Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: Chuck is preparing to go over the contracts for Jeffster at Orange Organe and after picking up Scooter from the hospital Alex texts someone to give the heads up. Who she text and ends up showing at Orange Orange is none other than Molly with her designated partner in crime Cherice Baxer with Emma as their chaperone. It's a complete surprise to Chuck who informs Cherice he hasn't met any past or recent Rockstar Rebels outside of hospital grounds. Of course, It's most definitely double trouble for Chuck as he's unknowingly being manipulated by the two teenagers, evident by the fist tap the young girls share after providing him with information about Sarah. That night Sarah and Molly assess what happened. It's then that Sarah receives a text message from Vivian. Apparently, she finished up business overseas early and would like to have have that chat she talked about. Sarah text back dinner at C3 Thursday and Vivian replies back that she's looking forward to it. So what's in store for this chapter? What popular soundtrack to a game and movie does Sarah hear that is considered the theme for her dinner Thursday night with Vivian? How has Vivian changed when it comes to Sarah seeing her after being overseas for 5 days? What 2 things does Vivian say that completely surprises Sarah? Who is Glenn and what is this person's relationship to Vivian? 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.

The Nerd Is Mine

XXX

It's Thursday is considerably pensive and anxious standing at the bottom steps by the rails waiting for Vivian to arrive. She has been chomping at the bit for the past day and a half for this evening to come as it has been weighing heavily mentally, as well as emotionally, on her to the point where it has become a distraction. A distraction that would most definitely cause her to make major mistakes when it involves the lives of patients that are in the trust care of her staff, she thinks to herself. For her, she does not need that because of her position as acting Chief Administrator of Westside Medical Center and it's this distraction that will certainly be resolved tonight.

When it came to evening dinner attire, she wanted her outfit to convey a message. A message that says she's open to a conversation involving Chuck and willing to fight for him, while at the same time showing Vivian what she's working with. She's wearing a purple summer cocktail dress with one strap over her left shoulder and ending a few inches above her knees. Her matching high heels accentuate her long legs. Beads wrap around her right wrist, while a silver bracelet adorns her left. As for her clutch bag, it matches her dress and heels as well. When it comes to her flowing blonde locks, it's styled mainly on the right side signifying a look that says sexy but deadly. It also accentuates the color of her blue eyes that have a tinge of a lilac eyeshadow above them with same color lipstick.

Her thoughts are interrupted when a passing car that's blaring the beginning of what seems to be a song. A song from a soundtrack to be exact. A soundtrack that she's able to hear, with the following two words screamed loud and clear:

"MORTAL KOMBAT!"

As the techno beat continues on, so does the vehicle driving off down the street with Sarah turning to her right, totally transfixed by the gradually fading soundtrack itself. Her focus would suddenly be broken when her name is called out.

"Sarah! Sarah Walker!"

Sarah turns around to see Vivian happily waving to her from somewhat off in the distance. Although she's not that far from her and seemingly closing the distance between them by the brisk pace she's walking, the oldest Walker sibling is able to assess her rival's evening attire.

She's wearing what looks to be a self-portrait Celeste Guipure Lave Asymmetric top and she knows this because she almost bought one this past weekend before getting the heads up from Molly via Morgan Grimes. Her black skirt is just about her knee and matches the high heels that she is wearing on her feet. A black clutch to match as well. As for any jewelry, the only thing that she can spot is a square ring on her right finger. When it comes to the woman's hair, she's keenly aware that within the past 5 days overseas Vivian had her hair done. Gone is the shoulder length dark brown hair and what she has now is a pixie style cut, which accentuate her green eyes and lips that have the color of wine on them. As Vivian comes closer to her, she can make out what seems to be gold rectangular hoop earrings that adorn her ear lobes.

"It's splendid to see you again." Vivian happily greeted Sarah. She then leans forward giving Sarah a peck on her right check then to the left. A proper British greeting from across the pond, which somewhat surprises the blonde woman who grew up all her life in D.C.

"Awesome to see you as well Vivian." she politely said, with a courteous nod added in.

A brief pause is shared between the two women that quickly becomes awkward. It leads both women to nonverbally spout of sounds as they both move up towards the front entrance of C3. It wouldn't be long before they would make their way inside and stand in front of the hostess.

"Hello ladies..." she smiled at both women. "...reservation for 2?"

For Sarah, she was eager and ready to use the card that Mr. Colt gave to her at the end of her unfortunate drunken night with Ellie. After retrieving it from her clutch, she extends her right arm with card in hand and in doing so suddenly notices the same card being shown to the hostess. This leads to both women turn their heads towards one another to the point where an awkward laugh is shared between them. As for the hostess, she stands there somewhat furrowing her eyebrows with her focus darting back and forth between the 2 females standing in front of her. She momentarily stands there as they both slowly retract their cards given to them by Mr. Colt, which leads her to flash her ever so professional smile towards them.

"Right this way ladies." she announced, motioning for both of them to follow her.

The walk towards the location of their table felt like a long trek with both women weaving through what seemed like a sea of people within the popular restaurant. Thankfully, they made it to the table without any problems whatsoever thanks to the hostess who escorted them and within seconds they are seated at their location previously marked reserved. The menu is quickly provided to them by a server who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. After a quick but polite smile is expressed towards both women, she takes her leave with Sarah and Vivian now sitting together in awkward silence. A silence that is momentarily filled with brief smiles and faint chuckles that are considerably forced, more so on Sarah's side than Chuck's female childhood friend. It would then lead the duo to shift in their seats because of how uncomfortable the silence itself has become. They start scanning the packed restaurant to the point where they end up locking eyes with one another again.

Although it's an uncomfortable situation to be in right now, she has resolved herself to take action and show, as well as tell, Vivian that she's not backing off in her pursuit of her nerd. That's what she saying in her head. What came out of her mouth, was entirely different. "I love your hair."

"Thank you. I thought I needed a change." responded Vivian with a smile. Profiling her head from left to right in order to show Sarah sitting across from her. She briefly reaches up with her left hand and rakes the back of her Pixie style cut. "I feel like a whole new woman." she added, exuberantly raising both shoulders. A bright smile also expressed as well. "I love your dress. It's absolutely stunning, especially on your body." nodded eloquent British female. A quick wink shot towards Sarah.

Is she trying to get on my good side and did she just wink at me? Is that a British thing? It's those 3 main trains of thought running through Sarah's head as she sits across from Vivian. While sitting there, she can't help but feel that Vivian is playing some kind of mind game in order to throw her completely off of what she has set her mind to do for tonight. A kind of mind game where you kill an individual with as many compliments as one possibly can, then strike, she thinks to herself. Unfortunately, her thoughts would be subsequently broken when a familiar voice calls out her name.

"Sarah Walker." Her attention is then directed to her left where Mr. Colt, the owner of Colt's Culinary Cuisine, approaches the table expressing a wide, welcoming smile on his face. Both his tree trunk like arms extended outwardly to his side as he finally reached the table. He takes Sarah's left hand that she extended beforehand for a handshake and places them between his hands, virtually swallowing it because of the sheer size of them compared to his. He then raises Sarah's hand and gives a gentle kiss on top of it. "It's good to see you again."

"You too." smiled Sarah. A slight tilt of her head and nod up towards the rather large man with tremendously broad shoulders.

Colt's attention would suddenly be directly to his left after the sound of a clearing throat. A sound that Sarah also hears leading both individuals to turn the source. A source with a serious expression on her face directed towards the man who is part owner of the restaurant. "I always knew you had eye for the ladies." she stated completely, stoned faced.

Colt releases Sarah's Sarah and turns towards Vivian. He then sticks his hands in his pockets and peers down towards her. "Hey baby, you knew I'm not a one woman type of guy." he stated with a slight tilt of his head.

Sarah is totally transfixed by the interaction between them, until Vivian cracks a smile leading Colt to the same. He then lets out a Jabba the Hut like laughter that she's previously heard before when she first came with Ellie two weeks ago. She continues to watch as Vivian gets up from the table in order to hug the behemoth of a man then motions for her to sit.

"It's been a while, baby girl."

"That it has." nodded Vivian.

A brief lull in the conversation between the two gives Sarah the opportunity to chime in. "So, how do you two know each other?"

"My father used to represent him."

"Still does in a way..." retorted Colt with a nod. "...when it comes to my restaurant and other business ventures." he added shrugging his shoulders in a non-braggadocios way. "Truthfully, I did some time in my 20's. While I was away, I learned a skill that has helped me become the man I am today." he freely shared, briefly opening his arms somewhat wide. "I never hid that fact, which I shared in my book."

"Can To Cuisine." responded Vivian. "New York Time's best seller for 3 weeks." she added with an impressed tone to her voice.

"That's awesome. I'm sure that's an achievement you're very proud of."

"What I am proud of is..." Colt replied facing Sarah. "...is the food that help make people happy. My book, my success..." he added, taking a brief moment to look around. "...is just an added bonus. 'If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going'. Maya Angelou."

"Here, here." nodded Vivian giving a brief clap in response.

"Profoundly wise words to live by." Sarah softly said.

In that moment, Colt claps his hands and signals his minions as he removes his suit jacket. Afterwards, he puts on his apron and then looks at both women sitting down. "Ok. Enough talking and more eating. Tonight's special is Wild Blackened Scallops and..."

XXX

"And the next thing you know, I get into a bit of a scrap with one of the associates in our overseas firm." Vivian shared shaking our head. She then reaches for her glass of white wine and takes a sip. "No fists involved, mind you. Just words."

"He deserved a fist though for being so handsy." responded Sarah, shaking her head in disbelief. "Did you let your father know?"

"Didn't need to. He knows I can handle business all on my own. He trusts me and I think I got my point across." Vivian firmly nodded. "I am my father's daughter after all."

While sitting there eating her Wild Blacked Scallops and the rest of her meal, she can't help but be surprisingly impressed and not to mention admire her fortitude in regards to her chosen field. She most definitely has the beauty, brains, and the driving determination to play with the big boys, as it has been so eloquently put. In a way, her brown haired counterpart is just like her, but in a totally opposite career field. However, it doesn't negate the fact that she too worked her way to where she is now and not let nepotism play in how she got there. Her thoughts from Vivian's position as a woman in a male dominated workplace turn to their mutual connection involving Chuck Bartowski, which she knows can't be put off any longer.

"So..." she nonchalantly started. Sarah takes a moment to take a sip of liquid courage ala the white wine provided by the owner of C3. "...you've known Chuck since childhood. What was he like?"

"Mhmm." nodded Vivian with a mouth full of food. After taking a moment to gulp it down and take another sip of white women, then reaches for her napkin to wipe her mouth. "I remember him being shy, awkward and quiet. We both were actually. I was in my ugly duckling stage back then." she recalled giving a half-hearted shrug of her shoulders.

As Sarah continues to partly listen to Vivian sharing her childhood with Chuck, something she said concerning ugly duckling stage deeply struck a chord with her. She vividly recalls her preteen and teenage years in D.C. as a young girl dealing with her own nightmare adolescence. An adolescence in which she was trying to figure out who was and figuring out what to do with the rest of her life while constantly distracted with raging hormones. Insecurities and all. What topped it off was her overall look back then of just bad hair, bad facial complexion, and braces. A loner through and through growing up, if there ever was one, she thinks to herself. Her thoughts would subside as she refocuses her attention on what Vivian is saying.

"Yet, the both of us were thick as thieves. Wherever I went, he would be right there nipping at my heels. Morgan as well." chuckled the daughter of Hartley Winterbottom.

After hearing that bit of shared information, she knew that was her way in. "You could say that Chuck had a crush on you back then."

"Oh, I know he did. Ellie did too. It was pretty obvious back then." she replied, recalling that time in her life. "He was sweet though."

In that moment, she steels herself knowing that there a point of no return in what she is about to do. Don't chicken out Walker! "How you do you feel about him now? You know, after all these years of not seeing him?" questioned Sarah with a bit of cautiousness on her part.

"Happy. We've both changed that's for sure. Although, his hair hasn't as you recall the talk we had." chuckled Vivian, recalling their interaction in front of Sarah's office.

"I remember." faintly chuckled Sarah. It's not long before Sarah takes a deep breath before continuing on. "How has it been catching up with him? Seems like with you two reconnecting again it gives both of you a chance to make up for lost time?" she added, trying to lock eye contact with her. Unfortunately, she's failing to do so because of how nervous and scared she is right now.

"You could say that. We've talked on and off. It's like we haven't missed a beat when it comes to our chats." she happily shared.

In her mind, Sarah knows that staying connected with a childhood female friend like Vivian will certainly have old feelings resurface. Of course, it's bound to happen in the course of their talks where those possibly unresolved feelings that have resurfaced could quite possibly resolve themselves after being apart for the last 14 years, she thinks to herself. It's an unsettling feeling in the deepest pit of her stomach to know that that both of them share a kind of deep rooted connection where you know someone's aches, pains, deepest fears, secrets only a person you truly care about and trust to never tell anyone, etc. It's those aforementioned aspects of a friendship that can absolutely form into a strong love that happens between two people who know each other inside and out.

"You care about him?" she said staring at her glass of white wine.

As she stares at the remaining wine in her glass, she notices the bubbles floating up to the surface. To her, those bubbles represent her hopes, dreams, wishes, and not to mention everything else rising to the top. Unfortunately, it's also a representation of all the pressure, or in this case, feelings that's been building within her ever since meeting Chuck on her 2nd day of the job. She's fully aware that all that's been building up within her regarding her feelings that haven't fizzed out and will continue to rise no matter what Vivian's feelings are for Chuck. In that instance, she promises herself, while sitting there across from her rival, that she won't back off her intention for the nerd that has changed her life for the better.

" I do. Very much."

It's at that point, she forces herself to turn her attention from the glass of white wine she's been staring at to the woman she's had trouble, or in this case avoiding to lock eyes, with. Her intent on asking the next question is considered to be a pivotal point in the conversation involving her brown haired counterpart. "Do you love him?"

Vivian reacts to that question by giving a soft smile towards Sarah. "Yes..." she answered, keenly noticing the faint cringe on her face. As an attorney, it's her job to notice certain cues when it pertains to people on the witness stand. There are those who can hide their emotions very well while others fail miserably at it. Sarah is somewhere in the middle but leans more towards the latter she thinks to herself. "...and no."

The impact of those 2 answered words cause her to furrow her eyebrows with a mixture of surprised confusion. "Wait. What?"

"He's like a brother to me." responded Vivian. She then leans forward placing arms in an L shaped pattern on the table. Her focused deadlocked on Sarah. Her eyes locked on to hers. "Plus, I'm not in love with him..." she revealed. "...you are." she added, expressing a rewarding grin towards Sarah. It's statement that leave Sarah stunned and absolutely speechless.

XXX

"I...I..." she stammered out.

Vivian lets out a faint chuckle as she continues on. "It's okay. I've known since the day I approached the both of you at your office." she softly stated. "The way that he looked at you..." Vivian quickly corrects herself. "...the way both of you looked at each other. It's unmistakable."

"What?"

"You see, I stood back for a moment and watched you two before I called out to my father. I wanted to see the woman who ultimately stole Chuck's heart." the daughter of Hartley Winterbottom confessed. "As a matter of fact, I've noticed more than you could ever imagine. No matter how much you deny it, you can't."

Sarah couldn't believe what she was hearing right now. For her, she was so ready to have a serious discussion about not backing off knowing they have so much history together that she felt so incredibly envious and jealous about it. The opportunity to kick it up a notch during the 5 days she was gone didn't necessarily go the way she wanted, or planned for that matter. However, having the unforgettable moment on Chuck's version of his own fortress of solitude knowns Avalon and Molly doing her thing is considered more than enough. Now, she can't help think is Vivian doing all this to lull her into a false sense of security in order to pull the rug out from under her. Yet, it's what she last said to her that makes a significant impact, she thinks to herself.

"You're right..." softly chuckled Sarah. She briefly shakes her head with tears starting to form in her eyes. "...I can't deny it. I do love him. I've kept my feeling for him bottled up inside and every time I'm around him I just want to say how I feel." It's at that point, tears start sliding down her cheek. "I got to know more about him before getting to know what they all said is true. It was hard not telling him but thankfully he was able to share it all with me. I needed to get it off my chest, especially with your encouragement. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Vivian's blonde counterpart takes a moment to wipe the tears from her eyes. She then takes quick but deep breath in order to compose herself before continuing on. "You don't seem the least but surprised though."

"Let's just say I had a conversation with Chuck that told me enough."

It would lead the Beckman's second in command to shake her head in disbelief. Before she could stop herself from saying, she ends up blurting it out. "What about Glenn?"

Afterwards, Sarah's eyes widen knowing full well she revealed something that she didn't intend for her to know about. She briefly closes her eyes and mentally kicks herself, if she were able to would physically do it of course. As much as she wants to not open her eyes and completely disappear out of side, she slowly opens her eyes to see Vivian continuing to smile at her. A smile that is weirdly perplexing and at the same time annoying causing her to exude bewildered confusion on her face. Yet, her face softens as she shakes her head in an apologetic way.

"How do you know about Glenn?"

"Since this is the time for confessions..." In that moment, Sarah takes a deep breath then forges on. "...during Bash at the Bench, my sister Molly noticed the name popping up on your phone."

"Ah." chuckled Vivian. "Quite the little Nancy Drew you got there. I had a feeling she was up to something." she added, shaking her head reflecting back. "Very resourceful and sneaky that one."

"Sorry. When my brat of a sister sets her mind to something there's no stopping her. I went along with it." she responded, with apologetic shrug towards her.

Vivian shakes her head the says something that completely floors Sarah. "No apologies necessary." she stated. A quick wave of her right hand added in. "It just tells me that she's looking out for you and wants the best for you. I can only commend her rather than admonish her for that. Plus, she has impeccable timing if I do say so myself. As for Glenn..." A bright smile is expressed on her lips. "...someone I've fancied for quite some time." Her eyes lighting up after saying that.

"So, this Glenn..." Sarah pauses taking a moment to gather her thoughts then speaks up. "...you're in love with him."

"Yes I am..." nodded Vivian giving Sarah confirmation. "...but unfortunately, you're mistaken."

"About what?"

"Glenn. You see..." This time it's Vivian who pauses and takes a deep breath. She then continues on. "...it's short for Glennyanne."

She turns her head for a moment letting that piece of information slowly sink in. "So that means..." Sarah doesn't even finish her sentence when her eyes go completely wide after she makes that sudden realization. She turns her head in order to face Vivian who nods her head once again to confirm it.

XXX

"Let me get this straight. So you knew before you left for high school overseas and lived with your grandmother in Somerset?" questioned Sarah.

"I told Chuck in the elevator before we joined you all down at the courtyard. I felt different but I didn't really know how to tell him. I was scared too, because I consider him a close dear friend and family." Vivian shared. "Now, that he knows, I have a great sense of relief."

"How did he take it?" wondered Sarah with absolute curiosity.

"Better than I thought he would. He didn't freak out at all." she answered back. "What he asked next was very compelling."

"Compelling? In what way?" she asked quirking her right brow.

"He asked me what I thought of you?"

For Sarah, this is the first time she's hearing of Chuck wanting to know what someone else thought of her who didn't have any sort of knowledge to work with. It tells her that she's on his mind and wants the opinion of someone who he highly regards as a close friend to give her opinion. An opinion that matters to him that equals the likes of his older sister Ellie. Of course, when it comes to the older Bartowski sibling, she told her during their dinner together two weeks ago that she could very well be the key to opening what's been locked up deep inside of him. In her mind, she's starting to believe that, ever since her time on the beach with Chuck where he freely opened up about his past with Jill and Bryce.

Fortunately for her, not pressing the matter worked in her favor and the rest is history, as it has been said. The conversation between the two afterwards would be much more comfortably relaxed and not to mention tension free, she thinks to herself. It's an experience that she never wants to forget because she and Chuck shared a mutual trust with each other, so much so that she freely shared her almost marriage to Cole Barker. It's something that she never talked about with anyone, including her mother and little sister. It would most definitely be a huge weight lifted off her shoulders knowing that time in her life was very painful and never wanted to look back on until that moment on the beach with Chuck.

"Oh. Ummm. What else did he say?"

Vivian shakes her head and then gives her response. "All Chuck said was it was just too soon and that you're "just friends". she answered with air quotes. After saying that, she notices the disappointment in her face leading her to rectify it. "However, I did see it on his face and hear it in his voice that he was struggling to figure it all out."

After hearing that, Sarah eyes gradually widen. "He was? Really?"

Vivian nods acknowledging her question. "You've truly had an effect on him from what I could tell, Sarah. In all the time I've known him, he has a tendency to think out loud."

"He does. I just want to slap him upside the back of the head and make him stop doing that. I'm sure Ellie has done that plenty of times." Sarah chuckled.

"She has and so have I." retorted Vivian chuckling as well.

A faint but noticeably soft smile is expressed on Sarah's face. "All this time, I thought you were my rival."

"I'm flattered and honored to be considered that." faintly laughed Vivian. "Fortunately for you, I was never your rival to begin with." she added, raising both seemingly perfectly manicured eyebrows towards her. "I would rather be your friend than your rival." In that instance, Vivian reaches over and picks up what remains of her glass of white wine and lifts up then towards Sarah. "Let's toast to our new found friendship and our mutual love for Chuck. Though, it's quite different in my case." she stated with encouragement.

Sarah can't help but smile all-the-while holding back the tears of joy that would certainly open the floodgates. Instead, she clears her throat and takes a deep breath then reaches for her glass of white wine, or what's little left that's remaining within it. "So, the nerd is mine." she faintly breathed out. A clearly visible grin expressed on her face. Afterwards, she takes her glass of white wine and lifts it, inevitably clinking it with Vivian's. "To new found friendship and my love for Chuck." she happily proclaimed.

After both women take a sip from their glass, it's Sarah who asks a pertinent question in regard to love. "So, does your father know? Is he supportive of your relationship?

"Very supportive. He would love to meet her and he will. I showed him pictures of us together and he has spoken with her on the phone. He sees how happy I am and that's all that matters to him."

"How did you meet her? Glennyanne."

A soft smile is expressed after Sarah's request is made. "I met Glenny..." Vivian pauses for a moment. "...during a business trip to Georgia. I was..."

The rest of the dinner would be tension free filled with laughter than silence as Vivian shared with Sarah more about her love Glennyanne or Glenny as she refers to her. It would be information that she would most definitely share with her mother Emma and Molly, much to their surprise. The following Friday morning, Sarah walks into Westside Medical Center with a smile on her face and a definite kick in her step. As she passes her colleagues and staff greeting them a good morning, she notices that the atmosphere within the halls is seemingly glum and filled what seemed to be sadness. It's clearly evident by a number of nurses crying at the 1st floor nurses' station, especially Alex who she sees being comforted by Ellie with Devon standing by his better half. His left hand resting on his wife's left shoulder. Once she finally approaches the nurses' station a look of concern is expressed on her face.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

XXX

NOTE: Sorry for the cliffhanger. It's a necessary evil for my next chapter "Origin Story". Expect the next chapter to be considerably sad and don't forget the setting is a hospital after all. Take that for what it is. So what do you think about this chapter? Were any of your theories or main theory about Vivian correct? Leave a comment and share your thoughts. As always, appreciate your support for this story. Also, I tip my hat once again to NEVR for being my go to beta reader.