance team. "But weren't you both supposed to be in lessons in your room?"
"We were on break and there's a lady who works the lounge. She gives us fruit juice in the afternoon. We call it our cocktail hour," said Molly smiling. "She puts little umbrellas and funny straws in our drinks for us. I asked of a tea one day but she said I wasn't old enough. How old do you have to be to drink tea?"
"In some states twenty-one," said Sarah trying not to laugh at her cute little spy kids.
"Rhode Island must be one."
"Listen I'm going to need a big favor from you guys this evening. After dinner tell Jack you've got homework you need to finish and you can't go out for ice cream. I know it's a lot to ask for and I'll make it up to you but we adults need to talk. You both want to help Jack?" They nodded. "Good then we'll do an intervention."
"And Intervention on whom," said Emma walking into the room. "I should've guessed you two would be here. I asked Mr. Jefferies and he said he didn't know where you went off to. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Here," said Sarah as she walked over and took money out of her purse. "Go downstairs to the lounge and get whatever you two want while I talk with Emma."
"But you two don't move from there," added Emma as she tried to figure out what was going on and if the intervention she heard mentioned wasn't on her. "I'll be right down and don't ruin your appetites."
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Serena and Jorgen made their way to the open air kiosk specializing in ice cream and yoghurt. It was located in a small square with a fountain in the middle surrounded by white washed buildings with small tourist souvenir shops. 'Paolo's Gelateria' was actually just a hole in the wall with tables out front of a small ice cream shop where waitresses took then brought back orders. Serena got the job with no problem as the owner had a sudden emergency after their interview in the back. He just seemed to disappear. She told her new co-workers that he said he wasn't feeling well.
"Strange Paolo seemed fine this morning when we opened," said one of the girls. "He didn't seem like he had anything then?
"Paolo's never missed a day here since he took this place over from his father," said another girl who had been there for some time."
"Well I guess there's a first time for everything," said Serena wondering if there was enough room in the freezer for everyone.
"Hey you're up," said the same bossy girl. "You've got a customer sitting at your table. Go take his order then we need to have a little chat about how things work around here if you want to last."
"Sure thanks," said Serena going over in her head the myriad of ways she could make the woman disappear and never be seen again. She walked over to the table to find Jorgen sitting there smiling. "Tell me you got rid of the body from the freezer."
"All taken care of," said Jorgen. "But you'd better act like you're taking my order that woman over there is staring at you."
"If I didn't want to wait on all the tables I'd get rid of these two, like a case of bad ice cream. I wonder," she said as she clicked her pen. "I could stab their eyes out with this. I hope you're sure they're coming here this evening?"
"Yes don't worry I'm sure. Now what's the daily special? Remember you have to maintain your cover until after this evening."
"Hemlock, mandrake root, fox glove, take your pick or better name your poison and I'll serve it up straight or on the rocks."
"Let's just stick to a plain frozen yoghurt without any arsenic, thank you. Listen I'll set up on the other side of the square across from the fountain if you can't use your potion I'll bring plan Sig into play."
"One large frozen yoghurt right up," said Serena loud enough for her self-appointed boss to hear as she nodded her head. "Would you like anything else sir?" She noticed the woman was wiping tables moving closer to her so she could listen in on their conversation.
"No thanks… Well on second thought a glass of water would be nice."
"Yes, sir right away," said Serena as she walked past the other woman and she gave Serena a look like she was keeping an eye on her. This was going to be a long afternoon she thought, and she didn't know if the other woman was going to survive.
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Emma didn't have to be a spy to figure out why Sarah had sent the kids away. She sat down on the bed and braced herself for the storm that was about to come ashore. Sarah picked Sam up from her little chair then sat her down on the bed next to her. Sam broke free then crawled as fast as she could to the middle of the bed to retrieve Mr. Rabbit her faithful companion.
"She's as bad as you were with Bunny," said Emma. "You remember your stuff dog. I don't know what ever happened to him."
"I was with Dad," said Sarah in a thin voice. "We were in Chicago he was out collecting donations one day. We left our hotel that morning in an old Buick if I remember right with a screwdriver for a key. We went to this one place then he came back and in a hurry said we needed to get out of town. 'Things were too hot,' I believe were his exact words and we had to go right then so Bunny got left behind."
"I'm sorry Baby, I truly am," said Emma as she tried to reach out to take Sarah's hand but she pulled away.
"Mom, I don't want your pity. I don't want you to be sorry or you to apologize. What happened happened and let's leave it at that. I'm concerned about the future and why you were following Jack?"
"How did you know I was following your father," asked Emma trying to remember who could've seen her that would've told Sarah she didn't think Margo would've.
"I've got my sources so why were you following Jack?" said Sarah with the same tone she used in interrogations. "Are you denying you were following him?"
"Okay I admit I was following him it's useless to deny it. I had to find out where he was going when he ducked out of the casino. However, I lost him in old town when he went into a Turkish bath. I left as soon as I figured out what it was but I turned a few heads."
"Does this have to do with the case he was carrying and Margo following him?" said Sarah. She was getting upset with Emma telling her half-truths. There was something more going on and she was determined to get to the bottom of it.
"You know about the case then you know what was in it?" asked Emma as she searched Sarah's eyes for an answer, but she knew how to hold her cards close to her chest. "Margo knows so I don't see why I can't tell you. I saw your father take a large sum of money from the safe in his office."
"Jack told us that he was playing spy and in his words 'obtaining intel' for the agency. Margo told us the same thing on the ride in, but a briefcase full of money seems an awful lot. That would have to be a million or two depending on the denominations. Have you asked him what he was doing?"
"No, I talked with Margo and she didn't want me to. She's investigating your father and the man he gave the money to."
"You talked to Margo? Why would you do that? You realize if she finds out he's up to something that isn't kosher he could lose everything and be sent to prison."
"What could I do? She caught me following him then we went for tea. She told me she was going to bring in Jack's contact and get to the bottom of it," said Emma. Sarah had flashbacks of her childhood and all the times she watched Jack getting handcuffed then led away. "Listen Margo and I have a deal," continued Emma. "She's going to give me a heads up if Jack is going to be taken away. I'll take Molly and leave so she won't see it. I didn't protect you but I'm not going to let this happen to her."
"And you don't think Molly won't know? How are you going to explain why you left in a hurry and where Jack is or why she can't say goodbye? What are you going to do when she gets a letter from Jack addressed from SuperMax? Or are you going to screen her mail then one day she finds out what you've done what do you think she's going to think of you then?
"Are we still talking hypothetical or is this something else?" Emma had the impression Sarah was talking in the first person or even if Sarah realized she had gone from talking about her to talking about me.
"I really don't want to get into this. But Mom, Jack's your husband, ex-husband, companion I don't even know how you two define your relationship," said Sarah as she got up turning her back to Emma.
"I'm sorry," said Emma. She never really understood how much pain Sarah hid from her or just how deep her waters were until then.
"Seems like that's your favorite word… I didn't mean that it came out wrong. Watch Sam for a second," Sarah said as she went into the bathroom and ran water in the sink. She took a deep breath before looking in the mirror. Her tears were flowing making her mascara run and she was a mess. She washed her face as quickly as she could then checked herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy but there was nothing she could do about that.
"Honey I'm….." Emma started to say sorry but caught herself before she said it. "I don't know what to say. What do you want to hear from me?" said Emma stood in the bathroom doorway.
"Nothing, nothing right now, I want you to watch Sam and the kids tonight after dinner. I've already talked to them they're going to have homework to take care of and won't want to go out so you're going to stay with them. I'll give you Sam then we'll all go out and I'll have a heart to heart with Jack."
"What are you going to do if Margo is there? You can't let her know you know what's going on and don't expect him to say anything to you with her there."
"Do you think I care if she's there? Seems the only way to get the truth is go straight to the source and force it out of him. Force it out of him yes," said Sarah as she remembered the hooded man they brought into the bank. Now she wished she had let Chuck volunteer.
"Sarah, talk to Chuck before you do anything that you can't undo. Don't get yourself or Chuck into trouble. Your father's sins are his alone and don't let him pull you down."
"Emma if there's one thing Chuck's taught me that's fight for your family. You protect your own and like it or not Jack is my father."