Canyon Cabin Ca 0800 June 13th 2003

Orion had just awaken from his deep slumber. His mind was not fully awake. There was a general tiredness which was not present before using the Cloak. I need to limit the use of the Cloak until I get physically stronger Stephen mused. Stretching he reviewed the security tapes. Nothing happening. Good. The Pot growers in the area sure work well as a first line of intelligence. They would be alerted if any strange vehicles approached the area. That would leave him ample time to escape.

Thinking of escape Stephen remembered poor Susan Muller in the clutches of his arch rival Ted Roark! Even though he did not want to be subject to the exhausting effects of the cloak he knew he had to use it to silence Susan before she reveals all of their secrets.

Donning the Cloak he once again tapped a few keys into the wrist computer. After a few minutes the feed for the room was found. Stephen steeled himself to do what needs to be done. He observed the feed from the room.

Susan is handcuffed to a metal chair in the middle of a barren interrogation cell. She has been talking for almost 12 hours straight before she collapsed. She had just been revived and was in the process of telling how the hardware of the intersect was put together. She was alone in the room and the door was solid there were cameras and the audio feed was being recorded.

Susan now saw a shimmer in the air and then stood Stephen.

Susan now switch from talking about the intersect. To saying

"Stephen how I can not stop talking I am so sorry. She continued to apologize."

Stephen looked very sad then said

"Susan, I am so sorry you and Mike got into this mess. I am so sorry Susan but you are going to die they have poisoned you. There is no antidote. I am so sorry Susan but I must end your suffering."

Susan continued to talk about how the 6 of them were in college together how Hartly and Evelyn were the perfect couple. How Ted and Mary were such an odd pairing. Stephen and Mike were the best of friends. At this point a power surge happened in the room. An arc of electricity stuck Susan in the chest. She slumped into the chair. Stephen had tears in his eyes and swore vengeance against his former friend. Then disappeared.

Stephen slumped in his chair. Totally exhausted both mentally and physically. The power it took to create the surge had drained the cloak. It need to be recharged. Stephen totally spent crawled out of the lab and laid back in his bed. He remembered the good times he and Mike had along with Mary and Susan. At that time they had no idea what awaited them. Susan and Mike had two grown children. I need to send condolences. They are just other victims in this senseless endless war. Stephen drifted off to sleep.

Los Angeles CA 1100 13th June 2003 Ted Roark's office in Roark International Building.

Tommy Delgato is standing in front of a very perturbed Ted Roark.

"What do you mean she is dead?"

"Yes Sir that is what the paramedics reported."

Tommy looked down and then looked at his boss wondering if he was next in line to be killed.

"The Guard awoke her at 0800 and she started talking again. But at 900 the guard noticed she was slumped in her chair. Paramedics were called and attempts of revival failed. The body was dumped in San Francisco near the abduction place. As per your orders."

"Ok so lets review the tapes and lets see what happened in there."

"Ok I see the Guard and him leaving.

Now fast forwarding the tape to the next scene.

What is this she switches from talking about the intersect to apologizing? What is going on?

Slowing down the tape Ted manipulated the controls.

"Now she is talking about our college days? Now the tape ends in snow."

Ted now looking up from the monitor starred at Tommy and barked orders.

"I need to know what happened!"

"Yes Sir"

Tommy jumped and left the office as if he was scared for his life.

Ted now started pondering. Why did she mention Stephen Bartowski? What does he have to do with all this? Stephen stole my girlfriend which was supplied by the generous folks at the CIA. She was a looker. I suppose she got fat somewhere. Oh well, they gave me an endless supply of beautiful nubile women. So having one leave really did not matter. Ted started having day dreams.

Burbank Ca 1100 June 13th 2003 Casa Bartowski, Chuck's bedroom.

Chuck finally awoke still lying in bed. He stared at his pride and joy. The poster of Tron his father got for him after watching the first showing. The tickets to that movie were securely placed in Chuck's Personal Artifacts No one To See or PANTS chest. Chuck and Morgan created the PANTS to keep Ellie from snooping. It held all his most priced articles. The first tickets to the midnight showing of Star Wars, the tickets to the Empire Strikes Back, the tickets to Return of the Jedi too plus tickets to the first Comic Con they attended. Pictures with Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his autograph too. Chuck just loved FireFly too bad the crappy people at Fox killed it!

Chuck's attention was now placed to the Morgan Door. Morgan had just emerged wearing the green polo shirt of a Buy more employee.

"Chuck are you awake? Did Ellie make breakfast? I have good news for you! Man wake up!"

Chuck now rolled over to face his over hyper friend.

"Morgan, What are you doing here? I thought you would be at work".

"Yeah, Yeah, I am at work but I took a few hours off. There is a uprising which will cover my escape. Oh, Right the good news."

"What good news Morgan you are not making any sense."

"Right, Right, Oh the good news. They need a person and the Nerd Herd right away. It seems they have a lot of backlog and they are hiring. I told Big Mike about you."

"What? I worked at a buy More in Palo Alto years ago. Why should I go back to that."

" I know your 5 year plan is in the toilet. I know you are hurting but sitting and feeling sorry for yourself is not the way Man. I know you if you do not have anything to do you will brood and grow your beard out. And Ellie wants you out of your room. She said she would feed me if you got out of your room. You have been in here for a solid week. You know how much I love Ellie's cooking so Come on Man For me? Please."

Chuck mulled over what his friend was saying.

"Ok Morgan for you I will do this. Besides there is nothing else pressing happening to me anyway. I guess the President canceled that dinner engagement."

Chuck smiled the first time in a month.

"Great, Great, I am heading for my reward. I know Ellie cooked something. Now I have to go find it."

Morgan now left Chuck sitting on his bed. Chuck looked at himself in the bathroom mirror.

Morgan was right I need to stop growing this beard. Chuck quickly too a shower and got dressed in his best interview clothes. Ellie was sleeping so he left a note saying he had borrowed her car. With Morgan in tow he placed Morgan's bike in the back of the car. He then drove both he and Morgan to the Buy More.

Getting to the Buy More parking lot he helped Morgan retrieve his bike and with resume in hand entered the Buy More. 20 mins later he was fitted with his Buy more Id and keys to the equipment locker. Big Mike warmly greeted him. Allowing the Assistant Manager to show him around. He met for the first time Skip, Manny, Lester and Of Course the other half of the pair Jeff Barnes. Jeff made the worst impression when he vomited on the floor of the breakroom. It seems he again lost to Morgan with the Mystery Crisper contest.

Morgan along with Anna were celebrating Morgan's win. Chuck was not just another Nerd Herder but The Manager of the Nerd Herders due to his seniority in the Palo Alto Branch. Big Mike got glowing reviews from the Manager up there in their phone call.

Chuck busied himself in getting rid of the backlog, He then correlated all the work orders and tidied up the Nerd Herd pod.

Morgan and Chuck ended the shift then headed home.

Ellie was waiting for him as he got home. She got the note and gave him an Ellie Hug for getting a job.

"I know it is not what you wanted but it gets you out of the house and you will get some funds too. I am so proud of you! "

Chuck Hugged his sister back. He appreciated everything she had done since their parents disappeared one day.

"Thanks Ellie it was time for me to get on with my life and quit moping. Also I do not need to be such a financial drain on you."

Ellie even had a small smile for Morgan and whispered a Thank You to him.

Oh Boy dinner time Morgan exclaimed and ran to seat himself at the table. Ellie had gone all out. She had cooked a pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy. Morgan could not help himself but devour everything. Chuck was pleased. So was Ellie when her Boyfriend Captain Awesome came over too.

Chuck and Ellie along with Morgan were all the family Chuck needed. Chuck looked at this fine specimen with apprehension. Yes, there is a subtle shift in the force. Especially when Ellie kissed him at the door. Morgan did not even look up from his plate to see that. That was good Chuck thought he really did not want to see a totally jealous Morgan. Even with a beard Morgan really could not compete.