Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: Sarah deals with the aftermath of her dinner with Ellie. Emma and Molly have a little fun at her expense. Morgan helps Chuck deal with sending a text to Sarah while Sarah deals with her sister trying to send a message to Chuck. Hilarity ensues for the both of them. Moving forward Chuck meets up with Sarah for the date. So what's in store for this chapter? Why is Sarah suddenly embarrassed. What do Chuck and Sarah talk about on their way to their intended hang out spot? Who is the person that Chuck's friend Manoosh said to personally ask for when he arrived at said location? Why are Chuck and Sarah suddenly so awkward with one another. 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 Placement Reaction Theory

XXX

"Chuck…" Sarah said closing the door. Her attention briefly on him then directed to the 2 people standing near the open doorway leading to the kitchen. "…this is my mom Emma and my little sister Molly." she added formerly introducing them to him in an official capacity.

"Mrs. Walker…" nodded Chuck with a slight wave. Afterwards a nervous but polite and courteous handshake given to her along with her shorter sibling. "…Molly." he added expressing an awkwardly nervous smile. The younger sister simply giving a quick wave back not really saying much. Yet, eyeing him in such a way that she's attempting to get an overall sense of the individual in question standing in her living room. "Nice to meet you both."

"Please, call me Emma." she insisted. "And to you as well." softly smiled Emma. The mother of 2 daughter incredible daughters cranes her neck a bit looking up at the man taking her daughter out of a non-date. "Sarah never mentioned how tall you are." she shared taken aback by his deceptive lanky stature. In that moment, she's knows that her oldest daughter is considered tall, but when compared to Chuck he actually has her by about at least by a few inches.

"Ok…Emma." Chuck retorted with a crooked smile. "I do have an unfortunate tendency to slouch."

"No slouching then."

"Yes ma'am."

As Emma and Chuck take the time to have a brief moment of conversation with each other, Sarah is standing next to him suddenly realizing that her Mom is right. She really never paid attention to it until now due to the fact that when they first met she was wearing high heels so she was practically eye to eye with him. Now that she's wearing black boots minus the heels she does take notice of the height differential. It's during her brief glance down at her aforementioned black boot lacking the heels that she notices Chuck's shoes.

The shoes in question are black and white Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars. It's with her own keen sense of detail being in the type business she's in and the role that she plays in it, that the shoes itself have been broken in, which he actually pulls off for a guy like him. Broken in to the extent of that they've become faded and bit worn from consistently being used on a possibly day to day basis. Her eye line that drifts up to his dark somewhat faded blue jeans leading up to his untucked button down light grey shirt.

Of course, she's unable to gather whether it's a long or short sleeve because he's wearing a jacket that has the words Kessel Run Technologies monogrammed just above the right-side zippered pocket. To her, it signifies a business of some kind that she most definitely puts a mental pin on in order to mention later on in the course of their non-date. In any case, she continues her way up to see what looks to be a dark greenish undershirt with some visible but not that noticeable chest hair partially sticking out from it.

Her so called journey would end at Chuck's head where his hair takes center stage, so to speak, in all its wondrously chaotic, curly, animal shaped glory. It's in that moment that she realizes that she's been staring at his hair for quite some time causing her to break her attention away to where she focuses on something or should I say someone else. That someone is Molly. The oldest Walker sibling has another sudden realization that she hasn't uttered a word since Chuck stepped through the door causing her to become gravely worried. Why? When it comes to a silent 13 year old, it's going to put you in high alert because of not knowing what will come out of her mouth when she makes the decision to do so she thinks to herself.

Her concerns would be absolutely right as she notices that all too familiar squinty eyed look and semi pursed lipped curl anywhere. It's that particular look in which the young girl's eyes suddenly soften and proceeds to speak up.

"I was right."

All 3 adults immediately turn their attention to Molly much to the horrified dismay of Sarah who is intensely eyeing her younger sister as if she's throwing daggers at her. As usual, the young girl she sometimes refers to as "brat" ignores her completely. As a matter of fact, it doesn't deter her one bit as the determined teenager speaks up once again. "Do you know your hair does weird animal shapes?"

"What…come again?"

"Your hair…" she said pointing to his head. "…from what I could see of it on YouTube." Molly then takes a step forward, looks up, motions with her right finger for him to bend down. A somewhat bewildered and puzzled Chuck cautiously adheres to her nonverbal request while giving a sideway glance over to Sarah who can only mouth the words "I'm sorry" to him. Speaking of the blonde in question, she's completely dumbfounded at what is going on right now to the point where she has no idea what to say or do for that matter. On the other hand, her mother is able to faintly mutter out two words.

"Oh dear." Emma breathed out.

At this point, Sarah's face is buried in her right hand completely and utterly embarrassed by what her little sister closely examining Chuck's hair. God forbid she looks up and sees her mother trying not to laugh at her unfortunate predicament she thinks to herself. As she attempts to somehow rewind it back to the moment when she opened the door, she hears Molly continuing on.

"I see a monkey…rhino...oh…there's an elephant…and that's definitely a hippo."

"Huh, my sister has said the same thing. Although, I've never heard elephant and hippo before. Monkey for sure. Rhino never." Fortunately for Sarah, her embarrassment would subside after hearing Chuck once again speak up while continuing to cover her face with her right hand. "Yeah, my sister Ellie has been telling me to get a haircut, especially for tonight." In that instance, she removes her hand just in time to see Chuck standing straight up and give off a slight, half-hearted shrug. "It can get pretty crazy up there." he joked taking a moment to point to his hair. A sense of self-deprecating humor being shown that Sarah finds rather endearing and a considerably attractive whereas some women would be turned off by it or find it boring.

In her mind, his interaction with Molly seems to be genuinely real and organic connection. Not totally fake at all she thinks to herself. To her, he's not forcibly trying to win both her mom or sister over for that matter. Her sister especially, since it's considered a challenge in itself to try to win her over. Past boyfriends have tried but failed miserably. For the most part, that connection is free flowing as if he's so used to being around kids that it practically comes second nature to him. Of course, kids know when an adult is bullshitting them and will absolutely call them out on it. They'll even go so far as to relentlessly make fun of you in a cruel, sadistic way merely for the fun of it.

However, when it comes to a sick burn from a kid it can certainly hurt far worse knowing they won't hold back from speaking their mind. Therefore, he's the real deal in her mind, which gives her a good feeling inside. Ultimately, it tells her there's nothing to fear and/or be scared of because he exudes a seemingly protective big brother type quality about him thus adding points in his favor she thinks to herself. It's at that point, she watches as Chuck leans forward a bit giving quick side to side glances then continues on.

"Let's not tell her and keep it between ourselves. Ok?" Chuck added briefly placing his right finger against his lips.

Sarah holds her breath for what she feels is the possible atom bomb about to be dropped by Molly Walker who doesn't quite grasp or hasn't ever really grasped the concept of having a filter. While standing there, she can't help but feel like that all the air has just been sucked up causing her to have trouble breathing. After a few painstakingly, agonizing seconds of waiting and nearing the point of potentially hyperventilating, her little sister speaks up once again.

"I like him." she happily announced pointing up at Chuck. Her attention though, directed towards her old sister.

The air that was supposedly sucked out the room is now back allowing her to breathing much easier after hearing that. In her mind, having Molly surprising seal of approval. It's that aforementioned seal of approval in which it leads to her cracking a relieved smile in response.

"You're not so bad yourself Molly. If my brother-in-law Captain Awesome were here he would say...well..." he stated softly smiling down at her. "…you're awesome." he added reaching down to show and give her a fist tap.

Molly quirks her right brow upon hearing the name Captain Awesome but focuses on not wasting any time. She immediately reciprocates said fist tap adding in a hand explosion into the mix, which Chuck adds in afterwards as well. Sarah can't help but express a relieved smile as she watched that whole handshake interaction go down. While standing there, her level of anxiety ridden embarrassment slowly fades away to where it shifts to a feeling of comfortable Zen like calm. She takes the opportunity provided in the momentary lull to get Chuck's attention.

"Hey, you ready?"

"Uh…yeah." he replied turning to face the now open front door.

"Where are you taking my sister?" inquired an interested Molly.

As he is about to step out into the outer hallway, he stops to look back over his right shoulder to give Molly his answer. Unfortunately, Sarah steps in before he actually does as he is being pushed or in this case guided out the door.

"We should go." Sarah quickly said in a hurried tone of voice. The front door closing leaving Emma and Molly standing there momentarily looking at each other. After a few seconds, Molly speaks up.

"I think that went well." she stated with a nod of utmost confidence. "How about you Mom?" the young girl added. She leans over a bit to look up behind her. A mixed bag of expressions written all over her face. In any case, Molly does a quick U-turn maneuver in order to head into and inevitably disappear out of sight into the kitchen leaving Emma standing there alone in the living room shaking her head.

XXX

The parking in downtown Los Angeles seems to be considerably sparse, especially in the day time. However, when night falls that's when the hunt for a parking spot goes from tedious to an all-out free for all in pouncing on a space that is quickly taken before you can even finish blinking. Luckily it's Sunday and Chuck was able to grab a spot without experience any sort of annoying and not to mention aggravating hassles that's associated with searching for a place to park. Unfortunately, the place where they parked would have the two of them walking a lengthy distance to their intended location, which would be something of a blessing in disguise. Why? It would give Chuck and Sarah the opportunity to talk as they walk side by side on a not so crowded sidewalk discussing a myriad of potential topics one of them being music.

"So you're into Good Charlotte? I wouldn't have pegged you as an a alternative, pop punk emo music kind of girl." Chuck stated with a sense of surprise in his voice.

Sarah expresses a bit a soft chuckle in response with a faint grin added in as well. "Not a lot of people do. I can be all over the place when it comes to music. When you've lived in D.C. for most of your life like I have you'll find yourself indoctrinated into a slew of different types and genres of music."

"Like what?" wondered Chuck. His curiosity piquing at maximum.

If anyone were in his head right now, the personality trait that stores all the information would be closely paying close attention, taking notes, inputting the data into a file marked Sarah Walker, and most definitely saved in the computer that is his brain. In a way, it would be like that old early 90's tv show Herman's Head where personality traits such as sensitivity, desire, anxiety, and intellect all coexist in the main character's head. Of course, situation arise where the 4 traits coexist peacefully amongst themselves but are at each other's imaginary throats the next.

"Lesser known DC bands..." answered Sarah. "...The Blackbyrds. Based in D.C. American rhythm and blues with a jazz-funk fusion. Let's see..." Sarah pauses taking a moment to recall the list of bands in her head. "...there's also The Jewels. All girl band but they ended up breaking up due to creative differences. Stinks though. I enjoyed their music. Oh! Plus, Vertical Horizon. An alternative rock band formed at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. back in 1991. Fortunate enough to see/hear them live 2 years ago." she happily shared with Chuck.

"That's awesome."

"So, what about you? What's your taste in music like? Any embarrassing songs you like to listen to, like from...Nickelback for instance?" she asked quirking her right brow.

"What's wrong with Nickelback? Sure, they get a tremendous amount of hate..." Chuck said shaking his head. "...but they've sold millions of records in a style that's been deemed overexposed. " he explained adding "air quotes" to the last word said. "I'm not saying I'm a fan personally..." Chuck raises his hand and doesn't go any further. "...bandwagon haters. All I'm saying." Afterwards, he continues on with his music related rant concerning the popularity of hating on music just for the sake of hating on them. "Also applies to bands like Creed as well who also get unhealthy amount of hate. Fickle!" he spitted out with annoyance. "Music fans have become fickle. Jaded. Jaded and fickle fans I tell ya!"

In that moment, Sarah can't help but bust out laughing at the seemingly impassioned diatribe about bandwagon haters of certain bands because it's "the in thing" to do nowadays she thinks to herself. "Tell me how you really feel Chuck." she sarcastically remarked.

"Sorry about that. Got a bit carried away there." He shakes his head and then refocuses on the question originally intended to be answer. "Anyways...going back to what you're asking me about my taste in music. Personally..." he stated. Chuck takes a moment to recall the bands he enjoys off the top of his head. "...I'm into bands like Cake, The Shins, Foreign Born and The Eels. I highly recommend giving them a listen, especially the song Fresh Feeling."

"I'll do that. Thanks." Sarah responded. A faint but visibly soft smile expressed in his direction.

"Now that just the bands. When it comes to individual artists I enjoy Bon Iver…"

As Chuck shares some more of his personal favorites in regards to his taste in solo artist with Sarah, they would continue to walk until reach a point where they find themselves approaching a building with 3 food trucks parked in front of it. One that's mainly for deli, the middle solely for Italian cuisine, and Greek delicacies for the 3rd truck. Enticing at it looks and smells for that matter, Sarah would be directed then led in through the front entrance and after patiently dealing with a fairly slow elevator, the doors open to their intended hang out spot for the evening. A place called Spin Standard.

The two step out already hearing music coming from the speak systems and from what they can see is a wide and spacious area with an array of people sporadically located in different areas of the floor venue. To their right by a row of windows sits 2 rows of 8 colorful ping pong tables with long standing tables, which are situated at both ends. Director chairs placed on either side at each table behind what their assuming is either glass or plexiglass. There are a few regular sized tables and chairs placed in certain areas of the ping pong room. Murals of what looks to be ping pong players painted or possibly airbrushed on the wall. Plus, chairs placed right by them for eating, drinking, conversing, or a combination of the 3.

Chuck and Sarah then turn their attention to their left where a lounge area is set up with comfortable chairs and a couch. Framed pictures both in color, as well as in black and white adorn the walls that lead to the bar. A bar that display an assortment of alcoholic bottled beverages lined up on shelves behind it that stand out due to strategic, as well as colorful light. Both awesome inspiring sights truly captivate 2 individuals that are left momentarily speechless while doing a 360 spin beforehand to get fully immersed in the seemingly sophisticatedly tranquil but energetically fun atmosphere.

"This place is awesome." Chuck breathed out still mesmerized by what he sees.

"You took the words right out of my mouth Chuck." agreed Sarah. Her draw somewhat agape at what she also is seeing. "How did you know about this place."

"A friend recommended it me." he retorted back.

Chuck backs up inevitably hitting one of the chairs at the bar that luckily didn't have anyone sitting on it. He turns around and is immediately greeted by a male African American bartender fancifully dressed a velvet colored vest and white long sleeve button down shirt with a black bowtie around his neck. Yet, what stands out about him is overall presence as he shoots a welcoming smile towards them. "Hello, my name is Captain. How may I serve you this evening?"

The youngest Bartowski sibling is momentarily speechless after hearing the bartender's name leading him to lock on to it for so many reasons. Plus jokes involving a certain 70's musical duo as well. "I'm sorry. Your name is Captain?"

"Yes sir."

"For real?"

In that instance, Sarah chimes in to intervene on Chuck's behalf before he gets them both kicked out, which would be a bad first non date for them. "Chuck..."

Fortunately, the bartender named Captain leans in a bit over the bar to where Chuck and Sarah lean in as well. "It's actually Rick Noble. Captain sounds more catchy." he whispered over to them.

"That makes more sense." Chuck whispered back giving a firm nod. For Sarah, she breathes a quick sigh of relief that aren't going to be kicked out. Yet, in the back of her mind it's still early in the evening she thinks to herself. After leaning back away from the bar, he continues on. "Is the owner here by chance?"

"What is it regarding to?"

"A friend of mine recommended this place. Looks awesome by the way. He said if I had a great time, I would have to end up owing him a plate of Nacho Sampler."

After saying that, the Captain expresses an acknowledging smile then responds. "I'll go inform the owner. Please..." he said motioning over to the lounge. "...have a seat and make yourself comfortable. It won't be a long wait I assure you."

"Thank you." responded Chuck and Sarah in unison.

After making themselves comfortable in the lounge, Chuck and Sarah would take a moment to people watch. It wouldn't be long before they would hear a voice behind them.

"You asked for the owner?" This leads to Chuck and Sarah turning around then standing up. "Well, I'm here. How may I help you."

Chuck is a bit hesitant at first but after clearing his throat he forges on. "Manoosh sent me."

The owner is momentarily silent but a gradual smile appears afterwards. "Any friend of Manoosh is considered a friend of mine. My name is Lou by the way. Lou Palone-Demetrios." she shared extending her hand for a handshake.

XXX

"Demetrios..." said Chuck quizzically. "...that name sounds familiar."

"My husband's name is Stavros Demetrios. He owns Club Ares just down the road from here." she openly shared with full transparency. "That's his playground and I have mine." Lou added lifting both hands. Her attention directed throughout the venue. "After this, you two can probably head over and check it out. Mention my name and you can get in easy. Better yet, I'll call him...actually text him since it is noisy in there."

"This is turning out to be an interesting night for us." Sarah smiled.

"Indeed..." Chuck nodded. "...as Devon would say." His attention on Sarah averted to Lou. "We'll let you know. My name is Chuck. She's Sarah."

"Hi." she nodded with a brief wave given.

"Gotcha and nice to formally meet you two Chuck and Sarah. Oh, before I forget..." she said pointing indiscriminately in the air. "...those 3 food trucks you may have seen outside...also mine."

"Wow..." stated Sarah exuding a look of impressiveness. "...jack of all trades. Drinks, Food, and Fun. A winning combo."

"I've seen that Deli truck around. Parked out by Santa Monica beach sometimes. My friend Morgan and I head over to grab some lunch during a break from work or when we're just generally hungry." Chuck stated raising both eyebrows. "Awesome sandwiches. The Turkey with Munster cheese on a grilled egg bread. Dee-lish."

"That's one of my creations. Glad you enjoyed it." nodded Lou. After a brief lull in the conversation the owner of The Paddle Room speaks up. "Well, feel free to have a drink, order some food, or play some ping pong. You two kids enjoy yourselves on your date."

"It's not a date." Chuck and Sarah bellow in unison.

Lou's stands there in front of Chuck and Sarah quirking her brow. "Date...not a date. Either way, have fun." she grinned more so towards Sarah than Chuck taking her leave.

After briefly weighing their options, the two decide to sit at the bar and have a drink. After Captain takes their orders and begins making the drinks in front of them, Sarah would initiate the start of another conversation between the two of them. "Whose Charles Carmichael?"

Upon saying that name, a somewhat stunned expression is witnessed on Chuck's face by Sarah. It's as if the mere mention of that name caused a flood of memories to return hitting him all once.

"How...do you know about that name? Better yet, who told you about it?"

"Devon. I was talking to him about any good restaurants in the area and he mentioned some place called C3. Mr. Colt is the owner. It's exclusive and always packed but they always get in because of an awesome hook up. His words not mine. I considered it but ended up going somewhere else with..." Sarah quickly stops herself from saying Ellie's name because it would completely unravel everything that she's been trying to do until now. So, she stretches the truth a little. "...my mom and sister. The plans I had Saturday. Reason I wasn't able to hang out with you that night."

The stunned look on Chuck's face would gradually fade to where it morphs into a gradual softness of relief. "Oh awesome. Yeah, Mr. Colt is considered good friend to Ellie and I. Practically family. She actually saved his life after he suffered a heart attack." he explained, not realizing Sarah knew this beforehand. The name is an inside joke between the two of us. It's also a name that..."

While sitting there, Sarah can clearly tell the memories associated with that near bring up painful memories. That quite possibly related to the bad break up with Jill and the broken friendship with his former roommate Bryce Larkin. In her mind, she's not going to force him to share but at the same time will let him know she'll be there as his friend to listen and be his sounding board. "Hey, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Just know, I'm all ears when you need someone to talk to. Ok?" she stated with absolute positive reassurance in her voice. A smile that matches the same tone of voice as well.

In that moment, Chuck peers over at Sarah after staring straight ahead lost in thought. He expresses an appreciative smile towards her to where they lock eyes. It would be Chuck who'd end up breaking eye contact. After briefly looking down, he looks straight ahead and begins sharing the story relating to the name uttered by Mr. Colt last night that Sarah heard unbeknownst to him. Before Chuck continues on, Captain the bartender places a bottle of beer in front of him whereas Sarah receives her order of a fruity type drink with a lemon attached on the side of the cocktail glass.

"Charles Carmichael is the guy I wanted to become after I graduated Stanford. I'd marry the girl of my dreams and then run my own software company with my best friend Bryce Larkin. Creating games like Zork back in the day but with a more updated feel to it." He explained with a somewhat of a pained expression on his face. "I'd be rich and well known. I had it set. My 5 year plan."

"Something happened."

"My now ex...Jill cheated on me with Bryce."

"This Jill..." Sarah carefully maneuvers the proverbial murky waters of Chuck's emotional and mental stability at this point. She knows it's a tough issue for him even to discuss but still continues on. "...she the one who took your mojo?"

It's at that point, Chuck turns his head to face her. "Devon told you."

"He mentioned it when we were talking in his office. I was having a rough 2nd day mentally. We started talking and it somehow ended up on you. Why you haven't been on any real dates since the break up."

In that instance, Chuck's eyes widen as he comes to the realization concerning that 2nd day. "I'm so sorry. Did I add on to it? If I did, it wasn't awesome of me to do even though I had no idea who you were or why were so pissed off at me that day."

In Sarah mind, its true the stress she'd unknowingly be facing on just her 2nd day on the job as Chief Operating Officer after being informed that she be taking over on a temporary basis Chief Beckman's leadership role gives was considerably overwhelming. Yet, to set aside his emotional-mental well being for even just for a moment to focus on her own gives her additional insight in what kind of man he truly is. Unselfish. Caring. Generous. Kind. Altruistic. In other words, putting others before himself. Essentially, the man currently is sitting beside her is considered a definite rare breed of man who isn't solely motivated by his own ego she thinks to herself.

From what she is able to piece together since their awkward first meeting Friday, Chuck Bartowski has selflessly put himself in the proverbial back seat to primarily be giving without any ulterior motives whatsoever. No hidden agenda of any kind. Nothing gained but the simple act of being there in every sense of the word and giving up your time to make someone feel better despite the turmoil one be may be going through internally. As unbelievable as it may seem, Chuck's authenticity is real and not made into someone who is absolutely fake, which can happen living in Los Angeles for so long. However, it didn't for him and knowing that about him is so refreshingly meaningful it gives her such a new found respect and admiration so much it causes her reaching over to reach to place her right hand above his left.

It's something that she did without even thinking about it. She just acted on it by sheer impulse alone and it would not only catch her completely off guard but Chuck as well by the way his eyes grow even wider than they already are. The two sit there in a moment of deafening silence as both of them peer down at their hands touching one on top of the other. It doesn't completely register for the both of them until they are suddenly jolted back into reality causing the both of them to quickly turn away from each other for just a moment to compose themselves. After what seems like forever, it's Chuck who ends up clearing his throat in order to get things moving along by making a suggestion.

"Hey..." he said looking into the ping pong room. "...a table is open. You want to go...ummm...play?" he added trying to avoid eye contact.

Sarah's thoughts are all over the place to the point where she only acknowledges his suggestion by a quick sound. "Mhmm." she answered standing up. When she does, the beautiful blonde carefully retrieves her fruity cocktail and makes her way to the ping pong area with Chuck following right behind her. Both hoping the moment they just shared doesn't ruin the fun they've been having so far by making it awkward.

XXX

After Chuck checks out 2 paddles and a bucket of ping pong balls at the cage counter, he would join Sarah at a corner table where she would be standing. The fruity cocktail in her hand but not really taking a sip as if she's playing that moment over in her head as he's been doing since they left the bar. As Chuck is standing at the end of ping table mentally trying his best to initiate a conversation without making even more awkward than it already is, Lou appears. She stands in between them keenly noticing the sudden change in demeanor between the two of them so she rectifies it.

"Do the both of you know what Double Placement Reaction Theory is?"

Chuck and Sarah break their mental focus inevitably turning their attention to Lou. They didn't know how long she had been standing there but it was a complete surprise to the both of them. This leads to Chuck responding to her question thrown out to the both of them.

"Double placement what?"

"Sorry Lou..." said Sarah taking a quick sip of her cocktail. "...didn't see you there. No, what is it?"

"Double Placement Reaction Theory is another term for Ping Pong. It's a theory that represent the interaction theory of communication that takes place between sender and receiver. In this theory, there is a linear cause and effect. Here..." she said reaching for one of the paddle Chuck brought over. "...Chuck you stand there and I'll stand over there." she said pointing to the other end with the paddle. "Ball."

In that instance, Chuck reaches in the bucket of ping pong balls retrieving one and bounces it over to her. Afterwards, she continues on holding the paddle and ping pong in front of her. "So...let's try this. I'll ask Chuck a question and if he decides to answer it you'll keep the flow going until the decision is made to change it by simply holding on to the ball. Got it?"

"Sounds simple enough to do...Lou. Sorry that rhymed."

Instantly, a faint hint of a chuckle is expressed by Sarah that brings a bit of a smirk to Lou's face. After noticing a nod come from Sarah, she starts it by asking Chuck a question.

"Ready?" A quick nod is given leading Lou to do her thing. "What are you a fan of?" She then hits the ping pong ball bouncing it over the net where Chuck quickly answers before hitting it.

"Star Wars."

"Who is your favorite character?"

"Han Solo." he answered hitting the ball for a return.

Once again, she spits out another question to where the pace is steady and smooth between them. "Does he have a best friend?"

"Yes Chewie. Chewbacca!" he quickly corrected himself providing the Wookie's longer name.

"Who is your best friend?"

"Morgan. Morgan Grimes." he quickly retorted.

"Do you guys work together?"

"Yes."

"What do you guys do?"

"Run a business. Kessel Run Technologies." he shot back both literally and figuratively.

It's Chuck's answer to Lou's question that she had mentally pinned within her mind to ask later caused her to be quite surprised. More so for the method in which it was asked and the seemingly quick, smooth flow of it all where there's no time to think about your answers. It's that sudden realization that leads her to react.

"I want to try!" she said raising her hand.

The way she raised her hand caused Chuck to chuckle because from his point of view it was like an excited, hyperactive little kid wanting to be next. What made it even more humorous was the fact she was holding her cocktail in her right hand and spilling some of it in the process. This leads Lou to hand off the paddle over to her and in doing so, she ends up holding Sarah's fruity cocktail drink. Fortunately, the owner of the Paddle Room takes it with stride and backs up placing the cocktail drink on their table. Afterwards, she stands there observing and listening to the two of them play on.

"Go Chuck!"

"All right. Get ready Walker." he stated hitting and bouncing it over to Sarah. "What are you a fan of?"

"Harry Potter." she quickly answered hitting the return back hard.

Chuck doesn't hit the return back as it sails passed him, which he's totally oblivious to. "Really? Harry Potter? Huh, who'd da thunk it." he chided.

"Yeah yeah. Bartowski. I'm a Potterhead." Sarah said shifting from side to side. The competitive side of her showing as she expresses a smirk towards her nerdy opponent. "Get the ball will ya!"

"Oh, right!" Chuck instantly responds doing a momentary clock wise spin like a hyperactive dog would do in order to locate where the ping pong ball landed. After locating it, he quickly retrieves it and gets ready to serve. He then hits it bouncing it over to her. "What's house do you belong to?"

"Slytherin but I'm actually Gryffindor!" she excitedly hollered back. "Yes!" An overly jubilant and proud smile expressed by the shot she hit back.

"Hey! No fair!" Chuck hollered back pointing at her.

Sarah laughs in a taunting manner. "You're just too slow Chuck. Keep up!"

"Oh thems fighting words woman!" he retorted pointing at her with a goofy expression on his face.

"Bring it Bartowski!" she boldly announced. A hearty giggle after. Then the overly jubilant and proud smile suddenly turning ever so mischievous.

As the two ping pong combatants continue playing each other all the while getting to know each other, Lou is standing back with a proud smile of her own. The awkwardness and silence that was there before when she walked up is no longer there anymore. It's replaced with the demeanor that they started out with when she was first introduced to them. Her concentration on both of them would subsequently be interrupted by the sound of her iPhone ringing. When she checks the name of the screen it shows the following name: Stavy. She hits accept and puts the iPhone up to her right hear. "Hey babe, how are things at the club?" she asked walking off.

XXX

NOTE: So what do you think? Enjoy that did you? I sure did and I wrote it. There's more non date to come folks to stay tuned for more. Thanks again to NEVR for being my Beta. Leave a review like always and share your thoughts.