Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: Chuck calls in a favor and takes Sarah to a studio approximately an hour away in order to spend some time with none other than Michael Bublé. While talking with him about the process he goes through in creating a new song, he encourages Sarah to sing because it's considered deeply therapeutic, especially after it's revealed by Chuck that Emma showed him her old singing recital and competition videos from when she was younger. A few moments later she eventually does and sings a song that has resonated with her for years. The song is Reflection by Christina Aguilera from animated movie Mulan. Needless to say, it brought the emotions out of her that she hadn't been able to get out for so long so much so that by the end of it she collapses into Chuck's arms in a tearful mess. So what happens in this chapter? Here are the who, what, where, when, why, and how it all. Who returns to Westside Medical Center after a much needed break from it? What rare form of cancer does the newly dubbed Rockstar Rebel for this week's Bash At The Bench have? Where does Jack think he belongs knowing how much of an egomaniac he is? When will Jack come to his senses about his daughter? Why does Sarah call Chuck insane after making a surprising announcement? Finally, how does the crowd react to the announcement? 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.

Be Her Voice

XXX

It's Friday and after the most considerably therapeutic, as well as uplifting Wednesday she has ever had in her life, Sarah finds herself back at Westside Medical Center. However, she's not there as Chief Operating Officer for the hospital. She's there as a visitor. To be more accurate, she's a guest of the man who's once again doing the most anticipated live streamed show on Fridays known by thousands who subscribed and watch, Bash at the Bench. Fortunately for her, she would be a welcomed sight for Chief Beckman much to the chagrin of the hospital's weasel faced attorney Emmitt Milbarge who voiced his opinion and concerns on the matter.

Yet, Milbarge's opinion and concerns fell on deaf ears knowing full well he would end up contacting The Board of Directors about blatantly disregarding the punishment that they gave her. Of course, Beckman received a call and informed them of her presence as a fan of the popular YouTube show and not as her 2nd in command. In other words, she can clearly be there based on a technicality, which angered Emmitt immensely. So, he couldn't do anything about it. Plus, Casey threatened him with bodily harm if his partner were to be kicked out on a day such as this.

In any case, when it comes to Chuck, he adhered to the punishment that was handed down by the Board of Directors and hasn't set foot on hospital grounds until today. Despite not being there in person, he's had a team of people having his back when it comes to all the preparations and setting up. The nerdy business owner and host of Nerdy Nerfherder and Fuzzball greatly appreciated all the backbreaking efforts by countless individuals who stepped up in order to make the show happen. In his mind, it goes to show how many people believe in him and how awesomely important the show is, especially when it comes to spotlighting illnesses resulting from cancer.

As much as he is humbled by the accolades by those who feel he is giving a voice for the ones that are oftentimes unable to speak for themselves, he would rather put the spotlight on the kids who are most deserving of it. Speaking of the other half of a couple who is known as Charah, he is currently on stage welcoming the seemingly packed crowd in the courtyard and showing off his new look that gets an overwhelmingly tremendous reaction to say the least. The mixture of approval by way of loud screams, whistles, cat calls, etc. raise energy to another level to where the electricity can be felt all around.

After eventually getting the raucous crowd calmed down, he briefly addresses the masses but not before giving a heart sign to each and every one in attendance. He then starts Bash at the Bench with a familiar song and he's not alone. Jeff and Lester join him on stage with the older half of the duo behind the keyboard while Lester is on the drums. As they begin to play, Chuck sings the first 6 word of the song and almost immediately the crowd who are of a certain age know what song he's singing.

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

At this point, Chuck initiates the hand clap causing the crowd to join in to the point where the combined sound within the courtyard strongly echoes and not to mention reverberates all around. The seemingly thunderous claps are certainly felt in that exact location, but can also be heard as well knowing that every television in the hospital is showing the stream going on live, especially in Jack Burton's room.

Speaking of Jack, he's lying in his bed in considerable pain physically due to his several damaged kidneys. Plus, the added physical pain of listening to his daughter's nerdy boyfriend singing is making him want to kill himself to end the sheer torture he's experiencing right now. He's also in additional pain as well because his television is on and sees Chuck currently singing on screen, which he visibly expresses an annoyingly agitated scowl.

"Nurse!" painfully called out, Jack towards his open door into the hallway. "Nurse! Hello!?" After not hearing anything or seeing a nurse respond, he directs his attention to the button that contacts the Nurses' Station. He presses it in defiant anger. After impatiently waiting for what seems like forever, he finally hears someone respond from the speak beside his bed.

"Yes Mr. Burton?"

"I need someone to come in here."

"Is there a problem, sir?"

"I need some water. I'm thirsty and my pitcher is empty." Jack shared, reaching over to the table to his left and turning it over signifying it's actually empty. "My mouth is dry. So could you hurry it up!" he requested, in a more demanding manner.

"A nurse will be right with you, Mr. Burton."

While continuing to wait impatiently for the nurse in his hospital bed, he reaches for the remote to the television and attempts to change the channel. Unfortunately, he realizes that every channel he turns to he sees the same thing and that is Chuck singing with an old man and short Indian woman with long hair. Speaking of the woman with long hair, the other half of the dynamic duo otherwise known as Jeffster, repeats "let it all out" giving a rather surprising falsetto giving this rendition they're performing a considerably unique Jeffster twist to the 80's classic Tears For Fears song.

Let it all out (let it all out)
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind
I'd really love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart

Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on

His focus on the seemingly hypnotic song is suddenly broken by the sudden appearance of a nurse with a pitcher on hand hopefully full of water. As for the nurse herself, she's a short Asian nurse with her hair in pigtails who is now standing by his bedside and after glancing at her name tag he now knows her name…Anna Wu. He immediately snaps at her for taking too long to get to his room with his water.

"About time." growled the impatient patient, snatching the pitcher from her hands. Afterwards he, reaches over and grabs the nearby cup pouring the water into it. He then quickly downs it.

"My apologies sir. I was helping another patient when I got the call. We've been busy."

After saying that, Jack's attention is averted from her to the tv screen where he sees a number of nurses dancing. This would lead the grumpy and perturbed patient to respond angrily back at her. "Busy. If you say so." he grumpily huffed out, shaking his head.

Anna smiles in response and showing her professionalism despite the all-out rudeness shown towards her. "Those nurses are for the children section of the hospital?" she shared, continuing to be respectful despite not being or shown respect for that matter. "Is that it for you, sir? Need anything else?" Anna inquired.

"That's it." Jack growled back. "You can leave now." he added, motioning with his left hand to leave.

The aforementioned short statured Asian nurse complies with Jack and heads out of his room. Once she steps out of his room and walks a few feet away from the man's doorway, the perky attitude is suddenly dropped. What's replaced is a totally different demeanor. A demeanor that reads as if she wants to either beat up or murder someone. While taking a few deep breathes in order to calm herself down, Ellie approaches and takes a moment to talk to her.

"Anna, are you doing okay?"

"I'm fine. That guy in there is a real tool." she angrily stated, rubbing both hands together then balling one of them into a fist. "If I had been in there any longer, he would gotten a right cross to his face." she revealed to the eldest Bartowski sibling.

"Awesome to hear that you refrained from doing that. Anyways, that tool…" stated Ellie. "…is Chief Walker's dad. Not a nice man."

"Gotcha." she replied back, tapping her nose a few times. Anna then leans in whisper to her. "So, you want me to give him the ole' Anna Wu hospitality? You know…" she pauses for a moment, then continues on. "…poke him with a needle by accident? Write on his chart that he needs a colonoscopy? Steal his channel changer or better yet take the batteries out of it? What do you want me to do?" she asked, standing there waiting for a response.

After hearing those suggestions, Ellie's eyes bug out and nearly pop out causing her to immediately step forward placing both hands on the side of Anna's arms. "No!" She quickly looks around after her sudden outburst. Her attention returning back to Anna. "None of that." she continued on, lowering her voice in order to not make a scene in the hallway. "I just want you to do your job."

"That's no fun. Not fun at all." Anna retorted back, sounding considerably disappointed.

"You were placed on mandatory leave because you were getting burned out. Even going so far as snapping at patients. There's no telling what would have happened if you snapped at Chief Beckman." recalled Ellie, reminding the short statured nurse of what happened. "Are you sure you're okay? I know you and Morgan broke up..."

"Morgan who? He's yesterday's news." Anna quickly chimes in, brushing off her then boyfriend at the time. "I'm so done with him. I've been dating a new guy. His name is Jason Wang. He's works and deals with high end exotic cars." she happily revealed, expressing a wide smile.

"Okay." responded Ellie, quirking her right brow down towards her. She releases her hands on either side of Anna's arms to where she ends up crossing them. "By the way, how are the anger management classes you've been taking coming along?"

"I'm on step 11."

"Which is?"

"Take action. I'm harnessing all my angry energy by taking a self-defense class and beating the shit out of a dummy."

"That's…." Ellie stands there for a moment trying to find the right word to convey. "…awesome?"

"What's awesome is that we also get to beat up a guy dressed in pads." she shared, hit her left palm with her right fist. "I look forward to it every Friday night."

"Today is Friday."

"I know." she retorted, expressing a devilish smile.

It's at that point, both women suddenly hear the sound of Anna's name being called out and it's coming from within Jack Burton's room. "Nurse Wu!"

Anna takes a moment to revert back into happy nurse mode and tacks on her professional smile. For Ellie, it's absolutely scary how fast Morgan's former girlfriend can quickly change demeanors so much so she's actually thankful he is in a far better relationship with Alex than with her. It's far less dangerous she thinks to herself. In her mind, she's like the landlady with the curlers in her hair and always smoking cigarettes in the movie Kung Fu Hustle. A movie that was chosen for family movie night by Chuck a month ago. Granted, martial arts movies generally aren't her type of genre but she laughed and did get a bit teary eyed in parts. In any case, the head neurosurgeon shakes those thoughts out her mind and focused back on Anna by giving her a reminder before parting ways.

"Remember…." she started, putting both hands in either side of her doctor's coat. "…just do your job. Okay?" Ellie reiterated, eyeing the short Asian nurse. "Did you hear me?"

"Okay. I heard you." Anna moaned back, in a mocking manner. She then reverts back to her perky nurse mode after briefly dropping the false bravado for a moment. Afterwards, she turns around heading back into the same room she just left previously. However, before she does, Ellie grabs the empty pitcher she's been clutching in her hands.

"I'll take that." she said briefly raising it in the air, then expressing a brief and somewhat awkward chuckle. In her mind, it's just a precautionary measure to avoid have it be used as a weapon.

As for Anna, it doesn't deter her any as she stops just before heading inside the rude patient's room who she now knows as Chief Walker's dad. "How may I assist you, Mr. Burton?" she announced, a second later stepping inside his room. Ellie standing there for a moment shaking her head then turns around, handing off the empty pitcher to a nurse walking by, then walks the other direction in order to continue her rounds.

XXX

"Bartowski Brigade…" Chuck started off, now standing in front of the courtyard bench. His attention on the crowd that is seemingly jam-packed within the courtyard. "…the Rockstar Rebel for this week is truly a tough young woman. She has been dealing with a rare form of throat cancer. The medical term for it is called Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma or LSCC for short. From what I was able to learn, it's an extremely rare and cancerous disease that typically has an aggressive nature. Yet, it isn't stopping her doctor from trying to help this young woman who at this point is trying to live her best life as a 16 year old girl." he shared, quickly turning his attention to his left. "So, let's all give a Bash at the Bench welcome to Monique Jordan and her mother, Tamera."

The crowd within the courtyard give an uplifting round of applause as Monique and her mother Tamera approach the blue courtyard bench. After a quick greeting between the 3 individuals, Chuck hands them both a microphone then motions for mother and daughter to sit down. Once they do, he does so as well, sitting on the other end providing just enough space between them to continue on with the interview.

"So…" smiled the youngest Bartowski sibling. "…how are you feeling, kiddo?" he added, reaching over to briefly pat the teenager on her left arm.

"I'm good." she replied, in a hoarse tone of voice. A noticeable expression of pain on her face afterwards is clearly noticed by Chuck.

The nerdy host's attention is then directed to her mother sitting behind her. "Her voice. Is that one of the symptoms of the type of throat cancer she has?"

"Yes sir, Mr. Bartowski."

In that instance, Chuck holds up his right hand expressing a faint smile. "Please, we're all friends here…" he retorted, motioning not just to himself but to the crowd as well. "…you can call me, Chuck."

"Okay, Chuck." Tamera replied, expressing a bit of apprehension after complying with Chuck's request. The visibly nervous mom clears her throat then continues on with answering his question. "Yes. The hoarseness in her voice is related to LSCC. She also dealt with ear pain and there is also the pain she felt when she swallows, especially when eating food. She's lost weight because of not being able to eat. The doctors say to not put so much stress on her voice, which means limiting her talking. For a girl her age, that's tough, especially around her friends."

"I'm sure it is. From my understanding, it can feel like having a persistent sore throat or as if something is caught in your throat. Am I right?" he stated, in a questioning manner.

"Yes si…" Tamera quickly stops then corrects herself. "…Chuck." This would lead to Monique's mom expressing a bit of embarrassed laughter on her part. "I'm sorry." she softly said, in a deeply emotional and not to mention apologetic way.

"Don't be. How about this. Just think of me as…." Chuck pauses then sits there for a moment contemplating who to compare himself to. Since the two lovely ladies he's sitting across from are African American, he just decides to throw caution to the wind in hopes to break the combination of nerves, anxiety, and tension both of them are feeling. "…Oprah."

Without missing a beat, Tamera looks directly at Chuck. "Am I getting a new car then?" inquired Tamera, leaning forward a bit. A mixture of hopeful curiosity expressed in her eyes and body language.

"Giirrrlll, please." Chuck humorously snapped back, waving off that request with his left hand in a sassy kind of way. In that very moment he thought about adding a couple snaps to make it even funnier but ended up chickening out. Instead, he just gives her a playful side eye. "Do I look rich to you?" he blurted out in a dorky kind of way. A seemingly exaggerated neck wobble added in as well.

It's at the point, Tamera bust out laughing at what she's seeing before her then points at Chuck. "Stop it! Boy, you crazy!"

Her response causes an all-out giggle fest coming from Monique leading everyone in the courtyard to erupt in laughter as well. Afterwards, the crowd witnesses high fives being exchanged between the 3 people sitting on the courtyard bench, the tension that was previously felt moments ago has now dissipated thanks to the efforts of one Chuck Bartowski. Once the place settles down, Chuck continues on with the interview.

"What type of treatments has she gone through? Is the prognosis in the long run for her..." Chuck pauses for a moment to search for the right word to say. "…positive?"

"For the most part. Initially, it was thought to be just a persistent cough, but it wouldn't go away causing her to end up with a sore throat. So, she was prescribed medicine to deal with the sore throat."

"But it wasn't a sore throat."

Tamera nods. "She's in Stage IV. It sounds bad, that it's a good thing actually. The invasive tumor that was found spread to her lymph nodes. Only two of her lymph nodes on the same side of the primary tumor. It would have been far worse if there were more. Thankfully, no sign of it metastasizing anywhere else in her larynx." She pauses getting visibly emotional but takes a deep breath in order to compose herself. "My daughter has gone through a number of surgeries and radiation therapy. Her doctors say, it's the best course of action to take and there are some positive signs it's working." she continued to share, with Chuck and the crowd in the courtyard. "At the same time though, it takes a lot out of her physically, but you'd never know because of how strong she is."

Chuck's attention on Tamera drifts down to Monique. "Awesome that it hasn't spread anywhere else?" The courtyard erupts with applause up after hearing that bit of good news concerning Monique's prognosis.

"I know my mom is worried about me…" Monique softly said into the mic, doing her best to talk through the pain. "…but God is watching over me. He's got this." she added, pointing up towards the heavens.

"Amen. Praise the Lord for watching over my baby girl during her own trials and tribulations." Tamera emotionally responded back. She then briefly closes her eyes and raises her left hand. "God answers prayers." she stated with immense conviction on her part.

"Yes, He does." nodded Chuck, expressing a genuine smile of appreciation and concern. "He truly does. I believe that." After a momentary pause, he changes the subject to learn more about the 16 year old teenager. "Tell me. Inquiring minds want to know. What's your favorite thing to do, Monique?"

Monique takes a moment to think about the question. Afterwards, she answers the nerdy host sitting to her left on the same courtyard bench she and her mom are on. "Singing." she answered with a bright, beautiful smile.

"Awesome."

In that instance, Tamera chimes in. "Before the LSCC, Nique loved to listen to and sing along to songs that I play around the house when she was younger. She loves her some Kelly Clarkson. Now that girl can sang. Not sing…saaaannnngg." she reiterated, with considerable emphasis to the word itself.

"Yes she can." nodded Chuck once again, in absolute agreement with Tamera. "Any song of hers in particular? What's the one song that you always listen to?"

For Monique, the smile she expresses seems to grow even wider. Without even thinking about it, she immediately gives her answer instead of her mother. "Hear Me."

"Nique loves that song, Chuck. She puts it on repeat all the time. It's a song that, according to Kelly Clarkson, is a letter to God. It means so much to her…" Tamera pauses to wrap her arms her 16 year old daughter from behind. After taking a moment to kiss the side of her daughter's head, she continues on doing her best to not let her emotions take over to the point of crying. "…and for me too."

The heartwarming moment between mother and daughter on the bench makes a tremendous impact on the crowd gather within the courtyard. An impact where most of the crowd wipes away tears after getting to know the 16 year old girl's struggles in the continued fight with such a rare form of cancer. Yet, those tears represent happiness as well knowing she's not letting it keep her down as she's doing all she can to live her best life, especially with her friends around her.

"Well then…" grinned Chuck, inevitably pushing himself up into a standing position. "…wait right here." he requested, expressing his trademark toothy smile. "You're in for a treat."

After taking a moment to set up, Chuck has one hand on the mic and the other on the long stem of the mic stand. He's about to signal Jeff and Lester to start playing behind him when he suddenly locks his focus on to Sarah who is proudly smiling at him. In that instance, his attention from the blonde woman standing by the camera stage with Chief Beckman and Casey next to her is turned back to the young woman sitting on the courtyard bench to his right with her mother. Afterwards, he makes an announcement.

"Wait. I'm sorry…Monique and Bartowski Brigade. I'm not going to be singing the song."

The crowd erupts in surprised shock after Chuck's unexpected announcement causing quite a stir. He turns around to look at Jeff behind the keyboard and Lester sitting behind on drums who look equally as perplexed. More than usual to say the least. This would lead the nerdy host to turn his attention back to the courtyard bench in order to give an explanation as he apologetically turns to a confused young girl and equally confused mother who are wondering what's going on.

"The reason I'm not going to be singing is that someone else will. That someone is…" He then directs his attention from Monique to the woman who, in his opinion, would most definitely do the song justice. "…Sarah Walker!"

It's that announcement that causes the Westside Medical Center's courtyard to be surprisingly stunned as all eyes suddenly turn to the woman standing beside Chief Beckman and Casey. Both are equally as stunned and surprised, more so for the auburn haired administrator than the hulking head of security. However, it doesn't compare to how the woman, who is now been thrust quintessential spotlight, is feeling right now.

Speaking of Sarah, she's looking around in absolute awkward embarrassment to where she notices a smile from Morgan looking down at her perched behind the camera, a quirked eyebrow from Chief Beckman on her right, and a smirk from Casey standing behind their boss. Afterwards, Sarah directs her attention back to the man standing on the stage responsible who is waving her over to come to the stage. Unfortunately, she's not moving at all from where she's standing leading her to breathe out the following two words under her breathe in response: "Chuck me."

XXX

"Are you insane!?" questioned Sarah, glaring at the man standing in front of him. The same man who not moments ago called her out to sing a song in front of practically everybody.

"Of course not. My mother had me tested." Chuck humorously chuckled back, trying to lessen the tension. In response, Sarah stands there with her arms crossed continuing to shoot her infamous death glare towards him. That leads him to continue on before he receives a verbal beat down. A beat down that Casey would gladly enjoy seeing evident by the smirk that's been plastered on his face since he came over to talk to her. "Sheldon Cooper. Big Bang Theory reference."

"I got that reference, Chuck!"

Chuck doesn't even look behind him to know who said it. "I know you did, Morg. Thanks!"

"No problem!"

"It's a joke. Trying to lighten the tension here." Again, Sarah continues to glare at him leading the Chuck to briefly peer down, take a deep breath, and then lift his head in order to focus back on his girlfriend. "Listen, you can do this."

"No, I can't. It's been ages since I've sung in front of a crowd."

In that instance, Chuck steps forward and reaches down to hold both of her hands. "Look at me. Don't look down or sideways." he quickly uttered, knowing her tell. A tell that he noticed whenever she's incredibly uncomfortable, especially during that moment before singing at the suggestion of Michael Bublé on Wednesday. It takes some doing but she finally locks her eyes with his. "You can do this. You know the words and the message of the song better than I do."

"I don't know, Chuck." Sarah retorted back, completely unsure of what he's asking her to do.

"I do know." he answered back, squeezing both her hands. "Remember when I practiced the song. You helped me out by singing parts of it with feeling that best conveyed the message of what the song is about. I thank you for that." He pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath before forging on. "You, more than anyone, know what it's like to live those words and tapping into a part of yourself that wantsneeds to be let out. Plus, you were meant to sing this song. Not me." he added, shaking his head.

Sarah is briefly quiet then gives her response. "What if I freeze up? What if I forget the words? What if…"

"Forget what if. Get it out of your head." interjected Chuck, expressing reassuring encouragement on his part. "You know this song backwards and forwards." He takes a moment to gather his thoughts then continues on. "Your voice was forced to stay quiet. Now you have an opportunity to let it out for everyone to hear. Don't do it for me. Do it for yourself…" He then directs his attention to the stage and nods over to Monique with her mom who are both standing in front of the courtyard bench. A look of concern on both their faces. "…and for Monique. She may not have much of a voice but you do. Be her voice." The youngest Bartowski sibling stated, hoping she considers doing the performance instead of him.

Sarah is about to say something when Chief Beckman chimes in. "Sarah."

"Chief?" she answered back. In that instance, Chuck lets go of her hands in order for her to face Chief Beckman to do the same.

"Since I've met you…" Beckman takes a moment to gather her thoughts then continues on. "…you've been able to do extraordinary things that have thoroughly impressed the hell out of me. You will do it again, I'm sure of it. Mr. Bartowski believes in you and so do I. Casey does too."

Her attention on her boss is then turned to the best damn partner she's ever had. "Casey?"

A firm nod is given towards her. "You got this, Walker." grunted Beckman's hulking head of security.

"Sing your heart out up there and be that remarkable girl's voice." Beckman insisted, squeezing her hands with encouragement then release her hold on them.

"You can do it, Sarah!" bellowed Morgan on the camera stage behind her, in his best Rob Schneider impersonation.

In response, Sarah briefly looks behind and up at Morgan exchanging an appreciate nod then turns her attention the stage. More importantly to focus on Monique. Unfortunately, her attention would be broken by the sound of Chuck's voice calling to her.

"Sarah…" The eldest Walker sibling turns to her nerdy boyfriend after feeling a hand on her right shoulder. "…one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Your father."

"What about him?" she begrudgingly answered back. A brief roll of her eyes added in as she was uttering those words.

"Make him hear you. He'll be watching and listening."

"How do you know for sure?"

"I don't..." he replied, shaking his head. "…but he will." Chuck added, with a firm nod.

It's those two words that resonate with her as she turns her attention back to the stage. However before doing so, her attention is directed to a certain bearded camera man. "You're going to do awesome, Sarah." stated Morgan, throwing up two thumbs her way.

In response, Sarah simply smiles up at him then goes back to focusing on the stage. More importantly on the aforementioned remarkable young girl who although doesn't have much of voice, she's being given the honor to, in a way, be her voice. A voice that will have people waking up and listening like never before, especially the one person who most definitely needs to do both.

Speaking of that one person, Jack Burton didn't have much to do instead of just lying in his bead bored out of his mind. In his mind, watching television is out of the question because all the channels are playing the same thing and that absolutely annoyed him. So, he turned it off. All that's left for him to do is sleep and he's done more than enough sleeping for one man to even stand, he thinks to himself. Yet, the one advantage of him being able to sleep it off is that he's able to not completely focus on the pain he's been experiencing. At the same time though, it's caused him to reflect back on his own life that had him ending up in the same hospital where his own daughter works at, which is considerably ironic in a way.

It's that particular thought in which he hisses out a bit of laughter. The irony in which his oldest daughter wields all the power over him, now he's at his weakest and most vulnerable. Strike and strike hard. Do it while your target is at a complete disadvantage. In his mind, that's what he would do, knowing she can certainly make his life absolutely uncomfortable, and not to mention miserable as well, by simply ordering the nurses to not help him in any way. That's how you show how strong you are and finding any sort of weakness to exploit, then going in for the kill. It's worked for him as the best political spin doctors out there that countless individuals in politics want him to work for them.

Make a name for yourself and that name will be legendary. After thinking that, his facial expression suddenly changes from a smirk to an all-out cringe from the pain he's experiencing from his failing kidneys. It's that aforementioned pain in which he momentarily grits his teeth then exhales after the pain thankfully subsides. While continuing to lay there in his hospital bed in and out of pain, he can't help but think that this is probably karma or whatever the hell it's called that's coming back to him involving all the stuff he's done in the past. A past in which he's being forced to face head on now that his immortality has been taken away from him. Furthermore, he's no longer on top of Mount Olympus looking down amongst insignificant mortals. Unfortunately, he now amongst the mortal instead a self-proclaimed God.

His thoughts while continuing to lay there in his hospital bed turn to an all might deity that he doesn't think is actually real. Does it label me an atheist? At this point, he really doesn't care one way or the other. Whether he's real or isn't it's not considered high on his board of what's most important to him. As long as he's left alone and not end up being subjected to how his life should be turned over to God for all his past misdeeds by the bible thumpers then it's all good, he thinks to himself. Yet, even questioning the existence of a so called supreme being who is able to see all and hear everyone's prayers has causes him to shake his thoughts to clear his head from even thinking about it.

Afterwards, he tries to find something to occupy his time but fails miserably. As he's cursing under his breathe, he suddenly hears a commotion coming from outside his room. It's loud enough that he ends up leaning forward to see that his hospital room door that he demanded be closed by Nurse Wu when she left apparently remained open much to his chagrin. He wanted privacy and didn't want to be disturbed, especially now with all that's going on. Although he's trying his best to ignore all the chatter, he ends up hearing clearly the following words that catch his attention from out in the hallway: "Chief Walker is singing! Turn it up! Turn it up!"

Upon hearing those words, Jack scoffs at the mere thought of his daughter singing because of how he considered it a waste of time when she was growing up. He remembers telling her that her talents are best suited in the business world and use what he taught her instead of doing she loved. A sentiment that her mother believed would bring out the best in and he pretty much put a stop to that altogether, he thinks to himself. In his mind, he deserves at least a thank you for his tireless efforts in putting her on a path that has her in a position of authority. He expresses a bit of laughter knowing what he's about to do is utterly foolish but he'll have to see it for himself just for the pure comical absurdity of it all.

Out of sheer curiosity, he reaches for the remote for the hospital room television and turns it on. A few seconds later, he sees Sarah on his television screen standing there talking to a little girl, a woman who presumably is her mother, and then Chuck. He can't help but shake his head at what's about to unfold causing him to prepare himself for what he believes could possibly be a complete and utter train wreck that's about to happen. A train wreck that's going to be unfortunately witnessed by so many.

"What do the kids say these days? She's going to go viral?" he softly uttered, shaking his head once again. His attention then focused back on the television screen where his daughter speaks up before actually singing.

"Hi everybody. It's been a while since I've done this, so bear with me. I'm a bit nervous as you can tell."

"Love you, Sarah!"

"Love you too, Alex!" she hollered back, to her right. A smile and a brief wave directed off camera.

Jack can hear on the television the sound of people excitedly screaming and encouraging her on. It seems laughable to him that his own daughter is subjecting herself to this sort of self-torture. Quit now and save yourself the embarrassment, Sarah. It's that thought in which he watches as Sarah turns to her right, smiles, and then speaks into the mic.

"This is for you, Monique." she called out, as the sound of a keyboard starts to play the intro to the Kelly Clarkson's song.

XXX

Hear me... Hear me...
You gotta be out there
You gotta be somewhere

Wherever you are, I'm waiting...
Oh…

'Cause there are these nights when
I sing myself to sleep
And I'm hoping my dreams
Bring you close to me
Are you listening?

Sarah is very subdued in the beginning as she caresses the mic and the mic stand. Her eyes are closed and her voice is hypnotically soft to the point where it's as if she's pulling you in. Before leaving the studio on Wednesday, Michael Bublé gave both of them tips in how to hook the audience's attention and then keep them hooked until the moment where you make their jaws drop to the ground. The Canadian crooner specifically instructed both of them to hold back a bit then when you have the crowd in the palm of your hands, hit them with the 1-2 punch. Her voice and her eyes. She does just that singing the next part of the song with her eyes opening and showing the absolute intensity behind them. Her laser like focus directed straight into the camera.

Hear me I'm crying out, I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down, find me
I'm lost inside the crowd, it's getting loud
I need you to see, I'm screaming for you to please
Hear me,

Can you hear me?

At the point, the crowd within the courtyard becomes totally unhinged because none of them expected to hear that voice coming out from the woman currently standing on stage. Screams, whistles, Arsenio Hall dog pound calls, etc. are expressed as the crowd continues to root the blonde woman on. It's that same blonde woman who is right now owning the stage and just singing with such gritty, raw emotion that it can truly be felt not only in the courtyard, but on the television screens of anyone who is sitting there tuning into the live stream itself.

Speaking of anyone, the man who tuned in for the pure comical absurdity of it all finds himself transfixed on the screen watching his daughter staring into the camera and singing. She's singing as if it's to him and only him, causing Jack to be rendered speechless. While he's left speechless, the crowd in the courtyard is rocking out to Sarah's performance. Although she announced beforehand that she's a bit nervous, it doesn't show now as she finds herself closing her eyes once again then continuing on with the next part of the song after that momentary break in between.

I used to be scared of
Letting someone in
But it gets so lonely
Being on my own
With no one to talk to
And no one to hold me
I'm not always strong, oh I need you here
Are you listening?

After letting loose singing those 3 words inevitably ending with a beautifully melodic run at the end of the word 'listening', the jam-packed courtyard itself explodes into deafening screams and applause. In that brief moment before heading into the next part of the lyrics to the song, she feels the nerves go away and gradually finds herself hitting a comfortable, and not to mention familiar, zone that she hasn't felt for quite some time since she was a teenager. It's a zone in which a momentary hint of a smile appears as she opens her eyes fully embracing and comfortably settling into the performance that ramps up harder with such intensely vibrant energy coming from somewhere deep inside of her.

Hear me I'm crying out, I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down, find me
I'm lost inside the crowd, it's getting loud
I need you to see, I'm screaming for you to please

I'm restless and wild
I fall but I try
I need someone to understand
I'm lost in my thoughts
And baby I've fought
For all that I've got
Can you hear me?

Hear me I'm crying out, I'm ready now
Turn my world upside down, find me
I'm lost inside the crowd, it's getting loud
I need you to see, for you to please

Hear me, hear me, hear me
(Can you hear me?)
Hear me, hear me, hear me

At this point, Sarah points the mic to the crowd to have them repeat those 2 words back to her and they don't disappoint whatsoever. In unison, the crowd joins in a massive repeat of 'hear me', which completely blows her away. The combined vocals of everyone within that courtyard ends up not only rattling all the windows, but seemingly shakes the foundation of the entire Westside Medical Center. The reverberations can seemingly be felt all throughout the established medical facility, especially in Jack Burton's room. He can somehow feel the energy and hear it too evident by sounds like shouting and screaming located outside his room. To him, it's unbelievable what is happening right now and it's all because of his daughter.

While continuing to be completely captivated in utterly dumbfounded way by his own flesh and blood, he feels something sliding down his cheek. When he reaches up to feel what it is, he notices it's something he's never seen or experienced before for that matter…tears. Again, he doesn't know what's happening or why is it even happening at all. What he does know is that for some reason him watching her sing is affecting him in a very emotional way, which causes him to momentarily panic. So, in order to stop it he turns off the television and quickly tosses the remote aside.

Unfortunately, he can't turn off or escape for that matter the screams and shouts going on outside out in the hallway. As much as he wants to get out of bed and slam the door shut, the pain he's experiencing is prohibiting him from doing that. So, he does the next best thing for a man in his position can do. He lays down, take his pillow, lifts it above is head, and then pulls it down pressing it over his face. Afterwards, he screams into it muffling the sheer frustration, agitation, and annoyance because he's experiencing being unable to control the situation. The situation of trying to avoid hearing the words Sarah is signing because he hears it along with the screams of those outside in the hall.

Oh, ooh oh…
Hear me, hear me, hear me...

As for the screams within confines of the courtyard, they slowly quiet down. Yet, the crowd still watch in amazed and not to mention surprised disbelief at the woman who has taken center stage closing out the song she's performing. Speaking of Sarah, her eyes are once again closed and ends the song with a tremendously soft flourish by simply lowering her head while standing behind the mic/mic stand. She absolutely exhausted but at the same time feels the adrenaline rush of what it was like back then for her. It feels awesome. What's even more awesome, is what she's hearing now causing her to lift her head and doing so witnesses the courtyard going completely bananas because of her. It's not just in the courtyard as she finds herself looking up to see her peers showing their appreciation waving at her from either inside or outside their offices.

A bit embarrassed by all the attention she's receiving, Sarah does acknowledge the crowd by waving to everyone then placing her right hand on her heart in hopes they settle down. The love from the crowd causes her to get emotional but steels as a realization sets in that's she not the actual focus. It's that thought in which she raises the mic in her left hand in order to rightfully place the focus on why or in this case who they're all here for. She turns and motions for the young woman of the hour to come up on stage.

"Monique Jordan everybody! Your Rockstar Rebel!"

In a matter of seconds, Monique is on stage with her mother and Chuck following suit as well. The 16 year old waves at everybody then bee lines straight towards Sarah who she envelopes with great big bear hug. After a few moments, the teenager looks up at her with such admiration expressing a beautiful, bright smile.

"Thank you." she softly said.

"You're welcome." Sarah softly responded back.

Afterwards, she returns the 16 year old's embrace and while locked in the hug she inevitably makes eye contact with Chief Beckman who is proudly smiling at her. An approving nod given as well, leading Sarah's line of sight to focus on the man standing behind her boss. Although she can't hear it, the woman who is still suspended until next week knows Casey expressed a grunt of respect, which can be heard loud and clear by her. As for Morgan, he just pointing like a bearded madman alongside Alex who is overly ecstatic for her friend and colleague who knocked it out of the park, so to speak. In any case, the heartfelt moment between Sarah and Monique isn't over as Tamera would join in on the hug fest. It's a hug simply saying thank you for giving her 16 year old daughter a voice. It's within that special moment that Monique's mother whispers in her ear causing Sarah to laugh. A laugh that Chuck notices due in part to their interaction. Afterwards, all 3 females suddenly hear the nerdy host's voice once again.

"Let's give it up for Monique and Sarah, Bartowski Brigade!" he screamed out into the mic, inevitably standing next to Sarah. A proud look on his face not just for Sarah who he sees just soaking it all in, but for Monique as well. The roar of the crowd is so loud that you can't hear yourself talk or even think for that matter. While continuing to stand there, he lowers the mic in order to lean and quick a quick kiss on the top the side of her head then whispers in her left ear. "Tamera whispered something to you and you laughed. What'd she say?" inquired Chuck with curiosity.

"I can saannnng." she whispered back, expressing a soft chuckle afterwards.

Chuck can't help but let a chuckle of his own and express his trademark toothy smile knowing what Tamera told her is true. The memorable moment in the courtyard wouldn't end there as a chant of Monique and Sarah is started by none other than Chuck Bartowski. It would lead the 2 aforementioned females to take center stage with the 16 year old waving with a great big smile on her face whereas the blonde with a golden voice doing a simple curtsey. It something she always did at the end of every singing recital and competition. In any case, both Rockstar females hug each other once again whereby making this week's Bash At The Bench considerably special in every sense of the word, especially for everyone watching in the courtyard and at home. Yet, in the back of Sarah's mind she wonders if Jack heard her sing, but ends up mentally shrugging it off knowing she got what she needed out of her system and quite possibly out of her life for good.

XXX


NOTE: So, what did you think? The return of Anna Wu to Westside Medical Center and her interaction with Jack Burton? Plus, her conversation with Ellie in the hallway. How about Chuck deciding not to sing and choosing Sarah to take his place to perform Kelly Clarkson's song 'Hear Me'? Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as I did writing it, especially listening Kelly Clarkson's AOL session from 2004 on YT over and over again. In any case, leave a comment and share your thoughts. As always, tip of the hat to NEVR for doing the beta for this chapter.