Don't own Chuck
The teams parted, and Cole and Carina bid farewell to team Bartowski and headed out of Echo Park. Chuck and Sarah watched Carina and Cole when they thought they were alone. Cole took Carina's hand and she laid her head on his shoulder. Chuck couldn't help but hope that maybe there would be a wedding invitation in the mail soon but Sarah had always told him that he was an incurable romantic and she was right.
"Hey, I need to get something from my suitcase. I left my bag in the courtyard," he said as he retrieved his trolley from behind the birds of paradise and wheeled it into the apartment. "Can you go call Molly and Emma? I brought something for them."
"Sure but you shouldn't have. Remember we need to be in Castle in an hour or Beckman will have a cow and considering everything you can't afford to get her angry."
"Okay let's do this, and then we're out of here."
Sarah went next door and had them stop packing then told both there was surprise waiting for them in her apartment. Emma could tell from Sarah's smile that everything had worked out. Molly went ahead as Emma reached out and gave Sarah a hug and kissed her.
"He's back, isn't he?"
"I'm an open book to you. Yes, but it's a surprise for Molly."
They heard Molly scream with joy before they entered the apartment. When they entered the found her hanging off Chuck's neck like a pendant.
"Molly, you're going to strangle Chuck if you don't let go," said Emma.
"That's alright," said Casey from behind them. "He's got a chicken neck anyway."
"Thank you Casey and I missed you too. While everyone is here I can hand out gifts. For the adults I got caviar and vodka to go around. It's good traveling with a DEA agent when you have to go through customs. Molly this is for you," said Chuck and handed her a package. "Go ahead and unwrap it."
Molly looked back at Emma. "What are you waiting for? You heard Chuck unwrap it." She ripped off the paper and found a Matushka doll.
"This is called a Matushka. I got one for you and one for Sam. Watch this," he said as he opened the egg shaped doll up and inside was another one. "Go ahead there are about ten all together."
"Thank you," said Molly as she kissed him and he hugged her.
"Okay we can sample the caviar tonight. Right now we need to go," said Casey.
"One second," said Emma. "Molly, give Uncle Casey you gift."
"Uncle Casey," said Chuck as he put his arm around John.
"Move it or lose it," Casey grunted.
Molly ran into the nursery and then quietly she made her way past Mary and Sam to retrieve a piece of paper. Mary blew her a kiss as she tip toed out and smiled back holding up the piece of paper in the air. Once in the hallway she ran back to Casey and handed him her artwork.
"Explain your picture to him," said Sarah as she put her arm around Molly.
"Well this is Sarah, Sam and Me with the yellow hair. This is Mom and Jack, Chuck and Sarah are together."
"This hairy looking person, that looks like cousin It, is Morgan."
"Yeah," she said and laughed, "he's next to Alex and this is you next to her. See I wrote your name above, 'Uncle Casey'.
For the first time since Chuck met Casey, John didn't know what to say. There was no snappy come back, no sarcastic remark. John was dumbfounded. It looked like he had a lump in his throat and if he didn't know better he'd say his eyes looked a little watery too.
"Stupid allergies," said Casey as he wiped his eyes. "Thanks Molly. I've got to go right now but can you hold on to this for me and when I come back we'll find a frame for it. I know just where I want to hang this. There's a spot just right for it above my photo of Ronald Regan."
"Now that's a place of honor," said Chuck.
"Shut up Bartowski."
"Come on Molly," said Emma, "let's let them get back to work and we need to unpack, looks like we're staying."
Molly reached up and pulled Casey to her then she kissed him on the cheek. Casey turned beet red and his eyes were as big a saucers.
"Thanks," was the only thing he could think to say. Molly and Emma disappeared going back to their place. Mary came out quietly Sam was asleep for a nap.
"I'll stay here you three can go get briefed and then you can brief me later. Or better why don't you two get a hotel room for the night, I think you have some catching up to do, done best alone and away. Casey can brief me when you're done. Emma and I can hold down the fort here and you two could use the alone time."
"Mary, I couldn't," said Sarah.
"Yes, you can. Don't think about it and just go. You don't want to get Diane mad at you again."
"It won't be the first time and won't be the last," said Chuck.
"You're just like your father. Now go and if I see you back here I'll be mad."
Chuck and Sarah rode with Casey in his Crown Vic to Castle taking Burbank Boulevard and turning right at the traffic light they pulled into the Buy More parking lot.
"Sarah Love, you know what my mother meant about being mad, don't you?"
"She was just joking."
"I think to be on the safe side I'm going to check out a set of body armor for the both of us and put them in the trunk of the herder."
"But I've been thinking why don't we use your Aston Martin and I'm sure they have room at the Waldron for the night."
"You aren't thinking about taking my mother up on her offer, are you?"
"Well I'd hate for her to get mad at us," said Sarah as she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into her kissing him.
"Yuck, I think I'm going to be sick," said Casey as he looked at them in his rearview mirror.
"Eyes front Uncle Casey."
"Let me be perfectly clear on this uncle thing the only person authorized to call me uncle is Molly anyone else and I'll introduce them to my ten little nephews understand Chuck!"
"Anyone," said Chuck.
"Anyone! Got it back there?" He said as they both nodded their heads with grins on both their faces. "We're here. Time to roll."
Casey pulled into his usual spot in the parking lot then they made their way into the Buy More. They had no sooner entered the store when Big Mike came up to John and gave him a big hug. Casey was notably embarrassed and tried to break the hold.
"I'm so proud of you Uncle. Morgan told me all about it. Molly is a sweet child and she looks up to you."
"Thanks," said Casey as he mouthed to Morgan, 'you're dead.'
"Alex I'm feeling a little hungry I think we could use some yoghurt right about now."
"I think that would be a good idea. You know you don't have to tell your step-father everything. Spies are supposed to be able to keep secrets."
"I know but I've got to tell him something anything before he starts talking about my mother."
"So you talk to him about my father?"
"Said like that it just sounds bad, right Chuck?"
"Absolutely little Buddy, but while you're out I'd take out a nice life insurance policy that covers bludgeoning and large fists."
"Thanks for the encouragement."
Casey wanted to growl but it was difficult in a bear hug and he tried to grab Grimes as he and Alex slipped past him them out the door.
"Uncle Casey, man oh man doesn't it just warm your heart when your young niece calls you uncle. Casey, do you realize the responsibility you have now? Tell me you do? You've got to look out for that poor child and you have to protect her because that's what an uncle does," said Big Mike looking back at Sarah and Chuck. "And you beat the holy crap out of anyone that looks like Jeff or Lester that comes round."
"Roger that," said Casey.
"Well Emma won't have to worry about Molly have any boyfriends until turns, well forever."
"I think that's a fair assessment," said Sarah.
"Come on John," said Sarah, "I'm sorry but John's supposed to show me the 'beast master' isn't it? Yes, I think so. Chuck and I were talking about getting one like John's so we can organize a get together over barbeque."
"Good, but you need to give me a little advance notice. I need to block off time because, well Mrs. Lady Big Mike the lovely and sensual Bologna Grimes, is a very demanding task mistress if you know what I mean and I don't have much play… free time."
"Yeah," said Chuck, "how do I un-hear that," whispered Chuck to Sarah.
"Right, I'll keep that it mind or not, okay." Sarah waited until big Mike left. "Remind me I need to enter Castle through Orange, orange at least for a while."
"Then we could have a yoghurt kiss," said Chuck then he kissed her. "But plain is good too."
"Come on you two, don't you ever give it a rest?"
"Casey, Casey, Casey," said Chuck as they got in the elevator for Castle. "Don't you think it's about time you to take Gertrude to the firing range? Maybe take her out for a weapons test?" Casey turned and elbowed Chuck in the chest.
"Oh-or not," said Chuck as he doubled over.
"Sorry tight spaces," said Casey.
"Yeah, real tight," said Chuck trying to breath as Sarah helped him up.
"Okay head in the game the General will be on soon," said Casey.
"No the General is already here," as a monitor came on, "and she's been waiting. She doesn't like waiting."
Chuck was about to make mention of the General's use of the first person plural or the royal 'we' but Sarah knew what Chuck was going to say and put her hand over his mouth.
"No," she whispered in his ear as she kissed him.
"May I begin," said the General.
"Yes ma'am, sorry," said Sarah.
"We've been told there's a RA-115 lost in LA." Chuck and Sarah both flashed. Chuck knew he had to do something or the General would realize that Sarah had flashed so he grabbed her and kissed her so she couldn't speak.
"Agent Bartowskis this is not the time," said the General now visible perturbed.
"Sorry, it's just been, well yes," said Chuck as he saw the look the General was giving him.
"Just go ahead and explain the weapon," she said.
"Yes, the RA-115 a SADM Special Atomic Demolition Munition also known as a suitcase nuke or portable implosion device built during the late sixties through the mid-eighties, weighs about fifty to sixty pounds it can be plug into an electrical circuit and it has a battery backup in case of a power outage. If the battery fails it is supposed to transmit a coded message via satellite directly to a GRU post at a Russian embassy or consulate. It is equipped with a mechanical detonator and it is usually deployed by a two man team."
What's the difference between this and the Frankenstein fusion bomb that you defused with fruit juice," asked Casey.
"Implosion verse fusion," said Sarah. "This bomb has a bridgewire detonator which is a series of mini charges arranged at specific locations around a plutonium center. The charges explode compressing the plutonium causing a nuclear change reaction similar to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A five kilo ton yield would devastate a one and a quarter mile area."
"Thank you Agent Bartowski, S. I see you're up on your portable nuclear devices," said the General.
"But General this is old technology the fusion bomb is more deadly and would be frankly more bang for the buck," said Chuck trying to divert the General's attention from Sarah's extensive and all too detailed knowledge of the bomb.
"Chuck the information that I'm about to tell you cannot leave Castle. This information comes from your friend Chuck, Stefan Metrohken."
"Well I know him but I wouldn't say a friend. He works for the SVR, S Directorate to be specific."
"Commie," grunted Casey.
"Ex-commie," said Chuck.
"Whatever, he told us that a group of illegals," said the General.
"Probably two considering the bomb," said Chuck interrupting the General again.
"May I finish? You know I have other things to do than stay on the line with you especially now thanks to you Chuck."
"Sorry, please continue."
"Thank you. As I was saying your acquaintance informed us that two illegals planted a bomb in Topanga State Park sometime in the early eighties."
Both Chuck and Sarah looked at Casey.
"What do I have a spot on my shirt or something? Why are you two looking at me like that? What's going on that I don't know?"
"Colonel, they're looking at you for your reaction? You don't know who lived in that area in the early eighties?"
"In the early to mid-eighties I was in the Marine Corps making rank. I really didn't have much time for anything else."
"Does San Onofre Drive, Pacific Palisades ring a bell," said Chuck.
"The Gipper!"
"I'm afraid so your mission is to find and recover that nuke. Chuck and Sarah your cover will be as two campers."
"Good I have my father's old camper that we can use as a base. It's already outfitted as a mobile base from his days as Orion."
"Colonel you've been secured a job as a Park Ranger. You will report in tomorrow morning to the Trippet Ranch for indoctrination. I hope you know how to ride a horse."
"No problem General, I rode Camels in the desert when they spit at me I spit back. Horses will be a piece of cake."
"I don't know why but I believe him," said Chuck.
"Knowing Casey, I'd have to agree," said Sarah.
"You may want to take your Wooly friend and Agent McHugh with you too. The park is over 10,000 acres and we don't know where the bomb could be. I have tried to use satellite imaging even IR scans but nothing. So you'll need to use all the manpower available. Agent McHugh is going to waste as a babysitter and this would be a good opportunity for her to get some field work under her belt."
"Well, Agent McHugh has been invaluable these days," said Sarah looking at Casey. "I wouldn't have been able to go on mission without her and she has been working on her quals although it may seem that all she's been doing is babysitting."
"Right," said Chuck, "her cover is as our babysitter and obviously if you think that's all she's been doing then she's been doing an excellent job of keeping her cover. Wouldn't you agree Sarah?"
"Yes, exactly, she's got her cover down so well that she could fool anyone."
"Colonel is there a problem I don't know about?"
"No General everything is fine."
"Good, it's about time that the training wheels come off and we see if she's ready for the spy world. I realize Colonel she's your daughter but it's better like this. Agent McHugh and Agent Grimes can assume the cover of hikers. Mary and Emma can take care of the baby. Beckman out."
"Roger out," said Casey.
"Big guy what are you going to do?" said Chuck. "Kathleen is going to kill you if she finds out."
"Chuck's right," said Sarah, "and you know she will find out sooner or later."
"I know and if anything happens to her Kathleen will blame me. I'll blame me too. This is all my fault because of a decision I made in 1989."
"Well this really isn't that bad a mission if you don't think about the bomb," said Chuck. "I mean okay so we're going out camping and part of the mission is to recover a missing suitcase. This is all they need to know so if it gets back to Kathleen it really was just a day in the park."
"That's true," said Sarah, "when we find it then Chuck or I will render the nuke harmless."
"No wait a minute it's not a 'Chuck or I', I'm the one that's going to render the bomb harmless. I'd prefer if you were outside the mile and half radius."
"Sweetie you and I have the same program, I am more than capable of working on the bomb."
"Love, in theory yes, but don't forget I'm the one that defused a nuclear bomb with fruit juice so I think I have experience."
"Dear that may be true but if I never get an opportunity to try then how am I supposed to know when I need to."
"Love, we're talking about a nuclear bomb there is no try here, either you can or you can't and may I remind you that Casey's two screw up Greta's, Rick and Vicky, couldn't do it and they had the same intersect that we have. No offense, Casey."
"None taken, but I think you both need to put a sock in it and let's get organized. You two are arguing over something we haven't even found yet. Alex and Morgan are back. I'm going up and talk to them I'll be right back."
"Casey, don't tell Morgan there are snakes or he won't want to come. He had a bad experience at summer camp one year."
"It's not a question of want but a question of orders," said Casey as he disappeared above. Chuck got up and went to the armory then came back through carrying two Kevlar vests.
"Where are you going with those," asked Sarah.
"Out to the car, I thought you might have changed your mind about the Waldron," said Chuck as Sarah walked over to him then circled from behind and slipped her hand inside his shirt then kissed him on the neck.
"You know we might have a difference of opinion but some things we always agree on."
"I don't want to sound rude but you're talking about sex, right?" He turned around to kiss her letting the vests drop to the floor.