A/N: Happy Thursday (a little early….) and welcome to Chapter 18 – The Ghost of Chuck Bartowski. This is another big chapter (apx 7,500 words) and lays out the detail behind Chuck Bartowski's sudden and unexpected departure. I hope you enjoy it!
Last chapter, Chuck was suddenly worried when Sarah said she wanted to "talk," but the "talk" was all about Sarah opening herself emotionally to Chuck….difficult for Sarah to do, but with her directness, she took their relationship to the next level. Meanwhile, a scheming Ted Roark was making moves on Volkoff….and on Chuck. Roark unexpectedly inviting Chuck to a lunch was certainly disconcerting, but in doing so, Roark slipped. He gave away a critical piece of information that rendered him more visible. It also forced Jack Walker to very quickly improvise how to protect Chuck while pursuing the evidence needed to implicate Roark legally…but how safe is a quickly improvised solution?
I am in awe of your collective support of this story. I would also say, very happily, that since the data has reappeared on FanFic, my other stories, Orion Cyber Security Systems and Sarah Walker's Awakening are also seeing strong, continued traction…in part due to the warm reception and reviews this story has been receiving. I can't say thank you enough!
Thanks, as always, go to klipdoctor and CliffM their Beta and Pre-reading respectively. Despite their excellent work, I have gone and made some additional changes to the chapter, so any errors are mine and mine alone. And as usual, I don't own Chuck or profit in any way from writing this completely AU story.
The Valkyrie and Her Invisible Shield
Chapter 18 – The Ghost of Chuck Bartowski
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 13:40 EST
Location: Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland - Camp David Presidential Retreat
Sarah was holding Chuck's hand tightly as they sat on a loveseat in the library. Across from them, Jack and Emma watched the young couple closely.
"Jesus Christ!" Jack suddenly exclaimed. "Chuck, if Roark answers that phone, I need you to pull together all the evidence you can to nail him. To do that, you need to disappear from Roark's field of vision."
"What are you thinking, Jack?" Chuck asked.
Jack ran his hands through his hair. His brain now firing on all cylinders. He looked up at Chuck grimly and spoke. "Chuck, I'm afraid you're not going to like this, but I think that for the near term, it's probably best that you die."
Sarah and Emma's eyes widened in shock.
"Dad!? What are you talking about?" Sarah's voice spiked with worry.
"Calm down Sarah, please. If Roark answers the phone, we know he's the one behind all of this. If that's the case, Roark knows Chuck is digging and that makes Chuck a target. To protect him, we have to take Chuck off the field of play. Chuck becomes a ghost who can continue his investigative work without the concern of Roark trying to get to him. Of course, Roark will look into Chuck's death, so we need to be thorough, but given Chuck's recent surgery, it's plausible that something went very wrong. It can work….if we move fast." Jack's expression was resolute as he looked at Chuck.
Chuck had been turning the scenario over in his head as Jack spoke, and the more he thought about it, the more it felt like the right thing to do. "In terms of any 'post-surgical' complications, I'm not sure how well that will play. When he called me yesterday, I told him I was healing well. Let me call Devon. He would know what could go wrong." Chuck pulled out his phone and called Devon to ask for the most plausible scenario.
A minute later, Chuck hung up the phone and looked at Jack. "Hemorrhage. A major blood vessel that was repaired ruptured, and I collapsed with internal bleeding, and by the time the EMTs figured out it was internal bleeding, it would be too late. This was actually Devon's biggest post-op concern, anyway."
Jack nodded. "Okay. I need to make a call to start the ball rolling on this, and if I time it right, I can save Casey from some grief as well." Jack left the library for his office and, as he walked out, Chuck turned to comfort Sarah.
"Chuck?" Sarah looked at Chuck nervously.
"Sarah, your father is right. This is the right play." Chuck tried to smile confidently, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "None of us will be safe until we cut the snake's head off."
Sarah was about to speak when Jack returned.
"Chuck, I've asked Marjorie to have your dispatch call Roark's office at exactly 2:05 to reach Casey and tell him you collapsed unexpectedly, and that the EMTs worked feverishly to revive you, but couldn't. I've also asked to have him report to me immediately. That should get him out of Roark's office quickly enough." Jack sat down before continuing, "Chuck, this means that you will need to be completely off the radar until this all comes to a head. No family, no Sarah, no contact, other than through secure, pre-arranged channels with Casey or myself."
Sarah heart sank as her father explained that she and Chuck would have to separate for some unknown period. She squeezed his hand as she considered the implications of her forced separation from Chuck.
Chuck looked to Sarah. "Sarah, for this to work, I really need you to promise to do three things for me. Without your promise, I can't go through with this. Okay?"
With glassy eyes, Sarah looked at him and nodded in confirmation.
"Good. First, you will keep the protective detail until we determine that it's safe for you, and you will do exactly what Casey, Gertrude and Morgan say. Okay?" Chuck gave her a little smile as he spoke. "You are the most important thing in my life now, and if I can't be there to protect you, I want people I trust to make sure you are safe. Now promise me."
"I promise, Chuck," Sarah responded with sadness in her voice. "What else?"
"Second, you will need to explain to Ellie and Devon that while this is all being staged, they need to keep up appearances. There will be some small, private memorial or something to make this real, and they will need to sell it."
"I'll do that, Chuck."
"Thank you, Sarah. Third, this son of a bitch threatened the woman I love, and I'm going to bury him. It will take a little time, but when I'm done, your father will allow me to take a long vacation, and I want you to come with me so we can take some time to decompress from all this craziness and have a serious conversation about our future. I'm thinking of a little bungalow with turquoise water and palm trees for two weeks. That is assuming you will still love me when I'm done with this….." He smiled warmly.
"Yes, Chuck! Yes….I'll go anywhere with you." Sarah's eyes finally brightened as she all but tackled Chuck on the loveseat right in front of her mother and father, who, despite the grim circumstances, were both smiling and holding hands as they sat and watched.
As Chuck and Sarah held each other's gaze, Jack interrupted. "Chuck, it's almost time to call Roark."
Chuck looked at his phone….2:04 p.m.. He dialed the number and waited to hit the call button until the clock turned 2:05, then he hit the "call" button.
"It's ringing." Chuck held up the phone for all to see. After three rings, the call was declined. "The call was declined."
-O-
The library was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, as Jack, Emma, Chuck and Sarah considered the implications of what just happened. The silence was shattered after a few minutes by Chuck's phone ringing.
"Bartowski," Chuck answered in his usual professional manner.
"It's me. Put me on speaker!" Casey commanded.
"Casey, you are on speaker with Jack, Emma, and Sarah."
Without any preamble, Casey jumped right in. "The bastard's phone rang exactly on time. He looked at the caller ID, declined the call, and smiled. Before the phone rang, he demanded to be fully read into all aspects of the investigation, and when I refused, given the Presidential directive, he started really ripping into me. He is absolutely desperate to know what we know, and it seems clear that his need is not driven by his concern over your collective well-being. Before I could lock horns with him, I was rescued by his secretary, who informed us that something happened to you, Chuck. I presume you have some sort of a plan?"
"That was me, John. I had Marjorie call Roark's office at the same time with the news about Chuck….to make it feel more real. My initial idea was just to get Chuck out of tomorrow's lunch, but then a bigger idea started to form. Unfortunately, I'm afraid we are making it up as we go along." Jack winced a little as he spoke, "The short strokes are that Chuck has had an unexpected issue from his surgery and has died, taking him off the board and out of Roark's reach. Chuck will be a ghost, free to drive his investigation without interference. What we need to do now is figure out how to make all of this look real."
"I got this, Sir. Let me make a few calls and in the meantime, just sit tight and keep Bartowski out of sight until we fully control the theater of operation. Until then, the fewer people see him moving around and healthy, the better." There was a short pause as the sound of Casey's sirens and several expletives filled the air from the speakerphone. "Apologies, Sir. Damned Sunday drivers. I'll contact you as soon as I make the arrangements." The sound of Casey cursing other drivers came through as the call closed.
"Jack, given that Chuck will be stashed away for a while, why don't we give the kids a little privacy while we wait for John's call." Emma gave her husband a wink as she squeezed his hand.
"Right. Of course." Jack smiled. "And Chuck, when this is over, and you and Sarah get back from your vacation, I'd like to talk about your future as well…. Okay?"
"Yes, Sir. Of course."
-O-
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 14:20 EST
Location: Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland - Camp David Presidential Retreat
Chuck's phone rang. "Bartowski."
"Bartowski, it's me. Put me on speaker." Casey's gruff voice boomed.
"Casey, give us a second. Sarah has gone to fetch the Walkers." A moment later, Sarah returned with the President and First Lady. "Casey, we're all here, and you're on speaker."
"Okay. I spoke with Mike and Steve, the two EMTs on station at Camp David when the President is in Residence. They know what to do and that this is a national security matter. I know these guys, and I trust them completely. They will sign the affidavits to their response and say they could not revive Chuck. Since Chuck is dead, they will take his body to Walter Reed, where I have made additional arrangements. Sarah, you will need to ride with your detail and follow the ambulance to Walter Reed. I need you to be the distraught girlfriend but keep it tight. We don't want to over-sell it. There will be no official record of you being there, but your presence will be noticed and talked about quietly, adding legitimacy to the story." Casey caught his breath. "Chuck, get on the ground and play dead. Ms. Walker, in a moment, I want you to run outside to the two EMT's, and in a reasonably loud voice, tell them Chuck has collapsed and is unresponsive. Make it clear that Chuck is the issue because if the rest of the protective detail thinks something happened to the President everything goes into lockdown, okay?" Casey paused waiting for Sarah's acknowledgement.
"Yes, Casey. I'll do that" Sarah answered.
"Good. Thank you. Remember…Chuck, and if you can sell fear and urgency for everyone to hear, so much the better. Mr. President, while Sarah is running out to the EMT's, It would be good if you were seen attempting some sort of first aid, so do give Chuck a couple of slaps, and look as though you're doing chest compressions until Steve and Mike arrive. Keep the doors to the library open so anyone who looks can see what's happening as Mike and Steve get there. Any questions?" Casey paused as Jack, Emma, Chuck, and Sarah stared at each other quietly.
Casey took the silence to mean no additional questions. "Okay. Sarah, you will follow the ambulance with your detail to Walter Reed, and I'll meet you there with additional instructions. Time for a little Kabuki theater….go now, Sarah."
Before Sarah could move, Chuck grabbed her and kissed her hard and deep. "I love you Sarah." He whispered as he stepped back and positioned himself on the floor next to the couch.
Sarah took a moment to prepare herself, exchanging looks with her parents as Jack knelt next to Chuck and Emma stood in the corner holding both hands to her mouth. Sarah then nodded, turned, and busted out of the library and the front door to where the EMTs were positioned.
-O-
"Chuck Bartowski collapsed in the library, help" The sight of Sarah running and calling out the EMTs about Chuck Bartowski was immediate cause for concern to the President's detail, but given that this was not a presidential emergency, the detail moved to provide assistance. The agent closest to the front door immediately entered and ran to the library, where he saw the President doing chest compressions on a prone Special Agent Bartowski. As he approached, Emma stepped up while wringing her hands and shouted. "Get the EMTs. Now!" As the agent stopped and turned the two EMT's entered the front hall. They were pulling a gurney topped with various bags loaded with lifesaving equipment, and Sarah Walker was right behind them.
"Clear the way!" Steve Sedgewick, the senior EMT and former combat medic shouted as they approached the President and Chuck. "Mr. President, please step back. We got this."
As Steve knelt down to check on Chuck, he whispered in his ear. "Chuck, I'm going to give you a powerful sedative to knock you out and slow your breathing and heart rate. Once you are under, we will do a bunch of life saving type stuff, then cart you out of here. Try not to move." As Steve was engaging Chuck, Mike positioned the gurney between Chuck and the entrance way to shield Steve's actions.
Steve turned his head and shouted. "Mike, he's unresponsive, thready pulse…Give me one CC of Epinephrine, and prepare the paddles, NOW!" While Mike was drawing everyone's attention by rifling through the med kit and theatrically preparing the syringe, Steve quietly injected Chuck with the sedative he had palmed, and silently counted as Chuck's eyes rolled back. Once Chuck was completely under, Steve pretended to administer the epinephrine, followed by several attempts by Mike to revive Chuck by shocking him with the defibrillator as Steve used a bag mask to pump air into Chuck's chest.
After a few minutes of continued effort, Steve pulled back and spoke to Mike so others could hear. "Fuck, no response. He's gone, Mike. Let's call it in, load him up and take him to Walter Reed.
"Nooo!" Sarah shrieked as Jack and Emma grabbed her and kept her from going to Chuck's prone form.
Steve stood and faced the First Family. "I'm sorry. We did everything we could." The floor around Chuck was littered with the remnants of the apparent attempted lifesaving effort by the EMTs, including sterile wrappers, and discarded syringes. Steve then turned back to Chuck, and with Mike's help rolled Chuck over and slid a body board under him. Then he called out to one of the men standing by the library door. "Agent, can you grab the board by his feet and help put him on the gurney please?" The agent quickly complied and moments later, Chuck's seemingly deceased form was strapped down and loaded into the back of the ambulance. Jack and Emma held Sarah as they walked her to the waiting Suburban with her detail. Before climbing into the truck, Sarah hugged her parents.
"Be strong Sarah. You'll get through this soon enough." Emma whispered in her ear.
Sarah thanked her parents then as she boarded the Suburban, she saw the ambulance carrying the love of her life turn on its strobe lights, and slowly move forward.
-O-
Sarah's ride to Walter Reed was uncomfortably somber. She thought about their close call in London, fearing that Chuck would not survive. He did, yet she was once again part of a deathly procession following the ambulance that contained Chuck's almost inanimate form. The strange sensation of living theatrically what she might have lived just two weeks ago was surreal.
"Ma'am?" The suburban had come to a stop at the hospital. Sarah saw John Casey's grim expression through the window as he commanded the movement of Chuck's gurney. She was frozen. Transfixed. Kabuki theater, indeed. "Ms. Walker?" Sarah snapped out of her daze.
"Yeah….yes. Thank you." Sarah's visage was a mask of disorientation and confusion. She was present but not present, the shock of the day's unexpected events overwhelming her. Tears would come later when reality set in.
Casey watched Sarah take a steadying hand from a member of her detail. Damn, she was good! Really, really good. Perfect, actually. No one who saw her would doubt that Sarah Walker was in shock. And while the romantic link between Sarah Walker and Special Agent Bartowski was not a matter of public record, this performance would undoubtedly spark a great deal of speculation among the staff at Walter Reed about why the First Daughter was here, and why she was in shock. All good for the cover.
"Ms. Walker, come with me, please." Casey's gruff voice caused Sarah to look up as Casey gently took her hand and relieved the member of her detail. Casey wrapped his right arm around her shoulders protectively to comfort her while his left hand held her right hand to steer her motion. As they walked, a loose cordon of Secret Service Agents formed around them. They stepped through the emergency room area onto a waiting elevator and rode down to the basement, where the morgue was located. Once inside, Casey instructed all the accompanying agents to remain outside. He closed the door and walked Sarah to a curtained-off area where a doctor was standing over Chuck's unconscious form.
"How are we doing, doc?" Casey asked.
The doctor looked up over the top of his bifocals at Casey. "I just administered a counteragent, so he should be coming to very shortly, but his vitals are all right where they should be."
As the doctor spoke, Sarah rushed over and grabbed Chuck's hand.
"Thanks, Doc." Casey grinned. "I know you have a lot of paperwork to attend to, so we'll let you get to it. If we have any issues, I'll ping your mobile."
"Your thanks aren't necessary, Special Agent Casey, and I'm sure you will have no problems with Special Agent Bartowski." The doctor turned his attention to Sarah. "Ms. Walker." The doctor gave Sarah a respectful bow of the head and quietly shuffled out of the morgue just as Chuck started to awaken.
-O-
"Chuck…." Sarah saw Chuck open his eyes a little and move his hand to shield his eyes from the bright lights of the morgue. "Baby, are you okay?" She gently kissed his forehead.
"Bartowski, you done sleeping on the job?" Casey grinned. "Doc said you might have a hell of a headache and gave me these for you." Casey held a small paper cup containing extra-strength Tylenol and a water bottle. "You'll need to drink lots of water to help flush that crap out of your system."
"Thanks, Casey." Chuck groaned as he put the palms of his hands against his eyes.
"Listen up." Casey cautiously eyed Chuck's movements. "You with me, Bartowski?"
"Yeah….yes, Casey. I'm with you. Go ahead, boss." Chuck responded quietly.
"Good. I need your help. Get up." Casey ordered as Sarah nervously helped Chuck get to his feet. While Chuck was finding his feet, Casey wheeled another gurney over from another curtained-off area, causing Sarah to gasp when she saw the dark plastic body bag. It was full.
"Chuck, move the empty gurney back behind that curtain." Casey then grabbed a large bag from the counter. "Ms. Walker, give this to Chuck, tell him to put it on, and put all his personal items in this plastic bag. Quickly now, please." Sarah scampered off after Chuck, who was just pulling the curtain closed.
"Chuck, give me all your personal belongings and change into the clothes in the bag."
Chuck gave Sarah a tender smile. "I'm sorry to put you through all this, Sarah. And I'm sorry we'll be apart for some time, but you need to know that I won't rest until we nail these bastards."
"I know Chuck. We'll be fine. I know it deep in my heart. I'll miss you, but I know this is the best way to go, so please hurry." Sarah was starting to focus after all the uncomfortable introspection.
Chuck quickly did as instructed, carefully removing all his personal effects and placing them in the plastic bag Sarah held. Then he paused, reached back into the bag, and pulled out his watch. "Sarah, this watch belonged to my father, and it's the most important thing I have of his. I want you to hold it for me." He gently placed the vintage Omega Constellation watch around her wrist and closed the band on its smallest setting, which was still a little too large for Sarah's delicate wrist. "There. That's better." He whispered. "Can't think of a safer place."
Sarah's eyes widened as he kissed her gently.
"No hanky-panky in there, you two," Casey growled quietly as the couple emerged, Chuck wearing the hospital's laundry cleaning service uniform.
"Good. I need to take care of a couple of things, but I'll instruct the team outside that Sarah has requested a few moments of privacy and that no one is to enter or exit without my permission. Okay? I'll be back in a couple of minutes." Casey closed the curtain around them, then walked out of the morgue while shouting instructions.
Chuck and Sarah stood motionless in their private little bubble behind the curtain in the morgue in a tight embrace, neither speaking, both savoring the very intimate moment before they would be pulled apart. The five minutes Casey was gone flashed by in what felt like seconds, and his return pierced their quiet communion.
Casey was all business. "Okay, here is what's going to happen." Casey's eyes darted from Chuck to Sarah and back to Chuck.
"Chuck, when Sarah leaves, I will send the full detail to accompany her back to your apartment in Georgetown so she can share the news with your sister and brother-in-law. Sarah, remember to tell them they need to sell it. This will leave me here to guard the door and ensure no one can access our friend in the body bag. After everyone is gone, Grimes will come in wearing the same uniform as you. You will get into that big laundry cart, and he will wheel you out of here. He will drop you off at a safe house in Bethesda, which is just temporary." Casey paused to make sure Chuck was entirely focused and following.
"I have an old family cottage in the Poconos of Pennsylvania that will work perfectly, and once your computer equipment is set up there, you'll be given a car and drive yourself there. I've arranged to have several preprogrammed burner phones and a package from an old friend who runs undercover operations for Counter-Intelligence at the cottage. The package will contain makeup, wigs, fake glasses, fake teeth, etc., so you can hide your identity if you need to venture out for whatever reason. Finally, you will find several driver's licenses, credit cards, each with a backstory. None of the stuff is perfect, but good enough for a casual inspection. I know you're not cleared for operational duty, Chuck, but for your protection, in addition to your own service weapon, you will have a small inventory of firearms and equipment."
"How did you pull this together so fast, Casey?" Sarah asked, with a stunned expression.
"Believe it or not, Ms. Walker, this is one of the many contingencies we have in place to protect the President should the circumstances arise, so all I needed to do was make a few adjustments to the plan. But no time for that. Here, take this." Casey handed Sarah an envelope.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's a form that Ellie will need to sign, and you will countersign as a witness, that allows the hospital to immediately cremate the remains. Get her to sign it as soon as you get to Chuck's sister. A courier will bring it back here immediately so we can cremate the body before anyone asks any questions. The hospital will take care of all the other forms and affidavits including the autopsy results and the death certificate. Ms. Walker, are you ready to go? Special Agent Verbanski is outside waiting for you with the rest of the detail." Casey asked quietly.
Sarah grabbed Chuck, kissed him deeply, and whispered in his ear as she pulled back. "I love you, Chuck Bartowski. Now I'm ready to go, Casey."
Chuck stood quietly as Casey wrapped an arm around Sarah again and took her hand to steady her walk as they left the morgue. Outside, Sarah was greeted by Gertrude Verbanski, but she turned to Casey before leaving with the detail.
"Special Agent Casey, thank you." Sarah hugged Casey, then turned, straightened her spine, pulled her shoulders back, and walked steadily with Verbanski and her detail toward the elevator, leaving Casey alone by the doors to the morgue.
-O-
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 18:30 EST
Location: 4494 Palmer Road North, Bethesda, Maryland - Walter Reed Medical Center.
Casey read the memorandum over a fourth time, then hit send.
-CONFIDENTIAL-
Internal Memorandum
To: All Secret Service Protective Detail Staff
From: Casey, John – Head of Presidential Protective Services
Reference: Special Agent Charles Bartowski
Dear colleagues,
With my deepest regrets, I inform you of the passing of Special Agent Charles Bartowski earlier today.
As most of you are aware, Special Agent Bartowski stopped two separate attempted abductions of President Walker's daughter, Sarah, and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during the second attempt. He appeared to be recovering well from his injury, but unfortunately, a repaired blood vessel near his heart ruptured, and despite heroic efforts by the EMTs, Special Agent Bartowski could not be saved. Suffice it to say that the President, the First Lady, and Ms. Walker are devastated by his loss.
Special Agent Bartowski performed his duties with courage and honor, as befitting a member of our elite family, and shall be missed. Further details about a memorial will be provided in due course.
This communication is to be kept strictly confidential as Special Agent Bartowski's family has not yet been notified of his death.
John Casey
Special Agent In Charge Of Presidential Security
By the time the internal memorandum had been sent, Gertrude Verbanski had whisked Sarah back to Chuck's apartment, where Sarah had the opportunity to speak with Ellie and Devon about what was happening. She stressed that they needed to sell the cover for Chuck's safety and to ensure those guilty of sedition were brought to justice. Ellie and Devon were stunned by the news but were assured that Chuck was perfectly fine and would be in contact with them shortly. Sarah had Ellie sign the cremation order, she then countersigned it, and handed the completed form to the courier waiting just outside the apartment door.
Across town, Chuck Bartowski was hidden in a laundry cart and wheeled to a box van by Special Agent Grimes, who was wearing the uniform of the hospital laundry service. By the time Chuck was well away from Walter Reed, the cadaver in the Morgue was being prepared for cremation, ostensibly after the autopsy had been performed and all the required documents had been completed, including the hand-signed instructions from Chuck's sole surviving family member, Eleanor Faye Bartowski, creating a clear paper trail documenting Chuck Bartowski's untimely demise, including the cause of death and instructions for Chuck's cremation. Chuck Bartowski was now a ghost.
-O-
Chuck remained quiet in the back of the van until they were several blocks away from the hospital, and once Morgan was sure they had not been followed, he gave Chuck the "all clear." Chuck extricated himself from the laundry cart but remained in the back of the van. Forty minutes later, the men dropped the van off at the laundry facility. Morgan went to the back of the truck and uncovered a large military type duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. Then the two men, wearing their laundry service uniforms, wordlessly climbed into an old, beaten-up Jeep Cherokee left for them in the parking lot.
"You okay there, partner?" Morgan looked over at Chuck as he casually drove with an elbow out the window, sunglasses low on the bridge of his nose, despite the cold weather.
"Not really, Morgan. I'm pissed. No, I'm beyond pissed." Chuck grimaced. "He went after the woman I love, twice, and gave me a nice souvenir on my upper left chest that I'll carry with me forever. I know I can't do put my hands on the bastard, but I am going to find the evidence we need to crucify him. How soon will my equipment be at the cottage?"
"That will take just a couple of days." Morgan replied.
"Thanks. What was in the bag?" Chuck asked.
"About a week's worth of clean clothes, your service weapon and a clean phone. I also grabbed that book you had on your nightstand…Orion Cyber Security Systems, I think it was." Morgan replied.
"Thanks Morgan."
-O-
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 18:32 EST
Location: Number One Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. - Vice Presidential Residence
Rosalie was putting some files away when she heard Vincent mutter an obscenity and looked up to see him slump into one of the seats next to him. She put the file down and walked towards him.
"Vincent, is everything okay?" Her tone carried both care and concern.
"What?" Vincent was momentarily stunned by the notification from the head of the Presidential Protection Detail.
"Are you alright, Vincent?" Rosalie asked again.
"Oh….sorry, Rosalie. Just received some terrible news about a colleague." Vincent's eyes were downcast, and his shoulders slumped as he spoke.
"I'm so sorry. Anyone I might know or anything I can do to help in any way?" Rosalie gently rubbed Vincent's shoulder.
"Well, you're bound to find out soon enough that the Vice President's luncheon tomorrow is about to be canceled," Vincent replied without looking up. "Special Agent Bartowski just passed away. Apparently, a blood vessel that got damaged when he was shot burst or something. There aren't many details yet as it just happened. His family doesn't even know yet." He shook his head at the senselessness of the loss.
"Oh my God. That's terrible. I'm so sorry for your loss. Were you close?"
"No, not really, but we knew each other. More importantly, we are all part of a special team. One that may be called on to make the ultimate sacrifice as part of our job. President Lincoln referred to it as, "The last full measure of devotion". The last full measure Bartowski didn't know he fully gave when he was shot." Vincent finally looked up with slightly glassy eyes. "Rosalie, please keep this to yourself until you're properly notified."
"Of course, Vincent." Rosalie patted his shoulder to comfort him.
-O-
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 20:00 EST
Location: Number One Observatory Circle, Washington, D.C. - Vice Presidential Residence
Ted Roark was having a light dinner with his Chief of Staff in the residence dining room, as he did several times a week. The dinners were casual, but one of the agenda items was covering the upcoming schedule of important events.
"So tomorrow I filled your lunch slot with Congresswoman Reichle from New York. She's been trying to get some time with you to get your support for the further rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Navy Yard project." Seth Simpson spoke as he looked over the notes on his tablet.
"Reichle? That pain in the ass? And you're making me sit through a lunch with her? Fine….whatever." Roark waved his fork dismissively in the air. "Hang on a minute, Seth. I think I'm supposed to have lunch with Bartowski tomorrow." Roark pulled out his smartphone to look at his calendar, and sure enough, lunch was booked with Congresswoman Reichle. "What the fuck happened? I know it was in here." Roark almost shouted. He then typed a note to Rosalie about the schedule change.
Within ten minutes, Rosalie responded.
"Sir, I learned from Vincent Boles that Special Agent Bartowski suffered an unexpected complication from the wound he received in England and passed away this afternoon, so I took him off your schedule. Seth called me separately to find time for Congresswoman Reichle, so I filled the open lunch slot with her. Is there a problem, Sir?" Rosalie responded.
Roark thought about it for a moment, then responded. "No. No problem, Rosalie. I wasn't aware of the situation with Bartowski, so I was surprised to see the change. Thank you." Roark then turned his attention to Seth Simpson. "Seth, have you heard anything about Special Agent Bartowski suddenly dying earlier today?"
"Bartowski? The guy that saved Sarah Walker twice? He died?" Seth was clearly surprised by the news.
"Yes. I was scheduled to have lunch with him tomorrow, but apparently, he dropped dead this afternoon. Some sort of complication from being shot or something. The lunch was to recognize his service, but now….Hey, can you do me a favor and look into it immediately? I'd like to call his family to extend my condolences for a real American hero and all that." Roark smiled.
"Uhm, sure, Ted. I'll look into it first thing tomo…."
"Look into it now, Seth. Thanks." Roark wiped his mouth, dropped his napkin on his half-eaten dinner, and stood.
"Right….Ted. Right away." Simpson pushed back from the table and put his phone to his ear as he walked out of Roark's dining room. Seconds later, the gruff voice of John Casey answered.
-O-
Date: Wednesday, 29 December 2021
Time: 20:30 EST
Location: 2501 Q Street, Georgetown, Washington D.C. Chuck Bartowski residence.
Ellie sat quietly on the couch with Sarah as Devon slipped away, recognizing that the two women needed a few minutes together.
"Sarah, are you okay? I mean, I know that you know Chuck is okay and need to sell it, but you really look down."
"I don't know, Ellie. I mean, yes, I know Chuck is fine, and I know he'll figure this all out, and that when we come out on the other side of this mess, we'll be together again, but to be honest, I was already struggling with having to go back to New York on Sunday and go back to work, but I never expected to have to separate from Chuck this afternoon. It all happened so fast, and I wasn't prepared for any of this. I miss him so much it hurts." Sarah slumped in her chair.
"I've seen how he looks at you, Sarah, and I would bet that the only thing keeping him focused is getting to Roark so he can get back to you. You know that, right?" Ellie smiled sympathetically. "How about if we call Carina and ask her to come over. We can drink some wine and commiserate together."
"I know, Ellie, but still. And having Carina here would be helpful, but.…" Sarah was interrupted by her phone ringing. It was Casey.
"Casey, I'm with Ellie Bartowski. Is there any news?"
"Yes. I just got off the phone with Seth Simpson, Roark's Chief of Staff, who was pumping me for details about Chuck. He wanted the information because Roark wanted to call Chuck's sister and offer his condolences. I told him that, given your romantic relationship, you asked for permission to personally inform Chuck's sister of Chuck's death. I told him not to allow Roark to call Ellie until after I received confirmation that she had been informed, but I doubt that asshole will wait, so you might want to prepare her for that call."
"Okay. I've got this, Casey. Thanks." Sarah smiled weakly into the phone and took Ellie's hand as she closed the call. As the two women started moving back to the living area, Ellie's cell phone rang. Ellie instinctively reached for her phone, but Sarah put her hand on hers, stopping her. "Ellie, let me take this for you." Ellie nodded and pulled her hand back.
Sarah let the phone ring several times, then picked it up. In a soft and somewhat shaky voice, she responded.
"Eleanor Bartowski's phone. This is Sarah Walker." There was a moment of silence on the line.
"Sarah, hello. It's Ted Roark. I heard the terrible news and wanted to offer my condolences to Special Agent Bartowski's sister. I understand she is his only surviving immediate family."
Sarah fought back the impulse to scream at the arrogant bastard but managed to push her anger down. "I'm sorry, Ted, but now is not a good time. Ellie is inconsolable, and she needs me right now. You can try again tomorrow." Without another word or hesitation, Sarah hung up.
"Oh my, God. That man is such a complete asshole!" Sarah picked up her phone and called Casey to let him know.
Casey acknowledged the information and hung up. He was on his way to a private "off the record" meeting with DNI Beckman. Casey had an excellent working relationship with General Beckman, but the stakes they were playing for were way above his pay grade, so Casey had asked President Walker to call DNI Beckman and explain to her that what Casey was about to discuss had his personal involvement and approval.
-O-
Ted Roark looked at the phone in his hand like it was a completely dirty. A soiled and foreign substance. Sarah Walker just hung up on him. 'That damned bitch' he thought to himself. He was going to make her pay.
-O-
Date: Thursday, 30 December 2021
Time: 09:30 Moscow Standard Time (00:30 EST)
Location: Pulkovo Airport, Saint Petersburg, Russia – Onboard Volkoff's Falcon 900
Volkoff was greeted by the flight crew as he boarded his jet. He was tired from the long trip to Saint Petersburg, so once on board, he plopped down into one of the luxurious leather seats and took his shoes off.
"Natalia, please bring me some coffee before we take off." Natalia was a pretty young thing, good in the sack, but not much of a flight attendant, which Volkoff cared much less about. He found her at one of his strip clubs in Moscow and decided to make her a different offer of employment. "And once we get airborne, I could use a little massage in my cabin. All this traveling has made my back tense and sore." In the seats behind him, Sergei and Vasilli shared a knowing smile.
"Of course, Mr. Volkoff. As you wish." She responded with a smile. Less than a minute later, Volkoff held a steaming cup of very mediocre coffee while Natalia kneeled before him, massaging his feet. The top buttons on her blouse were undone, giving Volkoff plenty of cleavage to stare at and pique his appetite.
Volkoff turned in his seat and looked at Sergei. "Sergei, tell Captain Nemorov to get this plane moving now." Natalia smiled at the urgency in his voice.
Within minutes, the start-up sequence had been initiated, and each of the Falcon's three engines spooled up to operating temperature. As Volkoff enjoyed his foot massage, Captain Nemorov's voice suddenly filled the cabin. "Sir, we have been cleared for immediate departure. Please fasten your seatbelt. Natalia, please prepare for departure and take your seat." The sound of the engines grew as the jet lurched forward, moving from the ramp toward the taxiway.
For the next several hours, Volkoff and his phones would be offline.
In the distance, a plane spotter was taking photographs of incoming and outgoing jets with his digital camera and massive telephoto lens mounted on a large tripod. He snapped several pictures of the Falcon 900 being prepared for departure, additional photos as the VIPs arrived and boarded, and finally, some pictures of the jet lifted off the runway and turned to a southwesterly heading.
He packed away his camera equipment, pulled out his smartphone, and sent a message with the images embedded.
Casey, target arrived today at 09:30 MST, boarded, and departed. The tail number is RA 47501. Aircraft took on a full load of fuel, but you will need to track its intended destination.
-O-
Date: Thursday, 30 December 2021
Time: 09:00 EST
Location: 2501 Q Street, Georgetown, Washington D.C. Chuck Bartowski residence.
Sarah was wearing one of Chuck's shirts and nursing a cup of coffee while sitting on the couch. His scent gave her strength as she focused on the next few days' difficult events, including Chuck's "memorial." Her thoughts were disturbed by a knock on the door.
"Ma'am, this package arrived for you by courier." Gertrude Verbanski handed over the purple, orange, and white cardboard pouch.
"Thank you, Gertrude. I have fresh coffee for you and the guys if you want. Just come in and help yourselves." Sarah smiled as she took the package and returned to her seat on the couch to open it. She looked at the shipping label and saw Morgan Corporation as the sender. She ripped the pouch open and found a plain envelope inside, which she immediately opened, extracting a handwritten note.
Sarah, I miss you more than you can imagine. You know I need to stay away for a while, but until I can set something else up, I created two accounts on the World of Warcraft gaming site to keep in contact. The URL is copied on the back side of this. Your username is CIBSGRL4EVR (Charles Irving Barowski's Girl For Ever.) Your password is CIBLoVeM32McH! (You can change it if you want after you log in.) Once you log in, look for the mail icon. You will see some messages from the administrator and a message from me, MGV4EVR1 (My Glorious Valkyrie for Ever!), and once you open the message, you can respond directly. I'm sure this will be perfectly safe, but please do not use real names, places, etc.
I love you and can't wait to hold you again, but in the meantime, please be careful.
Get rid of this message ASAP.
I love you,
Chuck
Sarah smiled, put down her coffee, and ran to "their" bedroom to grab her laptop. She sat back on the couch, started the computer, and logged into the game site as directed. It took her a moment to memorize the usernames and her password, which she already knew she would not change or forget, and the moment the game accepted her credentials, she looked for the mail icon. Sure enough, there was a message from Chuck.
Hi gorgeous. I miss you so much, but I hope this will serve as a bridge for now. Remember to play by the rules, but message as much as you like…..
Sarah replied.
Miss you too. Bed too big and cold without you….and I miss my breakfast in bed! Otherwise, all is okay. Have some plans to make with my sisters….will keep you posted. I'll be on every night at 10 pm so we can play one-on-one in real-time and any other time you need.
With the message sent, Sarah felt lighter and happier. She put her laptop away and decided to make breakfast for Ellie, Devon as well as Gertrude, and her team.
-O-
Meanwhile, across town, Ted Roark picked up the phone on his desk and called an old college friend of his.