Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench
Well, in the previous chapter: the face to face meeting with Bryce and Chuck after his arrival of Westside Medical Center wasn't a happy reunion whatsoever. Chuck basically greeted him Klingon then walked off with Sarah following after him. While at their lunch date he shared with Sarah his thoughts and feelings comparing his emotional absence to that of being frozen in carbonite and fact Bryce has always been forever known as Boba Fett thanks to Morgan. Meanwhile Ellie gets wind of Bryce arrival and attempts to confront him but is stopped by Chief Beckman. Beckman more or less advises the oldest Bartowski sibling to do her job instead of being the protective older sister, which she begrudgingly complies. Ellie does come face to face with her little brother's former Stanford roommate but there isn't a major confrontation. Finally, after Ellie takes her leave she runs into two people who have a connection with Sarah...Carina and Zondra. They're at the hospital to surprise and to celebrate her birthday that Casey reveals much to the annoyance of Sarah. So what's in store for this chapter? Here's the who, what, where, when, why, and how of it. Who does Chuck unfortunate get to know in an comfortable way? What profession is Zondra in? Where are Zondra and Sarah? When do things start going downhill as the conversation between Carina and Chuck go on? Why does Carina's story that she shares with Chuck sound so familiar? How did Bryce and Sarah's interaction go when she goes to see him in place of Chief Beckman? Read and find out! I 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.
Backpacking Across Western Europe
XXX
It's a Thursday evening and the surprise arrival of Sarah's former college roommates, Carina and Zondra, would add to a truly interesting work day yesterday. In any case, to celebrate the nerdy couple would take them to dinner at none other than C3. Chuck finds himself walking up and standing in front of the hotel room door M903. He received a phone call beforehand from Sarah she would be hanging with her besties and would just meet at their hotel room so they could all head over to the restaurant together. After knocking on the door, it would eventually open.
"Hey Chuck." said Carina, with a coy smile. She's wearing a black silk robe that is showing part of her red bra underneath. The red head can see Chuck's eyes go completely wide. "Use your feet." she requested, directing him to coming with her right finger. A glass of champagne in her right hand.
"Where's Zondra and Sarah?" he asked, cautiously stepping inside. He scans the confines of the hotel room and notices the open suitcase sitting at the foot of the bed. What he also sees is what he presumes is either Zondra or Carina's lingerie causing his eyes to grow even wider. Suddenly, the sound of a pop is hear causing his head to snap in the other direction. In doing so, the source of the sound is Carina who apparently opened a bottle of champagne with a knife. "We…" He takes a moment to clear his throat. "…we don't want to be late for dinner. It can get pretty slammed where we're going."
"They'll be back soon. Zondra wanted to take some pictures." she responded. "Where are we going again?" added Carina.
"C3. I know the owner." he nervously stammered out.
"I'm impressed, Chuck." Carina grinned, standing by the dresser pouring more champagne in her glass.
"Awesome. About what?" he responded back, considerably nervous and uncertain.
"You with Sarah. Having connections to a fancy restaurant and knowing the owner." she answered back, glancing over her shoulder. The top right part of her black silk robe, sliding off exposing not only her right shoulder, but her red bra strap as well.
At this point, Chuck is growing incredibly uncomfortable causing him to fidget and squirm where he is standing. To alleviate the uncomfortableness, he focuses on a topic in hopes of distract himself from the lack of clothing that Carina is wearing. "So…" he started, with a bit of a high pitch squeal. "…how much does a party/event planner make?"
"Almost 50." she replied, pouring champagne into another glass.
"50 dollars?"
"Cute. No Chuck…" Carina replied, shaking her head. A seductive smile expressed towards him. "…50 thousand a year."
"Wow. And Zondra's a photographer right?" Chuck asked, with absolute curiosity.
"Runs her own studio too. It's a boring job. No fun at all, if you ask me." Carina replied, offering him a glass of champagne.
"Oh, thank you…" he stammered out "…but no thank you." Chuck tries to decline the offer, but he takes it any way after Carina sticks in his hand.
"Have a seat Chuck." Carina responded eyeing him seductively as she clinks her glass with his.
"I'm fine stand…"
Chuck doesn't get to finish his sentence when Carina pushes him back on to the side of the Queen sized bed. "I hope you like what you see." she seductively stated, pulling the black sash on her robe letting it fall open from her wiry shoulders revealing not only her slim figure, but also the matching blood red bra and panties she's currently wearing.
"Maybe…I sh-should c-call Sarah. Um… Um… I think S-Sarah… should… probably b-be… h-here." A clearly flustered Chuck stutters out reaching into his pants pulling out his iPhone. "So should Zondra."
Carina reaches out and snatches his iPhone up tossing it onto the bed right next to him. A grin made its way to her face. "You're not like any of Sarah's past boyfriends?" Carina soft shared, intensely eyeing her blonde best friend's boyfriend.
"I'm not? What were they like?" he nervously stammered out once again.
"Confident. Owns a room once they entered. Knows what they want. What they like." she said digging her finger under the strap of her red bra top. Carina pulled it enough to flash some skin and let it go to where it slaps against her skin. "Like her ex, Cole. She was engaged to him." she shared, locking eyes with the nerd. "Do you like what you see?" she softly asked, looking deeply into his eyes
In that moment, Chuck takes a big gulp and then realizes he's holding a glass of champagne that was given to him by Carina. He quickly takes a sip but ends up washing it all down. Once he's done, the red head snakes her way to his left side and whispers into his left ear.
"Are you and Sarah..." She pauses for a second then continues on. "…serious?"
Chuck quickly chimes in. "We are. Very serious." he nervously reiterated, once again. A few seconds later, the neurotic side of Chuck suddenly emerges causing him to turn around while still sitting on the side of the Queen Size bed. "Why? What have you heard? Is it bad?" he quickly stammered out.
"Nothing bad." Carina innocently responded. A devilish smile expressed towards him. "It's just that Sarah has never really been into any guys like you." she shared, playfully toying with his shirt collar with the fingers of her right hand. "What's your secret, Chuck?"
"No secret? Just being myself…" he answered back, shrugging his shoulders. "…and that's what Sarah loves about me." Chuck added, squirming a bit more as Carina continues to play with his shirt collar. "I listen to her and I'm truly there for her when she needs me the most. Vice versa. We're there for each other." The tone of his voice sounding more confident as his thoughts focus on Sarah.
While sitting there at the edge of the Queen Size bed, his thoughts of Sarah would subsequently be broken up as he could clearly feel Carina running her hand through his hair. It causes Chuck's eyes to momentarily roll in the back of his head until he realizes what's going on and snaps back to reality. He then immediately springs up to his feet and turns around facing Carina who is now seductively on her knees on top of the bed. The black silk rob dropped down to her waist with her red bra and matching panties fully exposed.
As much as Carina can see the all-out fear in Chuck's eyes, she can hear the genuine honesty and sincerity in how he responded, which throws her off a bit. It baffles her that she's quite possibly met a guy who actually isn't selfish and looking out just for himself. Unfortunately, that thought is shaken is out of her head as she proceeds to continue on to disprove that laughable notion.
"Can I ask you a question, Chuck?"
"Sure?"
"Are you sleeping with Sarah?"
"That's a little forward. Don't you think?" Chuck retorted.
"What can I say? I'm a forward kind of girl." the red head mischievously grinned.
"You know…" Chuck pauses completely taken aback by that particular question. "…a gentlemen doesn't kiss and tell." retorted Chuck, trying to keep his composure intact. A nervous chuckle expressed.
"Got it. I'd somehow expected that answer coming from you. A perfect gentlemen." she softly said, pursing her lips together. Her eyebrows briefly raised in a playful manner.
"That's me." nervously chuckled, the nerd. "Although, I wouldn't call myself prefect. As for being a gentlemen. I try to be at least. I know Ellie would kick my ass if I didn't show respect." he added, shrugging his shoulders. In that instance, he suddenly has a thought causing him to stand there for a moment and stare at Carina.
"Hmm. A regular boy scout." she sarcastically replied back.
Not keying on the sarcasm, Chuck quickly answered back. "Oh! I was a boy scout actually!" In that instance, he flicks the glass towards her. Unbeknownst to him, there's a bit of champagne left and it hits her in the eye causing Carina to step back. While doing so, she covers her right eye and winces in pain. "I'm so sorry." apologized Chuck repeatedly, briefly looking inside the glass. "I didn't know." He quickly puts down the empty glass down on a nearby table and scrambles for a towel hanging on the bathroom doorknob to hand over to her. "Here's a towel!"
As he goes to hand it to her, Chuck accidently steps on Carina's left foot causing her to growl in pain thus making matters even worse. Fortunately, he was able to grab the champagne glass that she was holding before it fell down on the floor. It's at that point, the red head holds out her left hand for Chuck to stay put for her own safety. Afterwards, she hops back to the edge of the Queen Size bed and sits on the edge of it. Once she does, she peers up at him with one eye closed.
From Chuck's perspective, she sort of resembles a much hotter Popeye minus the sailor suit, pipe, and rather large limb extremities. As much as he wants to laugh finding the situation considerably amusing, a sudden thought crosses his mind. In that instance, Chuck arches his right brow. "Carina, can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" she replied, with annoyed frustration in her voice. The party/event planner massaging her right foot that Chuck accidently stepped on.
"Has any guy shown you any kind of respect? You're beautiful. I mean drop dead gorgeous. Any guy can see that. They'd be absolutely blind not to see it." he thoroughly pointed out.
"What's your point!?" she growled.
"What I'm trying to ask…" Chuck pauses for a moment. He glances back to see a chair and back up a bit to retrieve it. Afterwards, he sets the chair down and then takes a seat a couple feet away from her. "…has any guy been able to see the real you?"
"Are you kidding me?" she responded, shaking her head in disbelief.
XXX
"I honestly don't know what blondie sees in you?" she replied back, uncovering her right eye with the towel. Carina repeatedly blinks to the point where she's able to regain focus of her right eye. Afterwards, she covers herself up with the black silk robe. "You're the total opposite of Cole." she shared, shaking her head.
"It's what she loves about me. That I'm not Cole."
"That's stating the obvious, Chucky." Carina scoffed. "I just don't get it. Unless…" she breathed out, turning her attention down his groin area.
After noticing where Carina is focusing on, he immediately covers up that particular area with his hands then decides to lift his right leg and crossing over his left knee. It's considerably uncomfortable and awkward for him but he does his best to forge on. "Again, a gentlemen doesn't kiss and tell." he reiterated.
"You're no fun at all." she responded back. The sound of disappointment in her voice. The red head throws the towel she used to wipe her right eye off the side and behind her.
In his mind, Dr. Dreyfus would have an absolute field day in trying to break through with her. Granted, Sarah was at least open to getting professional help, but when it comes to this red headed vixen it quite possibly going to a tremendous challenge, he thinks to himself. Chuck can't help but shake his head after hearing what Carina said concerning the interaction between the two of them not being fun. Her overall demeanor when it comes to treating what's going on right now as merely fun and how it's all just a game for her own twisted, tortuous pleasure. While sitting there a moment, he hearkens back to the question he asked her.
"You didn't answer my question."
"And that is?" she replied, pushing herself up into a standing position. She limps passed Chuck and over to the bottle of champagne in the bucket full of ice sitting on the dresser. Carina pours herself another glass of champagne and then takes a sip.
"Has any guy been able to see the real you?"
"Why should they? It's easier to get what I want that way."
"That's a sad way to think and live." he replied, trying to understand her. "Completely closed off and avoiding feelings."
"Sad?" chuckled an amused Carina. "Who are you? The nerdy Dr. Phil?"
"Let's just say, I've experienced my fair share of therapy."
"So…" grinned Carina. "…the Boy Scout has issues. What are they? Mommy? Daddy?"
Chuck ignores the question being directed at him and focuses on the important task at hand. For him, he knows she's trying to get him to react and possibly blow up on her. In other words, deflect in order to not get to the heart of the underlying issue she doesn't wasn't revealed whereby exposing her vulnerability. It's what he and what Sarah possibly learned during their individual therapy sessions.
"You're avoiding my question."
"About showing a guy the real me? Nope. That's not how I operate."
"Having no shame is?" Chuck retorted back, standing up and facing Carina. "That's who you really are? I don't buy it."
"You don't know me." she retorted, pointing to herself. A hint of anger in her voice.
"You and Sarah are similar in a way."
"How's that?" she inquired, leaning back in a very seductive and sultry way. Her arms and hands extending behind her for support.
Once again, Chuck can't help but shake his head at her attempts to seduce him. Instead, he focuses on the matter at hand disregarding what she's trying to do but failing knowing the type of person he's dealing with. "This…" she pointed out. "…this right here. This is your coping mechanism. It's your way of dealing with the possibility of rejection. You reject them before you get rejected." he added, shaking his head. "At one point she was closed off. Closed off from her feelings and emotions."
"Until you came along right?"
Chuck nods acknowledging her response. "And Dr. Dreyfus."
"Doctor?" Is he single?"
"He's not that type of doctor, Carina. He's more mental than physical."
"Shrink?"
He doesn't respond right away because of how she'll use that information against Sarah. Instead, Chuck continues on. "Plus, he's considerably older than you."
"It hasn't stopped me before." shrugged the red head, expressing a smile. She then shakes her head. "It's about her old man right?
"He came into town a while back. It turned out his kidneys were failing and was trying to ask for one of hers."
"Never did like her old man. Did she end up doing it?"
Chuck shakes his head. "Fortunately for her, she didn't and Jack is now the proud owner of a bioartificial kidney. As for the two of them, things between are good for now. Hey, why not try Dr. Dreyfus out for yourself. It worked wonders for Sarah. Maybe it will for you." he suggested.
Carina is briefly silent but then speaks up. "Good for her but it's not for me. I've shed my feelings and emotions long ago like I shed clothes."
"In your case, that's apparently very often." he blurted, without even thinking. The stinging comeback that Chuck threw back at Carina did make a significant impact as he sees a faint amount of anger expressed on her face.
Speaking of Carina, she shrugs her shoulders once again then speaks up but not before taking another sip of champagne. "Try 'em on. Like 'em or leave 'em. After a while, it doesn't even matter."
"So, you don't let any guy know who you really are."
"Nope. I live by own philosophy."
"What might that be?"
"If it gets too real or he's too clingy, I break up with him." she answered back. "Usually by text. Saves me time and trouble. It's like shooting them in the head. Quick, fast, and easy." Carina added, in a nonchalant manner. A look of shocked disbelief expressed in Chuck's eyes after hearing that.
XXX
The doors to another part of the hotel room slide apart revealing Carina who steps out into the main room, where Chuck has been standing in front of the window. He's been occupying his time looking out the window until the vivacious red headed vixen made her appearance wearing a lavender form fitting knee length strapless dress. She then slips on some black high heels making sure to accentuate her curves for him to see. For the red head, her attempts of being outlandishly flirtatious and toying with Chuck seemed to work as if she's a cat playing with a ball of yarn. However, she most definitely was able to get a reaction from him, but not the reaction she would have liked. Undeterred, she's not letting what is considered a setback ruin her mood.
"Zip me up." she requested, walking up to Chuck then turning around. There is a bit trepidation at first as his eyes widen and is momentarily frozen in place leading Carina to glance over right shoulder. "I won't bite." she added, turning her head forward. "Unless you want me too."
It's at the point, Chuck eyes widen even more but is able to snap himself out of it. He zips up the back of Carina's dress and receives a coy smile in return. Afterwards, she steps forward and does a 360 degree turn with her arms up and out to her side.
"How do I look?"
"Come on Carina…" urged Chuck, with considerable amount of encouragement. "…there's gotta be something you want to share that's real about you?" he added, crossing his arms.
"Fine…" responded Carina, rolling her eyes. "…if it will get you off my back."
It's at the point, the party/event planner takes a deep breath then steps forward making her way towards Chuck. However, instead of standing right in front of him she takes a step to her left and looks out the window. While standing taking in the beautiful lit night life down below there's a seemingly reflective look on her face, with the nerd keenly notices. She briefly looks down and then lifts her head expressing what seems to be a genuine smile.
"Years ago, when I was backpacking across Western Europe, I was just outside Barcelona hiking in the foothills of Mount Tibidabo. I was at the end of this path, and I came to a clearing, and there was a lake, very secluded, and there were tall trees all around. It was dead silent. Gorgeous." she softly breathed out. "Across the lake I saw an older gentlemen standing at edge. He looked distraught. I hesitated to say anything not wanting him to be alerted by my presence. I watched him and as I did it struck me how distinguished he was. He wasn't a model or anything but…"
"But what?" Chuck wondered, noticing the pause.
"I noticed he had the kindest eyes. Eyes that were filled with tears. Tears that I could somehow see from behind his dark grey hair. In an odd way, it added to the majesty of my surroundings." she noted, shaking her head. "It was the first time I felt my own tears burning behind my eyes. It wasn't in sympathy, but an appreciation of such a perfect moment."
There is a slight pause as Carina gazes out the window. A few seconds go by then she continues on.
"Then it happened. He spotted me before I could compose myself. But he didn't call out to me. Instead, our eyes held and he smiled at me in an enigmatic way. At the same time, fresh tears were spilling down his cheeks. I was completely frozen in that moment. I knew absolutely nothing about him…" Carina pauses once again. She shakes her head and briefly glances at Chuck. "…and yet, there we stood on opposite sides of a beautiful pool of water. Thousands of miles from my own home and everyone I had ever known. I felt the most intense connection. Not just with him, but all the surrounding elements between us. Earth, sky, and water." she continued to share. "Also to all of mankind. As if he symbolized thousands of years of the human condition."
Carina expresses a soft smile as she turns her head to look at Chuck who seems to be fully engaged with the story that she's sharing with him.
"Wow." he softly breathed out.
"I wanted to go to him. To comfort and give the man a hug. I wanted to probe this feeling of sadness I had never encountered before. But I couldn't."
"Why?"
"I knew that if I said anything, the moment would be ruined. I knew I would need the memory of that moment to carry me through the inevitable dark patches throughout my life." she recalled, placing her right hand against her chest. Her hand gently gliding across it. "And so, I watched him turn back in my direction. He stood there for what seemed like a lifetime and then turns around. He slowly walk away from the shore opposite me. I held my breath in that moment thinking he was going to turn around again and say something, but he didn't."
"What did he do?"
"I watched him disappear behind a group of trees near the water. I didn't follow him. In fact, I turned around and continued on my journey." Carina took a deep breathe then slowly exhaled into a smile. "I knew there was nothing else we could experience together that would be more perfect than that moment…and it still remains the most profound experience of my life." she ended, with a slight shrug of her shoulders.
"That's an awesome story, Carina. That wasn't so bad now was it?"
"I hated it…" she replied, pouting her lips. She then steps closer to Chuck. "…but it's an experience I'll never forget." Carina added, reaching up and placing her hand on his chest.
Chuck looks down at where Carina's hand is placed then peers back up. Their eyes lock leading Carina to lean slowly forward as if she's about to kiss him when her blonde best friend's boyfriend speaks up.
"Only, there's one problem." he retorted, stepping back holding up his right finger. Carina's hand that was placed against his chest is now lowered down to her side.
In a quizzical manner, Carina arches her right brow. "And that is?"
"It sound very similar to what Joey said."
"Who's Joey?
"You know…" he said, digging into his right pants pocket. "…Joey Tribbiana. The character Matt Leblanc plays in the show Friends. It's the episode where Joey helps Ross break out of his 6 month dry spell and shares his go to story to get laid. The go to story you…" Chuck points directly at Carina. "…just shared with me." he added, taking out his IPhone. "The same story that Rachel heard and told Ross, but with a few changes." In that instance, he begins tapping away on it and a few moments later holds it up for Carina to see.
As for Carina, what she sees on Chuck's phone screen is the aforementioned scene he was able to easily search for on YouTube that he described from the show Friends. He lets the scene run for a bit before he ends it and sticks his IPhone back in his pocket. Afterwards, the two of them stand there in awkward silence more so for Carina than Chuck. It would lead the red head to finally speak up, but not before rolling her eyes.
"I knew I should have gone with the vacation story in Reykjavik, Iceland. Skinny dipping in the sulphur hot springs. Floating massages All 4 of us went. The C.A.T. squad partying up. I have pics and vids to prove it."
"That would have sounded more believable and real." Chuck amusingly nodded. "Did you say you had pics and vids?" he quickly chimed in. A second or two later, he shakes his head at the thought of the pics and vids that Carina supposedly has in her possession in order to refocus.
Speaking of Carina, she stands there considerably impressed at Chuck for being able to not be totally entranced by her feminine charms. In her mind, she possibly has a bit of new found respect for the nerd, especially with the knowledge that he's truly there for her close friend. It would lead her to express a bit of laughter after his curiosity was peaked in regard to the pics and vids involving their Icelandic vacation. As much as she would enjoy mentally torturing him for her own mischievous pleasure, she decides to share something else.
"There's this one time in Rio de Janeiro where we ended up at a club called The Gentle Hand. It was a blast. Everybody dressed in white and…"
Unfortunately, the red head is interrupted by the hotel room door opening with Sarah and Zondra entering inside. The beautiful blonde approaches Chuck and the couple exchanges kisses.
"Sorry it took so long. Anything happen while we were gone?"
Chuck turns his attention to Carina who looks as if she's fully expecting him to spill the beans to Sarah concerning what happened to earlier. For her, she's gotten used to getting caught and then having arguments with Sarah about messing with her relationships. It comes with the territory when you're the quintessential bad girl and trouble maker of the group, she thinks to herself. However, the red head finds herself experiencing something totally unexpected.
"Not really." responded Chuck, shaking his head.
In that instance, Sarah quirks her right brow at the both of them, but mainly at the red head.
"You got yourself a perfect gentlemen, blondie." she stated, in playfully insulting way.
"Anyways, Carina, was just sharing C.A.T. squad stories. One of them was about you all going to a club all dressed in white somewhere in Rio de Janeiro. A club called The Gentle Hand?" he firmly stated, turning his attention to the red head.
"I remember that." recalled Zondra. "What was the guy's name? The owner." she added, snapping her fingers to mentally figure out the individual in question. "I think his name started with a G or was it an A?"
There's a momentary silence but that would soon change. "Gaez!" Sarah suddenly blurted out. "Augusto Gaez. I think it was. Man that was ages ago." Her momentary reflection of the best times she had with her girls pre Amy-Cole caused her to express a soft smile. A few seconds later, she snaps out of it when she hears Carina's voice.
"He was hot." All 3 individuals turn their attention to her. "He had a Lou Diamond Phillips vibe going on with him." Carina described. Afterwards, a quick nod given to Chuck who reciprocates one back for not throwing her under the bus.
"He was awesome in the movie Young Guns." Chuck chimed in. "Regulators mount up!" he added, quoting one of the lines from the movie.
"With that said…" stated Sarah, looking at everybody in the room. "…hungry?"
"Starving. Let's go eat!" Carina happily retorted.
Chuck heads towards the main hotel room door and opens it for the 3 ladies. All 3 would give a nod for being a chivalrous gentlemen with Carina being the last to exit. However, before exiting she momentarily stops to express a genuinely real smile towards him that isn't playfully mischievous or devilishly troublesome. The nonverbal exchange between cemented the fact that the two of the established a mutual respect for one another when it comes to a shared connection with someone they both truly care about.
XXX
The sound of a ding leads to an elevator opening up and out steps the Chief Operating Officer on the 5th floor of Westside Medical Center. When it comes to the hospital's top floor it's reserved for patients that are deemed high profile and the only way to gain access to that particular floor is to be escorted by a senior administrator, as well as have a proper designated color identification pass. In any case, Sarah takes a moment to have a conversation with the nursing staff working behind one of the two nurses' stations located on the floor. Afterwards, she makes her way down the hallway where she ends up making a left turn then heads towards the private room of the hospital's newest patient. A moment later, she enters the room of one Bryce Larkin.
"Mr. Larkin…" she politely greeted, in a courteous manner. "…I hope your accommodations are to your liking?" Sarah added, expressing her best professional smile.
"If this were a hotel, I'd give it 5 stars." Bryce responded back, with a smile of his own in return. He's sitting comfortably in his hospital bed that's considered more of a luxurious suite than a private room. "Oh, and call me Bryce. Mr. Larkin sounds like you're talking to my dad."
"Ok Bryce." Sarah makes her to the foot of his bed and stands across from him. "Chief Beckman wasn't able to follow up with you and requested that I take her place. She had other responsibilities to see to. She offers her sincerest apologies for not being able to make it."
"I understand. No worries."
"I was informed about the results of your x-ray concerning your right knee."
"Surgery." stated Bryce, sounding disappointed. "My manager already informed my team about it." he added shaking his head.
"Speaking of…" Sarah pauses briefly, then continues on. "…where's your manager by the way?"
"Tommy? He's off taking care of business. That man is machine that never sleeps." he answered, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's like he's secretly a Terminator, but sent to protect instead of kill me."
The two share an amusing chuckle to break somewhat serious atmosphere within the room. "So, you consider yourself John Connor in this scenario?"
In that instance, Bryce can't help but be surprisingly impressed by the look on his face. "You know your movies. You're not just another beautiful face around here then." grinned the rising track star.
Sarah is momentarily silent while standing across from her nerdy boyfriend's former best friend and roommate. She can't help but think there is most definitely a certain charm about him that causes a person to become quite enamored, especially if you're a female. In her mind, it's such a disarming quality that helps put a woman in a seemingly comfortable ease to the point where she's ends up hooked, which can either be a positive or negative thing.
"I'm flattered."
"It's true." Bryce nodded. The grin turning in a smile. He briefly looks down then lifts his head looking directly at Sarah. "Chuck is a very lucky man."
"In what way?"
"He used to say that I always ended up with the great girls. This time…he did."
"You know?"
"It wasn't hard to notice. The moment I arrived to the look of concern on your face as you followed after him not as the Chief Operating Officer, but as a girlfriend checking on her boyfriend." he shared, point out what he remembers. "Plus, I've kept up with what he's been up to on Facebook and YouTube."
"He didn't un-friend you?"
"He did." There is a momentary pauses before he speaks again. "I'm just glad he has you in his life after all he's been through."
After hearing the latter part of what Bryce said, a bit of anger builds up within her. Before she knows it, she impulsively speaks her mind without thinking about it. "You're partly responsible for it."
The impact of those 5 words seemingly hit Bryce causing him to express a mixture of emotion all over his face. It's a look that Sarah clearly notices telling her that he quite possibly has been struggling with what he did or is just completely faking it altogether, she thinks to herself.
"I know and I regret my actions."
"Do you. Do you really?" she firmly stated, shaking her head. "Why then? You were his best friend." Sarah step to her right and then takes a step forward. Afterwards, she crosses arms and immediately brings the wildcard enforcer to the forefront. "To stab him in the back and…"
"I need to talk to Chuck. Explain things." interjected Bryce.
"You already did 7 years ago. Look how that turned out." Sarah answered back, shaking her head. "I don't think he'll want to talk."
"Please." Bryce urged, in a pleading manner. "I know he'll listen to you." Sarah doesn't say a word causing Bryce to sit there and reflect on the consequences of his actions to where he shakes his head. "I honestly got one true friend in this world. Had one true friend." he remorsefully added. "Chuck…he has you, Ellie, and an entire hospital full of them." he shared, sounding heartfelt and genuine.
Sarah stands there mulling over Bryce's request knowing it may very well be a bad idea. For her, she wants to protect Chuck from being triggered all over again from a traumatic experience that left a nasty mental and emotional scar. On the other hand, the opportunity to let the past die once and for all by having the both of them speak to each for the last time will hopefully provide her nerdy beau with some much needed closure, she thinks to herself. In that instance, her decision is made.
"I'll talk to him." she answered back. Sarah then takes a step back then turns around to head of the room, but stops in mid stride before so. "No promises though." Sarah reiterated.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." After giving a firm nod, she turns around and makes her way out of his room inevitably stepping into the hallway. However, before she steps out into the hallway Sarah leaves Bryce with some parting words. "Enjoy the show." Afterwards, she takes a moment standing in the hallway knowing she has to pull off what is potentially considered a herculean effort to say the least. It's at that point, she breathes out the following two words: oh boy.
XXX
NOTE: Carina up to her usual shenanigans in trying to mess with Chuck and it initially worked in the beginning he was able to see through what she was doing. What did you think of the red head using the backpacking story from Friends. I immediately knew I wanted to use it for Carina against Chuck in order to get him into a false sense of genuinely connecting with him. Finally, Bryce asking Sarah to get Chuck to talk to him by way of flirtatious banter. What is Bryce up to? Plus, what else is there to say when it comes to Bryce wanting to talk to Chuck? As always share your thoughts and leave a comment. Tip of the hat to NEVR for being a rockstar doing the beta once again!