Don't own Chuck
Sarah put her arm around Sam then she went inside with Sam. Inside Sam followed Samaa to help her get ready while Noora got her things together. Sarah wanted to say something but there was nothing to say. Looking at the clock on the wall she realized she needed to call Chuck but there was too much going on around her. Ellie noticed Sarah seemed perplexed so she volunteered to go back with Sam so she could video chat with Chuck.
"I can just about field strip any weapon and I can deactivate a bomb with a pen knife but I keep tripping over these domestic land mines. You must think I'm a horrible mother."
"This juggling act is a part of being a parent, especially a mother, and don't worry we all think we're doing a crappy job. We do the best we can do. I know when Clara was born I had a hard time with work and taking care of her. I thought I was awful because I wanted to go back to work. But I think if I hadn't Clara would've had a crazy mother which would've been worse. Even though you guys probably already think I'm crazy."
"Crazy no never just mentally unbalanced," said Sarah as they both laughed. They were interrupted by Casey who walked in the door without knocking carrying a covered plate.
"Personally I blamed it on having Chuck as a brother. Here are some leftovers that Kat warmed up for you in case you're hungry. It's a little bit of roast some mashed potatoes and peas."
"Bangers, mash and mushy peas," said Sarah remembering what Carina had Cole get her. "I'm not going crazy either John and tell Kat thank you."
"Let me run back and check on the girls," said Ellie. "I forgot how much fun Sam could be. I really should've brought Clara."
Sarah took the plate from Casey and put it in the oven as Ellie went back to Sam's room then she started to go to the living room to get connected but Casey stopped her.
"I need to talk to you later when everyone is asleep. We can meet outside by the fountain so we don't bother anyone. It's about tomorrow's mission I need your opinion."
Sarah realized something must be really bothering Casey if he wanted to talk to her about it so she agreed. She told him she'd meet him outside once she got Sam asleep and Ellie was over at her old apartment. Casey left and she could finally connect with Chuck.
"Hey there you are," said Chuck. She could hear his voice before his image came in. "I was afraid you were too tired and went to sleep."
"I'm sorry I'm calling so late but a lot has gone on here. I think I need a bucket brigade to help me put out all the fires. Jamil is taking Noora and Samaa away tonight to go stay with Banai at a safe house he's got here in L.A. Did you know he had one?"
"No but he knew the area too well not to have been here before. I suspect his contacts are deep cover moles the VAJA has hidden here. But as long as they're not doing anything nefarious against us and just gathering intel. I prefer the known to the unknown."
"You know protocol dictates that we report them to counter intelligence as enemy spies operating on U.S. soil for them to deal with."
"We don't know that for sure and like I said a known enemy is better than an unknown. We can leave them in place then if the need arises we can either arrest them or turn them. We can even feed them false intel. But that's not what's bothering you with Banai is it?"
"No I guess not. Sam didn't say a word but I could tell she was not happy about Jamil's sudden decision to leave. Samaa spoke up right away but Sam didn't say anything she just held it in. I've done that and I know what it looks like."
"You should go talk to her," said Chuck. "You know what it did to you holding all your emotions in. You of all people are best equipped to understand her and to help her understand herself."
"I will as soon as I'm done talking with you. I have to say you've got more color and you look a lot more alert. I was worried about you. Casey grabbed me before saying he wants to talk to me about this mission they're going on tomorrow. I take it I wasn't invited or I would've been briefed by now."
"Nor was I but you can see why I wasn't and I won't lie I'm glad they aren't taking you. I haven't been cut into the loop other than what Morgan told me and what I found out from the dark net. There is supposed to be an art auction onboard the Serenity," said Chuck waiting then when she didn't say anything he added. "That would be a cruise ship not a firefly class spaceship if you're wondering."
"A fire what? Is that supposed to some sort of allusion to Star Wars or Star Trek?" asked Sarah. But Chuck shook his head smiling.
"I'm sorry no 'Firefly' that was a... well never mind that's not important... well it is important because it was cancelled too soon but that's just me...," said Chuck as he caught Sarah's look. "And now getting back on topic so you can get on with what you need to get done."
"Please, it's not that I don't love hearing you rattle on about Luke and the force be with you but it's just I need to talk to Sam, eat, then got to sleep. Hopefully I'll do it in that order. Oh and I almost forgot talk to John."
"Anyway the art auction is a cover to sell off the canisters of gas to notorious underworld figures. Morgan is going onboard as Ettore La Barba..."
"Is he ready to do that without support? Seasoned agents have trouble going under deep cover like that where they have to take over someone's life especially someone like La Barba. I guess there's a reason why they don't just blow the boat out of the water and call it an accident."
"We're not sure if the canisters are onboard so I think Beckman wants a visual first. She's been invited on board too, but I'm getting ahead of myself. The cruise is being sold as a means to raise money for hospitals for children in Iraq under the umbrella of the Iraqi consulate and a group called 'the Friends of Iraq. It doesn't do much for international relations when you blow up their consul."
"Especially in the middle of charity work I can see that would be a big no no. Well I need to go I love you. I'll be bringing Sam by tomorrow any time you'd like us to show up?"
"Well let me check my busy calendar to see when I'll be in," said Chuck as he pretended to thumb through a book. "Guess what I'm not going anywhere tomorrow."
"Oh you're so funny Mr. Walker. I love you," said Sarah as she laughed. "I miss being with you every time we're apart."
"And you're beautiful Mrs. Bartowski. I love you and I'll see you tomorrow now go get done what you've got to do then go to sleep." With that he signed off and she leaned back on her sofa.
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Back in the Sam's room she helped Samaa get her things together. Not that she had a lot but it was more a opportunity for them to say goodbye in case they didn't get a chance to meet again. Sam milled around the room with her hands in her pockets as Ellie picked up things. Samaa was quiet too but she was helping.
"You know it's not like Samaa is going to fall off the edge of the world. You two can stay in touch through e-mail or Skype," said Ellie. "So turn those frowns around. We're done here I'm going to go help Noora and let you girls have time to talk." Ellie got up then left leaving them by themselves.
"Do you want me to go," asked Samaa. "You didn't say anything when my father announced he wanted us to leave. You just stood there like a statue."
"What was I supposed to say? He's your father and we have to go where our parents tell us to go until we grow up. No, I don't want you to go but you're going to have to go whether I want you to or not."
"I told him I didn't want to go. You heard me at least he knows how I feel," said Samaa as she sat down on Sam's bed with her head in her hands.
"But did it accomplish anything other than getting him mad at you? So he knows how you feel you're still going and I'm still staying. Life isn't fair and the sooner you figure that out the better you'll be. Or that's what Jack told me."
"Who's Jack? He doesn't sound like a nice man. What kind of advice is that to give a kid?" said Samaa as Sam sit next to her.
"Jack is kind of my grandfather. He lives in Montenegro that's far from here beyond Pasadena somewhere around London I think."
"I think you're getting confused. I don't remember any signs on the Tube for Montenegro and they go everywhere in London."
"Don't be silly I said it was somewhere beyond London. Anyway it's not important other than that's where he lives with my granny Emma and my Aunt Molly."
"Banai is the first relative I've met. We never talk about my other relatives. Every time I ask my parents they get sad so I don't ask. Can I tell you something and you promise not to get mad?"
"Sure as long as you don't insult me in Arabic. Razhib, who lives in Montenegro too, taught me some so don't try it."
"No I wouldn't... I don't use that kind of language and he shouldn't either. Neither should you for that matter. No it's well... I don't want to leave you but I want to talk to Banai to find out more about my cousins and relatives. You know yours but I don't know mine inside I'm curious."
"I understand," said Sam as they hugged. Sarah stood outside the door with tears in her eyes listening to the girls talk.
Soon Noora came then Banai's man arrived and they had to go. Sam waved to Samaa as she waved back then they were gone. Sam walked back in her room and started to get ready for bed when Sarah walked in.
"What's this I'm gone for a couple of days and now you get ready for bed on your own. Come here and let me comb your hair," said Sarah as she motion Sam over to her bed. "Do you want to tell me how you feel?" asked Sarah as she started combing.
"I'm okay. Samaa had to go sooner or later. Her family isn't from here and this isn't her home so it was bound to happen."
"What do you mean bound to happen? You make it sound like it was fated to take place. We don't know for sure they're gone yet."
"Oh yes we do and I'm not sure I know what fated means but if it means that she was going to leave then yes it was fated. Don't you see everyone leaves me sooner or later? Aunt Ellie will be leaving soon to go back to Chicago..."
"You know she lives there with Devon and Clara. You wouldn't them to do without her would you just so she can stay here? They'd be lonely and sad."
"No of course not but as soon as people come they leave again and I'm left her by myself. I'm always by myself and I don't have to like it."
"No you don't but soon you'll have a little sister to help take care of and then you won't be alone. You see the way Ellie hoovers over Chuck that's because she's his sister and they love each other. You'll have the same thing with Stephanie or Emily when she's born."
"You mean Bunny. Thanks," said Sam as she turned around and hugged Sarah. "I love you. You're the greatest mommy in the whole wide world."
"Let's no exaggerate," said Sarah as she hugged her back then wiped her eyes. "We need to dust your room. I've got an idea you can sleep with me in my bed until your father comes home. I need to go talk to Casey but you can go ahead and climb in."
"When you come back will you read me a story," asked Sam as she yawned which caused Sarah to yawn back. Tiredness was starting to catch up with her.
"We'll see if you're still awake when I get back. Come on I'll tuck you in then I'll get this talk over as quickly as I can. What story do you want me to read to you if you're still awake?"
"Can you read 'The Princess and The Pea' please?" Sarah wondered what was with all the peas lately as she grabbed the book off the shelf then took Sam to their bedroom.
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Greg waited until late to slip out of his office with the canister. He figured if he came in late everyone would be gone and he could slip onto the ward without being seen. He started for the elevator but stopped thinking that when it landed on the floor the bell could rouse the attention of those left to monitor the patient so instead he took the steps down.
"Okay you're here," he said to himself trying to calm his nerves. He stuck his head out of the stairwell to make sure the coast was clear.
"Good to go now get a move on it," he told himself as he scurried down the hall but when he was almost there he heard two people talking so he ducked into the bathroom. He put his ear to the door to listen with his hand on his pistol.
"Come on with me I'll buy you a cup of coffee," said a male voice. "We can leave the patient by himself for a few minutes. He's asleep anyway."
"I don't know," said a female voice. "If Doctor McCoy comes by and finds no one here he'll get mad. I don't care if the patient is asleep or not."
"What can happen now? We're no long using our hazmat suits inside and his last labs showed he was clear of infection. The Doctor admitted he's keeping him to run some sort of special experiment or project I don't know. Like I said I'm buying do whatever you want but you're passing up a golden opportunity."
"I am tired and I could use the caffeine to stay awake," she said then she rationalized their abandoning their post. "Well we are going to be here all night so a half hour's absence I guess is nothing when looked at the whole."
"I'll kick in a pastry if they've got anything left in the cafeteria and if your conscience is bothering you that much we can bring it back up here."
"Coffee and a slice of cheese cake does sound good. Okay you twisted my arm let's go," said the female voice. Greg couldn't believe his luck he waited to hear the elevator door ring then he waited a few minutes before coming out.
"Great now get to work you don't have all night," he said to himself as he ran to the quarantine area. He noticed the hazmat suits had been packed up so what he heard was true. If he was going to get this done it was now or never.
"They won't be around much longer," said Greg. As he entered the first airlock he was thinking what the packed up hazmat suits meant. It could only mean that the Doctor in charge had everything he needed and if that were the case then the man in the Armani suit wouldn't be happy with him.
"Okay where to put this thing," Greg asked himself. He glanced over at Chuck who was cutting some serious zees.
"Now what did the guy say about setting this thing up," said Greg as his hands shook. He was afraid he'd accidently cross-thread the thing as he attached the trigger device on the canister.
"Make sure it's tight," he muttered to himself in a low voice then he checked to make sure the green light was off then he closed his eyes as he opened the valve. There was no hissing sound so it was good to go. He placed the canister with the other canisters of oxygen on a chart then started to leave.
"Who are you," said a man standing in front of him in a white coat with a patient clipboard in hand. Greg looked down at the name on the man's coat 'McCoy'.
"Oh I'm new on your staff I was sent in straight from Atlanta. Since I was new I've been stuck working nights so I guess that's why you don't know me."
"I've been up here at night and I don't remember you... You're new you say I guess you're that replacement for Anderson. The wimp said I was riding him and he couldn't put up with the routine. Well I hope you don't mind doing hard work with little glory because that's what this job is."
"Yes sir I know and I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I asked Pat Murphy to send me we have mutual friends you see."
"You know Pat? I won't hold that against you. I don't know how your friend used to be before he came to Atlanta but now your friend is a bean counter. I just got off the phone with him and all he got out of what I was trying to explain to him was how much this was costing the CDC."
"Well, l really don't know him that well just through another friend but administrators are like that. He wouldn't be the first doctor that hung up his stethoscope for a calculator."
"You can say that again. I think you'll do quite well on my staff. I'm going to have to get you moved to days where we can talk more."
"Thank you Doctor McCoy," said Greg. "I need to run outside for a second. It was a pleasure bumping into you."
"Well you're on my staff now so we'll do that more often," said the Doctor as he returned to looking over the clipboard he had in his hand. Greg saw his window then he beat feet getting out as fast as he could. He ran to the elevators be as he stood there he heard it coming up so he ducked back in the stair well just in time. He heard the man and woman from before getting off laughing. He would've liked to hang around and hear what was going to happen when they discover Doctor McCoy but all he cared about was he'd gotten away.
"Maybe this spy thing isn't so hard after all," said Greg as he walked down to the floor below then took the elevator to the lobby.
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Sarah got Sam situated in their bed then once she was tucked in and ready to go to sleep Sarah told her she'd be back to read her a bedtime story. Then she went outside to find Casey already sitting by the fountain waiting with a Scotch neat in one hand and a prerevolutionary Costa Gravas double coronas in the other.
"If you want to talk to me you need to put that thing out," said Sarah as she walked up to him. "It's either that or I heave up everything I've eaten on you."
"After all the hard work Kat put in cooking that roast no way. Her cooking is too good for that," said John as he took a puff then reluctantly put it out. "Okay it's out now come over here and sit down."
Sarah walked over with her shawl wrapped around her. She sat down next to him by the side of the fountain and listened.
"What's the problem John? Are you getting the pre-mission jitters? We all get them from time to time but I never pictured you as one..."
"What are you talking about? I don't get pre-mission jitters or jitters period. You've been around Chuck too long and his lady feelings. No the problem is Morgan. I promised Alex I'd keep him safe but on this mission I don't know if I'm going to be able to and I don't want Alex to think less of me if something goes wrong. You're a daughter what could your deadbeat dad have done differently to make you like him?"
"I understand what you're trying to say but your language," she started to say but she could tell by his look it was already a lost cause. "Well who says I don't like him. This might be hard for you to understand but no matter what Jack's done he's still my father. When I was little and I didn't realize what we were doing it was fun and exciting. What I used to call my adventures with Dad but then when I grew older and knew... well I regretted what I did but that doesn't mean I didn't love him anymore."
"How can you love a conniving lowlife scumbag like your father and then do this job where we put criminals away?"
"Because I know who he is, he's my father. If you're asking how can Alex love, what did Chuck call you? Oh yes a G-man assassin, well it's easy John you're her father and she'll always love. She loved you before she knew you and she loves you now that she does. The sweet thing about this arrangement is you don't have to do a thing except be you."
"That's it? That's all there is? Are you sure? I'm only saying because it sounds too easy."
"Yes, John I'm sure. Take it from a daughter whose father is a conniving lowlife scumbag you don't have to do a thing except be. If that's it I'm tired and I have a story to read before I can go to sleep."
"I need to call it a night too. We embark onboard tomorrow. Thanks."
"You're welcome and good luck on the mission."