Don't own Chuck

Margo was looking at Marco through the one way glass he looked up at her as if he knew she was standing there and smirked. Yes, he was a smirker and if there was one thing Margo hated was a smirker. She resolved herself to the fact that one way or another she would break him. She didn't care how long it took or what she had to do he was hers. Screw enhanced interrogation techniques she was thinking she'd bring back the day when the bank was used as a dungeon and go medieval on him.

"Margo," said Mike as he stuck his head in. Mike was the only one allowed to call her by her first name. He'd been with her for a long time so he'd earned that privilege but to the others she was Chief and that was the way she liked it.

"What is it Mike? You wouldn't know if we've got an iron maiden or a rack lying around? Maybe even a wheel. I feel like I want to break something."

"Well for now you'll going to have to chill," said Mike. "General Beckman's on the monitor for you and she was asking if we had your friend in there."

"What'd you tell her," ask Margo as she looked back at her smirker and wondering what the General's interest was in a low life like Marco. She knew this couldn't be good.

"I told her I was tech support and analysis; I wasn't in the loop for the daily logistics that took place here at the bank and if she wanted that she needed to ask you. I don't know if she bought it but that's what I said."

"I appreciate it Mike and if crap hits the fan I'll make sure you're covered. I don't like this but let me see what our boss wants." Margo followed Mike out to the communications center. The General was waiting dressed in civilian clothes with a bright yellow sundress with a large beach hat hanging in the back tapping her finger on her desk not looking happy. "General I was just told you were looking for me."

"Yes Chief Silverman I was having a perfectly good evening. Do you want to know what I was doing? I was out with Agent Montgomery, he and I drove to Hampton Roads where we bought two buckets of oysters and a bottle of Prosecco then we were going to go to drive down to Myrtle Beach to watch the Moon rise over the Atlantic."

"That sounds very nice ma'am," said Margo as Mike made faces on the other side of the monitor trying to figure out what the General was getting at. "I assume there's something in there that involves me?"

"Oh you can bet your bottom dollar on that. We were halfway there when I get summoned back to the White house and have to listen to the Secretary of State whine for over an hour about how we're violating some guys civil rights in an unlawful detention. Seems a man by the name of Marco Di Padua went missing in your AOR and the State Department believes we've picked him up. But I assured everyone that had we picked him up I would know about it."

"You know he'll probably show up within twenty four hours with a very bad hang over and probably not remember anything of the last twenty-four or forty-eight hours."

"I'm counting on it. Agents Carmichael are visiting you aren't they? Of course they are I should've put the two things together. Tell Chuck I have a two bucket of oysters that Roan forgot in my car under the scorching noonday heat. Let him know I don't have Air Wick in my car anymore I have air went."

Suddenly an alarm what went off and a satellite image of their location zoomed in on flashing red dot. As Mike rushed in typing on a keyboard bring up CCTV feeds of the location.

"That's a global emergency distress activation signal," said the General. "I've got the same thing here."

"Yes ma'am it is. It's Chuck, I mean Agent Carmichael," said Mike catching a look from Margo. "He's activated his emergency distress beacon. I'm bringing feed from his location now. My God they're in the middle of a firefight in old town."

"General I'll call you back, Silverman out," said Margo not giving the General a chance to say anything. "Guys, response team on me we'll suit up on the way." Margo led the group back to an armored personnel carrier the type the Montenegrin Army used a Russian made BTR 70. They could roll out and people would think it was the local militia responding.

"Margo take this," said Mike as he passed her a tablet. "I'm streaming live CCTV feed so you'll know where our people are plus help you identify hostiles. I'm also bringing a bird overhead to give us a big picture."

"Okay Mike, make sure you send that same feed to Langley. I know the general will want to watch this from the ready room. What kind of spin are thinking about putting on this? We need to get out in front of it before some finds out what we're doing here. You've got to make sure this doesn't come back on the agency."

"I put out to the local news agencies and over the wire a story that's about a gang war over the smuggling trade in the Adriatic. I've got the police securing the area waiting for the Army to respond which will be you. Watch your backs."

"Good work but next time Mike let me approve it first," said Margo. "I need my driver now. Come on guys our people are taking fire out there and need us. I want that turret hot when we get out of here. Remember to check your weapons after you suit up they aren't shooting blanks." She got everyone on board and they geared up as they pulled out. Mike opened the bay door and they were gone out into the night.

"What are the rules of engagement, ma'am?"

"They shoot at us we shoot back."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chuck was standing there with an icepick to Serena's back when from behind the fountain Chuck saw a muzzle flash and heard a loud gunshot. The sound echoed in the square as Sarah fell backwards taking the hit in the chest. Serena pushed Chuck back as she drew her Colt from her garter but Chuck grabbed her by the arm shoving her in front of Jack as he took her pistol. She jerked like a rag doll as she took four hits in rapid succession fired at Jack by Jorgen her partner. Sarah reached up grabbed Jack pulling him down to the ground as Chuck flipped the table up in front of them to act as a shield. He was about to duck behind it too when he saw Jorgen pointing his pistol at him smiling but before Jorgen could pull the trigger he fell over dead killed by a sniper.

"Thanks whoever you are," said Chuck as the whole square erupted in gunfire and mayhem with assassins shooting at them and at each other.

"Chuck get down!" yelled Sarah. "Sweetie I have to admit the vests were a good idea," said Sarah as Chuck crouched down next to her checking to make sure she was okay.

"Thanks Love, get ready to run," said Chuck as he kissed her. He threw off the sling then rolled out from behind the table firing at the propane tank under one of the mushroom topped heaters. The tank exploded going up in a fireball sending a shockwave out that took all their would be assassins off their feet and launching the Mushroom top in the air like a missile that fell straight back down taking out a couple more killers.

"Move, move, they won't be down for long" screamed Chuck as he grabbed one of the downed killer's Sig nine then slid another one over to Sarah. Getting up quickly he pistol whipped a gunman who was slower. "Run take Jack. Don't worry about me I'll cover you."

Sarah ran across the square shielding Jack with her body as they tied to make it to a narrow alleyway. Chuck kicked a table so it rolled in front of them providing cover. A hail of 47 rounds splintered the table but they made it by in time. Chuck swept the legs out of an attacker then put him out with a punch to the face with his pistol.

"Chuck hurry up and get over here," yelled Sarah as she dropped two that were about to shoot him. "Look out," yell Sarah as Pablo the Cleaver came charging from behind him. Sarah couldn't shoot with risking hitting Chuck because he was in the way but as Pablo jumped on a table to leap over onto Chuck, he kicked the table out from under him. Pablo fell face first on the cobblestone street landing on his own cleaver.

"Ugh, didn't anyone ever teach you, you're not supposed to run with knives in your hand or was that scissors?"

"Chuck just move!" yelled Sarah. "Get behind cover." She grabbed him pulling his out of the way as a hail of bullets peppered the wall behind them. The alley was 'L' shaped and they made it past a bend.

"I called it in already so we just have to hold out. Sarah give your compact to Jack," said Chuck. "Jack I need you to hold the mirror around the corner so I can see who's coming."

"Is this such a good idea? I mean I'm sure this is just a big misunderstanding. If I talk to them I'm sure this can all be worked out I've never been in a situation where I couldn't talk my way out."

"Then welcome to your first, just hold the mirror or we're all dead. Love you need to listen and make sure they don't circle us from the other side."

"I don't understand why this is happening," said Jack as he held the mirror for Chuck. "Okay so you can see what now? Do I powder my nose or do I powder theirs? There are two guys working their way down the alley so now what?"

"This," said Chuck as he flashed. "Okay Fast Eddie time to show your stuff. Let's call the shots right ball corner pocket and left ball side pocket."

"What? You sure you didn't bump your head… 'BANG!, BANG!' Crap Chuck!" yelled Jack as Chuck fired two shots. The noise was deafening sounding more like a bazooka then a 9 mm in the narrow alley but Chuck aimed at two particular spots in the bend in the wall ricocheting back. The next thing they heard were two men cursing and rolling in pain in the middle of the alley.

"Jesus Christ Chuck," said Jack as he put his hands up to his ears. "A little warning next time, I don't know if I'm ever going to get full hearing back. What was that about anyway? You didn't kill them."

"Jack that's only a last resort I did what I needed to. Both have just flesh wounds but while they're down in the alley whoever comes in next will have to climb over them and be an easy target."

Oscar could see from the roof that the cause was lost and it was time to make a hasty retreat. He broke his weapon down and put it away in the case. As he did he heard the sound of a large engine heading slowly in his direction. Taking one last look he saw an armored personnel carrier making its way through the narrow streets rubbing up against the walls but it was still coming. Some idiots decided to make a stand but the BTR 70's 2A42 Cobra 30 mm automatic cannon made short work of them mowing them down where they stood soon Margo had the square.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was night in Venice and all the offices of the holding were closed all except one, the general manager's. Light inside was shining from under the door when the security guard made his rounds. Strange he thought so he called it in then knocked before going in. Still sitting behind his desk was the boss with his chair turned round looking out over Venice by night.

"I'm sorry Mr. Mišović, I saw the light under the door so I came in to investigate," said the guard as he radio in an all clear. "I'll leave now and let you get back to work."

"No don't be in such a hurry. First would you like a drink," said the manager as he got up going over to a small bar where he poured himself a cognac. "It takes the chill off the night air. What would you like?"

"No thank you sir nothing I'm on duty. I really need to be getting back to my rounds," said the guard. He'd heard stories about the big boss; none of them were nice and most were bloody.

"Very well but I need for you to call the cleaners I have some rubbish that needs to be taken out," said Mr. Mišović as he pointed to something behind his desk. It was then the guard noticed the blood on the man's hands. He walked over to take a better look on the floor behind the man's desk. There on the floor was a body.

"But that's… that's Mr. Paolo your secretary," said the Guard or Paolo used to be he thought. He was in shock at seeing the lifeless corpse of a man he had talked to just a few hours before.

"Yes and good help is hard to come by these days. I want the cleaners here with in an hour. Also contact his assistant and tell him the good news he just got promoted I want him in here in half an hour."

"I think I'll take that drink now if you don't mind," said the guard as he walked over to the bar half in a daze wondering if this wasn't some terrible nightmare.

"Everything was set the perfect trap. How could they screw it up? They had them in the square surrounded and out gunned," said the manager as he poured him a Bourbon neat then handed him the glass. "I ask you how could they screw it up?"

"You're actually asking me? … Oh huh, well I don't know sounds pretty simple to me but I wasn't there so I really can't…"

"You're right it was simple," said Mišović as he sat his drink down then went straight back over to Paolo's body and began to kick it. "It was simple… It should've worked… But someone sent too many killers… They idiots killed each other… Oh does this make me mad."

"I can see that Sir," said the guard realizing he needed to get out of there and in a hurry. "Mr. Mišović, let me go so I can get the cleaners and your new secretary here straight away."

"Now that's how a good employee works," said the Boss as he kicked the corpse one more time as the guard turned and left as quickly as he could.

Well the cat was out of the bag now in a little while he expected to receive a call from the CIA or the State Department or both. They'd threated him with retaliation but it was all talk neither the CIA nor the FSB would dare lift a finger against him and he knew it. He was untouchable as long as he had his proof locked away so.

"If you decide to get between me and my prize I'll publish everything," he said as she went back over to finish his drink then poured another. "Yes it's all about profits and losses Paolo," said Mišović talking to the corpse, "that's why they call me the Merchant of Venice. I know how to deal and I don't think they'll risk me burning down their houses for just two people but if they do so be it."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Margo secured the square loaded load everyone up in the BTR then headed back to the Bank. Chuck had Sarah lay down so could check her better. Everything was going so fast and hectic now he wanted to make sure the impact from the blast hadn't broken any bones and make sure she didn't have any internal bleeding. He checked her eyes and pupils then placed his hand on her chest.

"You realize where you've got your hand and that everyone is watching," said Sarah looking up at Chuck.

"I don't really care this is me worried not me anything else and you yelled at me about being the bullet magnet," said Chuck as Sarah took his hand and brought it close to her face.

"I know you're worried but I'm fine," she said as she took his hand and kissed it then sat up. "Now how's your shoulder did you pull anything out? Let me look at it."

"No, I'm fine it just aches," said Chuck as he kissed her pulling her near. "I was really scared when you go shot," he whispered in her ear. "Jack," said Chuck as he turned to his father in law, "what the hell just happened? Why did Serena say there's a contract out on you and Sarah? What have you done?"

"Chuck are you sure that's what she said?" asked Margo. "I'm not doubting you but you have to admit things were pretty hairy back there."

"No I heard her too," said Sarah, "that was right before I got shoot. Jack if you know something now would be the time to speak. Margo has your accomplish De Marco in a holding cell with your dirty money so you might as well confess."

"Confess to what? Okay I admit I passed Di Padua two million but he passes me information. That's what you guys do all the time. It's not like I'm paying him well maybe I am when I let him win it on the floor but like this morning it had to be done in a hurry so I gave him cash."

"I don't understand," said Chuck as he was trying to figure out this bizarre line of reasoning Jack was telling trying to make sense out of it. "Are you money laundering?"

"No I'm just passing currency along. I get money for Marco from a courier then I pass it on. Marco takes the money and passes it to someone else in return he gives me intel on who's up to what then I pass it on to you guys."

"Jack I won't lie, it sounds like money laundering," said Chuck. "But okay you don't see it that way whatever."

"And a zebra's a horse with stripes but you can't ride one. It's the same thing but it's not," said Jack trying to make an analogy.

"Yes and I watched that episode of animal planet to. Okay … Well, has anything changed lately or did you miss a payment that could've pissed someone off? Something had to have happened and I'm having trouble seeing how they even know about Sarah or how she's involved?"

"No nothing other than about a week ago a new guy came delivering the money. He said his name was Paolo and that he was sent by this mysterious boss. He brought the same metal case with the money in it as usual then he got chatty. I thought this was a good opportunity to find out some additional intel so I chatted back."

"What did you two talk about?" asked Sarah thinking that her father couldn't have been so naïve to think this deal he was in was legitimate. He had to be working an angle like skimming some off the top which sounded more like him.

"We talked about work. He asked what it was like to manage a casino and I told him it was a breeze. I found out he worked in Venice for a guy with a bad temper somewhere off the Gran Canal. He told me he was single, married to his work and asked me about my family. I told him I had a daughter married to a schnook, nothing personal Charlie. Then he had me take the money out of his case and I put it in my safe."

"Do you always do that take the money out of his case and put it in your safe?" asked Chuck. "You said the case was metal right?"

"Yeah metal shiny aluminum I think. But not always actually most of the time I just put case and all in the safe. I think the courier thinks it makes me honest. But that case he was faulty I remember getting my finger pricked on a piece of metal on the inside."

"Jesus Jack don't you see you were played. They got your finger prints off the case plus you gave them a DNA sample. You told them about Sarah. This whole time we thought these hitmen were after us when they're here for you and Sarah. Why?"

Mike was waiting for them when they rolled back into the Bank grabbing Margo pulling her aside as Chuck took care of Sarah. Chuck kept catching her rubbing her chest she was in more pain than she was letting on.

"Mike I want a Doctor to look at Sarah," said Chuck taking charge, "and I don't want to hear anything you're going to and that's that. I think I know when you're in pain. Margo I need a man to act as Jack's shadow. Jack you don't leave the casino. Crap the kids, we're going to have to think about sending Molly and Emma away with Sam. Margo I'd recommend she take Raz too."

"Chuck, Sweetie slow down you're moving too fast," said Sarah. "Don't freak out. We need to plan this out first."

"I'm not freaking out there's no time to. Don't you guys see we're behind the power curve here. These people have had days to set up now we've got to play catch up. And we start by me talking to your prisoner."

"I'm sorry but General Beckman has ordered us to release him unhurt. She's on the monitor in the comms center right now and wants you to brief her Chuck."

"Okay tell her I'll be right there but I need to tie up some things here first," said Chuck as he kissed Sarah glancing over as Margo and Mike stepped out.

"Sweetie, don't get yourself in trouble."

"I love you and I won't let anyone hurt you," he said then kissed her. "Jack, watch Sarah I'm counting on you."