Don't own Chuck
Mary suspected something was about to go down when the grounds people directed her agency plane to a hanger in the middle of nowhere. She looked out at the people below dressed in reflective vests and realized from their muscular build they were no ordinary grounds crew. This was confirmed when they pulled into the hangar and flashing blue lights came on sealing the hangar door.
"It looks like someone sent me a greeting party and I bet I can guess who that someone was," said Mary as she got up and went to the hatch.
"Ma'am, the men outside asked if you'd stay in your seat. They've requested that we allow them to board and search the plane," said the co-pilot. Mary just shook her head and grabbed he release handle on the hatch.
"Like heck we are," she said and as soon as she heard the ladder hit the outside of the plane she threw open the hatch and walked out on the ladder. This caused general panic below as men scurried for cover, drawing their weapons and pointing them at her. A blinding light was shined up at her and she heard a man yelling at her in German.
"Achtung halt," screamed a man in a megaphone then he told her to turn around and go back inside but Mary wasn't having any of that.
"Listen up buddy, sprechen Sie English? I want to talk to whoever's supposed to be in charge. This plane is on a diplomatic mission and I've got the paperwork right here," she said as she waved some papers in her hand. "You put one foot on my plane and I'll see to it that you're on latrine duty for duration."
"That would be me," said a Colonel as he stepped forward waving at Mary to come down. "Just keep your hands up where we can see them. My men are a little nervous and we don't want any accidental discharges."
"No, we don't accidental or not, Fritz," said Mary as she walked down the ladder and over to the puzzled officer. "You're wondering how I knew your name. Don't worry you don't know me personally but we had a mutual friend at one time. However, you should know my reputation because I was our friend's fixer. Back in the day you wouldn't have dared to show up here like this."
"Frost… you're that Frost?" said the Colonel as sweat broke out on his forehead. He quickly tried to play it off but he did know her reputation and if half of what he'd heard was true he didn't have near enough men. "So Frau Frost, what's this story about your plane being on a diplomatic mission? Are you trying to pull a fast one on us?"
"No fast one here Fritz. Well, not on my part that is but someone has been messing with you. You're being used to get in my way. I bet your tip was anonymous and you people didn't even bother to check who you were being sent to meet."
"Look we received a reliable tip that a private plane would be arriving from L.A. today loaded down with weapons earmarked for German terrorists groups and now I find you here. What am I to think?"
"I can tell you there's no weapons onboard other than my Baretta along with some extra ammo for it," said Mary. Fritz gave her a look. "What? Somethings a girl never leaves home without and a gal has to protect herself. Look Fritz, I'd like to stand here and talk with you some more about the good old days, but I don't have the time. I need to go and you're holding me up."
"Just hold up there, I can't let you go. At least, not until we've fully searched your plane. I'm sorry those are the rules for everyone," said the Colonel loud enough so his men to hear him. "I can't let you go now not with everyone looking at us."
"You didn't seem to have any problem looking the other way when we made those contributions to your bank account. I think I've still got a few receipts onboard the plane to give you. I can hand them to you right here or better yet just think what would happen if one of your men found them while they were searching my plane? I hear there are some new malls going up around Frankfurt. You might get a job in security there as a rent-a-cop after you get out of prison."
"Okay, okay I hear what you're saying but you've got to give me an alternative," said Fritz as he begun to hear his men start to murmur about what was taking him so long.
"I know, let's do this you can post a guard here to watch my plane. The guard will guarantee nothing comes off the plane until I get ready to leave tomorrow. No arms leave the plane, so if any one askes you can say you've done your duty and averted an international incident at the same time."
"That just might work," said the Colonel as he thought. He liked the idea also because he came out a hero in this by averting an international incident with the Americans. He might even get a medal or at least a citation out of this. But he still downplayed it with Mary. "Yes, that will work for me but that means you can't go back up until you're ready to fly out."
"That works for me too but I'm going to need a couple of things from you and I don't think you're going to like what I'm going to ask for."
"Okay, let me hear what you want," said Fritz. He was already thinking about what uniform to wear for the presentation ceremony and who to invite. "Just tell me what it is you want, and we'll see what I can do."
"All right, first of all, I'm going to need transportation. I figure one of your vehicles should do the trick. I need to get into town, but I need keys… no driver. I'll drive myself. Believe me when I tell you it's better this way."
"That's not difficult. Sure, I can give you the keys to one of our Humvees. My men can double time back to the barracks. The exercise will do them some good. I don't know why you thought that was going to be difficult."
"I didn't, that was just so I could set the next one up. Fritz, I'm going to need your side arm and your extra clip. Before you say no, let me explain, you were the one who said I couldn't go back up onboard the plane to collect mine and a girl has to watch out for her back."
"Just please tell me you don't need it to kill anyone. I don't need it to come back to me."
"That I can't guarantee but know if it happens it will appear as self-defense."
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Chuck went to sleep that night after he checked on Bunny lying in her bed then kissing Sarah. He was tired from their last mission and was grateful to be back home where he could sleep in his own bed next to the woman he loved. But as he drifted off to sleep he couldn't help but think about what Casey had said just before he left.
"Geez, when did the fog roll in or what," said Chuck as he walked through the courtyard. "Looks like someone forgot to water the flowers," he said as he looked at all the bloomless greenery.
"I'm home," said Chuck as he walked through the door but as he did he thought he heard the sound of someone snapping fingers. "Did anyone hear that? Where's everyone. Geez, I need to dust there are cobwebs everywhere."
"We're in the kitchen," yelled Sarah. Chuck walked over wondering when the wall got thrown up that now seemed to divide it from the living room.
"Oh, here you ar…" he started to say but stopped in mid-sentence. "Why'd you dye your hair black again and what have you done to the kitchen?"
"Sweetie, do you feel all right? My hair has always been this color You look a little… I don't know… healthy. Maybe you've gotten too much sun today?"
"What? Never mind, what did you do to the kitchen? Why do we have a fire place now and what's up with the caldron?"
"What do you mean? I think you might be coming down with something. Maybe you should see a doctor? I know why don't we call Casey and have him take you."
"No, I really don't want to go out. I just got home," said Chuck as a noose appeared and Sarah pulled on it. He heard a loud gong sound.
"Geez, what the heck and where did that thing come from? Don't tell me it's always been hanging around," said Chuck. He didn't know why he said what he said. It was almost as if someone else was speaking for him. "Maybe someone should see a doctor and I'm thinking about seeing what family plan would run with Dr. Dreyfus."
"You rang," said Casey as he suddenly appeared besides Chuck dressed in a G-man suit with white shirt and thin black tie but about two sizes too small. John looked pale in the face very pale almost dead.
"Crap, John, how about a little warning before you show up like that. You know you could give a guy a heart attack." But the only thing Casey said was a low grunt that sounded almost like a laugh.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you," said Chuck as Sam walked wearing a black dress with a round white collar carrying a basket with a cloth over the top.
"Mother, what's for supper," asked Sam as she went over to the caldron and stirred a bit with the ladle. Then she pulled it out and took a sip. "Umm, my favorite lady fingers."
"I think she was when I got them. Now, don't start nibbling on them before dinner or you'll lose you appetite. I need to go check on Bunny, but in the meantime why don't you show your father your new pet Andy."
"Andy? Remember I said not tarantulas or Boas," said Chuck. He saw something moving around in Sam's basket and he didn't like the way it moved.
"Don't worry I gave Harry back and I remembered what you said about no Boas so meet Andy. He's my pet Anaconda," said Sam as she tried to pull the snake out of the basket. "He's a little heavier than usual. I guess he must've eaten something," she said as she finally got him out but there was a big bulge in the middle of the snake.
"Hey guys," yelled Sarah from their bedroom. "Anyone seen Bunny lately? She's not in her bed or her playpen where I left her."
"No," yelled Chuck as he sat up in bed. Looking around he realized he'd had a nightmare. It was still dark out, but the first light of day was beginning to creep in. He looked over at Sarah who was still asleep.
"It was all a dream. John, why do you do this to me," he mumbled to himself as he got out of bed and went over to check on Bunny. "Fast asleep… good and don't work there will be no snakes of any kind in this house." Bunny rolled over and smiled at him in her sleep.
"And that's the way life should be with happy dreams," said Chuck. He turned around and walked out of the bedroom then down the hall towards the kitchen.
"What do I do now? Dang you Casey I ought to go over and pound on your door. It's too late to go back to sleep and too early to wake people up. It sounds to me like it's time to make pancakes but first I want to throw a pot of coffee on. I'm going to need the caffeine today.
Chuck went about the task at hand. First, he made the coffee then got the pot going and after that he mixed his batter. To start with he mixed his dry ingredients sugar, flour, and baking soda with a pinch of salt then he added the liquids milk and eggs.
"Now a touch of vanilla and we're ready to go," he said as he got his skillet hot and the butter golden. As he started cooking, watching the bubbles form in the pancake in the skillet, he looked over at his phone and for a moment he thought about reaching out and dialing his mother.
"No, you don't know what she's doing, and you could blow her cover. No, when it's time she'll call you and then blow back into your life. Funny how people say things change but they never really do."
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Margo knocked then went inside Jack's office before Mike could stop her or Jack could tell her not to enter. She found Jack with a glass of scotch in his hand talking with two other men that Mike had seen through hidden cameras inside. She wasn't sure exactly what was going on just that the General had ordered her to get Jack to safety which meant away from these two.
"What is it with you people and waiting for someone to tell you to come in?" said Jack. "You're going to have to forgive my associate's lack of manners. She was raised by wolves in a frozen forest far away from civilization."
"Nice to say hi to you too Jack. I'm sorry but I need to see you rather urgently outside. We've got something that needs your attention down below in the basement."
"Is it grandmother again? Is she back on the sauce? I swear, one of these days that woman will be the death of me."
"Which could be sooner that you think" said Margo as she motioned for Jack to come with her towards the door."
"Wait a minute we need to finish our conversation. I think we were making some good headway and we were here first. You need to wait a moment this won't take very long."
"I'm sure if you wait right here Jack will be back soon to help you with whatever it is he's helping you with. I really need Jack to come with me," said Margo as she waved for Jack to come to her.
"I'm sorry but I can't allow that," said Klaus then he pulled weapon out from behind his back. "Now be a sweet thing and go over and have a seat."
"I don't think so," said Margo as she pulled her weapon and pointed it back at Klaus. "Now why don't you be a sweet thing and put your weapon away before you break a nail."
"Gustav, what are you doing? Will you stop playing around, pull your weapon and point it at her," said Klaus but Gustav sat down and so did Jack. "What the heck do you think you're doing?"
"I'm doing like Jack said. You've got orders to whack me after we torture and whack Jack. But the longer that gets delayed the longer I have to live. Call me stupid but I'd like to die of old age."
"Come on will you? I told you I'd work this out with the Turk. We've just got to get this job done then once we know where the money is we can get you back in the Boss' good graces."
"That would be a good plan if I knew what you people were talking about. Sure, I know honest Abe but I've never had any business dealings with him so trying to use me to get back in Emin's good graces won't work."
"Don't listen to him," said Klaus. "He's lying and you know he is. Remember Abe gave us Jack's name, so he has to know something."
"Again, I don't know anything and honestly I don't know why Abe gave up my name. Did he put it in any context other than the gurgling sound of him suffocating on his own blood? Context is everything you know."
"You're a good one to accuse someone of lying. What have you been doing since we waved goodbye to Abe as he floated away? When were you going to tell me about this contract before or after you put a round through my forehead…"
"Actually, I would've shot you in the left temple… Russian style. It's quicker and there's less pain involved."
"Except for that eternal ringing sound and I hope you aren't waiting for me to say thank you because I'm not. You know I ought to just shoot you and take my chances with the Turk," said Gustav as he pulled his weapon and pointed it at Klaus. Klaus didn't know what to do. He couldn't cover both Margo and Gustav.
"Hold up, hold up," said Jack. "Let's all just take a step back for a moment. I just had new carpeting put in here and blood is hard to get out not to mention some of stuff I've got in here is worth money."
"Jack, you told me everything in here was a reproduction," said Margo as she kept her weapon steady on Klaus.
"So, there you have it. We've all told little white lies to one another but that doesn't mean we can't be friends. I'm sure Klaus would've been very sad if he had whacked you Gustav and I'm sure finding it out the way you did must have made you feel angry as well as betrayed. But I think…no, I know if we all reach deep down into our inner selves we can forgive each other for these minor indiscretions."
"Minor indiscretions? He was going to tap me in the left temple then roll me over in a ditch. How am I supposed to forgive that?"
"Oh no, I wasn't. Well yes, maybe the tapping part but I was going to buy you the best plot in the cemetery with a gorgeous view of the sea and a life time supply of flowers to be delivered on your birthday."
"See, now if that isn't carrying than I don't know what carrying is. Here let me refill your glasses one more time. Margo, would you like to join in," said Jack as he shook his head then went over and grabbed a different bottle. "This requires something special. I've been keeping this for something special like this."
"You know we're still going to have to shoot you," said Klaus. "But I think we'll try our luck with the Turk afterwards. Maybe if we tap you then he'll see his way to forgiving Gustav."
"Well, I guess I can't have everything," said Jack as he handed them glasses. "Here try this I think you'll find this to your liking. I know I have. You're not going to get anything like this in a long while."
"Umm, this is good. You know we really shouldn't be drinking alcohol because it's against our religion but a few drinks can't hurt."
"I won't tell if you don't. You're a man after my own heart," said Jack as he watched them drink up. "I told you this was really good stuff."
"Wait a minute Jack why aren't you drinking with us? Where's your glass? This could be your last chance," said Gustav as he looked at his glass.
"I was going to tell you two the same thing," said Jack as they both dropped like two sacks of potatoes. "You shouldn't mess around with the big guy up above."
"Jack, you want to tell me what the heck went on in here?" said Margo as Mike and the other agents came in.
"We saw them drop on the tablet and thought that was your signal," said Mike before Margo could yell at him for not waiting.
"That wasn't my signal," said Margot as she went over and picked up the decanter. She held it up to the light then took the top off and smelt it. "Odorless, colorless and tasteless I assume?"
"If you want to try it go ahead especially if you're having trouble sleeping," said Jack as he took the decanter from her and but it back. "A little present from the schnook... he said it might come in handy one day and I guess he was right," said Jack as men came in with serving carts and loaded the two would-be assassins on board then covered them with sheets from transport across the casino and hotel floor.
[Back in Berlin]
Mary got into the elevator after passing a group of workers leaving Abe's building. There was something about them that just didn't feel right. It could've been the hour because it was terrible late for workmen to be in the building but this was Germany and everything was more efficient. Round the clock maintenance men were just a part of it
"But they certainly were odd," said Mary to herself as she walked down the hallway to Abe's apartment.
"Tomorrow first thing is the embassy and let's see how Jim squirms when he sees me," she said as she open Abe's door. "Who left the lights on? Could someone be here?" she thought as she drew her weapon and did a quick glance around and saw the bomb in the middle of the living room with a cell phone attacked to blocks of Semtex.
"Crap, no time to run" said Mary as she realized who the men were that had just left and she knew they wouldn't be waiting long before they detonated what they'd left behind.
A normal person in a situation like their lives would flash in front of them but not Mary... she knew she didn't have the time nor the luxury if she was going to live and that was a big 'if' at the moment.