Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench
Well, in the previous chapter: Chuck and Sarah discuss the sudden appearance of Jack at the Gala. How him being there pretty much leaves a bad taste in their mouths, so to speak, even though they had an awesome time before he show up seemingly out of nowhere. This would lead to Sarah eventually making the decision to go speak with her father at the bar, which didn't turn out that well. Jack not only ended up getting an alcoholic beverage thrown at his face by his own daughter, but gets hits point blank as well. The person responsible...Chuck Bartowski. Now, Jack has been taken to the hospital looking to be in serious condition. Needless to say, the ramifications of their actions will be under review due to the Board of Directors being in attendance there as well. So, here's the who, what, where, when, why, and how of it. Why does Chuck think of Steve Urkel while reflecting on the aftermath of his actions of hitting Jack Burton in the face? When Beckman finally appears in front of Chuck and Sarah, what punishment did they both receive? How does the inner circle react to Chuck and Sarah's punishment? What 2 medical drama shows are brought up that the gang talk about in Sarah's office? Where does Chuck take Sarah after he answers his phone? Who offers a solution to Sarah's dilemma that could very well help in a big way? 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.
Did I Do That?
XXX
Chuck, Sarah and the rest of their inner circle would find themselves standing outside in the waiting room area of the emergency room of Westside Medical Center. Chief Beckman thought it would best not to have her or her nerdy date to be in there since he is after all the man responsible for sending the patient to the hospital in the first place. Unfortunately, not all of the inner circle is there as 4 people are unaccounted for as Ellie and Devon are in the emergency room attending to an unconscious Jack Burton. When it comes to Kathleen she went home and would contact Alex in the morning find out what happened.
As for Chief Beckman, she was summoned to a meeting that night in her office with 2 representatives of the Board of Directors. They would be discussing the serious nature of an altercation that resulted in the aftermath of a guest being taken to emergency room. A situation in which Sarah threw a glass of alcohol and Chuck punched in the face of someone who happened to be the same individual. An individual that gave sizeable donation earlier in the night at the Hospital Gala. Jack Burton.
For Sarah, her actions left her position as Chief Operation Officer for Westside Medical Center in considerable jeopardy even though what her father said was considered to be absolutely unconscionable. While sitting there quietly still wearing her nerdy boyfriend's suit next to Chuck deep in her own thoughts, she knew any physical action taken at such a high profile event that is technically deemed hospital grounds would be in all intents and purposes placed under review to the point where it would be looked at as if it were through a microscope.
A microscope that she hopes her countless achievement thus far outweigh the one incident in which she reacted with pure emotion behind it. In her mind, it was an instantaneous reaction that happened without even really thinking about it because of what was said as it involved a combination of her and her mother. Now, if it was just him verbally attacking Molly, that would be a completely different conversation altogether knowing she's for the most part considered an innocent bystander in all this, she thinks to herself.
Essentially, that name that is attached to a beautiful but at the same time stubborn spitfire of a 13 year old young woman who he has not once, since the time he's showed up, taken the initiative to even come talk to her. All throughout the night he was busy networking and possibly trying to build his name and new business since he practically sold his consulting company. A company that primarily helped him pay for the medical bills and not to mention the lavish lifestyle he was living, which was considered to be wasteful spending in the older Walker daughter's mind.
In any case, when it came to the Hospital Gala, 5 words came to mind. Be on your best behavior. Essentially, those are the rules to adhere by when in attendance and she even went as far as drilling it into her younger sister's head knowing full well how hard-headed she is. It was drilled to her before leaving the condo, in the car on the way to the gala, heading into the gala itself, and in the foyer before the whole fiasco of a situation ended up with Jack unconscious in the emergency room.
Although Molly wanted to ever so bluntly in her own words kick their father in the nuts, she surprisingly listened to her older sister's orders because the fact of the matter is it would directly affect her job if she did do just that. A position in which she felt she was getting into a groove and getting considerably comfortable in knowing when she initially started at first she was scared out of her mind. Yet, at the same time, she was absolutely thrilled at having an absolute clean slate to work with after all that she went through and experienced in D.C.
Thankfully, she's not in this alone as Chuck has her back knowing full well he's practically in the same boat as her in regards suffering dire consequences from his actions against her father. True, she merely threw a drink in his face whereas her nerdy boyfriend physically assaulted a man. A man who somehow managed to not only gain entry by calling in a favor to be a guest of an attendee, but paid a sizeable donation in order to remain at the gala instead of being kicked out. Unfortunately, it's because of his unforeseen appearance that would have Chuck in such hot water alongside his beautiful blonde girlfriend.
Speaking of Chuck, he's sitting to her right and is more focused on his hand than anything else as he's continuing to massage it. Granted, it was one punch but it made a significant impacted both literally and figuratively to the point where the Board of Directors had to get involved because of the severity of the situation. In his mind, he's pretty much been in this situation before but under a whole different set of circumstances in which the risk he took actually turned into an absolute advantage instead of a disadvantage.
However, when it comes facing the consequences of what he has done he doesn't know whether or not it will end up completely jeopardizing 2 relationships, not just one. The first relationship is with the hospital and what he's been able to achieve with Bash At The Bench to where it has become a staple on Friday's that is considered to be "a must see" that's not necessarily on prime time television. If it were and he were in charge, he would most definitely want be placed in the revolving 2 hour prime time TGIF door of family related comedies with such awesome shows as Perfect Strangers, Boy Meets World, Full House, Growing Pains, Step by Step, and Family Matters.
For sure, he feels likes the iconic Family Matters character Steve Urkel who was played brilliantly for 9 seasons by Jaleel White. Thinking about further, the moments after punching Jack in the face causing him to be rendered unconscious, he heard the voice of Steve saying in that nasally nerdy tone of his voice the following 4 words: Did I do that? The answer to that question is yes but in a more surprised shocked reaction instead of questioning kind of way knowing full well he's at fault kind of way reaction.
In that moment, he knew his emotional response was the quintessential "chicken" reference ala Marty McFly from Back to the Future because as soon as Jack brought up his parents, he had to defend them knowing that it wasn't really a touchy subject with him until now. A subject that Jack knew would get a reaction out of him but what kind of reaction is something nobody would be prepared for not even Chuck himself.
In any case, when it comes to the relationship he shares with Sarah he hopes it doesn't reflect badly on him that she gets reprimanded in any way. That or far worse…fired. To him, he's tried and done his very best to not tarnish the name Westside Medical Center's Chief Operating Officer Sarah Walker but after tonight, it will quite possibly never be same again. Fortunately for Chuck, his fears and worries concerning whether his actions will end up fracturing their relationship suddenly subside. Why? He suddenly sees a hand gently being placed on top of the hand that he's been massaging since they arrived at the emergency room.
She says nothing except exchanging a supportive, reassuring smile towards him that seemingly dulls the pain he's experiencing coming from his aforementioned right hand. The comforting and reassuring moment between the two of them is broken the sudden presence of a sound. The sound in question is the somewhat resembles a dying whale and the source is sitting directly across from them…Molly Walker.
In that instance, the aforementioned 13 year old sitting next to her mother places her hand on her stomach then turn her attention to the patriarch of the Wexler women. "How long are we going to be here, Mom?" she asked, briefly placing her phone face down on her stomach.
"Duh! I'm a teenager. I'm always hungry." Molly retorted back. "Is the cafeteria open?" she inquired leaning forward, then turning her attention from her mother to her older sister.
"Sorry, brat. They closed 2 hours ago." she answered, expressing an apologetic half smile towards her younger sister. "There's a vending machine down the hall." she added, briefly pointing to her right in the direction of the hallway.
After hearing that bit of news, she crosses her arms and flops back considerably disappointed and expresses a clearly audible discontented sigh that everyone currently in the waiting room can here, which are some of Chuck and Sarah's inner circle. It's at that point, Emma makes a parental decision knowing how late it is and the fact her youngest daughter may end up beating somebody up because she's starving, knowing her.
"Come on." she announced, standing up and gathering her belongings. "How about we stop by In-N-Out Burger on our way home." It's that particular announcement that causes Molly to immediately sit straight up then stand with a smile plastered all over her face. After seeing that, Chuck can't help but be amused to the point of instantly recalling the thought of Michelangelo shooting straight up and out from the sewers in the 1st Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. The scene where April is escorted home by the boys and then mentions all that she has to offer to them is frozen pizza causing the orange bandana wearing and nun chucking wielding turtle to instantly appear. In any case, he continues to listen on as Emma speaks up once again. "Plus, it's late and it's time for bed young lady."
Molly's sudden smile after hearing the words In-N-Out Burger falls flat. "But it's the weekend." Molly softly whined, peering up at her mother with her shoulders and head dropping down. Her arms still crossed, but tighter than usual after giving her response.
"Still…" replied Emma, in her motherly tone of voice. "…you sound and look tired after the fun you had at the Hospital Gala." she added, flashing a soft smile down towards her very precocious daughter. "Let's go, sleepy head." she insisted, wrapping her right arm over and around her youngest daughter's neck. Her attention then turns to her oldest daughter. "Call me and let me know what the Board of Director's decision is. Hopefully, it won't be serious. I'll say a small prayer in the car for you…" Emma's attention then averts to the man sitting next to her. "…and Chuck."
"I will. Thanks mom. I'll get a ride home with Chuck." she responded back, motioning with her head over to the man sitting next to her.
"You're awesome, Emma." grinned the nerdy business owner.
Instead of saying anything, Emma simply expresses a smile towards the two of them. Afterwards, she escorts Molly towards the exit and for a late night In-N-Out Burger stop for a very hungry Molly Walker. A few moments later, Morgan along with Alex, Vivian, and Hartley are talking with the couple concerning the unfortunate situation they both are in. Unfortunately, the interaction between the 6 individuals is interrupted by the appearance of Chief Beckman emerging out of the emergency room and into the waiting area with Casey following right behind her.
As she makes her way towards Chuck and Sarah, Casey heads off but not before expressing a grunt then giving a firm nod along with a faint grin towards the both of them. For two of them, it's interpreted as an approval from the hulking head of security without saying much at all. In any case, after he makes his exit, the 4 aforementioned individuals that stayed with the couple instantly back away, but not too far away that they aren't able to eavesdrop on what Chief Beckman will do concerning regarding handing down a punishment.
Speaking of Chief Beckman, she stands there momentarily silent in front of her second in command and a man who she has seen grow in every sense of the word. After taking a deep breath, she crosses her arms and locks eyes with both individuals.
"The Board of Directors have come to a decision. For the both of you."
"How bad is it, Chief?" wondered Sarah. Chuck standing right beside her and immediately holds Sarah's right left that are down by her side with his right. Both of them holding their breaths in anticipation of the punishment handed down whatever it may be.
XXX
"One week suspension with no pay." stated Morgan out loud with a small sense of relief. He and Alex are sitting in the chairs in front of Sarah's desk with Hartley and Vivian situated at the end of her desk. Father and daughter are just off to the left of Chuck's bearded best friend and girlfriend. Speaking of Chuck, he's leaning against the window/wall right as Sarah is on the phone over by the lounge area of her office presumably talking to her mother about her suspension. "Hey…" he added, shaking his head and briefly shrugging his shoulders. "…it could have been much worse. Still, not awesome though for Sarah."
"Bullocks, if you ask me." Vivian angrily spitted out. The only daughter of Hartley Winterbottom can't help but fume at the punishment handed down by Chief Beckman at the behest of the Board of Directors. As much as it's considered a harsh ruling knowing what the circumstances were with Jack practically poking the bears until he got what he absolutely deserved for it, she thinks to herself. However, she understands that Sarah's boss found herself in an incredibly difficult situation, especially when it comes to dealing with the Board of Directors. "I have a mind to waltz down to that emergency room right now and give Sarah's father a piece of my mind." she firmly added, crossing her arms continuing to express her displeasure of the situation.
In that instance, Harley reaches over to calm his overly agitated daughter. In his mind, she's truly taking it personally on behalf of Chuck who he notices has been surprisingly quiet and calm since they entered Sarah's office. His attention on his adoptive son of sorts is then returned to Vivian to provide some much needed clarity pertain to this unfortunate ordeal. In doing so, it would lead to Sarah finishing up her call with her mother then heading towards her desk.
"Let's just be glad, your father didn't press any charges against Chuck after having a chat with the police. I would have guessed the complete opposite after his abhorrent behavior. Very surprising. Now, if he did press charges and was arrested for assault then I would no doubt defend him as his lawyer without any hesitation." Hartley proclaimed, shooting a head nod towards Chuck. "One doesn't blatantly attack family and get away with it." he proclaimed, expressing a bit of fiery intensity on his face.
Vivian immediately chimes in afterwards. "Count me in, Father. We work better as a team, you and I." She gives a nod to her father who then turns to the man who she considers part of her family and firmly acknowledges in a nonverbal way that family defends family. No questions asked.
"Thanks you two." chimed in Sarah, blindly reaching behind her to briefly hold and squeeze her nerdy boyfriend's right hand "It means so much knowing the both of you have Chuck's back." she added, inevitably releasing the hold in order to sit down behind her desk.
"And yours too, my dear." Hartley retorted, shooting a reassuring smile over to her.
"I appreciate that Hartley." After saying that, she's briefly quiet then shakes her head as if replaying the entire situation that went on at the Gala bar involving Jack over in her head. It's not long before she continues speaking. "We did what we did. There's no denying that. We own up to it knowing what we hold dear is at stake for us. I take full responsibility and I'm pretty sure Chuck does too. Fortunately, what was handed down to us from Beckman was a simple slap on the wrist."
Speaking of Chuck, he can't help but be flattered, as well as amused by the sheer outpouring of help from his foster father and sister for what could have happened if he was arrested. It's that thought in which he ends up raising not only his eyebrows, but expresses a faint, sheepish smile in response. In his mind, He's about to say something when his attention is directed to Alex who he sees standing up.
"How are you holding up, Chuck?" wondered Alex, briefly glancing at her blonde best friend to the nerd in question.
Chuck snaps out of his momentary daze and focused back on the question that Alex directed towards him. For the most part, he's been standing there listening to the conversation going on, but wasn't really there per say until he was brought back to reality by one of the main nurses of the Children's Hospital of Westside Medical Center. It took him a good second before he noticed all eyes are on him causing him to lean forward and give his response.
"Ok, I guess." he answered, giving a brief shrug of shoulders. "I still have Kessel Run Technologies to keep me busy for a week. It doesn't seem fair though. I get a paycheck and Sarah doesn't."
In that moment, Sarah expresses a soft smile as she reaches over with her right hand to hold Chuck's left hand. "That's sweet of you, babe. I'm fine, though. Really, I am." she added, squeezing his left after after noticing a concerned look on his face. "Besides, it's just a week's worth of pay. Nothing to worry about. I can manage and I have plenty saved up. Trust me."
"Awesome." Chuck is about to say something when he stops himself then focuses on the word "plenty" causing him to quirk his right brow towards her. "How much is plenty?" After asking her that particular question, he suddenly waves it off knowing that's too personal of a question because they aren't in that stage of a relationship of comparing each other's finances or should go to for that matter. Not right now, he thinks to himself. "Never mind."
To him, it's a subject to avoid altogether or even bring up and although money doesn't define either of them it would quite possibly cause their egos to be bruised knowing who makes more in the relationship. So, he refocuses back to the subject at hand.
"What I still can't wrap my brain around is the decision made by the Board of Directors. I'm not to step foot on hospital grounds for a week. Yet, Bash At The Bench for this Friday is still happening after talking with The Chief. That's how I understood it at least. We already got the Rockstar Rebel for this week chosen. How is that going to work? We always do sound checks and get the stage ready the day before the show. That doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. Does it to any of you guys?" he added, shaking his head in a question manner.
"We'll figure it out, dude. We always do. You said, the Rockstar Rebel for this week is a no brainer so everything else after that is cake. Kathleen and I..." Morgan pauses for a brief second then keep going. "…have your back." he proclaimed, pointing over to his hetero life partner.
"Don't forget me." chimed in Alex, raising her hand. "I'm Charlie to you three miracle worker angels."
"Of course. You're an important part of the team after all. You always have been and…"
In that instance, Sarah interjects and cuts off Chuck mid-sentence. "It doesn't." she said aloud in her office.
All 4 individuals suddenly turn their attention to Sarah who they notice is expressing a serious look on her face. It would lead Alex to momentarily glance at Morgan, Hartley, Chuck, and Vivian then turn her attention to Sarah. "It doesn't…what?" questioned the daughter of her hulking partner.
"The Board's decision not making sense but actually making sense."
"Could you make sense of what you just said?" requested Morgan, expressing a clearly confused look on his face.
After expressing an apologetic looks towards Morgan, she proceeds to hopefully make things much clearer for those within her office by explaining it in the simplest of ways.
"It's all about making Westside Medical Center look good in the Board of Directors eyes. In their minds, you giving the hospital free and positive publicity when you hacked into the television feed was something totally unexpected. They see something in you."
"What do they see?" wondered Vivian.
"Value." Sarah answered back. "They know that if they removed Chuck and his show, then Westside Medical Center is just another run of the mill hospital. They don't want that or the blowback that would result from it. IF he were ever gone and the reason why, word would spread to the point where a definite uproar happens." she shared, suddenly turning her attention to Alex and quirking her right brow towards her.
"Why are you looking at me?" Alex responded back with a tone of coy innocence.
It's at that point the sound of faint chuckles are expressed leading Sarah to continue on. "Plus, it does set the hospital apart from every other hospital in the Los Angeles area. Once the hospital's television feed got hacked, it unknowingly would lead a stream of revenue to ultimately flow into the hospital therefore providing opportunities in the form of such amenities as top of the line equipment, medicine/pharmaceutical drugs, etc. to come our way." she thoroughly explained, working behind the scenes and in the forefront in regards to her position. "Bottom line. It's a cutthroat business. I should know since I worked in D.C. and it can pretty much get nasty."
"How nasty?" wondered Chuck, stepping forward inevitably standing beside Vivian.
Sarah is briefly silent as she takes a deep breath after glancing at Chuck. Afterwards, she takes a moment to look at everybody else around her desk. All eyes are now on Sarah as she is about to share something that not too many get to hear when it involves working in a higher level position as Chief Operating Officer of Westside Medical Center.
XXX
"Let's just say 20 million dollars donated by a pharmaceutical company helps even if it means a doctor, private practice or not, disregards their due diligence in doing proper Medline searches in order to protect their patients from potentially harmful side effects. If 1 out of 20 case studies involving a new drug study fails, it's still considered a success. The doctor reaps the rewards while that 1 case study..." she firmly stated, holding up her right index finge. "...is just a mere afterthought leaving a deeply emotional family with so many unanswered questions."
"Ludicrous. Simply ludicrous." Hartley breathed out, in absolute astonishment. "Yet, not surprising to say the least." he added, shaking his head somewhat flabbergasted.
"I'm with you, Father. I'm not liking that the Hospital's Board of Directors are just basically using Chuck because it best serves their self-interests and financially lines their pockets at the same time." Vivian said, expressing considerable disdain in her voice.
In that moment, Morgan speaks up after remaining conspicuously quiet until now. "You know, it's a lot like what happened in an episode of E.R. Season 11, I believe. It involved a young girl who was going through kidney failure because of an experimental new drug. Anyways, Carter…Noah Wyle's character…ended up blowing up in anger knowing how the new drug nearly killed the young girl all because his former med student Henry didn't do the proper Medline searches.
"Happy ending for the young girl I take it?" inquired Vivian.
"Yes…" Morgan nods then tilts his head from side to side afterwards. "…sort of. Her father not so much." he shared, briefly reflecting back on that unfortunate moment in that particular episode.
"What happened?" wondered Sarah, with curiosity.
"He took his own life. His kidney went to his daughter. Pretty grim episode as I recall." Chuck's bearded best friend retorted back, briefly shrugging his shoulders.
"I think I remember that episode. My favorite episode is a stand out, which is Carter and Lucy getting stabbed. That and Dr. Greene's death revealed in a letter read by Carter to the staff. It still gets me emotional every time I watch it. So many episodes before or after it delve into such feel good, heart wrenching, nightmarish and realistic situations that it's the reason why that show was and is still considered a hit in my opinion," Chuck pointed out. "
"It's the camera work." Morgan chimed in. "Represents the chaos of it all as the camera sweeps up close, in, and around the action. To this day, I still dig the live episode of E.R. Pretty awesome moment in tv history." Morgan added, expressing his nerdy fanboy side of the hit episodic show. "Shows like Grey's Anatomy pale in comparison. No offense." he shared, suddenly turning his attention to Vivian, Alex, and then Sarah.
"It's not that bad. Quite good, actually. I watch it mainly for the character Dr. Callie Torres. She's for me a truly compelling character portrayed brilliantly by Sara Ramirez. I'm interested to see where the journey takes her in regards to her character is going." she shared, shrugging her shoulders.
"Look at you all fangirling over here." Alex responded playfully ribbing her. Afterwards, she gives her take on the show. "I actually hate it. Tried watching it and it bored me to death." she emphatically added, expressing a visible cringe on her face. "I'm with Chuck on this when it comes to E.R. How it focuses on the grim reality of life and death than on the pure drama of it all."
"No opinion whatsoever, since I've never seen it." Sarah shared shrugging her shoulders. She then focuses back on the topic at hand. "Anyways, as grim as it is on television shows like E.R., real life can be just as grim, Morgan. The decisions that Chief Beckman has made or will make in regards to doing what's best for the hospital and the patients that we are here to serve are truly life altering in every sense of the word. The immense pressure she's placed under can be absolutely overwhelming. I should know since I was in her shoes for a short time with The Board of Directors keeping close tabs on me. At times, I played ball with them even though I didn't necessarily agree with what they proposed."
For Chuck, he never really knew the grand scale of Sarah's position as Chief Operating Officer or the position of Chief Administrator for one Diane Beckman. All he ever really knew was that it came with a tremendous amount of responsibility and not to mention tough decisions, as well as choices to make knowing full well that a number of them may very well not be considered popular amongst all her subordinates that are employed in the hospital itself.
True, being in a high level position, whether it be Chief Operating Officer or Chief Administrator, you will be at times considered the bad guy depending on the decision/choice that's been made. Unfortunately, those decisions and choices aren't made by her own accord as they are at times placed upon her shoulders to carry out by her own bosses a la The Board of Directors. She answers to them because they hold the power and the stroke when it comes to getting certain things that are needed to run a hospital. That's when being in the position she and Sarah are in, you must know how to play the game, so speak.
A game of chess to be exact. Thinking about it further, there are so many moving pieces to get one single thing accomplished let along a whole list of things that going through the proverbial red tape can be an incredibly daunting task. Just even thinking about what Sarah and Beckman possibly going through is mentally tiresome. Add to that the emotional aspect of it draining you as well because you have to have certain amount of strength emotionally to get things done when you're constantly up against the budget and told the hospital can't afford it.
Before moving out on his own, he used to hear it plenty of times whenever Ellie and Devon were talking about how they wish the Board of Directors could see how they operate with what they're lacking. Since they used to be down working in the trenches themselves years ago. In any case, being in a high level position has power to suck the life out of you to the point of looking older than you actually are. It really depends on the level of stress a person deals with on a daily basis.
Of course, Beckman has had countless stress inducing moments over the years, especially when those moments involved the antics of Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel. Fortunately for her, the situation has become far less stressful when she doesn't hear anything Jeffster related, which most certainly causes her to breathe out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it's one less thing to deal with now the two guys who were considered a pain her ass have now become very responsible individuals, which is a scary thing to even thinking about.
Yet, the person responsible in helping turned them around by using an incentive for them to strive for presently is sitting down at her desk. In that instance, Chuck steps forward and lowers himself in a sort of a crouching position next to Sarah sitting down in her chair. The couple locks eyes with each other as the youngest Bartowski sibling gives his response.
"I get it. You sometimes don't feel human when it happens. Things have to get done…get ordered…get cut, especially in the key position you're in. Once it's over you have that Steve Urkel not so funny moment where you realize you did that. No choice in the matter. It makes you sick to your stomach. Ellie and Devon have had those moments in the past. I've seen it on their faces or by their overall demeanor. Takes its toll."
Sarah is briefly silent letting Chuck's words sink in knowing they ring true during her time in D.C. A time where she fully embraced the Wildcard Enforcer and let the dark side of working at a hospital overtake her. The combination of her drama filled personal and professional life merged into one causing her become the quintessential emotionless robot fulfilling her duties no questions asked. Thankfully, she was able to get out before it too late thanks to her former boss Director Langston Graham.
"It's a harsh and bittersweet reality nowadays in order to keep hospital doors like Westside Medical Center continually open. That money given provides grants that ultimately help in developing academic medical programs for future medical students who want to become doctors." she shared, turning her attention from Chuck to everybody else. After leaning forward, she shaking her head. While sitting there, she knows the oftentimes-sketchy business dealings and unseen inner hospital politics are what greases the gears, so to speak, for any hospital to be viewed from the outside looking in as successful.
XXX
The conversation between all 6 individuals would subsequently end to where they would part ways leaving Chuck and Sarah to linger a bit in her office. The reality of the situation and their punishment slowly hitting them to the point where the now suspended Chief Operating Officer of Westside Medical Center finds herself with free time on her hands. For her it's something it's a totally new experience that she will most definitely have to adjust to, which is considerably difficult.
Why? The one thing she knows about herself is that she's a creature of habit so much so she runs on a set schedule. Add to that the 30 foot rule when it comes to being always at your side or at least within reach from your phone in case an important call is coming her way. Another Jack Burton lesson that she was taught growing up that has been mentally engrained thoroughly into her when it comes to always being in work a mode mindset even when she's at home after a long day's work. As much as she tries to leave the job where it should be once she steps foot off hospital grounds, the job has a tendency to pull her back in.
Speaking of phones, Chuck is alerted of an incoming call causing him to quickly retrieve it, check the screen and express a quizzical look on his face causing Sarah to wonder why. After answering it and talking briefly with whoever the person was on the other end, he would take Sarah by the hand in order to make their way down to the nurse's station #1 down on the 1st floor. A few moments later, he would be standing face to face with the same 2 men that he ended up formally introducing his beautiful blonde date to earlier in the evening at the Hospital Gala. James Strickland and Ted Roark.
After some quick pleasantries, it would be Chuck who would suddenly find himself feeling regretful for his actions at the tail end of what was considered an awesome gale event. "I deeply and humbly apologize for my actions. I know it put an unfortunate spotlight on you…." His attention on Roark is then averted to Strickland standing next to a man who he considers more as a business partner than anything else. To him, he owes them so much when it comes to any potential success they've achieved so far for his business Kessel Run Technologies. "…the both of you. I'd understand if you both ending up either distancing yourself or cutting ties with me, as well as Kessel Run…"
"Chuck…"
Roark tries to go on but Chuck keeps talking, which would lead Strickland to make his attempt at getting in a word."Mr. Bartowski…"
Unfortunately, it's to no avail as Chuck continues rambling on with his apology leading Sarah to suddenly roll her eyes to the point where she ends up utilizing a drastic measure to make him stop talking. That aforementioned drastic measure is to simply stick her right hand from out Chuck's suit coat she's still wearing, reach up and slap her sharply dressed boyfriend in the back of the head causing him to immediately snap him out of blubbering like a complete idiot.
"Sorry about that gentlemen…" responded Sarah, briefly glancing at Chuck rubbing the back of his head. "…he tends to get that way sometimes. Once he gets going, you can't stop him."
"Really!? A Leroy Jethro Gibbs back of the head slap?" questioned Chuck, reaching up to briefly massage the back of his head.
"Hey…" she retorted back, pointing to the two men standing in front of them. "…focus. Listen to them, I think its good news." Her attention on Chuck is inevitably turned towards Roark and Strickland. "I hope." Sarah added, expressing in somewhat softer tone of voice.
Both men are considerably amused, evident by the faint chuckles being expressed. Afterwards, it's Strickland who speaks up first. "It actually is. Ms. Walker." he responded back. His attention is then turned to the nerdy individual standing in front of him who he invested his money into a fledgling company that will potentially pay off immensely for him. "Chuck, we're not distancing ourselves or cutting ties with you or Kessel Run Technologies. We'd actually lose money in our investment if that happened." assured Strickland, with a sense of commitment behind his tone of voice.
"What are you saying?" wondered Chuck, restraining himself from celebrating too quickly just in case.
In that instance, Roark chimes in. "What my business colleague here is trying to say Chuck…." The CEO of Roark Enterprises momentarily pauses then expresses a visible smile. "…we back you 100%. So do a number of associates we do business with after talking with them." he firmly nodded. "We like you, Chuck. You're truly genuine and don't seem to put up a façade at all. It's a rarity these days to actually meet someone…well… like you."
"He's certainly one of a kind." proudly smiled Sarah, taking hold of Chuck's hand. She peers up at him, beaming with joy.
"Indeed he is. I'm sure part of that is your doing, Ms. Walker." nodded Strickland. "I have a feeling you have achieved a great sense of discipline that has rubbed off on this young man." he added, shooting a smirk towards the couple. "I take it something that unfortunately came by way of your father? I just happened to be within ear shot when I heard what he said…" he shared, shaking his head in disappointment. "…to the both of you. Totally uncalled for."
"I agree." nodded Roark.
Sarah is about to respond when her attention is directed behind them due to her name being called out. The person calling out her name…Ellie.
As much as Chuck wants to reference the doctor bit from the movie Spies Like Us, he knows now isn't the time to be humorous because of the seriousness of the situation. Instead, he keeps his mouth knowing that Roark and Strickland introduced themselves to their table earlier in the evening to the point of having conversation with mostly everyone at their table section. In any case, it would be Devon to continue on with conversation after briefly saying their hellos to the two business titans of industry.
"Your dad's not doing so well."
"How bad is it?"
"Off the top of my head…" Devon retorted, taking a moment to gather his thought regarding the work up he and Ellie did on Jack. "…elevated blood pressure, fluid build-up, salts and acids in his bloodstream out of balance, and a decreased red blood cell count." he listed off, sharing the grim prognosis.
"The man should be dead now, but somehow he isn't."
"He's too stubborn to die." Sarah responded back, shaking her head.
In that instance, Ellie chimes in. "It gets worse. There are definite signs of edema. Were his hands and face swollen at all while talking with him at the bar?"
"He did look puffy…" answered Sarah. "…and he was sweating. Looked considerably pale because of it."
"Due to low iron." Devon shared. "It seems he hasn't been taking care of himself. How about his breath? Did it smell minty fresh or…"
Instantly, Chuck takes that moment to cut off his brother-in-law. "Devon. Bottom line. Give it to us straight."
Devon is momentarily quiet as he glances at Ellie knowing the full scope of Jack Burton diagnosis without really diving deep into his medical history. "Bottom line…he needs a kidney transplant."
"How long?" questioned Sarah.
"Give or take…" Ellie interjected, giving a ballpark guess. "…a month. Month and a half. Tops.."
"So, what you're telling me is, I have to decide on whether or not to give my kidney to him. You're putting me on the spot, El. You know the hell he's put me and my mom through. Why put me in that kind of situation?"
"What? That's not what I was saying or doing at all, Sarah." she replied, shaking her head.
Chuck immediately intervenes and turns around in order to lock eyes with Sarah. "Hey…" he softly stated. "…she's on your side remember. We all are. She's just giving you the length of time Jack has. As any doctor would. Right, El?" questioned the younger Bartowski sibling, looking over to his older sister.
"Of course. As friend, if there was any alternative to actually having Sarah avoid giving her own kidney to that poor of excuse of man who doesn't deserve to be call a father, she should take it." She pauses briefly then continues on. "However, as his doctor…"
Ellie doesn't say anything further causing Sarah to stand there momentarily silent. It's in that brief moment of time where she looks down at the floor. So many thoughts running through her mind leading her to shakes her head. She then suddenly stops, lifts her head and has a look on her face causing her to get Chuck's attention by placing both hands on his chest.
"What about those 2 guys you told me about?"
"Which 2 guys?
"The 2 guys…" Sarah stands there trying to rack her brain for the information until she is finally able to mentally retrieve it. "…from UCLA. You know, the robotic kidney or whatever it's called."
It's the latter part of what Sarah said that causes Roark to pay close attention. As for Chuck it takes a second for him to realize what she's talking about. "Oh right." he nodded, then briefly glancing at everybody else who seemingly have no idea what their talking about. It's evident by the blank stares being directed towards them. He's about to respond back to Sarah when a sudden realization set in. "The thing is, it will cost 20 million dollars to fund it."
"How do you know?"
"Jack told me." It's at the point, he shares something else pertaining to what happened at the hospital gala. "He did raise half of it."
"Ok." retorted Sarah, quirking her right brow honing in on the way chuck said the latter part of his response. "There's a but. But what?"
"But…" quickly chimed in Chuck. "…he doesn't have it." In response, Sarah just stares at him causing Chuck to brace knowing what he's about to share next is going to feel like a gut punch to the stomach, he thinks to himself. "He donated it."
"To who? That doesn't sound like him. He's not the type of guy who gives away money unless he gets something in return."
"True. However, he did and that return…" Chuck reaches placing both hands on what he presumes are her arms presently underneath his new suit coat. Afterwards, he takes a deep breath tries to soften the blow the best he possibly can while keeping her steady with hands in case she suddenly collapses in front of him. "…was being able to stay at The Gala." he added,
A few seconds later it dawns on her what he's referring to causing a realization to set in concerning the choice that's now facing her. "Damn it, Jack." she breathed out, hanging her head.
Sarah steps forward and wraps her arms around her boyfriend who immediately hugs her back in a comforting manner knowing she most definitely needs it right now. He's not the only one comforting her as Ellie and Devon step in as well doing their best to be there for not just as friends, but family as well. The moment between all 4 individuals in front of nursing station #1 would be interrupted by a clearing throat. The source…Ted Roark.
He, along with Strickland, had been standing there ever since Ellie and Devon made their presence known to Chuck and Sarah. Both men standing there and listening to the news of the man that made his presence known at the Hospital Gala. Granted, he certainly made waves and not to mention introducing himself to some notably prominent individuals within the room as well, which included the two of them. Of course, they've encountered men like that before, especially in the political world. In other words, a shark who can easily tear apart anyone by simply using the power of their words.
"Sorry to interrupt…" Roark apologetically stated. "…but I think I may have the solution to your problem. If you're willing to hear me out, that is." he added, briefly glancing at Strickland then turning his full attention to Sarah.
As for the blonde herself, she has no idea what Roark has in mind but her curiosity has gotten the better of her knowing he's been helpful in being able to provide any sort of assistance when it pertains to locating the exact whereabouts of Stephen Bartowski. However, in the back of her mind she can't help but wonder if there is any sort of catch attached to it, but at the same time knows she's been given a way to completely avoid giving up one of her kidneys. The one thing she knows and is thankful for is that no matter what decision she has Chuck, Ellie, Devon, along with the rest of her inner circle as her support system.
XXX
NOTE: Apologies, Chuck reader peeps! What can say. Life just got me busy. In any case, hope you enjoyed this chapter and to leave it in a cliffhanger so of way to boot. So what do you think, especially with the supposed solution Roark has in mind? As always, share your thoughts and leave a review, which are awesome to read as they're much appreciated. They're the extra incentive that keep me writing. In any case, thanks to NEVR for doing the beta once again. Until next chapter!