Don't own Chuck

Sarah left the park and headed towards the beach. She had a plan if they were being followed the beach road at Put I Bokeljski Brigade would tell her. With the long straight road that ran next to the beach there would be no place to hide and any vehicle behind them would stick out like a sore thumb. In the distance she heard police sirens but she was too concentrated on the black Range Rover to pay any attention to them. She put on her turn signal looking in her rearview then turned off.

"I don't see anyone," said Emma as she looked behind them. "See they weren't following us. You got yourself worked up for nothing. It was just all this paranoia that comes with your job."

"That paranoia as you call it keeps me safe and alive. I wouldn't crow we're not sure they're not back there yet," said Sarah as she kept looking in the mirror.

"Augh! Geez, no... oh crap," said Molly from the back. Sarah looked back at her as she sat there with her arms cross and an angry face. "We can't go to the beach just look at the signs. I don't know if you have this problem in L.A."

"What are you talking about and we need to have a talk about your word choices," said Emma as she looked over at the beach. "What sign? Oh I see that one. I'm afraid Molly's right no beach today."

"What are you guys talking about?" said Sam as she tried to see. "What signs are you talking about? Pick up litter after yourself or no open fires?"

"No," said Molly. "See that yellow sign with the swimmer covered in something that looks like silly string. That means beware of jellyfish."

"Do they come in different flavor? I like grape but with peanut butter," said Sam as she smiled. Molly gave her a look. "I was just trying to make a joke. Of course I know what jellyfish are I watch animal planet. Some of them can kill you while others leave a sting like a wasp."

"Well imagine thousands of wasp stings all over you," said Sarah. "That can't do you any good and yes Molly we have them along the coast."

"Just let you guys know if anyone gets stung I brought my doctor's bag so don't worry I can take care of you," said Sam. "And I make house calls. I can always bill you later."

"Well we won't need any medical assistance because we're not going to stop," said Sarah as she glanced back in the rearview. "We'll work on getting you some seashells another day. I don't want to take the risk with Bunny."

"Well if the beach is out why don't we go back to old town. There's a pub there with some cool video games and döner-kabab," said Molly. "It's a nice place just to hang out."

"I don't suppose it's the place Razib hangs out at and aren't you a little too young to be hanging around in pubs," said Sarah as she glanced up at Molly in the rearview then over at Emma. "What's next dancing on table tops?"

"I can see we're going to have to revisit what you do in your free time or maybe the problem is you've got too much on your hands," said Emma.

"Oh there's another reason to go and that's because across from the pub is place that sells Italian 'gelato'," said Molly. "I won't swear to it but I think they sell Rocky Road."

"Are you sure about what you're saying," said Sam as she got serious. "Look me in the eyes. A person shouldn't joke about another person's favorite ice cream. Are you sure about what you're saying?" Molly nodded. "Mom, turn this piece of crap around we've got someplace to be."

"I think someone else needs to moderate their language and it wouldn't hurt if that same someone used the magic word every now and then."

"Okay can we please turn this marvelous chariot around and partake in this banquet of ambrosia worthy of the gods. How's that much better?"

"It would be better if you knew what you were talking about and watching 'Clash of the Titians' with your father doesn't count," said Sarah as she put on her turn signal then swung the Mercedes around making a U-turn in the middle of the street.

"Speaking of Clash of the Titians," said Emma. After Sarah turned around they came face to face with the black Range Rover. "Isn't that the same black SUV that was in the park?"

"Yes, what did I tell you about crowing? We're okay we just have to get past them then we can head back to the casino," said Sarah in a low voice so Molly and Sam couldn't hear.

"What are you planning on doing," said Emma as she glanced in the back. "Remember we've go passengers to think of."

"You think I don't know that," said Sarah as she drove their Mercedes towards the Range Rover. "Girls, listen to me I want you to get down in the back as low as you can."

"What do we do about Bunny," said Sam. Sarah looked at Emma. She hadn't thought about what to do about her. "Don't worry I'll take care of my sister. I came prepared," she said as she reached into the bag she carried everywhere and pulled out the bulletproof vest Carina had made for her. She laid it over Bunny. "Peek-a-boo." Bunny laughed.

"Good job kiddo," said Sarah as she looked at Sam and Bunny in the mirror. "Now I want you to get down both of you and stay down until I tell you to get up. Well here goes nothing. Hold on Mom this could get a little hairy."

Sarah drove towards the Rover at a moderate speed like she wasn't expecting anything. But as she passed the Rover they opened the side door and fired at her as she drove by. However, what they failed to realize was their vehicle was bulletproof so their rounds just bounced off some even ricocheted back inside wounding the team leader.

"How is everyone back there," said Sarah as they sped up after she passed them. The side of their vehicle was shoot up but nothing got through. The Range Rover pulled a U-turn in the middle of the road then began pursuing them but at Sarah looked up in the rearview to see where their assailants where something strange happened unexpectedly.

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[A few minutes before in the Range Rover]

The wet team had let Sarah get a good lead on them. They realized she'd be looking for them if that was the reason for her choice of roads. However, there were no turn offs on the street so there was only so far she could go to get away then sooner or later she'd have to double back and that's when they'd take her.

"Okay they'll be up ahead of us. Everyone needs to be ready. This has to go down quick and dirty. Remember our orders no one walks away and that means no one."

"Roger that," said the man in the passenger seat next to the driver. "No one is to walk away. We'll see to that all right." He locked in a clip in his H&K MP5 then housed the first round. "All locked and loaded. Now we just need our target and everything will be over. How did you call it? Quick and dirty... I've always heard down and dirty but whatever."

"Well looks like your wish is coming true," said the driver as he pointed down the road. "She's driving straight for us. What do you want me to do, run her off the road?"

"No, I don't think so," said the team leader. "Maybe we were wrong and she didn't make us back in the park. Look how slow she's driving. If she knew we were here I would think she'd try to blow past us to get away and head back to the Casino where she'd be safe."

"So what do you want me to do? Just drive right up to her and ask her pretty please can you pull off to the side of the road so we can kill you."

"No, what we're going to do is to time our passing then when we're right beside her we open the side door and fire. Mazul, you can roll your window down and shoot from up front. We'll strafe the side of her Mercedes and she won't know what hit her until it's too late. Then when they run off the road we can go over and finish them off as easy as one, two, three."

"Are you sure about this? I could just as easily run them off the road then we could finish them off and get out of here before anyone is the wiser."

"You do that and you tip our hand. For all we know she could have an arsenal inside then we'd get into a firefight with no certainty how that would turn out. No... we do this my way and my way only. This isn't a democracy so get ready we're about on her. Stand-by the door when I yell open up."

"Okay back there here we go," said the driver as they started to get close to Sarah. "Where are the kids?" he said but it was too late no one was listening to him.

"Now," yelled the team leader. They threw open the door and started firing with their weapons on fully automatic. The sound was deafening inside there Rover as the brass shell casings bounced all over the inside.

"Augh, I've been hit," yelled the team leader. "Hold fire... hold your fire," he tried to yell over the deafening noise. But they only stopped when they were out. Much to the amazement of the driver he watched as the Mercedes drove right on past them with only the side dinged up and the glass busted but intact.

"They're Mercedes is bulletproof," yelled the driver. "It's bulletproof."

"You don't say," said the team leader as he tried to construct a makeshift bandage to stop his bleeding. "What are you waiting for? Get us turned around and get after them before they get away."

The driver pulled a U-turn then started out after them and just as it looked like he was gaining ground the Rover rolled over and over on its side until it came to a stop laying on its side smoking.

"Crap everyone out," yelled the team leader. "What kind of driving do you call this? Come on we need to find transportation and head them off before..." he started to say but Mazul had unbuckled himself and was climbing out only to fall back inside.

"Geez he's dead," said the driver. "He's been shot. Now what do we do? We're trapped in here like animals."

"Out the back," yelled the team leader. "We go out the back then use the Rover as cover. Then we can disappear in foliage or fight our way out."

"Anything is better than staying in here on our side like a turtle on its back. One well-placed round in our gas tank and they'll be scooping up our ashes."

"Okay, on three you guys make a break for it," said the Team Leader.

"You aren't going out first? You're the one in charge," said the driver. "You've told us that over and over. This was your mission so you should be the first man out."

"I would but I'm injured so it's only right that you two go out before me. You can draw fire from me so I can get around to safety."

"You should go out first and draw fire so we can see where they're shooting from and take them out. You can't shoot but you can run. It just seems the right play don't you think?" The other man nodded.

"Okay, on three I'll run out then you two follow after me." They all nodded. "One, two, but before he got to three the back door opened and the team leader got yanked out then the door closed again.

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Chuck opened up the throttle on his water ski navigating the coast line using his GPS. According to the feed Sarah had to be nearby then he saw her but in the same moment she passed a Range Rover. He heard gunfire and knew what was going on. He didn't have to think about what to do next or flash. He pointed the water ski at the beach then gave it everything it had.

"Here goes my deposit," said Chuck as he hunched down to reduce his wind resistance. The water ski skipped across the surface of the water jumping out of the water like a big fish becoming airborne between waves.

"Oh this is so going to hurt. Slim Pickens hasn't got anything on me," thought Chuck as his water ski leaped out of the water like a missile heading straight for its target, the side of the Rover. Chuck jumped off at the last minute as it slammed into the side of the vehicle. There was a loud boom as the ski disintegrated sending the SUV and its occupants rolling.

"Get up Chuck," a voice yelled at him but he was in a daze. His whole body ached and he had ringing in his ear but he knew he didn't have time to lie around. Rolling over he did his best to get up but everything was spinning. He looked up to see a man sprouted out of the Rover armed looking back at him. Chuck reached for his weapon but as he did he heard a gunshot and for a moment he thought he was hit. But a quick check told him he was fine.

"Chuck, Sweetie are you all right," yelled Sarah. She'd seen everything from her rearview mirror then backed up. Chuck smiled and waved at her standing there with her smoking Smith and Wesson. He gave her a thumbs up then got up on his feet. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Ettore, but first we need to take care of the guys left in the rover," he said as he walked over to the back door.

"I've got this," said Sarah as she started to walk over to the Rover. "I'm going to teach them what happens when you mess with momma bear."

"Hold up we need take them alive to interrogate," said Chuck. He opened the back door yanked out one of them then closed it before the others could react. He banged the man's head against the vehicle then he dropped to the ground.

"Oh no they're not getting off that easily," said Sarah. She jumped up on the side of the van then dropped inside through the open passenger window. There was some loud screaming and banging on the sides of the Rover like someone wanted out then silence.

"If you're done playing in there we've got relief coming I see them at the end of the street coming here," said Chuck. He opened the back door and one of the men fell out.

"That was very therapeutic. I feel a lot better now. You know maybe Casey's got something when he talks about scratching his itch."

"It don't want to have to tell you how messed up that sounds," said Chuck as he smiled at her. But then he recognized the vehicle at the end of the street that he. "Crap, this is never going to end. We don't have any Rovers do we?"

"No, all our vehicles are Mercedes or American made. Why what do you see," she said as she started to climb out.

"No, stay put I want to try something," said Chuck as he tossed her his two MP5s and picked up a couple of Berettas off one of the wet team. "Stay hidden and come out when I need you."

"Chuck, please be careful and remember to take care of yourself. That means no more human missiles but thanks for coming."

"Always, now get down and wait," said Chuck. He closed the back then ran over to the Mercedes. "Guys, I need for you to play dead that means you can't make a sound."

"Chuck," yelled Sam smiling and happy. "Oh sorry, quiet… yes we can do that but I don't know about Bunny. She doesn't listen very well."

"Not just Bunny but I need you guys to try. Now here they come. No matter what you hear you can't make a peep."

"Chuck, where's Sarah? Why can't I drive the girls out of here?" said Emma. "I could make a run for it and get us back to the Casino."

"You'd never make it past them. I've got this trust me but be ready to jump. I things go south I want you to start this thing up and get out of here."

"I don't know if it's just me but it doesn't sound much like you've got this whatever this is," said Emma as she slipped over behind the wheel.

"Just stay down. Here they come... remember no talking and you don't come out no matter what," said Chuck.

Chuck slammed the door shut then walked out in the middle of the street. He raised the one Beretta then emptied it into the Rover and as he guessed his rounds just bounced off because it was bulletproof too. When he ran out on the middle of the road and threw the pistol at the Rover then sank down on his knees and started crying.

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Banai had to call in a few favors and twisted a few arms but he boarded a Cessena at the disused airport in Astara. There were more than a few heads that looked up as the plane buzzed the city then dropped in and taxied over to the old terminal. He left his men with detailed instructions what they were supposed to do then he board and in a few minutes they were headed for Baku. When he landed men from their embassy were there to meet him.

"The director called before you came and instructed us to help you in whatever way we can. He also said that you'd better come back with something or... well you probably know the 'or' already."

"That I do. I want to get down to the Red Star right now and take a look at her. I asked my men to check on this Mr. Bin Abu do you have anything for me?"

"Not much that's of any use," said the man as he handed Banai a folder. "Abu seems to be a false name like you thought but it also seems this man has used the alias before and more recently he bought an airline ticket for Sofia."

"Bulgaria, the plot thickens. I received intel that Ettore La Barba was there. I wonder if Chuck might not be right," said Banai as they walked through the airport and into a waiting car.

"I don't understand. Who is this Barba and why is he on our radar? I wasn't briefed about him," said the man as they drove through traffic heading for the port.

"He might be involved but I'm not sure yet. I received intel on him that seems to indicate he is. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"Once your people contacted us about the Red Star we did some checking. The ferry is on its way to the scrap heap but there were some odd things about her last voyage. It seems the First mate died in a shipboard accident... he fell overboard and drowned. Then there was the Skipper, he died of a heart attack shortly after they tied up. He was old and being put out to pasture against his will so the death was written off to natural causes."

"One death maybe but two... I don't believe in coincidences," said Banai as they pulled up. "What's going on with the ferry?"

"They're cannibalizing if for parts for the other ferries in their fleet before they tow her some place to be cut up," said the man as they watched men walking up and down the brow with acetylene torches.

"This is a sad sight but we can use this to our advantage come on I want to take a look in the Skipper's cabin," said Banai as he got out of the car. None of the men with him could stop him. Banai was a dog with a bone and he was going to run with it. He darted up the brow pushing his way past the yard workers. No one seemed to give them any mind.

"Come on and keep up. It should be up here," said Banai as he navigated the passageways as if he'd already been on board. "This is it. Let's hope they haven't touched this yet."

Banai knew that the yard birds that were cutting the ship up were superstitious and since the Skipper had died in his cabin that would be the last place any of them would touch.

"I need one of you to stand watch over the door while I look around inside." Banai went inside to find the room untouched. "Just as I thought," he said as he went over to the Skipper's desk and started rifling through his papers.

"Sir you need to hurry up. I hear people come," said the lookout as he stuck his head in the room. "Someone saw us and they don't sound very happy."

"Okay just a few more minutes and I'll be done. Try to stall them for a little bit," said Banai as he moved the objects around on the desk. Then he saw a card on the floor under the desk with a number written on it. He picked it up and examined it.

"What's this? 001 this is a U.S. number. Hey, I know this number... Chuck."