Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: Chuck and Sarah spend time together on what is now considered "their beach". She would share with Chuck her Avalon which was Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. After finding out Sarah's favorite flower, she would suddenly reveal that she almost got married. A doctor who specialized in the area of Orthopedic surgery in the area of Sports Medicine by the name of Cole Baker. He cheated with her CAT Squad sorority sister and former friend Amy. After she opened up about her past, Chuck would find himself finally opening up about his past with Jill and Bryce. By being able to open open to each other it gradually removes the awkward angst between one another to where they will eventually grow closer. Unbeknownst to them, Morgan and Alex are watching from a distance while in contact with the ringleader...Molly Walker. They continue to Watch as Chuck and Sarah reassure each other that trust is building between the two of them. So what's in store for this chapter? "Who shows up to fix the computers and is friend with Chuck Bartowski? What does Hartley share with Chuck concerning his daughter Vivian? Why is Chuck suddenly surprised when the front entrance door of Orange Orange opens? How is Molly able to work Chuck? Where is Sarah going to meet Vivian for dinner? 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.

Double Trouble

XXX

It has been 12 days since Sarah arrived at Westside Medical Center and so much has happened leading up to Tuesday morning. One of the main things that has happened is meeting Chuck on her 2nd day and, even though she didn't make the greatest first impression, they would establish a gradual connection with each other. A connection that gradually grew stronger as they got to know each other, despite the fact Sarah knew much more before going on her non date with Chuck. In any case, Tuesday would be a busy day with Scooter notifying her she has meetings scheduled for the whole day so she would have to rely on her sibling partner in crime to handle her part on her end. Plus, the fact it's Spring Break gives Molly the opportunity to do her thing, which is a scary thought for the Chief Operating Officer.

Sarah has most definitely trusted her so far, ever since she noticed and then caught her little sister acting very suspiciously around Vivian. Once she found out what her brat was up to to they teamed up, and much to her surprise, had gotten the job done in more ways than one, she thinks to herself. Although, she'll be stuck in meetings today, Molly informed her she has a plan and will have some help in that endeavor. That's double trouble right there, she thinks to herself. For her, a 13 year old with spare time on her hands is considered to be the most deadly and not to mention diabolically crafty when left to her own mental devices involving her nerd. Speaking of her nerd, he would be walking into Westside Medical Center to pick up Scooter to go over the contract for Jeff and Lester. The two will meet up with Hartley at Orange Orange, who was able to carve out a chunk of time to go over it.

Once it's over, he'll drive Chief Beckman's executive personal assistant back to Westside Medical Center. He already contacted him beforehand and Sarah begrudgingly let him go in hopes he would return sooner than later.

As Chuk approaches the nurses' station, Alex is standing there talking to a couple nurses behind it.

"Hey Alex." greeted the younger brother of Dr. Eleanor Bartowski.

"What's up Chuck." she smiled up at the nerd.

It's a smile that Chuck quirks his right brow at. He then notices the 2 nurses smiling at him as well. "Nothing really. Picking up Scooter to handle the Jeffster contract with Hartley." he shared, still bewildered with the smiles directed towards him.

Fortunately, the attention on him would soon be directed behind the nurses' station by the sound of aggravated frustration. He turns his head to see a nurse bang the top of her computer screen leading him to speak up. "Jayme, what's wrong?"

"This computer is giving me problems. I want to go all Office Space on it." she answered, shaking her head.

For Chuck, the movie Office Space is considered one of the best representations of being an overworked, disgruntled employee, Peter Gibbon, who works at a soul-killing job at a software computer called Initech. What makes the Peter's job even more soul-sucking than it already is, is his boss Bill Lumbergh who annoyingly overuses the following requests: "I'm gonna need you to", or "If you could go ahead and". Then always ending the requests with "that'd be great/terrific" and "mmmkay?" To Chuck, Lumbergh best represented any boss in America who uses a non-confrontational style of management to throw an employee off. One of those employees would be Milton Waddams who ended up snapping after being pushed so far that he burned Initech down. Plus, it's a movie with so many quotable lines in it he thinks to himself.

"An awesome movie..." retorted Chuckling to himself. "...but don't go to that extreme."

In that moment, nurse Jayme turns her attention from her problematic computer to Chuck. "Hey, you're a big computer nerd. Why don't you fix it?" she insisted.

"Yeah Chuck..." chimed in Alex. "...since you're here." encouraged the daughter of John Casey.

Instantly, Chuck throws up both hands. "Nope. The last time I did I got chewed out by the head I.T. guy."

After hearing that, Alex quirks her right brow up towards Chuck. "Aren't you and the head I.T. guy friends?"

"I am. It's just I promised him to not ever touch his territory..." he explained using air quotes. "...and I've kept my promise ever since." he added with a firm nod. "I'll call him."

It's at the point Chuck takes out his phone and scrolls through his contacts. As he does the sound of a whiny pout is heard. The source of it was nurse Jayne. "Do you have to? Besides, that guy is creepy, rude, and cranky."

"A conspiracy theorist and considerably paranoid too..." Alex chimed in once again. "...from what I've heard." she added, raising both eyebrows.

Chuck presses the name of his contact once he finds it then waits. "Really? Honestly, you would be too if you'd be stuck in the bunker known as the I.T. department. He's an okay guy..." The tall, lanky nerd suddenly stops when the other end picks up. "Hey buddy, there's a computer problem here at Nurses' Station #1." He pauses leading Alex, Jayme and the other nurse to watch, as well as listen to Chuck's conversation with the head I.T. guy. "No, I didn't take care of it. Like you said, it's your territory." he added, rolling his eyes. Alex, Jayme, and the other nurse chuckling in response. "Awesome."

The youngest Bartowski hangs up and continues to converse with the 3 ladies. "He's on his way."

"Great." nurse Jayme unenthusiastically responded.

"I'm telling you he's not that bad of a guy once you get to know him. He actually helped me with a project up at a restaurant called C3." he explained, shrugging his shoulders.

"I know that place." Alex stated. "Never been inside it. I heard the food is to die for."

"Talk to Ellie. She'll probably help get you in since she knows the owner."

"Awesome." smiled Alex.

The conversation about food at C3 would continue until all 4 suddenly stop when the head I.T. guy in question approaches. "I'm here. What did you do wrong this time?" questioned the man, expressing a snarling, unfriendly look on his face.

"Well hello to you..." grinned Chuck. "...Lazlo." he added shaking his head.

"Chuck." nodded Lazlo. He passes the nerd in question and make his way around and into the nurse's station. "I'm not surprised I got a call. So, what's the problem?"

"Every time I try to print, it says there's an error message."

"Did you reinstall the printer on your hard drive?"

"Yeah?"

"Oh, good for you Ms. Hermoine Grainger. 20 points for Gryffindor." he sarcastically remarked, in an insulting way.

Nurse Jayme does her very best to keep her composure as she tries to not roll her eyes after what Lazlo said. "It's somehow still going to the printer on the 2nd floor."

"Okay..." he stated crossing his arms. "...did you switch locations on what printer and which station you're using?"

"I think I forgot to do that. I know that I have to..."

"Moooovveee." Lazlo waved with his left hand.

As this is happening, Scooter appears and momentarily watches what's going on. "Lazlo fixing the computers again."

"Yep." nodded Chuck.

"And I'm already done." announced Lazlo. Afterwards, he makes his way out, around, and then passes Chuck, Alex, and Scooter. Before he leaves, he raises his right hand and speaks up, "You're welcome!"

All 5 individuals stand there briefly experiencing the aftermath that is the head I.T. guy of Westside Medical Center Lazlo Mahnovski. The moment would abruptly end when Chuck speaks up. "Well that was fun. Scooter and I are heading out."

"Where are you 2 going?"

"Meeting up with Hartley at Orange Orange to go over Jeffster's contract."

"Good luck with that." Alex waved to both men. As she watches both mean head out the front entrance, she retrieves her phone and walks off texting someone. A noticeable smirk is expressed while doing so.

XXX

It's around 1:45 at Orange Orange and for the past 2 hours or so Scooter, Hartley and Chuck have been finalizing the rough draft of Jeffster's contract. They are sitting at the front right corner entrance of the Frozen Yogurt establishment. Once they finished, all 3 men stand up with the family attorney of the Bartowski siblings speaking up.

"I'll have the 3 copies for you by Wednesday or Thursday, at the latest. You can either stop by the firm or I'll have one of my interns drop them off." stated Hartley.

"We'll figure it Hartley. No rush."

In that instance, Scooter chimes in to the conversation. "Jeff and Lester aren't performing this Friday?"

Chuck shakes his head. "Morgan and I have have been prepping for something else. So, it's back to the normal routine for Bash At The Bench." he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Or something close to it." added Chuck, with a crooked grin. "Oh, how's Vivian by the way. I know she's been overseas for the past 4 days for business."

"She'll be back tonight. Flight comes in around 8:45 p.m. I'll be there to pick her up."

"Awesome."

"She was able to finish up business there a bit early."

After saying that, the front entrance door of Orange Orsmhr opens with 2 young girls entering excitedly and making their way to the counter. Following in after them is a woman and Chuck turns his head doing an immediate double take. Why? It took a moment to recognize all 3 of them.

"Emma..." he faintly breathes out. "...Molly and Cherice?" Chuck called out, a bit surprised to see them.

"Hey Chuck!" happily responded Cherice. She makes her way towards Chuck while carefully wheeling her oxygen tank behind her. The 15 year old wraps her arms around Chuck's waist as Emma and Molly approach the table where all 4 individuals are standing at.

"What are you guys doing here?" He briefly peers down at Cherice, then at Molly and inevitably turning his attention to Emma.

"It's Spring Break all this week for the both of them. Yesterday, they wanted to hang out with each other at the mall. I didn't mind since it got her out of the condo. Today, they wanted to try out Frozen Yogurt and Sarah mentioned there was one by where you work. Were we disturbing your meeting?"

"Oh no. We just finished." responded Chuck.

It's at that point, Scooter taps Chuck on his left shoulder. "Chuck." he said motioning to his watch.

The nerdy business owner is about to say something when Cherice releases her hug on him then steps back. "Stay and have some frozen yogurt with us..." insisted the 15 year old. "...pleeeaaassseee." she pleaded, looking up at him.

His attention on Cherice is then averted to Molly. "What she said." she stated, pointing to her new found friend. "I'm not hugging you though. Unless..." added the 13 year old, shaking her head and shaking her arms.

"Unless..." Chuck retorted quirking her right brow. "...what?"

Molly doesn't say a word. Instead, she merely glances over her left shoulder over to the counter then returns her attention back to Chuck. This would lead Emma to immediately interjects. "Molly Anastasia Walker."

"What?" the 13 year old responded. "He's a business man. So, we're doing business Mom." she added raising both eyebrows at her mother.

As mother and daughter have another one of their discussions, Chuck turns his attention to Scooter then towards to his family attorney, "Hartley, could you do me a favor and drop him off at the hospital?"

"It's no problem at all, Charles." nodded Hartley. A soft smile towards his foster son. His attention is then directed towards Scooter. "Let's take our leave, lad. Ms. Walker, Ms. Walker..." Hartley nodded to both. He then looks at Cherice. "...Ms. Baxter. It's has been a pleasure to see you again, especially." he added, pointing to her with a bright smile towards her. All of a sudden, his eyes light up leading him to peer at Chuck once again. "Charles, how much did we raise for the Baxters?"

"Oh yeah." Chuck immediately takes out his phone to search and inevitably finds his notes app. After clicking on it, he shows him the amount of money that they were able to raise. He stares at the number then turns to Chuck with a tremendously wide smile.

"Now, that is a number I'm proud to match."

"Awesome right?" smiled Chuck.

"Awesome indeed." repeated Hartley. 'Your viewing audience came through."

The proud moment for both men would suddenly be interrupted by a clearing throat. The source...Scooter. "Guys." he said, pointing his watch again.

In that instance, Hartley leans back and grabs his dark brown leather satchel from off the table. He then gives a quick nod to the remaining 4 individuals as he heads for the entrance, with Scooter already out the door. Chuck shakes his head as he turns his attention back to Cherice who is now transfixed on the discussion still going on between Emma and Molly. A soft chuckle is expressed as he directs his attention over to the female server behind the Orange Orange counter. "Hey Stella."

After calling out the female server's name working behind the Orange Orange counter, Molly stops in mid discussion with her mother and looks from Chuck to said female server.

"What's up Chuck?"

"Put what their getting on my tab."

"You got it!" smiled the young woman.

After hearing that, Molly and Cherice turn to each other. "Awesome!" they both holler out unison. They then rush to hug him immediately after with Cherice a bit carefully on her part because of her situation. The hugs are quick as the 2 teenagers make their way to the counter in order to buy their choice of frozen yogurt on Chuck's tab. As for Chuck, he shakes his head once again with Emma shaking her head for a completely different reason altogether.

XXX

"So. how are the froyos girls? Emma?"

"Tasty" answered Cherice. Scooping another bit of froyo in her cup.

"Mhmm" responded Molly with a mouth full of frozen yogurt.

"It was good. Thank you for paying. I hope we were not a bother." Emma stated with an apologetic expression on her face.

Chuck waves off what Emma said. "It's not a bother. I'm actually surprised to see Cherice. I've never really bumped into any past, or in this case recent, Rockstar Rebels outside of the hospital before." shrugged the curly headed nerd. "I usually talk to them on the phone and see how they're doing."

"First time for everything Chuck." retorted the 13 year old. She gives a slight tilt of the head and gives a firm nod towards him.

"Some of us don't necessarily live at the hospital. It can feel like it sometimes." Cherice chimed in shaking her head.

"Understandable." nodded Chuck. He then expresses a soft smile towards the two young teenage girls. "I'm glad you two became friends because of Bash At The Bench."

"You made it happen, Chuck." chimed in Emma. "You have this gift of bringing people together in such a positive way even if you don't even realize it." she added shaking her head. "A part of you is in each one of those kids, especially hers." she insisted, pointing to Cherice.

"Nahh. Really?" questioned the youngest Bartowski sibling.

In that moment, Chuck never gave it a thought about how big of influence he has on other people. In his mind, he does what he does because putting the spotlight on those who are deserving puts a smile on their faces. More importantly, the faces of the kids who painfully struggled day in and day out to fight something that is without a doubt a merciless bastard, he thinks to himself. A merciless bastard who doesn't care how young, old, poor, rich or whatever as it goes by one name...cancer. Thinking about it further, it looks like a plain word on paper, but when it touches a person's life it can forever changes his/her life and the lives of those who love/care about him/her.

To him, one of the main reasons he started Bash At The Bench was to bring smiles and laughter in order to help be a distraction from any or all pain they may be dealing with. Granted, even though the show itself may just last an hour, it's those precious moments within that hour that make a tremendous difference in their demeanor and attitude. The smiles, tears of joy, happiness, and all out fun at the expense of himself along with his bearded best friend are so worth it. Yet, what Emma said to him about having this gift of bringing people together in such a positive way "even if I don't even realize it", makes him he thinks.

It's at that point, he reflects back on the conversation he had with Ellie on the beach. What he said concerning how not every love story ends with a happy ending. Some don't even happen at all. It's just a person like me jumping from one moment to the next. Meet new friends along the way. Have memorable images to look back on that aren't necessarily my own. Those kids in the hospital. One of the main driving forces that helps keep me going day in and day out. Being glad to play some part in it. Lives changed mainly theirs for the better. They find happiness or some type of resolution while I move on staying on my own unforeseen path. No real happy ending in sight. My best friend who I can always count on by my side every step of the way. The nerdy business owner's mindset may actually change because of this new revelation.

He is suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by a young female voice. "Molly's Mom is right." Chuck turns his head and gives the 15 year old his full attention. "You've have made a big impact on my life whether you know it or not..." Cherice pauses and takes a deep breath. "...going out of your way to make me feel special. In a way that I don't feel or look like I am." Once again, she pauses then starts becoming visibly emotional. "You gave me the confidence to feel like I can do anything, just by being yourself." she added with a smile. A few tears being shed and falling down her check. "You've become part of my family."

Chuck immediately reacts by reaching over and grabbing a few napkins from the napkin dispenser on the table. He hands them over to Cherice who wipes her eyes. Afterwards, it's Molly who speaks up as she momentarily checks on her 15 year old friend. "Sarah's right about you?" she said, returning her attention to Cherice. The 15 year old removing her nasal cannula to wipe her nose.

The moment Chuck hears Sarah's name, his whole demeanor and not to mention energy shifts. "What...ummm...what was Sarah right about?" he stammered out.

"You're a great guy even though you don't realize it."

"Oh." A gradual goofy looking smile is expressed. "She said that, huh?"

"Yeah." Molly replied, shrugging her shoulders. After giving Cherice a comforting hug, she takes a moment to put a spoon full froyo in her cup into her mouth. "She mentioned it after shopping with Alex on Sunday. It was weird though."

"What's weird, Mol?" questioned Emma.

"Well, you were taking a nap when she got home after shopping. She looked a little red and she said she stopped by the beach."

"Oh..." Chuck stated raising both eyebrows. "...awesome. Hope she had fun..." he added, clearing his throat. "...with Alex."

"Sarah did look a bit red when I saw her." Emma noted. "Judging by the stuff they bought, they made a day of it." the matriarch of the Walker women added.

Molly's eyebrows furrow a bit as she continues on. "The weird part is that I noticed her dumping out the sand into a sandwich bag..." she stated shaking her head. "...in the kitchen off all places. Dude, it's where I eat." The 13 year old gives off a cringe worthy expression on her face.

After hearing that, a growing smile is expressed on his face, but suddenly goes flat once he realizes that all 3 females sitting at the table are staring at him. "Why the smile Chuck?" wondered Emma.

"Oh, you know..." Chuck stammered out. "...just imagining...Molly getting on Sarah's case about what she was doing. I haven't known you long but you can be a real spitfire."

"You don't know the half of it." blurted out Emma.

Instead of getting offended by it in front of Chuck and Cherice, she just nods confirming what she can't deny knowing it's the truth. "It's true. I know I'm a big brat."

Chuck is somewhat amused and a bit scared of who Molly might turn out become when she gets older. So many possibilities with a few of them being a female pro wrestler, a hard-nosed detective in trouble with her Captain, and if it ever came back to television a Gladiator on American Gladiators. However, she may very well surprise everybody, he thinks to himself. His thoughts on Molly are set aside as his attention on Cherice who is now apparently feeling better after becoming emotional on how much of an impact he's had on her. While sitting there, he makes the decision to something to make her feel better.

"How about some froyo for the road? Again, my treat." he insisted. His right hand placed against his chest. A soft smile expressed towards the 15 year old.

"Nice. Chocolate Brownie, please."

"Thanks Chuck." sniffed Cherice, expressing a faint, appreciative smile towards him. "Cotton Candy." she breathes out.

"All right. You got it." Chuck pops up from his seat and heads towards the counter. Emma would follow suit as well in order to get a large order of Cinnamon Bun Batter."

The 2 teenagers are left sitting at the table. A few seconds later of leaning over to hug her friend, Molly and Cherice slowly glance of their inner shoulders towards the Orange Orange counter. They turn to look at each other exchange a slow but gradual smirk and discreet fist tap, ending with a with a faint explosion.

XXX

It's around 9:15 p.m. when Sarah exits her bedroom bathroom and makes her way to her bed. After getting comfortably situated, she turns her head seeing someone else has made herself comfortable as well. The one and only Molly Walker. She's considerably preoccupied listening to music on her Zune that she let her bratty of little sister borrow while laying down with her eyes closed. In her mind, she deserves it for a job well done to the point of having Cherice part of her plan is considered to be absolutely ingenious. Wrong on so many levels, but absolutely ingenious nonetheless. While lying there, she can't help but think there's is a small part of Jackson Burton in her, which is a considerably scary thought to eventhink about. In her mind, she doesn't want to fall in that mind trap of a mentality that her own father brainwashed her into believing when she was her age.

Her thoughts concerning the bad parenting style of the man who doesn't deserve the title dad or father for that matter is abruptly ended when Molly opens her eyes. She then turns her head facing her and is fully aware her older sister is staring at her.

"What?" questioned the 13 year old. She tugs at her older sister's ear phones that drop down as she pushes herself up into a seated position.

"I still can't believe you roped Cherice into your plan." she whispered over to her.

Molly shakes her head and whispers back. "She actually wanted to be a part of it." In that instance, Sarah quirks her right brow at her bratty baby sister. "No, really sis." It's at the point, Molly readjusts herself turning ther whole body towards Sarah and sits Indian style. She takes a momentary deep breath then continues on. "We got to talking and Chuck has really changed all the kids lives at hospital. Whenever Bash At The Bench happens or just him visiting makes all of them happy. Is he really that dense not to see that?"

Sarah sits there for a moment mulling over Molly's assessment of Chuck via Cherice's. Afterwards, she gives her whispered response. "Chuck is the type of guy who puts others before himself and he can be so focused on wanting to see the good within them that he tends to neglect himself. Are you getting what I'm saying?"

"I think so. He's in touch with his lady feelings."

"You've been hanging around Casey too long." chuckled Sarah.

"He is our big brother after all." grinned Molly with amusement. The 13 year old turns around and lays back down. Before she retrieves the earphone and sticks them back in her ears, she looks up at the ceiling and speaks up in a whisper once again. "When does come Vivian come back?"

"Tomorrow. She did say she'll be back Wednesday."

The determined teenager turns her head expressing curiosity on her face. "What do you think she wants to talk to you about?"

"What else? Chuck."

Molly is momentarily silent trying to study her big sister's facial expressions. After mentioning the possibility of talking about a guy they like and are interested in, it may very get nasty she thinks to herself. In her mind, she so wants to be there when a chick fight happens between those two and she most definitely would bet all her money on her big sister standing tall over the woman. A woman who sort of resembles a badass character from a series she's been binge watching lately called Supernatural. That character is so much cooler than her, she thinks to herself. While continuing to lay down, her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the sound of a notification bell that causes her to immediately check her phone out of pure habit.

Unfortunately, it's not coming for her phone. She turns and notices that Sarah is checking her phone. This leads the 13 year old to sit up once again. "What is it?"

"A text from Vivian. Apparently, she got done with business early and is back."

"Do you think she'll want to talk with you tomorrow?"

"I don't think so. She's probably dealing with jetlag since she's just come from overseas. She'll probably be sleeping in half or practically the whole day. In that instance, she mulls over what she wants to text her back, as Molly is sitting close by her. The Chief Operating Officer takes a gamble and types out the following words:

Dinner Thursday Night?
At C3? 7 p.m?
Meet you there.
Okay with you?

After the both of them stare at the text for a solid minute or so, Sarah presses send leading the Walker sisters to wait with wondrous anticipation on what Vivian will respond back with. They don't have to wait long as the sound of a notification text bell sounds off leading both of them to read the following message:

Sounds excellent. I know the place well.
I look forward to seeing you then.
7 p.m.
:)

Sarah once again stares at Vivian's text after receiving a response from her. As much as she wants to mentally decipher her message back to her, she is interrupted by her younger sister making a hissing sound. She turns just in time to see her noticeably shaking her head.

"Even her texts are annoying to read." she whispered once again.

The 13 year old sticks the earphones back in her ears and lays back down in order to listen to the assortment of music that's on her sister's Zune. As for Sarah, she turns her attention from Molly back to the text message from Vivian on her phone. She knows one thing is for sure and that the face to face confrontation will be all coming to a head Thursday night at C3. One way or another, they will come to an understanding when it comes to the nerd they're both interested in.

XXX


NOTE: Molly and Cherice teaming up together. Cruel or just plain smart? Sarah putting sand in a sandwich bag? Real or made up? I'll leave those 2 questions up for you answer. Plus, Lazlo makes an appearance as your typical I.T. guy, which I based on the SNL skit done by Fallon. Well, the next chapter will have the long awaited face off of Sarah and Vivian. So what's her big secret? It will be revealed! In the meantime, feel free to speculate by share sharing your thoughts and comments! Your reviews have been awesome and very much appreciated. As always, I tip my hat to my Beta reader NEVR. He's always excited when he receives my chapters to Beta.