Don't own Chuck

Chuck made his way across the street towards the van. He heard and saw the noise and glow of the flash grenade behind him making him stop in his tracks. He was suddenly torn with indecision while literally standing in the middle of the street. Part of him wanted to run back to check on Alex and the other half knew he needed to proceed and take his target. However, luckily for him the decision was made for him when Alex radioed in to confirm her kills.

"Two perps down hard but Dad is going to kill us when he sees the mess they made in his place. I'm going to call in cleaners and liberate Mom, Morgan and the rest. What's your position?""

"Crossing the street to try to take this one alive. Wait on freeing the rest until I give the okay. Let me take care of this one then it will be safe and we can let them out," radioed Chuck as he looked at the van parked in a dark section of the road.

Chuck made his way to the van and nearer he got the clearer he could hear screaming coming from the inside. George was yelling at his men to report in but no one was answering. Chuck grabbed the sliding door handle then yanked it open. George's eyes grew wide as he saw Chuck pile in dart pistol in his hand pointing at him but he drew back and held a cellphone in front of him like a cross to try to ward him off a vampire.

"Chuck, we've got a problem," radioed Alex talking in Chuck's ear. "I just found a bomb and it's hot and I can't find the detonator. I need you to come and disarm it."

"A little busy at the moment and I think I've just found what you're looking for," radioed Chuck as he slowly laid his weapon in the floor. "Buddy, put the phone down and let's talk this out."

"There's nothing to talk about. I want Sarah Burton or Walker or whatever she's going by these days then I want you to let us out of here."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there is no 'us' anymore. I hate to tell you but your friends are taking a dirt nap over there so it's just you. Listen up, what you decide in these next few minutes will affect the rest of your life so think long and hard. The first thing you need to realize is there's no way you're going to make it out of here…"

"Are you telling me I should just press dial and get things over with because if you are I will," said George as he broke out in a sweat and started waving the phone in front of him.

"Just breath in and out dude... calm down and listen. You press that button and I'll… well I'll become your worst nightmare and believe me you don't want that."

"Then why don't I just shoot you then press dial? I can then drive away and no one would be the wiser. That sounds like a pretty good option to me."

"It would be if it were true but do you think I could take your men out all by my lonesome? You won't make it out into the street before one of my people plants a RPG up your exhaust pipe. If you want we can talk about negotiating Eileen's release as some common ground," said Chuck. The man looked at him perplexed. "You know Carmen Sandiego, the women who tried to shoot me today. You sent her?"

"I don't know who you're talking about. The only woman I was told about was this Sarah person and I'm supposed to grab her. I don't know who this other woman is nor have I ever heard of her."

"Okay, since you're talking can I ask what your boss wants with Sarah?" said Chuck as he moved in closer to George but he moved backwards.

"You just hold it right there. I'll press dial… I swear I will so don't come any closer," said George as he glanced out the window. He thought he saw movement in the shadows across the street. "You tell your people to pull back. I don't want to see anyone out there. Got it and mean it."

"Alex, our friend's in the driver's seat and is getting a little nervous. Keep all our men back and let me handle this. Don't worry I've got everything under control in here."

"What was that? Was that some sort of code? Are you trying to play me? Because I will press this button… I will. I swear I will," George said as he waved the phone in front of Chuck but this time Chuck was ready.

What George failed to notice was not only had Chuck moved closer but also he'd reached behind his back. George held the phone out in front of him almost under Chuck's nose right where Chuck wanted him to hold it. Chuck flashed and like a Japanese Iaidō expert he drew Casey's k-bar from his belt. In one fluid motion 'nuki tsuke' [draw and cut] Chuck slashed. The whole thing was over in less than a nanosecond and the result was a clean cut that amputated George's hand holding the phone before he knew it was missing.

"What did you do to me," he screamed as he dropped backward holding his arm as blood sprayed everywhere and his hand dropped on the floor rolling into the back of the van. "I'm going to…" he yelled as he tried to get up. Chuck grabbed the knife by the blade this time knocking George out cold. The handle made a metallic ping as Chuck cold cocked him and George went down hard.

"I can't lose you. You need to answer some questions," yelled Chuck as he quickly heated up the cigarette lighter and began cauterizing George's wrist before he could bleed out.

"What the…" said Alex. She'd come over to see if Chuck needed any help only to discovered a gruesome sight. She heard the hissing sound of Chuck applying the hot lighter to George's flesh and was hit in the face with acrid smell of burnt meat.

"Don't say it," said Chuck as he worked on George. "I know what this looks and smells like but this was the only way to save his life. The doctors can worry about putting the hand back on when we get him to a hospital. You should let everyone out of Sam's room. They're going to be pissed for being locked inside. We can tell them the door locked itself because of a glitch in Casey's apartment."

"Are you going to tell Kathy the garbage disposal exploded when a cat fell inside and it blew up all over you? Chuck, you look like something out of a Quinton Tarantino movie. You go get cleaned up and changed then we can let them out. You're right they're going to be pissed but you don't want to scare them."

"I just got another idea but Sam's going to be pissed at me again. However, I think it's the best solution."

"I'm afraid to ask," said Alex as she looked around at the van of horror.

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Mary landed in Tivat then after customs she rented a car and drove to Kotor. Her first stop was the marina and a light lunch at the yacht club. She was just finishing her fisherman's platter and sipping a cup of coffee when Margot walked in. She spotted Mary in the corner then walked over and pulled up a chair.

"Do sit down why don't you," said Mary as she waved for the waiter to come over. "Since you're here is there anything I can offer you? The fish is excellent here. I always try to eat here at least once when I'm here."

"If you're offering you can start with an explanation. Why are you here but I'll take a cup of coffee to begin with," said Margot. The General had just informed her that Mary was coming just as her plane touched down.

"Can I have a coffee for my guest and can you freshen mine please," said Mary. The waiter smiled then came back with a pot. "The fish here is always fresh and it's the only place around that you can find decent American coffee. Most of Europe calls it muddy water but that's because they don't know how to make it. Thank you," said Mary. The waiter smiled again then left.

"Looks like you've made an impression," said Margot as she waited until the waiter was out of earshot. "What's going on back at Langley? Why are you here? Does the General think I can't run this station anymore, is that it?"

"That you'll have to take with her but if I were you I'd lose the attitude before I talked with her," said Mary as she sipped her coffee. "I'm tracking a man who arrived about a half hour ago from Berlin. You might have heard something about what went on there..."

"I heard it was a real cluster and the whole office there is no more including the Station Chief. I don't know his name."

"It's not worth knowing and some would say good riddance but some would say that about me too. No, I need you to get all the CCTV footage from the airport then I need it sent to Berlin," said Mary. Margot was about to ask who she was supposed to send it to if everyone was dead.

"I want you to send it to Roan Montgomery. He's the new interim station chief and the only one who's laid eyes on our mark. I had a bug planted on him but it went silent as I landed. I'm guessing he found it which is going to make him that much more dangerous because he'll know someone has been following him."

"And he'll know you'll come knocking at his door. Does this have to do with the hit on Jack? Do I need to increase his protective detail? I could lock him up in the dungeon until you get this guy or this is all over."

"No, the best and safest place for Jack is out in the open. You need a goat if you want to catch a tiger," said Mary but what Mary had said had Margot thinking. "You aren't following me. What's wrong?"

"You said your mark landed a half and hour ago so I guess that excludes the woman I met earlier in the Casino. You said your target is from Berlin and he was a man?"

"That's what Roan said and I think of all people he knows the difference. But that doesn't mean our guy is working alone or that there aren't other players. Tell me about this woman and why you noticed her."

"First of all, she made a flamboyant entrance in the hotel. She walked up to the reception desk like she was walking on a catwalk. Naturally all the men went stupid including Jack," said Margot as she described the incident and what had happened. "...So, what do you think? Am I over reacting?"

"It could be that you feel this woman is threatening your position as the alpha female in the Casino. But if your gut tells you something is off... well I've learned a long time ago to listen to it and it hasn't failed me yet. I'd definitely keep an eye on her if I were you. Well, it was nice chatting with you but you need to go."

"I do? And where do I need to go? Do you need a ride to the Casino?" said Margot as she started thinking about the available rooms left in her head trying to figure out which one she could stash Mary in and a broom closet came to mind. "We're kind of booked at the moment but I'm sure I can find you something."

"Oh no, not for me, I'm taken care of," said Mary as she finished her coffee then waved the waiter for the check. "I'll be staying here on Chuck's boat. It's better if I observe from a distance. I find you get better prospective that way. No, you need to go to the airport. Sarah and Casey should be arriving about now," she said as she checked her watch. "Yes, their plane should be arriving any moment now."

"They are? And why wasn't I informed. I'm just the station chief," said Margot. "I bet Emma and Jack know she's coming."

"I'd be surprised if they didn't. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but you know it's little things like this that reflect poorly on you. So, my suggestion for you is to hurry over to the airport then act like you knew they were coming all along. When in doubt fake it that will help get you by in the agency but that won't work very long with Diane. She has a nose for those kinds of things."

"I guess I should say thank you," said Margot as she started to get up.

"You can start showing your gratitude by leaving two euros that's how much your coffee cost. You don't expect me to pay for it now do you?"

"Heaven forbid that should ever happen," said Margot as she dropped three euros on the table. "That includes my tip."

"A little too much if you ask me but Henri has a wife and kids so he'll appreciate it. When you see Sarah, you can tell her where I am and that I'd like to have a chat with her. I'm sure Beckman did already but I need my pound of flesh."

"I'll be sure to pass the word on," said Margot then she turned and left. There was one thing for sure she was thankful for and that was that Mary wasn't her mother-in-law.

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When Mr. Black arrived in Tivat he was anxious to get to his hotel room in the Casino Royale. He was quite the hedonist and had booked the best room that other people's money could buy. His plan was he could take his time enjoy the pleasures the casino had to offer then make the whack Jack. By then no one would suspect anything and he could see what a nice hot mud bath would do for his skin.

"We've been cleared by customs," said the pilot. He'd come back to check on his passenger and to personally greet him. "You can leave anytime you're ready. My co-pilot is seeing to your car and is having your bags loaded as we speak."

"Thank you," said Mr. Black as he stood up and shook the man's hand. He grabbed his brief case then followed the pilot to the hatch.

"Please watch your head and be careful to the first step," said the pilot as he helped Mr. Black off the plane then waved from the co-pilot to meet him at the bottom of the ladder.

"This way Sir," said the co-pilot as he walked Mr. Black out of the hangar and to a waiting Porsche 911 Turbo S just outside. "I had all your luggage put in the trunk and the keys are in the ignition. We hope you'll fly again with us soon."

"Thank you, I look forward to it," said Mr. Black as he shook the co-pilot's hand then got into his car and sped away. It was only ten minutes to Kotor through the tunnel but he wanted to test out his wheels. However, he wanted to get checked in so he could visit the spa too.

"What to do," he said to himself as he started to drive out of the airport. Right was the straight shot through the tunnel with little excitement or go left taking the goat trail with all its curves and turns which would be more fun as well as exhilarating.

"What's the use of having a nice car if you don't drive it like it was meant to be driven," said Mr. Black. He signaled left and started to head out but as he was making the turn his phone started to ring.

"Crap, it's White," he said as he glanced down at the caller ID. "Wouldn't you know it I start to do something I like and here he comes with his wet towel," thought Black as he pulled off to the side of the road to answer the call.

"What do you want? I just landed and haven't made it to the Casino yet," said Black. He put the call on speaker so he could rev the engine and feel the vibrations in steering wheel. He wanted to feel all that power in his hands that the three liter 450 hp engine could produce.

"Why not?" said White again with the wet towel. "You should've been there by now. Look, I'm calling to give you a heads up. You're going to have competition. Our friend the Major weaseled his way into getting approval to come to your location."

"It doesn't matter if he's here. If he gets in the way he'll have an accident or just disappear. He's not firing on all cylinders anyway," said Black as he revved the motor some more. He smiled as he felt the vibrations in the steering wheel and all he wanted right now was to get White off the phone so he could have some fun.

"Look, I don't know what's going. My contact in the Circle said Twelve and the Major were up to something but everyone is being tight lipped about what the something is. I hope to find out more when I get to the meeting site and talk to One directly. For now, keep a tight grip on that drive and guard it with your life because both of ours may depend on it."

"Roger that will do," said Black as he pulled it out of his pocket and looked at it. "Don't worry I won't let it out of my sight. You don't think he might be coming to try to take this from me?"

"I hadn't thought about that but it's a possibility. However, I don't see what good that would do him as I have the other copy. Just keep it save."

"Like I said I've got my eyes on it and it isn't going away where. I went through too much hassle to let anyone take it from me. All I have to say if the Major wants to try let him come but it won't end well for him."

"Good keep it that way. I hope to be in Moldova by tomorrow so I should know more. Get your job done there as quickly as you can then join me. I might need your help."

"I can't very well just walk in and shoot him in the face. I'll know more about how long this is going to take once I get to the Casino."

"Are you telling me you want me to get off the line so you can get a move on it?" Black smiled as he revved up the engine again.

"Those are your words not mine but they are right so let me go and I can get on with this," said Black. White hung up then Black took out determined to get his drive in and to have some fun despite what White wanted. He laid the USB pen drive between the seats as he up shifted kicking up gravel as he took off.

"Porsche 911 turbo S zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds," said Black to himself as he felt his body being pushed back into his seat. He took out on the road heading away from the tunnel then turned right on the winding country road that would eventually lead him to Kotor.

"This is living," he thought as he drove as fast as he could with the roof down and the wind blowing through his hair. Everything was going fine until he turned a curve and found Betsy, the cow in the middle of the road. She looked at him with her bell hanging around her neck.

"Crap," said Black as he thought of McDonald's. He down shifted then drove off the shoulder going around the cow then back onto the road. The car started to fish tail but he got it under control then he heard a cracking sound as he felt a slight resistance under the gas pedal.

"What the heck," he said so he pulled off to the road side to check everything out. Betsy mooed behind him the strolled across the road.

"I'll never regret another hamburger," he said as she examined the gas pedal. That was when he looked over and saw the USB pen was gone. It had gone flying when he'd run off the road and as he feared it had found its way under the gas pedal.

"Crap, I'm in deep kimchee now," he said as the pulled it out and looked at it. The plastic casing was cracked. "Maybe with a little bit of duct tape and this should be right as rain. No one knows what it looks like anyway so I should be able to pull this off. Wait a minute what's this," he said as he noticed something strange inside.

"A GLG-4000 a small, exceptionally powerful tracking device designed specifically for use in the mountainous, cave-riddled border regions of Afghanistan. Despite being extremely powerful transmitter, it is still small... small enough to be put in a USB pen," said Mr. Black as he dropped it on the ground then stepped on it.

"I should call White and let him know," said Black as he looked at it. "I wonder if this doesn't have to do with the Major. But how'd he know that there was a tracker and if he did... wait a minute or was that how he was going to find me and take the pen. Bring it on buddy," he said as he pulled out his phone.