ThePromise9
A/N: I'm done.
Hwy 171
Arkansas
May 2009
Chuck had pushed the big Harley as fast as it seemed capable of and still it wasn't enough. He needed to escape this reality and speed seemed to be the best way. No, he wasn't suicidal, he just wanted one thing, just one, to at least seem right.
He roared through little places in the road with names such as Toad Creek (pop. 93), Watershed (pop. 54) and Grundyville (pop 106). The cluster of buildings and houses whirled by while their populations were announced on state-provided information road signs. Like the average person would want to know that Beulah's Hollow (pop. 44) actually had a population of 43 since Ezra Sanderson cut his foot off with a chain saw and bled to death last winter while cutting firewood. Tragedy in fly-over country. Still, Chuck found such places peaceful reminders of gentler and less complicated or complex times.
And now he pondered the question he'd been avoiding for the last 70 miles. How do dead people get divorced?
Veterans' Hospital
Psychiatric Unit
Little Rock, AR
May 2009
"Is that everything?"
"Yeah, that's everything. The Unit will send that stuff back to Chuck in Eureka Springs. I don't know what he'll do with it but I sure can't take it with us. It's his problem since he brought it over here in the first place. I can't believe I'm free of this place. What a nightmare it's been."
"It's been hell on Chuck. He's been busting his ass teaching and tutoring, coming here and spending every spare moment with you and still getting refresher downloads for the intersect. On top of that he still 'consults' for the agencies flashing on stuff they send him. I don't know how he's kept body and soul together, but he did it all for you, Sarah."
'Yeah, and you've shown all the gratitude in the world to him. Do you even think about the risk he takes downloading and flashing now with that bulge in his carotid? Of course you don't. Because he never told you, did he? He thinks he has to be a hero to be worthy of the Great Sarah Walker. Sometimes I don't think you're worthy of him, Sarah Walker.' Bryce was growing tired of her attitude towards his friend.
"He's always been good at multi-tasking. Must be the Geek in him coming through. Nerd, Sarah, not Geek.She turned around and said, "Chuck, I meant…" but there was no one there. She knew what she heard. His voice. She must be tired.
Bryce Larkin's spidey sense was on high alert. First she screws up the plan that he and Chuck had worked out with the Powers That Be, then she totally blows off the fact that her husband had almost died to protect her and tore his life apart to be with her during her recovery and now she calls him a fucking GEEK? He'd promised his friend he'd have his back. And he would.
This Sarah Walker was a cheap imitation of the real deal. Must be the effects of the refresher. He'd have to talk to some techs when they got back to D.C. about clearing out the crap in her mind and restoring her to her senses. This Sarah Walker was almost as bad as the pimple-plagued one.
"Let's go, Bryce. We have a flight to D.C. to catch. I can't wait to get home to our apartment and just do anything I want to for a week until refresher training begins. I've been out of the field too long as it is."
The Hog Wallow Bar & Grille
Eureka Springs, AR
1am
Casey, now Chief Casey Johnson aka SugarBear, listened in rapt disbelief as Chuck told him of his day with Sarah. Instead of a happy reunion for the 3 former teammates it was now a 2-man drinking bout and Casey was about 4 Bushmill's behind his younger friend.
Y'know, John X., I think she's one of those Arnold Schwartkopferstein things, the metal robots with skin, sent here from the future to ruin mine. Beckman is still fucking with me, John X. and she's so far underground she's sitting on nickel iron. I can't believe Sarah's forgotten me, us, like it was just flushed down the memory hole of her mind."
Casey turned red. The 'memory hole of her mind' was something he had said to Chuck at the very beginning of this mess. He had been trying to taunt him but had failed. Thank God for that.
Chuck suddenly paled and turned to Casey, almost falling off he swivel stool and grabbing the bar for balance.
He looked around furtively and said quietly "Casey, you know how mission-driven Sarah is, do you think she was using this all to better control me, John X? I mean, shit, would Sarah Walker have gone so far into her deep cover to have actually married a loser geek like me just to accomplish her mission? Would she?"
Casey was rapidly losing focus of Chuck's points and so he was slow to answer. He was thinking and even 6 ounces of Bushmill's ahead of Casey he could stay ahead of him in the mind department.
"Never mind, my friend, you just answered my question." Chuck slid off the barstool suddenly sober.
"Casey, school's almost done and I'm free for the summer and I'm thinking about a road trip. Think the PTB would shat their collective drawers if I told them 'hey, I'm on vacation until August?"
"Yep, you'd be vacationing in a nice dank cellar right along side Beckman."
Chuck's visage darkened noticeably. "It would be worth it for what she's done to my uh, done to Sarah. Think the General would appreciate a conjugal visit with a roto-rooter?"
Casey laughed. The Bitch had better pray that none of Team Bartowski's surviving members got her alone.
"Hopefully the guards are taking care of her needs. I saw one once. Her nickname was 'Large Marge' and she had a Jim Crocce moustache and a tattoo on her arm that said "Lez Luv". Gave me nightmares."
"Well, goodbye, Major Casey," and staggered out of the bar. He was drunk, knew it and since his hog didn't have training wheels or outriggers, he walked home to his apartment.
Twenty minutes later a very sober Casey Johnson was talking with Chuck's handlers. They'd have to be especially vigilant this next week.
It was his 1st wedding anniversary in 5 days. And he's referred to him as "Major Casey" - a red flag. Chuck Bartowski did not make mistakes like that. Not even drunk like he was. He urged them not to underestimate the skills of Chuck Bartowski. The man had an evil genius side to him. Just ask former General Beckman.
If he went off the grid this time, there would be no deals or mercy. Just a bullet.
Continental Flight 331
Little Rock/Memphis/Washington
2pm
Bryce Larkin was deep in thought. He had to somehow break through this veneer covering Walker's mind and find out what the hell was wrong in there. Did she marry Chuck for love? Duty? He loved her. No doubt. But did she love Chuck?
Sarah Walker was not deep in thought. Her mind was a blank awaiting some stimuli. Her eyes were closed feigning sleep but her mind was waiting, ready to respond as required based upon the incoming stimuli.
"Sarah, are you awake?"
"Yes, I'm awake. Just resting my eyes. I have the beginnings of one of those headaches I've told you about. I don't know why. I've been sitting here trying to keep my mind blank and restful."
"Why did you marry Bartowski? Did you love him? Or did you think it would make controlling your mark easier? Just curious." These were loaded questions. Why, did, think. All action words. Especially 'did' since it was past tense.
"He was becoming difficult to control. He wanted more from a relationship that was already on the verge of crossing the line. I could not become compromised. When he asked me in Las Vegas after bringing down the laundry operation I guess it was sort of a reward for him for the good job he'd done. Nothing more, really. Why do you want to know these things? You're not jealous of a guy like Chuck Bartowski, are you, Bryce?"
"Why was it necessary to control him? He was always a help. Sure he got into trouble but more times than not Sarah, he saved your team's ass. That makes him special, not difficult."
Bryce could see that Walker was becoming agitated. "He wouldn't stay in the c-c-car. He wasn't trained and he c-c-could have gotten us all killed. He w-w-wanted more from our relationship than a h-h-handler can give. He w-w-wanted m-m-me to love him b-b-baaaack. It was easier to g-g-go to the Justice of the P-p-p-peace than to argue with him. I-I-I m-m-m-ade us go to a priest. B-b-b-efore G-g-g-g-od."
Bryce was elated. She had wanted the marriage too. That's why she wanted the priest. So no one would think she was playing him around.
"So, Sarah, do you love my friend, your husband, Chuck Bartowski?"
She didn't answer. Bryce could see her struggling with something that was just too strong for her. The scream brought stewardesses running. She was sceaming and vomiting and gasping out "I won't forget him. His name is Chuck, Chuck Bartowski, and he is my husband and my love."
Eureka Springs, AR
Office of Dewey, Sooem & Howe, Attorneys at Law
2:55pm
"Yes, Mr. Barton, everything that is said in here is privileged communication and cannot be divulged even under threat of Contempt of Court."
"Ok, but how about if someone had your mother and says 'Tell me what he said or the bitch dies'"
Eureka Springs, AR
OUTSIDE the Office of Dewey, Sooem & Howe, Attorneys at Law
3:00pm
"Well, that wasn't quite the answer I expected" said a surprised Chuck Bartowski to himself.
The man known as Charlie Barton got on his motorcycle and headed out of town. School was over for the summer and despite what Casey told him, it was time for a road trip. He was going to go get answers from the source. He was going to FT Meade and chat up the new director. Maybe the NSA would spring for an attorney. After all, it was their damned fault in the first place.
The Hog Wallow Bar & Grille
Eureka Springs, AR
10:30pm
Chief Casey Johnson always stopped in on his way home. He was adapting quite well to his new life. He pushed up to the bar just as Billy Bob Dewey the sleaze lawyer delivered his punch line. "'And then Charlie Barton asked me "well, how about if someone had your mother and says 'tell me what he said or the bitch dies'".
Once the laughter died down the Chief pulled Billy Bob aside and said "what exactly did Charlie ask you, Billy Bob?" Something about the look on his face cut the joke from his mouth. "He asked about client confidentiality. He wants to divorce his wife but he says it's complicated and he can't explain unless there's no way I can't tell nobody about anything said."
"Oh, shit. Exactly when was this?"
"Today about 3pm, why?"
Casey got on the horn to Chuck's handlers. "You two done playing house? Where's the intersect?"
Eureka Springs Police Department
Eureka Springs, AR
2am
"No, Mr. Director of the NSA, you listen to me. It was your predecessor who caused this shit storm and it's going to be your successor who fixes it if you don't lift the sanction from Chuck Bartowski and get that Dr. Mengele wanna-be to reexamine Sarah Walker Bartowski and get that shit out of her head. What's it going to be? A Congressional Committee? Evening news? A low-yield nuke in your parking spot? You know he can do any of those things. Glad you understand and will comply, sir. It's good having a Republican in your position for a change."
"Chuck, you owe me big-time, son. And I intend to collect. Good luck, Chuck."
FT Meade, MD
HQ, NSA
4:40pm
A dirty and tired Chuck Bartowski pulled up at the main gate of the NSA compound in FT Meade. He was stopped by an Army MP who demanded ID and purpose of visit. Chuck told him the purpose of his visit was classified way above his pay grade and that knowledge of his very existence would put the MP and his family at great personal risk.
The MP shook his head and thought "Jesus, another nutball."
"Sir, I'm sorry but you may not enter without complying with my request." He didn't think a filthy biker was exactly expected by anyone currently in the employ of the NSA.
"OK, Private, which one of these meets with your requirements?" The MP looked up from his clipboard into the face of one Charles Irving Bartowski, NSA ID card with the privileged red border. But perhaps it was the M1911 pistol shoved into his crotch that proved the tiebreaker.
"Y-Y-Y-You may pass, Agent Bartowski. Sorry for any delays."
"No problem. Have a nice day." He replaced the ID and the pistol, restarted his Harley and roared into the medical unit. He'd been there before, many times, and was surprised the MP hadn't recognized him.
In fact the MP had been on duty 3 times and passed Chuck through each time but he wasn't riding a Harley or looking like he hadn't had a good shower since Clinton was president.
Now that he was here, he had no idea what to do next. None whatsoever.
Continental Flight 331
4:45pm Reagan Int'l Airport
Bryce Larkin had the director of the NSA on the phone. He was explaining the situation with Sarah Walker when he heard the director's secretary announce 'Charles Bartowski , Director.'
"Director, Sarah Walker is Sarah Walker Bartowski. Don't let Chuck leave. We're coming to him. She's in some kind of fugue state because of what your brain-drainers did. Let me warn you, Director, if you fail to remedy this situation, the man you're looking at is quite capable of starting a war and winning. Don't dick around with him. He's good people and will be your best friend or worst nightmare. Ask Diane Beckman. She fucked with his family and he destroyed her in 9 days. You're no match for him."
Chuck apologized profusely for his appearance and style of entry but explained that he needed the agency's help in obtaining a divorce. He spent the next 2 hours explaining everything to the new director who took notes, asked questions and on at least two occasions had tears in his eyes.
"Chuck, this is the most incredible thing I've ever heard. This isn't 1/10 of the briefing I got when I took this job. You've help explain why we're losing female agents, why resignations and retirements are at all time high levels. I'll help you in any way I can if you would at least consider one small favor for me."
"What's the favor? Nuke Iran? Find out what the deal is on Lost? Can you be a little less obtuse, sir?"
"Help me fix this agency, Chuck. I need people with integrity and who are tomorrow minded. You've shown a lot of us what's wrong. Help us maximize what's right. Will you at least consider it?"
"I'm a teacher now. Not an administrator. Call up Bryce Larkin at the CIA. He will do the job and won't worry about the bodies. He's career CIA and will probably end up marrying his partner. He's a good man, totally unreasonable but a good man to have your back. If he says 'no' call me and I'll get you a replacement. I don't figure I'll be around all that long. Between the thing in my neck and my motorcycle, well, it'll be a fine ride to the end, Director. But I'll still do the flashing for you. And the upgrades. Just consider Larkin."
The Director finally understood what John Casey had meant. He inspired people through personal loyalty and example.
"Chuck, your wife is being brought here as we speak. She suffered a mental breakdown on the flight here from Little Rock. Her partner was on the phone when you were announced and he demanded I hold you here..."
The M1911 was steady in his hand. "Put your hands flat on the desk, Director. Make any sudden moves and you'll envy Diane Beckman. When will you people stop fucking around with my family? You've destroyed my marriage, although I think that was on it's way out anyhow. She just married me to control me and the intersect. Stupid me thought it was love. But for her it was duty. Her partner is Bryce Larkin, by the way. But my recommendation still stands."
"Now, I'm going to leave. You won't be able to find me. You'll never hear from me again. Director, don't make me hurt anyone but if you guys try to restrain me in any way, your recruiting problems are the least of your worries.
"Thank you for your time, sir. If Larkin isn't to your liking, look up John Xavier Casey. He's a bigger prick than you'd imagine but he and I always saw eye-to-eye on the big picture."
The entire briefing and subsequent conversations were being monitored throughout the executive suite. Every word was recorded but was also listened to by scores of average people.
When Chuck backed out of the Director's office he was hit by 7 trank darts; instinctively he turned and raised his weapon and was hit 4 more times resulting in a massive overdose. He was still trying to find an enemy to take with him when he lost consciousness and collapsed in a smelly heap on the floor.
FT Meade, MD
NSA Secure Medical Facility
"Casey, why won't he see me? It's been 3 days. Is he punishing me for what happened on the beach? Is it because of something Beckman did? Have I done something? I don't understand, Casey, and no one will tell me a damned thing."
"Bryce Larkin. Chuck said Bryce called that night and said he 'had his back'. He's the one who called 911. He's the one that thought up this whole scheme. It might have worked except that Chuck knew you were going back to Bryce. Going deep cover. And you confirmed it when you said he could teach and you could spy. What kind of marriage is that, Sarah Walker? He thinks you played him for control by marrying him. He said you're so committed and so focused on the mission that marriage was just a means to an end. He actually admires that in you. Go figure."
"Casey, he knows that isn't true. He knows that the marriage is real. I know it's real. My feelings for him are real. Why won't he see me? Tell me how he feels and let us talk about it. I just don't understand. You know what the refresher did. Why doesn't he understand that it wasn't me who wouldn't go with him, that it wasn't me."
"You need to hear something. A recording made right before those NSA idiots overdosed him. He's flat-lined 4 times since the beach. FOUR times, Walker. Maybe he's afraid next time will be the one that kills him. In spite of what these people think, there is no 'Super Chuck', there's just the guy who wanted the girl he couldn't have. The guy who thought he had to be a hero just for you to see him. I'm tired of talking to you or anyone else about this. There is one thing Chuck asked me and I couldn't answer. "
"He asked me if Sarah Walker would have gone so far into her deep cover protecting the intersect that she would actually marry a loser geek like him just to accomplish her mission?"
"Nerd, Casey, not geek."
"His words not mine. I couldn't answer him. To many "Yes" precedents. Not enough 'No's."
"Listen to this recording. While you were being brought here for treatment, they tried to prevent him from leaving. A misunderstanding on his part but warranted based on his history with us spooks. Listen to it and if you still want to talk to him, I'll get Larkin to arrange it."
Sarah listened and analyzed the high points. She would need to understand his perspective to beat him. She would win this war.
"He's career CIA and will probably end up marrying his partner…. I don't figure I'll be around all that long. Between the thing in my neck and my motorcycle…" then the Director speaking to Chuck "Her partner was on the phone…and he demanded I hold you here..." then Chuck again "You've destroyed my marriage, although I think that was on it's way out anyhow. She just married me to control me and the intersect. Stupid me thought it was love. But for her it was duty."
Sarah was angry. She was angry because everyone seemed to have forgotten that she had no say so in her actions. That she was controlled and manipulated. That the 'programming' made her do and say what people saw and heard. It wasn't her. It wasn't Sarah Bartowski.
She found Casey and Larkin sitting in the cafeteria drinking coffee. "When were either of you assholes going to tell me about the thing in his neck? What's this about him not being around all that long and why does he think I'm going to marry my partner when I'm already married in the eyes of Man and God? We got married twice, once for the rule of Man and then once in God's eyes. I wanted to satisfy my own fears and show all of them that I was marrying him for love not out of the need to control him."
"I love my husband and I want to see him and you have 5 minutes to make it happen before I go Bartowski on your sorry asses. Make it happen. And someone get one of these necrophiliac doctors to explain to me in simple terms what's wrong with Chuck."
"Oh, and the next time someone forgets to tell me my husband has died FOUR FRIGGIN' TIMES, I will make him envy Diane Beckman, is that clear?"
John X. Casey snapped to attention, years of training recognizing command authority. "Yes, ma'am, crystal." No one laughed. No one dared.
She got her medical briefing. The doctor described it as a bad tire getting over-inflated and blowing out. The simplicity horrified her. The possibility terrified her. She insisted on knowing if sex, flashing, anger, or mundane things like high blood pressure could cause it. While she was relieved in some instances, not in all.
"So if he has a really intense flash, one that contains emotional triggers, he could experience arterial failure?"
"Yes. But not real everyday activities like running, sex, extreme exercise, or even recreational drug use. Although no one condones such things, you need to know the hazards."
"Agent Walker, we monitor Chuck's injured carotid wall monthly when he updates. It's strong, not narrowing at all, although diet will forestall natural narrowing due to cholesterol or arteriosclerosis. His arteries are fine, Agent Walker, it's his heart some of us who've been monitoring this situation are worried about."
"It's Bartowski, not Walker. What about his heart? Has he had problems? How could I have missed them?"
"Severe problems. You weren't here when it first occurred, you were in Refreshing. That's the first time his heart was broken."
"I…see. Well, we'll work on that, he and I. Is there anything else?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"No monitoring of any kind, no cameras, no voice bugs, no laser scanners, no putting your ear to the keyhole, understand me?"
Sarah got her alone time with her husband.
He was off the respirator. It had been more of a precaution than a necessity anyway. She disconnected all the leads to the ECG and EKG monitors. She left the IV's in but that was it. She'd had a nurse remove his catheter since she didn't know how and didn't want anything to happen to… well, she had plans for it for the next 4 or 5 decades, maybe even longer.
She stripped off all her clothes and his hospital gown. She crawled into bed and wrapped herself around him as firmly but gently as possible and treated herself to his scent from the source, not his t-shirts. She fell asleep and rested naturally for the first time since this nightmare had begun. No dreams, no nightmares, just a deep healing sleep.
The nightmare began like a tsunami, first drawing back the water and then rushing in with a series of crushing blows.
'You'll never get her back, you know that. Let her go. You're not good enough for her. Look at her, she's hot, a fox, smart, sexy and she's a spy. Let her be the best with the best, Chuck, you selfish bastard. Let her go with Bryce. He's been a true friend, now repay him.' He didn't recognize the voice but it seemed calm and reassuring.
Chuck was watching them dance the Tango and the voice became more seductive and reasonable. 'Look how they move as one, depending on each other and relying only on themselves. They have the gestalt you and Sarah Larkin never had or would have had. Release her, free her, allow her to achieve her destiny, allow her to be Sarah Larkin, Queen to his King, royalty of the spy world. And you, the court jester, you were and are the ultimate jest.'
The voice was now a hiss, like the snake in the Garden of Eden. 'I should have killed you at the beach but I was weak. I'm stronger now, intersect, and you won't escape me this time. Neither will she – unless you release her. Release her to me - the Greater Good. Releasssssse Sarah Larkin.'
Sarah woke to a change in Chuck. He was trembling and his scent now contained a smell she'd learned to recognize in herself - fear.
"Chuck, hey, Chuck, wake up, it's OK Chuck. I'm here. No one's going to hurt you. I'm not going anywhere, baby, I'm where I belong."
She ran her fingertips over his jaw and down his neck to the scar of the gunshot wound.
Sarah traced the outline of the scar with the pad of a fingertip. So close. A matter of millimeters one way a miss, the other, a kill. Thank God she'd missed.
Her fingertips touched the chain he wore, traced it until she found his wedding ring. She removed it from the chain and placed it on his finger.
With this ring I thee wed, Chuck Bartowski, until death us do part. Happy anniversary, husband mine. The next 40 years will be better, I promise.
Epilogue
Charlie Barton returned to Eureka Springs in late August alone. People who knew him recognized a change in the young man, a sense of serenity and peace that had been absent when he first arrived. Most wrote it off to finally adjusting to the trauma of his military service. Others noted the deep tan, the added muscle and sun-bleach hair and figured he'd just had a helluva vacation.
He paid cash money for a home perched on the side of a mountain with a panoramic view of the ridges and valleys comprising his 100 acres causing more than one eyebrow to be raised wondering why Charlie suddenly felt the need for a house with 5 bedrooms, Jacuzzis and a 200 gallon hot water heater when he didn't have a girlfriend and didn't even date.
The first day of class was a teacher's in-service meeting. During a break the superintendent of schools brought in a new teacher to the district. They'd gotten an unsolicited government grant to fully fund a 5-year test program for Modern Languages and had been offered the contract services of a teacher who spoke 7 languages fluently. Since the 'gummint' was paying the salary and benefits for the entire 5 years it was a no-brainer for the Board to rubber stamp her application. She had 5 years teaching experience overseas at US military bases.
"Hey, Charlie, I'd like you to meet Sarah Wall, she's new this year. Thought you wouldn't mind showing her around the school and maybe the town. She's going to be teaching languages. Sarah, this is Charlie Barton, Physics and Computer Science and our resident mystery man. Charlie's a vet and still has some military obligations but we just look the other way when he leaves to do his thing. He always comes back, our Charlie."
The Superintendent leaned down and looked Charlie Barton right in the eye and said in a stiff paternal voice "Of course, if he doesn't learn to keep that Harley of his below 100mph on these mountain roads he might not be so lucky next time, right Charlie?"
Sarah Wall looked at the Superintendent. "Lucky next time? What happened the last time?" She reached under the table and took his hand in hers, marveling again at the perfect fit.
"Well, to hear Chief Johnson tell it right you'd have to come down to the Wallow some night, but the Chief says old Charlie was flitting along one evening last week doing about 90 according to his radar, on the old winding road to his aerie out there in the woods when a big buck strolled out in the middle of the road right in front of him. Charlie just takes the hog off road, down the mountainside, betwixt the trees mind ye, and after about a mile or so comes out on the road where he's already been. When he passed the Chief again he was going 120 mph and grinning like the idiot he is."
Sarah looked at Charlie in wonder and under the table Sarah Walker broke a finger on her husband's hand when she involuntarily gave in to her panic. The look she gave him was a mixture of fear, dread, worry and 'wait until I get you alone, Chuck Bartowski.' That damned motorcycle was not going to rob her of 40 years of her husband. Maybe they'd get a Volvo or a minivan…
After a whirlwind courtship of less than a semester, Sarah Wall and Charlie Barton were married in a local church on New Year's Eve. Neither had any family but the wedding was well attended by the locals. Both had become very popular in the short time they'd lived in the Springs. Gifted teachers were hard to come by this far from the cities.
Charlie's Army buddy was his best man while his nemesis and best friend, Chief Johnson, walked the bride down the aisle. Her Maid of Honor was a pediatrician someone heard, who had just ended a brief marriage to another doctor in California. The sparks flew between the Chief and the Maid of Honor. Some predicted another marriage soon. And the town could always use another doctor.
When the minister said, "You may now kiss the bride" the kiss was so hot and passionate that at least one older woman swooned. She was later to be heard confiding in her 'man friend' that whoever had said that Charlie was a bit gay must have been crazy or had a touch of the vapors.
There was a final surprise for the Bride. Her husband gave her a midnight blue Porsche as a wedding present.
There was one note not mentioned at the wedding. The best man had given the newlyweds a secret present. They'd never know about it but it was for them.
US Government High Security Detention Center
Location Unknown
"Prisoner Beckman, you have a visitor."
"That will be all, Officer. I'll speak with her alone, please."
After the guard had left and secured the door, Bryce Larkin, Deputy Director of the NSA, took a seat across from the once haughty woman.
"And who might you be?"
"I have some photographs to show you, Diane. I thought you should see the outcome of your handiwork." He slid large envelope across the table to her. "You can take these back to your cell, Diane, and look at them as long as you like. They're yours to keep. You can reminisce over your accomplishments and see visual proof of your success."
"Have a nice day, Diane."
US Government High Security Detention Center
Location Unknown
Prisoner Beckman was returned to her cell. Once the Officer had secured her door she sat on her bunk and opened the envelope and removed the 8X10 color photographs. Photographs of the wedding party of a man she knew as Chuck Bartowski and his bride, CIA Agent Sarah Walker. As she looked at each of the photos she noticed that her fingertips were becoming numb and that she was becoming short of breath. She looked at the final photograph of 'The Kiss' as it had become locally known. She started to tear the photos in half but couldn't move a muscle.
The contact poison was absorbed through her skin and would evaporate from the photographs within minutes, untraceable. She would live seven long minutes, unable to blink, speak, move and finally not able to breathe. And during those last few minutes before her heart stopped she would know that you couldn't force Chuck Bartowski to break a promise made to Sarah Walker Bartowski and expect anything other than hellfire and defeat.
|END|