A Chopper pilot called chuck

by batty02

Chuck the helo revised and expanded with the wonderful help of esardi Casey goes hunting Sarahs on the war path, Beckmans pissed off and chuck is a flyboy

4. Chapter 4

AN: Greetings everyone sorry for the delay But that happens I just wanted to say I Don't own anything from this story this is just a Idea that Came to Me when Watching a News clip about the 100 year anniversary of Katmai eruption they now have a Web Cam at the Katmai Visitor Center so you can watch the Bear's year round and not leave home go on plug it into goggle ill wait...

Also Give Props to Esadri He worked Hard on this and He Has Turned out to be a GREAT Help and influence in this Chapter. He has made this project go from a One shot to an Entire story so for those of you that fallow give his due he's earned it and its made this project fun thank you ESARDI

To Those who review i do take your advice into consideration and i do enjoy the Kind reviews so thank you all

AN2:

Dear Fellow Chuck Fans /Fellow Fan fiction people

Batty PSA:

I would like to take a minute of your time if I may I am slightly frustrated and need a second to vent if you'll allow me. September is national preparedness month, and I promise I won't go into detail but being I live in a tsunami /earthquake /Volcano zone If one of those happened today I would do okay however others won't be because they say that the government will save them. That is true to a point, however each of us have to prep for our own unique needs. I feel it is my duty to tell one and all that everyone should have a small disaster Kit weather its just a simple first aid kit, a pocket knife, flashlight and a Leather-man tool or it could be a complete Zombie Apocalypses Col Casey certified Bug Out Bag with a bazooka (I am being ridiculous here), If This Makes just one person survive a disaster in your area than ill feels better. It doesn't have to be all doom and Gloom y2k the world is coming to an end that not what I'm saying if you take a little each month and buy something that will help you survive later like a extra pack of batteries and put it an old back pack/purse/bag for when the power goes out that all I'm talking about wither its Man Made or Mother Nature I hope to see you when the power comes back and the chaos is gone. For those who want to know more go to .gov/build-a-kit

I'd rather have and not need it, then need it and not have it.

And If I may Close your eyes and say a prayer for the people of the military and those who survived 9/11

Thank you for your Time

Now Back to the story

A Chopper Pilot Named Chuck Chapter 4

War Games

Chuck parked his Jeep Wrangler near the hanger that held his new family. These guys were exceptional, the best this country had to offer. He was proud that he was part of this team. He shook his head as he remembered his previous life as a nerd herd supervisor. Mike, Jeff, Lester even Morgan, 'Had it all been a dream.' He shook his head again; with the exception of Morgan he could not imagine how different the people he left behind were to who and what he had become. Taking a deep breath he mused, 'Sarah must have thought I was a loser, and the way I used to act!' He cringed, 'No wonder why that weasel Larkin knew I was such a pushover. He must have been laughing at me all along.' Well if his used to be best friend ever tried anything on him again he had a surprise coming for him. Live and learn.

He scratched his left butt cheek again, 'Why is my butt so itchy? It has been this way since I went drinking with Mike two days ago.' Michael Henderson had taken Chuck out because he was feeling down. The day marked the two year anniversary of Barstow and Michael wanted to cheer him up. Before he left, Chuck had been warned by Blue, "You be careful Chuck, stay alert and for the love of god do Not Get Drunk Around Mike!" Well Michael was a pretty good guy and Chuck did not believe half the stories he heard. Still he was a little worried about the fact that he woke up inside Jeep only with his underwear on, and a headache from hell.

As he approached the door way he overheard his rambunctious friends, they were louder than usual. As he stood and listened through the laughter and the friendly argument, he could tell it had to do with him. He walked in and was spotted immediately. Michael Henderson the younger one of the two brothers said, "There he is!"

Chuck smirked, "Ok guys what kind of trouble are you cooking up?"

Jim Henderson pointed, Chuck followed his hand to the wall, and there were two large white boards. On each board in larger black marker lettering, one board read Team Two and other Team Three. Chuck came closer and his eyes widen, then larger lettering separating the white boards said "Who will be the first to tag Chuck's Hairy Ass." In column one was the names of everyone in Strike Team One. In column two the heading, "How long will it take?" In column three the heading was, "Chances Chuck Survives First Day." The last column said, "Chances Chuck Survives Weekend." However, what drew Chuck's attention back to the space between the boards again was a picture of bare bottom and with a crosshair's surrounding it.

Confused he said, "How did...," the words died and he narrowed his eyes at Michael Henderson, "What happened when we went drinking Mike?"

"Hey do not blame me; this was all your idea."

"My idea? My idea, for you to take a picture of my left butt cheek?"

Almost unable to hold the laughter that was ready to burst at any second Michael said, "Nope that is not what I mean at all Chuck."

Chuck narrowed his eyes again and took a look at the picture of his left butt cheek. His eyes widen again and said, "Wait a minute!" In two strides he was mere inches away from his picture, "Anderson, let me have the magnifying glass."

Loud giggling and laughter was being heard from around the group. Casey was taking this all in with amusement while smoking a cigar, while Blue with his arms crossed only said, "It serves you right for ignoring my advice."

Magnifier in hand he took a look at his bear bottom and almost gasped. Chuck immediately bolted to the bathroom as the room once again erupted in an explosion of laughter. Once there Chuck dropped his pants stood and ripped the bandage that Mike has so conveniently placed there, he looked at the mirror so he could see his reflection.

There was a small but very visible tattoo. The inscription read, "Property of Sarah." He turned to the sink and visibly groaned, "I am going to kill you Michael."

Chuck came out of the bathroom pissed off, "Michael you and me in the ring right now!"

Michael held up his hands in protest, "Hey this was not my fault it was your idea."

"You're lying!"

"I have got proof!" Then Michael held a small camera. "I have video evidence!"

Chuck tilted his head, "Video evidence? What the hell are you talking about Mike you had no camera."

Casey finally joined in on the fun, "Hey numb nuts who do you think you are you dealing with here? Remember NSA, does hidden camera ring a bell?"

Undeterred Chuck shot back, "Seriously Casey would you ever be able to hold a conversation with me if the words numb nuts, moron or idiot did not exist!"

"They are essential parts of my vocabulary since they so aptly describe you!"

Rolling his eyes Chuck refocused his attention on Michael, "Why would you be recording me?"

"For posterity, also, I know as I am standing here that I am going to meet that girl of yours and then Chuck..."

Jim Henderson knowing his brother well cut in, "He is talking about blackmail Chuck."

Anderson said, "Chuck he still has not forgiven you for putting that blue dye in his shampoo." He said chuckling.

"If I recollect correctly it was Thompson who put the dye in his shampoo and Jefferson and Dickson were in on it as well."

Narrowing his eyes at Chuck, Michael said, "Yeah but you planned it, as a matter of fact you distracted me! Do you realize that it took a lot of scrubbing to get that blue stuff off me?"

"We were all commenting how good you smelled." The group burst into laughter again.

"Laugh it up fuss bucket, you are next," Michael pointing at Dickerson, "You are next!"

Blue shook his head, "Oh my god a Star Wars reference, just how corrupted have you made this team Chuck?"

"Must be pretty bad Blue," Chuck said smiling, "Otherwise, you would not have recognized it."

"Smartass."

"All right, all right let's get started." Casey interrupted.

"You were going to take a three day hike to explore the wonders of Kodiak right Chuck?"

Chuck signed, "Why do I get a feeling I am not going to like this."

"Well Chuck here is the thing, we have taught you many things, you are one of the best at hand to hand combat. You are a very good shot. You are the best planner and tactician I know. You are one crazy mother flying that Black Hawk." Casey said.

"Yeah, a little too crazy if you ask me." Smirked Blue.

"Yeah Chuck you fly that thing like it's a god dam video game you crazy nut." Laughed Michael.

Casey continued, "However, there is one thing that you have not been through and that is what this training lesson is going to be about. Just imagine that you have been shot down, you're in enemy territory. Whether you make it to an office complex, the beach or for that matter the wilderness, your sole job in life at that moment is to SURVIVE. You take stock of what you got on you and what you have around you. You use that big old brain of yours to evade and when you do that you do the 'Running' thing pretty well for a nerd. Then after you run and evade you fight back. Whether on your own or having to take care of the wounded under your care, you fight. Everything is on the table and nothing is dirty enough if it means survival. Think of it as if you are 'Master Chief' in that game Halo you like so much. You use what you got around you and do whatever it takes to survive! Repeat after me Survive, Evade, RUN, Fight Back, and Wait. That was what your SERE training was all about. "

"Ok, what is the plan?"

"You were going to take a three day 'I love nature trip' through the woods of Kodiak right?"

"Yeah that is right Casey."

"Well you are still going to do that. The first day you can get back to the inner camper in you and enjoy the sights, smells and views of the Kodiak woods. However, at 0600 of the second day, Strike Team one is going to swoop in and hunt you down."

Michael jumps in, "Oh and no help from MAX either. You have to turn off all your electronic gadgets."

Blue chimes in, "Remember you have been shot own, you will be lucky to get out in one piece. Therefore, the chances of you being able to grab anything other than your crew and your guns are highly improbable."

"What am I allowed to carry?"

"After the first day you will have only MRES' and some guns you will be issued that have been modified to shoot paint balls. Remember, the object of this game is to evade capture but also to fight back! Survival is everything Chuck, you must hold on until we pick you up at 1800 on Sunday."

"That is oddly specific Casey."

"Chuck they are being kind, Team One believes that they will capture you way before Sunday Night Fo...!" Dickerson never got to finish as Casey shot him a dirty look.

Michael, loving this moment clapped Chuck in the back and chuckled. "Do not worry Chuck many have tried and failed."

Chuck smiled wickedly already thinking of a plan to pay back Michael for the tattoo. "Ok I'll do it on one condition."

"What's that Chuck?" Blue inquired

"That you replaced Jim with my buddy and everyone's favorite Mike Henderson." Chuck said dripping with sarcasm.

"You're planning payback." It was more of a statement then a question.

"Oh, yes Mike, paybacks are a dish served cold and this weekend I expect to serve it to you by the ton!"

Mike looked at Chuck and said, "I thought that it's revenge is a dish served cold."

Blue pinched his nose and shook his head, "Totally corrupted."

Before he left Chuck looked at the board again. He notices that Dickerson was the only one that thought that Chuck could last until Sunday. Chuck was also clearly keen on the fact that there was a friendly rivalry between Henderson and Dickerson, and he intended to take full advantage. "Hey, Dickerson may I have a word with you." 'Yeah get ready Mike; you are going to remember this for a long time.'

Friday Day One

Chuck had looked out at the sunset

He was hiking the trail. He enjoyed the solitude, 'The calm before the storm,' he smirked. He un-slung his real AR-10 rifle; he had left his modified weapons on the jeep. Chuck was going to enjoy this moment while it lasted. He took off his pack, from the little conversation he had with Dickerson, it was clear that Mike had placed a tracker in his bag. 'That asshole' Chuck thought, Mike had gone to Washington State and wanted to watch them play Oregon State. 'Sorry Mike no quick kill for you, I hope you recorded the game because I am not going down easily.' He then remembered what other toy Dickerson had given him. Chuck smiled evilly and said to himself again, "Yes payback is going to be a bitch." Chuck began to make camp for the night. He had to get to know the terrain and make defensive plans.

His thoughts momentarily switched to the lasted Intel he had received from the General. The devils hand and that report were going to make the General slightly queasy and unnerved. He checked his watch and reached for his spot device and checked in with MAX's radio receiver.

He checked on his choice of MRE's that he packed with him, he cooked them over the stove as he hung up his food bag in a nearby tree. He gazed up at the fledgling night sky and smiled, he enjoyed the solitude. He had gotten accustomed to the dusk at 1 am here in Kodiak and the sun would be back he hoped at five am. 'This is Kodiak,' he thought, 'wait an hour and the weather will change 180 degrees.' When he arrived here from Pensacola he drove up from the states, they had 8 inches of snow on the ground and it was May 21st.

He unrolled his sleeping bag and checked for his surefire aviator light, a gift from Awesome after he graduated flight school. He checked to make sure that his Glock was under his pillow. With everything secured and after getting the confirmation from MAX he let himself think how different he was from the old Chuck.

He placed his hands behind his back and started reminiscing.

Completion of Flight School Pensacola Florida One and a half Years Earlier

Chuck had just completed Flight School and he was asked to report to the base Captain. He arrived at the front desk of Lieutenant Ford, if there ever was a look alike for Emmitt Mildrage this guy was it.

Lieutenant Ford asked, "Let me have your clearance number, I need it to upgrade you to learn the Jay Hawk gunship. When he punched it in he looked at Chuck and said, "Is this a joke, how can a guy fresh out of boot camp have clearance higher than the base Commander?"

Lieutenant Ford then growled, "Now tell me your REAL number mister funny man, if you repeat the number I will have you in the brig so damn fast….!" Chuck calmly repeated the same number. "That it!" Ford said in frustration, just before Lieutenant Ford called for security, Chuck held up his finger and took a pen from his desk and wrote a number on a sticky note and handed it to him and said, "Call it now."

"What is this," Ford said, "Bartowski if this is a phone sex number I'm going to see that you're brought up on charges…."

The phone started ringing, "General Beckman's office may I ask who is calling?"

"This is Lieutenant Ford from Pensacola, Florida."

"In what is this call regarding to?"

"A Lieutenant Chuck Bartowski ma'am."

"Please hold for the General."

"This is General Beckman, how may I help you Lieutenant Ford"

"It is about his security number ma'am."

"What is wrong with Chuck's security number…" Lieutenant Ford narrowed his eyes and hung up the phone.

"Nice try Charles, but … this is a hoax and she is probably your girlfriends' sister who you paid to say hold for….she called you Chuck? No General that I know of would ever call you by your first name!"

Chuck said nothing instead he called the General himself. "General if I may I ask, I like to get Colonel Casey to come down to Pensacola to help me with my marksmanship. I just figured I would ask since Lieutenant Ford called you up believing that I would fake my security clearance number, and yes General the Lieutenant has you on Speaker Phone."

"The Colonel is vacationing in Grand Cayman; I want to congratulate you on completing your Flight School. I will have the Colonel stop by and improve your shooting Chuck. By the way your success with recent Intel I sent you has caused me to think of a new strategy and making some additions to the team that I will discuss with you and the Colonel later. Oh and may I have a private word with Lieutenant Ford please?"

Chuck said, "Yes General." However, Chuck knew her and she was too sickly sweet. 'Goodbye Lieutenant Ford nice knowing you'.

As he closed the door he could hear Lieutenant Ford, "But…. No General, Yes Ma'am." It was funny to see him go white as a sheet and have to explain his reason for calling the General and then hanging up on her. The General made another call to the Admiral of the Coast Guard and he made a call to the Base Commander who then called Lieutenant Ford into his office. Lieutenant Ford ears where ringing for the rest of the day or so he was told and that is how Lieutenant Ford became Junior Petty Officer Ford. No one ever questioned Chuck's credentials again.

Of course calling General Beckman was a rouse to get Ford off his back but also to confirm whether the report he had heard earlier was true, Casey had been assigned to Chuck again. 'But as what?' Chuck thought. Then his mind began to race, 'What does that mean for Sarah, is the project over, are they only going to just need the two of them?' That last thought stuck to his throat. It would mean that Sarah had moved on and was not looking back.

Chuck waited for the phone call that he knew would be coming soon and Casey did not disappoint. His phone started buzzing, "Hello," It was an unknown caller and Chuck had to be careful.

"That is not the proper protocol when answering your phone numb nuts!"

"Nice to hear from you again Colonel." Chuck replied sarcastically. "I did not know who was calling me and I was not about to give anything away."

"Makes sense," Casey said.

"When can we meet Colonel we have a lot to discuss?"

"The General wants a meeting with us at 1700 hours. Come in half an hour earlier and we will talk. I am texting you my home address to your cell."

"I will see you then"

"Oh and Bartowski be there on time. You know how it pisses me off when you are late."

Chuck did not answer he just hung up the phone.

Chuck was at Casey's apartment at 4:30 pm on the dot. There was no warm greeting, each apprehensive about working with each other again. Casey did not know what to make about this new version of Chuck and Chuck had no idea why Casey had been assigned to him again. However, once Chuck started asking questions Casey was surprised at how good he was at it.

"Why have you been assigned to me Casey? The agreement I had with the General was that I would look at the Intel sent me and if I figured it out I immediately send it to her. Most of the time I am just going to be a Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot, right?"

"Frankly I am not sure Bartowski, I guess we will find out together when the General calls in half an hour." Casey looked at Chuck expectantly. He could read Chuck like a book and he was determined to make him ask, he was not volunteering any information.

Finally Chuck broke the odd silence, "Were you not part of the intersect project? What happened?"

Casey just chuckled, "Why don't you ask what you really want to ask?"

Chuck took a deep breath, "How is she Casey?"

Casey surprised him, "Feeling like shit without her boy toy!"

Chuck's heart soured, "Does…does she talk about me?"

Casey knew he had to throw Chuck a bone, "Listen she is there to do a job and that is it. She absolutely hates that son of a bitch she is working with. She cannot wait until this assignment is over."

Chuck leaned in extremely interested in what Casey knew. Just then the computer chimed indicating the General was on the line.

"Good afternoon Gentleman," the General began. "Lieutenant, I know you must have a lot of questions regarding Colonel Casey. Well this is the situation we find ourselves in; the Ring has been very active around the world. It saddens me to say that we are not doing well in this war. They seem to be one step ahead of us almost everywhere. However, since I started sending you Intel Lieutenant you are doing extremely well in disseminating the information and this has led to actionable Intel. Now of course you cannot be everywhere, however, we intend to send you Intel that if you can decipher we will be able to act on immediately. That is where you come in Colonel. I am going to assign you an NSA strike team. Once Chuck has actionable Intel I will task you to act on this information quickly."

Casey then asked, "How is this supposed to work if the Lieutenant is assigned to SAR missions' ma'am. An NSA strike team will stand out like a sore thumb at a Coast Guard Base."

"You let me worry about that Colonel, I have spoken with the Admiral and he understands the situation quite well."

Chuck than asked a question that had been bothering all night, "Just who am I working for General?"

"Why the Coast Guard of course."

'Well ma'am when you first started sending me Intel it was maybe once a week, now I get them three times a week and it is consuming more of my time."

"The NSA appreciates your effort Lieutenant and we EXPECT your continued support."

'And there you have it,' Chuck thought. 'Mess with a shark and you get bit every time.'

Beckman continued, "The Colonel will be there to assist you in every way he can."

'Oh man!' Chuck thought, 'Just how much bullshit can come out of someone so small. I smell Burbank and protection all over again.'

"Any further questions?" Chuck and Casey both said "no ma'am."

"Good, then I leave you two to work out the details of our new arrangements. Oh, and once again congratulations on passing flight school." With that the General switched off.

Chuck then turned to Casey, "I am not moving in with you."

Casey snickered, "What not pretty enough."

Chuck bit back, "No, you are just not blonde."

Casey then went to the cabinet, pulls a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black and poured them both a drink. He raised his glass "To many successful missions."

Chuck drank it all in one gulp and said, "Wow! Thank you for the drink Casey, I am sure that I will see you again soon."

Just as Chuck was researching for his car keys the phone buzzed again. The same unknown caller, "Jesus Casey I guess you cannot get enough of me."

"Charles!"

"Dad?"

"What the hell are you doing Charles?"

"What do you mean dad?"

"Don't play coy with me Charles! What the hell are you doing in the Coast Guard? You just called me Casey, is that John Casey NSA assassin?" Steve Bartowski might be a kindly, friendly, soft spoken man, but inside he is extremely bitter. He blames the Government for everything that has happened to him. Never mind that he created the Intersect and got the Government involved, never mind that he pushed Hadley to try the intersect and by extension Mary to assist and protect him. Never mind that he befriended Ted Rourke and that was where his involvement initiated the interest of the Intersect. Later when Steven no longer wanted to share, Rourke would create an organization to steal the intersect and as it grew would become Fulcrum.

"Is that what you called about dad?"

"Charles what you are doing is dangerous! You need to get out of there now. I can have a car waiting for you and you can disappear and no one will find you again."

This was a totally different Chuck than his father was used to dealing with. He was no longer a push over. He was not willing to forgive and forget like the old one did. Chuck had finally taken control of his life. Even if he was concerned about the arrangement with the General, somehow he knows she was better to deal with than the paranoid man he was talking to right now.

"I want you to listen to me and listen to me well. I have finally taken control of my life. Everything I do now is with eyes wide open. I graduated today from Flight School, imagine that Lieutenant Bartowski is going to be flying H-60's rescuing people in peril and maybe stopping drug dealers from bring their poison to our shores. Instead of congratulating me at this moment you are telling me to disappear to throw everything I have built away? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"What is Casey doing there Lieutenant!" Steven bit back.

"I am helping the NSA with some Intel on the side, and getting paid very well, thank you very much."

"Don't trust them Charles they will suck you in. They will deceive you, they will trick you, they will do anything to get you back to what you were doing!"

"Oh you mean the way you told Ellie that you were going to make her pancakes before you did your disappearing act!" Chuck was pissed. "Listen dad I really appreciated your call, let us do this again real soon like in 5 or 10 years. However, if you cannot be civil than don't bother to call." With that he hung up. 'The nerve of that guy!'

Two hours latter his phone buzzes again. "Hello"

"Chuck!"

"El"

"Where the hell have you been Chuck. You disconnected your old number and did not bother to call me until dad gave me your phone number."

"Sorry El I know this is no excuse but I have been very busy with Flight School."

"That is another thing Chuck Flight School are you kidding me! Then Dad is telling me that you are a spy too! What the hell is going on!"

"El you are hyperventilating, why don't you give the phone to Devon and Calm down a little and then we can talk again!"

"Fine! Here Devon you talk to this crazy man masquerading as my brother before I go to Pensacola and kill him myself."

"Hey bro how are you doing?"

"Fine Devon how is it going with you?"

"Bro is it true that you are fly helicopters?"

"Yeah Devon it is, I just graduated Flight School and intend to save as many people as I can. I think joining the Coast Guard is the best thing I could have done!"

"That is Awesome! I knew you had it in you Chuck! I wish I could have been there to see it."

"Thanks Awesome you are the first Family member to be truly happy for me."

"Ahh… Chuck what about the you know?"

"You remember John Casey right?"

"How could I forget."

That got a chuckle out of Chuck, "He has a way of staying with you. Anyway he hooked me up to make some extra money on the side pushing papers for the NSA."

"So you are not going on …you know secret missions and stuff."

"No Devon not at all. Really this is a sweet deal, during the days I get to save people who cannot handle drinking and driving boats, and then I get to play a paper spy at night with no danger."

"Hey Chuck I really think that is great, wait here is your sister again."

"Ok Chuck I am calm down now."

"Ready to answer any of your questions sis."

"Is any of this dangerous Chuck?"

"Well sis any time you are plucking people from the sea I guess there is some danger. However, that rewards are just so great, I am finally doing something with myself El. No more five year plan for me!"

"And the NSA stuff Chuck?"

"That is the best part El, I am just a paper pusher but get very well paid. It gives me a chance to save some money, in case I want to go to business with myself after I am done."

"How is Sarah taking all of this Chuck?"

'Crap not what I wanted to talk about.' Chuck stayed quite while he collected his thoughts.

"Chuck are you there?"

"Yeah sis I am here"…Chuck said without much enthusiasm.

"Well are you going to say something?"

"Hmm…About Sarah El, she went back the DC. She got her old job back and she chose it instead of me." Chuck sounded very dejected.

"Oh my god Chuck I am so sorry, I cannot believe it Chuck, the way that girl looked at you, she looked totally in love."

"Believe me sis, I which that was true."

"I can hear your sadness Chuck, you still love her don't you."

"Sarah has a way of grabbing your heart and placing it under lock and key. Mine is under solitary confinement"

"Don't worry Chuck if you two are meant to be, you will see each other again."

Not being able to continue with this line of questioning, Chuck decided to forgo his questioning of their life in Africa. It was just too painful and he needed to breathe.

"Sis I am real sorry but I have an early day and it is already pretty late. Let me call you again real soon, I need to find out what is going on with the doctors without boarder medicine that you guys are practicing in Africa."

"I am sorry Chuck, I almost forgot about the time difference. Well good night and please be careful Chuck."

"You too sis, I get a little nervous about you being in Africa, Too many of those governments are not to stable."

'Talk to you soon Chuck.' With that she hung up.

Chuck looked at the phone and saved Ellie's number. Then he thought, 'Way to stir the pot dad!'

Four Months Later

Steven had slowly integrated himself back into Chuck's life. Chuck had a new security system idea that he Call Maximum Area Extreme Security. It was based on an AI premise where the security system would adapt and learn as needed. It even had email and information technology. Chuck had even envisioned a time where his system could cook, do dishes, vacuum the floor and even do laundry.

"I am telling you dad I think the name MAX just fits."

"That sounds like a butler son."

"Funny dad, by the way thanks for sending the cool Rourke laptop. Just how many of his laptops do you have any way?"

Steven gritted his teeth, "The bastard stole my invention. That was always my design. Anything he produced was a clone of my inventions!"

"Just what was the deal with you and Rourke?"

"Not much to tell, he was the money man who backed our inventions. When we realized that he was gaining from our inventions and keeping all the profits, we decided to break our partnership."

"That and the fact that he invested heavily in the intersect and I just did not feel he deserve to have the schematics."

"Wait just how heavily did he invest?"

"Holy shit dad, he owned the damn thing and you refused to share?"

"Son he had stolen every invention we produced and kept the proceeds. Hadley and I decided to keep the intersect from him, it was only fair."

"Hadley? Who was that?"

"He was the other half of the team that produced the intersect."

"What happened to him?"

"He decided to test the intersect and err…things did not go well." What Steven omitted to say was that he was the one who talked Hadley into testing the intersect.

"Dad what happened to mom?"

Steven was quite for a few moments, and then he lied. "She left me son, did not even leave me a note. They all do that you know." What had actually happened was that Mary had acted on his request to follow Hadley and make sure he was alright. However, something had gone wrong and it had been twenty years since he saw her. In Steven's mind Mary had abandon him and fallen for what he had become, Alexi Volkoff. Omitting that detail was something that did not fit into his plans or what he intended for Chuck.

"What are you talking about?" This was Steven's chance to start driving a wedge between Sarah and Chuck, and he was going to take every advantage.

"It is what they all do Chuck. Isn't that what happened to you?" When Chuck did not answer Steven drove the knife deeper. "They are all like that! One day you wake up and they are gone. All we are to them is just another mission." Chuck stayed quite but was clearly quite affected.

"Son I loved Mary with all my heart, I thought we were happy. We had two children and everything was wonderful. Then one day she was gone! She did not even leave me a note! How about you son? Did Sarah leave you a note?"

Steven had Chuck. For his part Chuck's mind was racing a 100 miles a second, his deniability popped like an over inflated balloon. All of Chuck's insecurities came back with a vengeance. "No." He said in a hushed tone.

"Well son at least you are luckier than I was. Sarah showed you her true colors. She has moved on Charles, you should to."

Steven was running a physic ops on his son and had hit a homerun. Chuck could not think or breath, he had to get some air and think about all the things that his father had said. "Ahem… I have a busy day tomorrow and… and I need to catch up on some things, I will talk to you again soon.

Smiling to himself, Steven thought. 'You will thank me someday.' As far as Steven was concerned Sarah was too broken to be any good to anyone especially his son. 'No Agent Walker you will not be destroying my son if I have anything to do about it.'

Chuck walked up to his car completely lost in thought. He just held the car keys in one hand while leaning on his car with the next. 'Should I believe Casey?' His father's story had made so much sense, what if she has stopped loving him? Was she in Bryce's arms right now laughing at the stupid love sick nerd?'

"I don't miss her, I don't miss her at all. It is not like she has been gone 10 months; 17 days, 15 hours and." he looked at his watch, "35 seconds." 'God I am screwed.' He thought.

Two days later

Cad Two hurricane Ina had just made it past Key West and was churning north at 15 MPH. At its current heading it was predicted that it would strike Tallahassee within 24 hours. Florida Senator Jonathon Phillips and his daughter Stephanie had been having a good time in New Orleans. He loved to take his luxurious boat "Misty" out every chance he could. The Senator was a multi-millionaire coming from old money. He inherited his fortune from his Banker father and co-founder of Citibank.

'Misty' was a beautiful 79 foot Ferretti 80. Build in 2000, this boat was the epidemy of luxury. The 1.3 million dollar boat had twin Caterpillar 3412 E DITA, with Total of: 2840 Horse Power. With a cruising speed of 31 MPH and a top speed of 41 MPH, the Senator had total confidence that they would get home to Tampa way ahead of the storm.

The boat had a maximum seating capacity twenty four. The Senator had held many parties there. However, in the return trip to Tampa it was only him, his daughter and a crew of four. What the Senator could not have anticipated or for that matter the rest of the crew is what happened next.

One of the shipmates Mario Cruz had notice a strong smell of gasoline coming from one of the engines. He called his brother Lazaro to see if he could figure out what was happening. Lazaro brought his tools that consisted of many wrenches. When he opened the cabinet to the engines from above, one of the wrenches he was carrying fell into the engine area. The spark that the wrench created was enough to create a huge explosion. The captain was only able to get out a partial mayday because of the massive loss of power. The boat almost immediately started to take on water and list on its left side.

Due to the fact that only a partial mayday was issued, the Coast Guard had no choice but to send 3 HH-60's out to look for the Senator in a two hundred mile area.

The Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter. It is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 miles offshore, hoist up to 6 additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve. Normal cruising speed of the HH-60J is 155 to 161 mph, and the aircraft is capable of reaching 207 mph for short durations. The HH60J can fly at 161 mph for six to seven hours.

Two of the helicopters were told to search at the extreme points of where they thought they would be located. Chuck was assigned to where they most likely would be. When he got to the area a constant 35 mph wind faced him with gust of 70 mph. Visibility was down to a quarter of a mile.

Chuck's crew consisted of his Co-pilot Valdez who Chuck did not get along with. Valdez considered Chuck an NSA plant who was a hot dog and too much of a risk taker. Chuck considered Valdez a scared little girl, what a role reversal! His other two crew members were Turk the swimmer. An air-sea rescue swimmer enters the water to assist survivors in distress and help them get to the basket as they are being hoisted up into the helicopter. The last crew man was petty officer Hinkle who was the hoist operator.

Chuck had been looking for the Senator for quite a while when he was advised to return to base because he was starting to run low on fuel. His gut though was telling him to look a little longer. He knew that if he broke it off now those people were going to die and his conscious simply would not let him do that.

"Lieutenant did you not hear base, we should be returning now!" Said Valdez.

'I know those people are here, I have a gut feeling they are." replied Chuck

"Well your gut will not provide us with extra fuel."

Chuck simply ignored him. "I am going to take us down to see if we can see anything."

"Lieutenant you cannot afford to go that low, there are 30 foot swells out there that could cause us to go down!"

"Afraid of a little swim Valdez?" Chuck teased.

"You are impossible you know that!"

Chuck only chuckled. His maneuver worked though.

"There they are, 300 yards to our west, cried Turk."

The yacht was completely on its side barely visible. Chuck saw that there were only four survivors hanging on for dear life. They all had their survival suits on which was a plus.

"Turk get ready to go in and assist them getting into the basket."

Turk simply nodded.

When Hinkle slid open the door he was nearly knocked down by a strong gust of wind. Chuck got low enough again to make it easier on Turk to dive down and swim the short distance to the capsized yacht.

Slowly they started to get each individual into the helicopter. However, just as they picked up the last survivor, a 30 foot swell came over the boat ripping off the mask of Turk and slamming him into the haul of the yacht. With his back injured, Turk went under for a moment.

Chuck's eyes widen and he went into action immediately. After a few passes by the yacht with still no sign of Turk they thought they had lost him.

"Lieutenant we are really low on fuel we have to get back!"

"Are you serious Valdez, I am not leaving without Turk!" Chuck then flew real low trying to find Turk.

"You are going to get us killed!"

"Why don't you just look Valdez, that way we can get out of here quicker."

Just then Hinkle responded, "There he is! He is just portside of the yacht."

"I see him Hinkle, If he can't climb into the basket you are going to have to go in and help him."

"Yes sir!"

It was a struggle but Turk made it into the basket. Just as Chuck pulled out of range a huge swell passed through where they had been. A few seconds before and they would have needed rescuing themselves.

Valdez said nothing but was shooting him daggers.

Chuck turned to Turk, "Are you ok?"

Turk just smiled and gave the thumbs up signal.

Chuck then felt a hand on his shoulder, Senator Phillips said. "Good work out there today."

"Thank you sir. However, I could not have done it without my brave crew."

"Lieutenant we are running out of Fuel, we will never make it back to base."

Chuck replied, "We will go to Tampa and land at McDill Air force Base."

When they landed at the Base they immediately took the survivors to the hospital, that included Petty officer Turk whose injuries required him to be taken off the helicopter by stretcher.

Back at the Pensacola Base

Base Commander Eric Williams let out a breath of relief that the Senator had been rescued. However, his favorite pet Lieutenant Valdez had been on the phone with him embellishing the events that had occurred on the helicopter. Commander Williams had a very good idea of what had transpired as he had heard the communications between the Base and Lieutenant Bartowski.

'Bartowski damn him!' Williams thought. 'If it were not that he is obviously protected from the higher ups, I have him scrubbing pots and pans for the next three months! How many times has he ignored an order to return to base. He takes too many risks. He might be protected, however, they will say nothing if I ream his ass out. Yes I am going to make it very uncomfortable for him.'

At the same time in the same base, Colonel Casey greeted the extra two NSA strike teams that had just arrived. They were somewhat huddled as they were listening to what was transpiring during the rescue of the Senator.

"So that is our analyst?" Sergeant "Blue" Stevenson said.

"Yep that's him." replied Casey.

"The kid has got balls!"

"I am afraid that kind of courage might upset a certain General."

"I do not know Colonel, I think we finally hit gold with this Lieutenant. It is kind of refreshing to have someone considered an analyst that you do not have to baby sit."

"That is just it Blue, when I first met the Lieutenant he used to scream like a little girl, but he always did the right thing. Even though he did not have the skills, he would stick his nose into everything and saved us more than I cared to remember. Now he is still sticking his nose into everything, however; with a type of bravery I never thought I would ever see."

"So what is the point Colonel?"

"That type of bravery gets you killed, and right now Ch..I mean Lieutenant Bartowski is the only thing standing between a total Ring victory."

The Sergeant leaned in curious as to who this analyst was.

"He has a unique ability to decipher intelligence faster than anyone I have ever met. He can predict enemy movement and reaction with uncanny accuracy. Someone like him is usually thrown in a bunker for his own protection. Instead what we have is an analyst that will push the very limits to complete a mission. It presents an extremely interesting dichotomy. The Coast Guard cannot be too hard on him because he is protected by the NAS and General Beckman cannot throw him into the bunker because he is a Coast Guard Pilot, thus a very pissed off General."

"Unique situation indeed Colonel." Blue chuckled.

"Who would have thought, we have the makings of a super hero," Casey also chuckled. "That is if we get him to live through it."

McDill Base next day

Chuck woke up early, he wanted to check on Turk and if he could the Senator before he left. The Senator his daughter and the crew had been very lucky, they were not injured. He had no idea what had happened to the other two crewmen, although he had a pretty good idea that it had something to do with the explosion that had occurred.

Chuck had found out from Petty officer Hinkle that Lieutenant Valdez had been on the phone almost immediately to his favorite guy, Commander Williams. This could mean a butt chewing of enormous proportions. In Chuck's eyes Valdez was a poor excuse for a Coast Guardsman. He was a political animal who chose the Coast Guard because it did not involve combat. He often bragged how he could not wait to get out of the Guard so he could begin his political career. 'To think that he was willing to leave Turk to save his sorry ass.' Chuck gritted his teeth, he does not belong with all those brave men and women who risk life and limb every day to do their duty. Petty Officer Turk is the real hero. what he did to save those people!' Chuck shook his head again. 'Turk deserves a medal, I am proud to serve with a crewman like him.'

Chuck did want to get going as soon as possible though. He did not want to be anywhere near the Senator when he called the inevitable news conference. 'I am already in enough trouble with the Base Commander, no sense adding General Beckman to the pissed off parade.'

Stephanie Philips had never seen her father go on and on about someone like he had about Lieutenant Bartowski. His high opinion of Chuck had risen 10 fold once he had talked to Petty Officer Hinkle and had been told how Chuck refused a direct order to return and kept looking for him. The Senator knew how tired they were and how they would have died if the Lieutenant had followed orders.

Chuck walked into the hospital and went to see Turk. He had a bounce in his step as he felt they had done something good. They had done their job and as a result they had saved several people. Actually four someone's! "How are you doing Turk."

"Sir, is that you Lieutenant."

'That is odd.' Chuck thought.

Just then the nurse came in, "Sorry Lieutenant, but your petty Officer is going to be out of it for a while."

"What is wrong with him?"

"He severely pulled the lower muscles of his back. He had back spasms since he got here. He needs rest. We gave him some strong sedatives and muscle relaxants. He will be out for a while."

"Well I guess I will have to wait to tell him the good news when I see him back at the Base. You take good care of him nurse, that man is a hero."

Chuck walked out trying to find Senator's Philips room. He and his entire party waiting to be released. As Chuck walked in the Senators room his eyes lit up. "Lieutenant!

Stephanie Philips had not gotten to see Chuck, because he had his helmet on when they got off the helicopter. However, that all change when he walk in sporting a large smile. Stephanie was taken aback by how good looking Chuck was. She really liked the way his uniform fit. 'Well, well, well.' Stephanie thought. 'What do we have here.'

Senator Philips could not stop gushing over Chuck and he and everyone else noticed how Stephanie could not stop making it quite obvious how interested she was in Chuck. Stephanie did not stop touching or getting as close as she could possibly get to Chuck. Finally, Chuck realized he needed to leave. Chuck said his goodbyes and left. However, while he was waiting for the elevator, Stephanie walked up to Chuck leaned in and gave him a hot opened mouth kiss. "That was for saving us." She said seductively. Stephanie than slip her number in Chuck's pocket and whisper. "Call me"

Chuck was in shock and all he could say was, "You are welcome."

As Chuck walked out of the elevator all he could think was, 'Wow, where did that come from.'

Back at the Pensacola Base

Chuck was told to report to the commanders office immediately upon his arrival.

When Chuck entered he prepared himself for what awaited him with the Commander.

Chuck stood at attention and the Commander kept him in that position while he laced into him.

"What part of following orders did you not understand Lieutenant? Just how many times are you going to pull your hot dog bullshit act Lieutenant?

"Permission to Speak Sir."

"Denied!"

Commander Williams was just warming up when he was interrupted, "Commander?"

"I asked not to be interrupted!"

"Sorry sir but the Admiral is on the line waiting to speak to you!"

"Thank you Lieutenant, I will take it." During this whole time Chuck was at attention.

The phone call from the Admiral was something Chuck would always remember. "Admiral how good to hear from you sir."

"Yes sir the Lieutenant did a fine job." The Commander narrowed his eyes at Chuck

"Senator Philips...personal friend...well how about that! You...you went to school together."

"A commendation and medal for the Lieutenant...Well sir as much as I agree with you, I think that the NSA would not want the publicity for the Lieutenant. A medal for Turk Richards...Lieutenant Bartowski's recommendation. Well of course I agree." Commander Williams was visibly sweating now.

"You would like to attend, well of course sir we will accommodate you!" This one really made Chucks' day. "Yes Sir I agree, Lieutenant Bartowski is one of our Finest Officers and a credit to the Coast Guard." The Commander said this with his hands squeezing so hard they were turning white. "Thank you sir, Iooking forward to seeing you soon."

When he hung up his face was ashen white. Chuck was fighting with everything he had from breaking into the biggest grin ever. "You are dismissed Lieutenant." said the Commander through gritted teeth.

Chuck saluted and stood there, he knew the Commander had to return the salute to get rid of him. Taking a deep the Commander finally saluted. After he left his office Chuck was wearing one of his biggest smiles.

As he was walking though he heard the unmistakable voice of John Casey, "Hey hero we have a briefing in 15 minutes with the General."

The General was in her regular bad mood, "Lieutenant what do you have to say for yourself."

"I am proud of my team ma'am."

"That is not what I meant Lieutenant. I mean your constant antics, placing yourself in danger. Don't you understand you are important? Right now we are in a war and losing. You have been the only one that has had any success against the Ring. We need you Lieutenant, without you this country would suffer, many lives would be lost, think about your family and friends."

"What do you propose I do General."

"Not take such unnecessary risks Lieutenant?"

"General please understand that I mean you no disrespect, but there is no way that I intend to back off at all. When we made our agreement you asked me that you needed information deciphered and I kept my bargain, when you increased my work load I did everything in my power to give you actionable reports. Unless I am wrong I just saw three NSA helicopters where there used to be one. I guess business must be good. I swore a solemn oath when I joined the Coast Guard ma'am and just like I have kept my word to you I intend to do the same with the Coast Guard. Unless there has been a change of my status, you are my part-time job."

The General stayed quiet for a long time and finally said, "Good job yesterday Lieutenant, your country is proud of your service." Chuck narrowed his eyes and expected a 'but' in there somewhere.

The General said "You are dismissed Lieutenant, Colonel I need a word alone with you."

The Betrayal

Chuck left knowing the conversation would be about him. When he got home an e-mail from his dad was waiting for him.

Steven Bartowski had seen the reports about the rescue. He hacked into the system and saw what his son was up to during the rescue and he was pissed. 'Enough of this, it is time to take drastic action!' Steven needed to think a moment before he decided where to strike at the heart of one Charles Bartowski. He struck gold when he found footage from a mission Casey, Sarah and Bryce had been on. It was one where Sarah and Bryce had gone in as a couple. They had danced and Larkin had taken the opportunity to kiss Sarah and become all handsy. It had also been the mission that she after countless warnings kneed Larkin and left him in the middle of the room. However, that had happened late in the footage. To anyone who did not know any better it would have looked like Sarah and Bryce were into each other. The footage even included a steamy kiss and a dance where Larkin grabbed Sarah's ass several times. Steven of course edited the last part, 'What he does not know will not come back to bite me.' So with much glee and anticipation Steven Bartowski devastated his son that night by sending him that footage in an email. He had changed the date to reflect the fact this incident happened the day he was risking it all for his country.

Chuck found it odd that his father had sent him email like this. Especially with the email titled "I am sorry son." It was usually a video conference to discuss the latest improvements to MAX. He had relaxed in his chair when he had started to watching the video. Chuck felt pretty proud of himself for having out dueled a Commander and a General. However, what he saw in the next 5 minutes literally crushed him. Chucks' only thoughts were, 'What a fool I have been.' followed by, 'I love you Chuck was all a cover to blind a stupid nerd that really never had a chance with her.' As the tears of anguish freely flowed he promised himself that he would get over her. 'Only a fool like me would have hung on so long.' Chuck felt lost and extremely angry. He needed a release but what? He decided to go to the gym and pound the hell out of the heavy bag.

Chuck went into the gym like a zombie, he was empty inside and totally lost in thought. He never knew how he got his gloves on. He certainly did not remember how he had began punching the bag. Then he became angry, quickly followed by becoming focused on each punch, as each strike was a blow to Bryce in his mind. Each proceeding punch represented the anger and betrayal he felt. 'She has been with him, now I know what she is up to.' Sweat was pouring out of him and his hands began to hurt with every punch. He was snapped back to reality when he heard someone clear their throat behind him.

"Looks like you are trying to kill the heavy bag and only succeeding in hurting your hands."

"Huh?"

"You are hitting the bag the wrong way and you are going to hurt your hands."

Annoyed Chuck asked "Who should I thank for the advice?"

"Sergeant Stevens NSA."

"Of course one of the two new NSA helicopters I saw." Chuck slipped his gloves off and extended his hand, "Lieutenant Charles Bartowski at your service."

Blue replied, "I know."

"So Sergeant you think you can properly teach me how to hit something."

The Sergeant regarded Chuck for a moment. "You sure you want to learn."

"I have never been surer in my life."

"My friends call me Blue."

"My friends call me Chuck."

"Well let's start training you Chuck."

Two hours later Chuck came back exhausted; He took a very warm shower, microwaves a TV dinner and started watching the news. He never finished his meal as he fell asleep.

Chuck woke up the next morning refreshed and with a new found determination to move forward with his life as in his mind Sarah had already done so.

After his morning run, he showered and went to breakfast. Chuck then called Turk to see how he was doing, he checked with Casey to see if there was any new Intel. Having found none he decided to make the call he never thought he would make.

"Hi Stephanie, this is your rescuer Lieutenant Bartowski, remember me."

"How could I forget?"

"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me tonight to celebrate your rescue."

"I would love it! So what do you suggest sir."

"By sir does that mean you intend on following my orders." Chuck teased

"Try me, I can guarantee you that I can be most accommodating." Said Stephanie in a very overt and seductive voice.

'Wow' Chuck thought, "Well I am not very familiar on the night club scene in the Tampa area, but looking on line I found the 'Prana' to be an interesting place. What do you think about my suggestion Stephanie?"

"A man after my own heart, you know the Prana is Yore City's only 5 level nightclub including a rooftop patio! Each level offers different entertainment and they are great."

"It's a date than let's say about 9 PM. I will leave you your VIP tickets that will be waiting for you at the door."

"I was hoping you would pick me up." Stephanie said pouting. She wanted to get tonight's activities going right away, and a little warm up in the car would be just fine for her.

"Sorry Stephanie I am on call all the time and I want to make sure you have transportation if I am needed back at the base." Well that was a lie, he wanted an exit strategy in case things did not work out.

"Ok but just this once."

"See you there."

The Date

There was still a big struggle between his brain and his heart. However, the brain won out for now. When Chuck got there 20 minutes early the place was rocking. He was dressed in a nice press dark grey slacks, light blue shirt and dark blue sport jacket with no tie. He looked like a new toy and immediately attracted the attention of several ladies. Two in particular had a very predatory look to them and one send him a drink.

When Stephanie arrived she walked in like she owned the place. She was wearing a sparkly silver dress that was 4 inches above her knees. Her back was completely open. At 5'10 with matching 4 inch heels she was a stunning beauty. Her flowing reddish brown hair and Smokey amber eyes left no doubt that whomever was lucky enough to be with her tonight would have a wonderful time. She looked for Chuck who was now surrounded by three women trying to engage him in conversation.

Stephanie smirked when she saw him, as she walked towards him she was planning on marking her territory, leaving no doubt that he belonged to her.

She pulled him from his chair hugged him and said, "Hey baby." Before crashing her lips to his. Chuck was very cautious and not very enthusiastic. However, he was also grateful that by doing this he at least thin the heard so of speak. 'I wonder how many times Sarah had to go through this before. Damn what are you doing Chuck, she is over you get that through your stupid head!'

When Stephanie broke the kiss she said, "A little shy there Lieutenant?"

"Please call me Chuck, Lieutenant seems so formal."

"Relax Chuck I was only teasing." She grabbed his hand and said "Come on let's go to the top floor. They have some Tequila Sunrises that are to die for." As they were going on the elevator Stephanie was holding his hand while very sensually rubbing her other hand up and down Chuck's arm. "Hmm...That is a nice jacket Chuck, but if what I felt was any indication I love to see it off you."

Stephanie was giving the strong vibe that she was willing to forgo the foreplay and go for the main event.

After sitting down and ordering their drinks, Chuck and Stephanie started making small talk finding out about each other. Chuck had to admit that Stephanie was a wonderful conversationalist and totally opposite of what Sarah had been. He found out she was the only girl but had two older brothers. They were both successful Lawyers. She had a Master's Degree in political science from Brown. Chuck was curious and had to ask, "Stephanie pardon me for asking, do you do this often? Please if I am crossing any line here tell me."

"I am not offended at all Chuck. The plain fact is I am usually busy, I have tried two relationships and both ended very badly. I do not know if it is me but for whatever reason they cheated on me. It made me gun shy for a long time. When I decided to go on that fateful trip to New Orleans with my father, I was not looking for someone, I was happy with my life and if I stayed single for a while then so be it. Then the explosion happened and we were oh so close to death, I made a promise to myself that if I got out of this I would give it another try to see if I could find mister right. My knight in shining armor, risked everything, even went against orders to rescue us. When I saw you for the first time and saw the honesty in your eyes the sincerity in your voice I fell for you Chuck. I know it is ridiculous, we barely know each other, but I know that whoever gets your heart; you will be loyal and never cheat on her. I want to get to know you Chuck if you give me a chance."

"Wow that was quite a speech Stephanie, you seem to be very open and honest, I find it very refreshing."

"Ok Chuck time for a little honesty, you are more than a little gun shy. Are you involved with someone else?"

"Honestly Stephanie if I thought for a moment I still was I would not be here?"

"She break your heart Chuck?"

"Break it Stephanie, more like shred it." The way the Chuck said it made Stephanie realize that this was a recent event.

"Chuck, you are not over this woman at all."

With the determination in his eyes Chuck stood up held out his hand, "May I have this dance."

The rest of the night went by like a blur, they held each other tightly. Chuck made all the right moves. Stephanie let him know that she was ready to take this to a more private setting. "Let's go somewhere more private Chuck and let us forget about our past and get lost in each other."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea Stephanie."

"Great I am going to go to the ladies room."

"I will pay the bar tab and I will meet you down stairs"

Chuck opened his wallet and went to pay the bar tab, without thinking someone close to him hit his hand and the wallet with its content went flying.

"I am sorry sir."

"Don't worry about it." Chuck bent down and started picking up the items on the floor and saw a picture of him and Sarah cheek to cheek looking so happy together. Chuck picked it up and traced the face of the woman that meant everything to him, the woman that still owned his heart. He knew at that moment that he could not let her go unless he was absolutely sure. 'What am I doing, Stephanie is a real nice woman and I would never want to hurt her. I could not go through with this; I just am not ready to let Sarah go.'

When Chuck met Stephanie downstairs she could tell something was wrong. When Chuck walked her to her car Stephanie looked at Chuck and said, "You are not coming with me are you Chuck?" Her eyes started to get watery at his apparent rejection.

"Listen to me Stephanie, the person that I met tonight is a wonderful human being. You have so much to give, you are intelligent, caring, a great listener, and will be the love of someone who can reciprocate."

"But that person is not you is it Chuck?"

Chuck swallowed hard, "No Stephanie, I am not your guy."

"You trying to let me down easy Chuck?"

"No Stephanie, I am trying to save you from the drama of having to deal with a man who cannot let go of his past."

"The woman that shredded your heart?"

Chuck looked down at his feet before looking at Stephanie in the eyes, "The woman that still owns it. Someone I met once said, when you meet someone who you truly care about it is hard to let it go." He sighed, "I am just not willing to let go."

He hugged Stephanie, kissed her in the cheek and walked away.

As Chuck drove back to the base he was formulating a plan. 'Time to get the truth out of one John Casey. I think we have gotten close enough that he will tell me the truth just to get rid of me.'

The Reveal

The next day Chuck called, "Casey, Hey Colonel how are you."

"What is it super boy I am busy."

"Well Casey I had a craving for some Lasagna, and since I am using Ellie's recipe, I am going to have a lot of extra, just thought you could come over for dinner while we go over the latest Intel."

"Stop pulling my chain numb nuts! What is it you really want?"

"I really need to talk to you big man. I have a video I need you to see. I need your honest assessment of the video."

"Fine, but if I am going to do this I want those little garlic rolls I like so much."

"Anything else John."

"Yeah don't forget the beer, and none of that foreign swill, I want American."

"Bud ok?"

"Yeah."

"See you at six."

When Casey arrived he said, "Hey something smells good, I guess even a moron like you can follow instructions."

"Let's eat."

After dinner even Casey was curious of the video that Chuck wanted to show him. "Excellent dinner Chuck didn't know you had it in you. You are going to make Walker a good wife."

When Chuck did not answer he said, "What no snappy comeback, you are slipping."

"I need you to see this and give me your honest opinion, no bullshit John, please I need the truth."

Chuck clicked on the video and watch for Casey's reaction. Casey was confused he finally said, "Chuck who sent you this."

"Don't deflect Casey, you said nothing was going on between Bryce and Sarah, well this does not look like nothing to me."

"You are kidding me right?"

"Huh?"

"Listen up moron, this mission happened while I was still assigned to the intersect team. I want to show you something, you see Sarah acting like she is whispering sweet nothing in Larkin's ear, well she was telling him that he did not to stop what he was doing she was going to rip his balls off. Another thing this movie clip is missing the last 5 minutes."

"What?"

"Chuck if you would have seen the rest of this surveillance clip you would have seen Sarah kneeing Larkin and slamming her heel in his instep. The mission was already a bust because the bad guy did not show, so Sarah took the opportunity for some pay back. Looks like someone has been playing mind games with you, and by your reaction it was working."

Chuck was clenching his teeth, he could not believe it, and he had been played by his own father! He was seething inside, but telling him to stick it where the sun did not shine was not good enough for what he just pulled. "Casey do you think that I could start training with you guys?"

"Are you sure Chuck, you already are getting a reputation of being an NSA plant. If you do this it will not help you with that perception."

"You let me worry about that. You know that Sergeant Stevenson, he looks like someone who can help me get in better shape, I think he will not mind if you asked."

"Yeah he told me about your little run-in at the gym. Ok Chuck but remember the deeper you get involved with us the more demands the General will make of you."

"Yeah I know, but it is better to run with the enemy you know than the one you don't know. I think this might work out after all."

Saturday Day Two the Hunt begins

Chuck shook his head as he came back to reality. That sure had been an eventful year. After he had an enormous fight with his father they did not speak again for months. Eventually Ellie had become a mediator between Chuck and his father but their relationship had not been the same again. Oh Chuck needed Steven to continue to improve MAX. However, he never trusted him again and questioned anything he said. That had led to other arguments that lead to weeks of not speaking to each other. My dad is not only paranoid but a slime ball to boot. He looked at the clock it was 3:00 AM. Time to get prepared.

Chuck found the tracker early in his search. 'I need to make a note to myself to invite Dickerson to a steak dinner.' For sure if the tracker had gone undetected he would have only lasted a couple of hours. 'Well I have the tracker now what do I do with it?' He had remembered he bought a roast for a reason. He sliced a piece of meat in the middle and inserted the very small tracker into the meat. Whatever animal eats this will not even feel it. Hopefully a Brown Bear, a Red Fox or a Short Tail Weasel had eaten the bait it had been almost 12 hours since Chuck had strategically placed the piece of meat out. However, as cold as it got here and with the weather changes there was no guarantee an animal would come across it. To his relief when he checked the area again the meat was gone and hopefully inside the animals stomach. 'Oh man they are going to go nuts if they followed that tracker, well it serves Michael right for cheating.'

As Chuck headed deeper into the woods he heard the faint whirling of a helicopter approaching, 'Shit they are here. He watched with curiosity to see if his plan had worked. As they dropped down, they all huddled near where he had camped and Chuck's heart sank. As he kept watching through his binoculars his lips twitched upwards as there seemed to be some kind of argument. Mike was holding a device that he presumed was the locator. Then the most beautiful thing happened, they split up!

However, that left three team members to deal with, time to hide. As the three team members of strike team one approached, Chuck could hear them, "Hey Calvin why don't we wait until it gets dark? That way we can go into that thick forest like it was day light while Bartowski will be blind as a bat?"

"Either way Watson, Chuck should not present a problem."

"Don't be so sure." chimed in Jefferson. He may hesitate if this was the real thing. However, he is excellent at compartmentalizing. He is great at strategy and right now he will think this is a video game. Just remember how good he is at duck hunt! The son of a bitch even beat me."

"Yeah he is also a beast at COD especially when he joins up with his friend Morgan." Replied Watson.

"Ok, Watson you and Jefferson spread out about 100 yards apart. Be careful and stay in touch with the Radio."

'Well, well, Calvin is almost coming straight at me. Sorry buddy but you are going down, I need some equipment and you have it.'

'Let me see if this trap will work.' Chuck placed his back pack in a way that would be easily visible while he hid in the underbrush on the other side. If Calvin stopped and looked at it he would be an open target.

Calvin was coming slowing through the thick forest when he spotted something that looked like a back pack. He stopped kneeled down and took out his binoculars. He wanted to take a closer look without being spotted. 'Yep, that is Chuck's backpack.' Calvin thought. He then slowly and meticulously looked through the woods and spotted a baseball cap sticking out near some branches he took aim and shot and the baseball cap disappeared. Calvin stood up and started chuckling, "nice try Chuck but that trick never works." He spread the bushes ready to start the celebrations. Zzzzipp, Zzzzipp was the sound as red dyes exploded on Calvin's back.

Chuck came out of the bushes and whispered, "Yeah I know."

Calvin just closed his eyes and could not believe he had been outwitted by Chuck. Chuck immediately reached for Calvin's night vision goggles and radio.

"You know we only did this to smoke you out, right."

Chuck retorted "Dead strike members should not fuck with live trainees."

"It never would have happened if we had stayed together."

"Knowing the cheating bastard that Mike is I was counting on it. Ever heard of divide and conquer?" Chuck whispered. The wind was starting to blow and soon another storm would be passing by. 'Advantage Chuck!' He thought. Chuck then removed Calvin's cap.

"Hey that is my lucky hat!"

"Correction it is now my lucky hat!" Chuck chuckled; Chuck then shot Calvin one more time.

"Ow Chuck what the fuck!"

"Just making sure the enemy was dead."

Calvin narrowed his eyes and shot Chuck a bird.

'Well one down and too many to go.' Chuck then started moving slowly towards Watson's position. With the wind whipping around, and feeling the first drops of rain, he knew that Watson would not hear him coming. Chuck turned down the volume on the radio. He got close to Watson but had no clear shot or a view of Watson for that matter. Then he got a break, "Red team leader this is red team two, anything yet Calvin."

He knew Watson's voice although with the wind and rain he could hardly make it out. "This is leader to Red two, I see him I need your help come now!"

Chuck had no clue whether his ploy would work or not. As a matter of fact Jefferson had heard the transmission pretty clearly and knew it was Chuck. He was trying to warn Watson who was too consumed trying to get to Calvin and did not hear Jefferson through the wind and rain. After the third try he finally heard the radio and stopped. "What did you say red three?"

Chuck had been lying in wait when he saw Watson through the clearing a smile crossed his face, when he stopped to answer his radio he could not believe his luck. Zzzzipp, zzzzipp, two red dye packs exploded center mass is Watson's chest; "Shit!" was all that Watson said.

Jefferson knew he was in trouble, he decided to get out of the woods and into the clearing to contact that asshole Henderson who was the cause of splitting the team. "Red team three to Blue team leader over."

"This is Blue team leader."

"I need you here right now!"

"We are really close to getting him Jefferson."

"Well Mike I don't know what you guys are chasing but it is not Chuck."

"Are you sure the locator says we are really close."

"I don't know what ghost you are chasing but the real target has taken out two of my team members."

"Damn! We will be there within the hour, we are about three clicks away and it is rough terrain."

"Just get here partner and thanks again for splitting up the team!"

Meanwhile Chuck was walking up to Watson with a smug smile on his face. "Dead people should not curse when they die."

"Asshole!"

Chuck took his radio as well. Why do you need two radios? Then Watson's eyes widen, He knew what Chuck was up to! "That's right more trickery coming and no talking, you are supposed to be dead!"

'Hmm...Be here within the hour? Time to disappear.'

A couple of miles away Casey and Blue had been listening in on the conversation. Blue was having a wonderful time. He had been working with Chuck on the S.E.R.E training and it was clearly paying off. S.E.R.E is an acronym used in relation to the United States' Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training. Blue was an expert in that field and had been training Chuck when they had their weekend getaways that happened every two weeks. This was the First Live test of that training and so far Chuck was doing great.

Sunday Day Three-The Hunt Continues

Throughout the night the four members of Strike Team One, still smarting from the previous day's events were discussing strategy. Well most of them were, Jefferson was still pissed at Henderson for splitting the team up and costing them plenty. "You do realize that if Chuck survives this, we will be the laughing stock of the group."

"Hey don't blame me, I had the fool proof plan, obviously someone gave us up." Henderson said defensively.

"Brain Oaks looked at Samuelson and shook his head, "Can you believe Mike, his certainty for winning was to cheat."

"Yeah Mike," Samuelson spoke, "I would think that 6 of us could take the Geek!"

"Nerd." All three responded back in unison.

Mike finally said, "We better stop underestimating Chuck, the fact is that he is one of us. As a matter of fact he is as good as we are in just about everything and is the best tactician I have ever seen. Therefore, from now on we better be at our very best or he very well could come out on top."

"There is no way that Bartowski is going to beat us, I could never live it down and if I know him he will not let us forget it!"

"Yeah," Mike said, "He is acting more like us every day; we have got to stop him at all cost"

"I just think you are worried for what he has planned for you if you lose." They all shook their heads in agreement at Samuelsson comment.

"I should have shown him the video, and then he would have seen that it was his idea to get that tattoo. Man I have never seen anyone that drunk, he did not even feel it."

"Well if we are not careful we are going to be the ones feeling it." Replied Jefferson.

"Ok so we know he is cold and wet, cannot start a fire without being seen, he will not get any sleep tonight, and the little bastard has a radio and let us not forget he has night vision equipment. Therefore, the night will not be an advantage for us." Mike continues. "We have the advantage of being able to sleep, being able to build a fire and," He holds out the radio, "Changing our frequency to channel three." Every two hours we change frequency again, that way we will keep Mr. Genius at bay."

Jefferson chimes in, "We keep our two by two cover formation," He looks at Mike while he says this, "So that if one of us buys it the other one will be able to respond."

Mike just rolls his eyes.

Brian finally says, "Let us start our hunt around 0400 hours. If he has tried to sleep Chuck might be disoriented and we can go back and get a warm meal. I am hungry."

Mike smirks, "Brian is the only man I know that thinks more with his stomach than his Johnson." The guys started laughing.

"You know Mike if we did not need you, I shoot you myself." Brain said deadpan.

Chuckling Mike said, "Alright, alright, if we are all in agreement than let us get some shut eye. It is 1400 hours now; everyone gets a two hour watch starting now. Samuelson take the first watch, I will take the next followed by Brain and Jefferson. Everyone agree." They all nodded their heads.

Chuck had been watching the little get together from a distance. Having read the manual they were probably going to start their attack while it was still dark, surround him and make him make a mistake to finish him off. 'If I know Jefferson he was probably going on and on about 2 by 2 cover formation. Well if Blue taught me anything it was when faced having to battle superior forces, the best time to attack would be between 0200 and 0400 hours. Yep who ever has that watch is about to get the Bartowski special. I cannot have any of that 2 by 2 cover crap.' It could be real uncomfortable for him if they did and he was real uncomfortable as it was. The cold MRE tasted like last year's mud and he could not afford diarrhea. He smiled as Sarah always said, "It's Show Time."

Chuck had stealthily crawled his way toward the group of four; he had left his rifle and was going to shoot Brian with the hand gun. He knew it was Brian because every time he popped up to scan the position, he saw him. It had taken him nearly an hour to get close enough so that he would be able to strike and retreat as fast as he could. He hoped this would work; otherwise this determined AND RESTED group would make short work of him. Calming his breathing and his nerves Chuck stood and raising his gun and found nobody. 'Huh, what the fuck!'

Just than Brian was coming out of the wooded area. He took a look at Chuck and then at the gun he had laid next to the tree and decided to run RIGHT AT CHUCK. Chuck hesitated long enough and Brain was all over him. He knocked the gun out of Chuck's hands. Chuck did not know what to do, no one said anything about hand to hand combat and Brian was 6'3" perfect body type with probably zero body fat. However, Chuck was no push over and had taken to hand to hand like a duck to water. They were both in their element and since neither of these men was REALLY fighting to kill, it turned more into a sparring match. Brian landed a boot to Chuck's left thigh followed by a back hand to the face. Chuck was seeing stars for a moment, but dove at Brains legs and got a double axe strike at Brain's left quad and then spin quickly and caught Brain in the stomach with an elbow. It was enough of a move to allow Chuck to grab the gun and point it at Brain and fire three shots. Brain was in the middle of pouncing on him again and caught one exploding dye pack in the face and the other two in the chest.

The loud grunt was all it took to be roused from their sleep from the noise. They picked up their weapons and were on Chuck almost immediately. Chuck heard the Zzzzipp, Zzzzipp of the guns, red dye packs exploding and bouncing off the trees. Chuck kept running and tripped and he lost his hand gun. "Damn!" But he got up and had to keep running. Luckily for Chuck, Mike and gang in their rush to get him had forgotten their night vision equipment. "Stop Mike!" Jefferson said.

"What?" Mike hissed.

"We have to get our night vision equipment! Without it he has the advantage for the next few hours!"

"Crap. Ok get them and we will wait here."

"The balls of that guy to attack our camp like that!" Smirked Samuelsson.

"Yeah, Chuck surprises me more every day."

As Chuck was running he was thinking, 'I am totally screwed without a weapon.' He slowed down to try and catch his breath. He started thinking of a plan right away. He will lead the hunters in a wide arc. He was hoping that they would get cocky once they saw he had no weapons. The reason he wanted to get back to their camp was that he was positive no one had bothered to pick up Brian's weapons. 'Won't that be a shocker?' Chuck was snickering then, 'These guys are a bad influence on me!'

Over the next few hours it was touch and go for Chuck. These guys meant business and now Chuck was regretting his little impromptu attack. 'One casualty is not worth losing your life over. Yep Blue was right again.' He caught his breath, 'Get your head in the game or you will lose.' At the beginning he thought he had no chance, now that he had nailed three of the NSAs' finest, Chuck was feeling pretty good about himself. 'Hopefully I will survive to be able to celebrate.'

Around 0800, rain and a heavy fog started to roll in. This type of fog is one that clings to you like a second skin, rain and misty fog made it hard to see three feet in front of you. "Can you believe this shit?" Jefferson growled.

"I think next time I play lotto I want Chuck choosing my numbers." said Samuelsson.

"Ridiculous." Bit back Henderson.

Yes it was a break for Chuck but he was hampered as well. Chuck quickly lost his bearings and now he was not sure if he would find their camp again. For the next 8 hours nothing really happened. They could not find Chuck and he could not get away. It was literally a stalemate. Only two hours left and if he was going to get his revenge, Chuck was going to have to take a chance. He decided to attack the left wing; he had no clue who was there but he hoped it was Mike since that was the person he was going to tranq. He took out the special dart and carefully inserted it into the very small and what looked like a 32 caliber weapon but was instead a small tranq gun. Chuck knew he had to get close, it only had an effective range of 5 to 10 feet. Any more than that and it was not accurate.

Chuck hid as one of them passed by, it was Samuelsson, in a desperate move Chuck threw his radio, when it fell to the ground it gave a high pitch sound. Samuelsson whirled and shot two wild shots at the sound. Chuck dove for his hand gun and Samuelsson shot and missed again. Chuck whirled and fired three times at Samuelsson. He missed once and struck him in the knee and hip. They were not considered kill shots although Samuelsson pretended they were. Chuck was going to shoot again when he heard someone running toward them. He hid behind some rocks and waited. "Aw crap not again!" The voice of good old Mike!

"Are you all right Samuelsson?"

Samuelsson turned and all he was able to say was "Look…

'Thwack!' The dart from Chuck's tranq gun was true, right in the left butt cheek! "Yessss!" Chuck said as he started doing a little jig. Mike fell with a thud. Unfortunately, Jefferson was not far behind, and saw Chuck doing his victory dance.

He took careful aim and yelled, "Bartowski", then Zzzzipp, zzzzipp,zzzzipp. Red die packs started to explode all over Chuck as Samuelsson unleashed his from behind as well.

"Ok, ok you got me, I am dead."

As Jefferson got closer he saw that Mike was not moving. "What the hell did you do to him Chuck?"

"Just a little payback Chris. I tranq him."

"May I ask why?"

"I wanted to take a picture of him and I do not think he would be a willing participant."

Everyone was congratulating each other. It had been a good test and Chuck had been only 55 minutes away from winning. Of course there was a huge relief from the entire group of strike team one as they came mighty close to losing to a rookie.

When Blue got out of the Chopper, he had a solemn face. Chuck looked at Blue and saw disappointment in his eyes. "Hey Blue why the face?"

"You did not follow what I taught you Chuck."

"Come on Blue, I never thought that I would last at all."

"Chuck don't you get it. The fact is you didn't make it. So what if you lasted an extra day? You would have died."

"Well when you put it that way."

"Yeah Chuck I am. You have great potential, however, in this business either you do or you are dead. There are no do over's. This is not a video game. You win period, there is no other option. Remember that next time, because the next time it could be real and in that reality the objective is to come home alive."

Kodiak Air Station Coast Guard Base-NSA section.

Chuck got real serious. The practical joke he was going to place on Mike was gone. Blue was right, there was no place for screw ups. When on a mission you needed to do everything in your power to come home in one piece. As everyone kidded around and made fun of each other, Chuck was busy on the grill barbequing Baby back ribs. Casey came over. He had overheard Blue's speech to Chuck. By the reaction of Chuck he could tell that he took seriously what Blue had said.

Casey smoking his regular Cuban looked at Chuck. "You did a very good job until the end."

"Yeah, I know Casey I fucked up."

"Listen Chuck, I have known Blue for 15 years, and in all that time I have never seen him take an interest in someone like he has you. Don't take his comments as him busting your chops. He wants you to succeed more than anyone else."

"I know Casey, I am not mad or insulted. I am proud to call Blue my friend. However, I want to tell you that it is that entire group out there; they are not just friends they are who I am, you guys are my family and I do take your advice seriously, because you guys want the best for me. There is no agenda with those guys, they are open and sincere. Being part of this group has been the best thing that has happened to me aside from Sarah."

"We like having you around too kid. Everyone thinks you are great."

The rest of the night was spent eating, playing poker and pool and last but not least watching the video of Chuck blind drunk saying how much he loves Sarah and pointing like an idiot where the tattoo went. As Chuck watched his knew his family was kidding around and having a good time. He reflected on his new life and knew that no matter what there was no place he rather be.

Two weeks later (20 days before the Shoot Down)

Chuck was sitting on the computer reading the latest Intel General Beckman had sent him. "Alright MAX give me the latest sit rep."

"Mr. B you have no calls from any staff or family I have finished collecting the information you requested and I found both items that you were looking for."

"Ok, let's take this one step at a time. I want a full analysis of the Seattle Docks area. Specifically anything in relationship with the Vanguard or Suffield group. I also want to add any ship and possible arrival times from the same group."

"Yes Mr. B."

"Any Emails MAX?"

"You have received an email from the General and also an email from somebody called Orion, he threatened to erase me if I didn't let him into the home system sir."

"So my Cretan of a father is checking up on me eh?"

"Alright, father," Chuck said sarcastically, "I see the web cam blinking show yourself."

The matrix green hated face appears on the TV as Chuck sits on his couch. "Charles why are you digging about the devils hand?"

"It's something related for work, I'm an analyst now I just track paper, when I'm not flying."

"That subject is dangerous, if I were you I would avoid any inquiries at all about it."

"Then help me find the information I need then I can get my chopper crew together and we can end another evil plan from occurring."

"I am glad that you are finally admitting that you do more for the NSA then just push papers."

"Just stop it! Every time I talk to you is the same bullshit. Well we are doing a fine job here and this family takes care of its own."

"And if it gets you killed?"

"If that is my destiny, then it will happen, however; unlike last time IT WILL BE MY CHOICE!"

"I told you that Bryce was not supposed to send you the intersect!"

"Yeah I have heard your lame explanation, however; what you have always failed to explain is how come you never tried to rescue me then. You knew I was at the mercy of the CIA and NSA, but you never showed any concerns then!"

Steven was silent. "So how about for once in your life you actually provide me with some decent Intel that could help save lives."

Steven thought for a moment just when Chuck was about to switch off he started talking. "Well, son I came across the Devils hand in a reference to Fulcrum scorched earth policy."

That got the attention of Chuck.

"It looked like if Rourke died he wanted to take the planet with him. He made a reference to Novarupta, Mt Katmi and Mt Trident. He had data on the flow of lava possible projections stuff on Mt Katmandu, Pompeii and Mt St. Helens."

"Hold on, hey MAX bring up all information on Mt. Katmi, St Helens, Novarupta, and Mt Trident." Chuck turned to his father, "Anything else you wanted to add?"

"I have one question and I'll let you be?"

"Are you happy now that Sarah Walker is out of your life? Are you happy that you fly for the Coast Guard sometimes when your real mission is to be Beckman's attack dog?" Steven spat out the last part with venom.

"That was three things." Chuck said deadpan, "And yes I am happy plucking fishermen and Senators from the Davey Jones icy grasp. The more men I save, the happier I feel. I matter now, it feels like I did a good job like when I stopped that bomb without the intersect. At that time it took the intersect to put all the pieces together but it was mostly me. However, now I don't need anything but the skills I have obtained from my hard work and dedication. I am part of something special with my NSA family. They care about me more than you ever did. When we go out on missions we save lives, sometimes thousands of lives. As for Sarah, she will NEVER be out of my life. It may take weeks, months or another year or two, but we will meet again, I know we will be together for life."

The more he got to know his father the more he disliked him. "Thank you for the new information I know how hard it must be for you to share something useful. Oh and please be nice to MAX, you would not want to piss me off and have me erase your data." He smiled evilly, that was not a vial threat.

Steven knew Chuck was still very angry with him about the doctored video, so he decided to change the subject. "How's Ellie?"

"I haven't talked her in a couple of months."

"You need to keep in touch with her more often."

"Funny I could say the same thing about you. Then again I was not the one that told her I would make her pancakes and disappear for fifteen years!"

Chuck was on a roll and he wanted to finish this conversation with a flurry. "So dad you asked me a string of very thought provocative questions. Here is one for you to think about and let me know the answer the next time we talk. Your friends seem to consist of Ted Rourke, Alexi Volkoff, oh yes I now know about that one, and last but not least Bryce Larkin. So father what does that say about you?"

Steven had a lump in his throat and could not speak. "Well father I got to get back to work on this report for the General, thanks for the assist on the devils hand." Chuck hung up and smiled, he had for the first time realized how little he had in common with his father. He shook his head, 'God I hope I never become that bitter.'

3 days later Team Conference with General Beckman (17 days before the Shoot down)

"Lieutenant are you telling me that the Ring has joined forces with Volkoff?"

"General I do not know if this is a permanent or temporary arrangement, what I am saying is that in this case they certainly have teamed up together. Let me show you on this map"

Two strike team members bring in a blow up of a map of the Seattle loading docks area. He pointed to the address of the loading Docks at 1511 6 Ave. "We know this address and this address, he pointed at Edmond Doc company 3451 Evenston Ave N are owned by the Vanguard group. That is a shell company for Volkoff, and these Law Offices at 200 first Avenue West belong to the Suffield group, which is a shell corporation for the Ring. We have found out that the freighter 'Excelsior' that is coming in three days from now, belongs to Volkoff. Something big is coming that we need to deal with it. However, I want more information before I risk my teams."

The 'my' comment did not go unnoticed by anyone. "What do you suggest Lieutenant."

Well ma'am we have a three day window before the Freighter arrives. I have checked the buildings in question and they are all in the same electrical grid. We need one day to prepare. Then we can shut down the electrical grid in that area for a couple of hours, come in as electrical company workers and plant some camera's and bugs that will give us a better sense of what we will be up against.

"What do you think Colonel?"

"Sounds like a good plan."

"Ma'am as long as we hit all three places at the same time the risk will be is low."

"You said we, are you including yourself in this mission?"

"Well ma'am with all due respect to Colonel Casey and our men, I think that I have the most experience handling electronic equipment."

General Beckman took a deep breath and signed, she knew it was hopeless to keep Chuck out of the action. "Very well, you may proceed with your plan."

"Colonel, move your strike teams to McChord Air Force Base."

"Yes ma'am."

"That is located in Tacoma right."

"Yes Lieutenant you will be only 33 miles from Seattle. I will call the Admiral and advise him that your services will be needed elsewhere for a week."

"Thank you ma'am."

"You are all dismissed, Colonel I need to have a word with you."

When everyone left. "Ma'am."

"With all the (my, our, and we) that I heard, I was starting to wonder who is in charge of the strike teams."

Casey chuckled, "He seems to get carried away sometimes."

"He really is part of this team," She smiled. "He has grown up Colonel, Congratulations."

"Thank you ma'am, but it is not only me, the team has a lot to do with it as well."

"Do you think that he would be receptive of becoming an agent?"

"I do not think so ma'am."

"Why not Colonel?"

"Ma'am he knows about the red tests, he has told me that he finds Government sanction assassinations reprehensible."

"I see."

"He also told me that according to one of our own studies over 30 percent of these red tests was on innocent people. I asked him where he got that information and he would not tell me."

When the General remained quite Casey asked, "Is that true General?"

General Beckman just looked at Casey and finally said, "Good luck with your mission Colonel."

Volkoff – Ring Director conference same day

"Director, you do not worry, everything is well at hand."

"Easy for you to say Alexi, if this mission fails, you are not the one that will disappear."

"Such little faith and this being our first deal together."

"You just do not realize what it has been like, these NSA strike teams are all over the place. So far we have lost over 20 bases in the West Coast. They are eliminating us and we have no answers against them."

"I know that is why you were forced to deal with us. Your lack of man power surprises me Director."

"The NSA is the main reason for our lack of man power. I hope that the Russian Special Forces that you are sending will produce results."

"They will and I have a surprise for you, Yuri, tell them who else is coming to the party."

"We have made deal with Yakuza; they are getting two tons of Hashish for their support. They will have at least sixty men on the docks. There will be enough trucks and vans to help distribute the equipment throughout the State of Washington."

Volkoff chimed in, "Orientals are very common in this state, they will not attract attention plus they are good fighters. Stop worrying Director everything will be fine."

After the conclusion of their conversation the Director still had that nervous feeling. The last report of agent Carmichael was that he was stationed in Pensacola. However, that was six months ago. He needed this transaction to go well, another failure and the Elders would see him as a problem. 'If only I could confirm that he was still in Pensacola.' The problem was that all of a sudden the CIA and the NAS had gotten very good at capturing moles. It would not surprise him at all if Carmichael was behind it. "How I hate that man!"

Two days later (15 days before the shoot down)

Chuck had planned the perfect mission. It went without a hitch. At precisely 9:00am the power was cut off. People started protesting and calling the power company. 30 Minutes later in three separate locations three men teams looking very authentic in their Seattle Power and Light uniforms, stepped into their assigned buildings to make 'sure no power surges could caused a fire.' Even though they were watched closely there was no way they could follow these men into crawlways, ventilation systems, elevators and roofs. Like clockwork they were in and out within 30 minutes, promising that the power would come back on soon. Like profits once they were clear it took no more than 15 minutes for the power to be turned back on.

The enemy had no clue, but the NSA had a bird's eye view of what was happening in those three buildings.

One Day later (14 days before the shoot Down)

First Kill

"Ok listen up people, Casey called out to the teams. Chuck will be giving the briefing."

"Tonight we are hitting three separate targets at once." There was a big map showing their targets. "This is the first time that we will not be together, make sure that if you run into trouble that you not become heroes. We are a team and like someone I know has drilled into me, the object is to complete the mission and COME HOME ALIVE!"

"I will be Blue leader, Thomas Blue two and White Blue three. My group will strike the Ring offices disguised as a law firm. Two will head for the docks and engage the Freighter as they dock. Three the Edmond Doc Company at Evenston. Frankly the one that concerns me is the Docks, Blue. I do not know how many men are in the Freighter. It could get hairy, please call out if you need us and will be there as soon as we can. We do not know what armaments could be in that Freighter so please be careful"

"We have hurt the Ring badly; they have asked for and received assistance from Alexi Volkoff. This means you can expect to run into Russian Special Forces. Your objectives are to get all documents or hard drives from the computers. You are to destroy equipment that you can't carry. Stay alert and be conscience that you are going against professionals tonight. Good luck and good hunting."

The Pave Hawk is a highly-modified version of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. It features an upgraded communications and navigation suite that includes an integrated inertial navigation-global positioning Doppler navigation systems, satellite communications, secure voice, and Have Quick communications. The term PAVE stands for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment

All HH-60Gs have an automatic flight control system, night vision goggles lighting and forward looking infrared system that greatly enhances night low-level operations. Additionally, the NSA Pave Hawks have color weather radar and an engine-rotor blade anti-ice system that gives the HH-60G an all-weather capability. Pave Hawk mission equipment includes a retractable in-flight refueling probe, internal auxiliary fuel tanks, and in this case pilot-controlled 7.62 mm miniguns. Being the king of video games Chuck had become an expert with these guns in no time at all. These helicopters were also modified with twin.50-caliber machine guns and all the gunners were rated excellent. To improve air transportability and shipboard operations, all HH-60Gs have folding rotor blades.

Pave Hawk combat enhancements include a radar warning receiver, infrared jammer and a flare-chaff countermeasure dispensing system. HH-60G rescue equipment includes a hoist capable of lifting a 600 pound load from a hover height of 200 feet, and a personnel locating system. The NSA Pave Hawks were equipped with an over-the-horizon tactical data receiver that is capable of receiving near real-time mission update information.

As the three Black Hawks took off in formation Chuck could not help the trepidation he had concerning Blue and the Docks. He had asked for more help and told it was too short notice, they had to go with what they had. Something told him it would not be enough.

"Man I cannot wait to try them out"

"What are you rattling about Mike?"

"The speakers we installed on all these babies. I loved the scene in Apocalypse Now."

"I cannot believe the General allow that." Casey shook his head, "Chuck is totally corrupting this unit."

"Hey don't blame Chuck, it was my idea."

Casey just rolled his eyes.

One mile out Chuck said, "Blue Leader to blue two and three. Coming up on the first target, we will split up from here. Good luck and kept in touch."

"Copy blue leader." The other two helicopters acknowledged.

"Casey we are coming up on target I need to drop one of you on another roof top to take out the two centuries, I have got eyes on them through my infrared site."

"No, open the side door and hold her steady, I have got this."

Chuck held the Black Hawk as steady as possible. Casey took aim, the two centuries noticed the Black Hawk about 200 yards away and leaned out trying to determine what was going on. Two loud cracks from Casey's McMillan TAC-50 A1 and the targets disappeared.

"Nice shooting Casey," Mike side.

Chuck quickly hovered on the roof top and got as low as possible as Casey and the other strike team repelled from the ropes hanging from the sides of the helicopter. Holding the 50 caliber machine guns and covering the drop Hinkle stated, "Clear." as now the nerve racking aspect of the mission began for Chuck. Climbing to a safe height Chuck hovered and slowly went back and forth trying to spot any possible hostile. Chuck had his finger on the safety of the miniguns. Any sign a trouble he switch off the safety and go into 'game mode.' That is how he justified letting loose with the mini guns.

As that was happening Blue 3 had reached its target and the Strike team lead by Jim Henderson was repelling down to the roof while the gunner Diaz was busy covering their decent. Once completed he replied to Lieutenant White "Clear." Lieutenant White performed the same maneuver that Chuck had.

Lieutenant Thomas was reaching the docks. "Blue I am going to drop you and your team at the stern of the ship, that will give you the best cover moving forward into the Freighter."

"Agreed Lieutenant."

Lieutenant Thomas hovered over the back of the freighter as Blue and his strike team repelled down the stern of the ship and hid behind the containers while they prepared to move forward. Dickerson was covering the drop when the first sign of trouble began. A sniper with a 50 cal rifle fired and Dickerson was lucky the helicopter was moving when the shot was fired, still the flesh wound to the leg really hurt, "I'm hit!" Cried Dickerson.

"Hang on!" responded Lieutenant Thomas. As he maneuvered out of the line of fire and tried to get his bearings.

Immediately after that sixteen Russian Special Forces soldiers opened up with AK-47 machine guns at Blue and his strike team. They were protected by the containers, but were essentially pinned down. While that was happening the first of the Yakuza vans pulled up with nearly twenty men. These vans had been modified with a 50 caliber machine gun on top. The 50 cals started barking hot lead towards Blue and company. "Shit we are surrounded."

Lieutenant Thomas responded, "Coming around Blue!" The miniguns started singing its song of death as 7.62 armor piercing shells engaged the first minivan it saw. The van blew up and flew nearly 5 feet in the air when it landed the last men left alive was busy rolling on the ground covered in flames. Three more Vans showed and they too had been modified with 50 caliber machine guns and engaged the Blackhawk who was trying to avoid being shot down. However, a couple of 50 caliber bullets shattered the co-pilot's windows, showering the co-pilot with glass.

"Blue 3 to blue leader."

"Blue leader over."

"Leader we need immediate assistance. Have run into overwhelming force and strike team two is pinned down."

"What is your status Blue 2"

"Have been taking sniper fire and 50 caliber fire"

"Have you been hit."

"Gunner has been scratched and co-pilot has been showered with glass otherwise still operational."

"Can you extract."

"Negative."

"I will try to assist in 5 or ten minutes. Can you hold on?"

"Will do."

"Casey what is your status?"

"I am almost done, Just sweeping to make sure there are no more hostiles."

"Leave it to the cleaners we have an emergency at the docks."

"Will be up in five."

"Make it two the situation is dire"

"Blue leader to Blue 3."

"Blue 3 over."

"What is your status?"

"Same as you. I have already told my group to get ready to be extracted. I may be able to assist before you."

"That is great blue 3, I am starting to extract now will be joining you at the docks in 5."

"Roger that leader."

Hinkle responded, "Team extracted."

"Team leader to 2 we are on our way."

"Hurry up we may lose strike team two!"

Casey asked, "What is going on Chuck?"

"Team 2 ran into an overwhelming force and they are in real trouble. Thomas cannot assist he is taking heavy fire from 50 cals on the ground and sniper fire from above. Get ready we are going in hot!"

"Blue 3 to blue 2 on our way."

Chuck was passing Blue 3's position when he saw the Black Hawk lift off. "Fancy meeting you here."

"How do you want to handle this leader."

"Handle the snipers on top and I will handle the vans on the floor."

As soon as they got there they realized how dangerous the situation was. Chuck's anger shot through the roof, Blue and his team were probably dead! 'His Brother!' Chuck switched off the safety and engaged the vans on the ground. The 7.62 bullets cutting through the vans like a hot knife through butter. The chain reaction knocked everyone on the ground down. The flames that were engulfing the Yakuza made Chuck sick to his stomach. As Chuck was climbing slowly Hinkle yelled, " On the scaffolding!."

Casey said, "Let her rip!"

Hinkle caught 10 Yakuza right out in the middle of nowhere. The twin 50 cal opened up and basically made hamburger meat out of the 10 men. Chuck had to turn his face it was so sickening. Casey was excited, the men around him though were in awe of Chuck, he had just got there and already had the enemy on the defensive, "Way to go Chuck!"

Casey growled, "Quit the foreplay Bartowski and put us down."

"John I am going to place you behind the Warehouse out of site of enemy fire. I will be buzzing around giving you cover."

"Works for me."

Lieutenant White was busy taking care of the snipers. "North tower, hurry up he has a 50 caliber!" The gunner fired and the tower disappeared at that close of a range.

"Anywhere else?"

"Yeah Lieutenant, the top of the roof of the building next to the docks, I see two more. Just hover Lieutenant I got this." Said Diaz. Again the heavy clatter of the twin 50's hit the roof with extreme and deadly accuracy, cutting one man in half while the other man met his end as two 50 caliber bullets ripped his right arm off. The sniper was in hell as he staggered and fell off the roof.

"Nice shooting." Said White.

Lieutenant Thomas had gone back down to help his team and attacked the Russian Special units on the ship. The first pass killed seven of them and two threw themselves in the water to avoid certain death.

That was the opportunity that Blue and the rest of strike team two needed to move. The remaining Russians were dazed from the vicious attack of the Black Hawk. Once they started to come back to reality it was too late. Strike team 2 was efficient, deadly, and left no one alive on the ship's top deck.

Team 3 had been drop by the burning vans and what remained of the enemy was in total disarray. They were sweeping North and then west while team 1 was sweeping south and then east. The rout was on and the enemy were falling all over each other surrendering as fast as they could.

"This is Blue leader to NSA cleaner team, what is your ETA."

"You guys barbecuing on the Docks," came back one of the Cleaner team units'. It was an innocent comment, but more and more Chuck was starting to realize what he had done and was in no mood for teasing.

"What part of my question did you not understand!" He said loudly

"Umm...sorry sir 3 minutes."

"Thank you." 'Ok Chuck don't freak out, don't lose it, leave it for when you are alone.'

"Leader to Colonel Casey"

"Report Leader."

"Colonel the cleaners will be here within the next couple of minutes. It is time to wrap it up."

"Roger that Lieutenant."

The Cleaners where much more than Chuck thought they were as military units were integrate in what turned out to be a military convoy of more than 30 vehicles. Jim Henderson was smiling, "Where were these guys when you needed them."

There was a slap on his back, he turned and there was his brother Mike. He smiled and squeezed his shoulder than they gave each other a hug. "Glad you made it big bro!"

Chuck was turning and he was doing a slow roll to see if Blue had made it. Then he saw his big smile and a thumbs up. "He is too ugly kill Chuck." Said Masterson his co-pilot.

"Ready to load up. Leader to NSA cleaner team the site all yours."

"This is captain Lynn Fox, who is in Charge?"

Lieutenant White said, "Lieutenant Bar...I mean Colonel Casey."

"Well good job! You are clear to extract your teams."

The teams were in extremely good moods as they loaded up in each of their respective helicopters and began to take off.

"Leader to 2 and 3, anyone need medical attention?"

"Nothing that won't keep, they both reported."

"Let's go home." Said Chuck

Mike as usual started things letting out a yell "Man we kicked butt tonight! I feel like singing. Masterson, tell Lieutenant White and Thomas to hit number 3 and letting it go loud on the speakers. Come-on killer, you too. "

Chuck had a lump in his throat at Michael's statement but said nothing. And as bad as Chuck felt he had to agree with Mike about playing a song. It had been an absolute miracle that they had all survived with only minor injuries, so he could perfectly understand their mood as the speakers' start blaring and even Casey joined in.

I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

All three helicopters playing Bad Moon Rising was certainly impressive. Chuck looked back at Casey who was smiling and joining in with his men and he realized at that moment Casey was HOME, he was in his element, the place where he should always be. No wonder he insulted him all those times the first two years he knew him. Who could blame him having to deal with someone like him instead of being surrounded by real American Heroes. 'Note to self, never allow yourself to have to protect an asset like I used to be." That is why even though he felt horrible about the nights events he joined in with the rest of the team.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.
All right!

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

2:00 AM Baltimore MD Unknown Location

The Ring Director knew this had always been a possibility. That is why he had sent his family away as soon as he had received the not so subtle threats from the Elders. He was making what he probably thought was his last call. "Hello Alexi."

"Director how could this have happened. We had all bases covered, more fighters than I thought we even needed."

"Agent Carmichael, that is the agent that ruined our plan Alexi. He has been a thorn on my side for a long time and now he has cost me everything."

"I could protect you."

"It is too late." With that the Director hung up.

"Director we should go."

The Director had a five man detail that were totally loyal to him. His Limo was waiting for him as he stepped out with an agent on each side. He did not hear the soft puffs of the silence automatics that were aimed at his detail. He only knew something was wrong by the fact that his men dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Two black SUV's quickly surrounded his limo and dispatch of two of the remaining three agents. The one that was left was his driver who bleed profusely as he was grabbing his stomach sitting by the front of the car. The door opened and a man with a deep scar on his left cheek walked up to the Director.

"Director," he said in a cold and harsh voice, "We are here to escort you to your last debriefing." He grabbed the Director by the right shoulder and flung him in the arms of two other agents.

Another agent asked, "What about the bodies."

"Place them in the house and burn the place." He then walked slowly to the dying agent pulled out his silence pistol and shot the man twice in the head. "Failure is not an option."

Team Conference with General Beckman (13 days before the shoot down)

General Beckman had one of the best night's sleeps ever. The reports from the field had been outstanding. It had been a total defeat for not only the Ring but Volkoff and even the Yakuza. Yes this had been a great victory and she owed it all too...what to call Bartowski? He was so much more than an analyst, and if these reports were true he and his gunner killed over 30 people before he deployed the strike team! Who would have thought this was even possible two years ago. When she had made her deal, it was to keep a close eye on him if the intersect failed, but this, it just amazed her. How lucky had they been to have someone like Bartowski. One thing for sure, he would not have to worry about his red test. Apparently the two out of the 3 vans he initially attacked was filled with Yakuza. Seventeen kills, that was more than many agents had in their entire careers. Yes now if he wanted it he could be an agent and once under her direct control...

The group gathered around the video conference awaiting the General to come on. Chuck had been a little late looking like he had not slept at all. His eyes were blood shot and he looked tired and his face was ashen. He wished he was somewhere else so he could crawl in a hole and not come out for years.

"Good morning Gentlemen. I want you to know that all of you have done this country proud. What was accomplished last night was of monumental importance. That ship contain over two tons of Hashish, new weapons that are not out yet for our Military, and Biological and Chemical WMDs that would have caused chaos and panic in this country. There cannot be any medals for you, this mission is top secret and we cannot afford any attention such actions would receive. However, all of you will be receiving commendations for your actions. As for you Lieutenant Bartowski, I have push your papers through and your Admiral Adams has agreed to promote you to Lieutenant Commander. You know the drill there will not be any ceremony but the appreciation and high esteem our government and this office holds you in. Congratulations Lieutenant Commander Bartowski. "

All the group stood up and clapped for Chuck and his promotion, it was well deserved. "Thank you General for your support and recognition." There was no enthusiasm in his statement even the salute was forced. From the mission briefing he had killed people, a lot of people. He felt dirty and somehow unworthy. 'Getting a promotion because I killed 17 people? I am a fucking mass murderer.' He bowed his head again wishing he could be somewhere else while his friends clapped him in the back and tried to joke with him.

Chuck left the briefing totally numb; never in his life did he for one moment think that this would ever happen to him. Did he think he would have to kill someone to save Sarah or Casey, if he was truly honest with himself yes that was a possibility. However, 17 people? The worst part was he did it like it was second nature, it was a video game that's all, and they would pop-up alive at the start of the next round. What an idiot he was. Of course it was going to end this way. When you are at war it is kill or be killed, there are no do-over's. He open the door to his home. "Welcome Mr. B?"

Chuck said nothing, he mechanically turned on the water in the tub, nice and hot and just sat there only taking his shoes off, hoping to wash away the filth he felt in his body, he grabbed the towel with both hands buried his face in it and cried.

It had been six hours since Chuck had left the briefing, Blue had found photos of at least six of the Yakuza Chuck had killed and four of the Russians they had captured, he needed to show this evidence to him to make him realize what he was fighting for. These animals that Chuck had killed were awful people, involved with Slave trafficking, drugs, murder, torture, you name it and these thugs had done it. It would be hard but he would be there for him, they were close and he heard what Chuck had done to make sure they got there on time. He owed his brother and he would never let him down. When he drove to the house he was shocked at what he found, the driveway was full of cars, of course they all knew, we were brothers in arms and would always be there for each other. He smiled when he saw Casey bringing several bags of what he was sure would be steaks and ribs. 'You are a faker John Casey; you claim to have a hard exterior. However, what makes you great is your big old soft heart.'

Conference Call of Volkoff and Shaw (7 days before the shoot down.)

Daniel Shaw hated Kodiak, Alaska. Then again he hated just about everywhere that was not Paris. He had built a good base here though, it was easy to disguise his operation as government contractors testing Oil Drill bits. It had allowed him to fly heavy equipment in and begin construction of his base. People had gotten used to the helicopters flying around which was another plus. After the thefts of the Nuclear weapons the objectives about their intent became very clear. For now Volkoff had left him alone. He would pretend he was not interested in what Shaw was doing and Shaw would not fly to mother Russia and kill him himself. Shaw had heard about the little disaster with the Ring and he wanted no part of whatever Volkoff was selling. People who dealt with Volkoff had a nasty habit of ending up dead.

"What do you want Volkoff."

"Daniel is that any way to treat a friend?"

"I am not your friend."

"Good point but I hoping that one day we will be."

"How about getting to the point now?"

"I need your assistance in eliminating some one."

"You have plenty of assassins you do not need me."

"What if I were to tell you that this person might be involved with your wife's killer?"

That got his attention, "I am listening"

"It seems that an Agent Carmichael who has disguised himself as a Coast Guard Pilot is stationed in Kodiak. I need you to kill him for me."

"Why would he be hiding as a…wait a minute is he the one who has been destroying the Ring?"

"Yes he is."

"It would be interesting to fight a warrior of his caliber."

"Daniel please let us not get carried away. People who cross paths with this agent do not come out alive. I would not be too eager to meet him if I were you."

"We shall see, what will I get if he is captured or killed?"

"Please Daniel killed. Would you like more men, we have plenty of those."

"I might need a few more, however. I have a great need for one of your Huey helicopters."

"Ah… out to destroy America again I see."

"You let me worry about that. Do we have a deal?"

"Da we do. I do want confirmation Daniel."

"You will have it."

'This idiot does not know what he looks like or he would have shown me a picture. I will find out more from Justin, he may know him as someone else. Hmm…Sarah Walker may have interest in him? I did not think that bitch had a heart to care about anyone? Still if that was true she might turn herself in to save him. That would be just glorious. Soon Mr. Carmichael soon.'

Shot down

Chuck woke up at 4 in the morning to start his routine for later that day. He started with Tia Chi, something Blue had taught him to do to relax. He was feeling much better about things with the constant support from his family. The stories they shared, how they felt, what they are fighting for. Blue showing up with those pictures really worked. Those people needed to die. Chuck still was sick about what happened, but was no longer ashamed. Maybe it was those twice a week counseling sessions he was getting. Maybe it was the constant fear of having Sarah disappointed in him. One thing for sure, his hands did not shake anymore. He had felt great relief in admitting to himself his greatest fear, rejection and abandonment. If he ever saw Sarah again he wanted to share this with her and tell her he would be there for her as he knew she would be for him.

With a fresh cup of brewed coffee in his hand he sits down by the computer Chair. "Good morning MAX."

"Good morning Mr. B"

"Okay MAX I want all the information on the volcano father mentioned and what information my dad was giving us and lets classify this Intel as other sources alright?"

"Yes Mr. B"

"Mr. B did you want the Katmi and ten thousand smokes articles together?"

"Are they linked?"

"Affirmative sir"

"Then download everything. I want all of it."

"Very well"

"I want a map of those three mountains on the screen please."

"What's this about Kodiak?"

"Well sir, it says that when the Katmi erupted in 1912 it spewed ashes up into the stratosphere and dumped about 2 feet on Kodiak alone and it was found as far away as Nigeria. It belched out ash and lava for 72 hours it made Mt St Helens look like pop it. The eruption wiped out the local eco system and killed several people."

"Wait a sec... Nigeria is in Africa! Ellie and Devon!"

'What the hell have you got me into this time General?'

He began putting his report for the General together that the Devils Hand was up to no good and should be stopped when found. He made reference to the amount of ash that would fall on the west coast and that how that would affect the trade routes and airlines today with 50,000 people flying on average to overseas destinations and what that would do to the community like Kodiak.

The nice thing about MAX was that he let Chuck type and talk out his reports before they had to be sent off. Max would be the editor and would bring anything up for Chucks' consideration.

Chuck had to be on the flight line at 6 am for his duty. He had some finishing touches to put on the report, but the rough draft was done.

"Ok MAX what we have here is stolen Nuclear weapons, Volcanoes and its effects, the Devils Hand, the Hounds, and name that keeps coming up Daniel Shaw and Kodiak. I want you to crunch and analyze all the DATA, I should be back at 5:00 PM tonight. However, if for any reason I am not here wait and send the Intel to General Beckman at 8:00 PM our time."

"Very good Sir I will do as requested Mr. B."

He looked at his home "I'm off to duty MAX see you tonight. As he was opening the garage door he did a subconscious check, pocket knife check, light check, wrist computer check, Glock check, survival knife check, wallet check, spare batteries for light check, He placed them all in his survival Ziploc. As he passed the stop light his phone vibrated "Good luck Mr. B home is secure."

He passes through the gate, gave the guard a salute and a waved as he went through on to the base. He drove down to the hanger to check in with the crew. "Hello Mike I see you had too much to drink last night."

"Don't talk to me I am sick." Chuck Chuckled

"Hey Watson you stuck with me again."

"You know me Chuck I love to see all the lovely sites of Kodiak while I freeze my butt off."

"Another happy Camper."

"Sir we are your regular crew today, Lieutenant Commander sir, I am your Co-pilot Lieutenant Andrew Jones, This is swimmer Petty officer Patrick Jones, no relation, and your hoist operator Tory Cooper."

"Gentlemen, those two back there are Mike Henderson and Steven Watson. Do not mind their guns, they usually do not shoot the crew." Everyone chucked.

Finally Chuck went to check with his chief mechanic he wanted his bird flight worthy. Chuck accidently left his I-Pad on the chair.

He heard someone say. "Hey who's I pad is this, man what a great looking blonde, damn check out the brunette's sweet rack!"

Chuck whipped around ready to tear off the idiot's head off.

"Harper get your ass back to work now!" The chief said.

"Yes sir!"

Chucks was boring a hole through the young man.

"Sorry sir he is just a rookie."

Chuck just nodded and left.

"Great Harper you just admitted to wanting the commanders' sister. Now I will say this once, Commander Bartowski has powerful friends, he is an expert in hand to hand combat, has master ratings with all small guns, there is a reason for him being LTCM Bartowski. Keep your lips sealed for the rest of the day and he might forget that you wanted to mess with his sister and his lady."

Scramble! Alarms started to go off as they sprinted to the Jay Hawk. They where airborne sixty seconds later, hoist operator Tory Cooper and swimmer Petty officer Patrick Jones where prepping the bay for whatever lay ahead.

"Control we are in site of Katmi State Park, we are hovering over the Shelikoff Straights and are noticing debris in the water. I am going down to get a closer look."

All of a sudden, an Apache Attack helicopter appears and opens up with its chain gun. The 30mm shells blasting away and killing the Co-pilot instantly. Patrick Jones who was leaning forward looking at the water does not have time to react. One shell strikes him in the head and the other rips through his stomach. He briefly sways before he falls out of the helicopter, he is dead before his body hits the water.

The chopper shuttered and there is a loud bang as the engine starts seizing up and the cabin began to fill with smoke "MAYDAY, MAYDAY! This is USCG Flight 412, we have been hit by unknown enemy fire and are going down MAYDAY, MAYDAY! Hang on back there!" Chuck struggles with the controls but they will not cooperate. He is rapidly losing altitude and just before he hits Chuck can only say, "OH SHIT!" Just before they crashed. He almost blacks out due to the impact.

Chuck feels a hand grip his shirt and pull him up. Out of instinct he grabs his Ziploc bag and instantly the 32 degrees waters off the Straights wakes him up. "Go, go, go, swim as fast as you can to shore!

As they are swimming they hear the engines of the Apache once again. He is coming back! "Dive down in the water!" This time the helicopter blows up as the 30mm shells hits it once again.

"Repeat base, yes they are in the water. Disengaging and heading home." Said the Apache Pilot.

Chuck is the first to shore spitting water and with only some scratches and some bruising.

"Ok." He calls, "Who's not dead?"

Mike said. "Watson made it and you are Cooper right?"

"Let's head into the forest fast." Cried Chuck.

They all huddle together, "Lets' do a weapons check. Watson?"

"I have my P-90 with only two clips." Chuck and Mike look at him, "What? I did not think I needed it today."

Shaking his head Chuck said, "I have my Glock and 3 extra clips. You Mike?"

"I have my P-90 and my Berretta. They each have 3 extra mags."

The weather is changing rapidly as there is a storm approaching. However, they can still hear the approaching Blackhawks.

Cooper thinking they are going to be saved gets up and attempts to rush out to meet their saviors. Chuck grabs him and slams him to the ground.

Growling at Cooper he hisses, "If you want to live through this you better follow every order I give, clear!"

"Ye...yes sir!"

"Lose the bright orange jump suit"

"But."

"Now!"

They all watch from a distance as the enemy soldiers start repelling from the Blackhawks. "I swear if I did not know any better, I think they are Russians." Said Watson.

"So what now?" Said Mike.

"That is easy." Said Chuck, "We survive."