ChuckParis11
A/N: For the Dutchman and the other 13 who are faithful despite the threats from the mob...
Chapter 12 – The Funeral, the Ultimatum and the Assault
Hannah's stepfather passed away unexpectedly and she flew from Antwerp to San Francisco for the funeral and to spend time with her mother. Her adopted family had suffered a terrible loss and Chuck told her to take as long as she needed to reconnect and provide her mother with support.
She didn't want to go. There was nothing between her and her 'step-father'. She even called him by name, not 'Dad' or some other honorific. She knew Chuck needed her but he insisted that she fulfill her responsibilities to her family and support her mother. She reluctantly agreed and it was a tearful farewell. She cried because she was leaving him at a time of crisis and because she hated being around her adoptive family, except her little brothers.
Chuck was awakened by her call at 3:30am but was happy to receive it. He missed her.
"Baby, I'm in San Francisco at the airport and I'm meeting a driver from the funeral home who was sent to pick me up. I see the sign. I'll call you when I get home, Chuck, and have time to talk. I miss you and I'll be back by your side as soon as I'm certain my mother is OK. I love you, Chuck. Watch your ass and don't drink too much with Henri and definitely don't party with him. I'll be back in your arms as soon as I can, lover. Don't forget me."
"Yes, dear. Now go take care of your mom. I'll talk with you later. I love you too, Ms. Nguyen."
They disconnected and Hannah smiled. It was the first time he'd used the 'L' word.
She spotted the sign for 'Hannah Harris' and frowned. Since high school she'd been 'Hannah Nguyen'; she did it more to insult her mother's husband than because she felt tied to her roots. She introduced herself to the driver and surrendered her baggage claim tickets and proceeded through Customs.
Antwerp
Two Days Later
Chuck stayed in Antwerp, determined to get to the bottom of the blown mission. His conversation with Casey had driven a wedge between them and he was reluctant to contact him for information or support. He dealt with Beckman and she was not happy with it.
"Agent Bartowski, you have a case officer. Deal with him, not me."
"When he proves himself trustworthy again, I will. Until then, it's you and me, General."
"Fine." A huge sigh from the general carried a lot of frustration and resignation. "Colonel Casey says that one of our operatives switched the discs to 'flip the bird' to the Ring. He says it won't happen again."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Has Agent Forrest been replaced? She jeopardized our entire mission for some juvenile prank. Totally unprofessional."
"What's really bugging you, Agent? You would have done something similar yourself once upon a time."
"And I'd have been just as stupid and wrong as Alex was. Fine. I'll let it slide this time but it's my ass on the line here, General, not a chair-warmer in DC or some cold-hearted bitch of an agent in Belgium."
"Alexandra Forrest has opened up a psychotherapy practice in Paris, all purely cover for your operation. You'll need to establish contact and set up a working cover for your meetings. Agent Bartowski, you'll need someone you can dump on, vent, report to. She'll serve that function. She's an accomplished therapist, and everything is confidential. It has to be. Use the sessions to pass on intel but understand that everything else will go unreported. My word on it."
"I have a meeting to attend. How are you getting along with…um…the Director General's daughter?" Sometimes she could see the forest for despite the trees.
He hung up on her. It was his personal business not the damned NSA or anyone else's. She wasn't returning his calls and she'd been gone almost 2 days without contact after she'd called to tell him she'd gotten to San Francisco OK. He was worried. He had no time to screw around with a shrink, even if she was his case officer.
Henri found Chuck sitting in a small café across from the hotel. He was well into a bottle of Irish whiskey, something Henri had never seen him do before and it worried him. Both he and Panzer had grown fond of him despite Panzer's initial dislike and Henri's natural reluctance to trust a traitor. All that changed after the Brewery and Antwerp. There was no question where his loyalties lie.
"Chuck, the Director General requires us back in Paris. Something important is in the wind and he needs your input and counsel. We fly out immediately. Are you OK?"
"Yep. Just fine and dandy. Hannah must be having a large time since she can't find the time to return a damned phone call. Yeah, I'll be ready. Anything on ter Horst?"
He noted the topic switch and he became the Ring professional once again.
"Nothing, Leader. Her residential apartment had been ransacked and she hasn't reported for work and her bureau has put her on a security watch. I fear the CIA or one of the European agencies has her."
Chateau Almandine
Paris, France
"Chuck, it is good to see you. You've left no stone unturned in the Antwerp fiasco and no blame can be placed on your team. Things happen in this business. But I didn't call you back to discuss failure."
"I received a coded file from the North American Directorate. They are demanding autonomy and my resignation. They are holding my Hannah hostage as leverage. I have 72 hours to make the announcement to the Directorate or they will kill Hannah."
The Ring was riddled with political intrigue and diverse ideas about what the real underlying purpose of the world organization should be. Most regions were supportive of the 'mercenary intelligence agency' concept that had been the driving idea behind the organization since its inception and the source of its incredible wealth and influence.
Two influential directorships, North America and the Far Eastern Region did not agree. They believed in a more direct and controlling approach. They infiltrated governments with Fulcrum or Ring operatives to influence and direct the actions and outcomes of international events with the goal of total control of the government. They would be the government.
"Let me see the file. If it's the Ring or Fulcrum in the US…" He flashed but it was incomplete. The damned emotional barrier was back, now when he needed to flash the most.
He closed his eyes and went through the 'centering' exercise Shaw had showed him and he flashed – on the entire structure of the Ring as well as personnel and locations. It was too much to really comprehend but he recited as much as he could.
Dubois had never witnessed Chuck accessing the intersect in such detail and he was shocked at how pale he became and how labored his breathing appeared. He was equally shocked and dismayed at the level of knowledge the NSA possessed on his organization.
Together they watched the ransom video file. The 'narrator' stood in shadows but Chuck's flash had included a few voiceprints. This was the Ring Director, Howard Dill, also the Director of Covert Operations for the CIA's South American region. This was not good.
Hannah was healthy and appeared unmolested and was holding up a copy of the USA Today showing the date. She had been crying and her face betrayed her fears.
"Proof of life as of yesterday." He wracked his brain for additional information.
"They're probably holding her on the west coast since transporting her would be unnecessarily risky. I need all the locations of the Ring and Fulcrum west of the Mississippi. From there we can figure out where they're holding her and how best to get her back to us. I need to make a call to the NSA. I have a contact there who may still be willing to help me."
"Go ahead. I will give you privacy. I still have contacts from the old days who are 'legitimate', also."
Chuck walked out into the garden and called Beckman.
"Beckman, secure. What is it, Bartowski?"
"Howard Dill. I need his physical location and agenda for the past 2 days and the next three. I'll surprise you when you call me back." He hung up without another word.
For the billionth time he wished he still smoked. It would give him something to do with his shaking hands and the time he'd spend waiting to see if Beckman would deliver.
Her call was short, without the usual protocols.
"He's in Sacramento attending a meeting of the regional homeland security state directors. He's been there since Monday and is scheduled to be on vacation for the next week starting Friday. He's going fishing in the Sacramento River Estuary."
"He's the Ring Director for North America. He's trying to gain autonomy from the international organization and he's a loose cannon. Just so you know, I'm going to kill him."
"Understood. Does this have anything to do with a certain young lady's disappearance? Her stepfather is alive and well, Chuck. It was all a ploy to separate her from her protective circle. She's being held at a Ring facility that is masquerading as a resort. The same place the meeting is being held."
"Thank you, General, thank you. I'll need a clean weapons cache near the resort. Suggestion: consider buying European and African intel from a 3rd party at bargain basement prices in the future. Just think about the possibilities and the positive effect on your budget. I'll get back with you unless something goes really wrong."
He didn't say goodbye. It was unnecessary. He reported the results to Jacques who had the good sense not to ask for a source.
"What are your plans? It will take at least 24 hours to get in position if you use American assets. You won't know who's loyal and who's not."
"Then I'll use European assets, those who ran the Chateau operation with me. Can I 'borrow' Hugo and Henri? I promise to bring them all back, Jacques. Just so you know in advance, the Directorship in North America will soon be vacant. Start interviewing for a replacement."
San Francisco International Airport
2am
The group had cleared Customs with no problems at all. There was a message for 'Charles Carmichael' to pick up the 'white courtesy phone'.
"Carmichael."
"Welcome home. Go to Hertz and pick up your keys to a Suburban. The 'cache' you requested in is the rear. Good hunting."
He shook his head and motioned the group over to a newsstand.
"That was our support. We're off the books on this one. I just burned my last bridge so what we have is all we got. The 'equipment' is in a Suburban I'm picking up from Hertz. Wait out front for me, and Henri, keep Panzer away from the flight attendants." He grinned at Panzer who shot him the bird.
Thirty minutes later and 200 miles from Sacramento and the target, Chuck pulled into an interstate rest area.
"We need a plan. Here are floor plans of the facility. It's current. Review it and let me have suggestions. Just walking up like we did at the Brewery won't work, I'm afraid."
He drove at the legal limit towards Sacramento. It would be unfortunate if they were stopped and had to explain 5 Frenchmen and two Americans with automatic weapons going 'fishing' to a cop.
By 10am they'd passed through Sacramento and were only 20 miles from the resort. The ideas had flowed fast and furious but nothing seemed to have the right set up to it. Chuck was beginning to have doubts about the entire rescue attempt. They could end up forcing Dill's hand and he might harm Hannah.
Panzer provided the solution. "Chuck, we go at them like we did at the Brewery only instead of me being the captured agent, it's you. What better way to gain entry to the inner workings than to deliver the 'captured intersect' as a swap for the girl?"
"Unless you really are delivering the intersect for a piece of the reward?" He had a bad feeling all of a sudden but the look on Panzer's face made him relax – he was horrified at the thought.
"Ok, we'll do it your way. Just go easy on me. I'm fragile, Hugo. Remember the cargo hold?" That brought laughs all around.
"Sorry, Chuck," said Hugo. He 'bagged' Chuck and then punched him twice and then put on the cuffs. Authenticity was important.
The entry through the loading docks went smoothly. The Ring personnel knew Henri and Hugo by reputation and so allowed entry without too many questions. It got 'complicated' when they approached the 'holding' area. The locals wanted to take possession and the European Ring agents were not giving up their prisoner.
"We will take him to holding and bring back the girl. When the announcement has been made, we'll allow you all to go home to France…with your woman and your tail between your legs."
A muffled 'screw this shit' emanated from the bag and Chuck dropped the fake cuffs and pulled off the bag and pulled out his weapon and placed it against the forehead of the 'leader'. The French team disarmed the others who were frozen by the sudden change in events.
"Where is the girl? You have three seconds. One, two…" The 'phffft' of the silenced pistol ended his count. He pointed to the next man and repeated his question and his count.
"Wait! I'll take you. She's with the Director. He's 'entertaining' her."
Images flashed through his mind and he almost pulled the trigger in rage but Hugo stopped him.
"Later. You can kill them all later. First we must free Hannah. Business before pleasure, Leader Windsor."
He shook his head to clear it but the rage would not subside. "You! If you value your life, take us there quickly. Any tricks and I'll shoot your balls off first."
Hannah was naked and had wrapped herself in a sheet and was curled up on the far corner of the cell bunk. The Director was tying his tie when the door hissed open and Chuck stepped in. One second. It took him one second to take in the tableau and then the Director turned to see who had disturbed him.
Chuck shot him in the kneecap, then the groin and finally, after a few very long seconds, he shot him again in the face. He kicked the man viciously and then put his pistol in his waistband and went to Hannah.
"Hannah, c'mon, stop crying and get dressed, baby. I love you more than ever and you don't have a thing to be ashamed of. Your father and I will take care of everything. Don't worry. I love you and nothing can change that. I'm just so sorry it took so long to get here. If only I'd been quicker…"
"No, no, no…it started yesterday. Today was just a repeat. I'm so sorry I didn't fight harder." Her face was swollen and he could see the bruises on her wrists and neck. He'd kill him again if he could.
"Get dressed. The unit is waiting and I have promises to keep. We'll be out of here in 15 minutes and safely in the air in another 6 hours. Quickly, Hannah. We don't have a lot of time."
His Ring communicator chirped and he answered tersely. "We're a little busy here…"
"Leader, go to the Sacramento civil airport. There is a chartered Gulf Stream waiting for you. Is she OK?"
He handed her the phone. "Here. Talk to your papa. We have to move quickly. The damned Homeland Security people are 3 floors up and discussing terrorism. We don't want to provide examples. Hurry, Hannah."
Finally, all patience exhausted, he scooped her up, still in the sheet, in his arms and ran down the corridor to where the team was holding the other Ring agents.
"Let's go. We have to get to San Francisco in 4 hours to catch our plane. Secure this filth and let's move it." He knew the Ring agents would be sure and tell their superiors about their deadline. He didn't care what they said. He'd be long gone before then and they'd be looking for them in San Francisco.
He felt something warm and sticky and saw that the sheet was soaked with blood. He felt light-headed for a moment but then looked at Henri and Panzer. He handed Hannah to Hugo.
"Those animals…" He lurched towards the loading dock and they wisely ignored the sounds of the silenced pistols restoring her honor.
Henri drove out of the parking lot within the speed limit so as not to attract undue attention. Chuck sat in the rear seat holding a quietly sobbing Hannah and whispering things in her ear.
"Henri, punch in the GPS for the Sacramento Civil Airport. We have a plane waiting for us courtesy of the Director General. You drive like an old lady. Move over and let Hannah drive."
Henri laughed and even Hannah giggled and soon fell asleep in Chuck's arms, safe at last.
The pilot had orders and a flight plan but she was still bleeding and he had to make a tough decision. He ordered the pilot to set course for Burbank airport outside of Los Angeles. He pulled out his cell and dialed a number he hadn't thought to use in almost six months. It was awkward dialing the phone with Hannah in his arms but he managed.
"This is Doctor Woodcomb. Who is this?"
"I need an ambulance and a good trauma surgeon standing by at the airport in Burbank. I'm coming in hot with a team who'll continue on to their destination. No questions now, please. The woman I'm going to marry has been…she's been raped, Ellie, and she's bleeding. Please, no questions. I'll see you in 75 minutes." He disconnected without another word. There would be time to deal with Ellie after Hannah was safe.
"So, do I have a choice in the matter, Chuck?" She looked up at him from her safe harbor in his arms.
"What?"
"Marrying you. Maybe I don't want to marry you. Your head is too big and your nose…" She was trying to make it easy on him. She could see how this had affected him and how badly he'd been frightened for her.
"Screw that. I just want to hold you and never let go. I was so scared, baby."
"Yeah, please. If you just hold me and lie to me and tell me I'm still your special girl…" She started to cry quietly. He had no idea how to handle it. He'd never been around a rape victim and he felt so helpless.
"You'll always be my special girl not matter what. I won't lie to you, Hannah. Remember the plane to Paris? I can't lie to you. I will marry you, Hannah, if I have to sedate you and have Hugo hold you up and say the vows. You will be my wife, my life partner, the mother of my children. Now, prepare for something elemental, Hannah. You're going to meet my sister, the Doctor."