Don't own Chuck
Back at the circus Giovanni and Rita were walking around, chatting and looking up at the stars. It seemed a perfect night for a walk together. They were the only ones up and out on what seemed such a special night or so Giovanni thought. Rita appreciated Giovanni's company because for a little while she could let go of all her worries about her brother and her father. However, reality came crashing back in on her when she glanced at the watch and she knew she had to get back to the trailer.
"Well it's getting really late," said Rita as she heaved a sigh looking at her watch. "I really should be getting back Marco will be worried and before you know it he'll be sending out a search party looking for us."
"If he's still up but I know what you mean. I want you to know I had a really good time," said Giovanni. "Come on let me get you back to your trailer," he said as he turned then froze caught in the sea of her eyes. He didn't know why he did it but he just kissed her.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have," said Giovanni realizing what he'd just done. He pulled away but she wasn't letting him get away. She grabbed him and pulled him back in.
"I'm not sorry," she said as she kissed him back. "I think we've been meaning to do this for a long time so we've got some catching up to do."
"Really... you mean it? I was so afraid it was just me and your brothers are a little intimidating," said Giovanni. But before he could say anything else she kissed him again.
"Don't worry about them. Just kiss me. They like you so you don't worry about them and if anything, they've made this drag out even longer. I wasn't going to let them tell me how I feel but maybe I should've listened."
"What does this mean? I guess we're together but what does that mean," said Giovanni. He was a fish out of water flapping around. He felt dizzy almost drunk with joy but he told himself he had to get a grip.
"Let's take this one step at a time. I like you and you like me if it's love time will tell but I've never felt this way about anyone else. I know this is a lot to ask of you but can you put up with that?"
"If it's got you in it I can put up with anything," said Giovanni as he held her close. "I know I need to walk you back to your trailer but I don't want to now."
"I feel the same way," said Rita. "Maybe we can stay out a little longer. What can it hurt?" She said as she looked into his eyes. However, in that moment Raul came running out of the darkness and punched Giovanni knocking him to the ground.
"Tell me you're not in on it," barked Raul. "I dare you to lie to me and tell me you don't know anything about it." Rita got between them and pushed Raul back.
"Raul, are you crazy? What's the matter with you? Giovanni and I weren't doing anything wrong. You leave him alone or you'll answer to me," she said as she looked around. "Did you get Papa? Oh crap, don't tell me you blew it again."
"Blew it? No, I almost got killed because of his father and Alfredo. They had a trap set for me at the Marina and it almost worked," said Raul. Chuck ran up behind him and grabbed him pushing him away from Giovanni.
"Let's all go in your trailer and talk," said Chuck as he pushed Raul away. "John, help Giovanni up and bring him inside he needs to hear this too."
"Can someone tell me what's going on? What's Raul screaming about and why did he punch me," said Giovanni as he rubbed his cheek. Casey helped him up. "What the heck is going on?"
"Go inside and you'll find out," said John as he strong armed Giovanni inside. Rita was the first inside followed by Sarah they turned the lights on.
"Marco," yelled Rita. "Marco you can come out. Raul's back but he didn't get Papa. Marco, Marco," she yelled as she went back to check on him. "Oh Crap! The window's open and the scooter is gone."
"Don't tell me he went down to the Marina," said Sarah. But that was the only possible explanation and they all knew it.
"Can someone explain to me what's going on?" said Giovanni. "Why would Marco go to the Marina at this hour and what does my father and Alfredo have to do with this? Where are they they've been missing since curtain call."
"I can tell you where Alfredo's at," snapped Raul. "He's dead down at the port on a boat we ran ashore. I killed him… I shot him dead."
"Because you had to," said Chuck. "Okay no one panic. Let's thing this through this may actually be a good thing. Raul someone will be here soon to ransom back Marco for that device. This time you're going to accept and you're going to give the person the device without question."
"But how do I know we'll get Marco back I don't know we've kept this going because we had leverage. Without it what do we have? I just don't know anymore," said Raul as he collapsed in a chair with his head in his hands. "I just don't know…"
"Don't worry you'll go along with it without any question. Just know I'll make sure you get Marco back safely I promise," said Chuck. John rolled his eyes and walked over to Sarah. They didn't have to say anything Chuck knew the look. '
"Oh no here we go again," whispered Casey. "When will he ever learn?" But Chuck ignored John and continued talking.
"I saved you I'll do the same again for Marco. Sarah, John can I see you two outside. Roan can you stay here and make sure they don't kill each other."
"Sure," said Roan. He already grabbed the bottle off the table and filled a glass. "No exactly my brand but any old port in a storm they say," he said as he took a sip and smiled.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on? Where is my father and what does he have to do with whatever this is? Rita can you please explain?"
"I'm afraid I'm in as much the dark as you are. Raul can you explain to us what's going on and what does Don Rodrigo have to do with Papa's kidnapping." She saw the surprise on Giovanni's face and knew he didn't know anything about it.
"I'm afraid Giovanni is telling the truth he doesn't know anything," said Roan as Chuck took everyone outside. "You hear a lot when they think you're part of the furnishings. I overheard Don Rodrigo tell Alfredo he didn't want Giovanni to know to protect him."
"Thanks, I think," said Giovanni. "But who the hell are you and where did you come from?" Giovanni's head was spinning and he didn't know which end was up. He sat down at the table across from Raul.
"Here you need this worse than I do," said Roan as he offered him the rest of his glass. "Down that then listen to the girl."
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It didn't take Marco long to figure out that Don Rodrigo was neck deep in this affair. He barked and the others jumped like Alfredo so he had to be the mastermind behind the operation. Suddenly his conversation with Giovanni made sense. He thought Giovanni was exaggerating about his father but the truth was he didn't know the half of what his dear old dad was involved in. And for what? The only thing Marco could think of was to keep the circus afloat but why? Was he keeping the circus afloat or was the circus cover for Don Rodrigo and Alfredo's illicit activities.
"What's that supposed to mean? Not all fathers think that way?" said Marco. He was really starting to get pissed. "You know our father, our uncle and our grandparents even our great grandparents were circus people. That's the way we were brought up. Giovanni was looking for you to tell you that the circus finally turned a profit tonight."
"That's good but when we turn that device over to our buyer we'll have real money. I'm not going to let anything get in our way and that means not your brother, not you, not even Giovanni. So what if I have to knock a few heads together to get what I want so be it. Don't look at me like that with that poor disgusted look. You should think about your own."
"I thought the circus was everything for you. I thought you were one of us and you even refused to let Giovanni leave it. If you cared so little why didn't you let him go why drag him down with you?"
"I needed someone to run the mess while I took care of our more lucrative activities and made the right contacts, sowed the right seeds you could say which have finally come to fruit in this deal. Once this is over I'll be able to set myself and him up nicely."
"That's all the circus was for you a way to get business done… a means to an end?" said Marco wondering where he was really being taken and if this was going to be a one way ride to a shallow grave. But if he was going to disappeared forever he wanted some answers. So what were we doing all this time spinning our wheels?
"You could say the circus was our cover. It was convenient traveling from town to town and you guys pulling off your heists while I spread your fame throughout the underworld... and mine of course as well. That's how we landed this gig."
"I can't help feeling I'm missing the point here. Why do you keep saying we if Alfredo worked for you? There's something else you're not telling me, what is it?" Don Rodrigo smiled at him and took a sip. Marco so wanted to reach over and slap that stupid smile off his face. However, with the junior mountain behind him that would've just get himself hurt.
"Don't worry soon everything will be made clear to you not that it will matter much. Right now you just need to relax and take it easy. Everything will go smoothly for you as long as you don't do anything stupid. You're my guest until we get that device from Raul. Your brother is a slippery fish. I really thought we had him this time and we would've if that other group hadn't intervened. Do you know who they were? Did Raul hire some help?"
"You mean like you," said Marco as he looked around in the van. "You're the one with the contacts in the underworld you tell me." Don Rodrigo wave to one of the men behind him. The man stepped up and punched him in the stomach.
"That's enough," said Don Rodrigo. "I think he's gotten the point. Like I said Marco don't do anything stupid. Now shall we start again."
"I didn't do anything I just pointed out facts. So Raul outsmarted your people again. I bet that rubbed Alfredo the wrong way and you know what I'm glad. If you want the device, it's simple give us back our Papa and you can have the device that's all we've ever wanted."
"Be careful what you want because sometimes you might get it," said Don Rodrigo as he poured himself another drink. "Do you want one?"
"No thank you I only drink with friends and what was that remark supposed to mean? What are you not telling me," said Marco as he felt the van slow down then stop. He knew they hadn't gone far enough to be back at the circus yet. He got a bad feeling about the stop thinking this as going to be the end of the ride for him. "Are we there already?"
"No but some of the answers to your questions you're about to get," said Don Rodrigo as the side of the van opened and Marco felt like the air was sucked right out of him. He felt like the goon punched him in the gut again when he saw who jumped inside.
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Not far away from the trailer hidden away in the dark Chuck, Sarah and Casey waited. They knew someone would come for the device it was a matter of time. However, this time the Zorros would have to pay the ransom. If they didn't... well they chose not to think about that. But as the team waited time seemed to drag by.
"Are you sure someone is going to come for the device tonight? You know if you hadn't gotten in the middle of this everything would be over by now and we'd all be home comfortably sleeping in our beds," said Casey as he looked through a set of night goggles at the trailer. "They might not even show up tonight. Have you ever thought they might decide to cut their losses and head for the hills where they can lick their wounds before they come back at us again."
"That might be true but I don't think so and I'll tell you why they have to come tonight. They have to get this device tonight because the people who commissioned the heist won't be too happy if they come back empty handed… not again. Don Rodrigo, Alfredo and their partner are just middle men in this operation. They're working for someone else and if I'm right that's what he's been doing all this time... lying low like you said licking his wounds. But to answer your question don't worry someone will come for it. Failure isn't an option for them."
"So you know who's behind this," said Casey as he looked over to Sarah. She shrugged her shoulder as she kept watch. "Do you mind sharing with the rest of the class?"
"You're one to complain after everything. I don't want to say yet because it's just a hunch but yo have to look at the resources that were used and question how they even knew about the intersect to target it. It's like this was personal…"
"Shush," said Sarah as she motioned for them to be quiet. "We've got movement outside the circus a car just pulled up and dropped a man off. He's heading straight for the trailer," she said as they ducked low observing through their night goggles. For a moment they were blinded by the bright light from inside the trailer when he opened the door.
"Crap, I couldn't see a thing. Could any of you guys make out who went inside?" Chuck and Sarah both shook their heads.
"No with that coat and hat on I couldn't see his face," said Chuck. Sarah nodded. "It doesn't matter. Don't worry he'll be out soon."
"Okay one last time we follow the messenger back to wherever he came from then we stand down until we're sure they've passed off the device. Then and only then do we move in and collect Marco long with whoever else they leave behind. Chuck, you're always the odd man out. Are you onboard with this? I don't want you trying to save the day and go charging into the enemy camp throwing a monkey wrench into the works by making us come to your rescue."
"Sweetie, what Casey is saying is we care about you," said Sarah. Casey let out a loud grunt. "I love you. I know you promised Raul and Rita that you'd get their brother back safely but there's more important things going on here. I hate to tell you this but you can't save everyone."
"But I have to try," said Chuck as he looked into her eyes and she smiled back at him. "I love you and I wouldn't be me if I didn't try."
"I know and I love you for that but for this one time can you please listen to John," said Sarah then she kissed him. Chuck could already hear Casey starting to grunt and growl.
"John why didn't you say you've got to break a few eggs if you want to make an omelet. Don't bust a gasket John or tell me you're starting to feel sick. I promise I won't do anything unless Marco is in danger. If that happens then I'll have to do something and all bets are off but that's not going to happen until the device is passed off I'm sure of it."
"Whatever, just don't screw this up. This could be our last chance to get this done and I don't want to have to tell Beckman it was a bust. If that happens you can tell her and why."
"I want to have a talk with the General when this is all over. I've got a few choice words I'd like to share with her and some questions I'd like her to answer about what's going on."
"Chuck just promise me you won't get yourself in trouble… again," said Sarah. But their conversation was cut short by movement down at the trailer.
"Close your traps," said John. "We've got movement again someone is coming out of the trailer." As Casey spoke the door opened again with the same bright light. "Radio Roan and find out what's going on. A little heads up would've been nice. I guess he didn't think about leaving his mic open so we could listen in."
"I'm talking to him now. Roan go ahead. … Yeah that was just Casey complaining... The target is on the move with the device. Roger that we're in pursuit you stay where you're at and hang tight. We'll come back for you when it's over."
"Has anyone been able to get a clear visual on our target yet?" said Casey as they broke down. "We need to hurry up before he gets too much of a lead on us."
"I'm getting a strong signal from the tracker installed in the device so even if we lose visual with our target it shouldn't be a problem following them."
"Technology hum... don't rely on it and I certainly don't trust it," said Casey as they got into the vehicle Chuck and Sarah had commandeered earlier. "It will let you down every time. Nothing is going to replace a good pair of eyes and a fast draw…"
"Yes sir Marshal Casey, let's mount up and head 'em off at the pass partner," said Chuck faking a western accent. Casey gave Chuck the evil eye.
"Did you move that eye in the sky overhead?" asked Sarah as she tried to defuse the situation. She looked at Chuck and shook her head.
"Roger that love, I'm routing the GPS signal from the device through the satellite now and... presto I've got them. Just keep driving straight ahead then turn at the next left. Then when you get to the intersection take another left. Hold up... Hold up pull off John. Don't go any further we need to double back to the circus now."
"Why they're just up ahead of us. We need to follow them and see where they're going. No keep on give me directions. You promised not to screw this up remember."
"John, they're making a big circle. They're heading back to the circus. That's where they're holding Marco and where Don Rodrigo is waiting."
"What? Are you sure? Chuck, we can't afford to screw this up. We need to make sure that device gets taken and..."
"John trust Chuck," said Sarah. "They've tapped into the CCTV cameras haven't they? That's why their making a big circle to see if anyone is following them."
"They've got spotters posted looking for cars that are following Them. I can see them in my sat images. But they might've tapped in CCTV too. Whatever they're doing they are watching to see if anyone is behind them. After I showed up at the pier they probably are wondering if Raul called in some help and they're checking us out."
"See I knew it had to be your fault one way or another," said Casey as he turned around. "So any idea where they're holding Marco back at the circus."
"There are only so many places they could be holding him back there that wouldn't arouse suspicion. But if I were to bet on it I'd say we should have a look at Don Rodrigo's trailer."
"His own trailer! That's rather brazen of the old man to go back there," said John as he drove straight back.
"Not really, it's the smart play. Neither the Zorros nor Giovanni are going to call the police and no one else in the circus knows what's going on. Don Rodrigo probably thinks we're looking for a piece of the action considering his past dealings with Sarah and Jack. The long and the short of it we're not going to want to get the cops involved. No it's the smart play and look over there," said Chuck as he pointed out the two guards standing on each end.
"I guess now we wait," said Sarah as Casey pulled off out of sight.
"I hate waiting," said Casey as the first light of day broke through the clouds. "Crap, isn't that Giovanni. He's headed for the trailer."
"I need to stop him," said Chuck as he tried to open the door but he found it locked. "John, you put the child-safety lock on the door didn't you?"
"Just making sure you keep your promise."