Don't own Chuck

Chuck, Tien and Anna pulled up outside of the building under construction they'd first used. Tien recognized it immediately being close to his office and wondered why no had thought to look here when they were searching for Chuck. Chuck took them in then had them wait while he got into disguise. He spent a good while dressing up as an old beggar. Tien and Anna watched as he actually seemed to fall into character with each layer of disguise he put on until he was unrecognizable.

"You should've seen me in school. I played Perchik in 'Fiddler on the room' and I got all sorts of compliments."

"Well here you get dead if anyone sees through your disguise. Although I like it," said Anna as she looked him over. "I don't know if I could do better."

"Now to add the final touch," said Chuck as he picked up a big jar with the word rice wine written across it in Chinese.

"I hope you don't intend to drink out of that. You know there are laws against public intoxication and that can land you in jail pretty quickly if the wrong people see you," said Tien when Chuck pulled out a jug of rice wine.

"Maybe but no one wants to arrest Uncle So," said Chuck then he took a swig then spit it out. "How's my breath now?" he asked they had to turn away from him.

"You could kill flies in midflight not to mention curl the wallpaper on the wall," said Tien as Anna fanned her face. "So, your big plan is to walk in and distract the guards so we can walk in?"

"Well not exactly like that but you've got the general idea. Just wait here I'll be right back this is only phase one," said Chuck. "Then he disappeared."

"Phase one? How many phases are there," asked Tien but Chuck was already gone. He turned back to Anna. "So you're the person they call the White Lotus? What happened between you and the Red Lotus?"

"Your Minister pulled the cooperation agreement between our countries. She and I agreed it would be better if we handled different missions…"

"Not that we consider you a separate country. But you talk about working separate missions that is up until now…"

"That was before your minister is got in bed with Ettore. My government considers him a threat to our national security as well as anyone else who works with him."

"Would you assassinate Minister Wang? Are you crazy? Do you know have any idea the political repercussions that would cause? Not to mention do to our relationship with your people?"

"Why are you looking like that at me? Political assassinations happen all the time just your people call them colds or the flu. You people have the deadliness microbes on the planet and I'm sure some of them are natural causes."

"Don't get me wrong I'm not a fan of Wang's and if he buys the farm I'll probably throw a party but I have to believe there is something greater that you or me… that's what I'm fighting for."

"I used to be idealistic like you, but your minister took all that away. I like working with Rebecca, my cousin. There's not much difference between her and myself except the straits of Formosa. Wang didn't tell her he was going to renege on our agreement. He sent her to Hopei provenience then he called me to join her in Beijing for an emergency. When I got there, I was greeted by a group of assassins he'd sent for me. That's how your minister operates."

"I know firsthand how he operates but go ahead tell me the rest. I believe you and beside you can't leave the story like this. What happened? You're here talking to me so something must've gone wrong with his plan?"

"What went wrong you ask? He underestimated me is what happened. I knew something was wrong when I tried to contact Rebecca but she wasn't answering. His men came for me during the night thinking they had the advantage. They were wrong, I cut them down one by one then I sent the Minister a present. I wish I could've been there when he opened the box and looked in at all those eyes looking back at him."

"You realize it was probably his secretary who opened your macabre present. I bet whoever it was is still going through therapy.

"Probably, I never thought about it. I only found out later that Rebecca didn't have anything to do with it and for a long time I was angry with her. So, you asked me before about political assassination, yes I think I know a thing or two about it and would I… well my advice to you would be not to leave me alone with your minister."

[In the meantime]

Chuck staggered down to the MSS building. He walked up to the front of the building saying hello to everyone he met. People moved quickly away from him and gave him a look of disgust. He staggered around out front for a little before walking up to the front doors smiling at the man behind the desk. But the man frowned and waved for him to go away.

"Néih hóu. I know what you want. You want to a taste of Uncle So's home brew," said Chuck as he held up his jug. "If you want a taste you'll have to come outside."

"No, go away old man or I'll have you removed. Go away I," said the man through the glass as he waved for Chuck to leave.

"I'm sorry but you're going to have to speak up louder than that if you want me to hear you," said Chuck. "Wait, I normally don't do this but for you I'll come inside."

"No, no you can't come inside," said the man as he tried to block the door but Chuck got up close to him… close enough to breathed on him. The man staggered back coughing. "Geez, old man, what are you drinking gasoline?"

"This, my friend, is one hundred percent pure joy. This divine liquid comes straight from the table of the eight immortals. My great great grandfather handed this recipe down to his father and on and on until it came to me. I don't want to brag but legend has it that this came straight from the Monkey King himself."

"You smell like a wet monkey all right and don't even get me started on your breath. Look you have to leave you can't be in here and I don't want to see you loitering around out-front bothering people. This is a government building and the people who work here are busy... too busy for the likes of you."

"Now watch it sonny, I didn't insult you so there's no reason for you to insult me. I just wanted to offer you some of my heavenly elixir. If you don't want any all you have to do is say so… I'm not deaf," said Chuck as he started to scratch then pulled something out of his hair and examined it.

"Yuck, I think that's what I've been saying. So, if you'll kindly be on your way I can get back to work. And remember I don't want to see you outside anymore."

"Now wait a minute, anymore is a very long time by my calculations. But just how long is that," said Chuck as he started counting on his fingers then he took off one of his shoes to count on his toes.

"Do you mind," said Chuck as he handed it to the man along with his jug so he could continue counting standing on one foot.

"What are you doing? Put your shoe back on and take this jug," said the man. But as he tried to give everything back Chuck pretended to lose balance. He fell backwards causing the man to grab him Chuck looked up and smiled at the man.

"Get up you old fools. You're about to drop your jug." The jug had gone flying up in the air but Chuck caught it with his foot before it touched the ground.

"Now that was a close one," said Chuck. "But are you sure I can't interest you in a drink? People say it's not good to drink alone."

"No, I don't want a drink. You know what do whatever you want my relief is here for me so you're going to be his problem."

"Well if you didn't want a drink all you had to do was say so... So being me, Uncle So, so So is out of here. I never met a group of people so hard of hearing in my life. You should really get your hearing checked," said Chuck as he walked out.

"What was that all about Gar? You and that old beggar seemed to be having words. Is there something I need to know?"

"No, just a harmless old drunk is all. Be thankful you're not in IT. The word came down they're here until all their work is done. The Minister is in his office on the top floor so you need to keep things quiet down here."

"I heard and I heard. But that's better than what those poor saps this afternoon got. The minister packed everyone up then shipped them off to the Gobi because they were too close to that traitor Tien."

"I know I was on watch when they were shipped out. Well we rode that one out. Maybe I should've gotten some of that old man's brew. It would definitely take the edge off of working here."

"I hear you there. Okay I've got the watch. Go home, tomorrow will be another day."

"You can say that again Rosella." The man looked at him. "You've never seen 'Gone with the Wind' with Vivien Leigh? It's a classic."

"And not on the approved list of films."

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Now Ellie, Morgan and Alex were together in their room on the third floor of Ettore's sanitarium. Alex brought Morgan up to speed on their capture and transport across the Atlantic. And she was just finishing when Ellie was returned. They waited in silence as the door locked then Morgan began.

"Well, I caught a flight from LAX to Shanghai because that's where the ship you were on was headed... I came to rescue you..." Morgan started to say but Ellie cut him off.

"Yes, Morgan we know. You caught the flight with Anna Wu we saw the pictures of you in the terminal. Ettore showed them to us but he's down below talking with that Chinese Minister as we speak. So, you can explain all that to us later right now we need to listen in. If we're lucky they might be speaking English."

"Good idea," said Alex. Morgan was a little perplexed as to how they were going to listen in but they waved him over as they huddled around the fire place to listen to the voices brought up through the duct below. When it was over they looked at each other but that was when Alex noticed it.

"Morgan, is that a wedding ring on your finger? What are you doing wearing a wedding ring? We're not married yet," said Alex that when he saw her look and he knew he was dead. "Oh, don't tell me you married her?"

Morgan realized he had some explaining to do but before he could say anything they heard a ruckus outside their door with the sound of men running.

"What's going on," yelled Morgan but he got no answer. No getting any answer they ran to the window. There were more men on the grounds.

"Maybe your wife is here to break us out," said Alex. Morgan looked at her. "That is who you married to get that ring, isn't it? You didn't just buy it from the bubble gum machine?"

"I didn't marry her for real. It was for my cover and a way for me to get into country to rescue you. So, I'd appreciate it you'd lose the attitude."

"Lose what? I'm about to lose something all right but my attitude isn't it. So, you came to rescue us well look around and tell me how's that going for you?"

"I'll admit up until now not very well but I've got a plan. You see I soaked a paper towel with some hand soap. The idea is I put it in my mouth and chew on it until it turns to foam. Then you call the guard, he'll think I have rabies or something then when he panics we rush him. After that it's out of here and over the wall then we're home free."

"I hate to rain on your parade but have you noticed we're in a hospital. The guard is liable to ship you out to a ward to be treated or just put a bullet through your head to put you out of your misery and because he doesn't want to get contaminated if you bite him."

"Oh… I never said I'd thought it completely through and besides I didn't know you were going to be held in a hospital," said Morgan. But then their attention was drawn outside.

"Hey that's Mom. What's she doing here? Crap, I don't think she's going to make it. I don't want to watch," said Ellie as she closed her eyes. Morgan tapped her on the shoulder

"You can open your eyes now. She got over the wall safe and sound," said Morgan. "That must've been Casey doing the shooting laying down cover for her. But I was trying to tell you guys before. Mary is here as well as Anna. I met Mary in the restroom on the train Ettore's people put me on in Shanghai to bring here."

"In the restroom?" said Ellie as she made a face. "I bet there wasn't much room to move around and do your business."

"What are you talking about? I was getting the hand soap for my plan but let me finish. When I arrived in Guangzhou that's here. I met Chuck in the train station. He bumped into me and slipped these cards in my pocket," he said as he showed them to Mary.

"What are they," said Alex as she looked at them. "They look like those ink botches they made me look at when I had to do my psych eval."

"And did you pass," asked Morgan. Alex gave him a look. "Sorry but I can't help myself sometimes. The urge is greater than I am."

"I know what you mean. I've had the urge to slap you silly but I've held that under control. So, Ellie what are these cards and can we use them?"

"These are intersect flash cards," she said as she fanned them. "There are the same kind that Quinn used on Sarah to burn her memory out. I thought Chuck destroyed these."

"Well, he didn't or he made more but can we use these against Ettore?" asked Alex as Ellie looked through them.

"I don't know… maybe, but we need to be careful how we use these. He's already mentally unstable and these could send him over the edge. I say we each take some and keep them on us at all times. If we ever thing Ettore has lost it and fear he's going to do something to us or he needs to be stopped we use them. But until then we keep them hidden. I don't know if you guys heard or not but Ettore knows about Sarah and he wants her governor. I wish there was some way to get a message to Chuck or Sarah," said Ellie as they looked at Morgan.

"I don't know why you two are looking at me. I don't have a comms device. The only thing I have is this wedding band that has a tracking device in it."

"You say your wedding band has a tracker in it," said Alex as she gave him a look. "That shows how far your new bride trusts you, doesn't it? It's a good thing for your future spouse to know."

"Very funny, I already explained Anna and I aren't really married."

[Back in Langley]

Beckman was pacing back and forth wearing out her new carpet. Roan and her Major sat in her office watching her. Roan even made a comment but his humor was greeted with a stern look signifying that it wasn't much appreciated.

"How can you joke like this when we've got agents in the field? This is not time for levity," said Beckman as she continued pacing.

"I wasn't making a joke. Just look at your carpet. You've created a path in it going back and forth like some sort of caged animal. Major, it's going to be your job to allocate funds to replace it. How many have there been this year? You might do better buying in bulk then keeping the rest in storage or see if this kind of wear and tear is included in the warranty."

"I've already thought about that and I checked it the last time we had to replace it. No, they won't replace it for free."

"That's unacceptable and low bid doesn't always mean best deal. You need to justify going to another source."

"Will you two shut up. What part of not helping don't you two understand? We should've heard something by now. I don't like this flying by the seat of our pants in the dark like this."

"I don't think anyone does but I don't understand your problem. You've had… we've had other agents on the other side of the bamboo curtain before and you haven't acted like this."

"Roan, don't you see what could be happening right as we're speaking? If Ettore sells our secrets to the Chinese this will be the single worse security breach that has fallen this nation since its creation. This will turn Snowden's breach into an episode of the Gossip Girls. No one will remember him but this they will and it will go down in the history books with my name attached to it."

"Okay, it could be bad but come on it can't be that bad. Besides the last reports we've gotten says Ettore is mentally unstable. We can always deny everything and label him a lunatic that will go a long way in discrediting him."

"That will only hold water for a little while but as soon as the first thing he says is verified then a whole crap storm will follow. A flood gate will open and we'll all get washed away. But you want to know what the worst thing is? That's there's absolutely nothing I can do about it except hope Chuck comes through."

As they were talking the Major's phone began to ring. He stepped out taking it letting the General and Roan talk then he walked back in holding his phone. The General looked over at him.

"This is the ready room. They said the tracking signal Agent Wu planted on Agent Grimes is going on the fritz. It seems the signal keeps going and coming. However, so far he's position hasn't changed and we've tracked him to an old sanitarium just outside of town near the Pearl river."

"You say, going and coming… did they say if it was at regular intervals," said Roan as he got an idea. "Ask them that right now."

"Did you hear that," said the Major talking into his phone. "Yes, they say it's at regular intervals like something was blocking the signal. They think he might be walking around in a room…"

"No, that's not what's happening. Have them translate those impulses into audio sounds then put your phone on speaker and have them play it through it."

"What are you thinking? Tangiers?" said the General as she gave him a coy smile. "That was an evening I'll not soon forget."

"I think you might just have a message in a bottle," said Roan. A series of beeps started coming through the Major's phone. Roan grabbed a pen and started writing.

"Crap! Sarah's in trouble we need to get people to her right away," said Roan. The General picked up her receiver and started dialing.

"Nothing, the number isn't going through. I hope this doesn't mean we're too late. Major, contact our downtown team and have them locate Agent Bartowski ASAP. Make sure they know it's Sarah we want then have them put her, the girls… hell everyone in protective custody. Then I want a meeting with Mei Sheng. I want him to know these kinds of actions won't be tolerated… not now, not ever."

"We ought to grab one of his people up off the street," said Roan as he tried Sarah's number too but got the same recorded message.

"I would but it's not him that's behind this. Crap, I'd grab their party chairman if I thought it'd do any good. Are you having any luck?"

"No, I think her phone is being jammed. I'm just hitting autodial now but nothing is going through. Think of all the ruffled feathers if you did grab him. Now, that would be something to see."

"Along with me falling on my sword. Major, I need that team deployed an hour ago and if anyone gives you any static about it tell him… well just pass the phone to me."