Don't own Chuck

Monica waited in the shadows for her contact to bring the vehicle she asked for. The air was brisk and windy coming in off Lake Michigan cutting through her clothes to the bone. The longer she waited the more nervous she got. The meeting was set for three and already her man was a half an hour late. As she waited her mind began to wander on why Liz had turned on her. Why would her own twin betray her and their cause? Everything was going to crap. Her whole life had been crap so now the only thing left that was important was to finish the mission. There could be no more mistakes she repeated to herself as a white van with Department of Parks and Recreation pulled up next to her.

"I was expecting someone else," said Monica as a boy climbed out of the driver's seat she didn't know. "Where's Pedro?"

"Jesus Chica, you can give a man a heart attack sneaking up on them like that. Pedro couldn't make it so he sent me. Sorry Chica for being late but it took me time to get everything together and then there was traffic getting here. The police have road blocks set up like they were looking for someone. I swear I got stopped three times but we're all cool."

"Is everything back there like I asked," said Monica as she opened the rear doors seeing a pair the coveralls with Parks and Recreation written across the back and a ball cap hanging inside.

"Yeah everything you asked for, that's what took the most time and I almost got caught," said José. Monica jumped in the back and began changing in front of him with the doors open. José wasn't the bashful type standing there he watched the floor show but he wondered how she could do that in such cold weather.

"If you can stop drooling for a moment hand me those," said Monica as she pointed to the two backpacks. José passed them to her. She took the bags from him then she opened them to inspect the canisters with her back to José.

"Well sister if you don't mind I really need to go. I'm freezing out here, the keys are in the ignition and drive safely," said José as he waited rubbing his hands together then blowing into them to stay warm but he wouldn't budge until he got his compensation.

"You called me sister, funny because I killed my sister," said Monica as she pulled her Makarov turned putting a round in the boy's forehead. José never knew what hit him. His head popped back as he fell backwards to the ground. Blood trickled out of the wound painting the snow a pale crimson red as the white gave way to the red. "No more mistakes," she said as she climbed out of the back of the van. "Sorry that means no loose ends either. I wish I had time for Pedro," said Monica as she looked down at José then she climbed in the driver's seat and drove away. She hadn't gone far when she met two patrol cars speeding by her with lights and sirens on.

"Wonder where you're going," she said out loud as she looked in the mirrors. "I bet I know." Someone probably heard the gunshot and called it in but it didn't matter she wouldn't need the van after she got to the pier. This part of her plan seemed to be working without a hitch.

"Hey you can't park there," yelled a cop as she pulled up out front on the curb. "Buddy didn't you hear…" The policeman stopped when he saw Monica get out.

"Sorry but I've got to do maintenance on the confetti cannons. Or do you want to explain to the Mayor why at midnight when he throws the switch nothing comes out. Then the Mayor will turn to the Park Commissioner who will point the finger at the police commissioner and so on and so forth until what rolls downhill reaches you."

"I get the picture. Okay just make it fast I need to keep the fire lane free. But in the future this wouldn't be a problem if you people would coordinate with us."

"Right officer, will do," said Monica as she took out both backpacks of canisters. She looked weighted down with her load.

"Jesus, they couldn't spare anyone to help you," said the Cop feeling sorry for Monica. "I guess your people are as hard hit as us with the flu and then this thing tonight."

"Yeah you could say so. But what can I do, my partner is on her death bed so I've got to pick up the slack," said Monica as she began trudging off.

"Hold up a minute I'm due for a break and I see my relief is here right now. Tell you what I'll help you carry those packs down the pier."

"I don't want to impose but if you want you can help me by taking them down to the ballroom at the end. Then all I have to do is work my way back that way my load will get lighter as I finish my job."

"Sounds good to me by the way my name is Frank," said the officer as he offered her his hand. "Sorry if I came off so hard before."

"Monica, Frank," she said a she shook his hand. "No problem I understand and I appreciate the help. You wouldn't be working tonight would you?"

"Everyone is but I get off after midnight," said Frank thinking that this was his lucky afternoon and who knows maybe also the night.

"Aren't you afraid of turning into a pumpkin or something," said Monica as they laughed. She smiled at him knowing he had no idea what she meant.

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Sarah just got off the phone with Chuck when General Beckman and her troops pulled up. She took a deep breath then made her way across the street to the mobile command vehicle. Sarah braced herself for what she knew was to come. The men outside had her wait before allowing her to come in. Sarah figured it was Beckman's way of flexing her muscles trying to point out who was in charge by keeping her out in the cold.

"If she's too busy tell her I'll come back later," said Sarah as she started to walk away. The man standing guard touched his ear.

"Hold up the General will see you now," said the man as he opened the back and held out his hand to help her up. But she brushed the hand away and climbed inside.

"Agent Carmichael what am I going to do with you? Sarah I expected this type of reaction from Chuck but not from you or shouldn't I."

"What's that supposed to mean? I did my job I found my way here," said Sarah but she knew what the General meant.

"I suppose you know nothing about a gang headquarters that was shot up today," said the General as she dropped photos of the damage building in front of her. "Maybe you might know something about a Cuban Dirección de Inteligencia spy with a GSW to the leg who suddenly decided to turn himself in? Don't answer I don't want to know. Listen your days as Langston Graham's enforcer are over. I can't keep cleaning up your messes."

"If I might speak," said Sarah as the General wave her hand for her to proceed. "I think this is unfair. Grant it I might be a little rash at times but when things need to be done I get them done."

"So does Colonel Casey and I don't have to go behind him and erase camera footage or strong arm witnesses. Sarah, I'm trying to help you here. You can't revert to the old Sarah every time Chuck gets hurt or you go off on your own. The Colonel and I didn't like the old Sarah, she was unpredictable and caused a hell of a lot of collateral," said the General as she tapped on the clubhouse photos."

"So then are you sidelining me again?"

"No, no I'm not. You know what's at stake here. We need to find this woman. My men just found her van parked in the fire lane and there's a cop missing. He went on break helping a woman who matches Monica's description but never showed back up at his duty station."

"Any luck with CCTV on the pier? She has to be somewhere out there. Have your men checked the confetti cannons."

"I've just sent out two teams," said Beckman as she brought up the pier schematics on a table top computer with red circles indicating the cannons. "As you can see the problem is there are over two hundred cannons and we're running out of time."

"Wait," said Sarah as she punched in new parameters. Arrows showed up on the original floor plan indicating airflow. She studied it and then let the flash happened like Chuck showed her. "Tell your men to start with the cannons at these locations. The released compressed air mixed with the internal airflow will give the virus the maximum spread over the people attending."

"Good this is the kind of intel I need," said the General as she uploaded Sarah's marked up pier schematics to the cloud distributing it to the search teams.

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Ellie and a nurse got Chuck on the cot then she had to intubate to help him breath. It wasn't an ideal situation but the other options required surgery but he couldn't be moved out of the quarantine zone and this was what they had. Ellie induced Chuck into a deep coma hoping that a cure could be found in time. But his fever was spiking and seemed to be climbing higher each time she measured it.

"How's he doing," asked Devon as he walked up behind her putting his hand on her shoulder. But he could see things weren't looking good. "I'm sorry I should've taken his out before taking him out of his suit."

"Devon thank God you're here. I need for you to run to the Navy Pier," said Ellie ignoring what he said.

"I can't go I've got patients and this ward to watch. Sarah and Beckman have it covered. Let them do their jobs and we'll do ours."

"No, I'm sorry but Clara was mad at you this morning so when her friend Debbie called inviting her to go and her mother said she'd chaperon I said okay."

"What are you saying Clara's down at the pier where this psycho typhoid Mary is?" said Devon. "Have you tried to call them?"

"Of course I have with no luck. Chuck got word to Sarah but…" Devon cut her off.

"But Sarah is going to be looking for this nut job. What happens if they all three meet at the same time? Jesus I got to go," said Devon. He ran straight for the exit. He wasn't sure what he was going to do but he had to do something there was no way he was going to just sit around.

Devon bumped into Kat with Alex and Morgan in the lobby. They were tired of walking around in the cafeteria and Kat was just about to excuse herself to go back up to visit Casey.

"Devon what's wrong," said Kat as they saw him running through the lobby. "Is everything okay up above?"

"What? Oh yes I have to go get Clara. Ellie's up there if you want to go up but I got to go. Hey Morgan why don't you come with me I could use your help. Together we can cover more ground."

"Sure but more ground, I thought Clara was visiting with her little friend. You make it sound like she's lost."

"I'll explain just come with me. Ladies I promise to have him back soon and I'll give you a progress report then," said Devon as he grabbed Morgan by the collar and dragged him out.

"Ouch! Off the threads," said Morgan as he ran behind Awesome. "You do realize I have to take two strides to every one of yours?"

"Keep up or I'll throw you over my shoulder Morgan," said Devon as he got him in his car.

"Did you and Casey have a mind melt in the hot zone or something," said Morgan. "What gives is there a house on fire?"

"Clara's at the Navy Pier with her friend and that lunatic Monica is down there too," said Devon as he laid rubber getting out of the parking garage.

"Don't stop for lights just keep on going. I got shotgun on this ride. You've come to the right man for help. The cobra that's what they call me."

"Good cobra, come up with a plan while I get us there."

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Clara and her friend Debbie arrived at the museum but right off the bat Clara didn't think it was really her cup of tea. Most of the events were for little kids and those that were for her age she thought were really for boys. A Pier map posted on the wall showed where all the activities and times when they were taking place. There were some carnival rides she thought would be nice to try. However, she needed permission to go off on her own and she had an idea how to get that. She waited until everyone went to the tinkering lab and Debbie with her mother were deep in a project.

"I'm sorry but I need to go to the restroom. It's urgent," said Clara squirming around and knowing that neither could go with her.

"Can't it wait honey," said Debbie's mother feeling a little exasperated. Clara had made known she was getting bored. "We'll be done in just a moment."

"Mom, hold it steady or you're going to make me bend my nail," said Debbie as she gave Clara an evil look. "Mom, please concentrate."

"Oh okay but come back right away and don't get lost," said the woman as she let out a scream when Debbie whacked her finger with her hammer.

"I told you to concentrate now see what you made me do. We'll have to start over." When Clara heard that she calculated in her head how much time she had. The first ride she made a beeline to was the Ferris wheel.

"Sorry kid but no kids are allowed by themselves on the rides. You need a parent with you," said the man at the ticket window. But this wasn't going to stop her she waited until a couple bought tickets then had gone a little ahead in line then she ran up behind.

"Wait for me," she yelled so the man in the ticket booth could hear her. "Here I told them to wait. First I get here early not they go off and leave me, parents."

"Here hurry up, I don't want you to lose them then I'll have to help you find them," said the man as he yelled at the boy to hold the ride for Clara. The boy put her with the couple. The couple looked at each other then at Clara.

"They're short on cars so they told me to ride with you," said Clara as she sat back and enjoyed the ride. From the top she thought she was almost able to touch the moon. It was great then it turned and started heading back down. She was looking around trying to think about what else to try when she felt a hand grab her.

"Clara, what do you think you're doing?" said a voice looking up it was Sarah. "You know your father doesn't want you on these rides."

"What he doesn't know…" she started to say 'wouldn't hurt him' but Sarah didn't have a face that seemed amused.

"Young lady, you're coming with me," said Sarah. "General I need to return to mobile command I have a package that needs safe keeping."

"Roger that I was told her father is in transit to claim delivery. Sarah, I just got word from the Russians the kill order has officially been rescinded and all but one of the mechanics has been called in."

"Do we know who they weren't able to get in touch with?" radioed Sarah. Clara was in awe looking at Sarah talking on the radio in her watch. This was what she wanted to do when she grew up.

"They weren't able to reach the Sandman. He went dark after he accepted the hit and I don't have to remind you of his perfect track record."

"Roger that I'm on my way in with the package," said Sarah. "Come on Clara your father is coming and I need to get back inside."

"Sarah, how do you get to be a spy? Is there some sort of school you have to go to or a university course or something like that?"

"Yes and no, I was just picked up then trained. I don't know really in my case I demonstrated an ability and I was noticed then one thing lead to another, why? You still want to be a spy?"

"Yes more than ever. How did Chuck get noticed working at the Buy More? Dad said he was a loser before he became a spy."

"That was a little harsh. Your uncle was a late bloomer but he's made up for it time and time again," said Sara as she felt herself tear up."

"Is everything okay?" said Clara noticing Sarah's eyes become glassy like she wanted to cry but Sarah shook her head no and wiped them. "I need to tell Debbie and her mother I'm leaving with you before they get worried."

"Where are they?" asked Sarah. Clara led her back to the Children's Museum and up to the Tinkering Lab where Debbie was about done making a… well something that looked like it belonged in a modern art museum between an Andy Warhol and Piero Manzoni at the Tate.

"I'm sorry but I have to go. My Aunt Sarah came to pick me up," said Clara. Sarah shook the woman's hands as Debbie proudly displayed her work. However, as they were talking Sarah noticed a person walking through the room with Parks and Recreation coveralls on with a ball cap pulled down over her eyes. It was Monica with a backpack on.

"Perp in sight," radioed Sarah. "Everyone converge on my location. Clara, take your friends and go out the fire exit now."

"Is you aunt a policewoman," asked Debbie's mother looking perplex and worried especially when she saw Sarah's Smith and Wesson.

"Lady, look I don't have time…" Clara interrupted Sarah.

"Mrs. Goldberg, if you want to live you need to follow me," said Clara. She'd wanted to say that for a long time and now was her opportunity. As soon as Clara opened the door alarms started going off. Monica knew she was made so she reached into her backpack.

"I wouldn't if I were you. Hands where I can see them," yelled Sarah as she covered Monica. The children and parents screamed and ran.

"I think I got you," said Monica as she held up the last canister by the pin. "If I pull this everyone is dead so drop the weapon and I walk out of here."

"I don't think so," said Sarah. "Put the canister gently on the ground then back away or I'll splatter you brains on the wall not that I wouldn't like to but my husband wouldn't want me."

"If I pull the pin everyone is dead…" Sarah cut her off.

"You mean everyone except you because you're immune. We figured that out and before you think about pulling it anyway know that we know that we need your blood to make an antidote."

"So it seems I do have something to negotiate with," said Monica smirking at Sarah. But Sarah smiled back because she knew she had her.

"Not really I can still shoot you through the frontal lobe giving you a lobotomy. You'd be brain dead but we can still draw your blood and drain you and drain you until you finally give out."

"So what's stopping you, go ahead if you dare. Let's see what a great shot you are," said Monica taunting Sarah. How Sarah wanted to.

"No I won't not unless I have to. My husband wouldn't want me too so I'm giving you another…" Sarah never finished when a red dot appeared in the middle of Monica's forehead and she jerked back. "No," screamed Sarah as she dove on top of her but she was gone the Sandman's perfect record remained intact. She took the canister from her hands before she could pull the pin. "Medic, I need a Medic here on the double."

"Out of the way," said a voice behind her. She turned around and it was Devon. He shoved a large gauge needle in Monica's chest extracting a 100 ccs of blood.

"I need to get this back to the hospital in less than a half an hour," said Devon. "Can you get me there?"

"Can you hold on," said Sarah as they ran down to the front of the pier. Fireworks were going off behind them as Sarah knocked a guy off his bike. "Sorry but Happy New Year," she said. "Devon hop on and hold on." She rode a wheelie down the Chicago Avenue then opened up as she hit the interstate. Nothing was going to stop her. There was a two car collision ahead of her. "Awesome time to be awesome," yelled Sarah as she jumped the wreckage and proceeded.

"Slow down we're almost at the hospital," yelled Devon but Sarah drove the bike through the glass doors into the entrance.

"Go, go," yelled Sarah as she slid to a stop. Alex and Sam came out of the cafeteria to see what was going on.

"Momma," yelled Sam as she ran to Sarah with her hands out. "Momma up," said Sam as Sarah snatched her up and hugged her kissing and crying at the same time. She just hoped she'd made it in time.

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Days later outside a darkened room people milled around the door. A crowd gathered and as it grew people seemed to get tired of waiting.

"Can we go in yet," asked Morgan but no one seemed to know most of the people standing outside just shrugged their shoulders. Then final Devon walked out.

"The quarantine has officially been lifted. The CDC just gave us the okay so everyone can come in and see their loved ones.

When they walked in Chuck and Casey were in beds by each other. Sarah was sitting next to Chuck and Kat next to Casey. Ellie brought Sam in who ran over to Sarah. She picked her up but she wanted to be with Chuck so she climbed in bed with him bringing Mr. Rabbit along. She nestled in close refusing to budge.

"Where's Stefan," asked Morgan not seeing him in any of the beds. "Don't tell me he didn't make it? Not after everything?"

"No, I got them to get him home early. He had an appointment he had to keep. I promised him I'd get him home in time for Svyatki and I keep my word. Speaking about going home, don't you think it's about time?"

"Well your doctor has you on bed rest for a couple of weeks so you can forget going into work when we go home. I don't know if this is the time but I have some news Emma and Molly are coming to visit with Jack."

"Boy you're going to get a lot of rest with Jack around," said Casey. "Kat, I'm sorry things got screwed up again. I don't remember much of anything did I say anything I ought to apologize for?"

"Not a thing, John," said Kat as she kissed him on the forehead. Casey turned ten shades of red.

"All is right with the world," said Chuck as Sarah bent close and they kissed. Looking down Sam was sound asleep lying next to Chuck.

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Continued Chuck vs A Horse With No Name