The Colonel's Daughter
Well, from reading your responses you like the flourishing relationship between Morgan and Alex. Plus, the mention of the bubble of handness from Vs. The American Hero but referenced in a very different setting. Anyways, as usual please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.
I don't own Chuck.
A Night To Remember
XXX
Morgan's Apartment
11:13 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9th, 2010
The front door opens and in the semi-lit doorway stands Morgan Grimes. As he steps through the door inevitably closing it behind him, he reaches over without even looking and switches on the light illuminating the living room. He looks around to see he pretty much left it the way he did when he headed out to work this morning with the Xbox 360 controller sitting on the coffee table. The Call of Duty game case laying right beside it.
He drops his keys in a bowl near the door and then walks in the living shuffling through a number of envelopes, as well as junk fliers he received in the mail inevitably dropping on the coffee table off his right. "Anna I'm home." he called out.
The second those 3 words came out his mouth he knew Anna wasn't going to answer. He gotten so used to calling out her name whenever he got home it simply became second nature to him. He had to silently chuckle a bit as he rubs his forehead and shakes his head at the same time in disbelief. He gotten so used to saying it whenever he came home from work or after just hanging with Chuck when it came to Friday boys night, which at times involved Travis as well.
As he stands there in the middle of the living room it slowly hit him. Morgan kicks off his shoes and un-tucks his work short as he heads straight for the fridge. When he opens the fridge he stands there for a moment scanning the contents inside and a brief moment later he reaches in retrieving what he's going to eat, which is a box of leftover sizzling shrimp and a can of opened grape soda.
Morgan then turns around using his left foot to lightly shut the door. He then reaches over opening the drawer not to retriever a fork but a pair of chop sticks. Once the bearded man has them in his possession he sticks it in between his teeth and shuffles over to his couch putting down the can of grape soda on the coffee table just off to the side, plops down on his couch, and puts his feet up to relax.
Not long after, he reaches over to his right grabbing the remote and turns on the television immediately checking his DVR to watch a particular show he set to have recorded. A grin appears on his face as he sees what it is and commences to sit back and watch Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior. He drops the controller back on the couch, reaches up to take the chopsticks from between his teeth, flips the box open and digs in.
A few moments pass by when his attention on the show he is watching is focused on something else entirely. He lays his head back on top of the couch letting out a tired sigh as he continues to hold the remaining box contents of sizzling shrimp between his hands that is sitting on his lap. In that moment, he reflects back on Saturday night when Anna dumped him.
"Morgan, where do you see are relationship going?" questioned Anna snuggling up to him on the couch as they both watch Top Chef.
"If you're thinking what I'm thinking hopefully to the bedroom." he responded turning to her raising his eyebrows up and down with a sly grin.
Anna jabs Morgan's side with her elbow a bit miffed after hearing his response. Her tone gets serious as she continues her line of questioning. "I'm serious Morgan." she said sitting up in order to look directly at him. "I want to know if there is a future for the two of us." she added with emphasis.
"What brought this on?" he wondered.
"Most of my girlfriends are either engaged or getting ready to get married. We've been together for 3 and a half years so I just want to know if we're going to last." she replied.
"Have you been watching Oprah during your breaks at Buy More?" he asked.
"Morgan!" she said immediately standing up. She walks around the coffee table and stands with her arms crossed narrowing her eyes towards the her bearded boyfriend sitting on the couch. "This isn't funny. Why can't you take this seriously and just give me a straight answer?" she said shaking her head.
"My bad Anna Banana." he responded back sitting up. "I just thought…"
"You see right there. You just thought what?" she answered lifting her shoulders with her hands raised to her sides. "We would just be living together for the rest of our lives while you continue to play Call of Duty till your fingers fall off or come over to Buy More so you can make prank phone calls to Mighty Jock?" she spitted out. "When are you going to grow up and stop being so immature?" said Anna.
"I didn't know you felt that way." he said look up at her and see how effected she is. Morgan stands up in order to look at her eye to eye. "Come on and let's sit down. We'll watch Top Chef together…"
Anna immediately interjects. "We always watch Top Chef. As matter of fact we always do the same thing over and over Morgan! I'm tired of it and I need a change." she said with frustration.
"Okay…" Morgan responded as he walks around the coffee table in order to stand in front of her. He reaches out with both hands to gently hold her upper arms. "…I'll take you out tomorrow night although you have to drive since my car is in…"
"No." she emphatically stated looking down at the floor. "The change I need…" she pauses and then lifts her head to directly look into Morgan's eyes. "…is away from you."
"What?" he said in disbelief. "What are you saying?" added Morgan leaning in.
"I'm sorry but I can't live like this Morgan. I want more and I can see you're comfortable the way things are right now but I'm not." she said with a mixture of disappointment and sadness expressed on her face.
"No…" he said shaking his had. "…don't do this. I can change…"
"You've had 2 years to change Morgan." she calmly stated. "It's over."
It's Over. Those were the two words that kept repeating over in Morgan's mind as she watched Anna walk out the door with her bags packed never to be seen again. However, he knew where she would be residing but the pain he felt that night was unbearable. He spent the rest of the night just sitting on the couch and ended up sleeping there until he woke up Sunday afternoon.
His thoughts of that unfortunate night would quickly fade as he finds himself watching the end credits of the show he recorded on DVR. He takes his feet off the coffee table placing the box of what's left of the sizzling shrimp on it and then finishes off the grape soda. After taking a moment to belch it out, he reaches over for the control and turns off the tv. He pushes himself off the couch and before disappearing into his room he shuts off the lights knowing one thing…he wasn't ready for a relationship.
XXX
Castle
12:15. a.m.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2010
Team Chuck stands in front of Castle's main computer console. It had been considerably quiet when it came missions or news of The Ring as of late, which was considered good news. However, the good news could easily turn bad within an instant so all 4 prepared themselves. After a few moments, General Beckman came on screen leading Casey to immediately inquire on why they were assembled.
"What is it General?" questioned Casey.
Beckman narrows her eyes as she focus her attention on all 4 individuals standing in the conference room of Castel. "There has been some chatter as of late that The Ring may be planning something."
"Do we know what it is?" Sarah inquired.
Beckman shakes her head in acknowledgement to her query. "Negative Agent Walker." she responds. She continues on. "Whatever it is I suggest you and the rest of your team stay on point." she emphatically stated.
"We always are." replied Travis.
The General's attention goes from Travis over to Chuck who is standing by Sarah. "Mr. Bartowski, if you happen to flash on anything of importance possibly relating to The Ring you know what to do."
"Yes ma'am." Chuck said as he leans forward a bit quickly glancing over at his teammates.
"We have no idea what The Ring is planning but whatever it is they want retribution for destroying what they worked hard for and that is the creation of their intersect." she said. "However, thanks to Mr. Bartowski's actions they were unsuccessful in their efforts." added Beckman.
A hint of a grin not only appears on Chuck and Sarah's face but on Travis' as well. Casey, on the other hand, is stone faced with a look of seriousness as he responds to Beckman. "Bartowski was lucky that time." replied Casey. "He was at the right place at the right time." he stated.
"Luck isn't what is needed at this particular juncture Colonel." she said. "What is needed are cold, hard facts in order fight this new organization."
"Yes General." all 4 respond in unison.
"You have your orders." she stated as the screen goes black.
As Team Chuck falls out of line, Chuck turns to Casey to ask him a question. "Casey, are you coming Friday night since you live next to my sister and all?"
"What are you lip smacking about Bartowski?" grunted Casey turning his head to look at him.
"I thought Jayne told you because she was going to call her…"
Casey cuts him off in mid sentence. "Just spit it out moron." he said.
"Party…Friday night…Ellie's house." said Chuck. "Travis and Shannon, as well as, Sarah and I are invited." he added.
"What for?" inquired Casey with curiosity.
"We're having a party for Morgan." Travis blurted out.
"Why is Ellie throwing a party for that bearded idiot?" questioned Casey. "I thought Ellie didn't like him."
"She tolerates him." Chuck replied. "There is a difference."
The burly NSA Agents turns his attention from Chuck and Travis to his partner Sarah who could actually give him a straight answer. "What are those two numb nuts talking about?"
"Anna dumped Morgan Saturday night." she said.
"Smart girl. I'm surprised she lasted that long." grinned Casey. "So why the party?"
"Apparently, he and some girl bumped into each other at The Grove. She spilled coffee on him and everything went so well they are hanging out tonight." she said.
Casey turns to Chuck and Travis who immediately nod telling him that it isn't a joke. "Voluntarily?" he inquired.
"Yup." the two men say in unison as they nod their heads in acknowledgment.
"She does know its Morgan right?" he says looking at all three of his teammates. "The same guy who…" he said pointing at Chuck. "…Friday night wrapped himself in toilet paper in order to win a stupid bet."
Chuck's eyebrows raise up upon hearing that bit of news. "How do you…uh…know about that?" he wondered.
The veteran agent just stares at Chuck and then turns his attention to Sarah who has a questionable look on her face. "So are you coming?" she asked.
"You don't want to disappoint Ellie big guy." said Chuck. "She's 4 months pregnant and hormonal, which is a deadly combo in my book." he added. "So what do you say?"
All 3 wait for a response from Casey as he stands there mulling over the request to attend Ellie's party for Morgan. After a few seconds of standing there not saying a word, he gives them his answer. "Fine."
The lanky but successful business owner of Whiz Kid Systems, Inc. claps his hands and then rubs his hands together. "Awesome." responded Chuck. "I'll tell my sister you're in and trust me Casey…" he said with a grin on his face. "…it will be a night to remember."
XXX
The Cheesecake Factory
7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2010
Morgan and Alex meet in front of Starbucks. After brief small talk between the two, Alex suggests they go to The Cheesecake Factory to which Morgan agrees to since he's the one paying. Once they arrive the two of them get a booth to sit in and then take some time to look over what they are going to order. It takes a few minutes but they decide on what they are going to eat and inform the waitress what they want. As she leaves, the two of them are given some time to talk.
"How was work?" asked Alex sitting across from Morgan.
"It was a bit busy, but I was able to get through the day." he replied. "How was your class?"
"Informative when it comes to Psychology." she retorted.
Morgan's eyebrows perk up upon hearing the class she took before meeting with him causing his curiosity to get the better of him. "What's your major?"
"Criminal Justice…" she replied. "…I'm going for my Masters Degree in hopes I can work for the government in some capacity." added Alex. A small grin appears on her face as she momentarily thinks about her future. "I want to make a difference like my dad did."
"He must be an awesome man."
"He is…" she pauses. "…was from what my mom told me." she said. Alex notices that Morgan is wondering what she means when she refers to her father in the past tense. "My dad died a war hero."
"What was his name?"
"Alex Coburn." she said.
The grin on her face suddenly fades causing Morgan to quickly rectify the situation. "Hey, I'm sorry if I brought it up because…"
"No…" she said reaching over to place her right over Morgan's left. "…don't be." she stated with a reassuring smile. "I know that my dad served his country and because of him I want to do the same."
Morgan returns the smile and as he does he feels her squeezing his hand causing him to glance down. He peers up to see Alex suddenly realize what she is doing and retracts her hand leading to an awkward moment on her part. There is brief silence at the table to where the two of them glance around the eating establishment wondering what to say now. It's at that point, the two of them simultaneously turn to face each other.
"Listen…" they both respond in unison but then quickly respond to what they just did. "…jinx!" the two of them added pointing to each other with a smile on both their faces."
The two share a laugh after what happened to where Alex takes the initiative to get the conversation between the two of them back on track. "So Mr. Grimes, you know a little about me. What about you? Tell me something a little about yourself?"
The little bearded man leans back against the wooden booth with his hands still on the table and then shares his story. "Well, Ms. McHugh before I worked at Whiz Kid Systems, Inc. I had a job working as an assistant manager at Buy More. I worked their a number years with my best friend Chuck until he quit and started his own company where I now work. The R & D department to be exact." he said.
"R & D?" questioned Alex.
"Research and Development. A team consisting of myself and several other people who are responsible for the creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications." he thoroughly explained. Morgan notices the blank look on Alex's face after saying that so he simplifies it. "I, along with a few other people, are the research half while the rest of the guys basically develop the computer games that people would hopefully like to play."
"Oh." replied Alex. "That makes way better sense."
"Yeah and about 4 months ago an updated version of Zork was released." he said. "The sales have gone through the roof and I'm proud to be a part of that success." responded Morgan.
"You should be." Alex said with a firm nod. After a brief pause on her part, Alex's curiosity get's the better of her leading her to ask him a question she wants to know. "So Morgan, are you ready to share because we did have a deal."
"About what?" he said shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Hey, you're not getting out this that easily mister." she retorted. "You know very well the deal you made with me yesterday so spill."
Morgan takes a moment as he contemplates whether or not he should share it. It's in that moment, he leans forward and responds to Alex's question.
"Okay…" he said. "…but after we eat dinner and have a cup of coffee. I'm starving and I'm guessing you are too. Deal?"
Alex narrows her eyes at Morgan expecting to hear the story concerning his string of bad luck but after a few seconds of thinking about it and feeling the her stomach silently grumble she reluctantly agrees. "Deal." she stated with a bit of a disappointment.
XXX
The Cheesecake Factory
8:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2010
"Are you ready to share?" Alex said looking across at Morgan as he takes a sip of his coffee.
The two finished their meal of consisting of a certified Angus Hanger Steak with Shiitake Mushrooms, Onions, Bean Sprouts, Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and Tempura Asparagus for Morgan with a Pepsi whereas Alex had Sautéed Chicken Breast with Lemon Sauce, Mushrooms and Capers. Served with Angel Hair Pasta. Her beverage of choice was sweet tea. Now they are having coffee leading Alex to ask her question."
Morgan takes a quick breathe and adjusts the way he's sitting in his side of the both. He leans with both hands intertwined resting on the table in front of him. "The reason I said I was having a string of bad luck is that I was in a relationship and now I'm not." he said shrugging his shoulders. "It happened over the weekend."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to push you…"
An apologetic look appears on her face causing Morgan to shake his head. "You don't have to because it was my fault and I should have seen it coming." he softly stated as peers down at the table tapping the rim of his coffee cup with his thumbs. "Anyways, when we bumped into each other I was trying to clear my head but ended up getting hot tea all over me." he grinned.
"What's her name?"
"Anna."
"Pretty name." she replied.
"Yeah." he said nodding. For a brief moment Morgan thinks about her but then realizes where he is and shakes his thoughts of her out of his head. "Anyways, I'm here sharing a delightful dinner with my new friend." added Morgan.
"Of course…" Alex responded. "…we are friends and I know you just got out of a relationship. So…"
Morgan immediately jumps in. "…yeah it's still fresh so I'm not looking to be in a relationship."
"Oh, yeah I can see where you're coming from."
"Right now, all I'm looking for is…"
"A friend." quickly replied Alex. "I understand completely." she nodded.
There is another moment of awkward silence leading Morgan to take the initiative to break it. "Listen, since we are just friends…" he said struggling to get the question out of his mouth and as he does Alex is curious as to what he wants to ask her. "…would you be interested as a friend mind you coming to my best friend's sister's house Friday night for dinner?" he asked peering up at her. "My friends want to meet you."
Alex is briefly quiet as Morgan sits in his seat squirming a bit but not so much that it's noticeable to her. After a few seconds of waiting, she gives him a response. "I would love to Morgan." she said smiling. "I'd like to meet your friends."
The response she gives causes Morgan's eyebrows to perk up. "Awesome." he replied with a bright smile.
"I like you Morgan and I enjoy hanging out with you." she responded.
"Yeah me too. I mean hanging out with you not me because that would be silly just hanging out with myself and…"
The woman sitting in front of Morgan can clearly see he's babbling leading her to put a stop to it. "Morgan." stated Alex.
"Hmm." he quickly replied.
"You're babbling."
"Sorry." he embarrassingly replied.
"No, I think it's cute." she said with a bright smile.
It's in that moment, Morgan has that "oh shucks" looks on his face and as that happens the waitress brings the check to the table. He reaches over to get the small black folder with his left hand, takes a quick peek inside and then looks over at Alex. "You ready?"
"Yeah." she replies taking a quick sip of her coffee and then is helped up out of her seat by Morgan.
XXX
Ring Base - Undisclosed Location
11:05 a.m.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2010
"You asked for me." the man stated stepping out from the darkness in the middle of a spotlight.
The man looks up at the darkened silhouette of 5 individuals…3 males and two females. A male voice is heard from within the darkness. "Agent Smith, we have a job for you."
Agent Vincent Smith stands at 6'2, has dark hair, a receding hairline, and exuding an icy stare of death from his eyes. He bears a striking resemblance to the character Imhotep from The Mummy movie sequels starring Brendan Frasier. He was a former US Army Ranger, rank of Second Lieutenant, who was believed to be killed in action in Khowst, Afghanistan.
In reality, his death was staged and he went underground working for The Ring. His background in regards to his military exploits are shrouded in mystery but the one thing that is known about him is he became a member of The Ring in June 2000. The 5 ring leaders summoned their best agent because they knew he could get the job done like he has always done in the past and now they're expecting him to do the same thing once again.
"What is my assignment?" he inquired with a smirk.
As he says that, the screen in front of him comes on revealing 4 familiar faces…Team Chuck. The image of Colonel John Casey enlarges to full screen. "Find out his weakness…" the male voice firmly stated. "…then exploit it."
Agent Smith then hears a female voice jump into the conversation. "He and his team have become a nuisance." she said. "Remove the backbone and the team itself will crumble."
"Anything else?" he inquired.
"Get the job done." stated the male voice.
"Don't I always." he replied stepping back disappearing into the darkness.
XXX