Don't own Chuck
The Circus pulled into the rest stop just outside of Lyons. They'd been on the road for five hours and it would be another three before they arrived at Monte Carlo to set up. Then no matter how tired they were they had to put on a performance. After that and only then could they rest until their performance the next day. Monte Carlo was a week-long gig then from there they moved to Italy... Milan and began their Italian tour.
Casey climbed out of the clown trailer when they got to the rest stop. He'd about had all he could take of minions and clowning around.
"Geez, if I have to be the brunt of another clown joke I'm going to pull my Ka-bar and carve me some fillet mignon," he said to himself as he looked around for Rita. He saw her go inside the Autogrill. Looking back, he saw Alfredo heading towards the closed container car where they'd loaded the cages. Then he noticed Giovanni talking with his father outside their vehicle so for a little while he thought he had a few minutes to do what he wanted to do. This was his window of opportunity and he took it following her inside.
"This way," said Rita. She'd seen him too and was waiting for him inside the door. He followed her down a set of stairs towards the bathrooms and a shower area.
"This is far enough lady. We can talk here and not be heard," said Casey. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of Marco from the corner of his eye and he felt a chair being broken across his back. He turned to Marco with fire in his eyes who was left holding what remained of broken chair in his hands.
"You've just gone and made a very serious mistake. Boy, you're in a world of pain," said John. He landed one punch that sent him across the room into the opposite wall. Marco made a loud thud when he hit the wall then slid down.
"Leave the boy alone. Hey face me if you've got the guts," yelled Raul as he pulled a switch blade from his pocket. "Are you afraid of my knife? You ought to be."
"I call that a toothpick wielded with little can do attitude and I mean little. I hate to inform you but your momma might have told you size does count," said John as he pulled from behind him his Ka-Bar. "But with knives size does. Now this is a knife."
"Put down the knife," said Rita. Casey turned to face her. She had a Beretta 21 A Bobcat in her hand pointed it at him.
"Lady, you're going to shoot me with a .22," said John. He just shook his head. "The only thing you're going to do is make me even more angry than I already am. You shoot that thing then everyone is going to come down here and after that you all will have some serious explaining to do when the police arrive."
"Don't listen to him I got him," yelled Marco as he charged him from behind. Casey simply moved out of the way then stuck his foot out. Marco tripped and flew into Rita they both went down hard. Casey went over and picked up the pistol before Raul thought about getting it.
"Oh crap my foot," complained Rita as she tried to get up but pain shot up her leg. She had to sit down. "Marco, I think you broke it."
"You probably only sprain it," said Casey. "Listen I didn't come here to get jumped. I came to give you a heads up that Alfredo is setting you guys up to take the fall for the heist in Alexandria. Don't even try to play innocent with me. The building you broke into was a classified government lab and the data you took belongs to a top secret government project. You are about to be charged with treason and sedition which with the patriot act gives you a one-way ticket to Gitmo."
"But you can't do that to us... we're U.S. citizens. We've got rights," said Raul. He stood over Rita as Marco took care of her foot. "Beside we're abroad right now."
"You can take that up with the lawyer that won't have a right to. If you cannot afford an attorney, too bad because you won't be provided one."
"You don't understand we were made to. We had no choice," said Rita. But Marco squeezed her foot to keep her quiet. "Augh, let go of my foot before I kick you with my good one. This is both of yours fault."
"I know all about Alfredo and your father. My people are doing everything they can do to find him. You father is still in the States. We think he's being held in a hospital," said Casey but as he was speaking they heard voices getting near.
"Here... they're down here," yelled one of Alfredo's minions. Casey recognized his voice from the trailer. John held up a finger to his lip for them to be quiet.
"Yes, we're down here. That's the one they call gassy," yelled John. "Tell Giovanni he's going to need to bring a medical kit. Rita had an accident."
A few minutes later there was a crowd down below standing around watching Giovanni as he bandaged Rita's ankle. He wrapped it tight but not took tight then had her hold it up and put a cold compress on it to keep the swelling down.
"Well there you go," he said. "Now can you explain to me again how you sprain your ankle? You said you came down here to use the bathroom..."
"That's right my brothers and Johann went to the men's and I was over in the women's. I guess there was water on the floor I didn't see and slipped. It happened so quickly one moment I was up and the next I was down."
"That's right," said John. "Then we helped her out here and you guys came looking. We should really take her to a hospital and get an x-ray..."
"No, I'm fine. I just need to keep off my foot and by the time we get to Monte Carlo I'll be better. Just wait and see."
"I don't know if you should perform," said Giovanni but as they were talking Casey's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID it was the General.
"I'm sorry it's my mother. I agree with Giovanni I don't think you're going to be able to perform," John said as he answered. "Hi mom this isn't a good time. Can I call you back? I'm listening," he said as he wandered off.
"Give her time and she'll be okay," said Alfredo. "She can rest up on the way down and her brothers can set up. After all the show must go on and so what if she falls then she really will have something to get x-rayed."
"Or you could substitute her on the high wire," said Giovanni. Alfredo's face turned gray. "Didn't you have something in your CV about being able to walk a tight rope?"
"That was a long time ago and I'm rusty now. But you could use the new guy. I'm sure he could substitute her. Why don't you ask him?"
"Where is Johann at? You know that's not a bad idea and for him I'll set up a safety net," said Giovanni as he smiled at Alfredo.
"No one is substituting for me," said Rita as she got up and tried to hobble around. "I'll be all right by the time we get to Monte Carlo."
"Well we'll see about that. So Johann are you up to doing something really dangerous? Raul and Marco can help you."
"Walking the tight rope isn't something you can improvise," said Raul. "Up in the air you have to trust your partner. We've been at this since we could walk."
"We're going to need a crane just to haul him up to the high wire," said Marco as the three laughed. "But in compensation it will only take about three seconds to come falling down."
"Funny," said John. He pulled his BB pistol and shot Marco in the thigh.
"Ouch! Stop that. That's not funny."
"And splat is. Call that payback."
"Now that's what I'm talking about do something like this on the high wire and you've mix your two acts together. It will be fantastic," said Giovanni. "Now let's get everyone loaded up and headed out or we'll never get to Monte Carlo on time."
"I can't wait to see you on the high wire," said Alfredo as he bumped into Casey. Let's hope the safety net holds up. We wouldn't want any accidents."
"No we wouldn't, would we," said John. He started to reach for his BB pistol but Giovanni stopped him.
"No Johann, you can't keep shooting people. You keep that up and I'll have to confiscate your weapon."
"You see that's where I disagreed with my therapist. You take my BB pistol and I'll have to start carrying my Sig 9. But then things would start getting messy," said John as he walked away leaving Giovanni with his mouth open.
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The General left her office and drove to Dulles where she caught a private Learjet. She dozed most of the way sleep finally coming to her and when she landed the station chief was there to meet her. They drove from Midway to the hospital and along the way the General reviewed her notes. There was no way Ellie could turn down her request.
A few hours later the General was standing in Ellie's office. Devon came in when he heard the General was in the hospital and asked to listen. The General nodded then gave the situation briefing.
"So you can see why we need you to come with us. I've brought you the patients charts but they could be doctored excuse the pun so we need you to visit them and tell us which one is our man. You're the only one who can do this."
"No, no, no absolutely not," said Devon as he interrupted. "She's not the only one you've got Chuck to do this kind of spy work. He can do his magic and will know... What I'm saying is this isn't what we do. We're doctors, we're healers not 007s with a license to kill."
"I can't call Chuck and you know why. You know where he is and if you don't mind this is medically related one which is right up your specialty. I would think you'd want to help considering…"
"Considering what?" said Ellie. "What aren't you telling us? Who is this man? You don't think this is our Dad do you?"
"No but if he were alive, and I'm not saying he is, this would be one of the ways they could hold him and keep him hidden."
"Devon, I can't let anyone else go through what I feel for my father. I hope you understand I've got to do this. I'm sorry I just have to."
"You know you're being set up. That's how the General was expecting you to react," said Devon. "Are you sure this is going to be absolutely safe and you can't call Chuck in for this?"
"I wish I could," said the General. "But the last I heard from him he was in the south of France then on his way to Montenegro. I expect he's in transit right now."
"Oh that's been changed they decided to stay a little longer in nice. We talked last night on the phone. He said something about the girls liking the CĂ´te d'Azur and wanting to visit or do something in Monte Carlo. I couldn't hear very well the Skype connection was bad."
"Really," said the General. "I'm going to have to tell him to keep me better informed." But what she was really thinking was Monte Carlo was on the French Riviera along with Casey, the circus and the mission. Chuck was a trouble magnet. There was no way he wasn't going sprout in the middle of things. She needed to give Casey a heads up.
"I've got some questions about this so-called mission," said Devon. He still wasn't convinced and he didn't mind letting the General know he wasn't. "So who is this guy anyway? And why is he so important?"
"I can't tell you why he's so important other than he's being held to get his loved ones to perform a criminal act but who he is... well he used to work in the circus as a trapeze and high wire artist. Does that satisfy you?"
"Yes and no, what if the man really did have a stroke? Ellie will only be able to confirmed that all three suffer from similar illnesses. What you need is a cardiologist who knows something about sports medicine. There are specific injures and general wear and tear on the body from specific sports activities. A sports doctor could spot them and steer you to the right man."
"I think I'm hearing you want to tag along," said the General. She hadn't thought about bring Devon along and she even felt like drop kicking him for getting in her way. However, now he made a convincing argument why she needed him.
"I don't want to go nor do I want Ellie to go but if she's going so am I. There only leaves the question about what to do with Clara?"
"I can call the mother of one of her friends and arrange for her to stay with them for a couple of days. Clara's been wanting to organize a pajama party with her friends so this will be her chance."
"Good, I'll wait for you down in the cafeteria and talk with the hospital administrator about getting you two cleared for a couple of days."
"I hope you don't take this the wrong way but you do look a little tired. You look like you could use some rest," said Ellie. "Are you sleeping well? If no, I can prescribe you something to help."
"Augh chemicals, and make the pharmaceutical companies happy," said Devon. "Try some chamomile tea or a little valerian root when you go to bed. It will relax you and help you get to sleep just don't mix the valerian root with alcohol."
"I'm fine. I'll be waiting for you in the cafeteria we can leave as soon as you get your daughter situated," said the General then she excused herself and left.
"Do you really trust what she told us," asked Devon. But only after he went to the door and made sure she was gone. "She certainly doesn't have a good track record and being honest or forthright."
"Forthright? Who uses forthright these days in a sentence? But to answer your question no, not for a moment that's why I'm going to call Chuck first then I'm going to call Susy's mother," said Ellie as she took her phone out of her bag. She dialed the number put it on speaker then waited for him to answer.
"Why isn't he answering?" said Devon. It seemed to be ringing for a long time. "Oh come on Chuck pick up."
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The General hurried down the hall to the elevator and as soon as she was onboard she pulled out her phone. She had a quick phone call to make and time was of the essence. The elevator started heading down as the number began to ring. The doors opened on the floor below and people started to get on board.
"I'm sorry this elevator is being commandeered for a national emergency. You need to wait for the next one," she said as she hit the close door button.
"Hey you can't do that this is a hospital," said one man standing next to an IV pole. There were some mumblings of complaint but eh men in black with the General shoved the people back out the doors closed.
"Push the emergency stop button I need to keep this phone call private. We can continue down when I'm done," said the General.
"Yes, ma'am," said the Station Chief as he pushed the button. A warning bell rang then the elevator came to a jerky halt between floors.
"Colonel Casey," said the General as he picked up. "Mom who? I don't think so Colonel have you been drinking?" ... "You can can't talk? Okay then just listen. I just found out that Agents Carmichael have stayed on the French Riviera longer than I was previously told. I don't have to tell you if there's something going down Chuck will sniff it out." ... "Cut the Mom crap out I'm not that much older than you. Yes, I know you have to save your cover," said the General. She noticed the Station Chief had a big grin across his face.
"If I were you I wouldn't look so cheerful... What? No not you this isn't a video call. I wasn't talking to you I was talking to the former Station Chief here. Anyway consider this a heads up and good luck in Monte Carlo. What do people tell you circus types 'break a leg'. From the moaning I'm hearing in the background it sounds like someone already did. I hope you're not responsible... well I have to run and it sounds like you do too so Beckman out."
"Ma'am, do want to go down to the ground floor now," asked the Station Chief. He already knew he was in the dog house so he didn't want to make his situation worse which was what he did anyway.
"I think those were your orders as soon as I was finished with my phone call. Take me down to the lobby. I need to see the hospital administrator then I need a cup of coffee."
"I could get you a cup of coffee while you're talking with the administrator and have it waiting for you in the cafeteria."
"I think your job prospects within the agency just greatly increase," said the General as the doors to the elevator opened up and they got out. "You do that I want black no sugar, no cream. I'll be right there once I finish this then as soon as the Woodcombs show up we can take off for Baltimore. Make sure the pilot knows to have a flight plan filed and to be ready for takeoff. I want to be in the air shortly after we get there."
"Roger that General, I'll make it happen," said the Station Chief. He realized his job security would greatly increase as soon as he got her out of his hair.
"Okay, boys you heard the General," he said to his men. "I want the pilot on the horn and come hell or high water he's going to get that plane ready for takeoff even if I have to glue feathers to him. Come on we can do this is the cafeteria as I get coffee for her."
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Chuck and Sarah were in their bedroom suite just coming back up from lunch to change and get ready to go back out with the gang to run over to Monte Carlo. Chuck walked into the room with his arm around Sarah she turned and kissed him. Then she took his jacked off and tossed it on the bed. He looked into her deep eyes and fell in love with her all over again.
"I'm so in love with you. Have I ever told you that," he said as he pulled her close and kissed her then held her.
"I think you've might've mentioned it a time or two," she said as she whispered in his ear then she bit it and his neck.
"You know usually when someone tells you they love you, you tell them the same thing back," said Chuck as he pulled away. "But then again you're not usual," he said as he pulled her back in and kissed her again.
"And now you know why I didn't," she said as she kissed him. "We really need to hurry up and go. I want to get to the circus site before they arrive to scope out the place. Maybe even look around for a place to set up a sniper nest."
"Now that's how to spend a nice romantic afternoon looking for someplace to take someone out... actually it probably is for someone like Casey. I hate to admit it but I kind of miss not having him around."
"You've got to be kidding," said Sarah as she went to take off her earrings. "You know he'd never approve of our little rogue mission."
"Mission... what mission but I don't know," said Chuck as he walked over and put his arm around her. "He might jump right in if he thought he could shoot someone and scratch that itch of his."
"That's true but I was wondering how things are going between Morgan and Alex after Acapulco. I hope they ironed things out. John can't be making life easy for them."
"Maybe we should call them," said Chuck. "I called Ellie after all."
"That was different and if you call Casey then he'll call the General and before you know it we'll be on mission again." As they were talking Chuck's phone began. He looked at his jacket on the bed. "Well aren't you going to see who it is?"
"What if it's someone I don't want to talk to like the General and she has a mission for us?" said Chuck as it kept on ringing.
"Stop spiraling. You won't know unless you check it and what if it's an emergency. Have you thought about that?"
"I guess you're right beautiful and smart all in one package," said Chuck as he gave her a quick kiss then retrieved his phone from his jacket. "Oh it's Ellie," he said looking at the caller ID then answered it.
"El so what's up this is your dime? We just talked yesterday." ... "Hold on and let me put you on speaker so Sarah can hear you too. You say the General came to the hospital today..."
"Beckman did what?" said Sarah as she came over near Chuck to listen in. "What did she want from you?"