Don't own Chuck

Igor's secretary was busy typing up letters his boss had written on his way into the office that morning. However, between Trotski's hand writing and riding in the back of a moving vehicle what was written on the papers was almost unintelligible. He wanted Igor to get a tablet and had even suggested it but pen on paper couldn't be hacked. But the need for national security didn't help him when he couldn't understand the word so when in doubt he'd try to sound out the phrase in a low voice to make sense out of it.

"Oh-cheen' pree-yet-nah... nice to meet you," he said. He nodded as he scanned down the page then stopped. "That makes sense but...," he said as she stopped and looked closer at the page.

"Dushka? Darling, I don't think that's what he meant at least not writing to the President but this is the Novorossiya even if it's not that new," said the secretary. Suddenly, he heard a cough and noticed a man standing in front of him with a stupid grim on his face. He immediately didn't like the man.

"Hello, I'm from records and I received an automatic message that told me I was to come and see the Director immediately."

"And this automatic message said exactly what? You were to slip in quietly into the Director's office and spy on me as I was working?"

"What? No, I did knock but you didn't answer so I tried the door and it was open so I came in. The message says this is for the Director's eyes only."

"I see. Please wait here one moment," said the secretary wondering how much the man had overheard. "Sir, there's a man from records here to see you. He says it's about an automated message but won't tell me much more. The message told him it was for your eyes... well ears only.

"I was expecting this," said Igor through the squawk box on the secretary's desk. "Send him in and have my car brought around front. Tell the driver I'll tell him where we're going once I come down to meet him. Oh, also get me Mikhailovich and Metrohken, I want them out front standing by my car waiting for me."

"Yes sir, I'm sending the man from records on in then getting on the rest," said the secretary as he motioned for the man to go on in. The man started toward the door then stopped and turned back.

"No, I don't think the Director would called the President dushka. As you said this might be the new Russia but there is new and then there's new."

"Remember tovarich, many people have ended up in the basement for far less then overhearing things they have no business hearing," said the secretary. "Knock first then wait to be told to come in." The man did and was greeted by Igor screaming from the inside.

"Come in. Why are you making me wait?" he yelled as the man looked back at Igor's secretary with a raise eyebrow wondering if this wasn't some sort of revenge then went inside. "Well, don't just stand there in the doorway come on in and tell me what you have to say. Is that the file that was access?"

"Yes," said the man standing in the director's office with a file folder in his hand. "There was some sort of electronic message that was generated when the file was accessed instructing me to come to see you. I printed out the dossier and brought it with me."

"Good, what is your name?" said Igor as he took it from the man then flipped through it as the man stood in front of him.

"Annikov, Sir," he answered as he continued standing there in the middle of the room not knowing if he should sit down, remain standing or leave. He had to muster up courage before he asked. "Should I go now Sir?"

"Just one moment Mr. Annikov. Did anyone else from your office read this?" said Igor as he continued to skim through the pages without looking up which made the man feel even more nervous thinking about what the secretary had said about the basement.

"No, as soon as the message flashed on my screen I printed everything off then told my boss I needed to step out for a moment," said the men who suddenly realized if they ghosted him now no one would know where he'd gone or what he doing.

"Good, let's keep it that way. I don't have to warn you about keeping state secrets and what happens to those who don't," said Igor. This time he looked straight at him staring at him in the eyes.

"No Sir, you don't. As soon as I leave here I won't remember a thing about that folder or what's in it. I'm good at forgetting," babbled the man. "Just ask my wife, I've forgotten our wedding anniversary three years straight as well as her birthday."

"My dear friend Andre that's no good," said Igor. The man's heart sank as he thought he'd put his foot in it and Igor made sure Andre knew who he was. "A man should remember his wife and remember what he does can have consequences for her too as well as the rest of the family. Do we understand each other?"

"Perfectly Director, Sir," said Andre as he stood there. Igor looked at him puzzled like he was trying to figure out what to do with him. The silence was killing him.

"Why are you still standing here? You can go and remember what I told you about secrecy. Not a word about this to anyone else." Andre didn't have to be told twice he was out of there like a cat with its tail on fire.

"Sir," said Igor's secretary as he walking in smiling. "Your car is waiting for you out front like you asked but both Mikhailovich and Metrohken are out of the city. Neither of their offices knew exactly where they are."

"Out of the city? I didn't send them anywhere? Call over to Grizodubovoy and tell them I need LTCol Stanasolovski on loan and to have her meet me at the Internal Ministry," said Igor as he tossed the folder Andre had brought him into his safe then locked it. "What are those two idiots up to? They wouldn't, or would they? No, they're not that stupid."

"I could call back down to their offices and try to find out more or I could just walk down and ask them in person?"

"No, no, it's better that I don't know I think," said Igor as he made sure the safe was locked. "Go call the GRU and get me the Lieutenant Colonel... oh and have them tell her to bring her passport with her. I might have to send her abroad."

"What do you want me to tell them when they ask why you need her and where you want to send her?"

"Tell them I didn't tell you and if they press for more detail you can tell them that people... people in the inner circle will be upset if they don't cooperate. That should be answer enough for them."

"Yes, sir," said his secretary as he ducked back out. Igor grabbed his hat and overcoat then started to leave but stopped. He walked back behind his desk draw and pulled out a draw taking out his Makarov 9. He picked it up and looked at it in his hand.

"You're coming with me too just to be on the safe side after all it's better to be safe than sorry," he said as he racked back the slide housing the first round then slipped it in his should holster under his jacket. "Now let's go land a fish."

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Anatoly and Stefan were too late leaving Moscow to meet up with Chuck in Berlin but they found out he was headed for Moldova so they decided to meet up with him there. They flew into Chişinău from Moscow on Air Moldova. The flight was relatively short and with only a minor incident. In Moscow they flashed their badges so they didn't have to go through security and went straight to the plane as it was boarding.

"Are you sure about this," said Anatoly. "The door hasn't closed yet so we can still bail before there are any consequences."

"Of course I am sure, you worry too much. When the flight attendant comes by ask her for a drink that should calm you down. I swear you sound like my granny sometimes."

"She sounds like wise old woman who got old by knowing when to worry. They give you a cigarette at your firing squad. I just hope you do know what you're talking about," said Anatoly as he leaned back and started looking around their flight. "Hey, don't turn around but there's a man two rows back on the left that I think I recognize."

"Let me check," said Stefan as he pulled out a cigarette case. He opened it and on the inside was a mirror. He held it up to see the man but just then a flight attendant happened to pass by and noticed him.

"Sir, I'm sorry but you're going to have to put that away. This is a non-smoking flight so you're going to have to wait until we arrive in Moldova."

"I wasn't... I mean I don't. I just keep this to offer but thank you. However, since you're here can you get my friend a vodka. He's a little nervous... you know he doesn't like flying."

"I am not nervous and I have nothing against flying. My friend is just being... well you understand what I'm trying to say. If anything he's the one who's making me nervous."

"Well, as far as a drink goes you're both going to have to wait until we're in the air. Airline regulations forbids us from distributing alcoholic beverages while we're on the ground. Now, if you don't mind I have other passengers to take care of," said the flight attendant then she left.

"She was a little curt, wasn't she," said Stefan as he used his cigarette case to follow the attendant as she walked down the aisle. "I think I'm in love. Do you think she was acting like that because she likes me?"

"Curt! Likes you? She probably thinks you should be locked away in some mental hospital somewhere for the terminally stupid."

"Now, now let's watch our words," said Stefan as elderly an woman came in and was having trouble getting her bag in the overhead bin. "Here let me help you with that."

"Spah-see-boh, [Thank you,] that's very kind of you," she said as Stefan got up and put the woman's bag in the bin.

"There you go," said Stefan then he looked back at the man Anatoly had seen. "Do you mind taking a photo of my friend and me. We want to send it back into the office so they can see what fun we're having together. You know kind of sticking it to them because they have to work."

"Sure, but you're going to have to show me how. I'm not very good with these new technology gizmos."

"Thanks," said Stefan. He took out his phone then demonstrated for the woman how to take a photo by taking a picture of the man Anatoly had recognized. The old woman took their photo Stefan thanked her then he took his seat again.

"There we go. Is that the man you were talking about," said Stefan as he showed Anatoly the photo he'd taken. He nodded. "I don't know who he is either but he does have a familiar face so it wouldn't hurt to check him out."

"But you can't send that in for facial recognition without the wrong people finding out. You need to send it to someone we trust."

"I can't send it to Igor because he's not supposed to know where we are... you know plausible deniability and all that," said Stefan as he thought for a few moments. "I know who I can send this too. I just hope she's not still pissed at me."

"That would be just about every woman you've dated. I swear I don't know why you can't get yourself together. When I was your age I was already married and we were talking about a family."

"And look what it's done to you," said Stefan as he pointed to Anatoly's waist. "I'm just not a one-woman man. I've tried but it never lasts. I'm the bee in a field of blooms why should I settle for just one flower."

"And one of these days you're going to land on a Venus fly trap and that will be the end of you. You should think about that."

"But what a way to go," said Stefan as he hit send on the photo screen. "Imma should have that in a few seconds and if she looks this up through the GRU no one will be the wiser."

"You've kept in touch with her? I think you've might have met you Venus Fly trap."

"We're just friends that like each other's company. She sees things the same way as I see them... without any attachments. I think the Americans call it friends with benefits."

"I don't want to hear about it," said Anatoly as the fasten-seatbelt light came on and they took off. That was a couple of hours before now they were landing. After customs they made their way over to the hangar where the grounds people were supposed to bring Chuck's plane.

"Here's his plane," said Anatoly as they watched a man waving a Learjet into the hangar without a tail number. "Any word yet from Imma? She should've had time to run that by now."

"No, not a word yet. She could have other work to get done first or she could be a little pissed a me but I'd thought she'd be over that by now."

"I'm afraid to ask why," yelled Anatoly over the sound of the jet engines. "This is really none of my business."

"I made the mistake of saying I loved her after... well after," yelled Stefan back. Anatoly turned and gave him a look. "I know it was a moment of stupidity."

"No, it's just I didn't know you knew those words existed," said Anatoly as the plane powered down and the grounds people started moving a ladder next to the hatch. "Well continue... you can't leave me this way."

"That's what I told her and she got mad saying I was trying to rush things. We haven't talked since then."

"Well, there is the obvious age difference she has to consider. You're not spring chicken," said Anatoly as Stefan gave him a look.

"I've never had any complaints and before you say anything about teaching an old dog new tricks... well, my friend I invented most of those old tricks. But it was a moment of weakness on my part and it will never happen again I can assure you."

"Don't get mad and don't be that way. I'm happy for you... not because you got rejected but that you proved your human. If we don't get put in front of a firing squad you should talk to her again. You might've just caught her off guard."

"And if we get sent to Yakutsk I could invite her to come along. What woman wouldn't want to come to the coldest city in the world?"

"You could build ice castles together," said Anatoly as he laughed and patted Stefan on the back. "Come on let's say hello to Chuck."

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Carmen slept terribly, the nightmare she had caused her to toss and turn all night long. She hadn't had one of those is a long time but it was expected given where she was and who was there. However, she was suddenly awoken with a feeling that there was someone in the room with her. She slowly reached under her pillow feeling for the Beretta Bobcat she kept there.

"I don't know who you are but you've broken into the wrong person's room," she thought to herself as she gripped the weapon. She rolled over and brought the weapon up ready to fire but just as she did she recognized the scent of cheap aftershave.

"Hey, it's me," said Marcus as stood at the end of her bed holding two cups of coffee. "I didn't know if you wanted cream and sugar so I brought it black."

"That's fine just set it down on the dresser and what the heck are you doing in here? I could've and should've shot you. What the heck were you thinking?"

"I was thinking we need to talk before you go see your new boyfriend. I don't know if you know but we've got more players on the field. A guy came in last night with some thugs..."

"I know and Oleg knows their leader... or one of them. I didn't get a chance to figure out their group dynamics."

"You met them with Oleg? Are we flirting with the enemy? You know why they're here and if we don't get to it first it will be all over."

"Don't worry, I've got this in hand," said Carmen as she got out of bed in a sheer nightgown. "You worry too much I've got this covered."

"I hope you've got this covered more than you are now, because this is quickly starting to look like a free-for-all. We need to get into that office as quickly as we can and then get out of here."

"Don't worry like I told you I've got this under control. If everything goes the way I've planned the Major will bring us what we need and we won't have to set foot in there. That is unless you want to go for it and get yourself killed trying."

"Is that what you're doing with the Major? You're using him," said Marcus as he thought for a moment. "Not a half bad idea but you need to be careful."

"Again, here you go with the worrying. Do you want to shave your legs and take my place? Somehow, I don't think you'd make it past the swimsuit competition and you're not Oleg's type. Now get out of here so I can change and make sure you're not seen leaving. Just stay in the background and if I need you I'll signal you."

Marcus started to say something but Carmen cut him off by giving him a look then she pointing to the door.

"There's the door and no more telling me I need to be careful. I know what I need to be and I don't need you to remind me."

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Sarah was another one who was having a hard time sleeping. She'd closed her eyes for a couple of hours but sleep just wouldn't come. She was worried about Chuck and homesick for the girls. This was a strange feeling for her and one she wasn't used to nor did she know how to cope with it. In the end she got up and went down to the bar. When she walked in she found Razhib sitting in the corner with an orange juice in front of him.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who's awake," said Sarah as she sat down across the table from him. "I'll have a cappuccino with lots of chocolate on top," she told the waitress.

"I had trouble sleeping so I came down here to try and clear my head," said Razhib as he looked into his orange juice.

"I can't solve my problems so let me take a swing at yours," said Sarah as the waitress brought her over her cappuccino. "I won't drink this back in the States. There's just too much milk in it but here it's like fitting in I guess."

"Just don't order one after breakfast. I overheard some of the Europeans laughing saying something about forming a cappuccino police."

"I'd like to see them try to take me in and if I want a cappuccino in the afternoon it's my right... but not that I'd ever want one. I guess I'm the sort of person that if someone tells me I can't do something I'm going to do it just to spite them. Cappuccino police, really. I mean it's just coffee with milk, right?"

"I guess you're right," said Razhib smiling. He understood what she was doing and it was working. She was distracting from his problems.

"Now wear that smile proudly, you've got nothing to be ashamed of and don't worry about Miriam or her family."

"How'd you know I was thinking about her... I mean them."

"You may not believe this but I was your age at one time but I had Jack Burton as a father. I know this might seem like the end of everything but you're young and it's not. Now finish your orange juice then get back up in bed before Margot wakes up and finds you gone. With everything going on right now she'll have the whole casino in lockdown and I wouldn't blame her," said Sarah as she reached across the table and caressed his face.

"We fight to protect the things we love," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. She was thinking about Chuck in Moldova and there was nothing she could do for him.