Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench

Well, in the previous chapter: The most anticipated meet up of Chuck and Sarah as she would see him for the first time after his makeover thanks to Hartley and Vivian. It turns into a fairy tale meeting ala Beauty and Beast thanks to Morgan bring up the aforementioned movie's main theme song. Unfortunately, Charah's along with everybody's fun, as well as memorable night is interrupted by the appearance of one man...Jack Burton. So what happens this chapter? What did Jack do in order to get in and actually stay as a guest? Where does Sarah go in order to take a breather? Why does Chuck suddenly have a bad feeling when Emma mentions something that's happening between Morgan and Lazlo? Who asks Sarah to get in on a conversation between Morgan, Lazlo and Chuck that she left in order to talk to her father. How does Jack respond when Sarah basically let's him know about what she feels about their relationship of lack thereof? When and at what point did Chuck snap that triggered him to punch Jack in the face? 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.

Strategic Retreat

XXX

Chuck is about to say something when his attention is directed to the one person who is equally as surprised to see Jack Burton in the middle of the ballroom dance floor at the Hospital Gala as well.

"Jack!" called out Sarah, approaching the man who she hasn't considered to be a father for quite some time. Emma following closely right behind her with concern expressed on her face. Concern more for the safety of her ex-husband than her oldest daughter's. "What are you doing here!?" she added, as she finally stands in front of him with her arms crossed.

Jack is about to respond when Chief Beckman appears standing beside Sarah with Casey behind her ready to pounce when ordered to her by his short statured, auburn-haired boss. A soft, but clearly audible grunt/growl expressed toward his partner's father.

"Excellent question, Sarah. I would like to know that myself." Insisted Beckman crossing her arms and eyeing the man she personally threw out of the premises of Westside Medical Center last Friday. She briefly glances at her second in command then directs her attention back to the aforementioned Jack Burton. "Explain yourself."

"Why am I here?" smirked Jack, seemingly surprised and insulted by the question directed towards him. "To have a good time, darlin'." he answered back to his daughter, taking amount to do a 360 degree turn. Afterward, he returns facing both his daughter and then her boss. "Just like everybody else whose here for a fun night." he added, then takes a sip of his alcoholic beverage to quench his thirst.

"That's not what I was asking you, Jack." Sarah retorted, expressing a tone of anger in her voice.

The daughter of Jack Burton is waiting for an answer from her father when potential Mayoral candidate Jim Rye makes his presence known on stage to small huddle group standing in the middle of the ballroom dance floor. Instead of standing behind the podium, he stepped off stage in order for the conversation just to be between them and not the entirety of the ballroom itself.

"Mr. Burton, I don't know what you're up to…" he stated, briefly pausing to glance around the ballroom. "…but if this is some kind of publicity stunt for Garretty's campaign…"

In that instance, Jack interjects. "No publicity stunt and I'm no longer with Garretty's campaign."

"Wait…what? What do you mean? What's going on?" responded Chuck, shaking his head in disbelief after hearing that bit of not so surprising news. Granted, since checking out of his lavishly expensive hotel room his whereabouts have not only been an unknown, but it's because of his abrupt absence it now makes sense why Garretty's poll numbers have been dropping, according to the news. "Why? Did he fire you?"

"No." replied Jack, shaking his head in a nonchalant way. After taking another sip of his alcoholic beverage he continues on. "I quit."

"You quit?" questioned Sarah, quirking her right brow with absolute disbelief expressed on her face.

In her mind, it's unfathomable that a man who she considers to be absolutely relentless in the political world as a professional spin doctor and truly excels at it suddenly quits. He doesn't even know the meaning of the word, she thinks to himself. To him, he constantly instilled in her growing up to not let anything or anyone stop you from achieving what you set your mind to. If you quit while doing it because it was too hard or the pressure was so overwhelming then consider yourself a loser and someone not to associate with ever.

Associate yourself with winners. That's was something her father also mentally hammered into her while in hopes of becoming just like him growing up. Fortunately for her, she didn't end up turning into him even though she was knowing full well how influential or in this particular case mentally manipulative he was to her back then. So mentally manipulative in fact that the times she thought he quit at certain things earlier in his career when he was just starting out as a political spin doctor he would simply refer to it as a "strategic retreat".

He would further explain by saying it was done to mentally regroup, strategize, and then come back in full force with far better confidence in order to conquer what wasn't ideally working in your favor. Thinking about it further, her father was always considered a master wordsmith when it comes to his skills as the foremost political spin doctor. It's all in how you phrase it. That's what her father always pressed upon her when using the right kind of wording can truly be a very powerful tool if you know how to convey the message to work in your advantage, she thinks to herself.

"That's not like you at all, Jack. What's wrong?" inquired Sarah, actually concerning about her absentee father. She then leans closer to him so it's just the two of them speaking privately and whispers in his left ear. "Should you be drinking that...in your condition?" she added, stepping back afterwards making direct eye contact with her father.

"So you're concerned about dear old dad now?" Jack retorted, expressing a smarmy grin toward his towards. "Don't be. I'm fine." he added, briefly holding up his left hand and brushing off the concern coming from his oldest offspring. His attention is then directed back to Jim Rye.

Speaking of Jim Rye, he furrows his eyebrows and stares intently at the man who has apparently no longer a part of Mayor Garretty's campaign. A thought that has him smiling on the inside because of how brutal and underhanded his tactics have been directed at his own campaign. However, when it comes to the situation at hand, he's not smiling at all.

"What's your endgame, Burton? What are you up to?"

Jack's smirk turns in a Cheshire cat like smile. Afterwards, he shakes his head then takes another sip of his alcoholic beverage then gives his response. "No endgame. I'm not up to anything. Just here enjoying the party and if Michael Bublé is still here I want to get his autograph. Plus, a word with him if I could." he shared, looking around for the aforementioned Canadian crooner. "Besides, with my absence and savvy influence Garretty's path to re-election for Mayor is going to end up falling apart." Jack gives a half-hearted shrug afterwards as if he doesn't care one way or the other if his former employer actually gets elected or not.

It's at the point, Rye steps forward and gets right in Jack's face causing a stir within the ballroom itself. In that moment, Chuck and Sarah instantaneously direct their attention to each other and without saying a word know what each other are thinking. Jack's been here practically the whole night and even Casey didn't know because if he did he would have alerted Chief Beckman, which shows his immense ability to practically stay under the radar of even Westside Medical Center's Head of Security. Also, the eldest Walker sibling and not to mention equally nerdy girlfriend of Chuck Bartowski can't help but personally offended by choosing her boyfriend's time in the spotlight after receiving an award. It's an award that well deserved and a long time coming for him, she thinks to herself.

In her mind, it should have come way sooner knowing how much of a big heart he has and all the hard work, time, as well as effort put into to putting smile on every Rockstar Rebel's faces. It's not just the ones he spotlighted on his YouTube show, but the ones he took the time to talk to and go to know on such a deeply personal basis. That's the sign of someone truly down to earth and special who doesn't deserve to be upstaged by the likes of the man who is standing across from her. She's about to say something when a voice is heard that echoes within the confines of the ballroom.

"What's going on? Who are you and why are disrupting this event!?" questioned Elizabeth Reich, the President of Make A Wish Foundation.

As if on cue, Jack spins around on his heels expressing that same Cheshire cat like smile and directs his attention towards the woman standing behind the podium. "Jack Burton and I am here as a guest."

"Of whom?" inquired the Make A Wish Foundation President.

"Someone who owed me a favor and I cashed in just for this occasion. No need to throw the individual in question under the bus." he explained with a sense of calm, while at the same being considerably vague when it comes to his response.

Elizabeth Reich at that point suddenly motions for one of her people to her side and then have an intense conversation away from the podium. As this is happening, Sarah steps forward and around her father in order to speak to him to his face. "I think you should leave. You just ruined a perfectly awesome and memorable moment for Chuck."

"I agree with your call, Sarah. No need to further ruin what has been an already spectacular night until now." nodded Beckman, eyeing Jack intently. She then glances behind her to unleash Casey who has been chomping at the bit ever since laying his eyes on the Sarah's father. A man who somehow was able to stay relatively undetected during tonight's festivities.

"Let's go..." growled Beckman's Head of Security, reaching up with his left hand and clamps on Jack's upper arm like a focused Pitbull. "...and please resist." Casey firmly requested, intently staring down Jack down.

Unfortunately, the attention on Jack that Casey and not to mention the small group congregating on the dance floor have on him is subsequently directed towards the stage. "Excuse me, but it appears, Mr. Burton has every right to attend tonight's gala."

The news concerning him actually being allowed to attend instead of being kicked out completely stuns Chuck, Beckman, Casey, and most of all Sarah. The beautiful blonde turns her attention from the Make A Wish Foundation President standing behind the podium to her father once again. "What did you do?"

"Well..." Jack is about to respond when he briefly directs his attention to Casey who still has a death grip on left arm. Fortunately for him, it's not his drinking arm as he takes the moment to sip his alcohol beverage once again before continuing on. "Do you mind?"

Casey doesn't say a word. Instead, he directs his attention to Chief Beckman who begrudgingly gives a nod to her hulking Head of Security to release him. Afterwards, Jack brushes the upper left arm area of his tux then proceeds to answer his daughter. "Like I said, I cashed in after someone here owed me a favor."

It's at that point, Chuck eyes widen as suddenly realizes what he means by cashed in. "How much did you give in order to get in here?"

In that instance, a smirk is expressed on Jack's face as his attention goes from his daughter to Chuck. "Smart man, Schnook. I knew you'd be the one to figure it out."

"How much, Jack?" questioned the youngest Bartowski sibling, intently staring down Sarah's father.

Jack doesn't answer right away. He's savoring the moment by taking another sip of his alcoholic beverage just to keep the 4 individuals standing around him focused solely on him. Once he feels he has them hooked long enough he gives his answer. "10 million dollars." he stated, expressing a smirk afterwards. "Now, if you don't mind..." It's at that point, Jack finishes off his drink then hands the glass to Chuck and starts fixing his tie because he spotted the Canadian Crooner behind him standing several feet away. "...I'm going to introduce myself to Michael Bublé. Maybe do some networking while I'm at it." Before he heads off, he makes it a point to fix the cuffs and cuff links of his tuxedo shirt then briefly looks at the same 4 individuals who just moments ago were absolutely determined to have him thrown out of the Hospital Gala. "You know, since I'm allowed to be here."

The bold arrogance of Jack Burton shines forth as he steps back and then turns around. As he's walking away, a very perturbed John Casey is about to take action. However, he's stopped by Chief Beckman who simply holds her left hand up giving him a clear signal to stand down much to his chagrin. All 4 people standing there on the dance there as they watch much to their shock and surprise, him talking with Michael Bublé. What was even more of a shocking surprise was the gala itself continuing on after Elizabeth Reich makes the announcement to do so as if the situation itself never actually happened.

XXX

Sarah is sitting on the right side end of the couch in the Foyer. Two matching chairs on either side with an imitation wooden stump set in the middle as a table. A few decorative pieces placed on top of it. She's there because she truly needed a breather after experiencing something absolutely unbelievable involving her own father. Fortunately, she's not alone as Chuck suddenly appears minus his new suit jacket with a glass possibly containing an alcoholic beverage and plate of food then offers it to her. His girlfriend shakes her head in response leading the concerned nerd to set both items down on top of the aforementioned imitation wooden stump table. He then takes a seat on the one of matching chairs just off to her right because that's what a supportive nerdy boyfriend does when a perfect night gets ruined by someone who has practically absent from her life growing up.

After a few seconds of silence pass, Chuck leans in a bit towards Sarah. "Do you want to leave? I'll go let the rest of the guys know. I'm sure they'll understand." he suggested, pointing behind towards the ballroom.

"My dad's an asshole." she stated out loud.

"Or..." he retorted, leaning back and sitting comfortable in the chair. "...we can just sit here and talk about your dad being such an asshole. I'll nod my head and agree until you're ready to leave. How about that?" he jokingly added. In response, Sarah simply gives a side eye expression towards her well meaning, nerdy boyfriend. Afterwards, he shrugs his shoulders then continues on. "Worth a shot to at least beat traffic out of here." Chucked added, briefly looking over his left shoulder down the hall towards the main doors to the ballroom. He then returns his attention back to Sarah who's sitting there silently on the couch. This would lead him to do the same but after a while he starts fidgeting in an awkward manner to the point where he speaks up. "Look, I may not be an expert therapist like Dr. Dreyfus, but I'm a great listener." grinned Chuck, trying to get Sarah to express a least a faint grin in response. That or an amused smile. Fortunately for him, it works causing him to express his toothy smile towards her.

"What is this powerful spell you have over me, Mr. Bartowski?" she softly said, shaking her head in amused disbelief.

Chuck gives a quick shrug in response. "Hell if I know, Ms. Walker." he softly said, inevitably expressing his unmistakable toothy smile. Afterwards, he continues on. "I do know that it isn't anything like the love spell Uma Thurman's version of Poison Ivy put on Batman played by George Clooney in Batman and Robin back in 1997. That's a movie Morgan and I went to thinking it would be fun to see, but we ending up coming out of it wanting Will Smith's character Agent J from the movie Men In Black to neuralize us right then and there. Terrible movie." he shared, shaking his head reflecting back on that disappointment of a movie. "Although, you can't go wrong with the movie starring Sandy Bullock and her then boyfriend Tate Donavon in 92', "Love Potion Number 9". The concept of two scientist, a gypsy named Madame Ruth, and a love potion..."

As Sarah sits there listening to her nerdy boyfriend give his usual synopsis of another movie from the past, she can't help but be comforted by the fact that he's doing his very best to distract her from all that's going on in regards to her personal life. That something personal appearing in the form of her very own father Jack Burton. In her mind, him rambling on about certain things that pertain to video games, television, or in this particula situation movies, is in a way considerably therapeutic. In a sense, him talking about something that he's excitedly passionate about and sharing it with her is considered to her the complete opposite of what guys who are more into themselves than into her. In other words, peacocking the "hot blonde" in order to basically impress her by sharing how awesome they are physically and/or financially, but not so much mentally. It's truly a refreshing thought and not to mention feeling to experience that now, she thinks to herself.

Now, when it comes to Chuck he's much different for her. To her, he's not so much a peacock trying to show off what he's got physically, mentally, and financially; but rather a far different animal of the fowl/bird species. Truth be told, it goes back to the conversation she had with Ellie at C3's as she was trying to get the 411 on her younger brother to get a much deeper insight on one Chuck Bartowski. What Ellie shared truly surprised her as the oldest Bartowski sibling told her that Chuck is like a duck. By that she meant, when it comes to her younger brother, sometimes it seems like he is just gliding along without a care in the world, but beneath the surface his little feet are just padding away like crazy. As much as it's deemed an oddly interesting duck comparison, Sarah actually agrees with Ellie's assessment with the Chuck in every sense because of all the things that she's witnessed after spending so much time with him.

Essentially, what's she's been able to observe with her nerdy boyfriend is that on the surface he seems to have everything together just like a duck. Yet, when you're to see underneath you see his legs or in this case his thoughts and emotions padding away like crazy. His thoughts and emotions always being worn on his sleeve for those who know or around him completely noticing it even if he doesn't necessarily see it himself. Those aforementioned thoughts and emotions paddling away like crazy. Add to that he's the one to always talk and share what's on his mind to the point of never really letting anyone including herself speak, which is annoying. Yet, that's Chuck in a nutshell. To know him, is to know his fears, anxieties, struggles and utter defeats after crashing from flying so high, especially his relationship with that who shall not ever be named again.

Although, she wasn't there to witness him pulling himself up by his bootstraps and mentally rebuild himself from the ground up. Emotionally would most definitely be considered another story altogether, she thinks to herself. That would take a tremendous amount of help not just from Ellie, but from Vivian as well, which she is very thankful for. Of course, it took a while for Chuck to officially ask her out on a date during a department head meeting and afterwards she tried to hide the smile that apparently was showing while continuing on with the meeting. Unfortunately, it failed and truth be told she didn't care because she finally got their official date, which was more than she ever bargained for. For the both of them to be exact. In any case, she shakes thoughts from her heard in order to refocus her attention back to Chuck who is still talking about the movie Love Potion Number 9.

"...and then Marisa's plan ends up backfiring after taking the potion again but..."

"Chuck..."

" ...Diane and Paul...:

"Chuck!"

Instantly, Chuck stops talking in mid-sentence and gives his full attention to Sarah. "I was babbling again, wasn't I?"

"A bit." Chuck instantly hangs his head and expresses a semi grunt realizing he's been rambling on about a movie Sandra Bullock was in. Granted, she didn't really know her till she starred in the movie Speed and even then all her focus was on Keanu Reeves. In any case, she leans forward and reaches over to gently places her right hand on the back of his neck in order to rub then squeeze it in a caring way. "Listen, I know what you're doing..." It's at that point, Chuck lifts his head in order to direct his attention to her after momentarily looking down at the tile floor. "...and I appreciate it. Maybe tomorrow you can come over and we'll watch that movie together." she softly suggested, then giving her version of the Walker eyebrow dance with a wicked smile added on.

"Awesome." Chuck breathed out, expressing his unmistakable toothy smile. His eyes locked on to hers. This would lead both of them to lean in for a kiss, but as their inches away from each other the nerd with the new suit suddenly leans back. "Wait!"

"What?" wondered Sarah, taken complete by surprise by the abrupt disruption by her boyfriend.

"You were talking about Love Potion Number 9. Not Batman and Robin right?" he inquired, expressing genuine interest on his part.

Sarah can't help but chuckle in response. Afterwards, she briefly rolls her eyes and then proceeds reach over and then hooks him just over the top of his seemingly expensive tie then pulls him forward for a kiss. Unfortunately, the intimate moment between the couple would be interrupted by the sudden appear by the sound of a clearing throat. The aforementioned couple's focus on each other would then be directed to two individuals standing a few feet away from them. It's Molly and Emma with Chuck's suit coat.

"Mom said I can't kick dad in the nuts." Molly stated, with absolute seriousness expressed in her face. "You should do it."

Chuck and Sarah are briefly left speechless after hearing that from Molly. Emma, on the other mind, simply shakes her head and faintly breathes out the following words. "I can't take her anywhere?" She then takes a deep breath in then directs her attention to both her daughters. "Nobody is going to kick your father in the nuts. Even if he does deserve it."

After the initial announcement of her youngest sister wanting to assault their estranged father for what he did to ruin Chuck's moment. "Mom's right."

"Seriously!?"

In that moment, Sarah stands up and steps forward to her precious 13 year old sister. "Think McFly..." she quoted, attempting to knocking her sister's head with her right hand. "...think." It's apparent that this has happened before as Chuck witnesses Molly do a matrix style dodge in order to avoid being knocked on the head ala Biff Tannen from Back To The Future. Afterwards, the oldest Walker sibling continues on directing her attention to her younger sister. "We're at a Hospital Gala and all eyes are on pretty much the people who run the hospital. Among them..." She then points to herself. "...me. Plus, I know the Board of Directors are here and I don't want to get into trouble. I know that Ellie, Devon...especially not Chief Beckman want to be fired because of doing something stupid. We're here to have fun, but not too much fun to where we end up losing our jobs. I love my job. It would also effect Chuck."

"Actions have consequences, sweetie." Emma responded.

"I know, I get it." Molly begrudgingly retorted.

"Do you, brat?" questioned Sarah, suddenly taking that moment to experience a slight shiver.

Chuck takes notice and immediately directs his attention to Emma. "Can I have my suit coat, Emma? Thanks by the way for grabbing and bring to me, by the way."

"No problem, Chuck. It's a very nice suit and one that should never be left at the table..." Emma briefly pauses looking back down the hallway towards the ballroom. As Chuck retrieves his suit coat, he instinctively does the boyfriend thing and wraps it around Sarah having it rest on her shoulders knowing it's a somewhat cold in the foyer they're all standing in. As for Sarah, she is very much appreciative of the considerate act of kindness that Chuck just did for her without ever being told to do so, which brings a smile to her face. She is half-listening to her mom as her attention is fully focused on Chuck whois smiling down at her."...where Morgan and Lazlo are challenging each other to a contest." she shared, shaking her head.

The word contest causes Chuck's eyes to suddenly widen then leads to him breathing out the following two words: "Oh boy."

It's that aforementioned wide-eyed expression and two words that were just softly breathed out that Sarah causes her to become concerned. "What? What's happening? What about Morgan and Lazlo?"

"We have to head inside before things get out of hand." he said with urgency, taking Sarah by the hand. He then motions to Molly and Emma to follow.

"What's going on, Chuckles?" Molly asked with curiosity, momentarily stopping Chuck in his tracks.

"No time. Unless you want another incident like in 2006. The combination of food, liquor, and a drunken break dance battle challenge all rolled into one." he shared, seemingly in a haunted state of reflection. "So many ruined suits and dresses/gowns that night." he pauses then continues on. "It's one of the reasons Ellie instituted the no touch policy for Morgan."

"No touch policy?" Emma, Molly, and Sarah stated simultaneously.

Instead of explaining it, Chuck just heads down with hallway of the foyer towards the ballroom with Sarah in tow. Emma and Molly right on their heels in order to possibly assist in helping avoid another chaotic situation. All heading to thwart a potentially chaotic situation once again between Morgan and Lazlo that would potentially cause another debacle like on the back in 2006.

XXX

Chuck was able to get to Morgan and Lazlo in time. Both men were about to get up from the table and commence heading towards the dance floor to settle their beef that started over a conversation about the movie Revenge of Nerds. It somehow led to question if either one of them went up against Lamar Latrelle or even the kid, could one of them win a break dancing battle just with the knowledge of their seemingly basic dance moves during their musical/singing performance that had them winning against the jocks. Of course, his two compadres were given water to at least sober them up a bit for their sakes, especially Lazlo since he's an employee of Westside Medical Center. Fortunately, the crisis was averted in putting a halt to the break dancing battle, but it would have Chuck finding himself suddenly engrossing himself into the questionable debate by reminding the two of them that it was Timothy Busfield's character Poindexter who stole the entire performance with his violin skills.

While the Revenge of Nerds debate continues on between all 3 men with everyone else at the table either staying to actually listen to the nerdy conversation or heading off elsewhere, Sarah spots her father at the bar talking with Michael Bublé. For her point of view, it seems to be an engrossing and light-hearted conversation instead of one where it seems the individual in question is trapped to the point where there is absolute desperation or complete boredom in their eyes knowing they're unable to escape from it. Keen observation. It's one of the tricks of the trade that was taught to her by her father during one of his many "training sessions" together by focusing on a person's body language and their eyes. It's the eyes that can pretty much give away anything according to the master manipulator Jack Burton.

However, through years of experience, he has the uncanny ability to in all intents and purposes disarm you with his deceptive charm. It's pretty much a smoke screen in order to get his foot in the door, so to speak, and then work his magic to where he ends up having the unsuspecting target in the palm of his hands. Dirty hands to be exact when involved in the world of dirty politics. It's with those dirty hands along with his sharp and tactical mind that his services have been paid for by anyone, as well as everyone who is willing to spend the cash to rise in power. Anything and everything it takes to win. In other words, destroy a genuinely good person by simply planting a suggestion that the opposition candidate in question has something to hide. A skeleton in the closet and if it's not true then make it true, she thinks to herself.

For her, she's thankful that she's been able to break free from his mental hold on her and hopes that whatever he's planning in regards to the conversation he's having with Michael Bublé' deeply concerns her. It's that thought in which she makes the decision to utilize her own version of a strategic retreat knowing full it's the perfect opportunity to do so since Chuck is thoroughly engrossed in a nerdy conversation with Morgan and Lazlo. A few moments later she ducks out of the conversation at the table and heads straight for her father while still wearing Chuck's suit coat. A suit coat that feels soft and at the same time seemingly very expensive judging by the fabric. Granted, she's dated guys in the past who were considered financially stable and could afford suits like the one her nerdy boyfriend is wearing right now. In her mind, she knows it wasn't bought with his own money as it was assumingly put on either Hartley or Vivian's tab since those two are responsible for his makeover, she thinks to herself.

From the moment she left the table to now, she's been in her own head and before she knew it, Sarah finds herself standing in front of the two aforementioned individuals leading her to quickly get out of her own heading in order to speak up. "Excuse me, Mr. Bublé may I have a word with my father."

"Of course." nodded the Canadian Crooner. "I have to go speak with Elizabeth about becoming more involved with Make A Wish Foundation." he shared, flashing a smile towards Sarah then takes his leave afterwards. Before doing so, he stops to say one last thing. "Congrats to Charles Bartowski by the way."

"It's Chuck. His friends and family call him Chuck."

"Chuck it is then." grinned Bublé'. "Are you and he..."

"Yes..." she responded back, expressing a polite smile. "...we're together. Dating."

"Serious?"

It's at that point the conversation becomes considerably personal so much so that she actually looks to her father who just stands there, but thankfully turns towards the bartender. While he's ordering a drink, she can't help but think this would potentially be a good a time as any for a strategic retreat. However, she does her best to be vague and not give too much away.

"You could say that." she answered.

"The dance you two shared certainly sure said a lot." Bublé' responded back, reaching up to briefly use his right hand to fan himself. "I damn near stopped singing to grab a fire extinguisher in order put out the 4 alarm fire both of you were igniting out there in dance floor. A scorcher but absolutely and breathe takingly beautiful." he added, breathing those last three words out.

In that moment, Sarah is lucky that the ballroom itself isn't somewhat dim lit because her father and Bublé' would have seen her blushing. So, in order to get the focus off her she quickly places the focus back on the man who rightfully deserves it.

"It was nothing and besides Chuck will remember this night for as long he lives after receiving that Shining Star Award. So unexpected." she said, a surprised tone in her voice. "I'm very proud of him. Pretty much everybody is who knows him."

"You should be and he deserves it. I was able to check him out on his YouTube channel on my phone. The man has some major pipes." he added, completely wide eyed expressing shocked surprise on his face. "I know talent when I see it."

"He is talented. Chuck just doesn't want to toot his own horn though. What he does...what he has been doing...it's all for the kids."

"Understandable..." he stated, shaking in utter disbelief. "...but remarkable at the same time. I'm a father myself and the work he's put in to spotlight those special kids...Rockstar Rebels as he put it...on his YouTube channel is absolutely phenomenal." he stated, smiling in absolute disbelief. He then continues on. "All those parents are very grateful to him for what he's been able to do, especially with Camden Willard. The message for Chuck from Camden's mom hit hard to point where I got all emotional. I have a young son myself and I can't imagine him going through something like what he went through. Me or my wife. His strength, resiliency and fight to live as long as he did is something we all should be able to learn from."

"I agree with you..." retorted Sarah. "...and so would Chuck."

"Speaking of the man of the hour. Tell him congratulations. Where is he by the way?" he inquired, taking a moment to look around to possibly locate him. "I sort of see a bit of myself in him."

"He was having an intense conversation that turned into a debate about a movie with some friends at our table before I headed over here."

"What movie?"

"Revenge of the Nerds."

Bublé's eyes suddenly bug out causing him to be momentarily spastic. "That's one of my favorite movies! I consider myself a nerd. A music nerd, but a nerd nonetheless. Can I ask what the debate was about?" he inquired, stepping forward with genuine curiosity and interest on his part.

"Whether some character named Larry...Louie..."

"Lamar!?" blurted out Bublé, in an excitedly nerdy way.

"Yeah..." Sarah responded, briefly pointing to him. "...that's it. The debate over if he could actually breakdance or not when it came to the performance between the jocks and the nerds. If so, Morgan or Lazlo could take him on. Chuck then changed the conversation completely saying that the guy playing the violin..."

"Poindexter."

Sarah nods acknowledging Bublé' then continues on. "He pretty much stole the show to win it for the nerds."

"He's right. Lambda Lambda Lambda to be more precise. I got to get in this conversation. Can you point me in his direction? Are they still talking about it?"

"Knowing those three..." Sarah expresses a brief smile. "...they're probably still are." she added, suddenly noticing how eager he is to meet up with those three aforementioned individuals.

After directing his attention to the exact location where Chuck is, she watches Bublé' quickly heading off quickly leaving her to get to the bottom of why Jack is actually here. As she's taking a deep breath and composing herself, she snuggles herself within the seemingly the comforted protection of her nerdy boyfriend's suit, she turns around only to find Jack looking directly at her. He's comfortably leaning with his back against the bar in his own arrogant way, takes a sip of his alcoholic beverage, and then momentarily looks at the empty glass in order to savor every last bit of what he considers to be nectar of the Gods. It's a sight that causes Sarah to briefly roll her eyes in a disgusted fashion know he's jeopardizing his health. Not that she cares, she thinks to herself.

"So, you want to know why I'm really here?"

"I do. So spill, Jack."

"Ok darlin', but you're going to hate the answer." he answered back, causing Sarah to express considerable concern on her face.

XXX

"You actually think that? Do you even hear yourself talk, Jack?" stated Sarah, shaking her head and briefly look away. "Well, you're wrong. Chuck isn't a rebound relationship for me. I've moved on and am happier than I've ever been." she added, expressing a mix tone of anger and absolute disbelief.

Jack is momentarily silent as he takes that moment to take another glass of an alcoholic beverage provided to him from the bartender. Afterwards, he sets the empty glass down on the bar counter then continues on. "I know you better than you know yourself."

"You think you do. You trained me to think and act like you…" she retorted back, stepping forward and pointing to him with a bit more emphasis. "…but, I'm not going end up being like you. I am my own person."

"Sounds like some therapy talk drivel." chuckled Jack, shaking his head finding what she's sharing with him utterly humorous. He fully expects her to be joking, but judging by the serious expression on her face she isn't. It's that particular expression on his daughter's face that he knows all too well. An expression of serious determination showing when she has her mind set on and going through with whatever she's focused on there's no stopping her. The humor is inevitably replaced with an unfortunate sigh as if breathing out his disappointment in her. "You're paying a shrink to listen to you. It's all a scam, darlin'. Just ask Tom Cruise. Seriously though, I taught you better than that."

Sarah instantly balls up her fists in anger as she stands there wanting to just speak her mind and throw in as many curse words at her father. However, restrains herself from doing so. In her mind, it's actually what Jack wants because it's how he manipulates the situation in order for him to get the upper hand. Uses your emotions and thoughts against you, she thinks to herself. Instead of doing what her father expects her to do, she does the complete opposite while taking that moment to un-clinch her fists knowing full well he's an absolutely broken man.

A man, who in his own mind, once considered himself the great and all powerful Jack Burton. Political spin doctor genius. No. He's now a man who has reached stage 3 of renal cell carcinoma, and is taking the prescribed medications Keytruda along with Axitinib to at least slow down the disease some. Though not considered a serious risk at 53%, it's going to be if he continues his idiotic and truly childish behavior by drinking himself under the table, she thinks to herself. Plus, he's more tipsy than drunk in her eyes right now standing in front of her.

"So what if I am seeing a therapist. Chief Beckman actually paid for it by the way. I'm thankful she did." She pauses for a second in order to keep her composure, which is hard for her to do being that it's her dad. Afterwards, Sarah goes on. "After all that happened in front of the hospital last week." The estranged daughter to Jack Burton can't help but relive that moment over in her head and as much as she want to blow up on him again, now wouldn't be the best time, she thinks to herself. What she does do is take a deep breath to focus on speaking her own truth even, which is considered absolutely cathartic for her. "I've actually made great strides and progress with Dr. Dreyfus. He's truly helped me get some perspective and has been helping guide me in the right direction towards personal, emotional, and mental healing."

"Dr. Dreyfus you say." nodded Jack, personally believing paying someone to hear you bitch and moan is a waste of time and money. He then turns his attention to the bartender on the other side of the counter and catching his attention a few feet to his right "Bar keep…another round." he requested, holding up his empty glass and shaking it. The sound of the remaining ice clinking inside the glass.

In his mind, bartenders have always provided the following two services: a listening ear and serve you drinks. That's pretty much the prerequisite right there and it's not that hard to screw that up. If you do then you're in the wrong business to be in, which is a place he would rather go to than a therapist's office. At least with being at a bar, even if you don't remember the conversation you were able to drink your problems away after getting all that's off your chest, he thinks to himself. His thoughts inevitably return to his daughter as she steps in front of his line of sight.

"You should do yourself a favor and go see one. Lord knows, how screwed up you are."

In that instance, Jack simply laughs off Sarah's suggestion. "I'm screwed up. Look who's talking." he stated, scoffing at the notion he's just plain off his rocker in response to his blonde haired flesh and blood. "I was teaching you how to survive in this world, kid. You learned how the world actually works. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, darlin'." he replied, with a sense of anger in his voice.

After receiving his refill from the bartender, he picks up what he sees as a decadently sweet nectar of the Gods and knocks it back instead of savoring every bit of like he did before. The burning sensation of the liquor sliding down his throat is considered to be a satisfying feeling that is further going to damage his kidneys as it further progresses his conditions. What he also feels is a slight twinge causing him to wince in pain, which Sarah clearly notices by the way he's slightly favoring his right side. What she also notices is him sweating, which is not at all common being that they're in an enclosed place filled with countless individuals. However, with his condition, she knows the pain that he's dealing with is possibly unbearable and considerably uncomfortable.

In any case for Jack, he's close to immanent death otherwise known as Renal Cell Carcinoma. 3 words that are scary to read but even scarier to experience. Yet, he doesn't care as he stares at the empty glass then places it down on the counter with an expression on his face that reads he's thirst for more thus signaling the bartender once again. While waiting, he continues his conversation with Sarah but makes it a point to not lock eyes with his oldest, and not to mention estranged, daughter.

"Let me guess. Because of this guy, Dr. Dreyfus, you think…" he retorted, briefly pointing to Sarah, "…I need help after you poured your heart and soul out to him." he said, expressing it in a mocking manner. He mimics her daughter's tears that he knows she shed while bashing him to her therapist. "You happy now? Get it all out of your system did you? Guess what though. It's still not going to hide the fact you're going to break Schnook's heart."

"And why would I do that? He understands me…" she firmly emphasized, doing her best to keep her composure. "…more than any of my past relationships, including Cole." Sarah added, using her ex-fiancé as a great example.

"You're so sure about that. I know his type. In touch with his feelings, which means he's easy to manipulate." he said, rolling his with an added chuckle for emphasis. He then locks eyes with his daughter then leans in forward a bit. "Mark my words, you'll realize what I said is true. Do yourself a favor and cut him loose. I bet if you call Cole he'll take you back. So what if he cheated. It's the smart thing to do." he conveyed, expressing a tipsy grin towards her.

In that instance, Sarah makes a startling realization. "You've been talking to him. Why? What's there to gain?" She pauses waiting for an answer but doesn't get one from Jack. "It's because you're broke or close to it." Jack giving her a bit of a side eye tells her so much. "So, you're leaching on to him and the only way to get your foot in the door is through me?" she replied, pointing to herself then shakes her head in disbelief.

Again, Jack doesn't respond as his focus is on the bartender who served him earlier places another drink in front of him. Before he can even reach for it and partake in his drink, Sarah takes it and slides it away from him causing the 2nd in command to one Chief Diane Beckman to brace for an angry backlash directed back at her. What she receives back in return is something totally different and unexpected. What she gets is laughter.

Jack's laughing fit causes a bit of a stir around him, but not enough so much so the ballroom attendees simply go back to mingling and having fun with one another. As for Jack himself, his laughter subsides and turns his attention back to Sarah.

"Like I said before, the truth is you breaking up with Cole was the biggest mistake you've ever made. You and Cole...are far better suited for each other than the geeky looking boy scout. I got a chance to meet and talk to Schnook. Boy, he is way in over his head." he shared, poking and prodding her with those aforementioned statements. "Way out of his league when it comes to you, darlin'. Have you two…" He stops in order to just raise his eyebrows out of curiosity.

Sarah simply shakes her head. "First off, that's none of your business. Second, he's not a geek. He's a nerd and so am I. Third, you're wrong, Jack. It's just the opposite. I'm way out of his league." She keenly notices that Jack isn't paying attention to her but rather the drink she's holding in her left hand. Also, she's abundantly aware that he's sweating more than usual telling her that drinking tonight he's heading more and more in the direction of kidney failure if he keeps it up. It's that particular thought in which she make a sudden and disturbing realization.

"You're doing a strategic retreat."

"Quitting? What if I am? It's not like you to care all of a sudden. You made it perfectly loud and clear out in front of the hospital for everybody to hear." It's at the point, Jack turns to face the bar. The anger slowly building inside and the added combo of the alcohol make for an extremely volatile mixture in more ways than one. "Bartender! Pour me some of your good stuff. Money is no object." he announced, taking out a large wad of cash. He waves it around in a proudly brash but drunken way.

"You've had enough. Bartender." she called out, turning her attention and waving off the order to him. The bartender acknowledges her request as he goes to serve another ballroom attendee. Afterwards, Sarah focuses back on a man that she once idolized growing up. "Do yourself a favor. Check yourself into a hospital. I don't care which one and get yourself treated. If not, then go ahead and die for all I care. That's what you're doing right now, isn't it? It's true. You know what..." Sarah holds up both hands to where they stick out from within Chuck's suit coat. "...I'm done. We…are done. Typical Jack Burton. You did the same with your family. Now, your own life. If you want to die, then be my guest." At this point, the calm restraint she's having is unraveling as her voice goes from soft and controlled to gradually shaky and angrier. "The chance of you ever getting my kidney to save your life…" she pauses to find the right words to convey back. "…when hell freezes over." Sarah angrily spits back at him.

Before Sarah leaves the bar and her father never to see him again, she takes the glass of alcohol still in her left hand that she took away from him earlier. However, she says one last thing to him. "I hope you spend the last remaining days of your life in pain because you deserve every last bit of it."

With that she walks away, but not before Jack stops her. "Wait!" He stands there for a moment shaking his head and leaning forward against the bar. Both hands grubbing on the bars edge. Although his eyes are closed, he's clearly going through some type of mental or emotional inner struggle to the point where his eyes suddenly open. Afterwards, he turns around in a stumbling manner to eventually look at his daughter. "You're right…" He shakes his head and express a drunken chuckle. "…but you're wrong about something."

"About what?"

"I am dead. Been a walking dead man for the last 6 years. I've accepted that fact. So, I'm sorry." He pauses for a moment briefly looking down to the floor. He then lifts his head to witness Sarah expressing absolute total shock on her face by his sudden apology. A man who has never apologized in his life for his actions. However, when it comes to his own potentially dangerous situation with his health and not caring any longer, he's pretty much going to go all scorched earth. "I'm sorry that I shouldn't have waited until now to tell you how disappointed I am on how you turned out to be. I expected so much out of you. Pathetic. Truly pathetic."

That was the breaking point for Sarah right there. As much as she wants, to punch her father in the face, she does something that she considers far more painful, which is throw the glass of alcohol in his face. Her actions causes the ballroom attendees in and around the bar to stop what they are doing in order to focus on the resulting aftermath of that which just happened. Speaking of the resulting aftermath, Sarah stands there with an empty glass in her hand and her father's face, suit, and hair drenched with the alcoholic beverage he intended to drink in front of her.

Unfortunately, he ended wearing it instead of drinking it. After the satisfying sense of retribution on her part, she sets the now empty glass on a tray by a shocked server who is holding it that happens to be standing near her. Jack's estranged daughter turns around then walks off like the boss that she is and in doing so nearly walks straight into Chuck. He quickly steps aside like a bull fighter without the red cape narrowly avoiding being skewered, so to speak, by her to which he ends up taking hold of her by her upper arms that are covered by his suit coat. Afterwards he ends turning around himself to face her with Jack behind him.

"Whoa! What happened?" he asked, briefly looking behind him to see Jack's face and tux drenched. "What did he do? Say to you?" Chuck asked leaning in, with concern.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." Responded Sarah, expressing a satisfying smile.

Chuck responds with his unmistakable toothy smile in return. "You want to get out of here?"

Sarah simply nods. Unfortunately, just as they're about to leave Jack speaks up. "You know I'm telling you the truth, Sarah! Cut him loose before you break his heart. You could have been something but now you're just one big disappointment."

It's that one word that causes Chuck to stop, turn around, and walk straight towards then stop right in front of Jack. "What did you say?"

This would lead Sarah to quickly follow attempting to stop him from doing anything stupid and end up in so much trouble. If he does, it's because of her and she doesn't want that to happen. Unfortunately, her efforts fail as Jack continues on.

"You heard me. My daughter…" he stated, locking eyes with Chuck. His face partially drenched with alcohol. "…is a big disappointment. A truly pathetic disappointment. Plus, she was much better off with Cole than with you." Jack added, expressing a grin afterwards.

As Chuck stands there facing Jack and contemplating his options, he hears Sarah who is urging him to walk away. Every fiber in his being has him wanting to respond by physically pushing in order to defend the honor of his girlfriend. Who says that to their own daughter? Their own flesh and blood? However, after standing there for a moment, he glances over at Sarah who is pleading with him to just leave with her then turns his attention back to Jack. A grin still plastered on his partially drench mug. In that moment of contemplation between doing what is right and needing to make things right for retribution sake, he comes to a decision. He turns to Sarah.

"Come on…" he whispered, motioning with a slight tilt of his head. "…let's go." Chuck added, with comforting reassurance.

As they are both about to walk off, they find themselves hearing the voice of someone who just won't go away. "So that's it!? You're just walking away!?" he angrily called out. Jack now making a spectacle of the situation that was previously kept somewhat low key until now. This would lead the former spin doctor for Mayor Garretty so say something that he knew once it came out of his mouth would potentially unleash hell on him. "It's a good thing your parents aren't here to see this. If they're still alive."

That triggers Chuck causing him to turn around and swing as hard as he can a punch that connects point blank to Jack's face. The sheer impact of that aforementioned punch to the face causes Sarah's father to stumble back, hit the side of the bar, and then drop to the ground seemingly knocked out cold. As for Chuck, he's in pain and favoring his right hand because it's the first punch he's ever thrown. Granted, he's fought with Morgan before when they were kids and not to mention adults but it never came to throwing fists. They'd usually settle things by playing video games and make wagers, which they still continue to do.

The situation itself causes a disruption with the latter part of the Hospital Gala. This would lead to Casey appearing as he stands between Sarah who he sees attending to Chuck nursing his hand and then turning his attention to Jack seemingly knocked out on the ground against the bar. Yet, it's not just Casey who appears as Morgan, Ellie, Devon, Beckman and pretty much the entire inner circle. As for the Head of Security of Westside Medical Center, he can't help but be a little impressed by the actions of one Chuck Bartowski as he heads of over inevitably bending down to check on Jack. However, before doing so, he throws a quasi-compliment over to him.

"Not bad, Bartowski. Didn't know you had it in you."

In response, Chuck just shrugs his shoulders while Sarah rubs his right hand then pulls it up to her lips in order to kiss it. "Thank you." she softly whispered, with an appreciative smile up towards him.

"You're welcome." he nodded back, expressed a tight-lipped smile of his own.

It's at that point, Beckman appears before the both of them causing the two of them to suddenly feel like 5 year olds about to get punished. She stands there for a moment sternly looking at the both them then towards a knocked out Jack Burton on the ground against the bar. After taking a deep breath, she expresses a smirk. "Good job, Mr. Bartowski. I wish I had seen it. Don't make it habit." she softly retorted.

Afterwards, she heads towards Casey where he's kneeling down by a seemingly unconscious Jack. She hears her hulking head of security try to get him back into a conscious state, but his efforts are failing. As he continues to try to wake him up, Emma and Molly appear along with everyone else in their inner circle to suddenly see the aftermath that Chuck caused.

"Shit! I missed it!" Her attention on her knocked out father is then turned back to Chuck. "Did you kick him in the nuts?"

In response Chuck just stares at Molly as Sarah continues to rub Chuck's right hand. While that is happening, Casey throws a glass of water in Jack's face after requesting it from the bartender in order to wake him. It doesn't work. This leads him to check his pulse and in doing so, he turns his attention to his auburn-haired boss.

"What…" questioned Beckman. "…what's is it? What's wrong?" she added, with concern in her voice.

Instead of answering her, his attention is focused on Ellie and Devon who are standing beside Chuck and Sarah. "Ellie…Devon. Check on Burton. It feels like he's burning up."

The Woodcombs immediately jump into action and check on the still unconscious body of Jack Burton. Although, he's considered a despicable individual they are still after all doctors who have an oath to fulfill no matter what they think of the person in question.

"Good call, big guy." Stated Devon, briefly acknowledging Casey's initial diagnosis. "Judging by how much he's sweating, it looks and feels very serious."

"Call 911, Casey." Ellie requested, with a sense of urgency. Casey gives a firm nod and takes out his phone in order to contact emergency services. She then turns her attention towards her little brother. "How hard did you hit him Chuck?"

"You hit him, bro!? Awesome..." Devon stated, then looking around at his fellow colleagues standing/milling about. whispering to one another. "...but not awesome." he quickly added, turning his attention back to Jack assessing his condition.

Chuck is about to respond when Sarah speaks up. "He has Renal Cell Carcinoma. Stage 3. If that helps." she shared, without much a caring tone to her voice.

After sharing that piece of information to Ellie and Awesome, the eldest Bartowski sibling snaps her attention back to Casey. "Tell them to move it, Casey. It's a medical emergency!"

"Roger that." grunted Westside Medical Center's Head of Security.

As Casey makes it abundantly clear to the 911 operator that speed is of the essence in his own way, Chuck and Sarah are flanked by their concerned inner circle. It would also lead the crowd to grow much larger as word of mouth spread of what just went down at the bar. A situation that could very well lead to dire consequences for Sarah, Chuck, Beckman and Westside Medical Center when it comes to facing the Board of Directors.

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NOTE: DUH! DUH! DUH! Leaving off on a cliffhanger right there concerning the aftermath of Chuck knocking out Jack with a punch. A punch that pretty much ended the night for the Chuck and Sarah along with the possibility of their careers. More so for Sarah's than Chuck's. No worries, though the next chapter will answer if they will suffer any sort of dire ramifications of what was done, especially during The Hospital Gala. So what do you think? Share your thoughts and leave a comment. A big thank you for your continual support and reviews of my story. Also, a tip of the hat to NEVR for doing the beta. You rock!