Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench
Well, in the previous chapter: Sarah Walker, her mother Emma and her little sister Molly start a new life in Los Angeles. She accepts and starts a new position as Chief Operating Officer to the Chief Administrator Diane Beckman basically making her second in command of Westside Medical Center. On her first day she meets her new colleagues Drs. Ellie and Devon Woodcomb along with Chief Beckman's head of Security John Casey. Meanwhile, Chuck and Morgan are prepping for an event at the hospital that both men are looking forward to. Plus, a meeting with our two main character will happen. Trust me. So what's in store for this chapter? Who will she be introduced to this time? What announcement by Chief Beckman that will cause Sarah to be absolutely stunned? How will Sarah and Chuck meet? Read and find out! Anyways, hope you enjoy the read and leave a comment to share your own thoughts on this particular chapters. As always, reviews are awesome.
Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment I truly appreciate it. Please continue to do so as it gives me the incentive to write more chapters.
I don't own Chuck
Meeting of the Minds
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The following morning for Sarah would most definitely be an interesting one as she would find herself standing in a semi large conference room by Chief Beckman for a 9 a.m. department head meeting in order to be introduced to her fellow colleagues. Colleagues who are either sitting down or standing up talking amongst each other before the meeting, which is happening in 5 minutes. The smell of coffee and donuts wafting in the air causing her stomach to faintly growl knowing she's was a bit nervous to eat breakfast before she left for work. She steels herself and regains her focus. While standing there, she first scans the left side of the room inevitably catching the eye of Dr. Eleanor Woodcomb who flashes a smile then gives a nod towards her as she sits at one of the 4 large conference table next to her husband Devon who she briefly met yesterday before getting called to surgery.
Afterwards, she continues her brief scan leading her sight line to the back right side of the room where she suddenly notices John Casey carefully and not to mention keenly observing everyone else in attendance. Her focus on him is suddenly broken when that same icy stare from yesterday is averted to where she inadvertently locks eyes with him causing her to express a momentary deer in headlights look. However, instead of experiencing a sense of embarrassing fear she finds herself being put at ease after noticing a smirk then a firm nod towards her. She swears to herself while standing there that in some weird way that she actually hears a grunt coming from him within all the commotion and chatter going on in the conference room.
As her scan of the entire room ends, her focus falls on the woman who hired her to be her second in command. Although she is a rather short woman in stature, her mere presence makes up for it as she exudes a larger than life ere about her, especially with her dark auburn hair. Hair that would lead directly to her eyes that seemingly pierce through your soul. At least to Sarah they did as she continues trying not to stand out too much despite being front and center with the aforementioned Chief Administrator of Westside Medical Center.
"All right let's get started shall we." insisted Beckman briefly glancing down at her watch. She then slowly scans the individual in attendance making sure to make eye contact with everyone in the conference room. The room quickly went silent. A tight-lipped smile is expressed as the Chief Administrator continues on. "A few of you have already been introduced to our new Chief Operating Officer Sarah Walker..." she began. Beckman takes a moment to glance over his right shoulder in recognition of her newest hire. "...while the rest of you are meeting her for the first time today." added the Chief Administrator standing behind the podium. "So, let's start with introductions of the different departments." she announced.
Sarah follows Beckman's line of sight as her attention directed towards the far left of room at the end of 1st row of large conference tables. All eyes are on the man standing up and introducing himself. "Good Morning Ms. Walker..." he politely nodded with a slight smile. "...my name is Emmitt Milbarge. The hospital's attorney dealing in such things as malpractice suits, on the job-related injuries, office romance break ups turned ugly, pranks against fellow employees..."
Beckman quickly jumps in cutting off the hospital's attorney knowing that even though he's considered a quality attorney for the hospital, his personality is left to be desired A sniveling weasel is what he's known within the confines of Westside Medical Center. Plus, she knows he's been the victim of many pranks directed at him. Some very funny and creative while others just plain childish. "Thank you Emmitt I'm sure..."
Emmitt immediately interjects giving his full attention to the woman standing behind his boss. "If you need anything..."He pauses then takes the moment to take off his glasses. Afterwards, his right brow quirks up. "....I mean anything such as legal advice or feeling lonely come stop by my office."
For Sarah, her eyes briefly widen with the sheer horror of it all by the creepy lawyer who she believes hit on her just now. All she can provide back is a forced, tightly lipped smile back as she attempts to do her best by hiding behind Beckman from Emmitt's cringe worthy gaze but to no avail. Thankfully, Beckman instantly cut him off just as he was about to provide her with his business card leading to the seemingly tiny red headed woman to have him sit down by pointing at him as if he is a trained dog, which he does. After giving off a momentary sigh of relief on her part, she once again follows Beckman's sight line down the table to a large husky African American individual dressed in a blue polo shirt and dark khaki pants with dark dress shoes. He's finishing off the rest of his powdered donut that somewhat highlights parts of his mustache and beard and from the looks of things is really enjoying it. So enjoyable in fact that it took Chief Beckman a 3rd time to call out his name before she got his attention. After quickly wiping off his face mainly his mustache and parts of his beard, he continues on.
"Sorry. Hi Chief Walker. My name is Michael Tucker or Big Mike for those have known me for a while. Upon saying that, several of her colleagues holler out BIG MIKE to where it echoes out within the conference room but would quickly subside when Beckman shoots her authoritative gaze leading to gradual silence. Once the room settles, Big Mike continues on. "I'm in charge of all the orderlies her at the hospital. Welcome and you'll enjoy it hear. Trust me." A jovial and heart-warming smile expressed towards that Sarah can't help but be impacted by to the point of smiling back at him.
Big Mike is about to sit back down when Beckman gets his attention. "Oh Michael, before I forget please meet with me and Chief Walker in her office to discuss a couple of your orderlies."
It's a that point Big Mike's jovial and heart-warming smile suddenly falls flat. In its place what looks like a mixture irritated annoyance washes all over his face. "What did Jeff and Lester do this time?" he painfully bellowed shaking his head.
"We'll discuss that in due time after the meeting."
"Yes Chief." It's the only two words that Big Mike breathed out that Sarah could hear from where she's standing.
All of sudden, the door to the conference opens and a woman with dirty golden-brown hair dressed in blue scrubs and sporting white sneakers enters. She's holding a styrofoam cup of coffee when she stops halfway up the isle because all the attention is now on her. She stands there scanning everybody faces within the room. "What? I was dealing with a patient and I couldn't get here on time. Sue me. Not a word Milbarge." she called out pointing directly over to him.
Sarah didn't dare look over at the creepy lawyer for fear that she lock eyes with him again. Instead, her focus is kept on the nurse. She feels embarrassed for her because all the attention is now on her but judging by the look on her face and overall body language she didn't really care. It's at the point, the faint sound of a grunt is heard within the room and she instantly knew where it came from. She wanted to zero in on Casey but her focus would subsequently be returned to Chief Beckman's voice saying her name. "Sarah Walker." she stated Beckman with a noticeable hint of frustration in her voice. "Head Nurse Alex Forrest." stated Beckman with a noticeable hint of frustration in her voice.
After giving a stern, authoritative stare at Alex who stares back at her she makes the decision to continue on with introducing the rest of her fellow colleagues. A moment that didn't go unnoticed by everyone transfixed on the stare down between the two women. For Sarah, it is just the 3rd person she would be introduced to just today and she's already been hit on by the hospital's creepy lawyer, involved with an impromptu employee meeting with he boss in her office, and a tense filled interaction between her boss and head nurse. Sarah's though process is broken when she hears Chief Beckman speak up once again. "Let's move on before we get off track. Next is..."
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The department head meeting last total of an hour and a half without any more interruptions. Afterwards, Sarah was given an opportunity to make a speech and would give one but made it brief knowing that meetings can be incredibly tedious. Although for her, it was a meeting that was truly interesting to say the least. It would be around 10:45 a.m. that the door to Sarah's office opens as she along with Chief Beckman enter in with Big Mike following suit. The office itself still hasn't been decorated to her own liking but for right now it's as is. In any case, Sarah reaches her desk and then turns around in order to motion for the rather husky man to have a sit in one of the two chairs placed in front. When she turns around, she is keenly aware that her boss is now sitting behind her desk.
It's a faux pas that Chief Diane Beckman suddenly hits her. It leads her to immediately stand. Beckman then takes 2 steps to the side and back while motioning for her newest hire to take her rightful placed seated behind her desk. A noticeable hint of embarrassment on her face but that quickly fades as her attention is directed towards the man seated on the other side. However, it's Big Mike who speaks up first.
"Whatever those two knuckleheads did I deeply and humbly apologize for their actions. I'll make sure to give them a piece of my mind when I see them."
Chief Beckman is momentary silent along with Sarah as she stares at Big Mike. Fortunately for him, the silence coming from her that seems like it has last for hours is finally broken. "I'm sure you will Michael. I have no doubt. You run a tight ship when it comes to managing your orderlies. Of course, there have been a few bumps along the road to get there."
"Yes ma'am."
It's at this point she steps forward and places her left hand down on the bottom right corner of Sarah's desk. Her eyebrows intently furrowed. "Which is I why I've gotten reports of Jeff and Lester..." Beckman pauses in order to find the right words to best describe the two men's actions that's being reported to her." "...dilly dallying in certain parts of the hospital."
"What sort of dilly dallying if I may ask Chief?" he asked with great concern.
In that instance, Beckman retrieves her phone from her pocket and starts tapping then swiping to where she finally locates what she needs. Before she starts, she takes a moment to put on her glasses. After some brief adjustments she starts reading off the two men's lists of unfortunate dealings. "Gurney races down the hallway, floor wax machine spin rodeo contests, betting pool on baby births, defibrillator jousting..."
As Sarah sits there listening to what seems like a never-ending list of employee infractions she wonders how on earth those two have been able to keep their jobs for so long up until now. In her mind they would have most definitely been axed back in Langley Memorial Medical for accepting the dare and have fines levied on them that they would have to pay off till the day they die. Granted, it's quite possibly part of the reason that the position of Chief Administrator is so incredibly taxing mentally, emotionally, and certainly physically as well.
She's heard countless time that the job ages you and agrees wholeheartedly with sentiment. Of course, she also heard that if you work a job the job ends up working you. It's something she also agrees with as she nearly got burned out in the past working her last position as Langston Graham's right hand/wildcard enforcer. Arriving early. Leaving late. Cancelling dates. Continually postponing planned trips with her fiery red headed of a best friend. A job that would not let her have a life. The change in job and scenery would hopefully be a step in the right direction she thinks to herself.
Sarah shakes her thought and refocuses taking that moment to interject herself into the conversation after hearing in surprising disbelief of the childish and to mention dangerous behavior going on between those 2 individuals. "If I may ask." Beckman nods leading Sarah to stand up and giving her full attention. "Is there a reason you asked me here?"
"Yes sorry. Sarah. As you know you were hired to relieve some but not all of the pressure that rests on my shoulders when it comes to running this hospital. I know it can be a real pressure cooker and there has been on one or more occasions where I just got stressed out to the point of wanting to take a lengthy vacation but unable to do so." Beckman notices that she's getting a mixture of confusion and wondering looks as to the point of all this. So, she quickly gets to it. "What I'm saying is, you'll be running the hospital starting next week while I go on a much needed vacation."
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Beckman's announcement causes Sarah's eyes to completely go wide. Her mouth left agape leaving absolutely speechless. So many thoughts are running through her mind at this point, that its hard to clearly compute what she's thinking right now. She knows she has to say something...anything or it will look like she's just suffered a brain aneurysm. "How long?" It's the only two words that she can muster up saying.
A soft but brief smile is given off knowing what was just dropped on to her lap, especially on her second day on the job. She then reaches up placing her right hand on the side of her left arm. "I trust you can do the job. Langston Graham regarded you as someone who is very highly skilled and won't let you down no matter what. When the chips are down, she'll get the job done by any means necessary. Hence wildcard enforcer. Of course, he also mentioned that you can have your moments of doubt but to disregard them. Avoid second guessing yourself. Shut out the noise. He told me to relay the message of to simply trust your instincts and if need be, rely on the people who you know will have your back. People like..." In that moment, she turns her head leading Sarah to do the same. "...Big Mike, Casey, Eleanore and Devon Woodcomb, Alex Forrest, Emmitt...not so much." she added shaking her head expressing a bit of chuckle at his expense.
The intense situation would gradually subside due to the brief laughter shared between her, Beckman, and even Big Mike. After taking a deep breath and briefly looking at Big Mike who gives a supportive and reassuring nod towards her, she faces her boss with such proud and utmost confident. "I'll do my best."
"That's all I'm asking you to do." The moment between the two chiefs is quickly over leading Beckman to hand over the headache representing Jeff and Lester to Sarah. "I hope my instincts are right about you, which I believe they are." she stated once again giving a firm nod. Her attention then is averted to Big Mike. "Michael."
This leads Big Mike to stand up. "Yes Chief."
"First off..." she said standing in front of her. "...do you have Sarah's back?"
Big Mike turns his attention from Chief Beckman to the temporary boss of Westside Medical Center starting next week. The jovial and heart-warming smile that Sarah saw back in the conference room is once again seen on his face as he gives his answer. "Damn straight."
"Excellent. Let's keep this information between the 3 of us for right now. I'll let the rest of the hospital know soon. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Chief." both Sarah and Big Mike say in unison.
Afterwards, Beckman motions for Big Mike to follow her as she continues talking. "Things bring me to the second thing. Make sure to schedule an appointment for Jeff and Lester to see Sarah at whatever time of your choosing as it pertains to discussing their overall work performance. This will also include their abhorrent behavior as well. We don't want another incident happen like when Eleanore went into labor with her daughter Clara now do we."
"Never again."
Upon hearing that, Sarah stops them before reaching her office door in order to inquire about that. "What happened with Ellie and her daughter Clara?"
Her request leads Big Mike to give the Clift notes version of what happened. "About 6 years ago, those two knuckleheads hijacked the sound system and started singing Salt N' Pepa's hit song Push It. Idea was reasonably sound but the execution was badly done in my opinion."
"It was done on a dare by an orderly who no longer works here. I needed to send a message that events like that will never happen again." explained Beckman momentarily reflecting back on the unfortunate incident. "Jeff and Lester would end up getting suspended for a number days with pay since nobody really got hurt."
"My ears did." retorted Big Mike shaking his head thinking back on that fateful day 6 years ago. A sudden but brief chill running up his spine afterwards causing him to quick shimmy.
It's that shimmy that Sarah can't help but express a soft chuckle. It wouldn't be long till Chief Beckman and Big Mike continue to talk as they walk out of Sarah office leaving her by herself standing behind her desk. The sudden announcement that she'll be taking over on a temporary basis still fresh in her mind. The whole situation regarding being charge of an entire hospital is absolutely overwhelming to her but knows she doesn't want to let Chief Beckman, her colleagues, herself, and even her former boss Langston Graham down.
She takes that moment to take a deep breath then turn around in order to look out the window and down into the courtyard. It's down there that she notices 2 unknown and seemingly suspicious individuals by the blue benches milling about. She quickly steps back reaching for and then opening the main drawer to her desk to retrieve Casey's business card. After punching in the in case of emergency double parenthesis phone number she hits the phone image icon and waits for a few seconds. It wouldn't take long for the head of security to pick up.
"Casey here..." he answered on the other end. "...what's the emergency Walker?"
"Meet me at the courtyard, I think we have a situation." she said walking off and away from the window. Her heightened state of awareness going into overdrive.
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Chuck's bearded best friend is busy setting up the camera checking the front of the lens along with the lap top he brought when something or should I say someone catches his eye. "Stop the presses. Who is that?" Morgan breathed out taking immediate notice and locking his attention on the very attractive blonde walking towards them with a purpose no less. "Vicki Vale." he added watching her stop just a few feet away from him. Her attention briefly on him then falling solely on Chuck.
"Vicki Vale, Vick-uh Vicki Vale,Vickity Vickity Vicki Vale, Vick-uh Vicki Vale..." rapped Chuck who briefly glances up. The Gandalf fake beard and wig along with an assortment of other costumes clutched in both hands are then suddenly dropped to the ground. A somewhat faded but still functioning Harry Potter sorting hat sitting on his head slightly tilted to the right.
"I hope I'm not interrupting." Sarah said expressing a courteous but stern smile towards Chuck.
"No. Not at all." he replied slightly embarrassed. It takes a while before he suddenly realizes he's wearing the sorting hat from Harry Potter and immediately rips it off his head quickly handing it off to Morgan as he refocuses in a frantic, spastic manner on the woman in front of him. Speaking of Morgan, he in turn does what any person would do in this particular situation after being handed a hat. He puts it on as he watches with intrigued interest in what is about to unfold as he hears his best friend stammer out the following words. "Uh, that's from Batman."
Sarah can't help but crack a faint smile but not enough that its not easily noticeable. She instantly masks it by furrowing her eyebrows expressing absolute seriousness then continues on. "Cause that makes it better." she quickly retorted.
Chuck expresses nervous laughter leading Morgan to introduce himself wearing the sorting hat from Harry Potter without any shame whatsoever on his part. "Hi…" he said leaning forward with a smile. "…my name is Morgan and this is Chuck." The bearded man stated turning to look at his tall, lanky, and not to mention extremely nervous best friend. When he locks eyes with him, Morgan can clearly see him screaming at him with both eyes wide open as saucers as if he's telling him to take off the hat. Unfortunately, both their attention would be returned to the blonde woman standing in front of the two of them.
"Wow..." nodded Sarah. "...I didn't think people named their kids Chuck or Morgan for that matter." she added with absolute sarcasm in her voice.
"My parents are sadists..." Chuck quickly chimed in. He attempts to salvage what's left of the bad first impression he's making, especially with such a beautiful woman. "…and carnival freaks found him in a dumpster." he added as a joke to lessen the pain of complete and utter embarrassment.
"But they raised me as one of their own." Morgan interjected turning his gaze away from her knowing how stupid that sounded coming out of his mouth. Doubly stupid knowing that he said it while wearing the sorting hat that decided to in that very moment to speak. "There's nothing hidden in your head the sorting hat can't see."
At this point, Chuck's head is lowered with his hands covering his face. The muffled words of kill me are repeated over and over. Unfortunately, for him it would get increasingly worse as he hears a familiar voice. "Bartowski and Grimes. What did you two morons do now?"
Chuck's head instantly lifts towards and reacts to the man in question. "Nothing Casey! I swear!"
"Yeah big guy. We haven't done anything wrong that I know of..." Morgan pauses reflecting on their day so far. "...today. Yesterday, no. We weren't here. The day before last maybe but not today. I have proof if you want to see it." he answered reaching back for his wallet.
Sarah immediately interjects herself into the conversation between the 3 men by stepping forward and holding up both hands. A serious look expressed in her eyes. "Casey, you know these two?"
Casey expresses a noteworthy grunt then speaks up. "Unfortunately." The head of security of Westside Medical Center takes a moment to shoot a scowling glare towards the little bearded man who is still wearing the sorting hat from Harry Potter on his head. A look of momentary disgust with a brief eye roll is given off as he continues on. "Chief Operating Officer Sarah Walker I have the unfortunate pleasure of introducing you to these two numbnuts..." In that instance Sarah can't help but express a soft chuckle after hearing the word numbnuts come out of Casey's mouth. "...Chuck Bartowski and Morgan Grimes."
"Do you two work here?"
"We don't." replied Chuck. It's made very apparent to him what he just said doesn't sit well with Sarah, especially in an area behind them where they're standing in front of. He immediately rectifies the situation at hand. "My sister...my sister does though..." He quickly corrected himself stumbling over his words. "...and her husband. My brother-in-law. Dr. Ellie and Devon Woodcomb."
"Oh. Ellie didn't mention she has a younger brother."
"I wouldn't have." grunted Casey.
"Really." retorted Chuck. Both hands thrown up in a seemingly defeated way towards Casey. Afterwards, he returns his attention back to Sarah who he then takes a deep breath in order to start over. "Let's start over again. I'm Chuck and this is Morgan. You're Sarah Walker. The new Chief Operating Officer. Welcome! I'm very sorry about him by the way..."
"We all are Bartowski."
"You're not helping." he spit back turning to him after Casey said that. "Plus, he standing right there." Chuck added, pointing at Morgan who simply waves and apparently not attempting to remove the sorting hat at all.
For Sarah the interaction going on between all 3 men is considerably amusing. However, the conversation between Casey and Chuck wouldn't last long as she would find herself speaking with her hulking colleague before taking his leave. "Sorry you had to come down here Casey. False alarm."
"It's never a false alarm with these two." His attention on Sarah would then be averted to Chuck and Morgan. "Boys. Remember I have eyes everywhere." he stated in a threatening manner.
As Casey walks away inevitably disappearing out of sight, Morgan happily waves him off. "Awesome to see you as always big guy!"
His attention on the head of security returning once again to the blonde goddess standing before him. Speaking of Sarah, she takes a second to look at Morgan who has not taken off the Harry Potter sorting hat causing to roll her eyes. Instead of focusing on him, she focuses her attention on the man she now knows as Chuck.
"Do you have permission to be here? Why are you here?" she asked staring at Chuck. Her arms tightly crossed.
Chuck is incredibly intimated by the new Chief Operating Officer but at the same time notices how colorful her blue eyes are. He's so in awe that he's suddenly realizes he's been staring at her causing him to be jolted back into reality keenly aware that she's been standing there waiting for the answer to her 2 questions. "Oh right. Do I have permission to be here? Yes...yes..." he blurted out pointing at her nearly poking her in her chest. Chuck near fatal mistake is avoided after retracting his finger from the danger zone. As much as the main theme song with the same name by Kenny Loggins from the movie Top Gun is right now playing in his head, he dares not hum or sing it out loud. For the sake of his own health and well-being he continues on. "...from Chief Beckman. Yes, my sister knows too and supports the decision made by her."
For Sarah, the thought of entitled rich kid immediately comes to mind because his sister works here and is in good with the Chief Administrator. So, he gets to do whatever he wants without getting in trouble for it. However, she retracts that thought after going back to the initial conversation between him, Casey and Morgan so she may be judging a book by it cover she thinks to herself. Her thoughts once again are interrupted by the sound of Chuck's voice once again.
"Why am I here?"
In that moment, a faint voice is heard behind him just off to his right. "Chuck!"
He, along with Sarah and Morgan turn to face the source of it. A young girl in a wheel chair happily waving and smiling with a procession of other kids, as well as nurses following right behind her out of the door of the children's specialized medical wing of the hospital. "Them." he said stepping back. Chuck slides to his left and then makes a quick U-turn around the blue bench he's been standing in front of and jogs over to their location with the bearded man following closely behind him. The two men happily greet not only the child in question sitting in the wheelchair that called his name out but the other children as well.
Sarah is left standing by the blue bench watching and witnessing these 2 complete strangers suddenly have their names chanted out like rock stars with one of the children having the Harry Potter sorting hat placed on his head that previously graced the shorter man's head. Chuck's head before that. Her attention then averts to the aforementioned taller, rather lanky looking man she now solely focusing on for some reason. A seemingly warm and bright smile expressed on his face as he's seemingly interacting with the kids in a truly genuine way. It's because of that she can't help but be touched by what she sees so much so a hint of a smile appears. The woman who'll be temporarily in charge of Westside Medical Center next week decides to leave instead of join in on the celebration. As she walks off her intuition is telling her to be careful and on guard while keeping a watchful eye when it comes to Ellie's brother Chuck.
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