Don't own Chuck

Beckman looked around the crystal palace then headed over to the building next to theirs to talk with the security manager with Paul and Teddy in tow. She looked for her Major but couldn't find him. However, on the way out she bumped into Roan who was talking with a couple of young female scientists.

"So would you either of you like to do a little genetic research or even both of you," asked Roan. "We could do a little experiment together. I could be your controlled group I even brought the hand cuffs. Or we could have a double blind study. You could hand cuff then blindfolded me." The women laughed and smiled.

"Roan will you leave those women along. They could be your daughters and considering your proclivities it is within the realm of the possible. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"I am ashamed… ashamed that I couldn't do my research project. We might've had a scientific breakthrough advancing science by fifty or more years if we had gone through with our experiment."

"Roan, you're incorrigible will you leave jailbait alone and get your head in the game. Where did my Major disappear to? Did he tell you where he was going?"

"Yes he went downtown Alexandria to talk with the Detective that was here the other day," said Roan as he kept his eye on the two women in white coats.

"I wish he'd waited for me I wanted to talk to him too. Where does he get off taking out like that? I'm going to have to have a talk with him," said the General as she followed Paul over to the other tower complex.

They walked into the Honest Brothers and Sons Brokers building. Mr. Smythe was in his office looking over blue prints with Bob their IT guy talking about installing a double set of security cameras and alarms on a separate served which would act as a backup for the primary camera system.

"What do you think Bob. Can I run this up the flagpole the way it's written? I need to present the problem along with a solution."

"Well the only problem I can see with this is the cost. A separate dedicated server along with what? At least two cameras per floor. I could install all this to save you some money but it still isn't going to be cheap," said Bob as there was a knock at his door. He told them to come in and did a double take when he saw an Air Force General walk in. He recognized Paul in the mix but he decided to play it cool.

"Mr. Clyde Smythe," he said as he held out his hand. The General took it and shook. "I assume this has to do with our break-in."

"I don't know we're still investigating," said Beckman. "I'd like to have a look at your roof then we can go from there."

"So you're admitting you've had a break-in now," said Smythe. While Smythe and the General were dueling Teddy walked over and looked at the blueprints.

"Not a bad plan to isolate your cameras on a hidden server. What if I told you we could provide you with all the tech you need and I'll help your IT guy set this up. Will that sweeten the pot up enough for you to help us out?"

"You can't give away government property," said Beckman as he turned to Teddy. "All that stuff needs to be accounted for."

"No problem," said Teddy. "I've got a server sitting in my office right now gathering dust and I've also got the cameras. You just need to put in the cable and then we can hardwire it all in."

"Well it seems we do have something to offer you so can we have that tour of your roof now," said the General. "Roan, call the Major and tell him to get back here on the double or I'm going to leave him behind and he can make his own way back home. I have those samples I want tested. Roan… Roan? Where'd we lose Roan at?"

"I'm right here," said Roan as he rushed inside on hearing the General call his name. "I'll have to get back with you," he said to a red head at the door.

"Roan call the Major, I want to get out of here as quickly as possible after we see the roof and please try to keep up."

"Yes Diane," he said as they walked out on the roof. They followed Smythe over to the place they'd identified as being of interest.

"This is it," said Smythe. He showed them the rope burns on the casing then where the rope or cord had been tied off. "Detective Derrick took a piece of cord with him that we found right over there."

"You say he took it with him?" asked Diane. Smythe nodded Diane looked over at Roan. "Roan, are you on the phone with the Major?"

"Yes he just pulled up and is asking if we can give him a half an hour. I told him you said you wanted him back right away."

"No counter that order. Have him talk to Derrick and have him ask for a section rope or cord he picked up on the roof of the Honest Brothers & Sons. If he balks, we'll revisit any further assistance with this case."

"Did you get all that," asked Roan. "Okay before you leave there call in to see if we have any further questions we might need answered in person."

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The Major hung up with Roan then walked over to the police station. He walked in the first floor and entered into a sea of blue. It was alive with busy activity as the Major made his way up to the woman sitting at the information desk.

"Major, what can I do for you today," asked the woman standing behind a desk with a glass window looking over her clipboard.

"Colleen is it," said the Major reading the woman's name tag. "I'm looking for a Detective by the named of Derrick. Do you know where I can him?"

"Just wait here and I'll call him for you," she said. He watched her pick up the phone and punched in a number. He saw her bobbing her head as she talked then she came back to her window.

"I called him and he said he would be right down. If you want, you can have a seat over on the benches while you wait."

"Thank you," said the Major. He walked over to the bench and sat down. Ten minutes later he was still sitting there. He watched the dregs of life being dragged through for processing. At the twenty-minute mark he realized the detective was probably getting even for the way he'd been treated by their man. He noticed a man standing in front of Colleen's window and she was pointing towards him. Then the man came walking over to him. He got up and met the man half way.

"Major, I hear you're looking for me? I'm sorry I've kept you waiting but I was waiting on a report from out lab and I had to push them to get it done. What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to see the results of that test you ran on that section of cord," said the Major. He saw the surprise on Derrick's face. "What else could've kept you so long? You wanted to make sure you had your report before I could ask you for it. Don't tell me I'm wrong you'll just insult your and my intelligence."

"Okay so you being here how am I supposed to interpret that? Does this mean we're going to have a different working paradigm?"

"I don't know if it will be that much different but we will be saying thank you and we appreciate your assistance."

"Well that's already different from the way your guy… I am assuming he was one of your people treated me at your secret government facility."

"That agent no longer works for us," said the Major. "So do you have an office or someplace we can go talk privately?"

"Follow me I'll take you to an interrogation room," said Derrick then waved the Major to follow him. They walked through past other detectives that looked up at him as he walked by. The Major noticed the police used tablets. He smiled as he walked by. Once inside the interrogation room the Major unhooked the video and audio feeds. "I just want to make sure we're both honest."

"I am I don't know about you people. Whatever, have a seat," said Derrick as he pointed at a chair. "So you want to know what our laboratory found out?"

"That would be kind of you," said the Major missing the sarcasm in the detectives' voice. "It will also save us some time as well as tax dollars."

"What are you going to give me in exchange?" said Derrick. It became apparent to the Major that Derrick wanted more than he wanted to say. "Hey you can't smoke in here."

"I don't smoke. It's a nervous tick I have… I have to play with something. So you want something in return. What do you want to know?"

"Some people might say you have a fixation," said the detective. "What I'd like to know is what's going on in that tower of yours?"

"And if I told you I couldn't tell you," said the Major. The Detective held a folder in front of him then took it away. "I'm sorry but the work that's done inside is not only sensitive but also highly classified."

"Well, if you're not going to share with me then I'm not going to share with you," said the detective as he folded the document then slipped it in his inside jacket pocket.

"Actually, I think I did," said the Major as he fidgeted with the lighter. "Are you sure you want to go down this road?"

"I'm afraid we're on it already."

A few minutes later the Major exited the interrogation room walking out past the other policemen. He walked out like he belonged there. Avoiding eye contact he navigated his way through the aisles in the offices then he took the elevator down to the ground floor after that it was out to his Escalade. A half an hour later two cops brought in a perp taking him in for questioning and fencing hot merchandise.

"Come on Jerk let's move it," said one of the officers as they led their perp back to the interrogation rooms.

"Man, you can't treat me like this. I know my rights Dude and you and your partner Dudley Doright here are violating them."

"Do you now. Look here Frankie we've got ourselves a regular prison lawyer. Come on Melvin you either did the break-in or you know who did it. How else are you going to explain the stolen merchandise we found in your place? What happened little elves came by and dropped it off. When the owner comes in and identifies the good it will be too late and all deals on the table go away."

"If I talk I need immunity from all my past wrong doings," said their perp as they opened the door to the interrogation room then walked him inside. "Hey what kind of trick is this? I said I'd talk to you and just to you. What's he doing here?"

"Detective Derrick," said Frankie as he shook him trying to get him to wake up but he reluctantly woke up fighting it. "Detective Derrick, rough day are you taking a nap. We've got the room now so if you nothing mind you really need to leave so we can get on with this."

"Where am I at? How did I get here?" asked Derrick as he groggily looked around. He tried to get up but slipped back down in his chair.

"Hey can I get whatever he had?" said Melvin. "Oh Dude and you guys hassle me with a little hot merchandise then invite me to the party but forget to tell me it's formal attire only."

"Put a cork in it Melvin," said Frankie. "Steve, do you feel all right? I have to say from where I'm at you look like hammered crap."

"No I'm fine," he said as he got up. He reached in his pocket but his tablet was missing. "Crap," he said to himself. "What happened to me and why can't I remember anything from last night until now."

"Just let you know we didn't see anything and if Melvin know what's good for him he'll keep his trap closed too."

"If you cut me a line I can forget anything you want me to forget. Just don't forget your old pal here. They say you cops have the best stuff. I'd like a free sample."

"What's he talking about," said Derrick. His head was throbbing even his eyelashes ached. "What stolen merchandise are you talking about?"

"He was caught with merchandise from that job in Maryland. We brought Melvin in to have a chat before the Feds come in and haul him away."

"And that's violating my civil rights. I want a lawyer I know my right. I don't have to say anything or do I? You know you get me talking and who knows what will come out."

"Listen scumbag," said Derrick as he shoved Melvin's face against the table pressing it hard. "I… we want to know how you got the crap you were caught with. That was a high rise break-in if I remember right. No one could figure out how the thief got in?"

"That's right Steve," said Frankie as he pulled him back off their perp. "But this is our case and if you want some advice I'd go home. We'll tell the Captain you were sick."

"No, I know how the burglar broke in. The case you're talking about and mine I think are connected. Hold up I need to check something," said Derrick. He took out his phone and called a number. "It's me I need to know if you've had time to analyze that rope sample I brought it? … What do you mean I picked it up earlier? When did I do that? … You sure it was me you gave it to? … No I'm not making a joke. … Okay just print me out another copy. … What do you mean you can't the computer system is down? … You guys need to lock up Melvin then come with me something isn't right and I think I know what it is. Before you guys think I've lost my mine you need to come with me.

[Back at the Towers]

The General got off the phone with the Major then looked at the two civilians she was with. She looked over at Roan and pulled out her lighter. He looked back at her and understood. Mr. Smythe was walking them around the roof top explaining everything while Bob their IT guy was talking shop talk with Teddy.

"I'm sorry this a tobacco free environment," said Smythe. "If you want to smoke we'll have to go back out through the lobby to the designated smoke area."

"Can't a lady light up a cigarette anymore," said the General as she gave Smythe a hit of X-13 gas. Roan slipped up behind Bob and grabbed him from behind doing the same thing. Paul had heard about it but had never seen it used before. Teddy was in shock.

"You didn't just kill them, did you," said Teddy as he stood over the top of Bob. "I liked him… we had a lot in common."

"They're not dead," said Beckman. "I need you guys to get it together. You the It guy go down and contact Langley they'll want a back door into servers downstairs. Roan, go with him while I go with our man back next door. We need to get a move on this quickly."

"Did something go wrong with the Major?"

"You could say that."

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Chuck and Sarah got everything ready for their departure. After they got their bags ready as well as Sam's and Bunny's they left everything and everyone with Emma. She got her bags and Molly's to get ready while Sarah and Chuck ran into Castle to call Beckman to let her they were getting ready to fly out that afternoon.

"Sarah, do we have to tell Beckman that we're going on vacation," said Chuck. "I mean she already cleared us the time off so why do we have to take the risk of her changing her mind."

"We're just letting her know that there will be no one here in Castle until tomorrow. You where the one who told Morgan he could take the two days off."

"I know you didn't like that but I had to. Morgan and Alex needed the time together and so did Casey and Kat."

"It's not that I didn't like it. Actually, I thought it was kind of cute the way you try to make Morgan and Alex work. Not to mention the way you take care of the relationship between Casey and Kat. I can really see the effort you put in trying to help them but sometimes, and don't take this the wrong way, you try too hard."

"What's that supposed to mean?" said Chuck defensively. "I only want them to have what we have and I think they can if they put the effort in it."

"Listen and don't get mad but Chuck sometimes you're like the village matchmaker. You know, the old woman who tries to put people together…."

"So what's wrong with that? I see something broken and I try to fix it," said Chuck as Sarah looked at him shaking her head.

"Remember if it works leave it along. The problem is that the same old woman is the first one her fellow villagers will accuse of being a witch after meddling the affairs of the wrong people. You realize you're playing with fire by forcing them to be together. It's like putting two male cats in a room and telling them to get along. You can't force people to be together."

"I'm not forcing anyone to do anything. They are what they are. I just wanted Morgan and Casey to realize they needed to stop taking for granted their partners."

"Really and how do you think that's going to play out down there?" said Sarah as they got off the elevator in Castle. "And if it doesn't work you know who they're going to blame don't you?"

"The old woman in the village. Maybe it is better if we get out of here before they get back. I have no desire to be burnt at the stake."

"Don't worry they'll have to go through me first," said Sarah as she kissed him. "You certainly did put a spell on me. Now let's get this over with and then we can get out of Dodge."

Chuck sat down at the console while Sarah stood behind him. He felt her hand on his shoulder it felt good… it felt like it belonged there and he never wanted her to take it away. The monitor flickered then Beckman came on looking at them puzzled.

"Agents Carmichael, why are you contacting men? I thought you were supposed to be on vacation. Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just… well we were going to cover for Morgan and Casey so they could…" Chuck started to say take Alex and Kat for a getaway but Sarah cut in.

"Ma'am what Chuck is trying to say is that John took the rest of the team to track down a lead in Acapulco but it seems that it was nothing. Anyway we're going to leave today which means there will be no one here in Castle until tomorrow…"

"Agents, I don't know what kind of false idea you have but you are not my only agents. Right now I'm in the middle of a crap storm trying to resolve a situation one of your fellow agent's created and if Castle is left uncovered for a day it isn't ideal but I think the agency will get by."

"Sorry if we bothered you General but Sarah was only following protocol and you can't slight her for that. This problem you've got do you want help from the intersect. I could flash on it and give you whatever insight I can get. I might be able to help you out."

"Chuck, don't take this the wrong way, but I've been at this game before you were born and while the intersect is an important tool in our arsenal of liberty it is not a cure all. You use the right tool for the right job. You don't go squirrel hunting with an elephant gun. If there's nothing else, I have work I need to get back to. Have a good vacation and if I should need you I'll contact you so until then consider yourselves on vacation. Beckman out."

"Wow what was that about," said Chuck as the screen went blank. He cut the connection then turned around to Sarah standing there. He saw the look she was giving him. "I know I have the same feeling that something is going on she doesn't want us to know about."

"No Chuck that's not it. You don't even realize you just volunteered to stay here and work instead of going on vacation with your family."

"No I didn't, did I? I just meant that I'd look at whatever she had then flash on it and give her my feedback… you know my input. Crap, you're right I did volunteer. What was I thinking?"

"I don't know but you'd better be glad she didn't take you up on your offer or you'd be in trouble with a certain little girl."

"You're right."