Maj. Charles Bartowski & Bryce Larkin / Chuck AU / Thataways

[mm_joann]

The narration cannot be certain because of their general sneakiness, but intel suggests two spies just entered the bar. They both appear to be rather worse for the wear, due to super sekrit rogue spy mission

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[youknowtheword]

Good thing someone got scooped up still in his medical scrubs, huh?

Devon has just settled in with an outdoor sports mag when an extremely ragged-looking pair comes in through the door.

Doctor's instinct has him halfway to them before he recognizes the guy who's worst off.

"Chuck?"

This sinking feeling of horror is, apparently, the downside of having a brother-in-law who's a high level CIA asset.

[mm_anomalous]

THIS IS NOT THE CHUCK YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. AWESOME CAN GO ABOUT HIS BUSINESS. MOVE ALONG.

In other words, Bryce is swiftly sneaking away (or as swiftly as you can move with a 6'4" man in fireman's carry).

[youknowtheword]

Not so damn fast, guy Devon doesn't know!

"Hold it!" he yells, starting after them. "That's my brother you got there! And I'm a doctor!"

This is, for the moment, the exact order of importance for these two facts.

[talldarkngoofy]

"Nggggh," adds Charles into the conversation.

Maybe it means he recognises Devon!

Or it could mean 'I have never met this person before in my life'. So much is lost in translation.

[mm_anomalous]

Bryce, on the other hand, takes that as a sign that he needs to vanish.

LIKE A NINJA.

>> >> >>

[youknowtheword]

There will be no ninja-ing off on Devon's watch, thank you very much. He may be on the tail end of a very long, very busy shift, and he may not have any special CIA training, but there is one advantage he does have:

He is not encumbered by a large, semi-conscious man.

"Look," he says, catching up, "let's get him to the infirmary so I can have a look at him, and then you can tell me what the hell happened, who the hell you are, and what the hell his handlers were doing when this happened."

John and Sarah better hope they're dead already, because otherwise, they will have to deal with Devon.

[mm_anomalous]

"You have no idea what's going on," Bryce says in a near-deadly monotone. "I don't know who you are--" he pulls out a silenced pistol from an unseen holster "--but I'm giving you one warning. Get. Away."

[youknowtheword]

- oh god that is a gun.

Devon's hands are up practically before he's registered what he's looking at, but he doesn't back off. That's his brother. That's Ellie's brother. This guy's gonna need more than a gun to scare him off.

(Even if he did come thisclose to wetting himself just now. No one needs to know that.)

"I am Devon Woodcomb," he says, "Chuck is my brother-in-law, and he's not gonna be happy with you if you shoot me."

[talldarkngoofy]

Charles... is... not really with reality still. But he does hear his name, and 'Devon Woodcomb', and it sparks some information of the non-Intersect kind.

The 'his sister is dating this man' information.

From somewhere in there, Charles is forcing his brain to keep up with reality, at least for a few minutes, so he can lay a warning hand on Bryce and shake his head, very slightly but firm.

Also pitch forwards a little, because shaking his head is... not... good for him right now.

[mm_anomalous]

Bryce untenses slightly at Charles' hand (it's too calculated to call it 'relaxing') and narrows his eyes.

"He needs to get somewhere where he can rest, and if you can help with that, fine.

"But if you so much as harm one hair on his head..."

Bryce doesn't even have to finish the threat; his eyes do it for him.

[youknowtheword]

Even in the midst of panic and fear (for Chuck, though the gun going away does help ease it somewhat), Devon has room to be insulted. And he is.

But some things are more important right now, so he contents himself with a nasty glare at the guy as he moves to help take some of Chuck's weight.

"Infirmary's that way," he says as he pulls Chuck's arm around his shoulder and puts his own arm around Chuck. "It's okay, Chuck, I'm here, bro, you're gonna be fine."

[talldarkngoofy]

That's great!

Because Chuck is having difficulty remember who Devon is, again.

And... being conscious.

Actually, that stumble forward means he just failed entirely at the conscious thing.

[mm_anomalous]

"Chuck?" Shocked and worried, is our Bryce.

Then his penetrating gaze turns to Devon. "Infirmary. Now."

Some situations are too intense to use the magic words.

[youknowtheword]

Yeah, 'cause that wasn't Devon's idea first or anything.

There is, however, a time and a place for pissing matches, and this is so overwhelmingly neither.

"That way," Devon says, indicating the right direction with his chin. He tightens his hold on Chuck as they make their way along.

[mm_anomalous]

Bryce nods, and does so.

Devon might realize that Bryce is also bleeding. And limping.

...and his wrist is gimping.

[youknowtheword]

Devon's view of Jake

(. . . what? It's a logical assumption based on his conversation with Chuck a few days ago!)

is currently blocked, but he can feel something off in the way Chuck is being moved between them, and he makes a note to take a closer look once they've gotten Chuck taken care of.

Assuming he doesn't end up with a gun in his face again.

They get Chuck into the infirmary and on the nearest bed. Devon's done a few shifts in here, like every doctor in Milliways seems to end up doing, and he knows the place well enough to be able to grab supplies quickly and get to work on his brother.