A/N: Welcome to the 19th arc of our story, the Banacheck arc (based on Chuck Versus the Seduction, season 2, episode 2). We introduce Roan Montgomery, as well as ex-KGB agent Sasha Banacheck. I always thought Banacheck was a Polish name, but I guess her family could have emigrated from Warsaw to Moscow at some point.
A/N2: I hope Ms. Banacheck doesn't own Chuck. She's got a real chip on her shoulder.
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Trattoria del Arte was on Wilshire Boulevard just far enough west of Beverly Hills to be pricey, but not insane. There was a large garden in a courtyard in back with tables arranged near a babbling fountain. The spring day was beautiful, with the kind of dry sunny weather that had drawn the nascent film industry to the area almost a hundred years earlier.
Sarah was already at the table waiting when Pat Kendler came through the door from the restaurant to the courtyard. She stood up to give the older woman a friendly hug and a delighted smile.
"Well, look at you. Retirement seems to suit you," she told Pat.
"Ha. Grayer and wrinklier," replied Pat with a grin. "Was I late?"
"Nope. I was early," said Sarah.
"Should have known. You don't change," she replied.
"It hasn't gotten me in trouble yet," Sarah said with a smile and a shrug.
The waiter arrived to take their order. From the careful coif and sparkling white teeth, they both assumed he was a wanna-be actor working the job until he was discovered. When he read the specials as if reciting Shakespeare, they were certain. Stifling their giggles, they ordered. A chicken Caesar salad for Sarah and a bowl of linguine primavera for Pat. Sarah choose a Rose Pinot Noir from Napa Valley and Pat, thinking that was a wonderful idea, decided to do the same.
As the waiter walked away, Pat watched his departing butt and said, "If I was thirty years younger..."
"You wouldn't do a thing, big talker. You were already with Bert thirty years ago."
"Busted," said Pat with a grin. "So, tell me. Wedding plans? Spy shit? What's new?"
"Well, wedding plans. Put it in your calendar. Wedding December 28. Rehearsal dinner the twenty-sixth. There's an engagement party coming up soon. That one's May 16, so about two, three weeks. We're getting the invites out in the next couple of days. We've booked a place near the beach for the wedding and the reception. Did I tell you it's going to be a double wedding?"
"No. What's the story there?"
"Chuck's sister, Ellie, is getting married too and we decided to do it together. She's pretty much my best friend and this just works great for both of us. It was her idea and I thought it was fantastic."
"Are you honeymooning together too? Cause that's just creepy," said Pat with a grin.
Sarah giggled. "No. Much as I love her, that's just too much sharing."
"Yeah," said Pat. "Ya think?"
Their wine arrived. Pat raised her glass and said, "Congratulations, Sarah. You look happier than I've ever seen you."
Clinking glasses with her friend, Sarah said, "Thanks, Pat. I am happier. And busier. In addition to my day job and the wedding planning, we are starting a company."
"For a cover?"
"No, for real. We are going to be doing penetration testing of the IC's computer systems."
"Well, you've got the clearances for it," said Pat. "How far along are you?"
"We've hired about fifteen hackers and want to hire a handful more. We have space in the Castle Studios building in Burbank, which we are almost finished building out. I was there all morning talking to the architects and contractors. The IT component of the build-out is especially specific. In addition to making sure our technicians have what they need, Chuck needs to make sure the whole set up is totally bulletproof from other nefarious hackers."
"Sounds like a big job."
"Oh, it is. Huge. In addition to hackers, we are hiring like crazy. Everything from secretaries..."
"They're called administrative assistants now," said Pat with another grin.
"Right," said Sarah, with a grin of her own. "Administrative assistants, reception, bookkeeper, all kinds of stuff. We're having to learn about all kinds of business things that I never thought I would. Everything from budgets to employment law."
Pat chuckled slightly, "Sarah, you are one of the smartest people I ever worked with and an incredibly quick study. I have no doubt you will make a success of it."
Sarah grinned and said, "Well I hope so. We got some good news last week. We signed the contract with the NSA for the work on their computer systems. The first payment was wired into our account on Monday. I should have the contract with the CIA done soon, and then those funds will be freed up. And the law firm we've been using to help us wants to hire us too. It's exciting. With the NSA money in the bank, we can pay a lot of the bills for the next few months. You have no idea what a relief that is."
"Oh, I can imagine. And the spy stuff?"
"Same as always. Got back from overseas a few weeks ago. Successful mission. None of us got hurt or anything, which is nice. The bosses have been leaving us alone for a little bit. A couple of bullshit stakeouts, but nothing to write home about. Honestly, I'm getting a little itchy," said Sarah, laughing at herself a bit. "I'll probably regret saying that."
Their food arrived and the waiter asked if they would like freshly ground pepper on it with all the formality of a staid British butler speaking to royalty. When Pat asked for grated cheese, he gave the impression that the request was the most marvelous he'd ever heard and scurried off to comply.
Sarah said, "And here I've been so rude. I invited you to lunch to hear about retirement and I've done nothing but talk about me. Tell me, how's little Madison?"
"Oh, Maddie is the best. Just the cutest little smile. Only about three months old and I'm sure she recognizes me. I found out that she's now an "infant" instead of a "newborn," so that's something. And that little outfit you and Chuck sent is so sweet. Thanks again. The blue flowers make the blue of her eyes pop."
"Pictures?" asked Sarah with a raised hand.
Pat pulled out her phone and showed a series of pictures of an adorable little blue-eyed baby girl with a happy smile and no teeth.
"Wow, look at that smile. You just want to eat her up," said Sarah with a huge grin.
"Oh, I know. I think I'm smothering her already. At least Cindy seems to think so."
"You're the doting grandma. Of course, you are."
Pat gave Sarah a wry grin. "Well, it's not like I have anything else to do."
"That doesn't sound promising, Pat. What are you up to?"
"Running a lot..."
"You always did that," said Sarah.
"I know. I'm sure I'll settle down now, but for the moment it's just taking me a while to get my feet under me. You know? Bert settled into his retirement with much less whining than I am."
"I understand. I'm sorry that you haven't settled in yet...ok, that's not a hundred percent honest. I was expecting it and...well, I feel guilty for saying it, but sort of hoping for it."
Pat gave her friend a tiny frown of surprise. "Oh?"
"Yeah. I was hoping we could hire you," said Sarah.
"Ok. What do you have in mind?"
Sarah told her.
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Sarah walked into Castle. She found Chuck at his workbench adjusting the controls of a tiny drone made almost entirely from clear acrylic. He had been tinkering with his new toy for a few weeks, replacing more and more of its components with the clear plastic. The weight and stiffness of the new material was an issue.
She came up behind him and took him in her arms, nuzzling her cheek against his. He twisted his head and gave her a kiss.
"How'd it go?"
Sarah gave him a thumbs-up and a grin.
"Good," he said. He handed her a flashdrive, "You were right. All fifteen have the same owner up the chain. Had to go through a bunch of shell companies and corporate trusts, but there it is."
"Every one of them?"
"Yup," he said. "You'll see."
"Well, well, well." She rubbed the flashdrive with her thumb, lost in thought. Finally, she seemed to shake herself out of it. "Where's Casey?"
"He's with Amy using the VR sim room. Replaying the gunfight at the OK Corral or something."
Sarah chuckled and tucked the flashdrive into her pocket. "That sounds like fun, actually."
"I'm sure they'd love the company. I'll bet Wyatt Earp could use another gun on his side," said Chuck with a grin.
Sarah began to walk to the back, towards the VR simulation room, when there sounded an alert tone from the communications network.
Chuck swiveled on his chair and looked at a computer screen. Looking up to Sarah he said, "Graham and Beckman."
"I'll get Casey and Amy."
"Right," he said.
She disappeared into the back of the facility.
Chuck pulled up the incoming video conference. On the screen in front of him appeared the Directors of the NSA and CIA just as Chuck stood up. The screen was split, as they were not in the same location as each other.
"Good afternoon, Chuck," said Graham.
"Good afternoon, Sir, Ma'am. Sarah just headed to the back of Castle to get Casey and Amy. They'll be along in a moment."
"Excellent. Sorry for the unscheduled call, but the matter we are calling you about suddenly became more urgent," said Beckman.
"No problem, Ma'am. Been a bit slow lately. I figured we were up at bat sometime soon enough. Not a complete surprise."
"But you've kept yourselves busy?" asked Graham with a small smile.
"Yes, Sir. We've managed to fill the days," he said with a tight grin.
Casey, Amy and Sarah came out of the back and assembled themselves in front of the screen. "Afternoon, Sir, Ma'am," said Sarah.
"Agents Walker, Casey and Turner. Good afternoon." A picture of an attractive brunette in sunglasses appeared on the screen. Graham said, "This is Sasha Banacheck. Off our radar for a while but just resurfaced last week. She intends to sell Fulcrum some schematics. We aren't sure what they are schematics of, but there's at least a possibility that they are duplicates of the information that your friend Barker stumbled onto a couple of months ago...the leaked schematics for the Intersect. The exchange is to take place at the end of the week in or near Miami. She's booked into the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. We'd like your team to head there and stop the sale."
"Yes, Sir," said Casey.
Chuck said, "Certainly, Sir. But you indicated it was urgent. If the exchange it to take place at the end of the week, we have plenty of time to get to Miami Beach and set up. Why the sudden urgency?"
"Yes, that's true, but there's something else. We decided this afternoon that we want you to work with our top expert on Sasha Banacheck. Roan Montgomery. He knows more about her than anyone else," said Beckman.
Casey growled, but Amy and Sarah made impressed noises.
Chuck said, "Can we get him to meet us in Miami?"
"No, Chuck," said Graham. "That's the problem. He retired from the Agency and he's off the grid. So, your first task is to find him and convince him to accompany you and your team to Miami."
"Ok. We can do that, Sir, Ma'am."
"Thank you. We've put the Citation X and its crew at your disposal. Good luck, Team." They broke the connection.
"So, just to make sure I understand. You," Chuck looked at Casey, "don't like Montgomery. And you two," he looked at Amy and Sarah, "seem to like him just fine."
With a smile, Sarah said, "That's about right, I guess. I'm looking forward to meeting him. The man's a legend in the Agency. A real old school James Bond type of spy."
"Overrated, if you ask me," growled Casey.
"How come?" asked Chuck.
"The guy hates me. He flunked me twice in training."
"What class?" asked Sarah.
"Infiltration and Inducement of Enemy Personnel," Casey said.
Amy burst with a laugh, "Seduction class? You failed seduction class? Twice?" Although Sarah and Chuck were smiling with the humor of the situation, Amy was laughing loud and long.
"Ouch, dude. Sorry about that," said Chuck. "But what was an Agency legend doing training an NSA man? You didn't attend the Farm."
"I didn't. They brought him over as an exchange instructor." Casey paused a few moments and continued. "He's very well thought of in the higher ranks."
Chuck wondered about the pause, but decided to move on for now. "Will you have trouble working with him, Case? Want us to tell Beckman and Graham it's not in the cards? We can get a briefing from the guy and leave him in peace when we head to Miami?"
"Naw. Thanks, Kid, but I can handle it. He won't be grading me on the mission," said Casey.
"Ok," said Chuck.
"And, for what it's worth, Case," said Amy. "I've seen you with both Marie and Eileen. And I'd have passed you with flying colors." She smiled at him.
"Don't forget Mei-Ling," said Sarah.
Amy looked at Sarah with surprise. "Oh, your Chinese friend? Her too?"
"Yeah," said Sarah.
Amy started to giggle. "Oh, boy. I can hardly wait for the wedding. This is going to be good. Other than me, are there any of the women guests at the wedding that you haven't slept with, Big Guy?"
"Do you mean at the start of the wedding or the end?" he asked.
They all laughed. "Ok," said Chuck. "Let me get out Montgomery's file and find the legend himself."
Sarah walked over to the newly installed pantry and took a bottle of Chardonnay from the fridge. Opening it, she brought it over to Chuck and put it down next to his hand on the table.
Giving him a kiss, she turned to Casey and Amy and said, "I'm going to swim a mile in the Studio's pool. Anyone want to come?"
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A/N3: Every time I hear the name Banacheck, I think of a 1970's TV show by that name in which George Peppard played the eponymous detective. It wasn't so much a whodunnit as it was a howdunnit. Each crime he solved (mostly theft) was pretty much impossible to pull off. For example, a three ton stone sculpture is stolen from the museum or a football player disappears during a game from under a pile of other players (while on national TV). No kidding. It was a lot of fun, if anyone is interested.
A/N4: So, here we go. Once again, I'm taking us out of Los Angeles because in my little Alternate Universe (unlike canon) not everything of interest in the spy world happens in Los Angeles. At least, when Team B visits South Beach in this story, it's after Spring Break. What do you guys think? Looking forward to it? Let me know, please. And, for those of you with Facebook accounts, please check out the Chuck Fanfiction page and hang out with the other readers and writers who like stories like this one (and the many, many stories better than this one).