Don't own Chuck
Sarah regrouped with Chuck a few minutes later outside the big top. It was about time to open to the public and the lines outside were starting to fill in. Chuck had changed into tights for his big début on the high wire. Sarah could tell he was distracted and she knew why.
"You need to get your head in the game. I'm sure Ellie is okay. The General knows how important she is to you so she isn't going to risk her or Devon."
"I'm not so much worried about the General putting her at risk as she doing it for the General. If there's some sort of medical emergency my sister and Captain Awesome will see it through like when they did 'Doctors without Borders' even if it puts them in danger. They take their Hippocratic oath seriously a little too serious if you ask me."
"At least they have an excuse," said Sarah. "What do you call volunteering to go on stage as the flying Bartowski. I hardly think Ellie would approve. I'm only going along with this because of the intersect..."
"I can only do this because of the intersect. Remember my fear of heights... well I have news for you I haven't gotten over it. But when the intersect kicks in I don't feel it maybe I've finally learned to control my emotions."
"I'll let you think that if it gets you through this," she said as she looked him over. "I'm just... well it kind of takes some getting used to seeing you in tights. Is there a tutu that comes with that get up?"
"Funny, very funny I know what you're doing trying to distract me so I won't think about what I'm about to do. But you don't have to worry about me practice went find. You know I'm surprised how easy it is to move in this," said Chuck as Sarah gave him a look. "Don't worry this is the last time you're going to see me dressed up like this."
"Never say never," said Sarah. "I should take a picture and send a copy to Morgan. I'm sure he'd like to see you dressed up like that. I should also take a photo of Casey and forward it. He could hang it in Castle..."
"You do and I'll have to hurt someone," said Casey as he came out of the big top. Sarah realized he'd been standing there for a while listening to them. "You two need to clear out of here after the show. The General gave this mission to me and stop trying to horn in on it. Hey where is everyone else at anyway?"
"Sam and Molly are with Emma and Bunny who are with Don Rodrigo. He's showing them around the circus and the last time I saw them Sam and Molly both had cotton candy so any idea about getting them to eat supper went out the window. They're chaperoning Emma and Don Rodrigo. He may not look it now but he was quite the ladies' man in the day and I didn't like the way he was looking at Emma."
"Did I say I cared? But like I said before you two need to clear out of here after the show and that sounds like a good reason to pack up and go. I've got this and I don't need your help. Whatever else you had in mind you can just forget it."
"Really, look what I found in your shoulder," said Chuck as he held out a dart from a blowgun. "I pulled this out when you caught me. You didn't accidently let go of that rope."
"What is it? It looks like a splinter to me," said Casey. He knew Chuck was right but was trying to play it off but Sarah flash.
"That Casey was made in Peru where the Yaguas use them to hunt small game. You're lucky that with time the curare on the dart has lost some of its potency."
"That's why my arm went numb. But this doesn't change anything you two need to clear out of here after the show. This is my last warning."
"I think you're forgetting I'm here until the other member of the flying troupe is up on her feet. Besides why don't you admit it a little backup can't hurt? We've saved your bacon as much as you've saved ours. We're a team John or have you forgotten that there is no 'I' in team."
"But there is meat and dead meat if I catch you two snooping around here. As soon as Rita is on her feet I want you guys out of here and as far as backup goes I've got it covered. Roan's here too."
"Really, where?" asked Chuck as he looked around. "Let me guess he's Tippler the Clown. What's his act like? Oh don't tell me let me guess does he juggle a bottle of gin and vermouth making a martini in midair? Or does he drink as he juggles?" Casey started growling.
"Okay we get the picture sweeties," said Sarah trying to defuse the situation. "So Roan's your new partner I don't see him anywhere."
"He got grabbed the first day he arrived and is being held in a tiger cage over there," said John as he gestured to a roped off area. "We're in contact. I offered to spring him but he wants to stay where he's at. He's gathering intel and passing it along on your friend Alfredo."
"But not much backup if you need help in a hurry," said Chuck stating the obvious. But he could see the cogs turning in Sarah's head.
"Alfredo you say," said Sarah as she looked over at the roped off area. "The sleazy clown that's the person who shot you with the dart. I willing to bet on it. He'd do something like that just to get even with me and now he hates you. Don't under estimate him."
"Don't get any ideas about trying to get even for any daddy issues you might have with Alfredo. Whatever Alfredo did to you and Jack is history. This is the present and this is my mission. I don't know how to tell you this any clearer... buzz off. You do your act on the high wire then leave and as for you," Casey said as he turned to Sarah. "You sit in the audience with your family. Enjoy the show then all of you clear out and go back wherever you're staying and that's that. Now if you don't mind I've got my clown face to put on."
"You mean you don't have it on now," said Chuck. Casey turned and growled. "Now, now Johann remember I have an act to perform or would you like to be on that high wire instead of me? I believe that was the other option."
"Just for once do as you're told and that goes for both of you," said John before he walked off. Sarah waited until he was out of earshot.
"I don't know about you but I feel like the little red-headed fat boy who's always picked last. The only explanation I can think of is something is going on that the General doesn't want us to know about."
"Yeah, she's got everyone in the field on this except Morgan and Alex. I wonder what it could be," said Chuck as he watched Casey turn around before he went into the clown trailer. Chuck waved. "I don't need to hear him grunt to know he's grunting."
"And I think I know why the General didn't put them in the field on this. Because Morgan can't keep his mouth shut and would tell you what they're up to. And if she doesn't want us in on this that can mean only one thing..."
"We forgot to send her a birthday card?" said Chuck. Sarah gave him a look. "Just trying to lighten the mood a bit. You know that was a little cruel what you said about Morgan... true but cruel. Before you give me another look you're thinking this is intersect related. The General could just as easily be bored and decided to go after the 'cat' like us."
"You really thing the General would waste the government's resources to come after a cat burglar also involving Ellie and Devon?"
"Okay maybe not but everything doesn't always have to be intersect related. How would the circus be involved with the intersect?"
"I don't know," said Sarah as she thought for a moment. "I say we continue on with our plan to catch the cat even if Casey's warned us off."
"Well technically he really doesn't have backup, Roan in the tiger cage isn't backup. We would only be acting like good partners if we stayed and if something happens we can lend a hand."
"Right, he might need a helping hand and he'd just too proud and pigheaded to admit it."
"So it's our responsibility as good partners to look out for him even if he doesn't want us to. In fact, we would be amiss if we didn't."
"Exactly, now you see where I'm coming from."
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Not too far away another meeting was about to take place. Alfredo was skulking about watching Raul when he left the big top then followed him over to his trailer. He pulled out a cigarette and started chain smoking waiting for Raul to come out so he could remind him about the drop after the show. He had every intention of putting the screws to him. Things were too close now for any more mistakes and failure would not be tolerated.
"I don't trust this new guy," said Raul as he walked into the trailer then sat down at the table. "I heard him talking to Johann and they seemed to know each other... no something isn't right there I can feel it."
"What can we do? I don't like this either," said Rita. "You don't suppose Johann took me out to put his guy in? I don't trust either one of them."
"And what he told us do you think he could be telling the truth? There's no love lost between that new guy's wife and Alfredo," said Marco. "Don Rodrigo sure seemed to know her but I don't know if he's in on this. Certainly in practice the guy was good and in some ways better than any of us... maybe too good come to think of it. And the way Don Rodrigo fell all over that other woman. Did you guys see that? What an old fool."
"The pot calling the kettle black," said Rita as Marco turned red. "I could care less about Don Rodrigo and his affairs. We need to keep in mind why we're doing all this. We're doing this to free Papa. I'm not putting his fate in the hands of a stranger I barely know..."
"You're talking about this Casey," said Raul. Rita nodded. "Good for once you and I see things eye to eye. So we move forward with our plan... nothing has changed." said Raul as Rita hobbled around the table to get closer to him.
"I just want one thing rom you both I want you two to promise you'll watch out for each other up on the wire. I won't be up there to bail you two out so you need to be extra careful and watch out for each other."
"That will be the day I'll need you to bail me out on the wire. We all know I'm faster and better on the wire than you are but you just won't admit it."
"I'll admit you're more reckless and a foolhardy than I am on the wire as well as in life. You need to learn to be cautious now we've come too far to have things go sideways."
"You know Rita isn't wrong Raul. Alfredo is just waiting for us to make a mistake and now we have those two new guys Casey and Chuck. I don't know I keep thinking we ought to talk more to Casey. What if he's right and Papa is in the States? What if he is some sort of secret agent? What if they both are?"
"He's just another clown after what we have," said Raul as he touched his chest. "But as long as we have this we have bargaining power. Besides what kind of secret agent goes around dressed up like a clown? Can you imagine Timothy Dalton or Daniel Craig dressed up like a clown? I know I can't."
"No, I guess not but that doesn't mean we should write off what he said as a lie. We need to be cautious and make sure we're making the right move or all could be lost and to be clear that all is Papa."
"I know little brother... I know. I don't need you both to keep constantly reminding me of that but we've got a plan," said Raul his voice sounded tired. "It's a good one... we just need to follow through with it. Casey and this other guy are just distractions... no, we need to stay the course and see this through I'm sure of it."
"I'm sorry Marco but I agree with Raul on this," said Rita as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Until Johann can come up with hard evidence to back his claims we have to move forward on what we know is true and that is Alfredo has Papa… Like Raul said they are distractions."
"Very well we move forward with the plan. I just hope you both know what you're doing because there will be no do-overs this time."
"Don't worry I've got everything under control," said Raul as he patted Marco on the back trying to sound me confident. "I've gotten us this far safely haven't I and I'll see this through. I promise just wait and see."
"I hope you're right,"said Marco looking back and forth at both of them. He didn't believe for a moment that everything was under control only a fool would. And as far as getting them this far safely that was more Rita's doing than Raul's but he'd never admit it. She was the one who had told Raul to put up the high wire back in Alexandria that he used to get away from Alfredo's thugs. If he hadn't there'd only be two of them at the table this evening morning both Raul and their Papa.
"I've got a bad feeling about the Marina," said Marco. "What's your escape route if Alfredo shows up with his thugs again and without Papa?"
"You don't have to worry about that because I will be down there at the drop by myself. Alfredo learnt his lesson last time. Take my word this time it will be different."
"Yes, he'll be prepared this time," said Marco. Raul and Rita gave him a look. "Okay I can see the decision's been made and no matter what I say you're going through with this but I will say one last time I don't like it."
"You keep saying this is going to be the last time then you keep bring it up. Are you sure you and Rita haven't changed genders?" said Raul. Marco turned red with fire in his eyes.
"Screw you and the horse you rode in on... go get yourself killed but remember you're not just throwing away your own life but Papa's too."
"Will you two stop it. You're playing into Alfredo's hand. Remember we're a family and a family sticks together against all others. We might not always agree with each other but we're still family," said Rita. Marco and Raul exchanged looks. "I told you two to knock it off or I'll knock it out of both of you. Raul why don't you go get some air while I talk to Marco. You two had better come to your senses because we can't have this up on the wire. Remember what happened to Papa and Zio up on the wire..."
"That was different," said Raul as he started for the door. "Mamma was involved and I don't have any feelings for Brigitte. And yes I know about her," said Raul as he went out the door. He smiled on the was out realizing what he'd just done.
"How'd he know about Brigitte?" asked Marco looking surprised. "You didn't tell him, did you? I trusted you how could you?"
"Now you're being silly. Of course I didn't come on little brother you haven't been exactly discreet igniting her last night then here. And he might not have known he just threw it out but you took the bait hook line and sinker so now the cat's out of the bag."
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Raul didn't get very far from the trailer when Alfredo jumped him. He'd been waiting hoping he'd be able to get Raul by himself and now was his chance. He tossed the cigarette he'd been smoking then grabbed Raul by the shoulder. Raul turned and at the same time knocked it off with a look of distain but that didn't stop him from following Alfredo into dark corner to talk.
"Remember after the show you're supposed to meet me down at the Marina with the data collection device and then we'll make the swap like we agreed to. If you don't bring it or don't show up... well I wouldn't want to be your father. But we'll let him know it was you who caused him the pain."
"You big jerk," hissed Raul. "Listen up you lay one finger on him and you'll answer to me. I'll be there you just make sure you've got our father there and don't even think about trying to pull anything like you did last time or…."
"Or what? You show up with the device then we make the swap. After that you go your way, I'll go mine and we never have to meet or see each other again..."
"That's fine by me but I have to tell you a little bird told me you don't have Papa here... the little bird said that he was actually back in the States in a hospital."
"Oh he did, did he. Well did he show you pictures of your father back in the hospital in the States?" Raul looked away. "I didn't think he did. Don't go listening to every little bird that chirps on every tree branch. You might fall out and get yourself hurt. I'll meet you tonight if you don't show... well I've already told you what will happen," said Alfredo as he started to walk away then turned back around.
"One last thing that little bird that has diarrhea of the mouth, he wouldn't be that Casey guy, the angry clown?" Raul didn't say anything but he didn't have to. "It's a good thing you don't play poker you'd lose your shirt."
"You just worry about holding up your end of the deal," said Raul but Alfredo just laughed then walked away.
He didn't go very far before he ducked out of sight then waited for Raul to pass by. He watched him disappear in the big top. Alfredo went into a tent set up beside the big top then pulled out his phone and dialed. He put the call on speaker then sat it down waiting for the person on the other end to pick up. The phone made a clicking noise then a male voice came on.
"I told you never to call me at this number," said the voice. The man on the other end sounded very upset. "If you've called me on this number then there must be something seriously wrong. What is it?"
"Everything is wrong. I just grabbed Raul and warned him not to miss the drop tonight in the Marina but you know all this," said Alfredo as he glanced outside to make sure no one was around who could listen in on them.
"Well I'm waiting... I don't have all day to wait around for you to tell me what's wrong," said the voice sounding even more upset.
"Raul told me someone told him his father was in a hospital in the States... that he's not here for the drop," said Alfredo as he paused to let what he said sink in.
"What does that mean? He is going to be at the drop after the show isn't he," said the voice. "We can't afford for him to have doubts."
"I know I asked him who told him and all he'd say was a little bird told him. When I pressed him and asked him if the little bird was Johann he didn't say anything but I could tell the little bird was Casey."
"If what you're saying is true then what is this Casey's angle. He has to want something... Maybe we can offer him a cut of the action if he's on to the 'cat'. Wait a minute… oh don't tell me he knows about the device too?"
"I don't know... Raul didn't say but you realize if Casey's in on this then the new guy probably is too. They know each other."
"What he didn't tell you or you forgot to ask? That's it isn't it. The most important question and you forgot to ask. You're an idiot. As for Casey and the other guy the circus can be a dangerous place."