Don't own Chuck
Chuck grabbed a couple of pastries off the breakfast buffet table then followed Sarah and Margo to the elevator. Sarah just shook her head and laughed as they got on the lift then headed down below. Chuck looked at her but she just continued to shake her head as the doors opened. Then Margo walked them over to the monitors as Chuck started eating the first one.
"Man, pastries for breakfast every morning. Europe is genius. Here Mike I brought you one," said Chuck as he held out the other one. Sarah laughed again.
"What? You didn't think I was going to eat both of them did you?" Sarah smiled at him. "Okay I might've thought about it. Do you mind telling me what's so funny?"
"Nothing I was just thinking... And you wonder why your daughters the way she is. I only take part of the blame the rest is on you. I don't see what keeps those pastries off your hips and don't give me healthy living and good food."
"If you guys are done the General is already on the monitor," said Margo as she pointed to the screen behind them. They turned around to find her with her eyebrow raised thumping on her desk with her pen.
"General, you might want to make an appointment with Dr. Dreyfus. He can help you with that annoying nervous tick."
"The only thing that annoys me is waiting... and that does tick me off. Now if you two are done discussing your parenting skills or the lack there of maybe we can get some work done."
"Go ahead it's your dime," said Chuck then he took another bite out of his muffin. Everyone gave him a look. "What? I can't help it if I've got low blood sugar this morning."
"Yes, I'm sure you do. Agent Carmichael are we going to have problem," said the General. She stopped tapping on her desk and looked straight at him from the monitor.
"I'd offer you a bit but it's hard to get in through the monitor," said Chuck as he held out his muffin at her. "Something sweet in the morning might help you out with that..."
"No ma'am you won't," said Sarah as she put her hand over his mouth. "We understand this has to do with the earthquake in Iran?"
"Yes, I want you to see this. We're looking at live feed we're getting from our bird overhead," said the General as the monitor went to split image. "I need to know what you make of this." Chuck saw the target area then flashed.
"Wow, a heads up next time would be appreciated," said Chuck as he steadied himself holding onto the desk top. "Boy all my neurons fired on that one. Okay, what do you want to know?"
"I want to know everything," said Beckman. Sarah put her hand on Chuck's shoulder. "What are we looking at? I've got an idea but I want you to confirm it."
"I'm fine love. General, what you're looking at is one of their missile cities that they hinted at having. I guess the roof fell in because of the earthquake but also because the tunneling done rather poorly. Shoring is almost none existent and there is almost a complete absence of ventilation ducts. The forty thieves had a better workshop."
"I'm concern about this other area," said the General as the camera zoomed in on another section. "My experts tell me that this is possibly a missile silo."
"Yes it could be but the missile is missing. However, we can tell a lot from this. I don't think it's an actual launch silo. There's no way they could launch a missile from that without causing major structural damage to their tunnel network. This is more a missile storeroom or a workshop area. The more I look at this the more I'm convinced this is some type of proving ground like our White Sands."
"I'm having as many high resolution photos taken before they realize we're looking and cover it up. I'd like you to assist with the targeting the satellite cameras so we can be sure we'll get what we need."
"No problem General," said Chuck. Sarah looked at him strange until she figured out he was being sarcastic. "We were just going to hang around the casino with our hand in our pockets wondering what we were going to do."
"What did I tell you? Behave," said Sarah. "Ma'am you can count on us we've got this. Right sweetie?" Chuck nodded then ate the rest of his muffin as he looked over the satellite images.
"Good if you find anything else notify the Major. I'm going to be out for the rest of the day. Agent Montgomery is due back today and he'll be debriefing at an undisclosed location."
"Undisclosed? Debriefing? Is that what it's called now," said Chuck as he smiled. Sarah elbowed him to be quiet but she was smiling too.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Beckman as she pushed up her hair. "If there's nothing I have some things to get done before Roan... agent Montgomery arrives. Beckman out." Then screen went blank.
"I bet you do. Isn't that just great. We're supposed to be on vacation but we're getting called in so she and Roan can hook up. That's just swell."
"To be honest she didn't say that but the sooner we get started the sooner we can get out of here and on to that picnic. If worst comes to worst, you can go while I stay here and take care of everything."
"No… no you can go. You heard the General she's expecting me to do this and we don't want the General to know you're flashing. I've got this… Just I'm going to have to put off my talk with Razib which is what I didn't want to do but I guess it can't be helped."
"Are you that worried about him?" said Sarah but Chuck took her hand in his and nodded towards Margo. "You don't want to talk about him around Margo," whispered Sarah. "She's his foster mother now... I don't know about this. I'd want to know..."
"I know believe me I do. You don't need to remind me but I don't want to worry anyone until I know the situation. Hold up," said Chuck. Something familiar on the screen piqued his attention.
"What is it," asked Sarah as she moved the target area back. Chuck walked up to the screen to get a better look.
"Zoom in on this zone here," said Chuck as he circled an area with his finger. Sarah looked puzzled at Chuck but zoomed in on the area. "That's it bring it in closer."
"What is it? I didn't flash on anything. Did you see something I didn't?" asked Sarah as she worked the camera.
"I don't know I thought I saw someone I knew. What's going on," said Chuck. "What's going on? It looks like a group of troops are firing on their own and running into the tunnel. Wait… Right there," he said as he stared at the screen. "Zoom in that man there."
"Okay here you go. Do you want me to run facial recognition?" asked Sarah but Chuck didn't answer he just stood there and stared.
"Crap, he's going to get himself and his men killed if he tries to ferret those people out. Sorry, I need to get on those controls," said Chuck as he pushed Sarah aside then switched to IR.
"Chuck! What's going on? Who is going to get himself killed? What are you doing?" asked Sarah as Chuck pulled out his phone.
"Chuck, who are you calling? Are you going to get me in trouble with the General," said Margo. She came over to see what was going on when he changed the viewing mode.
"Everyone please be quiet," said Chuck as he put the call on speaker so he could operate the satellite controls too. The phone rang and rang. "Crap answer," said Chuck finally there was a click then a vocie.
"Chuck, I'm kind of busy here. Can this please wait," said a voice. Sarah looked at Chuck. She knew who he was talking to and that he was about to get himself in a lot of trouble.
"Banai, you're about get you and your people killed if you charge that bunker," said Chuck. Margo saw the man on the screen had a phone in his hand and was looking up.
"Oh Chuck don't tell me you're calling Iran. Who is that?" asked Margo. "Sarah, do you know who he's talking to?"
"His name is Banai and he works for the VAJA. We've... well Chuck has worked with him before and he has helped us out but I don't know if I'd call him a friendly."
"But he's not an enemy," said Chuck. "Listen Banai, the people you're chasing have set up a defensive posture just inside the tunnel. If you charge in there they'll cut you down. There's a smarter play. If you go around the entrance about five hundred yards behind the roof has caved in. That's your entrance you can drop yur men in and take your target from behind."
"Thanks I owe you big for this. I'll pay for tea the next time we meet," said Banai as he looked up and waved. Banai hung up then directed his men his men around. Chuck watched from above.
"You know the General is going to have a cow. There's no way she won't find out. You know all outgoing and incoming calls are monitored by Langley. Someone is hard at work right now transcribing your conversation."
"I'm not worried about the General," said Chuck as he watched developments on the ground. "I'm hoping my little goodwill gesture will be returned with some good Intel. You have to give in order to get."
"I hope you know what you're talking about because you just confirmed the existence of our spy satellite network. Geez, not to mention you used it to help a hostile state. It doesn't matter if that guy's your friend because the people he works for isn't."
"Don't get yourself worked up. If there's any heat on this, I'll take it. Don't worry I've got this under control. Just take a deep breath and relax."
"Chuck, you don't have this under control even if you say you do and worse is you actually believe you do. You're a wild cannon and someday this is going to blow up in your face. If I did what you just did or anyone I know we'd be up on treason charges... Don't say it, I know you've got this under control." Margo stormed off talking to herself.
"Why is it that people talk to themselves around me? Tell me I'm wrong too," said Chuck as he turned to Sarah. "Tell me what was I supposed to do? Just stand back and let Banai get killed when I could help him?"
"Sweetie, Margo isn't wrong but you aren't either and it's one of the reasons I love you. You believe you can save everyone. But remember what happened in Nice. You should take that onboard as a learning lesson. Some people can't be saved no matter how much you want to. Banai works for a hostile government..."
"But I know he's a good guy. He's only doing what we do and that's protecting his country and the people he loves and aces about."
"That you can't see it does matter makes me love you even more. So we need to come up with a plan on how to deal with the General when she comes screaming because you and I both know she will.
"We only need to wait for the fighting to stop then I can call in my favor with Banai. I suspect he will try to give me the run around but hopefully since I just saved his bacon be might feel obliged."
"Well I hope you're right because Margo was right also when she talked about the treason charges. Don't think everyone back in DC is on our side remember Clyde Decker. I don't want to scare you but every time you get mad at the General you act out. Please tell me this is that now."
"Who could forget Clyde Decker and no I'm not acting out," said Chuck. Sarah gave him a look. "Okay maybe in the past I did act out but I swear this isn't that and I'll prove it just give me a few minutes."
"I hope you've got a few minutes," said Sarah.
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The General took her car out to Dulles to meet Roan but before she had Connie make them reservations at one of the best and most exclusive restaurants in DC. She used every bit of her clout to get them and in the end it paid off. Then she preordered so she could be certain that they had Roan's favorite dishes. She sipped on coffee in the executive lounge as they waited and then right on time he walked through the door dashing as ever.
"I hope you haven't been waiting for long. You've had your hair done, I like it," said Roan as he walked over to her then sat down next to her in her booth.
"Yes, thank you. No, I haven't been waiting for long," she said with a coy smile. "You can leave your bags with my men they'll drop them dropped off at your place. You and I are going out for dinner. I got us reservations at that place you were talking about before you left."
"That place has a six month waiting list. How'd you get us in so soon? There are senators and congressmen on the waiting list as well as a few heads of state and they can't get in. Yet you were able to jumped ahead of them."
"You know they say rank has its privileges and it just so happened that the person who was supposed to eat there tonight was called in for a polygraph at his place of work..."
"Don't tell me you had him fail just so we could take his place," said Roan as he looked shocked at her. "You know there are limits even for the director as to what she can do."
"Don't worry it's nothing like that. The man was nervous and I simply informed him that we could help him out. He actually passed but was so afraid he wouldn't that he jumped on the deal"
"So the guy would've passed anyway but he gave up his reservations because he thought he failed? Is that what you're telling me? Well it sounds like he didn't deserve the reservation."
"That's what I thought but let's not dwell on that. How does this sound we begin dinning with two starters: fresh oysters on the half shell and blinis with beluga caviar? Then from there we continue with a risotto with scampi and champagne followed by soft blue shelled crabs, salad then dessert. But dessert we'll have at my place," she said as she smiled.
"Now you're just being wicked and I like it," said Roan as he smiled back at her. "Do we have time for a drink before we hit the road? Can you believe they ran out of gin on the plane? I couldn't believe they only brought one bottle. We need to look at our charter carriers."
"How criminal. Okay we've go time," said Diane as she checked her watch then signaled for the waitress to come over. "Two Martinis please stirred not shaken and three olives each."
"Make mine a dirty Martini... I'm feeling particularly naughty," he said as he took her hand. "I'm glad you came to meet me. Don't tell me you left the Major in charge of the old salt mine."
"Something like that," said Diane as the waitress brought over their Martinis and sat them down in front of them. Roan took a sip of his then sat it back down. She didn't like the look on his face. "What's the matter? Isn't it any good?"
"It's wonderful like the person I'm with. A toast, to us and screw the rest," said Roan as they clinked glasses then sipped. "I don't want to get into this now and especially with the night you've got planned for us but... well are you having any trouble with Charles? I ask that because when we parted in Nice he seemed... how should I put it... hum a little ticked off with you."
"You're right I don't want to talk about him right now. The only thing I have to say is he needs to learn who's the director and who's the agent. I don't care if he's got the intersect he's got to respect that I'm the one who ultimately has to make the call. He can disagree as much as he likes and I want him to challenge me. I'm not infallible but he has to respect that in the end it's my neck on the line."
"I'm sorry I brought him up. Let's get over to our restaurant before they give away our reservations," said Roan as he downed his Martini then ate his olives but as they were getting up they both saw the Major walk in, look around, then head for them.
"Crap, I hope you're here to greet Agent Montgomery back from his mission," said Beckman. "If not you've got some serious explaining to do."
"I'm sorry ma'am and I wouldn't be here unless it was necessary but I'm afraid I've got something that just won't wait," said the Major as he handed her a folder. She opened it and the first thing she saw were the documents inside all were marked Top Secret.
"Are you crazy for bringing this outside of Langley? You know good and well how to handle classified material."
"I know but you need to read that ASAP before the members of the JCOSs get a copy in the morning. I'm not sure if a copy went to the Secretary of State or not. He's not on the routing list but that doesn't mean someone won't call him to give him a heads up."
"Geez, he did what! I'm going to kill him. I swear I'm going to kill him this time. He's just acting up like a baby because he didn't get his way. I want the Station Chief on the line now. She should've nipped this in the bud before he did it..."
"Can I ask who he is although I have a good idea and what did Charles do now," asked Roan as he looked back and forth at the two of them. "I suppose you are talking about Chuck?"
"Here read this," said the General. "I'm sorry Roan but I'm going to have to go back to Langley and yell at some people. If you want to go on to the restaurant without me I understand you've been wanting to get in there for a while now."
"No... just step back a moment. This is what we're going to do. Major, you're going to go over to the restaurant we were supposed to dine at. You know the one I'm talking about?" The Major nodded. "Good you're going to get our meal to go and we're going to eat it in your office. Think of it as a picnic but at your desk. Remember in Berlin how many times we had to eat while we worked."
"Boy does that bring back memories and thank you for understanding. I really appreciate it and I like the idea of the picnic in my office. Leave it up to you to come in with a save. Let's go." They headed through the airport then to the parking garage and on the way Roan kept on trying to calm Diane down.
"Now when we get back don't start yelling. You should get Charles' side of the story first then go from there. I'm sure he's got a good explanation."
"I certainly hope so because he is skating dangerously near treason and if the wrong people find out I don't know what they'll want me to do. Only a select few know about him being the intersect and I intend on keeping it that way," said Diane as she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Who are you calling," asked Roan but she just held up a finger for him to hold. "Geez Diane, remember to find out why before you start yelling." But it was like what he was saying was just background noise.
"Chief Silverman what kind of operation are you running over there? I ask you to do something for me and the next minute I find out you're calling Iran. ... I know it wasn't you but you're in charge of the station and in charge means just that in charge. Tell me this have we established diplomatic relations with Iran and no one informed me? Did they get taken off the list of nations that support terrorists?"
"Let the poor woman talk," said Roan. But it was as if he wasn't there, she kept on yelling and the longer she was on the line the louder her voice became.
"No, I didn't think so either. Well maybe you've been stationed there too long. I should look for a more suitable place for a person of your talents. There's a position coming available in Iceland. Do you know anything about Puffins? ... No, well if I were you I'd read up on them. They could become your new next door neighbors. You can tell Chuck I want a brief from him in an half hour in my office and I want it on the dot. He'd better not keep me waiting... not this time and you tell him that verbatim."
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Sarah looked over and saw Margo walking back towards them with a look on her face that said she wasn't happy at all. "I'd hoped the Major would let the General get debriefed before he sprung this on her but I'm looking at her I'm afraid he didn't."
"I'm sorry I wasn't following. What did you say," said Chuck as he was monitoring developments on the ground.
"I'm afraid your time is up."