Don't own Chuck

AT THE BUY MORE

Chuck sat in front of the monitors in Castle watching the front doors of the Buy More thinking about how stupid he had been. The whole theoretical hypothetical Morgan dilemma was just dumb. Why hadn't he just come out and told Sarah? But then Jill was still wanted and Sarah would have to arrest her. He played that scenario out in his head complete with muzzle flashes and bullet riddled corpses.

"Crap what am I going to do," he said to himself as nerves took over so he started futzing around with his new pen popping the cap and started talking to himself.

"Hey, Sarah how are you doing. You know a funny thing happened last night. Crap, crap, carp, he said as he banged his head against the table. What was he thinking how could he ask Sarah not to arrest Jill and even if he did she'd arrest her still? Sarah had arrested Mary and Mary, even though she was on her way to see Ellie. Ellie Mary's daughter that she hadn't seen in twenty years but Sarah had arrested her the same and that had caused their first big argument.

"Christ, this is going to cause another one," he said out loud. No, the best thing he could do was to see Jill and get her to leave. Out of sight and out of mind then peace in the valley again. But to do that he needed an excuse, he needed Morgan. Glancing down at his watch, it was already ten and Morgan hadn't come in.

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OUT SIDE IN THE VAN

"Christ, he's going to give me a headache," complained Casey sitting in the surveillance van. "Sarah, what's he muttering about? I can't understand a thing."

"Well you're the one who put the bug in a pen. Why don't we just down to Castle this is stupid."

"Because he won't make contact if we're there."

"First you're assuming he already knows about Jill and secondly you really think he'd call her from Castle? Where he knows all the phone calls are monitored. Come on I'm hot and this is dumb besides we can't hear a thing with him playing with the pen." Sarah was worried about Chuck's dream but didn't tell Casey. Was Chuck's subconscious interacting with the intersect again warning him that he was being spied on, being spied on by her. His last words cut like a sword, marriage is founded on trust and what she was doing was undermining it.

"Okay but you go in through Orange Orange and I'll go in through the Buy More." But as they were getting out of the van Morgan showed up.

"Hey guys. What's going on? You two just coming back from a mission or going out? Where's Chuck?"

"No just prepping the van. Making sure we're ready," said Casey, "Something wrong with that, Moron."

"Thanks Casey and I like you too but it takes two to prep the van? Why did you always send me by myself?"

"Morgan, I think Chuck's in Castle if you're looking for him," said Sarah trying to change the topic.

"Yeah, he called me this morning and said he needed to see me when I got in." Morgan stood there looking at Sarah and Casey standing together.

"Well Moron, don't you need to go?" There was just something wrong but Morgan just couldn't lay his finger on it. Still Chuck had always him to go with his gut and his gut was telling him something was going on.

"Sure I'm going," he said but as he was about to enter the Buy More he looked back and saw them still standing there together.

"That's all we need Secret Squirrel's suspicious."

"If we had been honest with Chuck none of this would be necessary," said Sarah having second thoughts and a lot of misgivings.

"Those weren't Beckman's orders." Sarah was about to say to hell with Beckman's orders but she held her tongue. "Okay let's move out and meet up in Castle."

Casey was walking in when he saw Chuck grab Morgan and head to the bathroom so Casey double timed his way down to Castle and was already at the monitors when Sarah arrived.

"What took you so long," asked Casey, "we've got a possible situation. Chuck took the bearded wonder into the little boy's room. I think something is going on."

"I got stopped by an employee that wanted to give me a heads up that a woman approached Chuck last night in the Orange Orange. I'm going to pull up video from last night."

"What do you think now? Our boy is navigating on foreign Networks."

"Shut up. We still don't know anything for certain. Crap the cameras were out both in the parking lot and in Orange Orange."

"And you don't think that's strange."

"Are you picking anything up from Chuck and Morgan?" Asked Sarah trying to ignore what was becoming obvious.

"No he's got water running and the pen he left here," said Casey as he held it up. "You know I could super glue the cap."

"Would you carry a pen that doesn't write? How do you want to handle Morgan?"

"I don't see why we can't bring him in for questioning then gas him afterwards so he'll forget."

"Casey, we're talking about Morgan there's got to be another way. Why can't we just talk to him?"

"Do you want him whining back to Chuck telling him we're spying on him and invading his constitutional rights?"

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IN THE LITTLE BOY'S ROOM

"Hey little Buddy I need to talk to you," said Chuck catching Morgan as he just came into work, "can we go to Jeff's office?" They walked through the store and entered the restroom.

"Sure, does this have to do with the mission, don't answer that? Wait one," said Morgan as he went around opening up all the facets.

"Morgan, what are you doing?"

"You never know who could be listening so shoot away. What do you want to ask?" Chuck had already used Carina once that morning so he decided to give it another shot.

"Say Carina came up to you out of the blue and asked you to meet at her hotel. She also added that it was a matter of life and death but you couldn't tell Alex. What would you do?"

"Wow that's a hard one, I don't know. I guess I'd go but I'd tell Carina when I met her that I was going to tell Alex." Good thought Chuck that was pretty much what he had decided to do.

"And if she said you couldn't because it was live and death."

"Well I'm sharing my life with Alex so unless it put Alex in harm's way I'd tell her but I guess I wouldn't know that until I talked with Carina. Chuck does this have to do with the mission." Chuck was distracted for a moment. Morgan had agreed pretty much with everything he had decided to do so he felt relieved.

"What mission, Oh yes that mission of course it does." Chuck had no idea what Morgan was talking about but he decided to let it play out.

"Well one thing I definitely would do is have her meet me in the lobby," said Morgan. "There's no way I'd go up to her room. If Alex found out she'd kill me and then Casey would kill me. Hey, Carina isn't back in town, is she? That's it isn't it. Those two, I knew something was going on when I saw them coming out of the van."

"I don't think so. What van and who are you talking about Little Buddy?"

"Chuck you got to tell me does she want to see me? Crap she does, doesn't she? That's what this is all about you're giving me a heads up, aren't you Chuck. Tell me when she's going to be in town, Chuck tonight? Of course, its tonight when Alex has to work late so Carina's going to invite herself over and have Alex find us together. That woman has the heart of a bridge troll. Chuck you've got to help me out. If anyone asks, you and I have plans. I know you don't like to lie to Sarah but you've got to do this for me. If Sarah knows I'm home alone she'll tell Carina and that will be the end of me.

"Morgan I can't come over to your place tonight. I've got to be somewhere."

"Okay, you can take me. I'm small I don't take up much room. I can even sit in the corner. Just I can't ne at home alone."

"Morgan I can't take you. I'll just cancel and come over." Chuck felt like the bridge troll himself because he might show up at Morgan's but after a little while he'd bail. Still, Hannah's words kept creeping back in his head, "I hope your lies keep you warm at night" but all he felt was cold.

"Thanks Chuck you're a true friend. My BFF, I'll name my first born after you."

"That's nice, but no, Morgan, there will be no Morgana in the Bartowski family tree." Suddenly Casey walked in the bathroom and looked around.

"Chuck, Sarah's looking for you and what's up with the all the water? Don't you morons know there's a water shortage?"

"Morgan had some really, really dirty hands."

"Yeah Big Guy, they were filthy."

"Well, I'll go see Sarah."

"Right and I'll see you tonight say around six." They both agree and Chuck left leaving Morgan with Casey alone.

"Okay Moron, what's going on?"

"John, what are you talking about? There's nothing going on I don't know anything about a mission."

"What mission?" said Casey wondering if Chuck hadn't figured out that he was being watched. "What are you talking about imbecile? You and Chuck are up to something and I want to know what it is?"

"Chill Big Guy I know about the mission but don't worry, I won't say a word."

"Good, you know how Chuck is, a big blabber mouth. We don't want this spread around. Chuck shouldn't have told you anything."

"Well I don't want to get our boy in trouble and you have to get up pretty early to get one over on the Cobra. The truth is I figured everything out on my own so technically I don't know anything."

"That's for sure, I mean that's good. So what do you know? We night have to change something if the mission is compromised. God knows who else he might have talked to."

"Well don't blame Chuck I don't want to get our boy in trouble. And like I said I guessed. But I know Carina is coming to town and well he was just being a friend. He wanted to give me a heads up. You know she's after my body. The poor woman just can't resist me but like I told her I'm off the market."

"So he told you Carina was coming to town?"

"No he never mentioned Carina I guessed like I said. You understand on the down low. Like I told Chuck Alex is working late tonight."

"That's right I'm supposed to go by and try pies."

"Yeah, I was supposed to go but we both felt that I would have trouble swallowing mine with your hands around my throat."

"And don't forget it. So Carina is supposed to drop in to see you?"

"No, no don't even think that. Chuck's backing me up he's supposed to come over and play Halo or Call of Duty with me at six. We haven't discussed the particulars yet."

"I thought he was busy?" Casey decided to go fishing.

"He said he was supposed to meet someone but would cancel. Now that's a friend." Casey gave a small grunt of pleasure. He had hooked himself a Big Mouth Troll.

"Don't worry Grimes I'll make sure Carina doesn't bother you tonight so you won't have to worry about your body being violated."

"Thanks Big Guy. It's nice to have friends who care."

Casey felt the can of gas in his pocket and looked at Morgan. He could still gas him so he wouldn't remember but the content of the can and Morgan's head were about the same, a nebulous mist.

"Nope isn't worth it," said Casey.

"Isn't worth what?"

"Oh the price difference on the new grills."

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IN CASTLE

Chuck entered Castle through the Buy More and was walking down the metal steps when he found Sarah seating in front of a monitor watching static. She seemed very angry and upset but over what. Had she figured out about Jill? Was that what she'd been watching? Double crap he forgot about the security cameras in Orange, Orange.

"What's the matter? Is something wrong?" He asked as he braced himself for a blast.

"You tell me? I was reviewing the video from last night and the cameras in the parking lot and in Orange Orange went out for about an hour. The odd thing is that from the time stamp they went down at the same time we were here last night. Did you notice anything? I mean obviously not or you would have told me, right?"

"Let me see. There were clients in Orange Orange. I got us Rocky Road. I ate some and got tired of waiting. Then I went to find you."

"So you didn't see anything or anyone strange?"

"Strange no. I wouldn't say strange," said Chuck as his stomach was churning and his breakfast revisited him but he held it down.

"Nothing out of the normal?" She just wasn't letting up. The only time he had seen Sarah like this was in the middle of an interrogation and he told himself then that he was glad he wasn't on the receiving end.

"Love, let me handle it. I'll run a diagnostic program and see what the source is. But it could have been transient seeing as they are back up now."

"Well, let me know. We don't want any bad guys getting in without being detected, do we?" she said looking straight into his eyes.

"No, we don't," he replied. Did she know? He thought and for a moment he was about to confess but images of Jill and Sarah in a gun fight at the Okay Buy More stopped him.

"How's my happy couple?" announced Morgan as he entered Castle with Casey. "Sarah you look lovely today."

"Morgan, what do you want? Chuck already told you we talked about it and no we're not going to name our child Morgana."

"Name it, you mean curse it," grunted Casey.

"John, I'll have you know there have been a lot of famous people named Morgan."

"Yeah like Captain Morgan and the hung him. It you want I can give you a demonstration."

"No thanks, but that's not what I wanted but I'm glad to see you two are still thinking it over. What I wanted was to ask if Chuck could come over tonight?"

"You're asking if Chuck can come out to play?" said Casey.

"I didn't say that but Alex isn't home."

"We both can come over if you want," said Sarah then Casey grunted. "Oh that's right I can't." She hated herself for doing this. "But Sweetie if you want to go over, go right ahead. I'll be tied up with Casey."

"Then I'll see you around six," said Chuck. He had been silent because he was secretly hoping that the whole thing would fall apart so he'd have an excuse not to go but that didn't happen.

"Sarah can I see you in the armory?" said Casey.

"Sure John. Oh Sweetie you left your pen here. You need to be careful where you leave it or you'll lose it."

"It's just one of the many. I've got a whole pocket protector full."

"If you don't want it, I'll take it," said Morgan and Casey's eyes flashed with fire.

"No, Chuck this is a present from Beckman. You know she doesn't give many out and it would be insubordinate if she saw the troll with the pen she gave you."

"Unless insubordinate has some hidden meaning that I'm not aware of I don't see how but to tell, I didn't think she cared that much but I guess you're right," Chuck said and start futzing with the cap again. Casey was about to say something when Sarah pulled him away.

"What is it you wanted to show me in the armory?"

"Yes, follow me," Casey said and when they got alone. "If he does that again with the pen playing around with the cap I'm going to…."

"John you're the one to blame. I could've told you that when Chuck gets nervous his ticks kick in."

"Christ I hate this. I just want this to be over."

"Well you might get your wish," said Casey as he told her the intel he got from Morgan. "I think the meet is tonight. Chuck will either cancel on Morgan or show up and leave early but either way we need to keep a visual on him. I know this is hard."

"You have no idea."

"But we'll take Jill away from Chuck so he'll never see us and then we can deliver her to a holding facility downtown before she's shipped back to Supermax. He'll never know. It'll be better for him and you two can get back to normal."

"John, you don't understand. I know and sooner or later I'll have to tell him. The worst thing that can happen is he finds out on his own."

"Well focus on the mission and let's get this done."

"John, have you ever had to do anything like this?"

"Nope, I go or they die."

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AT THE WALDRON

Chuck walked into the hotel lobby after spending an hour of Halo his eyes were still a little blurry from all the bomb blasts and muzzle flashes but now he was back to reality. He made his way over to the reception desk to ask for Jill but then it dawned on him that she was probably registered under an alias. What had she told him that she was in her old room.

"May I help," asked the young woman behind the counter.

"I'm supposed to meet the occupant of room 622. I think she's expecting me."

"Yes, Dr. Olga Myer, she left word that anyone looking for her could find her in the bar. It's right through…"

"Thank you I know where it is," said Chuck cutting the woman off. He didn't want to be rude but he wanted to get this over as soon as possible. Walking in, he found Jill sitting at the bar. She saw him at the same time and went over to greet him with two drinks in her hand.

"Shall we take a booth in the corner where it's private? I figured you wouldn't want to come up to my room so I waited for you here."

"You figured right."

"Here," she offered, "I ordered us both dirty martinis."

"Appropriate for how I feel but given our past history I'd prefer to order my own drinks and watch it being poured."

"I hope you're not saying you don't trust me."

"No more lies, no more deception you said then I found a 9mm pushed in my face. Trust is earned and so far all I've heard from you is how life is complicated. I know complicated. I live complicated. If you're here to tell me the same thing I'm out of here. Jill I told you we're over and I meant it. You ruined our relationship not me and if there is one thing I can never forgive you for it's that. You betrayed me, your family, your friends and your country. I don't even know why I came. I have a woman at home who loves and trusts me. She's going to have our baby and I'm here with you I must be stupid."

"Chuck, I'm not here to try to win you back or to rekindle some dead flame. I need your help. There's a package in my room I need delivered for me? I'd do it myself but I'm sorry the only word that comes to mind is complicated." Chuck go up. "No wait, there are bad people looking for me. People who want to kill me. I need to make sure the package is safe.

"What kind of package is it?"

"You'll understand when you see. It has to go to my parents. Please come up to my floor and I'll give it to you in the hall no string attached then I'll disappear. You won't see me again I promise. Please, I can't trust anyone else. I'm begging." Jill began crying when she started pleading and the more she pleaded the more she cried until Chuck couldn't resist.

"Okay, okay, just stop crying you know I can't take women crying. When I see the package I'll make my decision." Jill leaned over like she was going to kiss him but Chuck pulled away from her.

"I'm sorry."

"I haven't agreed yet."