Don't own Chuck

Sarah, Morgan and Anatoly were in the Hydra room monitoring outside activity. Men were still walking about looking for both Morgan and Anatoly but they weren't looking that hard anymore. By now they figured they'd jumped ship and were on the island somewhere. Morgan was still working on his bucket list and at the top of it right now was a meatball sub from Subway with a rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella.

"Morgan, what are you writing," asked Anatoly. Sarah shook her head trying to warn him not to ask but it was too late he'd already done it. She rolled her eyes knowing what was coming next.

"I'm writing a bucket list of things I want to do before... well before I kick the bucket. Right now, on top is one last sub from Subway. I don't know how you guys can't be hungry. My stomach sounds like something from the Lion King. You know I think I'll make it a meal. I mean why not, right?"

"Morgan, I told you don't think about being hungry and it will go away," said Sarah as she monitored the activity on the pier.

"What else do you have on the list?" asked Anatoly as Sarah gave him a look for encouraging Morgan. "I'm curious go ahead what else is on the list?"

"One last slice of Alex's apple pie is number two on my list. I don't know if she'd like that or not but she makes about the best apple pie I've ever eaten while Kat makes the best Key Lime pie. She says the secret is to use condensed milk. I just like the eating part."

"Morgan that all has to do with food. It's only natural you feel hungry it's all you're thinking about," said Anatoly. "Can I see that list for a second?"

"Well… I don't know. It's kind of private and if you look at it you can't tell anyone what you read. Scouts' honor," said Morgan as he reluctantly handed Anatoly the list.

"I was never a Scout but I was a young pioneer," said Anatoly as Morgan handed him the list. I guess that's about the same."

"Except for the brain washing," mumbled Sarah. It was Anatoly's turn to give her a look. "Oh did I say that out loud. Sorry Casey must be brushing off on me."

"Humm, what do we have here? Oh, food isn't the only thing you're thinking about I can see," said Anatoly as he tried not to laugh.

"Hey you promised not to make comments," said Morgan. "Give me back my list. If you want a list, make one yourself this one is mine."

"I promised not to say what I read but I never said anything about making comments. And you've been a very bad boy."

"Morgan, you already showed me your list so there's nothing that shocking about what Anatoly said nor revealing. Like I said you need to worry about Casey if he sees that list… well the people outside will be the least of your worries."

"If I remember Alex well you might have to worry about her if she reads it too. Some of that is rather... well how should I put this... well graphic."

"I didn't see anything like that before," said Sarah. "Let me have a look at your revision," she said as she grabbed it from Morgan. "Oh Morgan if I were you I'd burn this and scatter the ashes just to be sure that Casey doesn't read it. Have you cleared some of this with Alex? She... well maybe she might have some problems with what you've written here. I don't see her as fifty shades of grey but I do see you fifty shades of black and blue."

"Critics," said Morgan as he grabbed his list back. "There's nothing bad on this list or obscene if that's what you're implying. What's wrong with a kiss under the mistletoe?"

"We're just having some fun with you is all and look you haven't been hungry because you haven't thought about food," said Sarah as Anatoly started laughing.

"You guys... You realize you had me going there for a while. You keep it up and one of these days you're going to give me a heart attack then I'll be laughing… or will I? Well maybe not"

"Hey look at this," said Sarah. "There's an oscillation in the power output to Abu's hideout. Do you see that? It looks like one minute it's pulling more current then sudden it stops. It's like someone is turning off and on a light switch… crap a light switch yes ... don't you see it's code. Quick Morgan give me your pen and paper. Chuck is sending me a message."

"Really, what does it say," said Morgan as he handed her his pen and paper then stood behind her looking over her shoulder. She looked back at him as she started writing. "Sorry I'll back up but none of us are smelling like roses today. I just wanted to know what he had to say. I bet he's been eating something really yucky. I've got that twin sense going with a bad taste in my mouth."

"Shush, Morgan I need to concentrate. He's sending the code fast probably because someone is looking over his shoulder."

"It's probably Ettore," said Morgan. "He and I do a lot of things alike so if I'm standing here he's probably standing there watching Chuck."

"Good observation Morgan. You're probably right," said Anatoly but Anatoly wasn't much better standing over Sarah's other shoulder.

"At least Morgan has an excuse. Guy's please a little breathing room please. Okay, here's what Chuck has to say. The special package was delivered and they are in the process of mounting it..."

"How can we get a message to him to tell him to hold tight that Stefan and Imma are on their way to rescue him?"

"Oh no, I don't think so. He says that Casey, Banai, Stefan, Imma and their team were captured and are being held captive in cells below Abu's hideout..."

"Crap... well at least now I know they're alive I just don't know for how much longer," said Anatoly. "Does he say where this hideout is? Maybe we can spring them? If I could contact Igor he's parachute in a team of Spetsnaz…"

"Shush, I'm trying to write as fast as I can and I need to concentrate. He says there's some sort of cave on the other side of the bay..."

"Yes, one of Abu's goons threaten to throw me in some sort of snake pit inside one. The way he talked I thought it was close to here though."

"Or there is a passageway that goes from here to there. He said the place was originally built during the war to hide Nazi troop movements along with ships and subs..."

"The sub that attacked us is in there. What else does he have to say? Nothing for you guys he just told me he loves me," said Sarah as she wadded up the piece of paper.

"Hey, what are you doing? That's my list," said Morgan as he took it from her then straightened it out trying to smooth out the wrinkles. That was when he read what was on it. "You didn't say he told you to contact Beckman and have the compound bombed. You aren't going to do that, are you? Chuck doesn't know what he's asking for."

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid he does and he's right," said Anatoly. "All our friends are there but if they launch that missile a lot of other people's friends will suffer."

"Morgan, tell me more about that snake pit that goon told you about. I'm going to go get Chuck and the rest after I brief the General. Anatoly, I know you want to come but I need you here to man this console. I'll show you everything you need to know before I go."

"Why can't I come with you?" said Anatoly. "You can use the backup and Morgan can watch the console while we're gone."

"All right but Morgan don't make me regret this and no ConEdison unless I radio you for it."

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Mike used the excuse that he needed to make sure their guest was kept under surveillance and then he wanted to have a look at the cameras on the fifth floor for staying up above. Margo agreed then left to report into Langley. But as soon as she was out of sight he went and grabbed Razhib from his hiding spot.

"Thanks for not ratting me out I owe you big. I ducked out of lessons but now I need to get back upstairs before I'm missed" said Razhib as he started to walk off.

"Hold up there Geronimo where do you think you're going. You've put me in an awkward position. I work for your mom I should tell her you slipped out. She put Sam in time out for doing the same thing so you're going to have to explain to me why I shouldn't."

"Oh come on I thought you were cool," said Razhib but he could see Mike wasn't going to budge. "Come on don't tell her. She'll make a big deal out of it when it's nothing."

"But you're wrong it is a big deal. It's called trust. How do you think she'd feel if something happened to you when you slipped out. She'd blame herself for not watching you closer."

"But she treats me like a child sometimes and none of my friends get treated like this. So why do I have to put up with it?"

"Then stop acting like one. Razhib, how many of you friends has a Mom who's a spy? I'm sorry but you like Sam have to realize this. Sam is little but she seems to handle this better…"

"Because she thinks Chuck and Sarah are some sort of prince and princess that fight evil. I've never figured out this thing with girls and princes."

"We're getting off topic. Razhib, life will never be normal for you. I'm sorry if you don't like that but that's the way it is. When you said none of you friends were treated like this... was there a girl in the middle of those friends."

"Well maybe" said Razhib as he looked down at the floor. "There is this girl I like and I think she likes me but we're always with other people. I was hoping we could spend some time alone but then my Mom put us in lockdown. That was the reason I slipped out I went to see them… her."

"Okay, so things are a little clearer now. Tell you what I'll over look this but this one time only. Why don't you invite your friends here. I can set you up with a few tables in the bar but make it clear to them no alcohol and the casino is off limits to all minors."

"I appreciate it but what am I going to tell them is the reason for the party and Mom isn't going to like it. She doesn't want mess at work."

"I'll handle your mother and as far as a reason. Tell them that it's Calvin Coolidge's birthday that we celebrate of the fourth Thursday of the month except during leap year when it's the third," said Mike. Razhib gave him a look. "Just tell them you want to get together and you're willing to host them here. I've yet to see someone pass up a free party."

"Okay, I'll do it," said Razhib as he took out his phone and started calling his friends. "Hey Miriam… who is it? You know who this is or at least I hope you do. … Funny, really funny hey I've got an idea," he said as he glanced back at Mike then walked away.

"Hey what's he doing down here," said Margo as she came up behind Mike. "I thought I told them all to stay up in the room until further notice."

"Oh he came down to ask me what I thought about him inviting some of his special friends over. He wanted to ask you first but I told him you were tied up with Langley. However, I didn't see anything wrong with it. I figured you'd want to lay eyes on his special friend if you know what I mean."

"Geez, how special are we talking?" Asked Margo. Mike shrugged his shoulder. "I was hoping I'd have a few more years before I was going to have to screen girlfriends. Thanks for handling that for me. Sam had me so worked up and I don't know how I would've reacted. I talked with Langley and I need to brief you on what I was told down in the Dungeon. It looks like things are heating up in Bulgaria but I can't get into it up here. Have you had a chance to look at those cameras yet?"

"No, I was just about to look at them now. But if this is important I can come down with you then go look at them afterwards."

"Yes that's probably the best idea right now. Let me tell Razhib to go to Jack's office and have Jack take him up to the suite. I don't want him riding the elevator alone."

"Do you think that's still necessary? We have our guy under surveillance so Razhib should be safe to take the elevator by himself."

"But we don't know if he has any accomplices still in the hotel. No, I'm not taking the risk… not with Razhib. He's mine… well maybe ours depending on how special this friend is. But she'd better make the muster and you can bet I going to run a complete background check on her and her parents."

"I thought you might even go back three generations to make sure she's not some sort of sleeper cell," said Mike smiling but Margo didn't. "Hey you realize I was just joking."

"But maybe that's not such a bad idea actually if you think about."

"I'll try not to. Please don't tell Razhib that it was my idea… actually don't tell him anything. Take my word for it, it would be better for everyone that way."

"Only if I don't find anything and even still a bag of cement can take care of a lot of problems."

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At Langley things were jumping in the situation room. Roan and the Major had just gotten off the horn with Sarah and then with Margo. Now there were some serious decisions that had to be made but they couldn't make them alone. Roan and the Major went up to Beckman's office where they could talk out their options in quiet away from the confusion and without having to worry about being overheard.

"Connie, can you make sure we're not disturbed. We need a moment alone so we can hash things out," said Roan as he held the door open for the Major.

"Either of you geniuses thought about going over or calling the General and telling her what's going on? I think you're about to jump in it with both feet and she's not going to be happy especially when this comes back and bites her."

"No absolutely not she needs her rest and besides we've got this. I think between the two of us we can come up with an action plan that covers all the bases. There's no need in bringing her in on this. Besides you know as well as we do if we did she'd jump out of bed and grab the first taxi over here. Neither wild horses nor her doctor could keep her away and that's the last thing she needs to do right now."

"Well the funeral is yours so go for it. If anyone calls, I'll cover for you by telling them you're in a meeting and are not expected out anytime soon."

"Thank you Connie," said Roan. Then he winked at her before closing the door behind him. She just shook her head and smiled.

"I don't know how he does it," she said to herself as she heaved a sigh. "If anyone did half of what he did I would have them up on charges for sexual harassment and they'd spend some quality time down in HRO. But Roan... well, Roan is Roan."

[Meanwhile inside behind a closed door]

"Okay, can we agree that we need to call at least Igor and bring him into the loop? He's not going to just sit by on his hands and neither is the Russian military and watch us bomb an island off the boast of Bulgaria. Not that the Bulgarians are going to be too happy with us either. I think we can forget that Christmas card this year."

"Which brings up do we loop in the Bulgarians too? I'm hesitation to do that because if these people are operating in their country they have to have the support of people high up the food chain..."

"I agree if we start telling them our intentions then Abu and his gang will find out and take countermeasures which could mean he'll speed up his time table or start executing hostages. I think we can agree we don't want that."

"Yes that's for sure. We could inform State at the last minute. They'll have a fit but once they find out why then they'll fall in line and they can smooth over any ruffled feathers with the Bulgarians."

"This is going to require a lot of foreign aid to smooth something like this over if that nuke blows up there then things are really going to spiral downwards."

"However, getting back to the Russians and Igor. We can't do that without telling him why. And when he knows that along with his people being on the island he might want us to hold off bombing as an excuse to try to get his hands on our warhead. It would be a real coup for his military and a real feather in his hat. It would advance their program by years and tickle the Kremlin pink."

"I can hear Colonel shoot 'em up now say you mean tickle them red. However, joking aside you realize that we really don't have any other option, do we? Which will bring up another problem. What do we do with the Iranians? What do we do with them? If we notify the Russians we have to notify them too. It would only be fair."

"There's nothing fair about this. I mean do we have to? Are we obligated? And how would we? We don't have diplomatic relations so what do we do? We'd have to go through a third party. After that you might as well have the fact that we lost a warhead announced at the next general assembly of the UN or during a security council meeting when some country like Venezuela is chairing so they can go off."

"Listen, we're not getting anywhere like this. We have to come to a decision and we have to come to it soon or that missile is going to drop down on someone's head and we're going to get the blame."

"I know but this isn't easy." Suddenly the door flew opened banging against the wall then swung back as picture fell off the wall. Diane came through being wheeled in by General Thomas and from her look both knew she wasn't a happy camper.

"I get laid up and what do you two almost do? You almost start World War three and on my watch," said Diane. "General Thomas tells me that the Colonel and his party got themselves captured which included the Russian and Iranian assets."

"In a nutshell that's true. Charles got a coded message out just a little while ago," said Roan as he and the Major wondered how General Thomas had found out so quickly. The only explanation was that the NSA was spying on them as well as the rest of the world. "He also recommended that we bomb the launch site. We were just debating whether to notify the Russians and the Iranians and if so how."

"Why is there even a debate? Of course, we have to. The Russians consider the Black Sea theirs and we don't want to provoke them. What will happen next the Russians entering the Gulf of Mexico only to fire on the Mexicans daring us to answer their provocation."

"So how do we notify the Iranians? We don't have diplomatic relations with them and they won't want to talk to us openly."

"The Russians have good relations with the Iranians. We can contact Igor and he could arrange a conference call with the Iranian Director. Now let's get word to Igor we need to talk and tell him we want him to facilitate this call. In the meantime, I need to talk to the secretary of state. Tank we're going to have to bring him into this then let State smooth over relations with the Bulgarians."

"As much as I don't want to I think we have to. They have opened up three bases to us and are participating in joint ops to the consternation of the Russians. I just hope this doesn't change."

"Okay everyone is invited to vacate my office so I can make this call to the secretary of State then close my eyes and rest until we get Igor on the line. Now out."