Don't own Chuck
Ellie sat in Chuck and Sarah's kitchen sipping on a cup of tea in front of her trying to put everything together. Kat was sitting next to her but other than Kat and Sam she had no idea who these other people were. Plus the story of how Noora was liberated seemed a little sketchy to her. Maybe she was just a little jet lagged or still trying to calm down after the fright Casey's call had given her.
"So let me get this straight you two are cousins but you didn't know she was here and you haven't seen him since when?"
"Since shortly after the revolution my family was abroad and suddenly we were without a country and a home to return too."
"That sounds scary especially for a child. I can only imagine what you must've gone through," said Ellie as she took Noora's hand. "So Banai you're Chuck's friend too and you do what exactly?"
"I... well I... I sell greeting cards in Iran. I was here because I found out about this convention for greeting cards salesmen so I came. My company didn't want me to come but in the end they told me okay but at my own risk... I mean expense."
"You must love you work quite a lot to foot a bill like that but if you hadn't you wouldn't have found your cousin. John rescued you shouldn't you try to call your husband to let him know you're okay?"
"I tried but my calls aren't going through," said Noora as she tried again but she got the same recording. "See I keep getting the same message. Your call cannot be placed as dialed please check your number then try back later. I've been trying back later and still nothing. I don't know what else to do other than keep on trying."
"My company has people in London," said Banai as he pulled out his phone. "Let me see if I can get someone to run over and at least tell you husband you're all right."
"That's kind of you cousin," said Noora. Banai pulled out his phone and started speaking Farsi to someone on the other side.
Ellie notice that instead of comforting Noora, whatever is was Banai told the man on the other end of the phone it seemed to make Noora even more nervous. Ellie was about to ask exactly what he told his colleague when Sam came out of her room with Samaa.
They were playing dress up. Both had white coats on, Sam had her stethoscope in her pocket, and Samaa had a play syringe in hand. Ellie and Kat started laughing as Noora and Banai just shook their heads.
"We're ready to go visit Chuck," said Sam as she pushed her glasses without lens up on her nose. If the Doctors see us as other doctors they'll let me see Chuck. I can take his blood pressure and pulse. They showed me how to do that when Morgan was in the hospital after he got shot..."
"Morgan got what?" said Ellie as she looked over at Kat who nodded her head. "I guess my little brother forgot to pass on that little piece of trivia. What else has gone on he failed to tell me?"
"Aunt Ellie, can we go to the hospital now? I have my doctor's bag and everything," said Sam as she set her bag down it made a metallic ping.
"Excuse me what do you have in there?" asked Ellie as she looked in her back and pulled out a ball-peen hammer. "Are you testing reflexes with this?" Sam nodded. "Well I'll see about getting you something that won't cause a permanent disability. Sweetie you and I need to talk."
"Do we have to," asked Sam. Usually when someone told her they 'had to talk with her' it was to tell her that she couldn't do something and she could tell this was no exception.
"I'm afraid so, the doctor that's treating Chuck won't let you in to see him. Your father has a very bad virus and they are afraid it could hurt you. It's not that Chuck doesn't want to see you Sweetie but he doesn't want you to get sick."
"But I don't care I want to see him," said Sam. "It's not fair you get to see him but I can't. Why do grown up always get their way?"
"Sweetie your upset now and I understand but we have to think about what's good for you. Love, that's why I'm here."
"I want to be like you when I grow up," said Sam as she hugged Ellie. Ellie picked her up and hugged her back.
"I know you're worried about Chuck. I'm worried about him too but he will be fine and the best way we can make sure he gets better is if he knows he doesn't have to worry about us. Guys what are we going to do about dinner? Why don't we order pizza but only if you guys can eat it?"
"I know a place that does takeaway Big Al's in Maywood," said Banai. "His meats are halal certified and you can get just about any pizza you want."
"Then that settles that we can order two combos and two vegetarians," said Kat as she looked at her watch. "I wonder what's taking so long down at the pier."
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Casey and the rest spent most of the day pounding the asphalt down at the piers. They stopped people showed them photos of the van then photos of their perps but nothing. The only thing they found out was that the port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest ports in the country and one of the longest some forty-three miles of water front. The only thing they had to show for the day's activities were sore feet.
"Come on this is a bust," said Casey as he got Morgan and Alex back in the Crown Vic then they drove back to Castle before heading back to Echo Park. "We need to check in with Beckman before we go home and we can't do it with our guest there. Grimes keep your mouth shut about Banai being at Echo Park or we'll all end up with him at Yucca Mountain. With the difference that the Iranians might negotiate for his release but they could care less about ours so if you don't want to mail Santa your Christmas letter from behind bars keep your trap shut."
"Oh John I think I know how to keep a secret," said Morgan. "I mean look around I haven't told anyone about Chuck. I think I know how to keep my mouth shut."
"Dad you have to give it to him, Morgan does have a point," said Alex as she looked over from the passenger's seat.
"Unfortunately your right," said John as he pulled into the Buy More parking lot. "Okay Grimes I'll trust you this time but I swear you screw up and you get us carted off to Supermax... well you and I are going to have some quality time in the yard."
"What can happen? Becky's back in D.C. and she'll be chomping at the bit to get out of the office to see her main squeeze Roan."
"Just remember keep your mouth shut," said John as the three of them got out of their car they headed into the Buy More.
"Morgan, son, can I have a word with you," said Big Mike. "Evening Alex. I'm sorry but I need to borrow my step-son for a second if you don't mind. They hadn't gotten inside ten feet before Morgan was grabbed and Big Mike pulled him aside.
"Okay Big Mike what do you want," said Morgan as he saw Casey signaled for him to hurry up then meet them down below. He nodded his head then turned back to Big Mike. "So what's got you all spun up?"
"Is it true that Bartowski's wife walked out on him? Fernando's cousin Feliz works TSA at the airport and said he saw her board a plane for London? They I hear he's in the hospital with some strange virus."
"You mean the flu," said Morgan trying to think up something to tell Big Mike. "She went to London but to get a baby thing that she had custom made."
"What kind of baby thing that you need custom made?" said Big Mike as he thought for a moment. Morgan thought he saw the little squirrel inside running on a wheel then a light came on. "Oh I see that thing. You can have them custom made?"
"I guess at least she did," said Morgan. "Excuse me but what exactly are we talking about being custom made?"
"Breast pump of course," said Big Mike. "Custom made... does it have to do with driving on the left? Well I don't know? But what's up with you man Chuck? He's got the flu and is in the hospital? That's what they're calling it now? But when I caught his type of flu the doctor gave me penicillin and it was all taken care of."
"No, he doesn't have that type of flu and no, Sarah didn't walk out on him. You can tell Fernando if his cousin would work a little more and keep his mouth shut then may be the lines in the airport wouldn't be as long." With that Morgan left Big Mike heading for the breakroom.
[Down in Castle]
Casey and Alex went on down to Castle and on the way they were talking about what a bust it was going down to the piers to look for clues. Casey was explaining to her that that was the breaks sometimes.
"That's the way things go sometimes. You think you're on a hot trail them it dries up and blows away. You can't blame yourself you tried it just didn't go anywhere is all," said Casey as they got off the elevator.
"Can you explain to me where you people were all day," said Beckman as she stood outside the elevator door. "I thought you all decided to take a vacation or something."
"General what are you doing here? I thought you were back in D.C. or that was what I was led to believe. Is everything okay?"
"Yes, I had to come out when we were contacted that the consul who wanted to identify the Commandant's remains in person. I flew the hypersonic out and now the plane is going to Mildenhall to pick up agent Carmichael. But what is this about you tracking down leads? What leads and where were you looking?"
"At the pier Ma'am," said Casey. He showed her the parking ticket that they found then explained where the found it. "But we ran into a brick wall either no one knew anything or they were paid to keep their mouth shut."
"Let's hope it's the former," said Beckman as she looked around. "I have a special mission for you but where's Agent Grimes?" As they were talking they heard the elevator then they heard Morgan.
"John are you still on the horn with Becky? I guess by now you should be off so I don't have to worry about saying anything about our special houseguest. Boy I'd like to see the look..." Morgan stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Beckman standing next to Casey with her hands on her hips and tapping his foot.
"Special houseguest?" said Beckman as she raised one eyebrow. "Would someone like to explain? Do you see the look Mr. Grimes?"
"I can explain," said Casey as the General reached up and flipped the switch to activate the cameras at Echo Park. "Like I said I can explain."
"Explain what? Okay so Noora and her daughter are staying with you. That's a good use of resources. Noora and Kat can watch Sam and Noora's daughter until Sarah gets back late tomorrow. Now let's get back to this new mission," said Beckman as she went over to the conference table to get a folder from her bag.
As soon as the General turned her head Banai came out of the bathroom in the monitor. Casey immediately switched off the camera feeds before she turned around.
"What are you doing?" asked Beckman looking at Casey behind her. "Oh yes that's probably for the best."
"Yes Ma'am, I just didn't want Grimes getting distracted he does so quite easily. So what is this special mission you want us to do? We're knee deep as it is trying to find those canisters of gas and being shorthanded doesn't help."
"Well if you'd run that ticket by Chuck me might've flashed but now we'll never know," said the General. Morgan was about to say I told you so when Casey elbowed him.
"Is there something wrong with you Agent Grimes," asked the General. It didn't pass Morgan that he was reinstated as an agent. "Please stand up straight you're slouching."
"No... No Ma'am, I perfectly fine. I mean yes... Oh please go ahead," said Morgan as Casey stood behind him cracking his knuckles.
"Well this is it back at Langley we discovered a website was brought up on the dark net that talks about an art auction onboard a cruise ship leaving port this weekend."
"I take it the art auction isn't really an art auction," said Casey as he looked through the dossier the General laid on the table. Morgan reached for some papers but John smacked his hand.
"Ouch! I need to see too," said Grimes but Casey just grunted and growled then gave him a look of death. "Or maybe not," said Morgan as he worked out this fingers.
"General you can't be serious? You can't send him in like this again. Do you remember what happened the last time? He got himself shot."
"If I remember correctly it was you who shot him," said the General. "It's useless to argue at this point the deal is done. We needed a name that they would recognize and act as a guarantee at the same time. I'm sorry if you disagree but like I said it's too late."
"But General Chuck's still in quarantine. He's in no shape to go on mission. If you have to send someone send me instead," said Morgan. "Chuck would do it for me so I can do it for him."
"I'm glad you feel that way because that is exactly what I'm going to do. Chuck is still on 'no duty' so I can't use him but you Agent Grimes I'm sending you in as Ettore La Barba. Interpol apprehended La Barba this morning on gun running charges and they're holding him incognito at an undisclosed location to try and flip him. In the meantime that leaves us an opportunity to use his identity. There is an invitation for you in that folder to board the Serenity berthed near the Queen Mary."
"The Serenity is she a firefly class," asked Morgan. Casey gave him a slap to the back of the head. "Ouch! Will you stop that!"
"Children listen up," said the General. "The auction is a cover to sell and move those missing canisters of gas so if we play our cards right we can take them off the market once and for all."
"General, if you don't mind me asking," said John as he looked at Morgan's invitation. "Why can't we simply raid the ship and seize the canisters along with the people behind it."
"It's not that easy Colonel. The cover for the event is a cruise for Friends of Iraq organized by the Iraqi consulate. Their consul will be onboard hosting it. The auction on paper is to raise funds for children's hospitals in Iraq. We can't raid it until we're sure the canisters are onboard and we know where they're at. One wrong move and we'll have a major international incident on our hands.
"So what is it you want me to do," said Morgan. "You want me to go in and out bid everyone? I'm going to need some cash backing because what I have I my account right now won't by a cup of coffee onboard this ship," said Grimes as he held up the photo of the luxury liner from the folder.
"With any luck you won't have to," said the General. "Colonel Casey is going to come onboard with you as your man servant, John and Agent McHugh will be going with you as you fiancée. In addition I will be onboard with you."
"Who are you going to be," asked Morgan. "What arch villain are you going to pose as? Oh I know, Faora, right?"
"Then you ask why I hit you," said Casey. "Do you really listen to yourself before you speak or does all this idiocy just roll out on its own?"
"I'm going as General Diane Beckman who else? My invitation came from the consul himself. We vetted him and he can't be behind this but it must be someone in the consulate."
"Jamil was called to the consulate the day before he was grabbed," said Casey. "We should try and contact him to find out what office he was supposed to go to."
"Stay away from the consulate for now. That's sovereign Iraqi soil and we don't want an incident but we also don't want to risk your covers being blown before you get onboard. If there's nothing else I'm heading to the hospital now to get a current briefing on Agent Carmichael's status."
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Chuck knew he should try to contact Sam and do a video call but he had other problems at. He was watching three assassins coming up the stairs in Jamil's apartment building and three more coming up the fire escape. He got Cole turned around but he wasn't sure he'd be able to make it back in time. He hoped Sarah understood his text but he was in a hospital bed in Westside Memorial while she was round the world in London.
"Okay everyone stay together and wait for it," said Sarah. She stood near the door peeking out. The wet team stood outside Jamil's apartment. Sarah heard them talking on the radio to coordinate the breach.
"Okay on my three," she heard one of the men say. Then they were in but as they went in the lights went out in the hall and in Jamil's apartment.
"There they are," Sarah heard behind her then there was the sound of suppressed fire as the two teams shot at each other. While they were inside Sarah, Carina and Jamil hit the stairs and made their way down as fast as they could. It wouldn't take long for those who survived to figure out they'd been duped.
"They're on the stairs," Sarah heard above them as they were already half way down. "Come on get after them." Sarah fired two rounds up at their pursuers just to slow them down.
"Nothing like putting a little fear in them to make them cautious," said Sarah as they hit the front door.
"Now where," asked Jamil. Carina was already on it running to the van with the MI-5 men inside. She threw open the back to find them all dead.
"Geez what've you got," asked Sarah she came from checking on the guy Cole had left behind. She found he had his throat slashed.
"They're not going to be any help," said Carina as bullets started flying. The wet team was out of the apartment building and started opening fire in the street.
"Look out," said Sarah as she pushed Jamil inside the van as Carina tossed her a H&K UMP .45. Sarah flipped selective fire to fully automatic then cleared the street. The men from the wet team dove for cover then started returning fire.
"Here take this," yelled Carina as she handed Sarah an extra clip then she joined in the firefight. They looked like they were going to make the killers run when another car load pulled up and tried to out flank them. But they were warned when a car alarm went off to alert Sarah what was going on. She knew it was Chuck looking out for them.
"Inside," yelled Sarah as she got Carina in the van. It was bullet proof so at least for a little while they were safe.
"Can you operate this to call for help?" asked Carina as she pointed to the comms gear inside but Sarah discovered their signal was still being jammed.
"If you turn over the Arab to us we'll let you two ladies live," yelled a man outside. "Come on you've got no place to go and one of you is pregnant. If nothing else think about your baby. We're not monsters we've just got a job to do like you two. Hand over the man and you two can walk."
"Turn me over," said Jamil. "Just tell Samaa her father loves her." He started for the door but Sarah grabbed him shoving him back down.
"You're not going anywhere. The moment we open that door we're all dead. No he's trying to bluff us into turning you over. Just hold on don't give up yet."
Suddenly they heard gunfire. Carina went to the front where she could see. It was Cole he rode in on a bike and was drawing fire from the gunmen.
"No the idiot rode into a trap," yelled Carina. She busted out of the back of the van opening fire to give Cole time to find cover. Sarah jumped out too firing.
"Cole's safe for now. Come on get back inside where it's safe," yelled Sarah. But as she was yelling Carina took a hit and dropped backwards. Sarah ran to her and helped her up covering for her to get her back in the van.
"Lie still and let me look at that," said Sarah.
"If Chuck's going to perform a miracle it'd better be soon."