A/N: Thanks again to michaelfmx for his beta services. It is really helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Also thank you again for the kind reviews. They really help to keep you motivated in the writing process. Hope you enjoy this next chapter, and I look forward to hearing from everybody. Again I do not own Chuck or any of its characters. Enjoy.
Team Bartowski had been staring at the monitors for hours. Their plan was in full swing, and right now all they could do was watch a dot on a screen. Although it represented the only lead they had, the monotony of staring at a blinking dot was tiring. A large part of the mission hinged on where that dot stopped. Smith and his organization had effectively operated in the shadows for a very long time. The world had gone on without ever knowing of their influence, but yet was constantly being bent to their will. This dot on their screen represented the first real glimpse at the men in the shadows. Just then the Team got the signal from another tracker. They pulled up the satellite image on the screen and were face to face with the group that had manipulated them so well. "Where is that?" Morgan asked.
"I'll tell you where that is. That's the middle of nowhere, Montana," Verbanski replied.
"Why in the heck would Smith be there?" Morgan questioned.
"I'll tell you why. It's the last place anybody would look. Think about it. Who goes looking for trouble in the middle of a ranch in Montana? Smith and his men can come and go as they please and nobody will be the wiser. Any local law enforcement is probably on the payroll," Casey responded.
"Do you think that's where they are keeping Chuck?" Sarah was worried about Chuck. She knew Chuck could take care of himself, but something in her gut told her she needed to find him soon.
"All we can do is check the satellite images and see if we catch any sign of Smith or Chuck. In the meantime, everybody get some rest. We are headed to Montana," Casey responded.
"Casey, what if Chuck isn't ready for our strike? I know this is all part of the plan, but if he isn't ready then we could hang him out to dry," Sarah said.
"Sarah, we have to trust that Chuck will be ready for us. This is all part of the plan. Don't worry, he'll be ok. Chuck will be ready. Now we have to uphold our part of the deal." Casey knew this was all a calculated risk, but they had to risk it. Chuck knew the odds going in. They all did. They were doing this for all of their futures.
"Well then, let's get this show on the road," Sarah responded.
"Wheels up in four hours," Casey ordered.
Team Bartowski was ready. They just had to hope that Smith wouldn't see them coming.
Smith contemplated everything that had transpired in the past twenty four hours. Charles Irving Bartowski was slouched in a chair right in front of him. The Intersect, in all its glory, was right there, and yet he couldn't use it. Every person who had tried to control it or possess it in the past had wound up either dead or with a few screws loose. The only person that could ever seem to handle it was the man passed out right in front of him. How was it that this self-proclaimed nerd is the only man able to wield the power of such an amazing weapon? Smith just stared at Chuck. He was fascinated by the science and logic of it all. Something about this man in front of him was special and he was going to figure it out. Just then, Smith heard a voice from behind.
"Smith, shouldn't we move him?" Jill asked.
"Yes, I suppose so," Smith commented as he stepped away from Chuck, allowing his men to take him.
Smith followed the men out of the room and proceeded towards his office. He knew that everything that he and his organization had worked for was right there for the taking. He could taste the fruit of victory, yet he couldn't enjoy it. The one recurring theme that always followed Team Bartowski was that they tended to come out on top. They had been able to overcome some pretty insurmountable odds over the years, and Smith wondered if he and his organization would just end up being another feather in their cap. He quickly pushed these thoughts away. They had been extremely careful and had planned for every contingency. There was no way they would not secure the outcome they wanted.
Smith approached his desk and sat in front of his computer. The computer was old and outdated. The technology it ran on was probably older than he was, but it represented the only form of communication he had with his superiors. Smith just stared at the screen and the single blinking cursor that was on it. I guess now is as good of time as any, Smith thought
First test complete and no sign of a flash. Smith typed.
Good, proceed with further tests. We must find out what, if anything, has been discovered about our organization.
Once the asset is ready we will proceed with further tests. Smith replied.
What are possibilities of flipping the asset?
Possibility of flipping asset extremely low. Smith responded.
Tests are first priority, but flipping asset is something we want you to keep an eye on. If it becomes a possibility we should be ready.
Yes Sir. Smith typed.
Smith thought about the objectives laid out before him. He pulled out his trusty bottle of scotch and a glass. "Got enough for two?" Jill asked.
"So sorry. Where are my manners? Would you like some?" Smith questioned.
Jill just nodded and watched while pulled a second glass out from his desk and poured them their drinks.
She looked over at Smith as she recalled the first day that she had met him.
Flashback:
Jill found herself trapped in an ally. An SUV sat at both ends blocking any means of escape. She had no idea who had trapped her, but she had no intention of going down without a fight. She had been on the run for months now and was exhausted and out of money. She was ready to make a stand or go down fighting. Jill sprinted towards one of the vehicles, kicking the door closed as it was being opened. Keeping her foot against the door she smashed the window with the butt of her gun. Before Jill could point her gun at whoever was in the car, a fist came surging forward just missing her face. She was able to adjust but the punch pushed her back, allowing the assailant to exit the car. As Jill regained her composure and began to ready her weapon, the man disarmed her. Jill looked at the man and knew she was no match for his strength. The man approached and again threw a punch. Jill used her speed to avoid and counter with a quick knee to the privates. The man fell in pain and Jill answered with a palm strike to the nose, easily breaking it. Another man approaching from the rear, wrapping her in a bear hug. She was beginning to feel the pressure on her ribs and was worried how much longer she could hold on. She drove the heel of her foot down striking the man in the foot. The slight release of pressure on her ribs was enough to allow her to throw her head back and strike the man in the face. The blow didn't have much power behind it, yet it freed her from his grasp. She took advantage of the man's momentary loss of balance and landed a swift side kick to his abdomen following it up with a roundhouse kick to the temple.
All of a sudden Jill heard the distinct sound of hands clapping. She whipped around to see a man standing there. There were multiple men behind him. As she turned to look at the other end of the alley she saw another wall of men approaching her. Well at least those two will remember when they arrested me, she thought to herself.
"That was quite a show you put on there," the man said, stopping his applause.
"Who the hell are you?" Jill yelled.
"A friend, I hope," the man replied.
"You have a funny way of greeting your friends," Jill responded.
"Well you were the one who started all of this. We just wanted to approach you about a job offer and you go off kicking and screaming." The man just stared at Jill waiting for her response.
"A job offer? Those haven't been working out for me very well lately, so I think I'll have to pass. Besides I don't even know who you are." Jill was unsure of what this man really wanted, but right now it wasn't like she had much of a choice but to listen.
"Where are my manners? The name is Smith. Trust me when I say we are nothing like your last employer. Fulcrum was weak and short-sighted. We have a much grander plan in store and I feel like you could be of some use to us. I have a proposition for you Ms. Roberts. You can come with me and we can discuss your future with my organization, or you can continue to live a life on the run, always looking over your shoulder." Smith nodded at his men in the alley and they all started to return to their cars.
"Wait," Jill yelled. "What if I go with you, but I don't like what I hear?" she asked.
"I tell you what. What if you pick the when and where we will meet? If you do not like my job offer then you will be free to leave. No strings attached. You see Jill, may I call you Jill, I believe that it is very important that all my employees feel like they want to be here. How can we build a sense of trust if I force you to work for me?" Smith looked at Jill and hoped that what he had said was enough to intrigue her.
"Since we are all here now, what do you say we get this meeting over with?" Jill didn't know anything about this man or the group he worked for. The last thing she wanted was to give the man time to regroup. She was already working on exit strategies and she figured, with neither of them prepared, it gave her the best shot at escape. "There is a diner just down the street. The two of us can enjoy a quick bite to eat, while your goons wait outside."
"Sounds good to me. Looks like you could use a good meal," Smith said as he pointed at Jill.
Jill and Smith entered the diner. Smith had requested the booth right next to the exit. "You see Jill, you can leave whenever you like. I promise my men will not bother you. If you let me speak my piece, you will have two options when I am finished. You can walk out that front door with me starting a new life, or you can walk out the back and never see me again. Agreed?" Smith waited for Jill to respond and was happy to see her give him a slight nod.
"Good then. How about you take a seat and order. Waitress, please get this young lady whatever she would like and put it on my bill," Smith said.
Jill wasn't sure what to think about all of this, but again, what choice did she have? All she could hope for was that this Smith character was telling her the truth and she would be able to walk free when all of this was over. She ordered her food, taking in everything around her. Her Fulcrum training was in full use right now. The exits were both accessible, but in the front sat the two SUVs filled with Smith's men. She had no way of verifying what waited for her out back. She glanced at everyone in the diner. No one seemed out of place. The few guests that were actually in the diner payed no attention to her and Smith. That was a good thing. She was hoping that by having the meeting immediately, Smith would be unable to gain the upper hand and place his people throughout the meeting place.
"So Jill, you are probably wondering what this is all about. My employer and I agree that you could be a great asset for our organization. You see Jill, we believe that knowledge is key. The old ways of doing things with guns and fists is coming to an end. Of course, you will always need a little good, old-fashioned violence, but the real power is going to fall with the people that control all the information. My group and I specialize in information. That is how we found you. We are always watching and waiting for opportunities to appear and your escape was an opportunity we just couldn't pass up. Jill, we want you to help us. You have intimate knowledge of a couple of subjects that we are extremely interested in." Smith paused for a moment to gauge his progress.
"What subjects might those be?" Jill inquired.
"Now, I can't go giving away all my secrets just yet. I have to know you are on board first. Jill, I am offering you a clean slate. We will wipe you from the system. We will give you the ability to walk free again. No more looking over your shoulder, wondering where the next threat will come from. A clean identity and all we will ask for in return is your loyalty. The government doesn't care why you joined Fulcrum, all they will care about is that you know too much about their precious Intersect. Oops, did I just let the cat out of the bag? There I go again, sharing too much. This mouth of mine is going to get me in trouble someday." Smith finished his speech and waited for any kind of reaction from Jill.
Jill thought about what the man sitting in front of her had just said. He was right about one thing. It didn't matter the what, when, where, or why behind why she joined Fulcrum. She knew too much about Bryce, Chuck, and the Intersect. No matter how long she tried to hide, she could never outrun the US Government. That damn Intersect, she thought. She could never seem to get away from it. Jill knew that Bryce was going to be the death of her. Well, Jill knew it was time to make a decision. She thought about getting up and heading straight for the back door and leaving this whole mess behind her, but what kind of life would that be, always on the run with nowhere to go. "Smith is it? I just have one question. What do you plan to do with me?" Jill asked.
"Oh, looks like I have tickled your fancy a little," Smith replied with a grin. "You see Jill, my group and I just watch and observe, and that is all we would ask of you. Then, when the time is right, we all have to get our hands a little dirty, but that is for another time and place. Well, I think I have said about all I can to convince you. It's decision time. Will you take door number one with me or go door number two alone?" Smith then began to hum the jeopardy music as if all of this was a giant game.
Jill looked at Smith and knew there was something not right with this man, but she was tired of running.
"I guess door number one it is," She replied. Standing up from the table and slowing pushing her chair in.
"That is great. I think this is the beginning of something very special. Smith offered her his arm and she graciously accepted. They exited the diner and walked to the cars. He opened the door and allowed Jill to enter. Smith smiled as he closed the door and walked around and joined Jill in the vehicle.
Casey, Verbanski, and Sarah had arrived in Montana. Night had fallen and the Team was conducting a recon mission around Smith's compound. "Remember everybody, this is not a smash-and-grab job, so keep your asses out of sight," Casey barked over the radio.
"What if my ass is in your sight?" Verbanski joked.
Casey responded with a low growl across the comms.
"Ok children, let's keep the flirting to a minimum," Sarah joked.
"Any sign of movement?" Casey asked, quickly changing the subject.
"No movement to the south," Verbanski responded.
"North and east are clear," Sarah called back.
"West is all clear. Whatever type of security detail Smith has is making sure to stay out of sight." Just then, Casey saw what appeared to be a two-man team exiting the building. They were doing a routine security sweep of the perimeter. "I have two bogeys approaching the north of the compound."
"I got them. They are circling the building. Gertrude, they should be coming into your line of sight any moment," Sarah relayed.
"I've picked them up and they are entering the building. Looks like we have some kind of fingerprint scanner on this end. We will have to either bypass the scanner or gain use of a finger," Verbanski commented.
"Right, now we sit back and watch. We have to give Chuck some time to get ready on his end. Hopefully Smith will contact Grimes back at Castle and then Chuck will know we are ready to go. Everybody sit tight and let's keep our eyes peeled. The more intel we gather, the better chance we have of surviving this," Casey responded.
"You'd better survive this John. You still owe me that massage you promised," Gertrude joked.
The comms went silent, it was all Sarah could do not to laugh. The mighty Casey had fallen. He was not only in a relationship, but was in love. Not that anybody would probably ever hear him say that.
"Ok, everybody hunker down. Looks like we could be here a while," Sarah said, breaking the silence. All the Team could do now was sit and wait. They had to be patient and gain any information they could.
Smith noticed Jill was staring into space. "Jill, you still with me?" he asked.
"Yes. Sorry, just thinking back to the day we met," Jill replied.
"That was a nice little diner we ate at. We should go back sometime and reminisce about old times. I still remember the beating you gave those two guards of mine. That was when I knew I just had to have you," Smith responded with a laugh.
"Well, here's to our first successful test," Smith toasted. "Hopefully we will have many more."
Jill nodded and raised her glass. "How have we been ordered to proceed?" Jill asked pointing towards Smith's screen.
"We're to proceed as planned. First objective is still to run Chuck through all the tests and see what, if anything, is in the Intersect about our organization. The second objective is to see if there is any possibility to bring Chuck on board. You have a past with Chuck, what do you think the possibilities of that are?" Smith inquired.
"I would say pretty low. If Chuck is one thing, he is loyal. I am not sure how much Chuck has changed over the years, but I can tell that hasn't changed."
"What makes you say that?" Smith inquired.
"The way he looks at Sarah. I have been observing him carefully and I saw it again today when I showed him their wedding picture. You can see it in his eyes, there isn't anything he wouldn't do for her. I have been on the other end of that gaze before. It is hard to miss. Chuck won't do anything to risk his friends and family. Beyond that, I am not sure how much I really know Chuck anymore. The last time I saw him, he was still innocent and scared. I think the innocence is still there, but that scared little boy has been replaced with someone else. I am not sure who or what yet, but I would venture to say his team has had a little bit to do with that."
"Well, I say we enjoy our drinks and this little victory. Now we bring phase two online and see how Chuck handles that." With that Smith took a large gulp and slammed his drink down.
Chuck was slowly regaining consciousness. Man, I hope that these tranquilizers don't have any side effects, he thought. As Chuck's eyes began to gain focus, he could see a figure sitting at the end of his bed. "Smith, we are going to have to stop meeting like this," Chuck said with a snicker.
"I'd like to think I am a little easier on the eyes than Smith is," Jill joked.
"Jill, what are you doing here?" Chuck questioned
"I just wanted to make sure I didn't put too many tranq darts in you. Sorry, I got a little trigger happy."
"Come on Jill, you know what I mean. What are you doing here with Smith? I let you go to live a life away from all of this and here you are, right in the middle of it again. I wanted you to have a normal life. Fulcrum manipulated you into joining their ranks. I gave you that ring in hopes that, if faced with that same choice again, you would choose to get out. I guess I was wrong." Chuck couldn't believe that Jill was there in front of him again. He thought when he let her go that he would never see her again.
"Really Chuck, you have to ask? How long did you think that I could run, knowing what I knew? The Government wasn't going to rest until I was in a hole somewhere or worse. Smith found me and he offered me a clean start. That ring you gave me wasn't going to be enough to keep me safe. I had no other options so I took it. Don't act like you are innocent in all of this. You had your chances to get out, and you just kept diving right back in," Jill shouted with venom in her voice.
"What do you know about me and what I've done? You don't know me Jill, and I don't think you ever really did. You just saw a nerdy guy that you could make your puppet," Chuck yelled back matching Jill's anger. "And a fresh start? Seriously? You call this," he continued, waving his hands around the room, "a fresh start?"
Jill ignored his comments and continued, "Chuck, Smith and I have been following you since I left. I have read the reports. You had the Intersect removed and yet you downloaded it again. You left the spy world after the fall of the Ring and got pulled right back in. Then the CIA burnt you and you create your own spy team. Chuck, you had your chances to get out and yet here we are. You say I treated you like a puppet, what do you think the government has done, or your wife for that matter?" Jill tried to continue her rant but Chuck interrupted her.
"Don't you dare talk about her! You know nothing about her. If you've been watching us this whole time then it's pretty clear you haven't learned a damn thing. Sarah is the best thing to ever happen to me. I had the ability to help people and I couldn't walk away from that. Sarah saw that quality in me from the very beginning. She showed me that I could be the hero in the story. She believed in me more than you ever did, so don't you dare talk about her. Sarah didn't treat me like some puppet that she had to control. She never wanted me to change."
Jill could sense that she had struck a nerve. There was that loyalty she knew Chuck had. Casey and Sarah had affected Chuck, but they hadn't changed that. It was the chink in his armor that she was looking for. Chuck couldn't make a move without putting his team in danger, and that was all the leverage she and Smith would need.
"I say we give the wife a call and let her see how you are spending your time," Jill responded.
Just then, a monitor appeared from behind a panel on the far wall. An image of Castle came into focus on the screen but there was nobody there. "Looks like your team has already moved on without you Chuck," Jill said with a laugh. Just then Morgan appeared on the screen.
"Ahhhhh, you scared me. I was walking to get some food then, poof, there you were Chuck. Sorry man I just didn't expect to see you. Smith taking ok care of you?" Morgan asked.
"I guess you could say that," Chuck responded.
"Hey, who is that with you? Is that Jill? Holy cow! Talk about a blast from the past. What do you have to do with all of this? I always knew you were a little crazy, but Smith crazy? Even I have to admit that I didn't see that one coming," Morgan continued to ramble and Jill was growing impatient.
"Morgan, shut up. Where is the rest of your team?" Jell screamed at the screen.
"Who? Casey and Sarah? They are resting in the bunks in back. You know, even super spies have to sleep. You want me to show you? Morgan grabbed another monitor that showed multiple beds each occupied by a different member of Team Bartowski. See, fast asleep. I can wake them if you like, but I suggest we let them get their sleep since we have the big mission Smith keeps talking about," Morgan commented.
"Leave them Morgan. Just let them know that I said Hi," Jill said with a laugh.
"Ok, I guess I can do that, and Chuck you stay safe out there. I am here for you and will do whatever I can to get you back," Morgan's comments were quickly cut off as the screen went black.
"Well, I guess we can see how much you matter to your team. They are all sound asleep while you sit behind enemy lines. Sleep tight Chuck and get some rest, you are definitely going to need it," Jill said as she exited the room.
Chuck just looked at the monitor. Got your message loud and clear buddy, he thought. Chuck knew that the rest of his team were about to make a move against Smith and he had to put his efforts into high gear to be ready.
Morgan was in shock. What did Jill have to do with all of this? Chuck had filled him in on the basics of Jill's spy life, but that wasn't much. Morgan was worried about his friends. Smith seemed to have an advantage around every turn. Not only did Jill provide Intel, she also provided a soft spot. Morgan knew that Chuck loved Sarah, and nothing was ever going to change that. It was the idea that Chuck might do something stupid and try to save Jill from herself….again. He knew this muddied the waters, but the plan was already in motion. Morgan went to the secure room and called Sarah. "Just saw Chuck and he knows that you guys are about to make your move," Morgan said.
"Thanks Morgan. You did well. Now all we can hope for is that Chuck will be ready for us," Sarah responded with a little since of relief. Now she was sure that Chuck knew things were about ready to go down.
"Sarah, there's something else.… Jill is there and she is helping Smith hold Chuck." Morgan knew this information wouldn't sit well with Sarah, but the Team needed to have all the facts.
"Thanks Morgan. We'll be in touch." Sarah hung up the phone and proceeded to let out a loud grunt over the comms.
"What's going on Walker?" Casey asked.
"Chuck knows we're coming, but Smith isn't alone. Jill Roberts is there," Sarah informed Casey.
Casey only responded with a grunt. He knew better than to poke the bull at this point.
Sarah just stared at the compound in front of her. The feelings she was experiencing weren't jealousy or mistrust. They were a deep-seated anger towards someone that Chuck had tried to save who had chosen to reward him like this. Chuck had given Jill a new lease on life and this is how she chose to spend it. Sarah hoped that Chuck could handle the curveball the team had just been thrown. Chuck's trusting nature was something Jill had manipulated in the past. Jill was going to pay for breaking Chuck's trust. Sarah was going to make sure of that.
Chuck had seen more images than he cared to count. Jill and Smith just kept bombarding him with image after image. He figured they were trying to gauge what, if anything, was in the Intersect about their organization. He was trying to recognize anything that might help him, but there were so many images, and they seemed so random, that there was no way for him to distinguish between ones of importance and ones just there to confuse him. During the few breaks that he was given, Chuck cataloged as much information as he could about his captors and his surroundings. It had been nearly twelve hours since his conversation with Morgan. Morgan had said the he would do anything to find Chuck. That was the signal. The team had agreed if they found anything Morgan would stay behind in case Smith tried to contact them again. If he had used the word we instead of I that would have told Chuck they hadn't found anything yet and the team would still be in Burbank. It was a crude code, but it worked. He knew that the rest of Team Bartowski would be making there move shortly.
Everything was coming together quickly so Chuck had to act, and he had to act now. Chuck had just wrapped up another test. He walked to his room and grabbed the chair so he could stand on it and reach the ceiling. He stuck his head above the drop ceiling to see if he could gather any information about the facility. As he was looking, he heard the door open and the distinct sound of Smith's voice. "Don't hurt yourself Chuck. We might have finished the tests, but the big mission is still to come."
Chuck looked down from the ceiling to see Smith and Jill just gazing up at him. "Oh, just seeing what was up here. You know, the tech guy in me never shuts off. Just like to see what kind of ship you are running." Chuck said as he got down off the chair.
"Oh Chuck, don't be so modest. I know you were trying to find a data line to hack into. You can look up there all you want. Those lines are all hidden rather well, so feel free to keep looking. I would have been a little concerned if you hadn't tried something. I mean, what kind of spy would you be if you didn't at least try to get some Intel while you were here? Shortly, your stay with us will be over, and you can go back to your wife. Chuck, I am not the bad guy in all of this? Governments, secret societies, you name it, they all are after the same thing….. power. That pursuit has been going on since the dawn of man. It just boils down to which side you choose. Chuck, you have a rare opportunity here. You get to see behind the curtain, so to speak. Everything is right here laid out in front of you. You have the Intersect with all the secrets, and yet you choose to serve instead of use it for yourself. You could take that knowledge and turn it into power. Governments, businessmen, and all people would bow before you with all the information in your head. Chuck, an organization like mine could help you to wield that power."
"Smith, why don't you save your breath? If this is the big speech trying to lure me over to the dark side, it's a waste of time. An organization like yours answers to no one. There is nothing stopping you from doing whatever you want. Like threating my friends and family. Need I remind you that you shot at Sarah's father just because you didn't like what we had to say? The government isn't perfect and they make their share of mistakes, but there are still good people fighting the good fight. So save your sales pitch, the answer is no." Chuck responded.
"Ok, Chuck. I can see when I am beating a dead horse, but one last fact. A little food for thought, as they say. This government you speak of, with all their soldiers fighting the good fight. This is the same government that ordered the execution of one of their soldiers…you." Smith paused to let the information sink in.
"What are you talking about?" Chuck asked.
"When you recovered the cipher from Mr. Colt and the new Intersect was about to be brought online, Langston Graham and General Beckman ordered your termination. The risk of their secrets getting out there outweighed the value of your life. You see Chuck, corruption is everywhere. If you don't look out for yourself, nobody else will. I could show you the file and all the records we have on the order, but would you really believe little old me?" Smith turned and walked towards the door. "I suggest when you get home you sit down and have a nice long conversation with your team. Maybe start with the real brooding one that likes to grunt. Just a suggestion." Smith exited the room.
"Jill, what is he talking about?" Chuck asked.
Jill saw a real chance to exploit Chuck's naivety. She was not going to let it pass. "You see Chuck. They feared what someone could do with the Intersect stuck in their brain. Your service didn't matter. All the good you did meant nothing to them. All that mattered was keeping themselves safe. They will try to spin it that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few, but we both know that's not true. When did the murder of one United States citizen ever become OK? You see Chuck, that is why I joined Smith. The government that you so desperately fight to protect planned to kill you. What do you think they would have done had they caught me? Be careful Chuck. Don't forget about who was your team back then. Don't think that they didn't know or didn't have something to do with it. Like Smith said, just some food for thought." Then Jill turned and exited the room closing the door behind her. She hoped that Chuck still cared for her enough to believe what she had just said. She knew if he did this last little bit of information might have been enough to drive a wedge between him and his Team.
Chuck hung on the words that Smith and Jill had just said. Had they really ordered his termination? Did Sarah and Casey have anything to do with it? Chuck was unsure on what to believe, but he knew that he was going to get to the bottom of it one way or another.