Morgan was resplendent in his busboy uniform. Chuck caught his eye as they were announced.
"Mr. Bartowski and Mrs. Anderson" the man at the door announced.
Chuck moved forward with Sarah standing next to him.
"Hi I'm Stacy Vivian's private secretary…My Mrs. Anderson you look marvelous." She said.
"Yes she does" Chuck said. "Hi I'm Chuck…Don't mind the wheel chair I have just recovered from surgery and the doctors do not want me to over do it."
Stacy looked at the chair then at Chuck's smiling face.
"Of course Mr. Bartowski er Chuck…The birthday girl is right over there. You will be seated by her at dinner." Stacy said.
Bryce spoke in their ear.
"No signs of the lawyer he must not be attending the dinner." Bryce said monitoring the cameras.
"That is fortuitous for our side" Chuck said.
Carina giggled.
"Come on people proper Comm. Sec please" Casey growled.
"Mr. Barker and Ms. Winters" the man announced.
Chuck and Sarah were sharing an appetizer before the meal. They looked over at the ideal couple. Barker was looking good in his Armani suit and Carina was just gorgeous. Barker was just a tad taller than Carina in her 5 in heels.
"The target still has not shown." Bryce said. "Hey buddy can you get me some of those crepes they look delicious."
"Pipe down Larkin I'll send the bearded wonder Moron out with something later" Casey growled. "Can you keep your attention on the crowd please?"
At this point a server with a gong announced it was time for dinner.
The assembled guest of at least 150 people descended on the dining room. Chuck as promised was placed next to Vivian while Sarah was stuck between two fat banker types. Chuck could only give moral support. He had a mission then he looked across the table and he flashed very long then slumpt in his wheelchair.
Vivian immediately screamed as Chuck came to.
"Is there a doctor in the house? I think my guest had just died!" Vivian screamed while standing up away from the table.
"Out of the way let me through I'm his doctor" Barker said as he reached Chuck.
Chuck still feigning unconsciousness sent a subvocalized text to everyone that he is fine but Vivian has an international Assassin at the table.
Bryce alerted zeroed in on the person.
"Chuck is right. There is a Boris Kaminsky seated across from the woman in the silver dress toward the head of the table. He is getting up" Bryce said "Damn I lost him. Does anyone see him? I lost him in the crowd."
"No Larkin you are tasked for one little thing and you lose our lead." Casey growled scanning the crowd for their assassin.
Barker continued to fake treat Chuck. Then Chuck acted like the treatment worked. He had come around.
"Guys I think this guy is a diversion." Chuck said subvocalizing.
"Look there is nothing to be frightened. He just had not eaten and went into shock." Barker said. "He is going to be fine."
Everyone calmed down as everyone reseated and the dinner progressed.
"Mr. Bartowski are you ok now?" Vivian asked being still a bit shaken.
"Why yes I am. That's thanks to my Doc over there I will be fine. I need to remember to eat. Coming out of surgery does not make you want to eat." Chuck said.
"Yes I know that feeling …I had a bone to be set because Pegasus my horse threw me. It was not poor Pegasus' fault but I too ended up in hospital. Here you can see the scars where they pinned my leg back together. So I'm so sorry why are you invited? Vivian asked suddenly suspicious.
"I was invited because I am the son of Stephen Bartowski. He knew your Father." Chuck said.
"My Father…! What do you know of my Father? My Mother who had passed away always said he was dead." Vivian voiced alarm.
"That much is true. Your mother hid you well my Father has been looking for you since your Mother and Hartley had passed on." Chuck said.
"Hartley…? Why does that name sound so familiar?" Vivian asked.
Chuck noticed the pendant swinging from Vivian's neck. He could see the name inscribed was Hartley.
"Vivian, where did you get such a beautiful necklace?" Chuck asked.
"Oh I was given it by my Mother before she passed. It held some significance to her." Vivian said
"Really can I look at it?" Chuck asked.
Vivian agreed and unhooked the chain and handed it to Chuck. He had another flash but this time he did not render himself unconscious. Chuck read the faded inscription which could be only seen at the proper light and angle.
"Look Vivian there is an inscription." Chuck said.
"To my Wife happy anniversary, Love Hartley." Chuck and Vivian said together.
"Wow look at that…I've been wearing this for so long I guess I had never looked at it very closely. Thank you Chuck you are explaining much. Hartley was my Father. He must have loved her very much." Vivian said.
"Yes he must have…" Chuck replied.
She reached out and replaced the necklace as Chuck reattached the chain.
The dinner progressed as Bryce still had no sight of the assassin.
Chuck told Vivian about his life in California and being a Multi millionaire software designer. Vivian was entranced and listened to every word. He told her about growing up with out a Mother or Father. Vivian could understand that part of Chuck's life very well.
As the dinner wound down he asked for a few minutes to show her something in private.
She showed Chuck to her private study there were pictures of her on a horse from age 6 onward plus there were many blue ribbons for her horse jumping skills.
"Wow you are quite the horse woman." Chuck murmured.
"Yes I tried. So what do you want to show me?" Vivian said as she seated behind her desk.
She was framed perfectly in the picture window. The Assassin had his target in sight.
Chuck fished out the case Stephen had sent him. He pulled it out of his satchel attached to his wheelchair. He passed the silver object to her. She looked at the object.
"What is this?" She asked.
"It was told when you press your right index finger on the top of the case you would know." Chuck said. "I have no further information about it other than it was your Father's."
Vivian hesitated for a moment then followed Chuck's instructions.
There was a hiss and a hum coming from the case then it opened and revealed a small view screen. As soon as it opened a voice was heard and the picture of Hartley Winterbottom appeared. Chuck gasped he looked just like Alexi Volkoff.
The Voice began.
"My Darling Vivian…How I wish we had met in other circumstances. If you are watching this it is because a representative of the Company has brought it to you. It also means I am dead. I must confess I am recording this while you are still in your mother's womb. I am so sorry I never got to hold you or see you grow up. As the terms of this will is my Last Testament. If you are seeing this it must mean you have reached your 21st birthday. Happy birthday my sweet darling Daughter.
I am unhappy to report my demise has left many and various unanswered questions. I hope to try to cover them up. First off I am a spy with the CIA. I am an American by birth but I grew up here in the UK. I went to school with Stephen Bartowski my best friend at Stanford where my Father had gone before me.
I have many enemies that is why your Mother said I was dead. It was safer that way. Now one of my worst enemies Alexi Volkoff will be after you. I know they can track this box. Whoever brought you this box trust them with your life. They will be able to save you.
I am so sorry I brought this danger to you. I love you so much Vivian your Father Hartley."
Vivian closed the box and looked at Chuck as Chuck spied a sniper about to shoot.
"Get down" Chuck said as he jumped out of his chair and landed on her knocking her to the floor.
As he did that a Bullet embedded itself in his wheel chair and it began to spin wildly.
"We have a sniper outside Vivian's window. Barker get your team in position we need to get out of here." Chuck said.
To Vivian it looked like he was talking to thin air. Vivian looked scared. Chuck realized she was.
"Vivian look at me everything will be just fine we just need to get you out of here." Chuck said. "Do you trust me?"
"I got the sniper on the run." Casey said. "Wait there is a whole team I will keep them busy Chuck Bryce get her out of here."
Vivian looked at him and remembered her Father's last words.
"Yes…I do" She said
"That is great…Hold on" Chuck said as he helped her up her knees and pushed her to the side of the room so that the sniper could not get a shot.
Chuck was right to do so because another bullet hit his wildly swinging chair. Chuck had to duck to prevent being hit by the out of control wheelchair. The good thing about it wildly gyrating about it gave them great cover to exit the room. Another two slugs were heard hitting the chair as they sat on the floor catching their breaths. Chuck partially dragged Vivian into the hallway.
"Which way…?" Chuck asked while catching his breath.
"That way is to the stables." Vivian replied once she was able to speak again.
Being shot at was a novel experience one she would not recommend for the faint of heart. It was also very exhilarating at the same time. Vivian found she like the thrill.
"Yeah that is good…Lead on I will follow" Chuck said creeping on all fours.
Vivian led them to the stables. She coaxed out all the horses out of the stalls at once. Chuck was warned the bad guys were creeping up on the stables. He relayed that information to Vivian. She caused the doors to burst open and all 120 horses spilled out in all directions. Sarah was surprised as were the bad guys over all the horses. They moved out of the way to prevent being trampled upon. Sarah watched the one carrying Vivian with Chuck on the back holding tight to her waist. Sarah felt a flare of jealousy.
Vivian caused the horse to gallop pass the bad guys as Casey gave cover fire. Chuck was holding on to her waist for dear life as the horse thundered down the path toward the high wall surrounding the estate. Chuck buried his head into his arm with his eyes shut as Vivian urged the horse to move faster. The horse jumped and cleared the wall. They were immediately confronted by Bryce in the van. Vivian pulled up and the horse stopped. Chuck opened his eyes.
"Come on let's go." Bryce said.
Chuck dismounted and helped Vivian off her horse and she gave it a slap. The horse would eventually go back to the barn.
"What away to spend your 21st birthday…" Vivian said jumping in the front seat. "Hi I don't think we met…I'm Vivian…"
"Er… Bryce… Larkin…" Bryce said being very surprised.
"Are you a friend of Chuck's too? Vivian asked as she pulled her seatbelt taught. "This is so exciting!"
Bryce looked at his passenger then Chuck's voice broke him out of his trance.
"Bryce, floor it! We need to get out of here!" Chuck yelled as he leaned out the door and with two hands shot several darts out at the bad guys who were closing.
Bryce floored the van making it leap forward. He then swerved to miss a barricade remembering to drive on the left side of the road. That brought Chuck back inside as they sped off into the night. The bad guys regrouped and then lawyer stood next to them.
"They are gone! Who were those guys?" The lawyer asked.
The bad guys who were not sleeping just shook their heads and left in the rented car the opposite direction.
In the commotion Carina had slipped the spy will in her lead lined purse. It could no longer betray their position. Cole Barker was sad he did not even get one dance with his date.
The rest of the group were dropped off at the base where their plane was fueled and ready to go. This time they had a passenger. Vivian had agreed to accompany them to Washington DC.
"It was in her Father's legacy she would help the land that he loved." Vivian stated.
Sarah fired up the jet and was about to go when she was stopped another passenger was climbing aboard.
"Barker…? Are you coming with us?" Bryce said helping the man to get aboard.
"Yes Mr. Anderson, Her Majesty's Gov't has tasked me with Ms. MacArthur's safety since she is a loyal subject of the Crown." Barker said.
"Well welcome aboard Barker next stop Washington DC" Bryce said as they resituated themselves. Sarah got the all clear and the jet took off.