A/N: Annnnd we're back. I know. I know. It took waaaaaay too long for me to get this chapter out to you good folks. Sorry about that. Real life and all. But now we're back and picking up where we left off with Casey fuming. That's pretty much his default setting though, isn't it?
On with the show...
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Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck
Chapter 31
"What the hell is my baby girl doing with that bearded gnome?!" Casey growled, gritting his teeth.
"Oh boy," Chuck choked out, sharing a concerned glance with Sarah.
"John, shhhh. I wanna hear what she says," Kathleen cut in, waving at him with her eyes glued to the TV.
Alex: "Well, I haven't worked for Mr. Bartowski for long, but when I was down on my luck and my prospects looked bleak, he took a chance on me and gave me a job. They've been wonderful to work for."
Alex spared a glance at Morgan, giving him a small smile before continuing.
Alex: "Because of his kindness and understanding, I can now afford to continue college while gaining invaluable work experience."
Sibley: "I don't suppose I have to ask what camp you guys are in."
Morgan/Alex: "CHARAH!"
Sibley: "Well, there we have it. Some insight into Chuck Bartowski. I think we're all looking forward to tonight's episode to see what's in store for our contestants and who makes it through to the next round. Mario?"
Mario: "Thanks, Sibley. That's all the time we have for tonight. We'll see you next time on Access Hollywood."
The show ended, cutting to a commercial, the entire living room remaining silent. Almost in unison, Casey and Kathleen turned toward Chuck, looks of shock on their face. Before they could say anything Chuck spoke up, filling the awkward silence.
"For the record, I had no idea you even had a daughter until today," Chuck rushed out, holding up his hands in surrender.
"You gave her a job? What happened to the place she was working before?" Casey asked, confusion knitted across his face. Turning to Kathleen, he continued,. "Did you know about this?"
"Well, now I… I knew she'd lost her job," Kathleen confessed, looking contrite. Casey gave her a wide-eyed expression. "The company she worked for closed their offices and took their business overseas. You know how she is. She didn't want to tell you for fear you'd swoop in and try to fix everything." She gave Casey a look that challenged him to argue the point. It was amusing to see the large, gruff man back down, looking almost sheepish. "A couple of days later, she said that her roommate had found her a job working at some software company. Alex was so excited. She told me that the people she'd be working for were really nice, especially the guy she interviewed with."
"That was Morgan. The-the guy on the TV," Chuck interjected. He quickly realized he should have just kept his mouth shut, judging from the look Casey was giving him.
"And how exactly do you know her roommate? Does she 'work for you' too? What sort of place do you run over there?" Casey asked, the accusations anything but subtle.
"Now just a minute-" Chuck began to protest before Kathleen smacked Casey across the chest.
"John Alexander!" she chided, glaring at him. "Don't you dare accuse him of such things."
"Alex's roommate is Sydney, Zondra's assistant," Sarah interjected, coming to Chuck's defense. "She told me that on the set of the show, Chuck had noticed that she'd been upset and he asked what was wrong. Sydney explained that she was faced with losing her apartment, not to mention what was happening to her friend. She explained what Alex was going through and without a second thought, Chuck offered her a job, giving Sydney Morgan's number to pass along."
"Alex told me all about the interview," Kathleen added. "She said that the man that had interviewed her seemed more nervous than she was. I assume that was the bearded guy. Anyway, she seemed to really like him. She said he was polite and respectful," Kathleen concluded, giving a nod of finality, clearly demonstrating that Casey was wrong.
"The day we left LA was the first time I actually met Alex, but she seems like a very bright and strong-willed young woman. If there's anything going on there, she would have to be the one to initiate it. I'm sure she intimidates the hell out of Morgan," Chuck confessed, chuckling at the notion. "I assure you, while Morgan is a bit… unique, he would never do anything to hurt Alex. He's a little clueless sometimes, but certainly he'd never be malicious," Chuck reassured Casey.
Casey looked between the other three in the room and when his gaze fell on Kathleen, the look she gave him was the glare of a practiced parent, silently scolding her child. Receiving the message loud and clear, Casey ducked his head before turning his attention back toward Chuck and Sarah.
"I'm… I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions. I had no right to accuse you. It's just that she's my little girl and I know all too well the types of people that are out there. I trust Walker's opinion. Yours too I suppose," he added, gesturing with his head toward Chuck. "I'll try to withhold my judgement until I meet the guy myself. Then I'll tear his arms off."
"Joohhnnnn…" Kathleen warned, giving him that parental glare again. The large man just slumped further into the chair, grumbling. "Well, now that this drama's over, I'm dying to see your episode of Off Screen Romance." Grabbing the remote, she turned up the volume, wiggling into her seat to get comfortable against Casey. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her in close as they sat back to watch the show.
Sarah and Chuck exchanged amused glances, finding it so out of character, yet endearing, that Casey was so tender toward Kathleen. It was a completely new side of John Casey; protective father and affectionate boyfriend, or whatever he and Kathleen were. As the show began, Chuck and Sarah exchanged a different look, this one of trepidation with the uncertainty of how the final product of the show would reflect the realities that they each experienced.
Alex Forrest: "Good morning gentlemen. After the physical challenge yesterday, today will be the first in a series of group outings. To tell you more about what's in store for you today, let's welcome Sarah."
On screen, Sarah walked into the frame, with her dazzling smile. Chuck couldn't help but hum a small chuckle as his smile mirrored her own. The Sarah sitting next to him turned to look at him with amused curiosity. He just shrugged, looking a tad bit embarrassed. "What?"
Sarah just chuckled, shaking her head, "Just you. Sitting there all doe-eyed while checking out other women on TV," she teased, shoving him with her shoulder.
"Oth-other women? But… but that's you! How can you accuse me of -"
"Shhhh. The show's on," she interrupted, giggling as she pointed at the television. Eventually, Chuck sighed in bemused resignation, settling back in to watch the show.
Sarah: "Good morning, guys. Many of you may not know this, but I'm active in a number of charitable causes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of those. When my schedule allows, I like to visit hospitals wherever I am and meet with the children there who are battling illness. So, today we'll visit the pediatric ward of two area hospitals."
Alex Forrest: "You'll be divided into two groups and shuttled to the chosen hospital, where you'll meet up with Sarah. You'll accompany her, much as a boyfriend might when she makes similar public appearances. Sarah, we'll let you get a head start and your first group of gentlemen will follow behind shortly."
The scene cut to Sarah getting into her limo, Casey holding the door open for her. Kathleen gasped, pointing and waving her finger at the television. "Look, it's you! So handsome in that suit. And you being the gentleman, holding the door open for her," the older woman teased, nudging Casey with her elbow. That earned her a grumbled as he shook his head.
"It's my job, Kath. I'm supposed to hold the door open and escort her places." Kathleen just waved him off, not buying it for a second. After the commercial break, the show returned to footage of a group of contestants being transported to the first hospital, Westside Medical. They showed small interviews with some of the contestants to get their reactions about the upcoming event.
Alex Forrest: "James, are you nervous about going out in public with Sarah, to be surrounded by her fans and the media?"
James: "No, I'm not nervous. Why would I be? It's really just a publicity stunt; all the celebrities do it. They shake a few hands for the camera, maybe write a check and 'BOOM', they're outta there. Can I play nice to some kids for a few minutes if I get to be with Sarah Walker? You bet your ass I can."
The smarmy grin, followed by a knowing wink was the icing on the cake for Kathleen, who gasped in outrage. "That slimy, sack o' shit!" she fumed, strangling the throw pillow that was in her grip. Casey snorted, chuckling at her reaction. She wasn't wrong, but since Casey knew the guy's fate, he could laugh about it now.
"I can't believe he actually said that. Right to the camera! I mean, I knew he was a jerk, but that's a special kind of asshole right there," Chuck added, sounding quite agitated, shaking his head. "He clearly didn't bother to learn anything about you. How much those children mean to you, how passionate you are about helping people and-"
"Baby, calm down," Sarah interrupted, pressing a hand to his cheek. When he looked at her in surprise, he could practically feel the warmth of her smile. "You know, and that's all I care about. I appreciate you getting all worked up over this, but it's really not worth it. Spoiler alert, the nerd gets the girl," she mused, sotto voce.
The goofy grin spread across his face before he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "Well, there's still lots of story left. We'll have to see what happens in the next book of the series," he stated, bouncing his eyebrows. Sarah snickered at his comment, shaking her head in amusement at her nerd.
"I rather enjoyed dinner. I'd like to keep it where it's at, so if you two are finished, some of us are trying to watch the show," Casey groused, though he seemed mildly amused at his own comment. The amusement was short-lived as Kathleen elbowed him in the ribs with a 'tsk'.
"You leave them alone, you big grump. Don't make me turn the TV to the Hallmark Channel," the older woman threatened with a faux scowl and a stern finger. The wide-eyed look of panic on the large man's face was priceless. Chuck and Sarah both fought back laughter, not wanting to incur the wrath of the man that was responsible for their safety.
The group turned their attention back to the show, which was following Sarah through the pediatric ward. Beside Sarah was a doctor who was talking with her and a young girl with a bandage around her head. Chuck gasped and pointed at the screen.
"That's Ellie! Holy crap," Chuck exclaimed, but his features sobered quickly as he turned his attention to Sarah. "They're not going to interview her are they? I mean, that would look really bad with her being a Bartowski and all," he whispered.
Chuckling, Sarah patted his leg comfortingly. "Don't worry. Zondra promised not to reveal her identity on camera. And our … 'discussions' weren't recorded, so you're safe." Chuck sighed with relief, nodding his understanding. Just then Chuck's phone buzzed, nearly startling him. Quizzically he took it out of his back pocket and looked at the message. Smiling, he turned the phone to show Sarah the text.
Ellie: I'M ON TV!
Sarah couldn't help but laugh at Ellie's obvious excitement. She was more like her brother than she probably wanted to admit, but Ellie had the same penchant for getting excited about these sorts of things. Sarah's outburst drew the attention of Casey and Kathleen, who looked on in amusement and bewilderment.
"Sorry," Sarah apologized, trying to get her laughter under control. "That was Ellie, Chuck's sister, texting him more or less the same thing Chuck just said."
Kathleen perked up even more, "Does his sister know… you know?" she asked, pointing between Chuck and Sarah.
"Oh yeah. She, and her boyfriend Devon, were the first to find out. Devon's family owns this place, so he offered it up as a safe haven for us to lay low for a while," Sarah confessed, looking around the great room appreciatively.
"That was awfully nice. So, did you know that was Chuck's sister when you were filming?" Kathleen inquired, gesturing toward the TV where she'd seen the woman in question.
"Not at first. Before we met the kids, I sat down with some of the doctors to film small segments. We talked about the patient's needs and how much people's donations could help the patients and their families, that sort of thing. We wanted to use the show as a platform to help get people out in the communities involved. Anyway, at Westside, Ellie was the last person I met, but there were no cameras for that session, which seemed odd. I noticed her name tag said 'Bartowski', and that's not exactly a common name. So I asked if she knew Chuck, and that's when I got the crash course on all things Chuck," Sarah giggled, grinning from ear to ear as she recalled their meeting.
"She went on and on about how great he was and how a past relationship had really hurt him, causing him to stop dating altogether. She even talked about their troubled childhoods. Ellie just couldn't seem to help but spiral out of control. Now I know where Chuck gets it from," Sarah deadpanned, turning to look at her boyfriend, who only offered a shy smile.
"She didn't know what we were filming that day, but eventually she seemed to put two and two together and realized that I was the 'mystery celebrity'. Oh, God. She was mortified," Sarah admitted, chuckling slightly. "I had to promise not to tell Chuck about it and then I made Zondra swear to not put anything she might have heard from our conversation in the show."
"Well, I take it that you eventually told him. Otherwise, you just stepped in it," Kathleen chuckled.
"Oh, yeah. I came clean later on, but only after I'd made my decision," Sarah added, sharing a smile with Chuck. Turning their attention back to the TV, the show had moved on to the segment at the Children's Hospital. "Ooo. Everyone be quiet. This is gonna be good."
All eyes were on the TV as Alex Forrest narrated over the group of contestants filing out of their shuttle and into the building. Chuck was bringing up the rear, taking it all in, waving 'Hello' to passersby with his signature kind smile. The scene changed to another individual interview, this time it was of Chuck.
Alex Forrest: "Chuck, going to outings such as this, walking in the shadow of Sarah Walker everywhere you go, it might make someone feel jealous or resentful; like they have to take a backseat in her life. How would you cope with that?"
Chuck: "Well, first off, I wouldn't see it as walking in her shadow. Quite the opposite. To be there to witness all the amazing and selfless things that Sarah does, using her celebrity to really make a difference, that would be truly inspiring. You say 'walking in the shadow' but I see it as … basking in the sunlight. That's corny, I-I know, but it's true. Going to events and whatnot, people would be there to see her, not me. Nobody cares who I am, and they shouldn't. If she was a surgeon, I wouldn't be expected to assist her in the operating room nor should I try to share credit for her accomplishments. But that doesn't mean I can't wait on the sidelines to cheer her on or to offer support when she needs it. I could only hope that she would want to offer the same support for me. Isn't that how relationships are supposed to work?"
The TV version of Chuck just gave a shrug, as if it was all that simple. For him, it was, and that's what set him miles apart from the other contestants they had interviewed so far. Sarah turned to Chuck with tears in her eyes.
As she opened her mouth to speak, she was interrupted, by a voice from across the room. "Damn, he's good," Kathleen declared, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can see why you picked him."
Sarah chuckled, a lone tear streaking down her check. "Yeah, he is. I've never seen that interview before. Thank you, Chuck. That was very sweet," she confessed, giving him an adoring smile.
"Oh, for cripes' sake! You two are insufferable- OW!" Casey exclaimed, grabbing his side in pain. Kathleen just glared at him, not even saying a word. Taking the hint, he grumbled and settled in to continue watching the show.
The show continued on, transitioning back to Children's Hospital, where Sarah was greeting sick children and their families, with her entourage of contestants close behind. The look of enjoyment on the children's faces was only equaled by her own expression of joy.
Unfortunately, some of the contestants just didn't get it and keep trying to insinuate themselves between Sarah and the children, attempting to pull her attention away from the primary reason for her visit. While it was obvious that Sarah was trying to be polite, the cameras easily picked up the tightness in her jaw and the flaring of her nostrils.
"God, those guys were being such jerks. I mean, seriously. The whole point of me being there was for me to meet the kids, not have guys paw all over me. Jesus," Sarah huffed in frustration from her position snuggled into Chuck's side.
Alex Forrest: "While it seems that some of our contestants weren't as happy to take a backseat during Sarah's visit, one contestant seemed quite at ease with it."
The show cut to a scene where the camera was panning from the room that Sarah and her followers were located, to an adjacent room, away from the excitement. Chuck was sitting with a young teenage girl, strumming on a ukulele, which looked comically small against his tall frame. Children in the background watched on in fascination as he plucked at the instrument. The girl lay next to him in rapt fascination, her eyes glistening as the smile on her face grew larger as he sang.
"I know
You belong to somebody new
But Tonight, you belong to me
Although
We're apart, your part of my heart
And tonight, you belong to me
Way down by the stream
How sweet it will seem
Once more just to dream
In the moonlight"
As Chuck continued, the scene cut to a different camera angle, this one showing Sarah curiously making her way to see what the commotion was with the growing crowd. She stepped up to the doorway but only watched from afar, not interrupting the scene that was unfolding. The camera angle changed again, showing the smile growing on Sarah's face as she watched. The camera switched back to Chuck as he ended the song with a flourish, giving the girl a goofy smile. When the area erupted in applause, Chuck was genuinely taken by surprise, his face reddening with embarrassment at the unwanted attention.
Several camera angles caught the children, parents and staff, encouraging Chuck to play another song. He seemed sheepishly reluctant, but when the girl he was sitting beside gave him an emphatic nod, he seemed helpless to resist her.
Chuck: "Ok. One more. Hmmm, what to play?"
After tapping his chin in thought, he perked up, straightening in the chair.
Chuck: "Oh! I've got one. This is one of my favorites."
The 'Sarah' sitting in the cabin gasped slightly, shifting in her seat with the anticipation of what was about to happen. Kathleen spared a curious glance toward Sarah, but just as quickly brought her focus back to the television. On screen, Chuck cleared his throat and the onlookers grew silent as Chuck began to play.
"You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged, oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
The darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small"
Both women watching the television began to sniff, as the lyrics and the moment being captured truly pulled at their heart strings. Chuck himself was getting a little emotional as well, a lump forming in his throat as he relived the touching moment with that sick young girl. As the on screen Chuck continued, the cameras alternated between Chuck and the young girl and the reactions of the onlookers that had gathered in even greater numbers.
When he reached the chorus, the girl joined in, singing with him. While it was a little gravely at first, her strength and clarity grew as they sang together. It was all too much for Sarah and Kathleen, both of them covering their mouths as they began to sob. They weren't the only ones though. As the camera panned around the room, there were happy tears streaking the faces of many in attendance.
As their duet came to a close, the young girl broke into tears but was quickly enveloped by a hug from Chuck. There was hardly a dry eye in the room as the applause continued. Chuck stood, gesturing toward the girl, encouraging their applause for her with clapping of his own. It was then that Sarah entered the scene. It was clear that she had been crying, but she had masked it fairly well. The camera caught her glance at Chuck, but she quickly returned her attention to the young girl. Sarah gave her a hug as she offered the young girl praise. They filmed a few moments more, showing the joy on the faces of Sarah and the girl before cutting to a commercial.
Sarah and Kathleen took the opportunity to find tissues to wipe their eyes and blow their noses. Chuck wiped a few tears from his cheek as well and there was even the slight hint that Casey might have been moved by the experience, averting his attention from the others in the room.
"OK. I stand corrected," Kathleen began between sniffles. "If that right there didn't seal the deal, I have no idea what would. Good lord. Chuck… that was… that was so incredibly sweet. You made that girl's day. Hell, I'm sure she'll remember that for the rest of her life," she exclaimed, wiping under her eyes with a tissue.
"Well, it's certainly something I won't forget either. It … it felt really good to put a smile on her face; to help her forget about where she was, if only for just a moment. I see why you do it," he admitted, turning to Sarah. "It really is a great feeling."
Sarah nodded, wiping at her eyes as well. "It is. It's almost like a drug. Once you get a taste of it, you can't help but want that feeling every day." Chuck nodded his understanding, pulling Sarah into his side as she sat back on the couch beside him. "Much like you," Sarah confessed, looking up at Chuck through her lashes with a wry smile.
"Oh God. On that note, I need another drink," Casey groused, standing from the couch and heading toward the bar.
"Oh, you old grouch," Kathleen said, chastising her date, hitting him in the back with a throw pillow. "Don't you let him fool you. He's a romantic at heart, he's just afraid people won't find him as intimidating if he shows that side of himself." The large man just growled, mumbling to himself as he fixed himself another drink.
Chuck and Sarah snickered under their breaths at the banter between Kathleen and Casey. His gruff persona might seem off putting to others, but Kathleen seemed to not let it phase her, seeing the good man that lay beneath the rough exterior. Sarah felt, in a way, it was not unlike her and Chuck. Some might dismiss him outright for being a nerd; a moniker that he took great pride in. But she saw the wonderful, caring man inside, and the attractive package it came in was just icing on the cake. Humming quietly to herself at the thought, she snuggled closer to Chuck as the commercial break ended.
Alex Forrest gave a recap of what had happened before the break, as the scene showed Kailey, the young girl that Chuck had been singing with, offering her ukulele for Sarah and Chuck to sign. Seeing the third-person perspective of the events showed it in a whole new light for Chuck and Sarah. The unbridled joy on the young girl's face, coupled with the smiles on the faces of the would-be lovebirds was one thing, but the bashful side glances the Chuck and Sarah exchanged on screen made it all too clear that there was something growing between the two of them.
After some more cut scenes of Sarah talking with other children and their families, Alex introduced a candid moment of Chuck and Sarah talking away from the crowds. "Gah! Those cameras are literally everywhere," Sarah grumbled as she covered her face with her hand. The camera zoomed in closer and picked up the audio of the conversation.
Chuck: "Um… about… about the thing with Kailey. I'm… I'm sorry if I detracted from your visit. The kids in the room just seemed left out and she looked like she could use a friend. I didn't mean to make a scene or anything."
Chuck rushed out in apology, holding his hands up in surrender. Sarah looked on in bewilderment, trying to make sense of what he was saying. She shook her head, chuckling to herself.
Sarah: "Chuck, what you did back there was incredible. Sure, part of the reason I want to do these visits is to help the hospitals gain some visibility in the media, to help them attract more donors and more community support. But the main reason I do it is for that right there."
Sarah pointed at Kailey, who was admiring the signatures on her ukulele, a dreamy expression on her face. The sight brought on a new smile to Sarah's face as she turned back to Chuck.
Sarah: "While she did seem genuinely excited to see me, the way her face lit up when you two were singing… that was priceless. No PR campaign, no drug or doctor did that. You did. Just being the kind and caring person you are, you made that girl's day. Even more, you helped give her hope. So, please, don't apologize for that. In fact, thank you."
The camera shifted slightly, highlighting Sarah's face as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth, seemingly lost in her thoughts. Finally, she moved forward and gave Chuck a quick kiss on the cheek. Sarah pulled away, giving him a shy smile before turning and walking to the next child in the room. Chuck just stood rooted in place, his mouth slightly agape with a far off look on his face. The camera stayed on him for a moment longer, just long enough for a large hand to come into view, clapping Chuck on the back. Panning, the camera revealed Casey, standing beside Chuck, both men watching Sarah interact with the children. Without missing a beat, or changing expressions, the large man spoke.
Casey: "Close your mouth, kid. Drooling on your shirt ain't gonna win you no brownie points."
As quickly as he had appeared, he vanished, the camera cutting to a different shot of Sarah and the other contestants elsewhere in the children's ward. The women in the cabin's great room burst into laughter at the comment and deadpan delivery. Casey chuckled aloud as well, feeling rather proud of himself. Chuck on the other hand, looked quite sheepish, sinking further into the couch as he tried to avoid eye contact.
"Aww, Baby. The look on your face was so adorable. I had no idea a little kiss on the cheek would affect you so much," Sarah stated, reaching a hand up to caress his cheek. The gesture went a long way toward diminishing his embarrassment, but he still looked a little flushed.
"There's no such thing as a 'little kiss' when it comes from you," he admitted, glancing at her briefly.
"You're gonna give me such an ego, you know that?" she replied, shaking her head, looking a little embarrassed herself. Sarah leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, though it was much longer than the one they'd just witnessed on the television. "Don't worry. I'll have plenty of 'little kisses' for you later," she whispered into his ear as she slowly pulled away. That made Chuck's eyes widen and a grin grow across his face.
After the commercial break, the show came back with Alex Forrest introducing the portion of the show where Sarah was to make her determinations on who would be going home.
Alex Forrest: "Good evening, gentlemen. It's been a long day for all of you, no doubt. Your visits to area hospitals today have given you just a small taste of the types of charitable work Sarah does and the role a significant other might play. Here's Sarah to talk a little bit about her observations."
The camera panned to Sarah, who walked into view wearing a stunning burgundy dress, her hair falling in ringlets over her shoulders. Chuck let out a gasp, much like he had the first time he saw her in that dress during the filming of this ceremony.
"God, you looked amazing," he whispered reverently as he stared at the television. Quickly, he turned his head to face Sarah, who was looking up at him with a grin. "I mean, y-you always look amazing," he back pedaled, "but that dress… you just took my breath away. You still do," he shrugged shyly. Sarah began to speak on the television, bringing their attention back to the screen.
Sarah: "Thank you Alex. As I hope was evident today, I take my charitable work seriously. Giving back to the community is very important to me, and I'm looking for someone who understands and appreciates that. I also need someone that can share in that and support me in those pursuits. Today, a number of you demonstrated that attempting to win my favor was more important than the purpose for our visit; the children. Your behavior today directly affected the choices I've made for this evening. As I call your name, please step forward."
Sarah paused, for dramatic effect and the music they chose began to build, adding to the tension and the camera panned across the assembled contestants. Some looked nervous, while others looked cocky, feeling sure of themselves. When the camera passed over Chuck, he definitely looked worried, his eyes shifting to look at some of the other contestants nearby before returning his gaze to Sarah. The term "sweating bullets" came to mind and Sarah had to chuckle inwardly. If only that Chuck could see himself now.
Sarah: "James."
The brawny, fitness instructor from Long Beach stepped down from the risers, looking less than pleased as he approached her, bumping people with his shoulder along the way.
Sarah: "James, your actions at the hospital today were abhorrent. Rather than joining in and visiting with the children, you instead chose to reprimand them when they were trying to talk to me. That's unacceptable. Please return your backstage pass and leave the house."
James rolled his eyes dismissively, yanking the lanyard off of his neck and dropping it on the floor at her feet, instead of handing it to her. He then gave a flick of his hand and stormed off set, the camera panning after him.
"What a dick," Kathleen exclaimed with no shortage of venom in her tone. Casey chuckled, nodding in agreement, as did Chuck and Sarah. The camera changed, showing Sarah standing straight and tall, seemingly unphased by his actions. With grace and poise, Sarah called the names of the remaining four contestants, each in turn stepping forward and relinquishing their backstage pass. These contestants were much more civil, without complaint or outburst, as they handed over their lanyards and made their way out of the house. Before each name was called, the camera panned over the remaining contestants and each time the faces of the men looked more and more nervous, especially Chuck's. When the last name was called, there was an unmistakable collective exhale from the men remaining on the risers, having survived to compete for yet one more day.
Alex Forrest stepped forward, giving her closing remarks and the sign-off for the episode. As the credits began to roll, Casey picked up the remote and turned off the television, leaving the room in silence as everyone processed what they'd watched, given they all knew the eventual outcome.
"You guys," Kathleen began, looking at Chuck and Sarah with tears in her eyes. "I know how this ends… obviously," gesturing between the two across from her, "but I still can't help this feeling as I watch you two on TV. I can see that glimmer, that attraction between you two, but you seem a million miles from where you are now. I just want to root for those versions of you guys. Oh… what's that hashtaggy thing they were talking about?" she asked, turning to Casey for help.
"Ugh… 'Charah'," he snorted, finding it rather ridiculous. "Apparently they're 'trending'," he stated, providing the air quotes along with his eye roll. With that, Sarah's phone, and Chuck's a moment later, chimed, indicating a notification.
Checking his phone, he let out a chuckle, waggling the phone, as if showing the others. "Ellie's excited and sends her love. She said we need to look at social media. Apparently things are blowing up."
Sarah raised her head from her phone, her brow furrowed, "Yeah. I just got texts from Diane and Zondra saying the same thing. I've tried to not look at social media while I've been here. It's kinda nice to unplug." Hesitantly she opened the app and saw the obscene number of notifications she'd received. She was accustomed to receiving a lot of notifications, from being followed or mentioned, but this was in a whole new league.
Pulling up the #Charah posts, she saw a staggering outpouring of support for the two of them getting together. Sarah thumbed through the posts, seeing shared video clips and memes that were created of them. Turning the phone toward Chuck, she showed him an animated gif of the scene from the episode they just watched, where she was giving him a kiss on the cheek with the caption "#Charah" across the bottom.
"Aww…" Chuck sighed, with an adorable, pouty face. "God. Why didn't anybody ever tell me that I always look like I have bed head? My hair making all those… weird shapes."
"Hey!" Sarah protested, smacking him playfully across the chest as she possessively held her phone against her chest. "I liked your hair like that. I mean, I like your hair now too, but I… I really wanted to run my hands through that curly hair of yours but never got the chance."
"Really?" he asked, taken aback with surprise. She nodded shyly, biting her bottom lip as she cracked a smile. "Well, then I guess no more haircuts for me, for a while," he declared, a goofy grin plastered across his face. Sarah giggled at his reaction, leaning forward and planting a quick kiss on his lips. The prospect of tangling her fingers in those curls got her mind wandering. She was jolted from her thoughts by the sensation of her phone vibrating against her chest. After taking a moment to refocus, she saw the name on the caller ID, furrowing her brow in curiosity.
"Hey, Diane," Sarah answered, the phone pressed to her ear. She was looking at Chuck as she listened, shrugging at his unspoken question of what was going on. Chuck watched on as the furrowing of her brow increased, Sarah becoming more and more interested in the call. She stood up from the couch and began to pace as she listened, only offering an occasional "yeah" or "uh huh" to the conversation.
"What? Really? You're serious? O-Ok. Well… um…." Sarah hesitated as she glanced back at Chuck, worrying her lip between her teeth. "When … when do they want to meet?" she asked, continuing to pace. "Well, I need some time to think about it…. No, I know. I… I need to talk with Chuck about it," she stated, sparing a glance at him as she paced. "No, it's not like that. Just give me tonight and I'll call you in the morning. Alright. Thanks Diane." Sarah blew out a long sigh, her back to Chuck as she ended the call. With Casey and Kathleen in the kitchen area, giving her some privacy under the guise of cleaning up their drink glasses, she and Chuck were alone.
"What is it? Is everything OK?" Chuck asked with concern, standing from the couch to close the distance between them. Sarah turned to face him, apprehension written across her countenance. Sensing that there was something wrong, he took hold of her arms, gently rubbing them, trying to offer some reassurance.
"Apparently, Diane has been getting lots of scripts; good ones. Studio execs have been calling, wanting me in some of their new pictures, and not just the action roles I normally get. The kinds of roles I've been hoping for." Her excitement was showing through, but there was something clearly bothering her.
"That's amazing! I knew that once people saw you in a different light, they'd snatch you up in a heartbeat. I'm so excited for you. So how soon are they talking?" he asked, gripping her shoulders tightly as he stooped to look at her face to face. The smile on his face showed his genuine enthusiasm, the unconditional support she knew he'd have for her. Smiling weakly, she tried to meet his gaze, but faltered. Chuck's expression dimmed as his concern grew.
"What's the matter? I thought that this was what you wanted? I figured you'd be happier," Chuck admitted, confused by her less than enthused reaction.
"No, I am. I am excited, it's just… Diane wants to have these meetings. You know, to work out details, contracts, that sort of thing. I haven't even read the scripts yet, but from what Diane says they're really great. Just the types of things I've been looking for."
"Ok. So, when do they want to start these meetings? After the show finishes?" Chuck asked, trying to glean what had gotten her so glum about the situation.
"The day after tomorrow," she confessed with a wince.
A/N2: Is there time in this mountain oasis coming to a close? We'll have to stay tuned for the next installment.
Thanks for reading and all the support you've shown through reviews and PMs. It means a lot that you take that extra bit of time out of your day to leave a few words to tell me what you thought (good or bad).
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Joe