Don't own Chuck

Casey and Sarah made their way up the drive to the Robert's home. From the outside it seemed as if it hadn't changed a white wooden colonial house popular with the rising middle class years back. However, there were tattletale signs of neglect and decay trees that needed pruning, dead flowers in flower beds and a lawn more with weeds than grass. Sarah and John saw these for what they were signs that the owners' concerns were where else like looking for their missing daughter.

"Well, are you ready," asked Casey. "Remember out covers. The last thing we want is to spook a couple civilians."

"John, please I'm not Chuck." She said it so casually but both knew inside she was a mess. "Just ring the doorbell".

"Be right there," yelled a voice. They heard the sound of footsteps coming to the door and an image appeared in the frosted glass panel on the opposite side. Casey out of force of habit laid his hand on his weapon as the door opened.

"Whatever you're selling we're not interested," said Wally. He hadn't changed much since the last time they meet his hair was a little thinner and a grayer but time does that.

"No, we're not here to sell you anything. We're-"

"Hey, I know you two, don't I? I never forget a face. I shouldn't I'm a plastic surgeon and faces are my game. Beauty and the Beast. Crap you're Chuck's cousin and you're her boyfriend or husband I'd guess." He said looking at Sarah. Mister sensitivity thought Casey.

"Well No, I'm not but-"

"No need to explain, I know how things go." Casey's initial impression was reinforced.

"Honey, who's at the door," yelled a female voice from the back.

"It's Chuck's cousin and well her friend. You remember beauty and the beast." Maybe a little torture couldn't hurt thought Casey.

"What the hell," they heard Judy say.

"Sorry, my wife is still mad at Chuck over dumping Jill. I've pretty much gotten over it but she's still on the warpath. Come inside you look like you need to sit down," said Wally looking at Sarah. He took them to the living room where his wife joined them.

"Judy be civil," he said glancing back at Sarah and her condition. Maybe Wally wasn't all bad thought Casey.

"Oh, right well I guess we can't choose our relatives now can we. I'm sorry would you two like something? Maybe a lemonade?"

"Yes, thank you," said Sarah.

"Good, I'll be right back."

"And you big guy? How about a scotch?"

"It's a little too early don't you think?"

"It's five o'clock somewhere around the world, but maybe you're right. It's just since our daughter move to Helsinki things just haven't been the same. I'm sorry but you know I think I've forgotten your names?"

"I'm John and this is Sarah. That's kind of why we're here. You see we're looking for Jill and was wondering if you heard from her lately."

"I wish," said Wally. Judy came in and placed a coaster on the coffee table in front of Sarah then sat her lemonade on it. It was hard to believe that this had been a nest for treason.

"Thank you," said Sarah.

"Lemonade was one of the things I used to drink when I was pregnant with Jill. It helped me with the heartburn and reflux."

"Honey, they're looking for Jill."

"You two and about ten different private eyes we've hired."

"What? I don't understand," said Sarah sipping her drink. It was good and Judy was right her stomach felt much better.

"When Jill left after the engagement party that was about the time that Bernie left for Australia we knew something was wrong. Then she sent us a letter from Helsinki saying she broke up with Chuck and needed time to think."

"Well," interrupted Judy, "I told Wally after two months enough was enough so we hired a PI, that's what you call them right like that guy in Hawaii. We paid him a small fortune to find Jill but not a trace. He looked all the way from Helsinki to the Swedish Lapland and nothing."

"Why are you looking for her?" asked Wally.

"Well, we're actually looking for Chuck and her. You see he's my child's father and the last anyone saw him he was with your daughter that was the other night in the Waldron." Sarah was wondering if she told too much and she had strayed from their cover story but nothing she said was a lie.

"That's right Mr., Dr. Roberts. We're just friends and I'm helping Sarah out."

"That's very noble of you son," said Judy. "I wish Jill had met you in Stanford." Casey was doing the math in his head but that would've been impossible because in 1999 he was in Iran sealing a vault and arresting his mutinous team. However, considering everything he was supposed to arrest Jill and bring Chuck in not a lot had changed in all that time.

"John!" Sarah yelled. Crap Casey thought can she read minds now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

SITTING IN THE HERDER OUTSIDE JILL'S HOUSE

They pulled up outside the white house that both Chuck and Jill knew so well. The hours and days they had spent inside planning a future that was as foreign to Chuck now as Mars was. What he saw when he looked at Jill's house was his past, a past that he wanted to be just that past. He noticed Casey's Crown Vic parked down the street and smiled inside hoping and prayer Casey wasn't alone even though being here was dangerous for all of them. As he had predicted before Casey had a knack of showing up when he was needed.

"Isn't that-," Morgan started to say.

"Yes it's Jill's house," said Chuck cutting Morgan off. "Well it's time. Skye it's time you meet your grandparents. Are you excited?"

"You're coming with us, aren't you?" asked Skye. Chuck was afraid that the child was getting attached but there was nothing he could do.

"Sure but don't be surprised if your granddad isn't too happy to see me."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you partner." Chuck felt a lump in his throat and was wondering who was getting attached to whom.

"Well talking about it won't get it done," said Morgan. "Let's go." Morgan was right and the longer they waited the worse the wait would be. Morgan opened his door and got out. This was a first no one was telling him to stay in the car.

"One minute," asked Jill as Chuck opened her door. She took a deep breathe then got out. The walk to the house seemed to go on forever until they were finally on the stoop. Jill reached out and took the doorknob in her hand then looked back at Chuck.

"Go ahead. We're here." She looked around and saw Skye's face staring back at her what and how was she going to explain to her parents. Chuck understood what her look meant.

"No lies, no deception," said Chuck.

"No lies no deception let's go," she replied as she opened the door and walked in. "Mom, Dad it's Jill we need to-" Jill stopped in mid-sentence as she walked into the living room finding Casey and Sarah sitting there. Everything that happened, happened pretty much as Chuck expected except him getting punched in the face.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OUTSIDE JILL'S HOUSE

The drive in front of Jill's home this morning was busier than LAX. After the Crown Vic and the Herder, three black Escalades pulled up and parked. Wally and Judy's neighbors must have wondered if the Roberts weren't planning on throwing a party with all the commotion next door but that idea was soon ended as fifteen men dressed in BDUs and body armor stepped out each carrying type 56 Chinese weapons.

"Okay, I want clean kills," said the Wolf in each man's ear piece. "We go in and get this done then we go. Alpha set up the Browning." The Man codenamed Alpha set up a Browning fifty caliber machine gun on a tripod in the front lawn between Dopey and Crumpy. A man next to him kicked over Doc as he loaded a belt of ammunition.

"Lock and loaded ready to fire." Alpha radioed back.

"Charlie team fan right. Bravo team fan left." The trap was set and now it was time to finish this once and for all. He'd get his African boss off his back and set himself in the organization. Life would be good at the top of the pyramid. From there he could look down on everyone else. No more running and hiding, no more worrying about some bounty hunter trying to make a quick buck. He'd be living on easy street. Hell, there might even be a diplomatic passport in the deal. With immunity he could go anywhere at any time and no one could touch him.

"Bravo, Charlie teams have you secured the perimeter?" Both responded that they had accomplished their mission now it was time to turn the Roberts' home into Swiss cheese. Wolf was so proud of himself and his goals were just within his grasp.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A FEW HOURS BEFORE IN THE ROBERTS' LIVING ROOM

Both Chuck and Morgan knew Sarah and Casey were there. They had practically parked behind Casey's Crown Vic. Chuck also realized that when the two groups met that fevers would run high and he would have to step in the middle if blood shed was to be avoided. What he didn't know was the story that Casey and Sarah had feed to Wally so Wally did what any father would do. He punched Chuck in the face.

"You SOB," yelled Wally and swung at Chuck.

"Crap," said Chuck as he saw the fist coming at him and flashed. But he couldn't hit Wally so he did what any good boxer would do. He took the punch. The brain is a remarkable thing in those few seconds between the fist flying towards Chuck's face and impact his had time to tell him that this was going to hurt and it did. Wally's punch made a loud whacking sound as it connected. With his one good eye open Chuck saw a smile across Casey's face as he went down to the floor.

Immediate pandemonium broke out. Both Sarah and Casey drew their weapons and Jill pulled hers. Morgan grabbed Skye to pull her out of the line of fire and both Wally and Judy froze where they were.

"Hold up, I mean stand down," yelled Chuck from the floor as he rubbed his cheek. "Let's all take a deep breath and think this through."

"What the hell is going on," yelled Wally seeing the docile Sarah become the tiger, a pregnant tigress.

"Jill, Chuck explain?" asked Judy seeing all the guns in her living room but strangely she became calm, calmer surprisingly more than her husband.

"Okay, everyone put your weapons down. I mean right now," said Chuck trying to moderate his tone looking towards Skye. He got up and went to Jill. "It's over. Give me your gun."

"No Chuck," and she pointed it at him. "I can't. Someone needs to protect my daughter." There was a loud whisper from everyone except Morgan and Chuck at Jill's revelation. Sarah lowered her weapon.

"She's the package?" What she had surmised was true.

"Yes, I said Budapest."

"You could've been clearer Moron," said Casey.

"And I missed you too," said Chuck. "Now, Jill give me your gun."

"No I can't. You told me no lies no deceptions and what did you do? You lead me here."

"I also told you that I'd arrest you if it weren't for Skye. I delivered the package so give me the gun. It's unloaded anyway." Chuck pulled out a loaded clip from his pocket. "I substituted it for one of Casey's I took at Morgan's. He likes Sigs too." Casey grunted. "I couldn't risk you hurting Sarah. If I have to choose I'll always choose Sarah. Now give me the gun."

"Can someone please explain what's going on," asked Wally who was now holding Judy his wife.

"Well, I think your daughter ought to do that but before," Chuck went over and picked up Skye. "Judy I want to introduce you to Judy. Say hi to your grandmother and the man with the strong right is your grandfather Wally." They both teared up and took Skye from Chuck.

"I'm sorry," said Wally to Chuck.

"I'd done the same thing if I were you."

"Oh you're not out of the woods yet buster," said Sarah. "You and I need to talk. Casey can you handle things here?"

"I've got the Troll if I need back up."

"You mean the Wookie," said Skye.

"I get no respect," said Morgan as Chuck threw Casey the Monte Blanc.

"We don't want anyone listening in now that we're in range."

"That hasn't worked since the hotel," said Casey. Chuck held out his hand to Sarah who took it. Her hand felt so soft all this tiredness melted away in that one touch.

"Can we put this all behind us now?"

"I think I need an explanation?"

"I agree but are you willing to give me one too?"

"Yes. No lies no secrets."

"No lies no secrets. Jill use this time to talk to your parents. I think they desire the truth and Skye," everyone looked at Chuck like who are you talking about. "take care of everyone until I get back."

"Roger that partner. What? Skye is my codename," said the little girl.

"The latest member of team Bartowski," said Sarah.

"Kiss me."

"No, I'm still mad at you. Casey can we use your car for a half an hour?"

"Sure, catch Chuck." Casey threw him his keys. "Please don't make this number three."

"You sure you don't want to kiss me."

"No I'm not sure, no I mean I am sure. Oh you! Just kiss me and shut up." They kissed and it was like water to a man in the desert. How had he survived so long without tasting her lips? His head was spinning and he felt a longing a longing to continue.

"Come on Sweetie, let's go talk," she said as he looked into her eye but it wasn't talking he wanted.

"Do we have to stop Love? Oh I missed you," he whispered in her ear.

"Sweetie we need to keep this PG-13 we have the newest member of your merry men here."

"Oh right," Chuck said as he was shocked back into reality. "Yes, we need to go and talk, talk yes we need to."

"Hey Mister Cool," said Casey. "Remember you two that this is a residential neighborhood and parents walk their kids to school." Sarah grabbed Chucks hand and pulled him out the door.

"I know California is a progressive state but to marry your cousin and get her pregnant well there's got to be a limit," said Wally.

"Remember our governor," said Judy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

IN CASEY'S CROWN VIC

Sarah and Chuck sat inside Casey's Crown Vic. Sarah naturally climbed in the driver's side and Chuck got in the passenger's side. It was just natural something they always did and never thought anything about. He leaned over to get close to her but she pulled back.

"Don't think we're not going to talk first and I don't want to hear anything about it being hypothetically." She played the recording for him.

"I stand by everything I said and if it weren't for Skye I'd walked. Love like I said I know complicated. I live complicated but one thing that isn't complicated is my love for you."

"But you wouldn't have arrested Jill?"

"No I wouldn't. I couldn't as much as Jill has hurt me there was a time when I cared for her. I won't lie to you. I can't lie to you. My feelings for her at the time were real and as I said in the recording she ruined them."

"But you've obligations Chuck."

"So do you. Who sent their father to get them ice cream when Beckman sent the police to arrest him? Listen, I'm not judging you, please don't misunderstand me but I think you and I are more alike than different. What I show on the outside you show on the inside. Love you're special to me. And as I said I will always choose you. I took Jill's bullets because I couldn't let her hurt you."

"And if she had tried to shoot I would have shot her."

"A risk I was willing to take to keep you safe. I love you. I've always loved you and I will always love you."

"Why did you run with her? Because of the girl?"

"Yes, I couldn't let anything happen to Skye. She's the only innocent in this whole story and now I need your and Casey's help to keep her safe."

"Sweetie, I trust and love you but I don't know if Casey will go along."

"What are your orders?"

"We are to take you in and arrest Jill."

"What did Beckman say about that other thing that I didn't mention but she should know?"

"Nothing, actually she refused to comment on it the last time we spoke and got kind of defensive. Were you hinting about the little girl, Jill's daughter? I guess I need to ask you a question?"

"No you don't but I'll tell you what I do know." But as Chuck was about to reveal his hand three black Escalades pulled up and men in black BDUs jumped out. Sarah called Casey inside as they watched the men deploy.

"Hey Casey, look out the window we've got company and they don't look like they're from Avon. You need to get everyone to safety."

"Tell Casey to take them down to the basement they should be safe there at least until after the first assault." Then Chuck had an idea. "Tell Casey to ask Jill's parents if Uncle Bernie left anything there like a strong box or something."

"The thirty foot rule," said Sarah. "Hey Casey did you hear that? Crap they're setting up a Browning in the front yard."

"Yeah, and they should be more careful with the Seven Dwarfs. Oh poor Doc. I liked him."

"Chuck mission," said Sarah. "Casey, my guess is they're going to pepper the house so you should be safe in the basement."

"Ask Casey if he has any toys in the trunk?"

"He heard you. … You've got what? And we've been driving around with those is in the trunk? … I'm not a North African terrorist and they're one step removed from an IED."

"What did he say?" asked Chuck.

"There's supposed to be a couple IG-88s," said Sarah as she hung up with Casey and began to call Beckman.

"Tell Beckman our situation but don't tell her about Skye, please. I swear I'll explain but we don't have time right now." Chuck opened his door and went to the trunk. "Yeah they're here."

"Chuck be careful with them."