Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Sarah went down to pick Sam up then invited Emma to go down with them for breakfast. The children were in the middle of lesson with Mr. Jefferies Margo gave him a heads up when he arrived. He knew what had happened and agreed to keep an extra eye out for the kids as well as being a little more tolerant than usual. Sarah tried to get Chuck to put his sling back on but he refused as now was not the time to be going around with only one wing and they argued about it in the elevator going down.
"I don't know why you won't wear it. It's for your own good," said Sarah. "Emma, tell him the doctor told you to wear it until you're healed."
"I don't need it and it's only getting in the way. Right now I need mobility more than ever and besides it's almost healed."
"Almost is not healed and if the doctor told you to wear it then maybe you should listen to your wife," said Emma. "After all what can it hurt for another week or so?"
"What can it hurt? Last night I was flailing around trying to use it but I couldn't get it out and Serena almost… Well we know what she almost did. Besides I need to work it out or it's going to stay stiff so when I don't flash I'm going to have a hard time with it."
"If you insist then I'm going to insist on checking your wound every night to make sure it's healing properly and on that there will be not argument."
"Yuck boo-boo," said Sam as she point at Chuck's shoulder.
"Listen to your daughter if you won't listen to me," said Sarah as the elevator arrived and they stepped off. They walked into the restaurant found a table away from the window close to the exit where they could keep an eye on the entrance. One of the waitresses came over to take their orders and they started to give it when Jack walked over.
"I've got this. How about French toast with whipped cream and fresh strawberries? Just how you used like them.
"When I was twelve," said Sarah. The irony hadn't escaped her that he was bringing up memories from when all of this mishap started.
"Well, you need to eat something. Big day at work right and everything," Jack said as he sat down. Chuck could see Emma was getting upset so then when he looked at Sarah wasn't much better.
"Jack you know you need to stay inside the casino today. You can't go out walking around not even to stretch your legs or get a breath of fresh air or that might be the last air you breathe."
"I'm sure this is just some sort of misunderstanding like I said last night. I'm sure if I could talk with this guy we could get this all cleared up."
"Before or after the hail of bullets? Dad this guy isn't fooling around and don't downplay it. We have to treat this as seriously as death because that's what it is. Please for once listen, Chuck's right."
"Speaking about taking with this guy I will need you later Jack but when I do, I'll come and get you. I'm waiting on some supplies I need first. So who's having what?" said Chuck. It felt like the right time to move the conversation along to safer grounds.
They ate breakfast then Chuck and Sarah took Sam up to their room. As much as Jack couldn't leave the hotel neither could Sarah and Chuck refused to leave her side. Emma stayed with Jack in the restaurant to have another cup of coffee or that's what she said.
"Jack we need to talk," said Emma filling her cup with coffee from a carafe they had brought to the table. She waited for the big kids to leave first.
"I already know what you want to say and I can't blame you if you want to go. You have to think of Molly what's good for her and I'm not that. Where do you want to go? Or do you even want me to know?"
"That's your problem Jack Burton you always think you know what people are going to do. That's what's got you in this situation and what you've gotten our daughter into to."
"You're right this is all my fault and if you want to go like I said I'll understand," Jack said as he gave her a sad puppy dog look.
"Oh no you don't, I know that look and no you're not going to lay this at my door. Okay I'll admit part of this is my fault too but you should've left her with my mother if you had this wouldn't have happened."
"But she wanted to have an adventure with her old man. Could I deny her that?" said Jack. "Angel was always special to me the same as are you. Your mother on the other hand that's a different story. Her I could've done without."
"You two never did get along and she didn't make it easy for you," said Emma as she reached across the table and took his hand.
"Well in all honesty I never really made it easy for her either. Looking back we could've found common ground in you and our Sam. Listen you need to take Molly and go as far away from me as possible. I'm no good for you and you deserve better. I guess I never thought I was good enough for you and maybe that was my fault I always thought I never had enough to give you."
"Sarah told me if there's one thing Chuck's taught her was that you fight for your family. You protect your own and whether I like it or not, you were her father."
"And look what that got her?"
"Jack you're not listening to me. There's only one thing I ever wanted from you or don't you get it? What I'm saying is I'm not leaving I want to stay and fight with you. I talked with Margo and she said the kids would be safe here in the Station she'd see to it. But I'm going to talk to Chuck and ask him if the kids could be sent to Chicago if things go sideways at least until we can go and get them."
"You said we what does that mean? Do you still want me to be in Molly's life after everything I've done to our Sam?"
"You mean after everything we did. I didn't exactly try to stop you so I'm as much to blame as you. But you know what, she didn't turned out so bad after all. I think my mother would be proud of our little girl."
"I think she would too I know I am. I'm also glad she found the schnook I knew he was right for her the first time I met him."
"I guess we all have our schnooks then," said Emma as she kissed him.
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Casey was inside a closed hangar at MCAS Miramar supervising the placement of the gear Chuck had asked for. John watched over the Load Master as he placed pallets inside making sure nothing got damaged. They were lucky Chuck hadn't asked for much because the hypersonic wasn't a large aircraft and as it was it was going to be crowded. However, Casey didn't mind as this was his chance to sit up with the pilot and see what this baby could really do. This was like sitting next to a driver in the Indy 500. He actually had butterflies in his stomach at the thought.
"Okay ladies and Morgan time to board. The way this thing flies you could open a soda when we leave and finish it over the Atlantic."
"Why is this an 'X' aircraft?" asked Morgan. "I thought that meant that it was experimental meaning they don't know if it's safe."
"Come on Morgan," said Alex. "Just think of the 'X' as extra like extra fast or extra-ordinary something like that and let's get on."
"You mean like extra deadly or extra dangerous," said Morgan as he looked over the aircraft from the outside. "To boldly go where not Grimes has gone before."
"Just get on the plane Troll. Think of people like Chuck Yeager. Do you have the right stuff?" said John as he pushed Morgan along.
"If you do anything fancy you're going to see what stuff I have in me as it all comes back up and believe me John it won't be a pretty sight."
"You heave and you clean it up. Now everyone find a seat we're about ready to take off," said Casey as he was about to close the door. Suddenly there was a knock on the outside.
"We broke a gasket," said Morgan as he looked over at Alex.
"We're going to put you in a casket if you don't pipe down," said Casey as he opened the hatch to investigate and Mary climbed inside.
"General Beckman didn't tell me you'd be coming along," said John as Mary walked by going into the cabin and sitting down. "Excuse me."
"Okay I will. John my daughter in law is in danger you think I'm going to sit this one out? And I don't give a rat's…" Mary stopped looking over at Morgan and seeing her son's twelve year old friend. "I'm sorry but frankly I don't care what Diane thinks or says I'm Chuck's mother and as if I remember correctly the manifest said this was a cargo only flight."
"John that's not what you told me. Crap I should've known. You mean we could've taken a commercial plane? A safe one, well not that any plane is really safe, but safer than this one… Oh you know what I mean."
"Yeah like that would've made a huge difference for you," said John as he walked back to Morgan with his hand behind his back. "Just think when you wake up we'll be there."
"But I'm not sleepy and I've got to root or…." Morgan was saying as Casey pulled out a dart pistol from behind his back and darted Morgan. He slumped over out like a light.
"Dad no!" said Alex as she checked on Morgan tilting his head against the bulkhead so he could sleep comfortably and not snore. "I wish you'd stop doing that you're going to give him brain damage."
"And what about the damage his whining is doing to my ears. Next time I could bring a gag and a straightjacket then put him in the cargo hold. I might even pressurize it for him but I'm not promising I'll remember."
The plane began to move out of the hangar and straight onto the flight line immediately cleared for takeoff it took off and headed east. Casey had to test his theory and opened a soda he was taking the last sip when they crossed the Eastern seaboard.
"John what can you tell me about what's going on? I got some intel from Roan but he didn't know much other than they're in the aims of this man who goes by the code name 'the Merchant of Venice.'"
"Well, all I really know is that this guy is one out of Jack and Sarah's past and he's wants revenge but Chuck has no idea who it could be. That's what all this stuff is for he's arranged for a meet with the guy in a small town outside of Belgrade to get eyes on him. I'm planning on keeping an eye on the meet to make sure this Merchant guy doesn't try anything funny. I brought an extra Barrett if you want to come along."
"Thanks but you packed mine for me already. I was onboard this morning I had to see who was onboard so I could tell what kind of reception I would get when I came knocking."
"As far as I'm concerned we could use the extra gun and to tell you the truth I don't like this meet. I know Chuck knows the guy who set it up for him but this thing could go south really easy then what he's deep in enemy territory without an extraction plan."
"Well that's where you and I come in. What do you want to do with Morgan and your daughter? You can't want to bring them along?"
"Alex can take care of herself and she's actually a good shot. I guess it's the apple and the tree thing. Grimes, well Grimes will surprise you. In a pinch he electrocuted himself once to take down a group of hostiles when the team was in danger. I've also seen him take on a full grown Bengal tiger so if we need them they'll come through. My idea was they stand by a getaway car and be ready."
"The team is yours John I'm just tagging along."
"Thanks we're landing in Aviano where the plane will be off loaded its payload and the cargo will be flown over to Montenegro for Chuck. We're going to fly by Black Hawk to about twenty miles north of Belgrade then jump. There we'll find a vehicle waiting then we head to the meeting site and set up after the meet a Black Hawk will come in and pick us up."
"Sounds like you've got this all thought out. I knew I joined the right team," said Mary as she patted John on the shoulder. From her he'd tolerate being touched and appreciated the compliment.
"Thanks Mamma B."
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Sarah and Chuck left the restaurant to go back to their room with Sam but as they were leaving Chuck looked back at Jack and Emma. There was something there between them an old spark or a flame he hoped would catch fire. Sarah accused him of being an incurable romantic but he didn't want to say anything yet. He wasn't sure how Sarah felt and he'd always thought her parents could work things out if given the chance. Maybe this would help. He could only hope. When the elevator arrived on their floor he pushed her back inside until he had cleared the way first.
"You know I can clear a room the same as you can and I've been doing this for longer," said Sarah as Chuck's hyper protection was starting to become just that hyper.
"I realize that but ladies first doesn't apply when you have would be assassins gunning for you. I'm sorry if you think I'm being overly protective but you can't clear a room and carry Sam at the same time."
"Oh you're right," said Sarah feeling embarrassed because she'd forgotten she had Sam in her arms. She kissed her daughter on the forehead and whispered, "I'm sorry" then followed Chuck to their room. He opened the door having her wait outside with Sam as he cleared the suite then came out and brought them both inside.
"Sweetie we can't keep this up," said Sarah as she put Sam down on the floor. Sam took off walking around the room with Mr. Rabbit imitating Chuck clearing the room. "See what I mean? Chuck what are we doing?"
"We're doing what it takes for right now," said Chuck as he went to the fridge and got out a bottle of water and a fruit juice then sat on the floor. Sam came over next to him and watched him put the straw in the box of fruit juice then he handed it to her. She sat down next to him and as they drank together she leaned against him as he put his arm around her then she sat Mr. Rabbit in Chuck's lap as she finished her juice.
"What's this," asked Sarah as she picked up a noted pad Chuck had been writing on. Listed were some of her aliases with lines drawn through them.
"Nothing just something I was working on. Just leave it alone, come over, and sit next to us," said Chuck trying to draw her away from his laptop but it was too late. She opened it up and the screen came on. He heard her silence and knew he had some explaining to do.
"Chuck, what are you doing," Sarah asked surprised and confused. She didn't know how she felt looking at the screen and seeing her past life flashing by. Her aliases appeared on one side of the screen then Marks appeared on the other a red line came on the bottom then another appeared and the process repeated.
"Come and sit with us please and let me explain," said Chuck. As Sam finished her fruit juice she walked over to the trash can dropped it in then came back. She picked up Mr. Rabbit then flopped down on Chuck looking up at him with a big smile.
Sarah came over quietly. Chuck watched her walk across the room and as she walked over he could tell she was thinking. He wished she'd speak so he could tell what was going on in her head.
"I'm sorry," he said as she sat next to him. Sam climbed over him stepping on him to get to her mother then jumped in her lap curling up. "I know you probably think I'm invading your privacy but I wrote an algorithm that is doing a risk assessment. I'm taking your known aliases when you were with Jack then comparing them to the cons he was suspected of. Then I'm assessing the Mark's potential for retaliation after I'm done I'll have a list of names that we can run with and maybe get an idea who we're dealing with."
Chuck watched Sarah kiss and hug Sam as he was explaining to her. What he was saying was logical and made sense but feelings and emotions don't have anything to with logic.
"Or I can turn it off and we wait until we meet face to face in Zenda," said Chuck as he reached over and caressed her face.
"It's not that I don't want you to know because I do, but it's just I'm ashamed of what I did. I don't want to find you looking at me differently afterwards which is what I'm afraid will happen."
"No it won't because I won't let it. Every morning I wake up next to you I think how lucky I am and whatever this is about we'll see it through together because there isn't another option. We're a team, you were my partner before you were my wife and now you're my life."
"When I was little I used to look forward to the time I spent with Jack. We lived one adventure after another and for me that was grand. I never thought about what we were doing or who we were hurting. It was just Dad and me and the adventure. Okay," Sarah said as she took a deep breath. "Ask me anything and I'll try to answer you. I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"No I'm fine," said Chuck. "It's not important for me to know who you were I know who you are. You're my partner, my wife, my lover and Sam's mother that's enough for me." Chuck leaned over put his arm around her pulling Sarah and Sam close. "You can't live your life looking in the rearview mirror."
"You forgot the cheeseburger with extra pickles."
"You're right at dinner we'll have to do something about that."
Chuck phone rang he had a message telling him his material had arrived from the General so later that evening Chuck received two pallets from Aviano. Mike helped him with the breakout and assembly then after the calibrations were done they were ready to begin.
"I've heard about these but I've never seen one. Do you mind if I try to operate it?" said Mike as he looked over the completed product.
"If you did you'd do me a favour I need to get the car ready for tomorrow. Do you know if Margo was able to get me what I asked for?"
"Of course I did," said Margo as she walked in with Jack and Sarah. "I don't know why it had to be that particular make and model. Don't you think it will be a little conspicuous?"
"That's the whole idea," said Chuck. "Jack, stand on the pedestal and hold onto the two hand grips and don't move. I'm leaving you with Mike he knows what to do."
"Excuse me what are we doing anyway," asked Jack as Mike moved him around getting him centered and placed in the proper position.
"This is a bio scanner and it's important you don't move," said Mike as a blue light came on and begin to slowly rotate around his head. "After I get a good scan then I download the image to the 3D printer and presto we have another Jack."
"Jesus one is enough," said Sarah as she walked back to the garage to find Chuck in coveralls working under the hood of the car.
"Can you pass me the spanner," said Chuck to her as she walked in. She picked up the wrench then handed it to him. "Thanks… Crap," said Chuck as he dropped it. Pain shot through his shoulder and for a moment he lost feeling his arm and hand.
"If you tell me what you're doing I can help you," said Sarah as she admired Chuck's attire. "I'm sorry the whole backyard mechanic I'm having trouble with."
"I'm installing a secure sat link with the navigation system. Mike is going to drop in a weapons array along with a couple griffin missiles with remote fire controls. I think the upgrades will raise the car's value well above blue book."
"If you don't rest you shoulder you're not going to be able to drive," said Sarah as she began to massage the muscle to relieve the stiffness and pain.
"I'm not driving you are," said Chuck as he tossed her the keys. She smiled as she looked over the car then walked down the side rubbing her hand over the finish.
"You certainly have good tastes Mr. Carmichael when it comes to cars, an Aston Martin DBV S12," said Sarah as she kissed him.
"Not just in cars," he said as she kissed her back.