Don't own Chuck
Beckman got off the horn with Chuck then leaned back in her chair and finished off her cup of coffee. There sitting across from her desk was her Major who'd listened attentively to whole conversation. The look he had on his face was enough to let Beckman know that he didn't really approve of her decision to allow Chuck to move forward with his plan.
"Before we get into my conversation with Chuck, give me a quick rundown on our false flag flight from Mexico. They should be almost across the Atlantic by now and into their second phase?"
"Yes, they are... Well, as we thought they'd do when they entered the dead zone the two planes switched out call signals and responder IDs. Our perps plane is now manifested for Tivat while the other one called in a Mayday just before dropping off the radar. There's a search and rescue team in route to their last known location as we speak. However, if they hold true to form there will be no one to rescue and this will become a recovery mission."
"Which is exactly what we thought they would do. It's nice to know that people can be so predictable at times. And our target's plane? What's it's status?"
"Like I said before it's amended its flight plan and is now heading to Tivat which leads me to agree with Chuck... I mean Agent Carmichael's belief that they've discovered the data device in their possession is a fake."
"Okay, then everything is on track," said Beckman but she still saw that same look in the Major's eyes. "Now out with it and don't sit there with that pouting face looking at me. Just tell me you don't agree with what I just did."
"It's not my place to agree or disagree. You are the General but it's more I don't understand than disagree. I'm sorry I just don't see how you can you allow Chuck... Agent Carmichael to go to Moldovia when you've already sent Mary and Casey there with very different orders?"
"Because Chuck thinks he can go there and persuade these people, if that's what you can call them, to lift their hit on Jack. I realize it's a long shot but if anyone can pull this off it's Chuck. Besides what good would it have done if I told him he couldn't go? He would've just gone off and done it anyway."
"But you've given the Colonel kill orders on all the members which is going to make it difficult for Chuck to have a conversation with them if they're dead."
"I don't know about that. It's been my experience that sometimes-dead people can be very talkative and tell you a lot. Besides, Chuck knows what cards are on the table. He'll take the hyper-sonic to Germany and then move by jet. Chuck could meet up with Mary and Casey about the same time they get there."
"That will be something but I was surprised he didn't want to go to Kotor considering that wet team is heading there and the other agent Carmichael is in Kotor. We need to get them more manpower to stave off the attack..."
"No," said the General as she cut the Major off. "That won't work not without attracting attention to our operation there. Sure, everyone comes there for the poker tournament but they ignore the rest of our operation which is the way it needs to stay."
"I don't know how that's going to work when the wet team gets there. How will the government there feel when our operation is assaulted by those people? We could quietly move people from Athens or Istanbul without anyone being the wiser?"
"No, too many people on the field will just make this more of an eye sore and a cluster. Not to mention increasing the possibility of us blowing our whole operation in the area. No, they're just going to have to manage with the people they have and with any luck Chuck will be able to talk some sense into these people in Moldova."
"Just as long as he does it before Colonel Casey puts a round through their heads," said the Major as he caught the General's raised eyebrow from the other side of the desk. "I was just trying to be clear."
"I think you've been crystal clear... even too much. Now go, get me the exact location of that DC 9. At least we can warn our people when they can expect it so they can be prepared to repel boarders."
"Roger that ma'am," said the Major as he got up and left. When he walked out past the General's secretary that was Connie's cue to stick her head in with a fresh pot of coffee in her hand.
"Would you like me to freshen your cup?" said Connie as she waved the pot in the air like a censer so Beckman could smell the coffee all the way over at her desk.
"You must've been a good altar boy... girl but yes, please, I seemed to have run dry. But I have to admit I could use something a little bit stronger right now but my name isn't Roan Montgomery. That reminds me I need to get hot on finding another station chief for Berlin so I can bring him home."
"And before he finds he likes it over there too much. He used to tell a lot of war stories about what it was like over there before the wall came down."
"Yes, we went through a lot over there," she said as she had flashes of what seemed a previous life then heaved a sigh. "Well, there's no problem that ever happening because as much as he likes the schmoozing part once he has to start doing the actual job and filing paperwork then his love for the office will quickly sour."
"I don't know I heard from a friend of mine over at State that he and the Ambassador hit it off. She seems to appreciate him."
"As do most women, you included. I think I should call him up and let him know he's going to have guests and remind him on which side his bread is buttered."
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The normal trip back to the Casino from Miriam's house was only a little over twenty minutes and Razhib had walked it many times. However, this time it seemed as if it were taking forever. Razhib and Molly walked back to the casino in silence because there really wasn't anything that either could say to the other to make the situation any better. The only sounds they hear as they walked were the sound of their own shoes on the cobblestone then suddenly Molly thought she heard a noise.
"Did you hear that? I thought I hear someone up ahead of us," said Molly as she stopped and looked around.
"That's just your imagination playing tricks on you. It's happened to me before walking back from Miriam's. These alleyways cause an echo. What you heard was the noise of your own shoes on the pavement."
"I don't know but if you say so. I'm sorry if I got you in trouble this evening. Sarah had no right to come down on you so hard and I'll tell her that when I see her back at the Casino."
"I don't know maybe she's right but it would've happened if you had come or not. I just... well it just seems like I can't shake my past. Things keep dragging me back and I have to deal with them."
"That's not your fault so you stop blaming yourself. You can't help what happened to you and I'm going to tell Sarah that."
"No, don't, I owe her and Chuck so much. I would've never found Margot if it hadn't been for them and if she got mad about you being here... well I can kind of understand..."
"You're too nice and understanding sometimes. You should stand up for yourself more like when Miriam goes on about Margot being only your aunt. Don't deny it, I've heard her go on about it. Margot might be your aunt but she's been more a mother to you then I've seen some other mothers act."
"Miriam doesn't mean anything by it. She's just trying to look out for my best interests and she's trying to get her father to like me but after tonight I think I can forget about that. I can almost hear him storming up those back stairs after he hears the noise when Margot and Sarah break in. No, he's going to have a fit that's for sure."
"Don't worry, Sarah will call a time out on him. But you don't know that and once they find out what type of man Mr. Black is then he might calm down."
"I seriously doubt that. He's going to take Mr. Black's side because he's a Muslim or Black acts like one. However, for me I have some serious doubts about that. I think it's all a sham and he's just putting on an act."
"Then that should really anger Miriam's father," said Molly. However, they heard more strange sounds coming from around them. "Tell me you heard that and it can't be us we were standing still."
"Yes, I did. Look let's stay in the light so anyone coming towards us will have to come where he'll be seen," said Razhib as he pulled the knife out of his belt then slipped it up his sleeve.
"We could make a break for it and try to run back to the Casino," said Molly as she looked around them trying to see any movement in the shadows. "It's not that much further down the street."
"It's far enough that if we tried we wouldn't make it. No, we'll do like I said and stay in the light. Don't worry I'll take care of you no one's going to hurt you."
"I wouldn't make promises I couldn't keep," said Mr. Black as he stepped out of the shadows in front of them. He'd waited until they were almost on him the he cut them off. Now it was too late to run. "Look Razhib, I don't need you so why don't you be a good boy and run back to the Casino and tell Jack Burton if he wants to see Molly again he'll come to meet me."
"You aren't taking her anywhere. I won't let you," said Razhib as he got in between Molly and Black. "Do you hear me? Keep your hands to yourself or..."
"Or what? I hear you and you should listen to what I told you. I don't have any problem with you so just step aside and let me take her. She's not one of our people and there's no reason for you to die for her... not here," said Mr. Black as he pulled a Makarov out from under his jacket and held it down by his side.
"I'm not afraid of you and she's more my people than you are. Even if we come from the same place and have the same tattoo," said Razhib as he turned over his left hand exposing his wrist. There on his wrist was a tattoo words written in Maghreb script. "I've showed you mine now you show me yours."
"How'd you get that? Who gave you that?" said Black as he stared down at Razhib's wrist then turned his writs over. Under the street light they could see the two tattoos were identical.
"You don't remember me but I remember you. I have to admit I didn't recognize you at first. Not until you told that story about taking off your watch then I remember you. I sat your tea beside you. Yes, I was in the Toy Maker's household and you were his guest," said Razhib. He used this revelation to distract Black and to move in closer to him.
"Yes, I remember you now. You were that little boy who served us tea. No, it can't be you that would make you..." said Mr. Black as his eyes grew wide and he looked down at the chief's knife Razhib had planted in his stomach.
"Yes, that would make me a killer like you. I told you that you weren't going to take my sister with you and I meant every word," said Razhib as Mr. Black staggered back. He looked down at the knife then at Razhib with a puzzled expression turning his head sideways. Black started to raise his weapon but before he could get a round off he collapsed in the middle of the street.
Sarah and Margot came running as fast as them could. They traced Razhib and Molly's steps back to the Casino and they followed the trail until they found them. Molly had her arms around Razhib who was standing there looking stoic down at Mr. Black's body all three standing under the street light.
"Razhib, are you all right," said Margot as he threw her arms around him hugging him. "Let's get you two away from here. How is he," she asked as Sarah knelt over Black checking for a pulse. Sarah looked up and shook her head.
"Come on let's get back to the Casino and let our people get that man some medical attention. He'll be fine in a few days then we can interrogate him."
"Don't try to baby me," said Razhib as he looked back at Sarah. "That man's dead and I killed him. I cut his abdominal aorta which caused him to bleed out inside. It's a technique for... I was trained well and maybe Miriam's father is right. I am a criminal... a murderer. She should stay away from me."
"Don't say that and no you aren't," said Sarah as she got up and stood next to him. "You did what you had to do to keep Molly safe. Black found out Molly's my sister and that was the reason he was trying to grab her."
"He said he wanted me to get Jack to come to him," said Molly. "What's this all about? Jack's in trouble again, isn't he? You don't have to answer that of course he is or you wouldn't be here."
"Let's table all this until we get back to the Casino," said Margot. She didn't have to say anything Mike was already organizing everything with the cleaners. "I think we all could do with some hot chocolate."
"And you think hot chocolate is going to make everything better," said Razhib as he glanced over his shoulder but Margot and Molly pulled him along.
"The way I look at it is it can't hurt," said Sarah as she walked behind them trying to think about their next move and what to do with the plane load of cutthroat's that was headed their way.
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What no one saw was another person standing in the shadows watching what had gone down. It was Major. He'd seen everyone rush out from his window and figured that Mr. Black had to be on the prowl. He knew if he was going to do something he had to do it quickly so he called down to his dinner date and cancelled then slipped out into the night. He hadn't made it far when he'd heard Molly and Razhib returning.
"Crap, there he is," said the Major. He saw Mr. Black lurking in the shadows so he hid himself away and then waited.
"What are you up to with those kids," he said as he observed. He saw Black leap out in front of the Razhib and Molly blocking their escape route. The Major drew his weapon and quickly attached a silence. With the echo in the alleyway no one would be able to figure out where the shot came from. However, it turned out he didn't have to bother with shooting Mr. Black.
"What's this," he said as he watched Razhib stab Mr. Black in the abdomen. "Geez, where did that come from? That kid's got some talent," said the Major as Mr. Black dropped in the alley.
"It's time for me to get out of here," said the Major as he quickly disappeared further into the shadows then ran back to the Casino before anyone understood he'd been out. And no one did except one person.
"Is this how you stand up girls in your country," said Carmen as she greeted him when he came back inside. "I hope there's a good reason you stood me up."
"A friend... well friend is a big word but you get the picture. Any way he had a bad case of heartburn... a stabbing pain in his stomach so I went out to see if I could find a pharmacy."
"This late at night? And were you successful? You know I might have some antacid in my room. I could give you some for your friend."
"No, I didn't find one but my friend is in a better place now and he's not feeling any pain anymore, but thanks for the offer. You know I still haven't eaten anything. Would you like to come with me and see what we can find?"
"Well, you missed the restaurant," said Carmen as she checked her watch. "But we could go to the bar and see what kind of sandwich they can put together for you. But wait a minute you haven't told me much about this mysterious friend of yours and how he got heartburn."
"That would be good, I wonder if they can make crêpes? I'm feeling like... I know this sounds funny but I quite like pancakes. We can also see what kind of desserts they have for you," said the Major as they walked towards the bar.
"Don't think it's escaped me that you haven't answered me about your friend. I'm beginning to wonder if he even exists or this was some sort of ruse to arrange whatever this is we've got going," said Carmen as she spotted Marcus standing near the entrance to the Casino giving her a look. She ignored him but knew she'd have to deal with him later.
"If the result is I get to have a late diner with a beautiful woman I almost wish I had but unfortunately no, my friend does or did exist. I'm afraid for all practical purposes he's dead to me after this evening."
"So, what happened? You had a falling out? That's too bad you know people can get cranky when they don't feel well. Maybe things will mend once he feels better."
"I'm afraid this was terminal and besides he's gone now. He left for down under and I won't be seeing him anymore."
"You shouldn't say things like that. I realize Australia is a long flight away but it is reachable," said Carmen as they took up seats in a booth. "But he can't have left yet. There aren't any flights out of Tivat this late at night so after we dine you can go find him and make amends."
"No, he's gone all right. He flew out on a private jet chartered through Charon airlines. It's a small company with just one pilot... kind of pay as you go operation."
"I don't think I know that company. It must be new," said Carmen as the waitress came over to take their orders. She was about to ask him more when Margot and Sarah walked in with Razhib and Molly under tow. Margot saw her sitting in the booth then gave her a death stare.
"Don't look now but that woman with that blonde woman and kids is staring at you. Is that someone you know? She doesn't look very friendly and you talk about me and my friend."
"You're right. She runs the hotel side of all this," said Carmen as she gesticulated waving her hand. "I don't know what I did to her but she and I just didn't hit it off. I really need to get my business done by next week or I'll be out in the street."
"Well, you have a standing invitation to move in with me... I mean if you want a room of your own... that is with no strings attached," said the Major as he got tongue tied tripping over his words
"Now you sound like Virginia Woolf," said Carmen as she laughed. "I'm sorry I was jus thinking... And besides who's afraid of Virginia Woolf."
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Back in L.A. Sam's school was letting out and there to meet her as she came out the doors was Chuck along with Kat. She saw the look on his face and knew immediately what was about to happen. But before anyone could say anything Ms. Durham appeared out of nowhere.
"Good I caught you before you disappeared. I just want to tell you Sam is a real Math prodigy and her lessons are moving along faster than I could've hoped."
"That's kind of you to say," said Chuck as he reached down and picked Sam up then started to leave. Sam looked him in the eye.
"Could you please put me down? You're embarrassing me in front of my friends. I'm a getting too old for this kind of thing."
"And a little too heavy also. Maybe we should cut back on the pancakes and ice cream," said Chuck. Sam gave him the look of death.
"Wait one, Mr. Bartowski, I'm not finished. I just wanted to invite you over to a small get together this weekend at my new apartment. It's kind of a house warming."
"I'd love to but I'm afraid I'm going to have to go out of town for a little while for work. Maybe we can all get together when my wife and I get back... in a few days that is."
"Sure, that's fine. I was thinking maybe we could do a barbeque or something when you're both in town. I'm moving in down the street from you so it will be easy."
"Isn't that just swell... I mean great. Yes, easy… easy-peasy."