Don't own Chuck

Chuck rode the elevator up from the Bank to the lobby stopping off to check to make sure Jack was still in his office. He yelled in to ask if they were still on for nine and Jack gave him a thumbs up while talking on the phone. Chuck felt bad that he was really trying to see if Jack would betray himself but he'd been a conman too long to break cover. As he went back to the elevator he noticed Molly and Razib sitting in the lounge each with a huge banana split in front of them and each with a grin from ear to ear. Riding up he tried to figure out a way to break the news to Sarah he wished things were as simple as when he was a kid when a cherry cheese cake split with Morgan helped relief a pain the same size in his heart.

"Love, guess what we don't have to worry about setting an extra place for Jack at the Thanksgiving or Christmas tables for the next fifteen to twenty years depending on time off for good behavior. No definitely not," Chuck said to himself, "that would only get me hurt. Come on Chuck man up she said she was immune. Yeah like I really believed that well whatever Chuck this is the moment of truth," he said to himself as he took a deep breath before grabbing the door knob then opening. He still wasn't sure what he was going to say when he walked in.

"Sarah I think we need to…" Chuck stopped speaking as soon as he crossed the threshold. He felt the tension in the air as soon as he stepped through the door. Sarah was talking to Emma from the bathroom while Emma was watched Sam on the bed.

"Yuck boo-boo," said Sam as she held her arms up with Mr. Rabbit firmly in her grip wanting to be picked up.

"Sweet Pea," said Chuck as he sat down beside her on the bed and she came jumping in his lap pressing Mr. Rabbit to his face.

"Thank you Mr. Rabbit for the kiss I feel all better. Can I have a kiss from my baby," said Chuck as Sam gave him a peek on the cheek then curled up on the bed giggling. "I hope you're in there getting ready or we're all going to be late. Oh I don't think Margo is going to make it she told me she had some last minute work to get done."

Chuck decided to take the middle ground and put out feelers before he tackled the issue head on. It was clear he walked into the middle of something but until he was sure what was going on he needed to skirt the issue.

"I'm sorry," said Sarah as she tried to clear the lump from her throat. "I hope this won't keep Razib from coming. I really want to find from him what's been going on."

"No I told her I wanted him to come one way or another her work can't affect the children," said Chuck yelling back into the bathroom. Well he did it he'd sent the first subliminal message that he knew there was a problem. He just hoped she understood. "Emma shouldn't you be getting ready? Love, do you need any help in there?"

"You're right I should go and get changed. I hope Molly and Razib didn't spoil their appetites down in the lounge waiting for us." Chuck wanted to say don't hold your breath but thought it was best if he just didn't say anything. Emma left then Chuck scooped Sam up with one arm then went over to the bathroom.

"Let's go check on mommy," said Chuck as he brought Sam over with him. "Sarah I think we need to talk about what's going on."

"No don't come in please," said Sarah as Chuck walked in. He saw her face, her puffy eyes and knew something was seriously wrong.

"Hey you've been crying what's the matter. Listen we don't have to go down for dinner if you don't want to. I know some of what's going on I talked with Margo and she told me about Jack and Emma." Sarah stood there listening to Chuck as she braced herself against the sink then looked up in the mirror.

"Chuck, why is my family so screwed up?"

"They did one thing right, you," said Chuck as he walked in and kissed her then Sam had to kiss her too. "I love you and for this evening let's forget all about what's going on."

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Oscar had his SUV valet parked then went into the casino. Walking up to the reception desk he picked up the keycard for the room that had been reserved for him. But as he was about to go up to dropped off his things he noticed a man he thought he recognized. The man had a familiar look about him one he had seen once with Mister X talking about people that needed to be handled. That's when it struck him what the man was, competition.

"Crap," said Oscar as he watched a man bump into him then caught a glimpse of a pistol inside the man's jacket. He had his confirmation. "Okay, don't go panicking Mr. Smith told you that you weren't the only person working this hit."

Oscar changed his plans and decided to hold onto his case for the time being. The tools inside might come in handy later on. So he went into the bar and got a drink then found a place to sit where he could keep an eye on his competitor. He might have gotten into the game late but he could still take home the prize.

"What's this," said Oscar when he saw his targets meeting together in the lobby then they crossed over to the restaurant for dinner. His competitor seemed to wake up and take notice too.

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Before dinner started Chuck informed everyone that Margo wouldn't be able to join them because of work. Molly had Razib well versed in the art of fine dining American kid style, they both ordered open face cheeseburgers with chips the European equivalent to fries. Sarah ordered short pasta in broth that she fed most of to Sam. Chuck and Emma both ordered sole but neither really ate any just moved it around on the plate. Jack was the only one who really ate and ate well Châteaubriand served with sautéed julienne zucchini. His meal was supposed to be for two but Jack was particularly hungry.

"Dad why didn't you order the saddle too," said Sarah looking over at Jack's plate. Wondering if this was what they served in SuperMax as a last meal.

"I know, I know but I was talking to the chef before and he told me he wanted me to try this dish. The people from the Michelin are supposed to be by and he wanted me to rate his work before they came. This was a winner but looking at the rest of you I don't know."

"Well as cheeseburgers go it wasn't that bad but nothing to write home about," said Molly, "I still prefer Ins and Outs."

"I think I need to have talk with Mr. Jefferies and see what he's teaching you guys," said Emma listening to Molly's critic of her meal.

"Raz how was your meal? You've been awfully quiet," said Chuck. "What is it? Is there something you want to ask?" Sarah took a deep breath she hadn't told Chuck about what the kids had asked her and now was too late to say anything.

"Well I know this might sound stupid but why do you call a hamburger a hamburger if there's no ham in it? The first time I was given one I didn't want to eat it."

"Because you thought it had pork in it which is unclean. I don't know," said Chuck as he tried to flash but nothing. "My guess is it has to do with the city it was invented in. But whether that was Hamburg Germany or New York I couldn't tell you but I can understand you perplexity and Raz the only stupid question is the one not asked."

"Are you going to arrest Jack," asked Razib in Maghreb Arabic. Sarah looked at Chuck she flashed and understood.

"I know I'm here with you eating this meal and am happy. What's going to happen afterwards I cannot know. I know where I've been and I know where I hope to go but those foot prints haven't been made yet," Chuck told him back in Maghreb.

"Do we have to wait for the subtitles or do we get a translation?" asked Jack seeing how intense Chuck's speech to Razib was.

"Jack he asked me a question and I told him time reveals everything, no secret can be kept forever," said Chuck as Jack looked at him odd. "A toast, if Sarah will let me have this one drink, to family and friends." Chuck took Sarah's wine glass toasted then sipped afterwards passing it back to her.

"Okay let's all go get ice cream. I'm buying and I don't want to hear any arguments. Like I said this morning there's a little place in a square in old town you'll love if nothing else because it's the only place that serves Rocky Road," said Jack as they got up and went out into the lobby.

"I'm sorry Dad," said Molly. "But Mr. Jefferies gave us a lot of homework and we couldn't finish it before we came to eat."

"I'll write you both a note and sign your mother's and Margo's name to it telling this guy off. Who does he think he is getting in the between you guys and ice cream?"

"Oh no you won't do anything of the kind," said Emma. "I'll take you two upstairs and make sure you get everything done then off to bed. Raz you can spend the night with us I'll call your mother. Sarah why don't you give me Sam she looks like she's falling asleep as it is. Jack this ice cream party should've been done earlier in the day."

"You're right as usual. I guess I was thinking about other things."

"Like old times," said Emma. She couldn't help herself she felt herself getting angry and she just blurted out.

"What that supposed…" Jack started to say but Sarah handed Sam to Emma quickly then put her arm around Jack's leading him away with Chuck bringing up the rear.

"Do they have real Rocky Road Dad?" asked Sarah as she glanced back at Chuck. Chuck wasn't sure he liked seeing her play her father. Jack was family not a mark even if Jack would've done the same to them it still didn't feel right to him.

"Yeah Angel you're going to love it."

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Oscar took up his position sipping on his sparkling water. He only had one real drink them switched to water because he wanted his head clear and his hands steady if the opportunity arose to take the shoot. Now he was glad he had as he watched his targets leave the restaurant then break off from the group leaving the hotel with Oscar's competitor on their heels. "This was going to be like taking candy from a baby," he said to himself. The man Oscar was trailing was so caught up in following the targets that he didn't realize he was being tailed which made it a tail on a tail.

"Sorry dude nothing personal but business is business," said Oscar to himself as he dropped money on the table then followed everyone out the door carrying his tool box close at hand. "Nothing personal but I'll take you out if you get in my way."

Oscar trailed his man through the twisting streets of old town bumping into the usual lost tourists trying to find where they took a wrong turn. There were also the occasional drunks who had sampled too much produce from the local vineyards staggering about on the cobblestone streets. Oscar had to dodge a near mishap as one heaved up his soul in the middle of the street.

"Jesus man," said Oscar as he danced around him trying not to get any spatter on his case. But suddenly he realized he had lost them both his targets and the man who was trailing them. He felt like going back and killing that drunk or at least shoving his face in his mess but he didn't have time.

"Think man what do you do now," he muttered to himself as he looked around. Then he saw it a tall building that rose up over the rest probably an old city tower converted into apartments but the terrace roof was what he needed. After picking the front door he ran up the steps and another three hundred some odd steps until he finally reached the top.

"Good Lord next time tell Mr. Smith to supply an oxygen tank," he said to himself as he reached the top almost out of breath. One last lock to pick and he was on the roof top. Taking a board he propped it under the door handle to block it. One thing he couldn't afford was for someone to walk in on him and after securing the door he set about assembling the Dragunov.

"Okay now where are you," he said getting down in a prone position looking through his scope searching the areas he thought they could be. A square attracted his attention with a fountain and two mushroom top gas heaters there he saw his targets crossing in the open. Reaching up with his thumb taking the safety off then slipped his index finger inside the trigger guard but as he was about to pull they crossed behind one of the heaters then sat at a table on the other side of the fountain.

"Crap, if only I had the Barrett," he said. The Barrett was a fifty caliber anti-material rifle he could've shoot through the fountain but that was the big difference in weapons. The Dragunov was an anti-personnel rifle which meant if he tried to shoot through the fountain the round would most likely deviate and miss his target as well as alerting him. He opted instead for a different target if he couldn't take the prize he wasn't going to let his competitor take it either.

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They walked through the busy streets that seemed to come alive at night. Walking the winding roads they went past the churches of St. Lucas and St. Luke as they got lost in the masses passing them. Chuck's shoulder bothered him a little, it ached in the night air but he put the pain out of his mind as he walked behind them. This acting like everything was fine just didn't set well with him and he could only guess what it was doing to Sarah on the inside. The only person oblivious to the situation seemed to be Jack and he was the cause.

"Are we almost there," asked Chuck wanting this farce to come to an end. "We've been walking for while or are you lost?"

"Charlie we can rest for a bit if you're having trouble keeping up. How's that shoulder of yours? You know you guys never told me what you did to it?"

"The post office should be coming up soon and isn't Pjaca od kina around here close by," said Chuck avoiding answering Jack's question.

"And we're here, welcome to 'Paolo's Gelateria' I know the name is well kind of cornball but the guy who runs it is actually the third in a line Paolos. His great grandfather started the place he's the original Paolo," said Jack then turning to Chuck. "Charlie, be careful to the heaters I wouldn't want you tripping over anything and hurt your other shoulder."

"Right Jack thanks. There's a table on the far end on the opposite side of the fountain close to the other heater," said Chuck. "Is that good for you love?"

"Sure, it seems quiet enough, so we can talk," said Sarah as she shivered in the cool air. Jack took off his coat and put around her.

"Somehow I think this was all planned out. I've never seen Molly or Raz turn down an offer for ice cream and your mother has had a hangdog look for the past few days," said Jack as they went over to their table. Chuck pulled Sarah's chair out for her and seated her while Jack sat down.

Okay we're seated now what gives?" said Jack as a waitress came walking over to their table from behind Chuck.

"Hey where do you think you're going," said the bossy waitress calling Serena back. "That table is in my zone. Remember we talked about zones or do you need a refresher course? I realize we have so many tables that it's hard to keep track. Now go check the freezer while I take care of my customers."

"Yeah I'll do that," said Serena. "But maybe you could give me another lesson after you've served your table. I'll be waiting for you in the freezer."

"Jesus as dumb as a bag of hammers," said the bossy lady under breath as she walked over to their table. "Can I take you orders or would you like to see a menu?"

"No I know what I want I'll have two scoops of Rocky Road in a cup," said Sarah. "Now you guys need to make up your minds."

"Do you have anything else, like Scotch or Bourbon," said Chuck. Sarah shook her head as she gave him a frown of disapproval.

"Never mind him he's on medication," Sarah said the woman then turned to Chuck. "And you've had you're one sip and God knows how much grappa with Margo while I was gone today."

"Then bring her three scoops and two spoons," said Chuck as he leaned over and kissed her. "Jack you're up what'll it be?"

"I'll have a little glass of Paolo's homemade behind the counter. You know what I mean," said Jack as he winked at her.

"Yes I do," she said as she smiled back leaving and returning with Chuck and Sarah's Rocky Road she put in front of them then sat a small glass with liquor in front of Jack before leaving.

"I don't know what it is but this guy should bottle this stuff. I've been working on getting Paolo to sell me the recipe. We could make a fortune off this stuff marketing him like the Colonel Saunders of the Balkan. Just think about," Jack said as he took a sip.

"It's called Rakija or Serbia sweat, a type of homemade brandy," said Chuck. "But this isn't what we've got to talk to you about. Jack, what are you up to? And don't say nothing because that won't fly anymore."

"I told you I was just gathering a little intel for you guys. You know a little thanks you every now and then would go a long ways. Jesus, you think I robbed a bank or something."

"Well did you," asked Sarah looking over at Chuck who looked back. He took her hand in his then leaned into her and kissed her.

"Be careful what you say remember what Margo told me," said Chuck looking her in the eyes and realizing she was going to tell Jack anyway.

"Go settle the check while we talk," said Sarah. They had already worked this out as they were getting ready in their room. Margo had told Chuck not to tell Jack about the money and Di Padua but she hadn't talked to Sarah. So if she questioned Jack when he wasn't there Sarah didn't have to know she wasn't supposed to.

"You know Margo is going to get pissed," said Chuck then he kissed her. "But I also know Jack's family so go ahead."

Chuck got up and walked around behind the kiosk looking for someone to pay. But he couldn't find anyone, there was no one not even the woman who waited on them before so he ventured inside. On the floor in the kiosk he noticed what looked like raspberry toping that trailed out from the freezer with the door wide open.

"I'm sorry but I'd like to… Oh crap," said Chuck. The raspberry wasn't raspberry but half frozen blood from the bodies of the two girls inside and one was the woman who waited on them. "I'm sorry I was going to leave you a good tip." He grabbed an icepick next to the door then ran back out. When Chuck got out in the square he had a monster flash. Everywhere he looked he saw someone that was on the list he had given to Margo then over at his table standing next to it was Serena. Chuck remembered her without flashing. He pulled out his phone and sent Margo a coded distress message then he came up quietly behind Serena with the icepick concealed in his sling.

"Sweetie, you just had to have a drink, didn't you?" said Sarah as she held up two cocktails Serena had brought. "Well to show you we're going to drink them."

"No," yelled Chuck as he came up behind Serena and prick her in the back with the icepick. "Put them down, now. Serena do you remember me I remember you. It's hard to forget the first person who tried to poison you."

"Chuck, what's going on," said Sarah as she started to look around and began to flash to. "Oh my God we need to get out of here."

"There's no escape," said Serena. "It's over so you don't have a chance."

"We'll see about that what you feel in your back is an icepick I've got is stuck in between your T1 and T2 vertebrae one move in either direction and you're a paraplegic. I only want to know one answer. Who's after us?"

"No one is after you. The contract is for those two," said for Serena looking at Sarah and Jack.