Don't own Chuck

Chuck flew Alex back to Bob Hope and on his way he thought about what Banai had told him and what he'd been able to glean from the dossier he'd given to him. This man, Ali Al-Najaf, former Commandant in the Republican guards and member of the infamous Jahaz al-Mukhabarat al-Amna IIS Saddam's secret service was a sociopath. Ali was a true chameleon able to navigate normal society hiding his true nature behind a mask; however, behind that mask wasn't a man there was a predator. But how was it that he survived the fall of his regime and escaped to turn up here. No there had to be some infrastructure in place some ratline that helped people like him run.

"Look down there Chuck at those bridges," said Alex as she pointed down below. "It's good we flew if we had driven we'd never made it to the meeting on time."

"Flash flooding probably took them out. The run off from the mountains and the drought conditions we're in now are bad combinations. The ground can't absorb the water fast enough so the excess that runs off causes flash floods."

"I'd hate to be caught in one," said Alex looking at all the damage below. "I hope there wasn't anyone crossing those bridges when the flood came through. I don't see how anyone could've survived that."

"Yeah that's the danger. The rain can be miles away and where you're at the sky can be clear and sunny so you'd never suspect this flood was about to barrel through."

"It sounds scary. Do you think this could happen to us?" asked Alex as she suddenly felt a little worried. It was one thing waiting for the big one that might never come but it was another when there was more of a certainty.

"I guess it's possible but highly unlikely. The county has a drainage system in place that can handle most of the run offs. Run off," said Chuck as light turned on in his head. "That's what was bothering me in the museum. The port was open on the second break in and we assumed the perps used the same system to remove the canisters but flash floods are dangerous because they're a flash but then they're gone don't you see."

"Not really, Chuck, I'm having a hard time following you. What are you trying to say that the flash flood filled the drains that washed the canisters downstream? But we know that so what?"

"No… I mean yes… Oh on the night of the museum heist there was flooding from the mountains that filled the drain but when they came back the second time I don't remember hearing any roaring from the port…"

"Which means there wasn't any flooding," said Alex as she looked at Chuck. He waved for her to continue. "Oh I get it then there wasn't enough water in the drain to float the canisters. What does that mean? How did they get the canisters out?"

"We need to take another look in the museum those canisters could still be hidden there somewhere. I also want to have a talk with that curator, Dr. Mason, something is off there. Did they arrange for him to be found where we found him as a diversion or was he in on this somehow? Whatever it is we need to look closer."

"Wow but do you think someone like him would be involved in something like this? I'm just having a hard time seeing it. What do you think it is?"

"I don't know but we need to be careful how we deal with him. If he is in on this we don't want to tip our hand and spook him into running. But if he is he could lead us to the rest of the canisters and maybe to the mind that's behind this."

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Jamil had dinner with his family in the hotel dining room. They discussed what needed to be done and finalized before their departure. However, as they were talking Samaa's body was at the table but her mind was somewhere else. Jamil noticed his daughter was just playing with her food and mistook what she was doing as a sign she wasn't feeling well.

"Do you feel okay? If you're sick you should stay in I don't think going to the park tomorrow is such a good idea. We've got a long flight home and you're going to get tired," said Jamil but she just stared off and didn't answer.

"Samaa your father's speaking to you," said Noora as she put her hand on Samaa's forehead to check for a fever. "No you don't have a fever. What do you feel?"

"What? No I'm fine it's just... well do we have to go back so soon. I just met Sam and she's fun to play with and she understands me. I'm not ready to leave," said Samaa as she pushed her vegetables around on her plate.

"Your father has to go back to work. You know this isn't our home," said Noora trying to comfort her. "Soon we'll be back in London and you can be with your friends."

"You're not listening to me I don't have any friends in London. You keep telling me London's not our home either so where is it? I know kids in London but they treat me weird and strange. I hear what they say behind my back and sometimes to my face. Sam is the first person who's treated me normal."

"But she's not Muslim," said Jamil. "Listen we can invite her and her parents to London to spend a week or two with us. We'll talk more about this later right now I have to run," said Jamil as he got up. "We can talk more when I get back."

"I don't know why you have to go to the consulate this late in the evening. What office is open this late?"

"I have a meeting with the representative from the Cultural Attaché. He wants to talk about my views on strengthening cooperation and coordination in the fields of higher education and scientific research. One of the things he wants to talk to me about is how to encourage investments in education through the establishment of universities and affiliations between Iraqi and American academic institutions. Maybe I can do something that will give girls like Samaa a choice other than to get married and have children."

"It worked for us didn't it," said Noora as she did a risqué and bold gesture... she held his hand in public.

"You couldn't do that back home. I mean our real home and Samaa's right until things change she and girls like her don't have a home. This meeting could last a while so don't wait up for me. You've got a busy schedule for tomorrow what with packing and going to the park."

"Packing won't take long and in the park I just have to sit on a bench," said Noora. "I have a bad feeling about this meeting."

"It will be fine if I get there on time," said Jamil as he waved good bye and Noora reluctantly let go of his hand. He ran outside the hotel where he hailed down a taxi.

"Where to buddy," asked the driver as Jamil got in looking at him in the rearview.

"4500 Wilshire Boulevard and I'm running a little late," said Jamil as he got himself situation in the back after closing the door. He looked out the window waved at Noora and Samaa. Noora's premonition bothered him a little.

"That's the Iraqi consulate? Running a little late? They're closed by now. Are you sure that's the place you want to go to?"

"Yes I know but I've got an appointment," said Jamil as the driver shrugged his shoulders then took off. Now Jamil was having reservations about this meeting but if he could help reconstruct his country he was more than willing to go the extra mile.

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Beckman was pacing the floor waiting for Chuck to contact her. His meeting with Banai had ended a while ago. She'd hoped he'd contact her before leaving from Mexicali but he simply told her people that he'd be in touch when he arrived back in L.A. His justification was that he needed to digest the information he'd received. She was happy he was digestion it but she was going to give him indigestion when she got a hold of him then he'd need something more than tums for the tummy when she got finished with him.

"Do we have an ETA on Chuck's arrival at Bob Hope," asked the General. "Doesn't he realize how many people are breathing down my neck to find out what's going on and what we're doing about it."

"He should be landing any moment now ma'am. I'm sure he'll be calling in soon. It was only right that he give a good look at that dossier first," said the Major. He could tell from the General's look he was treading on thin ice. "His team is taking the lead on tracking down this Commandant Al-Najaf."

"Maybe so but I'll feel better when I have a copy of it in my hands. There was a time before the intersect when I used to interpret data then I'd send it out to my agents. Now the intersect does the interpreting for me. Major, new doesn't always mean improved."

"However, General you can't deny that we've made great strides with Chuck. Just look at the organizations that we've take down with him starting with Fulcrum, the Ring and Volkoff not to mention the others. Plus all the moles and crooked agents we've rooted out. None of that could've been done without the intersect and that's thanks to Chuck."

"Maybe you're right but that doesn't mean he's not a big pain and you know where sometimes… most of the time," said the General. As she was talking her secretary knock on the door then stuck her head in.

"Ma'am I've got Agent Carmichael, Chuck on line one for you. He says it's important," said Connie. She could tell she had interrupted something but when she asked the Major just shook his head and started to leave.

"Oh no you don't you're not going anywhere I want you to sit over there and listen in," said the General. "Chuck it's about time you called in. You know how many congressmen plus the president I've got on my back."

"I'm sorry; I really am but first things first. We need to get an inspection team over to the museum ASAP," said Chuck. Then he explained why.

"Geez these little… I don't know how you want to call them, mini flashes. If they'd come a little earlier it would be kindly appreciated. I don't want this out. We already look bad that we let those canisters slip through our hands but if we've done it again the other agencies won't ever let us live it down."

"It's not our fault if we don't know what the weather is like in the Sierra Nevadas. But I understand what you're saying so I can keep a lid on it."

"Chuck, can we cut to the chase? I want to know about this dossier Banai gave you. What were the strings attached? Don't tell me it didn't come with any because that's not how this game is played so just tell me and let's go from there."

"Well I want to start this by saying I whole heartedly would approve his request," said Chuck. He saw the look of death she was giving him. "Okay I'll send it to you in the next few hours by courier. There are some interesting things in here like what really happened with Saddam's factories of death that were producing WMDs…"

"We didn't find any," said Beckman as she looked at her Major. "That's the official policy and that's the way it's going to stay. I think I need to read through this before anyone else sees it. Now tell me what Agent Banai wants in return."

"General he asked to be allowed to enter the country to apprehend Ali Al-Najaf. Before you say no you need to read the dossier. There is compelling evidence that warrants Banai's request so I wouldn't blow it off lightly."

"I'm not but the State Department will never authorize his entry into the U.S. even if he did register as a foreign agent. I have grave reservations if his own people would every allow him to either. I can and will ask though but is there another option? I guess I'm asking is there a plan B?"

"Yes if Banai can't come to Ali if Ali can be sent to him. He asked that we turn the Commandant over to him in Mexico. We could meet at Mexicali and I would give Ali over to him there."

"That seems doable after we're finished with him but are you willing to go along with this? You remember what happened when you turn those people over to him in Khoy…"

"That he strung them up from the second floor railing in a public execution. I don't think I'll ever forget that but I've come to live with my responsibility. The men were bad and would've hurt other people if we hadn't stopped them. Did I like it; no, but was it necessary, yes. They made their beds I just turned down the covers."

"So I guess I'm asking are you willing to turn down the covers again," said the General. Chuck paused to think.

"Chuck, we're home," said Alex interrupting for a moment also giving him time to think. Alex put on her turn signal then pulled into the parking lot at Echo Park.

"Yes General I'd do it in this case. The man is a rabid dog and needs to be put down before he hurts other people but we need to interrogate him first. He needs to be broken and in the end he might beg to be turned over to the Iranians."

"I'll be waiting for that dossier which I hope to have in my hands soon and I underline soon. If there's nothing else then Beckman out."

"Alex can you call someone from our downtown office and ask them to send someone to pick this folder up. I don't know about you but I suddenly feeling beat," said Chuck as he got out of the car and closed the door.

"Sure just leave it with me," she said as Chuck handed her the bag. "We can get the sombreros later. Let's go in because Mom was talking about making a stew. I don't know if you realized this but we haven't eaten a thing all day."

"Maybe that's why my stomach is talking to me," said Chuck as he rubbed his stomach. "I'm sorry you should've said something. When I get started on one of these types of missions I forget about everything else," he said as they heard Sam yell that they were home. "Well almost everything."

Sam came running out for the apartment leaping into his arms. Chuck caught her on the fly then ran with her.

"He's got the fifty now he's going to for the touchdown," said Chuck as Sam giggled in his arms. "Wait a minute you're not a football you're a little girl. Hey what happened here," he said as he pointed to the goose egg on her forehead.

"It was an accident fell down. I was playing with Morgan…"

"You were running inside... again. What has your mother told you about that? You're lucky you didn't get hurt."

"Lucky that's it that's what 'L' stands for," yelled Sam then she turned and ran back inside. Chuck ran after her catching up to her in Casey's

"'L' I know what 'L' stands for Morgan 'Lucky'," said Sam as she ran into his living room. Chuck followed her in hearing Alex laughing as he came in.

"Oh dude just like third grade all over again," said Chuck when he walked in and saw the big 'L' on Morgan's forehead. He felt Sarah's arm wrap around his waist and he smelt her perfume as she kissed him on the neck.

"I thought you'd come home first before coming over here," she said as she rested her head on his shoulder.

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At the Safe house Abdul waited until everyone was doing something then he gave Ammar a signal that they should go outside. It was late and cloudy so under the cover of darkness they could move about without being seen. They made their way around the house and into the garage where their Mercedes was parked. Climbing in it they closed and locked the doors.

"Okay we're alone, keep an eye out for anyone coming," said Abdul. "We need to report into the Brigadier and let him know everything is okay."

"But do we want to do that considering the other phone call we got," said Ammar. "If we want to drive this wedge we should exaggerate a little."

"Good thinking but we need to be careful that the Brigadier doesn't catch on to what we're doing. Okay be quiet I'll put the call on speaker so you can hear," said Abdul as he dialed the Brigadier's number. "Sir we're calling in to report… well like you said the Commandant isn't one to sit around."

"What's that supposed to mean," asked the Brigadier. They could tell by the tone of his voice they had pushed the right button.

"Nothing, nothing at all… well just that the Commandant has already picked out targets to hit and he's been asking why we're waiting around when we should taking action while we have the advantage."

"The man is an impetuous fool. Do I need to call him and calm him down? I will if I have to. Crap the man's always been something of a hothead. He's going to screw everything up."

"No I don't think that will do any good at this time. It seems he's pretty much made his mind up. He's dragging his feet I think because he's waiting to see what you're going to do but I don't expect him to wait much longer."

"What am I going to do? He knows what I'm going to do I told him. I think maybe he's finally gone over the edge. I should've seen this coming but he's leaving me little choice. I want you to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything I don't approve of. Use whatever means you have to but stop him. I don't want to keep you on the line much longer or you liable to get caught. Give me another status report tomorrow night but call me right away if it looks like he's gone crazy."

"Roger that," said Adbul. They hung up then got out of the vehicle; however, as they started back into the house they ran into Zaid.

"Here you are. What are you guys doing out here," asked Zaid. Abdul looked at Ammar pausing to think of an answer.

"Well we were… we were," said Abdul but Ammar cut him off.

"We came out to get our Misbaha. We forgot them in the Mercedes when we arrived," said Ammar as he held up his prayer beads.

"Really I never had the memory to go through all ninety-nine names. I'd always get halfway then forget where I was then I'd have to start again. It just became frustrating and counterproductive."

"That's why it's important to keep a clear head and be relaxed to stay focused. If you let your mind wander or think about other things then you're really not praying. Could that be your problem?"

"I think you might be right. Well I was looking for you to tell you supper is on. Gabir prepared vegetables and couscous. Don't get your hopes up the couscous is instant but I have to admit surprisingly Gabir's cooking isn't that bad."

"Then we should hurry up we wouldn't want to let it get cold," said Ammar. They turned off the light then hurried back through the house.

Out of a dark corner the Commandant walked out. There was something about the two new guys that hadn't convinced him. He'd kept them under a watchful eye since they arrived then when he figured he'd watched them long enough he gave them a little rope to see what they'd do. He saw they were on the phone but he couldn't hear who they were talking to.

"Could my old friend have sent me two spies?" He said to himself as he made his way outside then back in the house. When he walked into the kitchen it looked like he came in through the house. "Zaid you found our two lost men I see."

"Yes I looked for them everywhere then I found them in the garage," said Zaid as he started setting the table.

"Yes we forgot our Misbaha so we went to get them," said Ammar. Then he tried to change the topic. "This smells very good Gabir. You know it's hard working with the Brigadier because he really doesn't watch what he eats."

"Really," said the Commandant as he watched the two new guys dig into their food. He looked over at Gabir and Zaid then nodded. "Bismillahi wa 'ala baraka-tillah."

"Oh sorry," said Abdul realizing they'd started eating before grace was said. "Bismillah," said Abdul and Ammar. "Like I said it was different working for the Brigadier."

"We also say grace when we're done," said the Commandant. This didn't make him feel any better about the two men nor the Brigadier. Had the man he knew changed that much? He just knew he had to be careful.