The Colonel's Daughter
Well, in the last chapter Chuck, Travis, and Casey were caught doing surveillance on Alex and Morgan date. All 3 men suffered the consequence by their significant others, especially with Casey. The chapter ended with Casey being captured by one of Agent Smith's men. What's in store for this chapter? Read and find out. Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment I truly appreciate it. Please continue to do so as it gives me the incentive to write more chapters.
I don't own Chuck.
Time and Truth
Casey's Apartment
5:00 a.m.
April 13th, 2010
The door to John Casey's apartment is unlocked then opens leading Jayne Richardson to step inside wearing clothes for the expressed purpose of running. An early morning run to be exact. For her and her burly beau, it's a routine they've gladly enjoyed doing together and have at times turned it into something competitive making a wager in the process every so often. Essentially it's become their thing that they enjoy doing together as gives the two of them the opportunity to have their along time.
In any case as Jayne steps down into the living she does a quick 360 scan then calls out to the man wondering where he might be. "Casey! You up!?"
Silence. A faint smirk is expressed on her lips knowing that he may still be struggling with the fact that his daughter Alex is a grown woman now and how he missed out on watching her grow up before his very eyes. A normal life. A life that his former partner Sarah is now living with the occasional impromptu mission here and there. While standing there, she can't help but shake head with a bit of amusement because of his tendency of not letting things go.
"Come on babe! Listen, I thought we talked about this last night in the car and came to an understanding?" she hollered out. Jayne waits for a few moments for a response. Any response for that matter. Unfortunately, she doesn't get one and that concerns her but not greatly. He could just be sulking and giving her the silent treatment. Of course, he's not much of the talkative type to begin with. "Hey, are we going for a run or what? You big baby!" she jokingly remarked out loud. The sound of her voice temporarily echoing within the confines of the apartment.
While standing there, she knows full well Casey has always been an early bird to the point where she could actually set her watch to how absolutely on schedule he truly is. Granted, he was and still considers himself to be a marine after all. A proud marine to be exact who has been preconditioned to be up before the dawn, especially when it involves their early morning runs.
In her mind, she could always count on him to be ready and waiting on the other side of the door standing in the living drinking his coffee. Black and bitter. It's the way he always likes it she thinks to herself.
When she arrived and step down into the living she vividly recalls him always taking 2 last sips. 1 quick and then a slow one before setting his cup in the lower left hand corner of the coffee table. It's that same corner area of the coffee table where a faint circular coffee stain is shown and is somewhat visible from where she is standing.
Unfortunately, he wasn't ready and waiting on the other side of the door drinking his coffee. As a matter of fact, there wasn't any sign of his coffee cup sitting on top of that faint circular coffee stain. What she does find is a bottle of scotch and an empty glass sitting right beside it.
This concerned her as she made her way to the kitchen and upon making it there she notices his coffee cup sitting upside down in the drying rack right next to an empty coffee pot. It's the sight of the empty coffee pot deeply concerns her knowing the type of guy he is when he doesn't have his morning cup of coffee.
In that instance, Jayne makes her way towards the base of the stair leading up to the 2nd floor of apartment where Casey's bedroom is located. Once she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she stares up intently leading her to try a very different tactic.
"Hey marine! Get your ass up or make you get up!" she firmly stated in an more authoritative tone.
While doing so, she makes her way up to the second floor and towards Casey's to which she is considerably familiar with. The raven haired beauty expects to see her boyfriend probably sitting on the edge of his bed with his arms crossed expressing a smirk. However, that isn't the case as keenly notices that his bed hasn't been slept in at all judging by how neatly it has been made. That's Casey for you she thinks to herself.
In that moment, she heads downstairs and stands back once again in the middle of the living. As she does, she tries to mentally figure out where he could possibly be causing her to grow more and more concerned. Her frustration is apparent by the way she has her hands places on her hips and doing a clockwise turn trying to make sense of the present situation. It's during all this that she makes the decision to just call him by using her blue tooth that's in her right ear. After placing the call, she suddenly hears a very familiar ring tone. The song Janie's Got A Gun by Aerosmith and after a few seconds she finally pinpoints the exact location of where Casey's phone is.
When she reaches the computer, she picks up the cell phone then suddenly notices the post it note. She reads it and immediately takes out her Iphone and quickly searches for one number. After finding it, she presses it and hopes the other end of the line picks up. As there is crisis currently happening in Casey's apartment, it's a totally different atmosphere at Casa Bartowski's guest room where Chuck is currently sleeping.
His head is underneath the pillow and is snoring away. It's not long before his seemingly peaceful slumber is instantly interrupted by Sarah barging into the room with considerable purpose. Peaches following suit right behind her.
"Chuck! Wake up!"
In response, the former nerd leader gives off several moans and mumbles then 2 coherent words muffled underneath the pillow that Sarah can distinctly make out. "I'm sorry."
"I know you are baby." she pleaded with a sense of urgency. In that instance, she heads to the foot of the bed then proceeds to grab her husband's ankles and pulls him back. In doing so, Chuck's head is out from underneath the pillow. "I need you to get up!"
It's at the point Peaches approaches her male master at the left side of the bed where Chuck's face is currently facing. She then starts playfully licking his face thinking it's a game between her two human owners to the point where it causes the lanky business owner to respond. "You're kisses feel sloppy Sarah." he softly said in a sleepy haze.
Sarah rolls her eyes and then lets out a bit of a frustrated exhale. Afterwards, she makes her way where Peaches is at in order to lean down and slap the back of his head as hard as she can. This gets the desired affect for the blonde beauty she sorely needed.
"Hey!" Chuck bellowed turning up to look at his wife. "I'm up! What gives babe?" he added rubbing the back of his head. A somewhat pained look expressed on his face.
"Casey's in trouble." she firmly stated. It's those three words that get Chuck's full attention.
XXX
Casey's Apartment
5:25 a.m.
April 13th, 2010
"Do you know what happened?" inquired Sarah stepping into Casey's apartment. Chuck and Travis following suit right behind her and past Jayne who let the trio in.
"No. I came in so Casey and I could do our morning run together like we always do."
"Was here at all last night?" asked Chuck with concern walking past Jayne.
"I think so but he didn't sleep in his bed last night. I checked." Jayne answered looking at Chuck then to Sarah leading the way.
For Sarah, the second that she got the call from Jayne that Casey was in trouble she immediately jumped into action. In her mind, he isn't just a teammate to her that once was a rival who worked for the other agency. No. She considers him a teammate turned friend who has now become in some ways a protective older brother, which is a relationship she truly treasures with him. Sure, they've had their squabbles in the past so much so they nearly tried to kill each other when Team Chuck was freshly put together and the trust was considerably shaky at best.
Now, the bond of trust between the two of them, as well as Team Chuck's is strong. They've been through hell and high water not only as individuals, but as a team as well. For Chuck, Sarah, and Travis time is off the essence and hope that Casey didn't go into the situation he got himself into without having a plan first she thinks to herself. She is fully away of how his anger can get the better of him and be used against him to take advantage of the situation, which at times is considered a bad idea.
In any case, it although took a moment to get her nerdy husband up and going in order to help save one of their own. She would give Chuck and not to mention Travis as much information as she could knowing how little information she was provided over the phone. If she'd fair a guess it's quite possibly have to deal with The Ring, Agent Smith, or both for the matter. Those 2 reason alone make a volatile situation, especially when you add Casey into the mix.
Fortunately for her and her 2 other teammates, they've arrived and are going to get some much needed answers for Casey's sake. Luckily for them, Jayne doesn't wasn't anytime and directs them to the computer where she found Casey's cell phone and the note left for her by him.
"It's good you called." Her attention on Casey's lady love is averted to what the NSA agent left for the team. She picks the note and reads it over. "What have you gotten yourself into partner?" she muttered under her breath. Her concentration on the note itself is broken by sound of Travis' voice.
"What does it say Sarah?"
Sarah glances briefly at Travis standing beside Chuck then reads the note out loud. "Jayne, I'm counting on you to find this. Get the team together ASAP. Have Chuck check the computer. Saved audio file marked Agent Smith. He'll know what to do. Password: Reagan." the blonde C.I.A. agent answered. Her attention from the note is then turned to her nerdy husband.
Chuck doesn't waste any time as he puts his entire focus on the computer in front of him. The sound of computer keyboard beings are hurriedly being pressed and within a matter of what seems like seconds the aforementioned saved audio file is found.
"I got it!"
"Play it dude." Travis said with urgency.
Chuck complies. This leads all 4 individuals standing in front of the computer to hear the following conversation:
Tell me Colonel. What is she to you?
That's none of your damn business. You're dealing with me and only me you got that.
Indeed I am Colonel. You see, you are going to do what I say or Alex and the gentlemen named Morgan I believe his name is will meet there untimely fate.
Quit your yapping and just tell me what you want me to do.
Cooperative and straight to the point. Very good Agent Casey. You know the importance of what's at stake if you don't comply don't you.
I do. Where do you want me to go?
There is a warehouse at the corner of 2nd and Alvarado. My men will meet you outside and then they will escort you inside.
Then what?
That's for me to know and for you to find out Colonel.
How do I know I can trust you?
You can't.
Throughout the whole conversation that was played via the saved audio file there was most definitely a mixture of emotion shown on each faces of the 4 individuals in front of the computer. Shock, horror, anger, disgust, worry, concern, and everything in between after finding out Morgan along with Alex have been captured by Agent Smith.
The foursome is now fully aware that the situation has become absolutely dire as the stakes have been dangerously raised in such a dastardly way in order lure Casey to his possible demise. A demise that Jayne refuses to accept will come to fruition knowing her burly beau's teammate will get him along with his daughter Alex and Morgan back as well.
"Save him...them. It's what you do best." she firmly stated locking eyes with Sarah.
"We will…" she retorted reaching behind to take out her weapon. "…and don't worry. We got this." Sarah added momentarily pulling back the handle and checking the chamber.
"We're on it. We'll get them back. Like you said, it's what we do best." reaffirmed Travis with a nod checking his weapon as well. His attention is averted from Jayne to Chuck. "Got the address dude?"
After checking to make sure his tranq gun is ready Chuck answers his teammate. "Warehouse at the corner of 2nd and Alvarado." nodded the former nerd herd leader. "Let's go." he stated heading towards the door with Travis following closely behind him.
Sarah follows but before she does, the wild card enforcer to the late C.I.A. Director Langston Graham takes a quick moment to reach up and rub Jayne's left upper arm with her. Afterwards, she reaches down to hold then briefly squeeze her left hand. The two women don't say a word as there is an exchange of nonverbal communication between the two of them. It wouldn't be long before Sarah gives Jayne a reassuring nod that is then reciprocated back by the dark haired raven who watches Sarah head out inevitably disappear out of sight. In her mind, no mission matter most than the mission right now to save Alex, Morgan, and most of all the man she loves.
XXX
Dark Semi-lit Room Within The Ring Base
5:45 a.m.
April 13th, 2010
Its pitch black but that soon ends when a spotlight turns on above Colonel John Casey. He's currently dangling by his wrists with his feet mere inches above the floor. He slowly gains consciousness and not to mention in considerable amount of pain after being hit with 50,000 volts of electricity. After taking a moment to shake out the cobwebs from his head, he winces a bit due to the brightness of the light shining down from above. He tries to adjust his vision while attempting the scan his surrounding but unfortunately it's covered in darkness. While he continues to make an attempt to notice anything that may look recognizable and a voice is suddenly heard within the darkness.
"You finally woke up Colonel. I hope you had an enjoyable rest."
The agitated and annoyed government agent is seething at the very the sound of the voice he knows so well now. It's the voice of a man who had the balls to go after his daughter and the bearded moron she's dating. Although he can't see the bastard, he can hear the sound of footsteps within the darkness but can't quite pinpoint the location. As he continues to hear the repeated footsteps echoing within the darkness he gives his response.
"I've had better." growled Casey. His eyebrows furrow and a look of sheer intensity aren't fading one bit despite his unfortunate predicament. "Why don't you show your face? Scared Smith?" softly grunted the NSA Agent.
There is a brief moment of silence then Agent Smith's voice is heard again from within the darkness. "Scared? Not at all Colonel. You should be though."
For Casey, he needs to keep his composure knowing he's got his daughter Alex and not to mention Morgan somewhere in his facility. He can't let Smith know he's got the upper hand on him or he's already won he thinks to himself. In his mind, he has to keep resisting as long as he can so Chuck, Sarah and Travis can get here to save the day.
However, he has to stall as much as he can when they eventually do, but in the meantime he'll have to endure being inflicted with possible torture. Plus, something tells him that Agent Smith is the type of guy who thrives on torturing people to get information. Yet, in this case he's going to do it for the pure pleasure of it so that he can break him, which he won't give him satisfaction of doing. What he intends to do is get the focus on him and in order to do that, he has to be his usual hospitable self.
"Why? Are you dressed up as a clown?" he replied with a smirk.
"Funny. You think this is all a joke don't you?"
"Tell me something funny..." Casey continues to scan his surrounding to pinpoint where exactly Smith is. "...I might laugh." he sarcastically remarked.
"You're sense of humor is still in tact I see. It won't be..." stated Agent Smith. "..I assure you of that."
"Come on. Show that ugly mug of yours."
Once again there is silence as Casey continues to hear the sound of footsteps somewhere within the darkness. To him, if it were anyone else that were in his situation they would be completely freaking out by now. Not him. He's experiencing this type of situation before in the past and on several different occasions to be exact. His thoughts concerning the matter at hand are broken when he keenly notices that it's gotten quiet. The footsteps he heard earlier have stopped. It's at that point his attention is suddenly focused in front of him. Why? The appearance of Agent Smith stepping out from within the darkness.
"Careful what you wish for Colonel. Happy?" Agent Smith makes his way and inevitably stands in front of John Casey.
Casey attempts to shrugs his shoulders the best he can despite being tied up by his wrists. "Not really? The darkness suits you."
Agent Smith doesn't say a word. Instead, he smiles then takes a moment to briefly look down. It's not long of a look down when without any warning whatsoever Smith rears back and punches Casey in the stomach as hard as he can. This causes tremendous amount of pain for the proud marine but as much pain he is in he doesn't try to show it. He absorbs the punch and internalizes the pain he's feeling knowing this is just beginning of Smith's torture. Once again, he has to keep his focus on him no matter what.
"That's all you got? Pathetic. I've been hit harder than that by better guys than you."
Once again Agent Smith doesn't say a word. He rears back and punches Casey several times in the gut again. Yet, he doesn't give Smith any pleasure whatsoever in showing pain as he continues absorb the continues punches that seemingly don't stop. It's gotten to a point where the pleasurable look on Smith's face turns sinister as he's not letting up on the punching barrage directed at Casey's gut. Although the constant barrage of attacks on Casey's stomach doesn't seem to end it does much to the beleaguered government agent's surprise. In that moment, he grits his teeth through all the pain and gives a response.
"Quitter." he struggled to say.
Smith is momentary silent as he takes a step back and composes himself while standing in front of a beaten Casey. "Not at all. Just changing my tactics. You're a unique challenge Colonel Casey. You intrigue me."
"You're making me blush. What else you got? I got all day."
While hanging there, Casey notices Smith retrieving something. That something is a gun clutched in his right hand and as he points at him he suddenly lowers it to his side. He then points at him with his left hand. "I have something far better for you." he stated with a sinisterly evil smile.
"What? A hallmark card?" Casey jokingly remarked.
In that moment, Agent Smith holsters his weapon but then takes out something much deadlier. A rather large military knife. From the looks of it its a black GI Tanto Knife. He slowly lifts up displaying in front of Casey knowing what is potentially in store for him. The Ring's go to enforcer nonchalantly waves it at his prisoner with a smug expression on his face. Afterwards, he turns right and begins circling Casey as if he's his prey that's about to be killed at any moment. "You spoiled our first meeting Colonel. I had a goal in mind but it wasn't achieved. I hate loose ends."
"Are you gonna cry?" smirked Casey with blood coming out from his mouth. The repeated blows to his stomach most definitely did some damage internally. Yet, it doesn't impede the NSA Agent's resolve in defying Agent Smith as long as there's air in his lungs. "There's no crying in our business."
It's at that point Casey feels the searing pain of a knife slicing his left leg. Granted, it's superficial but it's painful nonetheless. For Casey, he now knows Smith has stepped up the level of torture he thinks to himself. Once again, he feels the pain of knife now directed towards his right leg. It would be long before Smith stands in front of him once again. He lifts the aforementioned black GI Tanto Knife showing the remnants of Casey's blood on it then takes a moment to lick it. Afterwards, he speaks up.
"You're making this much harder on yourself than it needs to be Colonel Casey. Don't fight me. What your answer?"
At this point, Casey is breathing harder and not to mention his blood is slowly dripping to the floor below him from his leg wounds due to the knife cuts by Agent Smith. Once again, Beckman's enforcer doesn't give him the satisfaction of him breaking. "What don't you bite me. How's that for my answer?"
A look of disappointment is expressed on Agent Smith's face. He shakes his head as he suddenly holsters his knife. After momentarily taking a deep breath, he gives his response. "Every man has a breaking point Colonel. Yours... "In that instance, he reaches into his pocket and takes out a small device then reaches up pressing the button. When he does, he notices the area behind Smith lights up and then the wall separating. As he does, Agent Smith steps aside letting him see what he is revealing to him. "...is now."
"Casey!?" said a stunned and wide eyed Morgan.
"John!? Alex stated with absolute disbelief in her eyes.
XXX
Dark Semi-lit Room Within The Ring Base
5:55 a.m.
April 13th, 2010
"What is going on!? Why you are you doing this!?" wondered Alex with tears forming in her eyes.
While Alex is trying to understand what is happening right now with what she seeing, Morgan is momentarily rendered absolutely speechless. The sight of a bloody and battered former co-worker at Buy More is hanging just a few feet away from he and Alex. Its a sudden shock to the system to say the least. Yet, he forces himself to speak up as he tries to makes sense of what is going on as well.
"Casey! You all right big guy?"
"Do I look all right?" he painfully breathed out.
Morgan's attention turns from Casey to the man seemingly responsible for his condition. "This is crazy. You're crazy!"
"Grimes..."
The hetero life partner of one Chuck Bartowski cuts off Casey as he continues trying to make sense of everything that going on right now. "Listen, I don't know what Casey did for you to hurt him..." He pauses briefly noticing the blood dropping to the floor below him. "...and apparently make him bleed." Upon hearing those 2 words, a horrified look is expressed on Alex's face when she notices the blood dripping down to the floor as well. Her attention on Casey is broken by Morgan speaking up once again. "It couldn't have been that bad. Sure, he's not the friendly type but when you get the chance to know him..."
Once again, Casey makes another attempt at shutting the bearded moron up. "Grimes..."
Unfortunately, it doesn't work as Morgan continues to babble on. "He's a pretty great guy once you get past the angry, gruff exterior. How about we talk about this over double stuff Oreo cookies? Those are Casey's favor..."
"MORGAN!" This time his name being called out gets Morgan's attention. Unfortunately, it wasn't by Casey as it's by Alex who is in tears. "Stop talking! You're going to make things worse." she firmly insisted.
Instead or saying anything, he simply nods his head. This leads to Alex to proceed to continue questioning what is going on even though she's emotionally and mentally all over the place. After taking a moment to compose herself and briefly looking at Casey, she directs her attention to the man who doesn't seem to be enjoying this whole situation. "What kind of sick game are you playing? Tell me!" demanded Alex.
"Alex..." Casey breathed out once again in pain. "...no." he added shaking his head.
Tears are sliding down on both sides of Alex's cheeks as she forces herself to turn her head to focus on Agent Smith. "Answer me you son of a bitch!" she screamed.
"My..." responded Smith with a seemingly surprised expressed on his face. "...out of the mouth from such of a beautiful, young woman." Again, without warning Smith reaches behind him and quickly turns around doing a double knife slash first to Casey's upper chest then to his already battered stomach. It all happens within a blink of an eye. This time Casey lets out a faint painful sound that Smith can hear causing him to express a satisfied smirk. His attention on Casey is suddenly averted behind him as she hears Alex's crying and terrified screams.
"STOP! YOU'RE KILLING HIM! PLEASE!" she pleaded. Her voice loudly echoing all around.
Agent Smith slowly turns around while wiping the knife on his pant leg. Afterwards, he holsters still sporting the smile on his face. "Oh, I will my dear. Only after, Colonel Casey tells me why he's so interested in you and your date. You mainly." he firmly said pointing towards Alex.
"Me?" tearfully retorted Alex. "What does this have to do with me?"
Unfortunately, before Smith can answer her Morgan interrupts him. "Colonel Casey!? You're delusional man. He used to work at Buy More with me and now runs a business selling bonsai trees. You got the wrong guy."
"You think so?"
Morgan nods repeatedly. "Yeah, I do."
Upon saying that, Smith nods then briefly glances behind him then looks forward. He then takes a step towards Alex and Morgan's location causing Casey to try to get out of his bonds, which is absolute struggle for him knowing full well how tremendously weak he is. So, he improvises. "Hey, I not finished with you yet!" he screamed out and echoing within the confines of the area they're in.
Agent Smith ignores Casey and makes his way towards the two young people strapped to chairs. When he does eventually stand in front of them he turns around and crosses his arms in a calm manner. He's silent for a moment then speaks up. "Tell the truth Colonel..." he said reaching behind him. He takes out the same knife that was used to slice Casey up. "...or I slice up one of them. I don't know who yet."
"Over my dead body!" he growled out loud. The echo of his voice reverberates until it fades away.
"In due time. All in due time." After saying that, he slowly turns around and steps to his left then begins walking around the Alex and Morgan. It's a truly unsettling sight for Casey and more so for the 2 people currently strapped to the chairs.
For Morgan, it's like being at the wrong end of sick and twisted game of musical chairs with possible uber Jigsaw fan he thinks to himself. He's currently feeling a plethora of mixed of emotions but all he cares about right now is how Alex is doing. He knows she is very concerned with how Casey is doing since they share a connection of sorts. He also is very concerned as well. He glances over his right shoulder and is about to get her attention when he feels the presence of someone standing in front of him. That someone is Smith. He looks up and expresses a freaked out smile.
"I hate when I'm it." he joking remarked.
Smith's attention on Morgan then turns to Casey. "Last chance. Tell the truth..." At this point, Smith raises his knife and places it inches away from Morgan's neck causing him to gulp then lean back. "...Colonel."
As much as Casey is irritated and annoyed by Morgan's shenanigan's, as well as the fact he's dating his daughter he doesn't want his death on his shoulders. Of course, Alex wouldn't forgive him. On the other hand, he would have to hear any more of those stupid conversation that involve what kind of sandwich a person would bring if they were stranded on a deserted island. In his mind, his life would be less mind numbingly stressful with that numbnut around. His thoughts concerning the matter at hand are subsequently broken by the sound of Smith's voice.
"Time's up!" Smith grips the knife and is ready for slit Morgan's throat causing Alex to become extremely emotional.
Casey hangs there with his attention focused on Alex who is crying over Morgan of all people. The struggle to come to a decision either save the bearded moron or let him die has reached. "Wait...wait...WAIT!" he gruffly bellowed.
This gets Smith's attention leading him to back up with the knife now safely away from Morgan's neck, which he is very thankful of. Alex as well. The two check on each other briefly but turn their attention on the Smith who is walking back towards Casey. It's not long before Smith stands next to the man hanging from both his wrists. "Finally cooperating I see. Well..." he said glancing back and forth from the two young people to Casey. "...we're waiting."
There is a brief moment of silence as Casey hangs is head then lifts it up and looks directly at Alex. "Just do what he says John." she pleaded in tears.
As much as he doesn't want to, he complies with Alex's wishes for her sake and Morgan's. Yet, he'll reveal just enough but not too much. "My name..." he breathed out. He pauses for second then continues on. "...my name is Colonel John Casey of the United States military. I'm an NSA Agent and I have a level 8 security clearance. I'm a spy."
"What about Agent Sarah Walker, Agent Charles Bartowski, and Mr. Travis Riley? Are they part of your spy team?" Casey nods.
"What? I didn't hear that Colonel. Do I have to convince again." he said motioning towards Alex and Morgan.
Instantly, the season government agent gives his response. "Yes!" he growled causing Smith to stop.
Upon hearing the information that was just provided to Smith completely dumbfounds Alex and Morgan. More so for Morgan as he is completely wide eye at this point, especially finding out Chuck is a spy. True, Sarah and Travis are spies too but that doesn't compare to his best friend being a spy of all people. He has so many question at this point swirling around his head. The question combined with his dumbfoundedness would be short lived as Smith speaks up once again. "And her? What about her? Why such a keen interest on her? Why were you watching the two of them at the Olive Garden in an alley across the street?"
"Whoa. What now!?" said Morgan out loud and shaking his head in disbelief.
This leads Alex to speak after hearing that bit of information. "What? What's he talking about John?" Casey can only shake his head as he looks down at the floor. "John, look at me. She watches as Casey struggles to lift his head and when he does he locks eyes with her. "Just tell me. I won't be mad." she urged with a smile and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I was only trying to protect you."
A confused look is expressed on Alex's face. She shakes her head as she tries to make sense of what he just said. "Protect me? Why? From him?" she said looking directly at Smith. "I can protect myself."
Morgan instantly chimes in. "I can vouch for her."
"Shut up Grimes/Morgan!" Casey and Alex say in unison. This leads to Alex to continue on. "Who are you?"
"Alex..." Casey pauses then painfully pushes himself to continue on for the sake of his daughter. He knows time and truth are now at hand. This is the pivotal moment that changes everything. "…I am your father." he said causing Alex's eyes to suddenly go wide in surprised disbelief.
XXX