Let us do something, while we have the chance.
Still don't own Chuck.
"Sometimes it helps to know that you got something to lose."
--Agent Walker Episode 3.4
Chapter 6—the Transfers
West Side Medical
Chuck could tell that his heart rate had gone down. His heart was no longer beating out of his chest. But he was a bit worried about the raspy sound when he breathed. He turned to his side and watched the doctors as they crowded around the x-ray.
Doc Adams turned and saw that he was awake. He walked over to Chuck and said, "We are going to take you over to get an MRI. We are almost certain that you have another hole in your lungs. The MRI will confirm it, if there is one. It will also help us be able to focus on it and see if there is a bigger problem in that area.
"I still want that heart rate to come down some more. Right now, it is at a level that you should be standing or walking, not waking up. So," he turned to get a shot package for the IV.
Chuck was able to make it sound like speech. His mouth was so dry. He asked, "Is Sarah okay? And did the teams make it back?"
Doc Adams put the solution in the IV and answered, "Sarah is fine. She is with Ellie and Devon. I have not heard about the teams yet."
Chuck replied, "Please check, got to know."
Doc Adams understood. He got out his cell and called into the conference line, "This is Doc Adams, here with Chuck. He wants to know the status of the teams." He handed the phone to Chuck.
"Mary and Alice's teams are heading to the alternate extraction points. Both should be there in five minutes. Kayle's team is at the Coast Guard station and loading their team now. One causality, Sergeant Fallon, on Mary's team, shot in the leg," Eldie's report continued but Chuck was asleep. Doc Adams took the phone from Chuck. A nurse came over and started to wheel Chuck away.
Doc Adams excused himself and headed over to Sarah's room. He came to the door and knocked. Sarah was in the middle chair with Ellie and Devon on either side of her. Doc Adams came up to her and began, "They have taken him back to get an MRI. We did spot a problem area in the x-ray. That bubbling sound is likely coming from a small hole. We will be able to confirm that with the MRI.
"Also, he was awake for just a little. His first question was how you were doing?" He saw Sarah look, "I told him that you were fine." He saw the relief in her face. "He then asked for the status of the teams. I knew he would fight going back to sleep if he did not get an answer. That would have increased his heart rate again," he saw Sarah nod. "I called into the conference line and he got an update from Eldie."
Sarah understood. Earlier she could not wait and had to call in for a status report. She had received the update from Mary and Casey. Steven was now with Eldie and monitoring the situation. She smiled at Doc Adams, "Thank you. I know he appreciated that. So, if they have to operate again?"
Doc Adams said, "Let's wait to see what we get from the MRI." Ellie and Devon's heads were bobbing in agreement.
Seattle
Alice and her team went through the gate of McChord Air Force Base. Their destination was Base Ops. The FBI was meeting them there along with U.S. Marshals. The Fulcrum agent was being turned over to the FBI. The daughters of the Diplomats were also to go with the FBI. The other girls were to be given to the Marshals. Their status was to be determined after a separate review.
Melina Habana, Columbian Security, was staying with the team so they could get a full debrief. They had all realized that Chuck needed to be a part of the debriefing and it may have to be put off for a few days. Arrangements were being made to step up a separate facility for her, an apartment away from the Chuck's apartments and Castle.
The team got to Base Ops and unloaded from the vans. Tom and Alice had already explained to Melina what was going to happen. She was very happy and only asked that her embassy be notified. Eldie handled that notification through Mr. Wiggins.
Tom helped Melina get out of the van. The two girls that were the Diplomats' daughters were asleep and leaning against Melina. Tom said, "That's okay, we'll let them lay down on the seat. The FBI will be over to take them in a minute."
Melina said, "Remember they have been under their control a long time. They are still on drugs and entirely unpredictable."
Tom nodded. He asked, "So how are you? Did you escape from the drugs?"
Melina took his hand and held it like it was a life-line, "I want you to understand. Please."
Tom knew this was going to be bad. He was really starting to like Melina. She had been very brave, but he knew there were some terrible things that happened. He said, "You don't have to tell me. But I would like you to trust me, and know that it will be okay if you do."
Melina cocked her head and then nodded her understanding, "You need to know because I will need help. I have been taking the drugs they offered. They were the only thing that I could use to get through this. I know most would think that is a crutch for an agent, but after a while there was no escape from what was happening to me and the other girls."
Tom took her under his arm, "We'll get help for you. I'll let our doctor know that you will need help." Tom held the door open to Base Ops. An airman met them at the door and showed them to the lounge and told to wait there for the transport. Tom offered Melina a seat and stayed with Melina in the lounge.
Alice and Vera worked the transfers. Alice saw the three FBI vans next to Base Ops. Someone got out of the first van and came over to Alice.
"Hi, I'm Special Agent Jim Henry. Are you Alice Kazan?" said the individual.
"Yes, thanks for meeting us out here. We have some special people for you," Alice smiled at him. "First is a real treat. Your office should have received the charges he will be facing. We captured him as he was about to shoot one of our team.
"Apparently his evening of fun was interrupted. He had six young girls with him." She realized the FBI agent agreed with her assessment, this guy was slime. "Our only regret is that we did not shoot lower." She pulled out a tranq gun, "You know we could make sure he does not wake up for another day."
Jim smiled back at her, "Well even though I agree this guy seems like a real sweet heart, I need to let my boss take over and slime ball here will need to be awake." Two of the bigger FBI agents took him to a separate van. They added ankle chains and bolted him into the van.
Next Alice and Jim went over to the van with the Diplomats' daughters. Alice explained, "We have not been able to talk with the girls. They were hit with the tranq darts. Melina, the Columbian Security agent that was undercover with this group, and yes we independently confirmed that, said that the girls were taken by guerrillas from their families over a year ago. They were held hostage for over six months and then negotiations fell through. The guerrillas sold the girls to human traders and then the guerrillas were wiped out the following week by a rival faction. It was another four months before anyone confirmed that the girls were still alive. Melina confirmed that they were drugged and abused. She said to be careful, there was no guarantee these girls would be okay."
Jim said with a grim face, "Actually, they are why I am here. I have worked several long term hostage cases. I'll be in charge of them until they are handed to their embassies, and then we will still offer assistance."
Jim and Alice moved aside so that two other female FBI agents could get the girls to a different van. Jim said, "We will fly out to D.C., after your departure. Your team has the priority here."
Alice looked at him and got his attention, "Well, yeah. Our boss said to expect to be ambushed as we withdrew from surveillance on these people. Each of our three teams was intercepted. One of the shoot outs required Marine Cobras to end it in our favor.
"Now that you are picking up the fruits of our labors, you need to be careful too. I'd like to be sure you came back," she said with a smile.
He returned the smile, "Till next time." He extended his hand. She shook it. He turned to get in his van and head to the plane waiting for him.
Vera saw the vans with the U.S. Marshalls symbols pulled up. A female got out of the lead van and headed to Vera. Vera stepped up, "I am Vera Townsman. You must be Michelle."
The other Marshall said, "Yes, I am Michelle Banks." She held out her badge.
Vera took her over to the other van with the three girls. She explained what they knew about them and gave Michelle a similar warning. Vera ended, "You need to be cautious. The people we are up against would have no problem sending a shooter into a secure facility to kill these girls." Vera waved as they headed off and walked over to Base Ops.
Vera met up with Alice, Tom and Melina in the lounge. Vera walked up to Alice smiling, "You want to come back?"
Alice smiled, "Well, maybe. We'll see."
A Captain walked into the lounge and then proceeded to them at that point, "Your ride is out front. Let me show you." The team and the detail followed him out to a C-17.
Portland
The Kayle's team and protection detail took three routes to the Coast Guard station. Kayle, Lea and Brad came in the main entrance to the station. The gate guards told them to go the Sector Center. They pulled in front of the building and were met by Master Chief Rusty McDonald. Rusty went around and shook everyone's hand.
Rusty addressed the group, "On behalf of our Skipper, Commander Wallins, welcome to our station. We will be going through the building behind me to the helicopters. We got two JayHawk helicopters waiting for you. Follow me please."
While they were walking through the building, Kayle said, "Thank you for handling this. Chief Scotts said that he was really impressed and knew if we had to get out fast you would be ready."
"Yeah, Scotty would say that. Tell him he still owes us one next time he is up this way." Rusty smiled, "Saying that, we know what you have been doing. You have our full support. Anytime you need anything let us know."
As Lea walked down the hall she was sure she saw her reflection from the shinny floor. The building appeared to be vacant until they went past the doors leading to the regional command center room. It was crowded.
Rusty saw her look in at the activity, "We are a little busy right now. There is a big storm about to hit the coast." Rusty noticed that Kayle was about to say something, "We have enough time to take you up to McChord and then resume our station before the storm hits. No problem."
Kayle nodded, "We still appreciate the support." They continued walking through the building and out the glass doors at the end.
There were others pointing the way to the helicopters. Kayle and Lea along with three of the protection detail got in the first JayHawk. Brad and the rest of the detail members got in the second. As soon as everyone buckled in, they lifted off.
San Diego
Mary's caravan had gotten off Harbor and was on Pacific Highway heading to the new Mercury Hanger. Turning off the highway through a parking lot, they were waved through a fence at the Mercury Hanger. Their vans were waved to a stop across from a C-130. The protection detail got out of the vehicles first. When Casey got the nod, he announced over the net, "Okay, we are clear." He got out of the van and went to the pilot of the C-130.
Mary exited her van and went to check on the Sergeant Fallon. When she got there, two medics who had come out of the hanger were at the van with the sergeant. They helped LT and the Chief get him out of the vehicle and on to a stretcher. Mary watched as they got him on the stretcher. She bent down and told him thanks and that they would be praying for a speedy recovery. He smiled back and held his thumb up.
The Chief got next to Mary and almost shouted over the noise of the C-130 engines, "It was pretty bloody, but I don't think it is that bad of a wound. He'll be alright." The sergeant was taken over to an ambulance and then whisked away to a nearby military hospital.
Casey had walked back from the pilot to see what had happened. When he got to Mary he took her hand. After she turned to smile at him, Casey looked her over to make sure there was nothing wrong. He saw a few cuts. He expected that she saw the same on him. Casey lifted his other arm and pointed over to some tables that had been set up closer to the fence. He said, "We need everyone to go over and get checked. As long as it is only a simple cut we can get on the plane. They have a couple medics on the plane, but are not equipped to handle anything serious."
Mary got the Chief and LT to head over to the medics' table. Casey got the detail members to go over. Each of the people who had been in one of the van with flying glass were checked and bandaged by the medics. The medics decided that two of the protection detail would remain behind and get additional care, stitches at the local hospital.
The C-130 was waited for the team and details. When the people got through with the medics, they got on board. Mary and Casey stayed at the medics' tables until everyone was seen and Okayed. They along with the C-130 loadmaster were the last to get on-board. Then C-130 taxied quickly to the take off position.
West Side Medical
Sarah had called into the conference line and was told by Liz that everyone was airborne and out of danger. She listened to the rundown of when everyone was landing. Kayle's team would be last since they had two legs to their journey. Their final ride in a C-130 would get them to LA by midnight. Steven came over to the hospital a little after that. He had stayed monitoring the teams and the surveillance that was still in place. When the teams were wheels up, he left for the hospital.
Doc Adams came back to the waiting room. Sarah, Ellie, Devon, and Steven were sitting there waiting for the results. Doc Adams brought a copy of the MRI image and held it up so that they could see. He pointed to the purple and pink areas on the MRI, "We found a very small hole here. It is next to the previous problem area. Doctor Weidman is getting ready to do a small procedure with a tube to drain the area and allow the hole to heal. The procedure should take about an hour. If was successful, we'll be able to take Chuck back to the apartment in the morning."
Sarah was happier. She had been waiting for some hope in this situation. Sarah smiled at Doc Adams, "Thank you. So, how do we know if it works?"
"The simple answer is that the bubbling will stop," Doc Adams replied. He saw that Ellie and Devon agreed.
Ellie said, "Sarah, this is good. It will be easier on him." Ellie reached to take one of Sarah's hands. "It will be okay."
Doc Adams then said, "Right. I am going to head back and monitor the procedure. If anything happens, we'll let you know." He nodded at Steven and Devon and headed back out.
Sarah was happier but still uncertain over the news. She looked over at Ellie, "So, if this does not work, then they'll operate again?"
Ellie patted her hand, "Yeah, but this has a good chance of working."
Sarah nodded and leaned back in her chair. She was just getting exhausted with the pressure of not knowing. She looked over at Ellie, "Do you need to head home? I can call and let you know."
Ellie looked over at Devon, "No, we'll stay and see how this procedure works."
Steven added, "Everyone is safe. I want to see how he does."
Sarah curled up in her chair and started to wait.
A little more than an hour later, Doc Adams came back. He had a big smile, "We think it worked. The bubbling has stopped and things appear to be normal. He is being taken up to critical care." Ellie had started hugging Sarah in relief. That turned into a group hug.
Doc Adams pulled back and looked at Sarah, "There are a few conditions and other complications."
Sarah deflated, "What?"
"We cannot let him drive his heart rate up. We think that was a contributing factor. And there was a trace of HF in the fluid from the area of the hole," Doc was explaining.
Sarah was getting anxious, "So, what does that mean?"
Doc Adams answered, "Well, we had a short meeting on that. Any stress that increases his heart rate or causes him to cough excessively, would likely lead to another rupture. We still think it is better from an infection stand point for him to go back to the apartments. But if work causes any more problems, he comes back here."
A/N Hope you enjoyed.
