Don't own Chuck

Ellie argued with the CDC people in the suiting area until finally she had enough. She called the CDC directly in Atlanta and talked with one of her doctor friend she'd gone to Africa with then she put them on the line. Lucky for her he was high enough on the CDC food chain to count. Attitudes suddenly changed and she was handed a decon suit just that she had to sign her life away saying she wouldn't hold the CDC responsible if she got contaminated.

"There's my signature now give the suit," said Ellie as she handed the medical tech back his clipboard exchanging it for a decon suit.

Ellie went through the first chamber then as she entered the next she heard a hissing sound. It told her the negative air pressure was at work keeping inside what needed to be kept inside. When she entered the hot zone she found Chuck sitting up in bed working on a tablet which was not exactly what she expected to find.

"You call this resting," said Ellie as she walked over and looked at his chart. "Humm, I don't like your white blood cell count," she said as she walked over next to him. "Why aren't you trying to sleep? You should be tired."

"It's nice to see you too El I've got work to do that can't wait. This is Doctor Leonard McCoy from the CDC," said Chuck as the Doctor walked over. "Doctor McCoy this is my sister Dr. Eleanor Woodcomb."

"I don't know if you remember me but we met in Africa, Doctors Without Borders. You were there doing research on…"

"On Ebola and VHF," said the Doctor. "Yes I remember you. You were with your husband treating the locals. I was impressed with your determination I heard about your husband coming down with malaria. Too bad your time was cut short I was going to ask you to assist me with my research but I found out you were gone."

"I'm sorry too that would've been a great honor," said Ellie. Chuck was beginning to think he was going to have to call Devon and have Ellie recalled so he faked a cough to break up this love fest.

"Right our patient here... well I wish I had an outbreak to show you," said the Doctor. Chuck gave him a look. "I mean I wish I had something for you to look at that follows the normal progression of the virus but your brother seems to be a unique patient…"

"I'll take 'unique' to be unique in a good way," said Chuck as he interrupted but he understood his interruption wasn't appreciated. He could tell the doctor was more used to his patients lying in a coma as he talked about them.

"Yes I said unique to mean it seems his body is successfully fighting off the virus. I will admit when he was first admitted it was touch and go but now I can see he's well on his way to recovery. But to tell you the truth I don't know why."

"Yes, well he has always been special or that's what our fathers used to tell him. Truthfully I never really believed him much," said Ellie as the two of them laughed. Chuck wasn't sure what Ellie was up to nor if he liked it.

"Well I want to run more tests on him. I don't want to say anything before I'm certain but he could have a cure for this pestilence in his antibodies. Think of it we could synthesize a cure from his blood that could save thousands in Africa alone. Well, this is the type of discovery is what gets you a Nobel Prize."

"You really think it could be that big," said Ellie as she looked at Chuck. "I'd like to look over your findings if you don't mind that is if you'll allow me. I find this fascinating."

"Sure I was going to ask you it would be good to have another doctor to verify my data. I'll make a copy of everything and have it waiting for you when you get out. If you'll excuse me I'll get right on it. I wonder what the weather is like in Stockholm," said Dr. McCoy then he disappeared.

"What's up with that Ellie? I'm about ready to contact Devon. You shouldn't encourage him you know as well as I do there's no way Beckman is going to let him publish that Nobel Prize or not."

"I know but like this I can keep tabs on what he's doing and head off any problems before they happen. I'll be looking over his shoulder and he won't realize it."

"I don't know if I like you playing spy. Well, just don't be surprised if, at the end of this experience, the Doctor wakes up one day and can't remember meeting you nor remember treating me. I'm almost certain there's a canister of X-13 gas waiting with Dr. McCoy's name written on it. That being said when am I going to get out of here?"

"Chuck, you've got to be kidding. Your body is still fighting off this virus. If you want to see I can show you the blood you're still passing. What's keeping you going right now is the intersect and your focus on the mission along with the plasma they're pumping into you. By rights if you were a normal patient you'd be out. If you didn't have those things going for you… Well I'd prefer not to think about that."

"Come on El I've been in worse situations than this," said Chuck as he tried to minimize his condition. "This is almost a walk in the park in comparison."

"I don't know what parks you've been walking through but I'd highly recommend you stay out of them. Little brother this is not some stroll down Boardwalk to keep your analogy. Chuck you've got a family to think of…"

"Here we go," said Chuck. He spoke loud without thinking and looking at Ellie's face he wished he'd kept it to himself. "I'm sorry El I appreciate the fact that you came."

"You'd better be. Our father as crazy as he might've been put me in charge of looking out for you and keeping you safe. So far that's what I've done despite your best efforts…"

"El, don't get me wrong I appreciate everything you've done for me and my family but that promise you made to Dad was done when we were kids. You shouldn't hold yourself to it anymore. I'm an adult and so are you. We make our choices and we have to live with them."

"I'd like to but it's… Well it's like I'm giving up on us. I'm giving up on our family," said Ellie as she took Chuck's hand. "You and I growing up together we were family and we Bartowskis we don't give up."

"No we don't but Ellie the word here is 'were'. You've got your family and I've got mine but I hear you. And don't worry you'll always be my sister the same way I'll always be your brother that can never change."

"And Morgan? What will Morgan always be? I know he'll always be our family pet. He can be Peaches three," said Ellie as they both laughed. "Oh speaking of Morgan I need to call him. He's supposed to be watching Sam and that other girl."

"You mean Samaa. Oh no Sam and Morgan together and overnight. I hope she doesn't have a marker with her. I need to explain," said Chuck then he filled Ellie in with all the details. "So there you go."

"It sounds like elementary school all over again," said Ellie laughing. "What was it that girl wrote on his forehead?"

"You mean Meredith Lester she wrote 'organ' on his forehead and pantsed him in gym class. But I think that's something he wants to forget."

"Well I should step out and try to call him. If you can you should use that thing you've got in your hands to contact Sarah," said Ellie as she tapped the tablet. "She's been trying to contact you but no one will patch her through."

"Geez she should almost be in Heathrow by now. Thanks I will."

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The Commandant realized what was about to go down. He kicked in the door where Noora was being held and grabbed her pulling her out. As he did all hell broke loose the front door flew open and a flash grenade came flying in. There was a loud noise and bright flash followed by screaming men.

"Come on with me you're going to be my ticket out of here," yelled the Commandant as he cursed his new friend wondering why he hadn't called him.

"Give it up," she yelled back at him. "Can't you see it's over? Or do you need a woman to protect you from your fate."

"If you don't move along I'll put a bullet in your head," he screamed as he pushed her along. He heard voices behind him as Zaid and Gabir tried to make a stand. There was an exchange of automatic weapons fire then silence.

"There goes your men at least they died like men," she said to him. But he just pushed her along as he tried to find a place to retreat to that he could negotiate from.

"Just keep your mouth shut and keep on moving. The bathroom head in there," he screamed. He thought the windowless room might offer the most protection and there was only one way in but then there was only one way out.

"You're boxing yourself in," she said as he shoved her inside. "This is as crazy as useless they're not going to let you leave."

"Well if I die you die too," hissed the Commandant. "So you'd better hope they want to negotiate or your daughter will become motherless very soon."

"And you'll be on a one way trip to hell with no return," said Noora defiant. She felt her pockets for her surprise. If she had to go she was going to go down swinging.

"Commandant, I don't know if you know me," yelled Banai from outside. "Why don't you come out and we can talk over your situation."

"You're that crazy Iranian who's been after me since the fall. I know you I know all the insignificant fleas that have pestered me. I'm surprised though in a move this bold. You know the local police will be here soon and I won't be the only person they'll arrest."

"I can suffer in jail here knowing I got you. But are you man enough to face what's coming to you? That I doubt. You were always the scared one. Running and running never wanting to see what you left behind. Well that past has finally caught up with you."

"Don't try anything I have a hostage. If you come in I'll kill her I will," yelled the Commandant as sweat started soaking through his clothes.

"What the hell is going on here," yelled Casey as he erupted in on the scene. "Alex, Morgan, Geez Banai I need some explanation."

"Dad not now the Commandant is in the bathroom holding Noora hostage and he's threatening to kill her if we go in."

"Who's that? Do we have another player? Listen if you let me live mister CIA then I'll tell you where the gas canisters are. If not then well we play out this Greek tragedy already set in motion."

"He's lying," yelled Noora. Ali tried to put his hand over her mouth but she bit him. "He doesn't know where they are they were taken from him."

"Ouch! You..." he screamed then they heard a loud whack as he back handed her. "Next time I guess you'll listen."

"Banai I need for you to clear Noora," said Casey. He turned grey and immediately walked around the exterior of the bathroom listening until he found the spot he was looking for.

"Don't shoot I'm unarmed I want to talk," said Banai as he walked to the bathroom doorway with his arms up. "Cousin, are you okay?"

"Banai is that you," said Noora as he looked up amazed to see him. "What are you doing here? I thought you worked as a greeting cards salesman in Tehran?"

"Cousin? Good so when I kill her I kill another Iranian," said the Commandant. Noora took out the lamb chop bones she had saved and worked into weapons. She jabbed the first one into the arm that was holding her then she turned and jabbed the second one into this throat.

"Now John," yelled Banai as he dove to cover Noora protecting her with his body. John drew his Sig and fired through the wall emptying the clip into the wall and into the Commandant without one miss.

"Way to go John Casey," said Morgan. "That's was some fine shooting." In the distance they could hear police sirens getting nearer.

"You guys need to clear out before the cops get here. Alex take the Troll and go with them. Let's all meet up at Orange Orange in half an hour. Geez where are the girls," said John as he looked around.

"What you don't think we'd bring them to a firefight do you?" said Morgan. "Who do you think we are? A couple of losers or something?"

"A couple no but one maybe and the big 'L' on your forehead seems to indicate it. But you both have some serious explaining to do. Ellie is in town and she's looking for her niece. Go before I have to explain why there's an Iranian wet team on U.S. soil."

Banai got everyone loaded up and they pulled out. As they were driving away they passed a trail of blue lights heading in the opposite direction.

"Here let me look at that," said Banai as he doctored Noora. They were all in the surveillance van heading towards Orange Orange on the I-5S. "I thought that was little Samaa when I saw her," said Banai. The girls woke up as the van pulled into the parking lot.

"Mâmâ," yelled Samaa as she jumped from the cot to hug her. "I missed you. What happened to your face?"

"It's nothing. This is Banai my cousin. He rescues people when he's not selling greeting cards around the world."

"And they lived happily ever after," said Sam as rolled over sleepy eyed smiling. "I told you everything would work out."

"See my cousin is a prince like your father," said Samaa. "Bâbâ is safe too. Sarah saved him and is with him in London. I talked to him on the phone."

"Shāhanshāh," said the driver. "We're here but are we sure we should hang around or try to get back across the border before that American agent catches us?"

"I'll let the King of kings pass this time but maybe you're right. I will stay but the rest of you go back to the base and check in. Make sure the director knows we succeeded. Tell him I stayed to celebrate. First I laid a ghost to rest then I met my cousin who I haven't seen since the revolution."

Banai and everyone got out of the van then went into Orange Orange as the rest of his team left to make their way back to Mexicali.

"Oh here," said Banai as he handed Sam back her doll. He had picked it up and kept it safe inside his jacket.

"I hope you won't get mad but I gave that to Samaa to remember me by," said Sam as she looked down at the ground.

"No, not at all that way she can remember both of us with it. I can't get over how much she looks like you when you were little. So what can I eat in here?"

"All the yoghurts are halal and so is the Rocky Road," said Sam. Banai looked at her and smiled. "What? It is? I'm not lying."

"No I believe you. It's you're so much like your father," said Banai. "So what would you suggest I get? I'm hungry."

"I always like a short stack after whacking someone with lots of maples syrup and a healthy side of crispy bacon but you wouldn't know about that. Get the runt mad and you'll see her mother's side come out."

"I've got a man who's going to need a tetanus shot that's seen it," said Banai. "Let's go sit down and talk out what needs to be done next." As they were talking Morgan's phone rang it was Ellie.

"Ellie John told me that you were in town. How was the flight? … Alex on a mission that's not done. We're all here at Orange Orange grabbing a bite to eat. We, as in me and the girls, we met Alex and Casey here. They rescued Noora. But you don't know who that is she's the mother of… Oh you know. Well it was nice hearing from you … oh you want to talk to Sam. I'll put you on speaker," said Morgan. He whispered to Sam not to talk about what happened.

"I know I'm not stupid," she said as she took his phone then sat down at a table. "Aunt Ellie I really can't talk much we're going to eat a quick snack with Uncle Casey and Alex so Samaa and her mother can be together. But afterwards I want to come to the hospital and see Chuck."

"I don't know," said Ellie. They won't let you see him yet but I'm sure they will soon. I can arrange something for you at Echo Park by video. You sound tired are you getting enough rest? Don't tell me Morgan let you stay up all night?"

"Why is it always my fault," said Morgan. Alex elbowed him to be quiet while Casey gave him the stare of death.

"I'm a little tired I had my first slumber party with Samaa we talked and talked. She was missing her parents and I was missing mine. We kept each other company," said Sam as she yawned. "Did you being Clara with you?"

"No Clara's in school. I'm sorry I couldn't pull her out to bring her with me. Maybe I should've but it seems like you've had good company. I'll meet you soon at Echo Park."

While Sam was talking with Ellie, Casey pulled Noor and Banai aside to chat about the situation at hand. Casey was not noted for has tact and he proved he had even less.

"So she's your cousin nice family reunion but if my boss finds out you're here she's going to have a cow and not the kind they pray to."

"You realize you're talking about Hindus right from India. Iran is kind of close but not quite. There's Pakistan and you yanks should know Afghanistan is in the way."

"Yeah, yeah you know what I mean. Anyway what can you tell me about those canisters of gas? Who took them and where are they at?" Banai just shrugged his shoulders. "Don't tell me I whacked the one guy who might have known?"

"No he didn't know," said Noora. "That I'm sure of. When we arrived at this new safe house after he killed off his partner there were men armed men waiting and they forcibly took them from him. He wasn't very happy but they had the upper hand. They said they were sent by his new boss or something like that."

"So they loaded them up in their van then left? Did you see which way they went up or down the drive?"

"No they took our vehicle. It was a beat up old van that smelt bad inside. I believe I heard one of his men say it used to belong to a Pete if that means anything?"

"Yes he was one of the first victims of the gas we found. His body and his crew's where tossed in a dumpster behind a grill."

"And he got in trouble over that. His boss the man he… well killed in the safe house they called the Brigadier. Well he got mad with the Commandant over the body dump. The bodies weren't supposed to be found."

"What does all this mean?" asked Banai.

"I don't know but we need to find those canisters. When I say we I mean my team not yours which if you had any common sense would be who you'd be with trying to make it across the border. I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"He could be the au pair," said Morgan as he smiled. "We need someone to watch the girls as well as Noor and Ellie while we track down the canisters

"Do you even know what an au pair is?" said Banai. He didn't look like he appreciated Morgan's suggestion too well.

"Well you want to stay out of jail," said Casey. "This is how it's going to work."

"You can thank me later," said Morgan.

"Shut up," said John and Banai in unison.

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The ring leader for this operation was sitting in his office in the Iraqi consulate. On his desk was a name plate that read assistant Cultural Affairs Officer. He was having tea with his worry beads in one hand. He was almost through when a man walked in and dropped a folder on his desk.

"Sorry for interrupting but the Consul wants you to write a news communique disavowing our knowledge of any of this."

"Disavowing what?" asked the man as he put his beads aside then opened the folder. It was a report of three Iraqi citizens that were involved in a gunfight one being a war criminal Ali Al-Najaf. All were found dead in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The report ended by saying the police were still investigating.

"Tell the Consul I'll get right on it," said the man as he closed the folder and smiled into his tea cup. It looked like he had it all now.