Don't own Chuck

A few hours before inside the Zorros' trailer…

Rita, Raul and Giovanni waited with Roan as Chuck and the others talked outside in the dark. Roan explained a little about how Alfredo, Don Rodrigo, and another partner schemed to force them to steal the data from the government laboratory for a mysterious organization that was operating from the dark. The whole thing sounded confusing and in the end none of them knew what to think or believe.

"I'm sorry I just can't believe my father is some sort of criminal mastermind. The whole thing sounds ludicrous. Do you have any idea who this silent partner is?"

"I'm sorry I've told you everything I can tell you," said Roan as he picked up another glass and looked at it through the light. "Clean enough. You wouldn't happen to have any ice?" Rita got up and got Roan some from a mini fridge.

"I wish you'd told me someone had kidnapped your father," said Giovanni as Rita put the ice tray in front of Roan for him to help himself. "I would've tried to help you get him back," he said as he took her hand.

"We were already risking prison and I couldn't do that to you," said Rita as she looked down at the table. "You probably think that we're… I'm a horrible person now. If you did I wouldn't blame you."

"The truth is she's been after us for a while to stop our moonlighting so to speak. But Papa has debts and collectors keep calling on me all the time for payment. I wanted to... we all wanted to stop but with Papa gone I didn't see any way to keep us afloat other than continuing with… well you know what and sorry if I hit you so hard."

"I understand now but you should've told me I would've helped even if it meant going against my father. I don't think you're horrible people. You had your back to the wall and you did the best you could do. I think anyone in your situation would've done the same. But I don't understand what Chuck meant when they went outside about this data device and why you should give it up? It seems to me it's the only thing that's keeping whoever has you father and Marco from... well you know."

"I know but Johann... that is Casey said Papa was in the States and that they were liberating him. I told Alfredo that and he told me something strange like that was only halfway true," said Raul.

"I can tell you that a man was liberated from captors in a hospital in Baltimore and is in Bethesda for treatment. Initially we did think he was your father but..."

"He's Zio Mario, isn't he," said Rita. Roan nodded. "It's understandable the confusion they're identical twins. Even for us who know them both if they wanted to pull a trick on us it would difficult for us to tell them apart. But you've got a face that says there's more what is it?"

"It's the way your uncle was kept. Your uncle was under armed guard in a medical facility where he was kept in a medically induced coma after what seemed to be an apparent stroke..."

"Apparent? There is no apparent about it I don't think. He had a stroke while he was working with Papa on the high wire and fell. Luckily we had a safety net up at the time and it caught him. We called an ambulance then that was all we heard. Papa was keeping track of him then he disappeared and well… when the ransom started. I'm ashamed to say but with everything that was happening with Papa I forgot all about Zio Mario."

"No we forgot about him. But you said apparent? Is there a question about if he had a stroke? Why would someone put an armed guard on him? None of this is making sense," said Raul as he looked around the room for an answer but got none.

"I don't know but he's conscious now and talking or that was the last report we got from Bethesda. I should be getting another update soon," said Roan. Suddenly there was a knock at the door then it opened.

"Papa," screamed Rita as she flew around the table and across the room to throw her arms around him. "You're here and you're safe. How?" she said as tears started rolling down.

"Yes, how," asked Raul as he looked over at Giovanni who looked back at him. "Please tell me you brought Marco with you. You know he's missing now."

"Yes I know and that's why I'm here. You see I didn't get away or escape or anything like that they let me go. They told me if I wanted my son back and in one piece I needed to give them the device you have or they're going to send your brother back in pieces."

"You mean Don Rodrigo has Marco," said Raul as he glanced back over at Giovanni. "We know he's the mastermind behind this." Giovanni wanted to say something but he didn't know what so he just sat there and kept quiet.

"He is... well can't say as I'm surprised but they kept me in different rooms... always moving me around so I never really saw anyone and when I was out I was blindfolded. Now give me the device and I'll go get your brother back."

"I should come with you," said Raul. "How do we know these people will hold their end of the deal. They never have so far. I've dealt with them twice before and gotten the best of them both times. They won't be able to pull the wool over my eyes."

"No, there will be no wool pulling or pulling anything else. You're going to give me the device and I'm going alone. That's that am I clear? I heard about your antics and they've only aggravated the people holding Marco. If they see you I don't know what they'll do. No, I've got to do this alone. Now hand it over and I'll go by myself to get Marco. Take my word this is the only way," said the old man as he held out his hand.

"Go ahead and hand it to him," said Rita. "This is what we're supposed to do after all. Papa go and come back we love you and Marco. Be careful, please. I… we don't want to lose either one of you."

"Of course I will. You can take my word for it I know how to handle these people. Now stop stalling and give it to me. The sooner I go the sooner I can get back," he said. Raul handed him the device and he shoved it into his pocket then went to the door. He turned around like he was going to say something but turned back around then went out closing the door behind him."

"Target on the move. He's just left carrying the device," said Roan in his watch. "Charles, do you read me?" Roan started involuntarily nodding. "Good luck my boy… Okay I'll stay here with Mr. Beam."

"I don't like this one bit. I hope Chuck knows what he's doing," said Raul as Giovanni took Rita's hands in his. "That device was the only leverage we had and now it's gone."

"You say that like we've got a choice," said Rita. "Just remember he bailed you out of a sticky mess. Now we can only hope he can to the same with Papa and Marco."

"I want to run back to my father's trailer. There has to be something there that will tell us what he's up to. I can't believe he's been leading this double life and I not know anything about it. There has to be some sort of paper trail that will lead to whoever is really behind this. Who knows maybe he was blackmailed into doing what he's doing."

"Son, don't get your hopes built up. Sometimes people do what he's doing to protect the people around them or simply to protect themselves. You can pick your reason why but you may not like what you find out."

"I don't care I have to know. No, I'm going over to his trailer and I'm going to toss the whole place upside down until I find something. Crap, I just thought I've got to make sure the show still goes down tonight. Well first things first," said Giovanni. He got up and left. Rita followed him out the door.

"Wait, aren't you forgetting something. I expect a kiss before you take off. We're supposed to be together now."

"I thought maybe... well with everything... you know do you still want me after everything my father's done to your?"

"You are not your father," said Rita then she kissed him. "Go find your answers then come back to me. We've a life to plan together."

"I'll be back before you know it. I promise," said Giovanni as he walked away looking backwards. He almost tripped over a tent stake looking back at her.

"Are you all right?" she said trying not to laugh. He made her feel good even with everything that was happening around her.

"I'm okay don't worry about me."

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That was some time ago….

The team sat across from Don Rodrigo's trailer staking it out. Chuck was right according to the GPS tracker in the fake data device the vehicle had made a 360 and was headed back to the circus. Unfortunately, shortly after they pulled up they watched Giovanni walk over to the trailer. He walked right into the middle of it. The two men who were guarding the trailer grabbed him and unceremoniously took him inside.

"I wish I could hear what's going on inside," said Chuck as he looked at the trailer from the car. "John, what do you see? I don't suppose you brought another pair of thermal goggles with you?"

"Nope and these are mine. There's nothing going on. It looks like Giovanni is getting some answers he doesn't like from the way he's acting which just got him another whack. If he keeps this up by the end he's going to look like Alvin, the Chipmunk with those cheeks."

"Are you getting any pertinent intel," said Sarah. She realized if he kept up talking like that it would only windup Chuck's spring and he'd feel obligated to do something.

"Good news is I've got a good idea where Marco's at. He's in the back. I've got a warm body back there and they just tied Giovanni up then flung him back there with another warm body. That's got to be him."

"That's good the rat nest is almost complete we're just missing the messenger then the dance can start. Here comes the car on cue with our package in it. This should be interesting as well as enlightening."

"What are you thinking back there Chuck? Would you mind sharing with the rest of us," said Casey as they watched the car pull up. "Crap, isn't that Papa Zorro? I'm going to strangle Roan he should've passed that on.

"I still hope I'm wrong," said Chuck as they watched everyone get out of the vehicle. Papa Zorro was in the middle of four men. He stopped when he got out and looked around before heading for the trailer. The two men standing guard outside came up to him and said something then he went inside with two of the men leaving four to watch the outside.

"Crap they just marched him in like… like…," Casey started to say then he looked at Chuck in the rear view. "You knew he was involved, didn't you? And why didn't you share that tidbit of information?" Casey turned to Sarah. "Geez, did you know? Or am I the…"

"No, Chuck didn't tell me but I understand why. Chuck, Sweetie I know you got the idea that by saving the Zorro's father that this would somehow make up for your not being able to help your own. But this is different… completely different. Stephen fought to protect you and Ellie. Everything he did was to make sure you two were safe."

"I know that now but that doesn't make me any less angry when I see people like that guy tossing his own family under the bus. And for what? Money? I hope it's not something so base. Power? But what good is that if you're alone. I need to talk to him I need to find out what makes a man like that throw away everything."

"Well you just sit back there and chill. You're going to have to save those questions for another day. Right now we've got this mission to finish."

"There's movement another vehicle is pulling up," said Sarah as she pointed to a dark Renault panel van that pulled up by the other car. "What's going on inside?"

"They're bringing the hostages up from the back of the trailer and they're all congregated by the door. People are coming out." Suddenly all hell broke out.

"Look out there's a sniper," yelled Chuck. The first rays of daylight reflect off the sniper's scope giving away his position. The back window shattered as a round passed through. Chuck moved just in time. He rocked back then with both legs broke out the window. "Get the car started and get out of here. I'll take care of our friend in the nest."

"Chuck no," yelled Sarah but he was already diving head first out of the window. The sniper took two more shots at him but both missed. Chuck hit the ground in a ball then rolled out of it to his feet. Charging the parting vehicles with his dart pistol drawn he did what he hoped to draw the snipers fire from Casey and Sarah long enough for them to get after Papa Zorro and Don Rodrigo.

"Okay now where did you go," said Chuck. The sniper had stopped shooting so he must've abandoned his nest and was trying to make his getaway. After the lull in the gunfire everyone in circus started to come out to see what was going on which only helped the would-be assassin to make his escape. Luckily for Chuck the man's motorbike wasn't cooperating and he heard him cursing as he kept trying to kick start it but it wouldn't turnover.

"Going somewhere in a hurry," said Chuck. The man drew a Glock nine and fired two rounds at him then turned back to the bike. Both rounds missed but dispersed the crowd that was gathering. The bike finally started but by then Chuck was on him. Chuck revved the motor then grabbed the front brake handle causing the bike to buck tossing the man over the handle bars. The man started to get up but Chuck finished him off with a spinning heel kick that cracked his helmet. He picked up the man's Glock tucked it in his belt then he went over and picked up the bike.

"You should've treated her better," said Chuck as he mounted the bike. He kick-started it and it came to life purring like a kitten. Just then Roan came running in. "You'll want to keep that one someplace safe. I'm off after the rest. When he comes to you can thank him for the transportation," said Chuck as he drove off.

"I know just the place for you. I hope you're not allergic to cats," said Roan as Chuck rode off in the first morning light. Chuck rolled up his sleeve underneath he had his father's computer on. Tapping into the GPS feed from the satellite he had it stream him real time video so he could see exactly where everyone was headed and what was going on.

"Crap, they're heading for Nice," said Chuck as he looked down at the screen. He flashed. Opening up the throttle he had some distance to make up.

[In the car with Casey and Sarah]

"John, we should double back for Chuck," said Sarah. "It's not like our target is going to get away as long as they have that device with them."

"No, we continue on. If we pressure them they'll make the pass off sooner. Chuck will just get in the way and try to save the day. You don't want him to get himself hurt trying to deal with his daddy issues, do you?"

"No, of course not but he's a part of this team and we need him," said Sarah but Casey just grunted back and sped up driving even faster.

"You mean you need him and his puppy dog eyes. Once we make sure they've passed the device off then we can worry about the other two. One thing Chuck is right about whoever organized this had to have known about the intersect and if that's the case he or she's a threat to our national security as well as to you, Chuck and your whole family. We need to find out who's behind this and take the fight back to them."

"On that we can both agree," said Sarah as she looked down at the tracker. "Take the next left. None of us are safe with this person on the loose."

"Then we agree we leave Chuck where he is safe and sound," said Casey as he made the left.

"You're right he's safer back there and we're free to do what has to be done."

"Roger that. I might even get to scratch my itchy trigger finger before this is over."

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In the van Giovanni and Marco were tossed in the back like two sacks of potatoes. Then they pulled out as fast as they could with them tumbling around in the back not being able to hold on to anything. Their fathers sat up front barking orders to the men. Neither of them understood how this had or could've happened.

"Listen up in the car," radioed Papa Zorro. "I want you to break off then fall behind and set up an ambush for that car that was spying on us back at the circus. When you're done I don't want any one is to walk away. That should take care of your friends," said the old man as he turned around in his seat. "I hope you two are comfortable in the back. Your friends didn't give us much time to get you two comfortable. I'm sorry about that."

"It's a little late to worry about our comfort, don't you think? We thought you were kidnapped… Raul risked his life trying to get you freed. And for what? Why? Why did you do this to us… your own children?"

"It's all your uncle's fault. If he'd gone along with the plan none of this would've been necessary. Breaking into the facility and getting the data was a two-man job then he suddenly backed out on me. Everything was ready… I couldn't tell the people who hired us sorry. That my brother had grown a conscience… He said it wasn't patriotic… anti-American. So I needed a new team and I did what I had to do."

"Uncle didn't have an accident, did he? You made him fall from the wire then faked everything else. Oh my God, who are you? Did I ever know you?"

"I'm about to be a very rich and powerful man… we both are and we're going to have a seat at the table. The table where things are done. No more penny ante crap… no not for us we're on our way to the big league."

"And what are we father," said Giovanni. "We're just stepping stones on your path to power. Someone will come for you. You have to know you won't get away with this."

"Au contraire, us having the device now begs to say we will… no we did," said Don Rodrigo. The two old men laughed which just infuriated Giovanni and Marco.

"You're both stark raving mad… they're insane Giovanni that's the only explanation. So dear old Dads what are you plans for us. We know too much to let us go and I hope you two are not crazy enough to think we'll come along with you."

"We were hoping that you could be persuaded but there's time for you to think on it just don't think too long. But don't think for a minute we're going to let you put a stick in our bicycle tire. You can come with us and enjoy the good life or… well it's too soon to talk about unpleasantness," said old man Zorro.

"You know Raul killed for you," said Marco. "He shot Alfredo dead on that boat and he did it because he thought Alfredo was holding you. How does that make you feel having your son kill for you?"

"It makes me feel proud of Raul and makes me wish he was in the back instead of you. He could understand what I'm doing better than you and not judge me like you are. You made the mistake of asking so now you know."

"Yes now I know and you know what I'm glad I know Luigi… now I know where we stand," said Marco. For Marco the man sitting in the front didn't deserve to be called papa anymore. He was just now coming to understand how little he actually knew him and how little he wanted to know him."

"So Alfredo is dead too bad but actually I'm kind of glad. The man has been nothing but a pain in my side getting into trouble then I having to bail him out. However, he was good at following orders that I will give him…"

"Yes, but now we don't have to give him a share of our profits," said Luigi. "Think about it a two-way split is always better than a three way split…"

"A one way is even better," said Giovanni from the back. "I'm just saying from a mathematical stand point a whole pie is better that half a pie."

"But a whole pie can cause indigestion while eating a half is healthier for both parties. You've got a smart boy back there. Don't you see what he's trying to do sow the seeds of doubt between us. However, Giovanni it won't work. We've been together too long and gone through too much. Isn't that right?" But they were interrupted before Don Rodrigo could answer.

"Sirs, the men from the car just radioed in and said they are in position for the ambush. They'll catch up with us in Nice after they've taken care of our tail."

"Good, things are on schedule and nothing can stop us now."