Don't own Chuck
Mary was waiting for Casey at the International airport in Chișinău. She'd called the control tower and got the latest arrival time for John's charter so she had some time to kill in the terminal café. She ordered a café then sat down. It took her some getting used to but now she could drink Turkish coffee with the best of them. Although there were times when she still swallowed some of the grinds.
"I don't know how you can drink that swill," said Casey as he walked up with bags in hand then plopped down next to her.
"It's not so bad after you get the hang of drinking it. The key is you have to let the grinds settle between sips or down it in one shot without throwing it back."
"I'll have to take your word on that," said John as he got the barista's attention. "I'll take a beer... cold and I don't want any of that lukewarm crap, comprende?"
"That's what? You make sure the man understands by speaking Spanish the international language of Barista? Don't look now but you've got no idea what he's doing to that glass behind the counter."
"Go ahead and make fun of me but I'm going to get a cold beer while you drink... well the last time I saw something that looked like that my sink was backed up," said John. As he was talking the man from behind the counter walked over and put a beer in front of him. John handed the man a twenty euro note. "And if this is cold you can keep the rest."
"You're also a big spender. I thought you were the stingy type... the one of who counts every penny. Why are you being so generous?"
"I can afford to be," said John as he waved the man off. The barista went back behind the counter pocketing Casey's twenty. "I'm going to write this up as a traveling expense and Beckman will reimburse me so I can afford to be on the agency's dime."
"No without a receipt she won't," said Mary as she pushed her coffee cup away. "Come on we need to roll if we expect to get where we need to be before dark."
"But wait one I'm still drinking and I need to get my receipt," said John as Mary grabbed him by the arm and started pulling.
"Sorry, but like I said we need to go. We're burning daylight and I want to get there in time to do a little scouting around before it gets too dark to see."
"Just one second," said John as he guzzled down the beer then let out a loud belch. Mary gave him a look. "What? You're the one rushing me along and that was just the stamp of approval. I have to say that beer was pretty good. Now why are we in such a hurry to get there before dark? Isn't it better that way?""
"I'm glad you liked your beer now let's get going. It's a long drive over some pretty rough terrain. I swear I don't know what Diane was thinking sending you to look over my shoulder. I'm perfectly capable of handling this on my own."
"Well, maybe she wanted it done right. You know anyone could go in there and shoot up the place which is probably why you want to get there before dark. However, we need to take them all out before any of them can go scurrying off to hide under a rock and think about getting even."
"I've thought about that and I was thinking about a series of well placed explosives all timed to go off at the same time. We could plant them after dark once we've scouted out the place then blow it up just before sunrise then be back here for breakfast."
"Did you happen to notice if they serve pancakes?" asked Casey as they walked into the parking garage across from the airport. "I could go for a short stack with a dob of butter and maple syrup."
"Maybe some extra crispy bacon on the side. The kind that clogs up your arteries just by looking at it," said Mary as they walked up to her Skoda rental.
"Now you're talking my language sister," said John as he put his bags in the back seat then started to climb in the driver's seat only to find Mary had gotten there first.
"No drinking and driving here," she said as she smiled. "We don't want to get pulled over and have to explain what we've got in the back."
"What? I've got a permit for all my firearms. It says they're for hunting and recreational purposes and it's valid here so there's nothing they can say."
"They might have something to say about Semtex I've got in the trunk. I guess I could argue that it's for recreational purposes but their idea of recreation and mine could be very different," said Mary as she pulled out of the parking garage then got on the road that took them outside of town.
"I guess that answers my question on how you plan to blow up the place. We just have to figure out a way to get in without being seen and out to get out again."
"That's why I want to do a little recon beforehand. You haven't told me about what's going on back in Montenegro."
"There's not much to tell I'd just landed then Beckman sent me here. I don't know how much you know," said John as he brought Mary up-to-date. "…and that's about everything. You know you could slow down a bit. Everything is flying when you hit those potholes."
"There's nothing in the trunk to make the Sentex go boom so there's nothing to worry about," said Mary as they hit another hole in the road and Casey bumped his head on the roof.
"I'm not worried about the Semtex. I'm worried about my kidneys. They can say it's simply clever but this is worse than riding a bucking horse bareback."
"Yippee Ki-yay cowboy," said Mary as she hit another pothole. "You should think about investing in one of those inflatable doughnuts."
"And you should think about the oil pan and gearbox. You hit too many of those potholes like that and we're going to be walking."
"Stop your crying these cars are like Timex. They can take a licking and keep on ticking," said Mary as she hit another hole. A cloud of black smoke came up from under the hood and the motor coughed before loosing power then coasting to a stop."
"What were you saying Mr. John Camron Swayze?"
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Carmen let Oleg escort her to her room then stood in the doorway as he smiled at her. At first, she thought about letting him come in for a nightcap but then she thought that she didn't want to come off as being easy. With this in mind she put her hand on his chest to stop him but she could feel his tight muscles under his shirt and started to rethink her position. However, she detected movement inside her room and realized this was as far as they could get tonight.
"I'm going to have to say goodnight to you from here," said Carmen as she pushed him back. "I don't want you to get the wrong impression."
"Oh, I think I've got the right impression," said Oleg as he pressed in close to her. "But all right you want to play hard to get. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast and you can tell me what a nice girl like you is doing in a place like this."
"I'll see you then," said Carmen. She stood in the doorway and watched as the Major walked away. He looked back at her standing there and he smiled back as if he was waiting for a signal to come back. However, Carmen was determined so in the end he turned back disappearing into the elevator.
"Can I ask you what the heck do you think you're doing in my room," asked Carmen as she walked inside and closed the door behind her. "It was a good thing I heard you knocking about in here before I let Oleg in here for a night cap."
"Oleg is it? Do I need to remind you why we're here and tell you that you don't have time for whatever it is you've got going with him."
"I know exactly what I'm doing and for your information I found out something went down out in town this evening. I'm not sure what it was but Margot looked upset and as well as that Sarah woman did, the one who's with her."
"But you don't know what it was? You don't think they discovered the pen drive do you. That certainly would cause a stir but not out in town," said Marcus as he rethought what he'd just said.
"No, it wouldn't. I think people are here trying to take Jack out. Margot and Jack's daughter are busy trying to stomp out fires which is what we wanted. I just need to give Jack's office a good once over then retrieve the drive he obviously doesn't know he has."
"You need to be careful or they'll recognize you and that will be the end of that. You've come too far to throw it all away."
"Yes, I have and no, I'm not. They don't know me from Eve. Jack dealt with my father not me and I'm going to make him pay for what he did that you can bank on."
"Then you need to leave that Russian alone and get your head in the game. Yes, you want to get even with Jack but we also are in this to become rich. Vengeance is nice but it doesn't pay the rent nor buy the things I'd... we'd like to buy."
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten what I promised you. You see this through with me and you won't be wanting for anything. You have my word on that."
"Now that's what I wanted to hear," said Marcus as he pulled out a flask pouring them both drinks in plastic cups. He handed one to her then sipped from the other. "You know I'm feeling kind of lonely this evening."
"Then go hug a pillow for company. I think you should leave now before someone sees you coming out of my room and links us together," said Carmen as she put her drink down then went to the door and opened it. "I'll see you tomorrow but for now I'm tired and I want to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
"Not just tomorrow but all of them until we can pull this off," said Marcus as he downed his drink then left the cup. "Remember what I said stay away from the Russian. He's bad news."
"You don't have to worry about me, I can take care of myself," said Carmen as she stepped out glancing up and down the hall. "Okay, the coast is clear but you need to move fast."
"Until tomorrow," he said as he tried to kiss her but she turned her face. He ended up kissing her cheek before she shoved him out in the hallway slamming the door behind him. He cursed her under his breath as he walked down to his room.
"Marcus is getting out of hand," said Carmen as she watched him through the peephole in her door. He smelt like distillery and his breath was rank. "If he can't pull his crap together like he told me then I'm going to have to deal with him. Maybe a nice one-way drive into the countryside. He's right about one thing. I've come too far to turn back now and I can't let him screw it up with his jealousy either," she said to herself as she went into the bathroom.
She started to take off her make-up and she glanced up at herself in the mirror. There was her reflection looking back at her but for a few seconds she was a child again looking back. She saw herself standing in her parents' bedroom. The walls had splatters patters all over them, streaks painted crimson red and there on the floor was the body of her mother lying in a pool of her own blood. She heard herself crying out for her father but there was no reply. She turned to run but slipped on her mother's blood and fell. She picked herself up but she was now covered in red. Then she snapped out of it.
"Oh Jack, are you going to pay," she said to her reflection through clenched teeth. "Yes, you're going to pay along with that daughter of yours. I'm going to see to that. My life has been hell now it's your turn."
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Oleg took the elevator back up to his floor then walked down to his room. He didn't want to be disturbed nor distracted before so he'd switch off his phone. Now that he was back in his room he turned it back on and found all the missed calls Twelve's had made to him.
"What's gotten him all spun up," said Twelve as he called him back. He realized it was late now but this could've been urgent. It rang for a bit and just as he was about to give up he heard a click on the other end and then Twelve's voice.
"It's about time you returned my calls," said Twelve. "I called to let you know something is going on here. White's flight has been delayed but I don't know for how long. It's all a mystery now."
"Well, I just saw Black get taken out by a kid so we won't have to worry about him anymore. You say White's flight has been delayed," said the Major as he thought about what that could mean.
"Yes, and something is going on between One and that weasel of a secretary. I don't like the way they're acting. If I didn't know better I'd say they've got some sort of hidden agenda that they're keeping from everyone else in the Circle."
"You might just be over thinking this but I don't think you are. You need to keep an eye on those two until I get back. They could be sending White here which would confirm that White doesn't have the ledger. How many men does he have with him?"
"He has a wet team of six men who are being led by Alpha," said Twelve. He could hear the pause on the other end. "I know the way you feel about Alpha but you were the one who wanted this and we've come too far now to turn around now."
"I'm not think about turning around and if Alpha or his men get in my way... well, I'll deal with them. Maybe I should drive out to the airport and greet them. I can call the control town and find out when the next unscheduled flight is due to arrive."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea but you do whatever you have to do. Just get the ledger then get back here. There is one other thing I need to ask you. We've got a guy who's going to arrive tomorrow to speak to One. I don't know how he did it but he found out about us and wormed his way into the schedule."
"That is strange. It also means your location is compromised but don't point that out or the rats will scurry away and we need to keep everyone together. Who is this guy anyway and why do you say I might know him?"
"His name is Sheshenkov and he is supposed to be a Kolonel in the FSB..."
"His first name is Juri and he was given the name 'Butcher of the Caucasians'. You need to keep an eye on him. The man is crafty and smart but above all don't let his appearance fool you. Many have and many have paid the price with their lives."
"If you say he's like this then what do you think he wants with the Circle?"
"I have no idea but whatever it is it must be important to him. The last I heard of him he'd dropped out of sight and off the grid. No one knew where he was and some even said that he was dead."
"I can assure you he's not."
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Chuck was sitting on the charter flight flying from Berlin to Chișinău International Airport. In front of him was a tablet with a USB pen attached. The pen Roan had handed him with love from Diane when they met in Berlin but absent at his arrival were both Anatoly and Stefan.
"Here's what you asked for," said Roan as he handed him the pen. "I have to admit I took a peek at it. Are you sure it's wise to look into your father-in-law? You look at that then Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same again."
"Thanks for the warning but I have to if I'm going to sort this thing out. The only way to get this hit off Jack is to trace it back to its source which if I'm right I'll find on this."
"Well, I hope you find what you're looking for. But you seem as thought you were expecting someone else here," said Roan as he noticed Chuck looking around.
"No... no one else, this is a mission for one... I guess," said Chuck as he shook Roan's hand then got on his charter. That was a couple hours before and he was ready to take a break from looking at the screen.
"We're nowhere near finding out who's behind this then before," said Chuck as he leaned back in his seat yawning then looked at his watch. He was going to have to get into character very soon.
"Hey dude, just calling to check in on you and my favorite two Russians," said Morgan as he appeared on the tablet screen.
"Sorry to disappoint, but they were no shows. I guess Igor didn't want to take the risk and I can't see as I blame him. This is a long shot at the best," said Chuck. "You know Casey's going to kill you if he finds out you were down in Castle while everyone was out."
"You know what they say, 'what he doesn't know won't hurt him' or me in this case. I was just calling to see if there's anything I can do from back here?"
"Just make sure Sam and Bunny stay safe. Has Kathy dropped in anymore? Don't answer that it will only make me nervous and I can't afford to be nervous now. I'm about to walk into a shark tank and if they smell blood it won't end well."
"Chuck, are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean it doesn't sound like this is much of a plan you walking into their camp like this."
"It's what I've got to do but it would help if I had a name to throw out to them. So far I haven't found anyone from Jack and Sarah's past who is alive who'd have the resources to pull something like this off."
"One name sticks out in my mind but he'd have to be a ghost reaching out from the other side to get even. But I think he's probably burning in hell where he deserves to be."
"You're talking about Shaw but remember what the guy went through. We created Shaw then blamed him when he did... well what he did. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I don't have to worry about him or that he failed to get his revenge but it wasn't all his fault."
"You're too nice on the guy. We all have choices in life and the ones he made were all bad or that's what my fortune cookie said. Last night was the ten-dollar buffet."
"When are you going to take Alex to a decent restaurant? People elbowing over the fried wonton and waiting in line for the Spring rolls to come out isn't exactly romantic. And don't say you don't make enough because I know exactly what you make."
"Dude, I've got to save up for a wedding. You know how expensive they are and I've got a pretty demanding father-in-law so I've got to do this right. You know he keeps telling me to take out life insurance. I don't know if it's because he wants to make sure Alex is taken care of or he wants her to become a rich widow."
"That's it," said Chuck as he had a sudden idea. "You're exactly right. You're right on the money."
"I am? That Casey wants to whack me so Alex can be a rich widow. Chuck, I know John and I have this running thing going where he physically abuses me and I put up with it but not like you're thinking... anyway John's not going to whack me. Well, at least not for money."
"No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about what you said before about someone reaching out from beyond the grave to get even."
"You think Shaw's ghost has got in for Jack? I don't even know if he ever knew about Jack but with his evil intersect he probably did. But no, what are you talking about? You want me to make you appointment to sit on Dr. Leo's couch?"
"No, I've been looking at this all wrong. I've excluded all the people Jack and Sarah had dealings with who are dead..."
"Yes, dead is dead," said Morgan as he cut Chuck off. "Are you sure you don't want me to call Dr. Leo when we get done here and have him give you a call? I mean you sound like your cheese has slipped off your cracker."
"Funny Morgan, but no, I'm perfectly sane..."
"Which is exactly what a crazy person would say," said Morgan as he cut Chuck off again. "You are wearing your governor and it is charged up, right?"
"Yes Morgan, I've got it on," said Chuck as he held up his wrist for Morgan to see. "It's right here and yes it's charged. I've got to get off here and get back to work. Tell Sam and Bunny that I love them and I hope to be home soon."
"You'd better because I'm going to need a best man."
"And you need to set a date," said Chuck then he signed off. "I need to get this algorithm written than I need to put on my disguise," he said as he started humming the theme song from 'Fiddler on the Roof'.