Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Sarah were leaving their room heading down the hallway towards the elevator as they bumped into the maid. Chuck looked at his watch then to Sarah, she shrugged her shoulders. They had just stepped into the elevator when they heard the woman yell. She found the hotel manager passed out with little bottles of assorted alcoholic beverages empty in his pockets and reeking with the smell of booze. Sarah giggled as she pressed the button to go down. They went to the reception desk and they could see people were jumping from behind each person had their phones in hand.
"Come on," they heard one woman say, "I've got to get a picture of this."
"Wait up," said another, "I'm coming too." Both left with phones in hand flipping through the menus to get to the one for camera.
Chuck went up to the receptionist and handed her the room key card along with his credit card.
"Don't forget to leave a tip for the boy who came this morning," said Sarah.
"That's right, thanks I almost forgot." Chuck handed the woman a fifty and explained who it was for and she smiled back.
"I'll make sure he gets it, when he comes in. He went had to run home to change and to rest up things got pretty crazy last night from what I hear and he ended up working a double shift."
"Really, what happened?" asked Sarah. "We didn't notice anything?"
"Then you must've checked in before. But there was a gas leak in the parking lot and some cars caught on fire. When you go out you'll see they're still cleaning up the mess."
"Did anyone get hurt?"
"I don't know but no one said anything about anyone getting hurt." The woman handed back Chuck's credit card along with a note and a set of car keys.
Thanks," said Chuck as he read the note Sarah took the keys. "They said that a black Land Rover Discovery is parked out front. I guess if we're going camping that's the vehicle we need." They found it right out front and Sarah opened Chuck's door for him so he could get in.
"I'm not an invalid, you know. I should be opening your door."
"Just be quiet and let me take care of you." She said, and then when she got in she leaned over and kissed him. As they left the cleaning crew was removing the last of the burnt out cars from the parking lot and across the way another crew was at work in the parking garage. Once they were on the road Chuck relaxed in his seat and unconsciously started rubbing his shoulder.
"Don't do that," said Sarah glancing over at him. "You're going to tear the stitches and leave a scar."
"I wasn't even paying attention. No I was thinking and I've got a deal for you."
"No, I'm not staying home with Sam. I'd like that but I can't and I'd like not to think about it."
"Just hear me out first. This is my deal you stay with me during the day then at night you go back home and spend the night with Sam and Molly. We can't search at night and if anyone asked I could simply tell them that camping was my idea and that you don't like sleeping in the great outdoors." Sarah was silent Chuck could tell that she was thinking.
"So if I agree what would we need two cars."
"You could come when every you want and leave just before dark. Take now for instance, I'll take Morgan and we'll pick up the Airstream and take it to the park. You can wait at home with everyone and have some extra Sam time then when we have the camper set up I'll call you."
"As much as that sounds like a plan you've got a hole in your shoulder and if you over exert yourself you'll tear those stitches out then it will start bleeding again. We're here. It's still early so we need to be quiet."
They opened the door quietly and found Mary and Alex in the kitchen with a cup of coffee each.
"Shush," she said, "everyone's asleep. Let's go out in the courtyard and talk."
"I'll be right there," said Sarah as she walked back to put her head in the nursery and if nothing else to watch Sam for a bit while she was sleeping. She wondered if this wasn't what Chuck meant when he told her that he liked watching her sleep. Heaving a sigh she left and made two cups of coffee for the both of them then met up with the group in the courtyard.
"Here Sweetie," said Sarah.
"Thanks Love," Chuck said, "Mom wanted to debrief me but I asked her to wait for you. Okay Mom go ahead."
"Well, Casey's already gone," said Mary. "He wanted to get there early to scout out the area. He said that Diane would be calling you sometime during the day when she finds out more information about Pierre Melville. He said she was as surprised as you were to find out that he wasn't in prison."
"So someone is going to have to stay close to the camper today. Why am I thinking I'm getting volunteered?"
"You know why."
"Chuck can I ask how your shoulder is or do I need permission?"
"Mom it's nothing and how did you know? I didn't tell you. I know the satellite feeds are good but I don't think they're that good."
"Okay, I called her after you fell asleep," said Sarah. "She's your mother and I knew she'd be mad at me if I didn't tell her besides she already knew."
"And I ought to be mad at you for not wanting me to know. Besides I'm a spy Chuck and I've been one for a very long time. You don't think I couldn't figure out you were hit when you called me for that missile attack."
"Sweetie we have plenty of time and like I said I'm coming with you to set up the camper and if you want we can take Alex and Morgan. Hikers we picked up on our way to the park. If we need another vehicle we can arrange to have one dropped off."
"Alex, how's that for you or would you prefer to ride up in a separate vehicle with Morgan?"
"No, I think riding with you two would be the best thing for us right now."
"Are you speaking to Morgan," asked Chuck reading in between the lines. There was an awkward period of silence. "Well, who wants pancakes? Sarah love I might need your help to mix the batter."
"Then let me come in with you. Emma will be getting Molly up soon for school and I know she'll want her share of hugs before she takes off."
Alex and Mary were outside and Emma had just started to cross the courtyard when they heard a loud scream of joy coming from inside.
"I take it Chuck and Sarah are home," said Emma. They all walked inside to find Molly sitting in between her sister and Chuck eating a stack of pancakes with a smile that went from ear to ear.
"I remember when all life's problems could be settled with something sweet and a kiss from my Mom," said Alex as she heaved a sigh.
"Maybe all of life's problems can't be solved that way anymore but it can't hurt either," said Sarah as got up and brought Alex a plate of pancakes and kissed her on the forehead.
"Do all handlers do this to their assets?"
"She did to me," said Chuck as they all laughed.
"Pancakes, do I smell Chuck cakes?"
"Morgan that sounds disgusting but yes if you want some there are extra. We need for you to hurry up so we can get setup."
"Sure, let's eat first then I'll run the princess to the ball then I'll be ready."
"I'm going to school not to a ball. You're silly."
"Yes, he is," said Chuck.
"Funny, very funny oh how's the gunshot? Casey told me you took hit from a sniper or something?"
"Oh you mean in that video game I was playing," said Chuck as he pointed to Molly trying to tell Morgan to shut up.
"Right Call of Duty wasn't it," Morgan said while Sarah gave him a look that scared the crap out of him.
Mary walked over to the counter and got herself another cup of coffee. Then as she was behind Chuck she picked up a tea towel and laid it over Chuck's shoulder. He looked up at her and she looked back at his shoulder then he saw what she had noticed first, his wound had started bleeding again and was bleeding through his shirt.
"Well Morgan, you'd better be off," said Chuck. "Can I get a hug Molly?" She didn't have to be asked twice she just through her arms around him and squeezed. Sarah was concerned that Molly might accidently break open Chuck's wound but he signaled her to let Molly be. Then it was Sarah's turn to get her hug before Molly left.
Mary and Sarah took Chuck in the bathroom to redress his wound while Emma took care of the kitchen.
"Very good field work," said Mary as she put on her glasses and inspect Sarah's stitching. "I don't think I could've done better. I don't understand the vest should've stopped the bullet. I guess it was just a fluke. You know you really should stop getting shot."
"Mom I mainly get shot by you."
"Always got to bring it up, your father was like that when he had a bone he just couldn't let go. You know you should get a tetanus booster."
Sarah redressed his wound under Mary's watchful stare and gave her seal of approval when she finished. Then as soon as the dressing was done Mary left.
"I don't think you're finished yet," Mary said as she pulled the door closed.
"What else do you need to do?" asked Chuck.
"This," Sarah said as she backed him up against the sink and kissed him. When she stopped she looked into his eyes and he into hers. He didn't want to stop.
"You know, I might need another dose of that medicine."
"Oh really do you have your prescription with you," she said.
"Right here," he said as he kissed her.
An hour later they came out of the bathroom. Chuck ducked into the bedroom to retrieve a shirt then they both walked back to the kitchen to find Morgan finishing off the last of the pancakes.
"Not bad Chuck but you've made better."
"Thanks Morgan I needed you seal of approval."
"Just call them like I see 'em."
Emma came in with Sam who was sleepy eyed from just waking up and was a little cross. Sarah took her in her arms and Sam immediately calmed down.
"Tell me I have to go or I won't," said Sarah.
"You know what I told you," said Chuck.
"That's not fair and you know it. Just give me five minutes."
"Let's do this, Morgan and will get the Airstream. We'll hook it to the back of the Rover then come by here and pick you and Alex up. That should give you a couple of hours."
"Okay, Morgan if Chuck's wound opens up I'm holding you responsible," said Sarah.
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Casey left early from Echo Park as he didn't want to be late. He drove down the Pacific Coast Highway, traveling north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, then turn right on Entrada Road. He stayed left until he reached the park's main parking lot.
"Hey you must be the new guy? Names Mike Weldon and I like to grill."
"What?"
"Well done, don't you get it?"
"Yeah, really funny," said Casey but he wanted to add 'not'. "The name's Casey, John Casey. So where am I supposed to report in. Big Roscoe is up at the farm waiting for you. He'll give you the low down. I hope to see you out on patrol soon we could use all the help we can get."
"Why is something going on?"
"Darndest thing someone or something is digging holes up at the end of the canyon."
"Where exactly? Sounds like it needs taking care of before someone gets hurt."
"You can say that these crazy tourists come up here to get away from the city trying to get back in touch with nature. The trouble is their looking up and falling into the holes. So far we've avoid litigation but Big Roscoe is afraid that won't last."
"One of the new guys said he thought it was badgers but I don't know. No one has seen any here for ages and if it is one then he's got to be one big bad badger. I wouldn't want to run across him. I guess it could've been some ones pet and they got tired of it and thought they were doing it a favor by turning it loose in the park."
"Yeah that's how we get invasive species problems like the python problem in Florida." Casey's information came straight from Animal Planet that Big Mike had had playing in the Buy More.
"Well, welcome on board I can see you're already up to speed."
"Why am I looking for you," said a rather large Hispanic looking man to Casey. "I've been waiting for you up in my office and I find you burning daylight with Mike here. You know half the morning is gone. You do know what the morning is for?"
"Getting organized for the day?"
"Nope, try again."
"Planning an assault on the day to-"
"Where do you think you are? This ain't the second airborne, screaming eagles or something?"
"I wish."
"What did you say?"
"I don't know. What is the morning for?"
"For reflection and pastries."
"You don't know anyone at the Burbank Buy More, do you?"
"As a matter of fact I've got a classmate of mine there. We both took a twelve and a half week course at the El Guando School of Finance. He graduated in the top ten and was voted most likely-"
"To succeed?"
"No, to finish a baker's dozen in less than fifteen minutes and let me tell you the competition was fierce. Now get on up to the farm. Luke my vice is waiting to issue you your uniform and get you mounted up."
"Yes sir," said Casey then he turned and walked towards the farm and out of earshot, "our fearless leader," he said to himself what else was he going to find out but the story about the digging was interesting. He needed to get word back to Chuck and Sarah but he had to meet Luke first. Already from the sound of the guy's name he thought Luke was a tool and he wasn't disappointed.
Casey walked up to the Trippet Ranch, once a "gentleman's ranch" for a weekend getaway from the city now the stables were used to house the park's working horse population. Casey had just finished his indoctrination lecture with Luke and was taken out to the stables where Luke introduced him to his new partner.
"This is Moonlight," Luke said, "She's part American quarter and part Arabian about fifteen hands tall."
"Aren't Arabians known for being a little high strung?" asked Casey. Animal Planet was turning out to be of great help today.
"Normally yes but she's not a purebred and if she were we couldn't afford her. She's a three year old mare as you can see."
"I like her color kind of reminds me of my Crown Vic," said Casey as he took hold of her bridle. The men milling around began to laugh and giggle.
"I had the stable hand saddled her for you but starting tomorrow you'll be expected to do that on your own."
"Sure no problem," Casey said then looking around he saw the other rangers standing round waiting for him to mount he had a good idea what they expected.
"Are we going to have a problem," he whispered into the horse's ear then mounted.
"What did he say," Casey heard one of his nice colleagues ask.
"I don't know I couldn't hear," he heard as a reply but the general sentiment was awe.
"Keep quiet. Look at that," said another one impressed and amazed as Casey rode out of the lot and trotted off towards his assigned area.
"Looks like we've got another horse whisperer among us," said Big Roscoe. "Now that the fun is over can we get to work we've got a park to protect and I've got some bear claws to subdue."
Casey rode down the trail until he was out of sight then he took out his GPS and satellite map. Holding both up, he got the lay of the land then mentally laid down a grid search pattern for the upper canyon. The horse under him felt good reminding him of his time spend in countries where animals like this were the difference between eating and starving. Looking at his watch it was time for Chuck and Sarah to arrive so he started down the canyon towards the camp ground.
"Casey's here," said Sarah looking out the window as Chuck was setting up the work station in the kitchenette and running satellite cables through the Airstream's ventilation outlet in the roof where Morgan was attaching it to the antenna under Alex's watchful eyes.
"Tell Chuck the leads for the Satellite are connected," yelled Morgan from the roof.
"Hey Dad I like your transportation," said Alex as she came up and petted his horse.
"Her name is Moonlight and she's a beauty isn't she," he said as he dismounted.
"John come inside," yelled Sarah standing in the doorway. "Alex is right that's a nice looking animal."
"I wish I could say the same about the one on your roof. Did you lose any bananas up there?"
"I heard that John. I feel sorry for your horse that she has to carry you around all day," said Morgan.
"Oh I forgot my GPS and map in my saddle wait inside for me," said Casey as Alex followed Sarah back inside and he walked back to where he had tied up Moonlight.
"So John are we cool? I mean last night was just a little misunderstand between Alex and myself. I've already apologized to her."
"I think Chuck said once that sorry was a cheap band aid and you know, he's right," said Casey as he took the ladder away from the Airstream and threw it in the weeds.
"Not cool John, not cool."
"Grimes, a great man once said morning was a time for reflection and pastries. Well for you it's only reflection."
"Not fair, not fair you can't use a Big Mike quote!"
"Sue me," said Casey as he went inside.