A/N: Considering the cliffhanger ending of the previous chapter it would have bordered on the cruel to keep you waiting too long. Besides, the carnage, mayhem and fluff in this chapter were all plotted in advance, so it was surprisingly easy to write. Enjoy!
Chapter 14
"We're in position and ready to breach," Chuck informed Alexis.
"Roger that. Thermal is still showing six signatures in the vehicle bay on the main floor. The offices are clear. Good hunting."
"Thanks. Bryce, hand me the borescope please." Chuck slipped the flexible end under the door and checked for alarms. Then he took an appropriate pair of picks from a set and got to work on the lock. The thing was anything but top of the line, so he would normally have it open in no time flat. But, as the result of years of neglect, it was stuck.
"Should I ask the SWAT team for a shotgun with breaching rounds or a battering ram?" Casey asked.
"No, I've got this. The lock's just a bit stiff from being unused for quite some time."
Chuck was as good as his word. The lock opened following some careful juggling with the picks and judicious application of brute force. Casey went in first, gun leveled. Chuck was right behind him, followed by Bryce, Carina and Eve.
"I've got you on thermal," Alexis told them. "Targets' location is still the same. Hold on. One is on the move."
"Can you see what he's doing?"
"No, I have no visual." She raised the sniper team covering the warehouse and asked them if they had a visual. Before the spotter could reply, her screen was showing six heat signatures again. "Carmichael, all targets are in their original positions. You're clear to approach."
Chuck used hand signals to communicate with his team and indicate the optimum approach route.
Since the side entrance led to the overhead offices in the warehouse, the entry team was a level above the main floor where Sarah and her captors were. Through the windows along the office hallway, they had a clear view of the events unfolding below. They were also invisible up there, given that the office area had no power and it was completely dark. The glare of spotlights fitted to one of the trusses supporting the office level floor also helped conceal them from anyone who might glance in their direction.
The person Alexis had seen disappear and then reappear in her field of view had gone to the van, opened the side door and returned with a set of jumper cables. The man popped the hood open and connected the cables to the ignition.
"Now you see what we have in store for you, Ms. Walker," Decker told her. "This is your very, very last chance. Where is the model?"
"But I told you, I don't remember! Why can't you believe me?"
Shaw motioned to Sullivan, who got behind the wheel and started the van's engine. "I believe a demonstration is in order," he said with a sadistic smile on his face as he touched the free ends of the jumper cables to each other, causing sparks to fly. "The next step will be to attach these clamps to your person and slowly increase engine RPMs."
Watching the events unfold and listening in on the conversation, Eve felt nauseous. Her knees threatened to give out, so she reached out and grabbed Chuck's elbow for support.
"Are you okay?" Chuck whispered in her ear. "Do you want to sit down?"
"Carmichael, the man about to torture her… I know him."
"You do?"
"I recognized his voice. And I can see him better from here."
"Who is he?"
"Special Agent Daniel Shaw, my soon to be ex-husband," Eve replied venomously, as she continued to listen to the creep laughing about her being next on the hit list in addition to a passing mention of his infidelity. Her voice was still a whisper, which made the words sound very threatening. Chuck shivered and the funny part was that Eve's anger wasn't even directed at him. The old adage held true. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Especially if said woman was trained to maim and kill in a million different ways.
"Okay, let's move out."
Below, the interrogation was still on. "Where should we put these first?" Shaw asked his friends.
"Try her boobs," Perry laughed.
Sarah caught a movement in the darkness behind the five men. She inwardly rejoiced when she realized the truth. Chuck had come to save her. The transformation was instant. Gone was any pretense at fear. Her blue eyes got a steely glint and her voice was now firm and commanding.
"I'll make you clowns a deal you don't deserve," she said. "Danny Boy, put the clamps to your balls, gun the engine, enjoy the jolt and maybe you'll live."
"Is she playing with us?" Decker exclaimed.
Casey led the way down the stairs to the main floor. Unfortunately, one of the support brackets was corroded through and gave way under his weight. It didn't completely break, but it made a horrible metallic screeching noise that reverberated inside the warehouse. All five baddies turned as one to look. Perry drew a gun, but Casey was faster. He dropped the traitor with a single shot to the chest. Decker grabbed a concussion grenade, but as he pulled the pin while trying to take cover behind the van he was shot by Bryce. His corpse dropped in the service pit right on top of the now live grenade. It and the walls of the pit absorbed the blast, but the results were quite gruesome.
Sullivan decided that discretion was the better part of valor and ran to the exit, where the cops nabbed him before he had taken two steps outside. Ryker made a grab for an automatic weapon, but before he could level it at the team Sarah rocked the chair she was bound to violently from side to side, toppling it over and crashing into him. The impact sent him flying backwards into the wall, where he was impaled on a length of rebar jutting from the concrete. He looked at her in shock as the life drained out of his body.
Shaw dropped the jumper cables, drew his gun and fired. The shot hit Chuck square on the center of his ballistic vest's ceramic plate. He might as well have shot a BB gun at an enraged bull or a seriously pissed off grizzly bear. Chuck didn't slow down as he charged Shaw and slammed into him using a brutal full-body tackle, driving him to the side of the van, the impact actually denting the metal. Then he threw a mighty right hook before Shaw could recover. His opponent was winded and dazed, but still attempted to put up a defense. Chuck's anger took over and he began pummeling Shaw, until he managed to regain control of himself. Sarah had something to do with it, as she called out to him from her position on the floor, still tied to the fallen chair. "Chuck? A little help here, please?" Satisfied that the threat had been dealt with, he refocused his attention on Sarah and went to free her from her bonds.
Just as a bruised and bloodied Shaw regained his bearings and caught his breath, a dark shadow fell across him. He looked up and saw his wife in full assault gear, looking like an avenging angel – a furious avenging angel.
"Eve?" Still groggy from the battering Chuck had given him, his voice came out a croak as he struggled to get up.
"Daniel Shaw, you bastard," Eve spat. She then leveled her pistol at him. "Consider that a divorce," she growled and pulled the trigger, shooting him between the legs. He fell to his knees in shock, hands clutching the injured area. "And I have a message from Director Graham: You're fired." She pulled the trigger again, the bullet this time hitting him between the eyes and painting the side of the van with his brains.
"Are you all right, Eve?" Bryce asked her.
"I'll be fine," she replied with a last contemptuous look at Shaw's dead body. "My Mom never liked him and now I know why. By the way, do you think I'm eligible for benefits considering I'm now a widow?"
"I'll have to ask Graham," Bryce replied. Then he turned to Chuck, who was helping Sarah up. "You guys OK?"
"We're fine," Sarah replied. She paled a little when she saw Ryker's lifeless body, still upright, skewered on the rebar. "I killed him," she muttered.
"It was him or us, Sarah. Come on, let's get you out of here. And… where are your shoes?"
"Hang on. Here they are." She pulled her boots on and looped her arm through Chuck's. "We're good to go. I trust you heard what they were after," she said as she fished out her phone and finally ended the longest call she had ever made.
"I did. Ellie and Devon are waiting outside to give you a checkup."
"They're here?"
"Let's just say that I found a way to allow them to live out their spy fantasies, even as support personnel."
Carina approached them. "You did pretty well here, keeping your cool waiting for the cavalry to come to the rescue, little sis. Chucky also told me about the story you spun to buy time. You'd make a great agent, Sarah."
"Thanks."
"So, what was the fuss all about?"
"It was something pertinent to her brief relationship with the CIA," Chuck replied. "Which reminds me, Graham will want to debrief you along with us," he told Sarah.
-o-
Sarah was in the back of an ambulance, trying to be patient while getting a check up done by Ellie and Devon. All she wanted was to spend time with her Chuck until the scheduled debriefing, actually protesting and claiming she was fine, but Ellie would have none of it. When Chuck agreed with his sister, she shot him her dirtiest look. He wasn't the least bit dissuaded or intimidated by it. If anything, he was a little amused.
"She's fine," Ellie concluded.
"I've been trying to tell you that for over half an hour now."
"She still has a mild concussion in addition to a couple of cuts and bruises, so she should avoid any kind of stress, including physical."
"Once the debriefing is over, I'm taking her home and putting her to bed," Chuck promised.
Later, the team was in the federal building, having called in a cleaner team and also released the LAPD support units after thanking them for their participation in the operation. Chuck was going to make sure that Detective Alexis White would get a commendation for her performance on the case. He'd just finished fussing again over a protesting and mildly annoyed Sarah when a screen flickered to life and Director Graham appeared along with General Beckman.
"Tell me what you've got," he said without preamble.
"The masterminds were Special Agents Clyde Decker, Kieran Ryker and Daniel Shaw, working with Agents Hunter Perry and Justin Sullivan," Chuck reported. "The latter was the only survivor, but cracked immediately during interrogation."
"He sang like a superstar," Bryce added.
"Shaw also wanted to have Perry kill me," Eve pointed out. "He figured it was cheaper than a divorce. But I, ahem, divorced him first."
"Cut to the chase, people," Beckman interjected.
"They stole a special processor used in high grade encryption systems and were going to sell it on the black market. Said processor was hidden inside an antique and very valuable model car entrusted to a contact of theirs, and it eventually came into Sarah's possession in Rome."
"I'd be interested in knowing how," Carina interrupted.
Sarah wanted to sink to the floor and become one with the industrial carpeting of the room, but Chuck continued undaunted. "They used CIA resources to determine the identity of my consultant. The rest you know."
"On behalf of the CIA, I'd like to apologize for everything you went through today, Sarah. If there is anything I can do for you…"
"Give Chuckles a few more days off, so that he can help speed Sarah's recovery along," Carina piped up.
"First of all, I'd like to return the processor," Sarah said. "I gave the model car to my boss, Mr. Bartowski, as a gift."
"I'll see to it," Chuck assured her.
"Send it via the usual method," Graham ordered.
"Yes Boss. And I have a favor to ask. Detective Alexis White of the LAPD was of great help to us today. Please see to that she gets a commendation."
"It will be a pleasure. If none of you has something to add, we can adjourn the debriefing. I expect written reports on my desk by Tuesday morning. Goodnight everyone."
"Goodnight," the assembled agents and Sarah chorused just before the screen went blank.
"Come on, Sarah. I'll drive you home."
"I'll go collect her car," her sister offered.
"Don't try to hotwire it!" Sarah warned. She loved her car and didn't want to see a scratch on it, let alone have someone tearing the underside of the dash apart to get to the ignition wires.
"I got your keys, courtesy of Detective White."
"Hand them over. Chuck can take me to it."
"No, Sarah, you've got a concussion, remember? You are most definitely not going to be driving tonight." This earned him another dirty look. He made a mental note to get her flowers and gifts to appease her. Carina smiled as she gave her little sister her purse back.
Then Sarah remembered something. "Mom and Dad, how much do they know?"
"I brought them up to speed, sis. They'll be waiting at your place."
During the drive to the Maison 23, Sarah toyed with the Orion phone. "I was very lucky to have put it in my back pocket," she told Chuck. The phone's slim, ultra-compact design made it easy to miss visually and with its faux leather case it could be just as easily mistaken for a wallet. She was also amazed to see it was still functioning. No other phone's battery could last this long, not with the use she'd been putting it to over the past few days.
-o-
Jack and Emma had been worried sick and were overjoyed to see their baby girl alive and well. Leaving Chuck to talk to them, she went for a quick shower. When she emerged from the bathroom dressed in her PJs, Carina had also arrived. Chuck was by the window talking on the phone.
"Bryce called," he said. "Dad gave him and Casey the you-know-what. His people also went over the phone records and emails of everyone involved. They didn't tell anyone about you and your part in the case."
Sarah's parents were just looking at him, confused. "Chuckles works two jobs," Carina explained. "One you know all about, but the other is for the government, just like mine."
"Naturally, I'd prefer that you keep this new knowledge private," he said.
"It goes without saying," Jack assured him.
"But something has been bugging me all along," Carina continued. "If you worked with Chuck in Europe just to reinforce his cover, how on earth did you come to have the model car they were so eager to get their hands on?"
"It's a long story," Sarah said, hoping it would stop there.
"She needs to rest," Chuck added.
Carina regarded them both suspiciously. "You didn't steal it, did you?"
Chuck had been giving Sarah a drink of water and she choked upon hearing her sister's words. After coughing and spluttering, she managed to breathe again.
"Oh you did!"
"What did she do?"
"She stole it! I have been hearing rumors about a real good thief or crew of thieves for a little over a couple of years now!"
"Is it true?" Emma asked Sarah.
"I know for a fact that when two or three heists took place Sarah was in the same countries at around the same times. Spill it, sis."
Sarah guiltily lowered her eyes. "It was me," she admitted. "I worked alone."
"Damn," Jack said. "I've kept in touch with retired, um, people in the trade. Last month I was in New York for Serena Kaye's birthday bash. Falco, Powell and Evan Mitchell were all there. They had only praise for your skills, kiddo."
"Jack!"
"Of course, your mother and I are extremely displeased. What were you thinking, Sarah? I tried to keep it a secret from all of you. When Emma found out, I quit without a second thought. You three are way more precious to me than any loot. I didn't want to even consider losing you. And I now hear that you are in this life? A life of taking risks and being under immense stress? I thought you'd have better judgment, baby girl."
"Was," Sarah corrected and sniffled a little. "After completing the job Chuck recruited me for, I decided to find an honest job and use my talents exclusively for legitimate pursuits." She still couldn't face her parents and sister. Jack's short lecture, delivered calmly, was more effective than hours upon hours of yelling.
"Sarah is also doing valuable work for the Orion Security Systems Division," Chuck told her parents. "But she really needs to rest. She's distressed, as you can see, and she already has a concussion. We shouldn't upset her any more than she already is."
"He's right," Carina agreed. "Let's take this next door to my place. Chuck…"
"I'll stay and keep an eye on her."
Emma leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her daughter's temple. "We love you, Sarah. We always have and we always will."
"I love you guys, too."
After Jack, Emma and Carina left, Chuck made sure Sarah was comfortable in bed before pouring him a glass of bourbon on the rocks. He also placed a glass of pineapple orange juice on the nightstand for Sarah. She smiled gratefully and raised it in salute. He replied by raising his own glass.
"I expected the others to be…" she began.
"They weren't thrilled, but in the end they know you made a right choice, giving up that life. Had you still been, um, active, they would have had every right to stay mad at you."
"Thanks Chuck… for everything."
"You're welcome."
"Cuddle with me?"
"Just as long as you don't have higher expectations for tonight," he smiled.
She pillowed her head on his chest after he got in bed next to her. "I love you too, Chuck. I didn't get the chance to tell you before, but now's the right time."
"Better late than never," he said, wrapping an arm lovingly around her shoulders and pulling her closer.
Next door, Carina and her parents were still talking. "I'd have kicked her ass big time if she didn't have a concussion," Carina fumed.
"She has black belts in the same martial arts you do," Emma pointed out.
"True, but I have anger on my side."
"Give her a break. You saw how she was. She looked like she was about to cry. Besides, it's all in the past now. Emma and I, as her parents, and you, as her sister, need to support her now that's she's on the straight and narrow."
"I agree," Emma said. "We won't give her any more grief over this. Besides, we have Chuck and he's also willing to help. She's very lucky to have met him."
"And she's having fun with him, something I wasn't able to do when I first met him," Carina commented offhandedly.
Meanwhile, there was a knock on Sarah's door. "I'll go see who it is," Chuck volunteered. He peered through the peephole and was pleasantly surprised to see his parents. "Mom, Dad, come in."
"Thanks. How is Sarah?"
"She's resting. Other than a mild concussion, and a couple of cuts and bruises, she's fine."
Mary held up a couple of bags. "You kids must have skipped dinner with all that happened today, so I brought you some."
"You didn't have to, Mom, we could have ordered in."
"Nonsense. Nothing beats a good home cooked meal."
"Chuck, who is it?" Sarah called from her bedroom.
"Mom and Dad dropped by to see how you're doing."
Sarah got up and went to greet them. "Hi Mr. and Mrs. B," she said brightly.
"Go back to bed, Sarah dear," Mary told her.
"It smells delicious, but you didn't have to…"
"We wanted to, kid," Stephen said. "Charles…"
"I know, Dad. How about dinner in bed, Sarah?"
She sat primly at the table. "This is better."
"Okay. You guys take a seat while I get the dishes. What did you make, anyway?"
"It's grilled pork medallions with rice, potatoes and steamed vegetables. I also made a salad and dessert. I would have brought some wine as well, but as it turned out it's good I didn't."
"We have plenty of juice to compensate." Chuck held up a gallon jug of pineapple orange juice, Sarah's favorite.
"Since you have everything under control, we'll leave you to enjoy your dinner."
Sarah rose and hugged them both. "Thank you."
"It was no trouble at all."
"What are you guys going to do now?" Chuck asked.
"We are going out with Jack and Emma for drinks."
"Have a good time," Chuck and Sarah wished them in unison.
-o-
"Your Mom is a great cook," Sarah said admiringly during dinner.
"She's a woman of many talents, just like you and your Mom. But Dad is the Grillmeister."
"To us and our families," she toasted, raising her glass of juice.
"Hear, hear. To us," he replied.