Don't Own Chuck

The whole drive to Castle from the hospital Sarah sat quietly without uttering almost a word. Chuck tried to engage her in conversation but it seemed as if she were miles away. Sometimes she would answer but with a marked delay and sometimes not at all. He started to worry about her thinking that her intersect might be failing so he kept glancing over at her as she sat eyes fixed looking out the windshield but she seemed to be more staring at her own reflection than on any one point outside. Finally when they pulled into the parking lot Chuck had to know what was going on inside her head.

"Sarah, tell me what's wrong," Chuck said, "I can tell something is bothering you. I could tell from the time we left the hospital, please tell me."

"Nothing really," she said. "I was just lost in my thoughts."

"I'm not letting you off that easy. There's something else or do I have to remind you of our promise? I can't help you if you don't talk me."

"Sweetie, I don't know if there's a fix for me. Why am I here? I mean I know why I'm here but well why am I here and not at home where I belong with our daughter?"

"I know you're worried about Sam so am I but we have this mission to do. That nuke endangers a lot of people and their daughters. Don't you remember telling me that when I was worried about befriending Adam, Anna's boyfriend and betraying Morgan's friendship?"

"Yes, but this was different I'm Sam's mother I should be with her not here. Chuck I've been at this for so long maybe too long. What kind of mother am I that I choose my mission over my own baby?"

"Love, you're proving to Sam that you love her and that you're willing to sacrifice to protect her and the people you love."

"But don't you see, I don't want to have Sam hate me the way you hate your mother."

"I don't hate her. There are times when I don't understand her but things are better both for Ellie and myself now that we know why she left but I don't hate her. Love, you'll never be like my mother."

"You can't know that."

"Yes, I can because I won't let you. We're in this all the way, together you and me and I'm not going to let you go out on any mission like the one my father let my mother go on."

"But why am I here? I should be home not going off with Casey to track down some bad guy. What will she think if something happens to me? The night she had to go to the hospital I choose to go off on a mission instead of being with her and never came back? Don't you see how that looks like? It looks like I don't care about her."

"Yes, I mean no, what I mean is nothing's going to happen. Sam is home with Emma, Mary and her Aunt and is as safe as she'd be if you and I were there. Sure I want to be there with her too but I've got this stupid card to decipher and talking about dislikes. I don't like the fact that you and Casey are going to the Waldron without me while I'm stuck here, but I can't do anything about it. What I'm saying is that we should concentrate on things we have power to control and let alone those we don't."

"Wow, that's quite a speech for this late in the evening. Thank you," Sarah said.

"What can I say I'm an articulate schnook or I've been told but thanks for what?"

"Thanks for listening to my rant."

"What are partners for if not to listen, but we need to hurry Casey will be heading back soon. By now he should've dropped the ladies off at home."

Chuck and Sarah crossed the parking lot still dressed for their evening out but when they reached the Buy More. They found the store alarm had been deactivated and there seemed to be activity inside. Sarah pulled her pistol from her purse and they slowly entered together.

"See this is why you need to carry protection," said Sarah and Chuck gave her a look back. "Not that kind, come on."

"Well I was prepared of a different kind of mission this evening," said Chuck as the automatic doors opened making a swooshing noise as they parted. It was hot and muggy outside and the cool air from inside felt good as it hit them.

"Shush, listen someone's here," said Sarah as she motioned Chuck to get down and slowly they weaved their way down the aisles clearing the main floor room.

"Over there," whispered Chuck, "Home theatre."

"Get ready to flash," whispered Sarah as she held her Smith and Wesson at the ready. "On my count, ready-"

"Wait," said Chuck, "Morgan and Alex, they're inside."

"What are they doing her?" Sarah said as she put away her pistol.

"I don't know, I thought they were out on a date?"

"So did I," she said and as they spoke in a low voice, the voices inside grew louder.

"Morgan, what are we doing here?" They heard Alex say. "I thought you were going to take me out on a date? Didn't you mention some French place?"

"Rick's, I got a copy of Casablanca and I thought we could eat gourmet popcorn and watch it together."

"Oh Morgan"

"Oh yes I'm excited too. Look it's got Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains. Play it again Sam-"

"Yeah, play it again, don't you remember we watched it last week and the week before. Soon I'll be quoting from it. I told you I liked Audrey Hepburn so why can't we watch Roman Holidays or something else with her in it?"

"Here's to you kid."

"And here's to you, I'm leaving. Dad wanted to talk with me before he talks to Mom but I told him I couldn't because I was going out to dinner with you. Dinner, a meal people eat that is usually more than some over buttered popcorn and a grape soda."

"But you could've cancelled, I wouldn't have cared."

"Morgan that's the problem you should care and now we're here. I need to go before I say something I shouldn't."

"Come on Alex if only you had said something I would've done something else, really I would."

"That's the problem Morgan I shouldn't have to, you should know."

"I'm not a mind reader. If you don't say anything then I assume-"

"That's the problem you assume. Chuck isn't a mind reader either but he takes care of Sarah's needs without her having to ask or worse beg."

Chuck looked back at Sarah and she looked at him. "Oh my God, we need to get out of here," said Chuck.

"Yes, and right now let's retreat to Orange, orange and regroup. We can get into Castle from there."

"Good idea."

They quickly but silently made their way to the doors and had just gotten out when they saw Alex leave the home entertainment center in a huff teary eyed.

"What are we going to do, we'll never make Orange, orange," said Sarah.

"I've got an idea quick the car, you stand over there," he said as he position her on the driver's side, "I'll stand here now open the doors. Ready?" and Sarah nodded. They had just opened the car doors when Alex walked out.

"Hey Alex, funny meeting you here," Chuck said as he slammed his door.

"Yes, I thought you and Morgan were supposed to be out," said Sarah as she closed her door and smiled at Chuck. Her look said, 'great plan.'

"You two just got here?" Alex asked thinking they had just arrived. "What did you forget something? Sarah that's a lovely dress too good for the Buy More Home Entertainment Center"

"What? Oh, thanks, you know we were going out, and well things happened and our plans got changed. Anyway why aren't you with Morgan?"

"I'd like not to talk about it but I guess you'll find out sooner or later we had a fight. Morgan's inside watching his stupid movie and I'm going home. Dad told me, we're going on mission tomorrow so I'm turning in early," Alex said then she mumbled, "just earlier than I thought."

"Alex do you want to talk," asked Chuck.

"Chuck, thanks but I can't talk to you about Morgan. He's your best friend and whatever is going on between us is just that between us. Please don't take this the wrong way, I appreciate your asking but this is something that we have to work out."

"Alex if there's anything you need remember you're still my trainee and I'm your handler."

"Thanks but it's pretty much the same I can't tell you not to tell Chuck. I can't and I won't."

"Then let's do this," said Chuck trying to negotiate a way out. "Sarah I'm telling you here in front of Alex if you two want to talk about Morgan it's okay by me. You don't have to tell me anything and I don't want to know anything. Alex can decide what I need to know and if there's a question then I'll trust both of yours discretion."

"Okay then maybe tomorrow but right now I need to go I called Mom and she's supposed to be meeting me here."

Chuck and Sarah waited with Alex until Kathleen showed up and took Alex away. Kathleen was leaving when Casey pulled into the parking lot.

"Wasn't that Kat," asked Casey as he got out of his car.

"Yeah, she came to pick up Alex."

"Where's the troll? Did he do something to my little girl? I'll kill him. Bartowski, the two of you, don't tell me to calm down."

"Listen John, I'm sure it was just a little misunderstanding. Nothing happened Morgan was just a little, what would you say, Sweetie?"

"What? You're asking me? Of course you're asking me, what was I thinking. Well, I would say maybe a little obtuse. Yeah that would sum it up in one word."

"Yes, that's the word," said Sarah.

"Where's the dead man walking? I'll have a little chat with him and see if I can un-obtuse him."

"Casey, you could accidently kill Morgan and besides remember we need him for tomorrow's mission and he'll need to be able to walk and possess all his limbs for the park."

"Parks can be dangerous places; you never know what wild animal can get you, like big foot. My big foot and I'll tell you where-"

"John, let's go to the Waldron and get Melville," said Sarah.

"Yeah, I feel like shooting someone," said Casey.

"There you go Big Guy, head in the mission," said Chuck.

"Try to get Morgan out of here before Casey gets back," whispered Sarah.

"Tell Boo-boo that Ranger Smith will be watching."

Chuck kissed Sarah. They knew Casey was really mad because he didn't make any comments. Chuck watched from the parking lot until the Crown Vic disappeared into the night before going back in the Buy More to talk to Morgan and to start decrypting the drive.

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At the Waldron in Melville's Room, three men and a woman were standing close to the balcony. The discussion was heated as they went over the evening's mishap and mission complications.

"Pierre, I didn't want to bring you here to begin with," said the woman. "I knew it was a risk and that you'd blow it."

"Come on, how was I supposed to know those two turncoat CIA agents would be here in my hotel. It was just some bad luck that's all. It could've happened to anyone."

"It didn't happen to anyone it happened to you."

"Come on Boss Pierre has been loyal to the cause. Besides, we need him and his contacts."

"That's the only reason Pierre you don't have a bullet in the head," said the woman.

"Come on Rose darling, you know you don't want to kill me. I'm too valuable to you and in more ways than one," he said as he came close to her but she pushed him away.

"Don't flatter yourself I'm going. Pepe and Marcus will help get you out of here. I want this room wiped down and everyone out in less than half an hour. Pepe, can I see you out in the hall. Marcus, you and Pierre get to work." Pierre began throwing things in a suitcase as Marcus began wiping down. Pepe and Rose stepped out in the hallway and closed the door.

"Yes Boss, what is it?"

"Pepe, Pierre over estimates our need for him. If those agents recognized him they might try to come back for him. If that happens he can't be taken, he knows too much. I'm leaving three more guys out front until you all get clear."

"You can rely on me."

"I know I can. Give this to Pierre for me," she said as she handed him a white rose. "Tell him I want him to wear it on his lapel." Pepe took the rose and went back inside to make sure everything was going as planned.

"Here the boss wants you to wear this," said Pepe. Pierre took it then smiled after smelling it.

"I never knew she liked me so much," he said as he trimmed it then put it on his lapel. Outside Rosa was in the elevator going down as soon as the doors closed she touched her ear piece and talked into her radio.

"The mark has the flower. If anything happens I want you to take him out," she told her sniper in the parking garage across the street. She smiled as the doors opened to the foyer, just a little added protection, she told herself as she got out.

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Casey and Sarah were making their way down to the Waldron, Casey began to loosen his grip on the steering wheel as he began to calm down over the Morgan incident. He glanced over at Sarah and cleared his voice.

"That's a nice dress you have on this evening too bad your plans got scrubbed."

"Thanks, you know as well as I do that thing happen especially for people like us. I don't know what I was thinking."

"Well you two should try it again, I mean get away. Maybe after all this is over you two should think about going somewhere."

"Not really practical with Sam but thanks. Maybe Chuck and I could do a lazy weekend were we do nothing."

"That sounds like a plan. Hey, I want to say thanks."

"Thanks for what?"

"For having Molly draw that picture for me it was really and don't laugh, sweet."

"Don't thank me that was all Molly's doing. Casey I don't know if you realize it but you're not just my partner or a member of our team. John, you're every bit apart of this family as I am."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Wow, I hadn't thought of it like that. I mean I never thought it possible when Alex Colburn died I thought all that the wife, the kids going and the Little League practice and the minivan and the Costco runs on the weekend the whole American Dream died too. We do what we do, so all those other slobs out there can have it."

"John, it doesn't have to be that way is all I'm saying. Maybe with Molly and the rest of us you can have another chance. Especially now that you have Alex in your life you know it's not an accident that Molly drew you close to Alex."

"I don't know."

"Just tell me you'll think about it."

"We're here, head in the game," said Casey as he pulled into the hotel parking lot. Casey and Sarah made their way into the hotel foyer.

"Wait here I'll get a room that way we can tap into the hotels internal feed and hack their computer," said Casey.

"You're learning Chuck's language," she said as Casey grunted. He had just left when the same manager came up to Sarah.

"Listen I was nice before when I thought you were with your husband but this is not a place to do your kind of work. If you don't leave I going to have to call the police and I don't think you'd like that."

"Excuse me, what are you accusing me of?"

"Listen I really don't care how you make your living but this hotel has a certain reputation to maintain and I've been hired to make sure certain standards are maintained."

Casey had the key card in hand and was walking back when he saw a fast left jab to the nose and right cross to the jaw. He moved quickly behind the manager to keep him from dropping to the floor.

"Hey there buddy you should stay away from the bar during happy hour," said Casey loud enough so everyone could hear. "Sarah, I suppose you don't mind explaining," he said in a whisper. Sarah told Casey about their previous run in and what the man had accused her of then that he was going to call the police. "Well you really can't blame him," said Casey. "I mean from the outside you have to admit that you were here in less than an hour with two men." said Casey as they got the man into the elevator and took him to their room. "A little X13 gas and tomorrow he won't remember anything."

"Christ Casey what's going to happen when Sam gets older and is in school. Her friends are going to tell her that they saw her mother out with other men."

"Yes it could be a little awkward but I think more so for Chuck."

"What? The neighbors of members of the PTA will tell him his wife, is well we know what they could say."

"Harper Valley, no I was thinking about well you're young now and objectively hot but what's going to happen in ten or fifteen years or when Chuck's my age he'll be sent out with some young agent from the Company's Fall Hotness Catalogue who will have to pass off as his mistress. Then add the Sam scenario along with the neighbors and the PTA to that and what have you got?"

"That is if we don't tell her what we do, I don't see any other option then being honest with her."

"Yeah your no lies, no secrets, I don't know. You two will have to ask yourselves is it the right thing to do? But it would make for some interesting finger paintings, a visit from social services and may be some therapy to boot."

"I don't know that's where she's going to need an uncle and I'm not talking about Captain Awesome."

"You're starting to sound like Chuck over thinking everything. Let's find Melville and get out of here," said Casey as he took out a computer with pre-written programs on a Linux directory all laid out for them by Chuck. The hack went off without a hitch and soon they were in the hotel's computer and internal video feeds.

"I'm just starting to see things from Chuck's perspective is all and he's not wrong. Maybe we should get out."

"You and I know that's not possible."

"I know Chuck had to make a deal with the devil for me."

"So all this talk is just exhausting and useless, here I've got something room 622. It's registered to a C. Ahab but there's no record of his existing and get this, the cameras are out on that floor."

"Jill's old room."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, what was the name again C. Ahab. Ahab was the name of the sea captain in Herman Melville's Moby Dick."

"Sounds like our man," said Casey as he upholstered his Sig and took the safety off. "I say let's go fishing."

Sarah and Casey took the elevator to the sixth floor and had just gotten off when two men stepped out. Sarah flashed. She drew her gun and Casey raised his.

"They're here Marcus," yelled Melville as he recognized Sarah and drew his weapon. Marcus pulled his piece as Melville stepped behind him letting him take the first rounds then tried to return fire.

"It's over Pierre. Your man is dead, lay the gun down slowly or join him," yelled Sarah. Melville he saw that the situation was hopeless

"Okay I surrender," he said and laid his weapon on the floor.

"Coward," mumbled Pepe watching everything from the stairwell. "Hey Boss we have a situation," he radioed in.