Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench
Well, here's what happened in the previous chapter: Chuck woke up 2 days later from the attack and Sarah was there right by his side when he did. She was thankful and after a moment or two he remembered what he saw before he saved Sarah from being attacked. Beforehand, Sarah had a nurse contact Chief Sofer and Chief Beckman while she contacted Ellie. Back in the present, Bentley interviewed Detective Lau and learned what they found in Lizzie Shafai's home, which was incredibly disturbing. That interview led to another interview with Dr. Busgang and Dr. Dreyfus to not only diagnosis but get in the mind of Lizzie Shafai. The chapter ended with Chief Sofer didn't sugar coat the reality of situation for not only Chuck, but for Sarah, Ellie, and Beckman. The Viper basically made a deal with Chuck and the nerd agreed to it knowing it was going to be an incredibly tough journey of quite literally getting back to his feet. So, what happens in this chapter? Here are the who, what, where, when, why, how's? Who was Chuck's first visitor? What did Chuck and the visitor do that didn't involve playing a video game on Xbox? Where did Chief Softer verbally reprimand Sarh? When did Beckman and Casey show up? Why was Carina crying when she was sitting on the blue courtyard bench with Sarah? How did Carina feel after Bentley asked her about what happened between her and Sarah on the blue courtyard bench? Read and find out! I hope you enjoyed 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!
Adjustment Period
XXX
"Before we delve deeper into that, Chuck," responded Bentley, briefly glancing over at Sarah. "I would like to focus on something else if you don't mind." There was a momentary pause as she waited for a response from her nerdy guest. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long as she received a slight nod from him, which led her to ask her question. "Since you had plenty of free time to spare on your hands, did it drive you crazy or were you able to keep yourself busy?" she wondered, with genuine curiosity.
It took a moment for Chuck to switch his mindset from what he previously mentioned about ending up being his own worst enemy, especially when it specifically involved Sarah. Afterwards, he cleared his throat and lightened up his mood before he responded to Bentley's question.
"I kept busy reading all the get-well cards that the kids made for me," answered Chuck. "Plus, a number of visitors stopped by to keep me company." he further shared.
"The visits were limited though," chimed in Sarah. "Chief Sofer's orders." she clarified.
"I thought it was going to happen Monday," Chuck stated.
"But," emphasized Bentley, clearly sensing it.
"Chief Sofer thought it was too soon for visitors," Sarah shared. "According to her, Chuck just woke up from his harrowing and traumatic ordeal and wanted to give him a small adjustment period before being allowed to have any visitors." she further explained.
"It's understandable," nodded Bentley. "So, on what day did Chief Sofer give the ok for visitors?"
"Tuesday." answered Chuck.
Bentley nodded. "Who was your first visitor?"
"Morgan," answered Chuck. "Unfortunately, Chief Softer left explicit instructions to avoid any strenuous activities," he added. The sound of disappointment reflected in his voice. "That meant no Call of Duty on Xbox."
"So, what did the two of you do instead?" Bentley inquired. She saw Chuck express his toothy smile after she asked that question.
6 Months Ago
Tuesday Afternoon
Chuck's 5th Floor Private Hospital Room
"It stinks we couldn't do the entire Star Wars Marathon," Morgan conveyed, shrugging his shoulders. Afterwards, he stood up from his chair as the credits rolled on the laptop screen sitting on the small rolling table. He took that moment to stretch not only his arms, but back as well. As he did, he was holding a can of grape soda in left hand. "All 6 movies like we've always done since we were kids. Last marathon we had; it was in chronological order.
"This time," Chuck responded. "I really wanted to do 4, 5, 1, 2, 3 and finish off with 6." he added, listing off another method of watching the movies.
Morgan nodded. "Next time, dude. You'll totally bounce back in no time." His focus on Chuck turned to the can of grab soda, which he chugged the remaining contents inside. "Look at it this way, you're down for the count just like Luke was when he lost his right-hand fighting Vader in Cloud City."
After Morgan said that, Chuck arched his right brow with a bit of perplexed confusion. In his mind, he sort of knew where his business partner's train of thought was going, but at the same time was a bit scatterbrained as well. He fully expected Morgan to finish what he was going to say.
"And?"
Unfortunately, Chuck didn't get a response because Morgan was too focused on chugging the remaining contents of his can of grape soda. When he finally finished, Morgan briefly stared at the can and crushed it in his left hand. Afterwards, he attempted to sky hook it Kareem Abdul-Jabbar style into the wastebasket located behind him by the table next to his best friend's hospital bed. Sadly, he missed and hit Chuck in the head instead. Morgan quickly picked the crushed can off the floor and stuck it in the wastebasket like nothing had happened. A few seconds later, he let out a pretty audible belch that briefly echoed within the room.
Chuck simply shook his head at not only his best friend's failed shot of the crushed grape soda can, but the somewhat impressive belch as well. Although it wasn't considered his best or ranked in the top 10 of Morgan Grimes belches, it was deemed noteworthy. In any case, as his best friend closed the laptop that was sitting on the small rolling table Chuck carried on concerning one of the best franchises they grew up with. A franchise that was created by the great maker, George Lucas.
"Still," Chuck stated, getting Morgan's attention. "Empire Strikes Back will always be the standard bearer and considered THE best Star Wars movie out of all 6 movies." he firmly stated.
"You got that right," acknowledged Morgan. "However, Anakin and Obi Wan's memorable lightsaber duel near the end of Revenge of the Sith is just…" The childhood best friend of Chuck Bartowski expressed how felt about that specific duel between master and apprentice by giving a chef's kiss.
"Yoda and Palpatine's fight in the Senate in that very same movie. Also," noted Chuck. "Obi Wan and Qui Gonn against Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace is a close second." chimed in Chuck.
"Yoda versus Count Dooku near the end of Attack of The Clones ranks above Palpatine's simply because the theater we were in lost their minds when it happened," Morgan recalled, expressing a smile. Chuck nodded in response as his bearded best friend continued on. "The badass way Yoda shuffled in with cane in hand, took the fight to Dooku, and when the fight was over used the force to grab his cane." he added, recalling that epic lightsaber duel.
"For sure." acknowledged Chuck. "Dooku tested Yoda's force abilities knowing deep down his former Jedi master was far too powerful and experienced to go up against, especially after using the force lightning. Unfortunately, the battle was over because Dooku needed a couple of distractions to escape. Those distractions were Obi Wan and Anakin who he injured before Yoda arrived." he pointed out.
Morgan nodded in agreement as he put away the laptop in his bag. Afterwards, he zipped it and set it off the side. There was a shared silence between both men when the bearded wonder of the nerdy dynamic duo spoke up.
"Chuck."
"Yeah buddy?"
"I…uh," Morgan cleared his throat and seemed to find it difficult to look directly at his best friend. "I'm glad you're," He suddenly stopped mid-sentence. It was evident that he was struggling to express how he was feeling, knowing he experienced a traumatic experience as well. "What I'm trying to say is…"
"I know."
A soft bearded grin was expressed by Morgan after he heard Chuck's response. For the childhood best friends, it was a heartfelt moment that was comparable to the scene in Empire Strikes Back, which they ironically just watched a few moments ago. However, the difference was Han's iconic response to Lea's public profession of love to the space pirate came before he was frozen in carbonite whereas Chuck's response was more about a man who nearly lost his brother from another mother. Yet, both were considered absolutely meaningful that was unspoken between the two of them until a variation of those words were actually spoken.
After he took a deep breath, Morgan continued on. "I wouldn't know what I would do if you…"
"I didn't," interjected Chuck, cutting off Morgan. "And I'm still here, Morg." he pointed out.
Morgan's grin grew into a smile. "I know. It's gonna take some adjusting to if…"
"Don't think like that, buddy," responded Chuck, shaking his head. "I'm not. At least I'm trying not to." he added, thinking optimistically.
After Chuck said that Morgan nodded. "Right. You've been struck down, but you will be even more powerful than anyone can possibly imagine." he quoted, referencing a line from A New Hope. "You know since you're Obi Wan in this scenario…"
"Yeah. I got it," Chuck nodded. "And Pita Girl is Darth Vader." he added, raising both eyebrows. The youngest Bartowski sibling let the comparison sink in for a moment before he responded. "Honestly, I don't feel like Obi wan or a Jedi master for that matter."
"In my eyes you are." Morgan proudly retorted. Both men stared at each other before Chuck's business partner continued on. "I've made it weird, haven't I?
"Yep," Chuck quickly responded.
"I'll…umm," Morgan picked up the laptop back that was set off the side and started backing up towards the main door to Chuck's hospital room. "I'll let Sarah know we're finished." he added, pointing over his left shoulder with his right hand. It wasn't long before he was out of the room leaving Chuck by himself.
The Present
"Morgan can be a bit much," Chuck stated, looking across at Bentley. "But his friendship and loyalty will never be questioned."
"That's an understatement." Sarah amusingly retorted.
"You're one to talk," responded Chuck. "How about the loyalty of those two C.A.T. squad members making another unexpected surprise visit to the hospital?"
Bentley instantly furrowed her eyebrows. "The who?"
"C.A.T. Stands for Crazy, Adventurous, and Tenacious." explained Sarah. "Carina and Zondra. There was also…" Sarah stopped herself from mentioning her former friend, Amy. "Anyways, they're my closest best friends and sorority sisters from Phi Beta Gamma back in my college days." she further shared.
"What college?"
"Georgetown University," answered Sarah. "In D.C."
Bentley was about to delve more into Sarah's past when Chuck suddenly chimed in. The nerdy busy owner directed his full attention to Sarah.
"I nearly had my visitor privileges revoked," Chuck stated. "Mainly because of Carina and her flirtatious ways," he added, shaking his head. "Plus, it was only the middle of the week."
"She said it was an accident."
Chuck stared wide eyed at Sarah after she said that. Speaking of Sarah, she ended up thinking out loud. "In hindsight," Sarah uttered, turning her attention away from Chuck. She didn't really look towards Bentley either. Instead, she took that moment and reflected out loud on that particular moment in time. "I should have just allowed Zondra to visit instead of both of them going up."
The interview with Chuck and Sarah instantly cuts to Carina and Zondra sitting in the interview Chucks in front of the blue courtyard bench.
"Hey you! Yeah you," Carina pointed at and directed her attention to Bentley's camera operator shooting the interview. "You're cute. Are you single?" she inquired, expressing a mischievous grin.
"I'm so very sorry about her." apologized Zondra, on Carina's behalf towards Bentley. Afterwards. she leaned over and directed her attention to her redheaded counterpart who was sitting to her left. "Hey, behave!" Unfortunately, Carina was completely ignoring Zondra because she was totally focused on the cute camera guy.
XXX
The Present
"It was an accident." declared Carina, expressing her innocence.
"Not according to one of the nurses," Bentley noted. She briefly glanced down at her note cards before she returned her attention to the red headed vixen. "Chuck needed to switch not only beds but was moved to another room on the 5th floor." she added, sounding astonished.
"To be honest," responded Carina. "It was for the best." she added, shrugging her shoulders.
"The reason he needed to switch beds and rooms was because a big mess was made after Chuck's colonic bag and catheter were pulled out." the award-winning documentarian revealed. "By you." she further added, pointing to Carina. "Sarah ended up being reprimanded by Chief Sofer who felt that her rules weren't being followed."
6 Months Ago
Wednesday Afternoon
5th Floor Hallway
"What did I tell you when it came to the visitation rules for Chuck?" questioned Chief Sofer.
Both women stood outside Chuck's new room after the incident that involved Carina. Speaking of Carina, she and Zondra were in earshot of the visibly lively discussion the Chief of Surgery was having with the Chief Operating Officer of Westside Medical Center. Both were wearing scrubs and their hair looked like it was washed. Also, towels were hanging around their neck, which meant they used them to dry their hair. In any case, the two women stood there by the main elevators doing their best not to seem as if they were eavesdropping on the verbal tongue lashing Chief Sofer was giving to Sarah.
"No activities that put a strain on Chuck's body," Sarah answered.
Chief Sofer sternly stood with her arms crossed in front of Sarah. "What else?"
Both women saw Sarah briefly glance down their direction. Afterwards, she faced Chief Sofer and answered her. "If something seriously physically happened to him it would have jeopardized his ability to walk again."
"Then why the hell were those 2 rules broken, Chief Walker? Better question," Chief Sofer briefly paused for a second and gathered her composure before she continued on. "Why weren't today's visitors properly supervised?"
"They were," insisted Sarah. She took a moment and gathered her composure as well knowing it wasn't entirely her fault. The fault rested on the person who primarily caused the incident. "I had to step away for a moment because one of the nurses needed assistance with a slight problem she was having." she explained.
"Due to your lack of proper supervision, Chief Walker, there was no choice but to make major adjustments."
As the lively discussion between the two Chiefs continued outside Chuck's new room, Zondra shook her head and directed her attention to her red headed counterpart who stood next to her. The professional photographer was about to say something to Carina when the sound of the elevator alerted both women. It wasn't long before they saw the two individuals who stepped out of it. It was Chief Beckman and Casey. Speaking of Casey, he briefly expressed an audible grunt at Zondra and Carina, but it was mostly directed at Carina when they approached them. It was as if he knew who was responsible for the incident. In any case, after Beckman and Casey walked past the two of them, they knew the reason for their arrival wasn't for them. At that point Zondra turned to Carina shaking her head.
"We're going to be kicked out of the hospital because of what you did."
"What I did," Carina retorted, staring at Zondra. "I was just trying to lighten the mood." she added, giving her side of the story. "As usual, you ruined all the fun."
"Ruined all the fun?" repeated Zondra, in absolute disbelief. "You knew about the rules and once Sarah left you took that opportunity to do what you always do. I was trying to stop you before it went too far. Now we're here dressed in scrubs after a much-needed shower." she angrily shot back. "I'm so sick of cleaning up your messes and making excuses for you."
"I never told you to do that. Shit," huffed Carina. "I can take care of myself. I'm a grown woman."
"You don't act like it though, Carina," Zondra shot back, once again. "You've never taken accountability and faced the consequences of your actions. Since college," she firmly reiterated. "You've always been this way. It was me and Sarah covering your ass every single time."
The lively discussion between the two of them was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a clearing throat. The sound of the clearing throat caused both women to stop talking and turned to the source. It was Chief Beckman with Casey standing right behind her.
"I warned Carina to stop teasing Chuck," blurted out Zondra. "But she didn't listen. She doesn't listen to anybody." she added, shaking her head.
"What do you mean I don't listen. I listen," Carina responded, turning to Zondra. "Sometimes." she softly added.
"Are we getting kicked out? We are, aren't we?" inquired Zondra. The sound of dread expressed in her voice.
At that point, Beckman simply lifted her right hand and both women immediately piped down. Afterwards, the Chief Administrator of Westside Medical Center lowered her right hand. A few seconds later, she took a deep breath before she spoke up.
"It seems you've been given a reprieve."
Zondra breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God." she uttered, expressing a relieved smile.
Carina arched her right brow with confusion. "What the hell does that mean?"
"It means," grunted Casey, chiming in. "You're two are off the hook."
"That calls for a celebration," announced Carina. "How about it, Johnny Boy? You and me…"
"Not now, Carina!" Zondra angrily snapped. "You actually didn't hear what Casey said didn't you."
"We're off the hook," answered Carina, expressing a devilish smirk. "That's all I needed to know."
"See," Zondra paused to gather her composure because if she didn't, she would have exploded on Carina. "You hear what you want to hear." she added, pointing to Carina's ears.
"What?" Carina was absolutely clueless as her attention went from Zondra to Beckman and Casey. "What am I missing?"
The Present
"What was she missing?" inquired Bentley.
Zondra briefly glanced over at her redheaded counterpart seated next to her. Afterwards, she returned her attention back to Bentley "It was the fact that Sarah stuck her neck out for us," she further revealed. "Carina mostly."
After taking note of that, Bentley arched her right brow and focused her attention on Carina.
"When you found out Sarah stuck her neck out for you," She momentarily paused before she continued on. "What was your initial reaction?"
"She could have easily thrown me under the bus," stated Carina. Her selfish and narcissistic bravado seemingly softened. "I know I would have." she added, shrugging her shoulders.
"Sarah is not you, Carina." responded Zondra. "She's always been looking out for you. Hell, we both have despite the fact you care only about yourself." she added, sounding angry and frustrated. Zondra not only closed her eyes but leaned her head back for a moment expressing her overall feelings concerning Carina's attitude and behavior.
After taking note of her overall body language, as well as the sound of frustration and anger in her voice, Bentley keenly observed Carina's reaction. It looked as if it had made an actual impact on her, which she didn't waste any time piggybacking on. "It seems both your friends have taken out their anger on you a lot."
"I'm used to it." shrugged off Carina.
"Yet," Bentley briefly paused before she resumed her interview with Carina. "What Zondra said struck a nerve," she pressed further. "Why?
Carina was silent as she sat there across from Bentley who, along with Zondra, waited for the answer. Both women saw the red head looking uncomfortable as if she was hesitating in wanting to say something. However, after a few moments of visibly struggling, Carina finally spoke up.
"I later learned after talking with Sarah that Chief Sofer wasn't just Chuck's primary doctor. She was also a member of the Board of Directors." Carina shared. "She told Chief Sofer she'd put her own job on the line if it happened again." she revealed. A look of surprise and shock were expressed on the faces of Zondra and Bentley.
XXX
6 Months Ago
Wednesday Late Afternoon
Hospital Courtyard
"I thought I'd find you here?"
Carina approached Sarah sitting in silence with her arms crossed on the blue courtyard bench. The courtyard itself was empty except for the sounds of nature wafting through and within the confines. Of course, the peaceful outside atmosphere felt far less intense and icy than the 5th floor hallway after Sarah left Chuck's room. She recalled her blonde best friend walking past and stood in front of the main elevator without saying a single word to anyone. There was a moment where she stepped forward and was about to say something to her but was stopped by Chief Beckman for her own safety, as well as well-being. In any case, they all silently stood and watched as Sarah stepped into the elevator. None of them knew where she was really going, except for Casey. He advised giving her some space to cool off after the elevator doors finally closed.
Surprisingly, Carina actually listened to Casey once. She gave Sarah space until enough time passed for her to approach her blonde bestie. Speaking of Sarah, she continued sitting quietly on the blue courtyard bench when the redheaded troublemaker stood in front of her blonde friend.
"Is it safe for me to sit?" Sarah doesn't say a word. Instead, she sat there not giving Carina any sort of attention whatsoever. "Really? The silent treatment, "The party/event planner nodded and expressed faint amusement. "What are we 6?"
Unfortunately, Carina didn't get the response she wanted as she took a seat next to her blonde headed counterpart. "Ok," she responded. "And I'm considered the immature one." Carina breathed out, shaking her head.
Again, no response was given by Sarah. It was apparent to Carina that it was going to be a battle of wills between the two of them and the blonde woman sitting next to her was determined to win. "Fine," she stated. "I can play that game as well." Carina faced forward and after briefly glancing over at Sarah she crossed her arms.
Both women were sitting side by side facing off in a competition of silence. The seconds turned into minutes and after a while Carina grew considerably restless evident by the way she shifted positions on the blue courtyard bench. Meanwhile, Sarah sat there and totally ignored her.
The Present
"I was channeling my inner Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter," Sarah shared. "I was imagining Thestrals from the 5th Harry Potter movie Order of the Phoenix."
"Nerd," coughed out Carina.
"And proud of it," the blonde proudly acknowledged. "Here's a nerdy fun fact for you," Sarah saw Carina rolling her eyes after she briefly glanced over at her. "In Order of the Phoenix, Harry shouldn't have been able to see Thestrals because they're considered magical beings, which were primarily used in the books to pull carriages of students to Hogwarts from Hogsmede. Only Harry and Luna were able to see them." she enthusiastically shared.
"That's 30 seconds of my life I won't ever get back." uttered Carina.
"Filthy mudblood." Zondra responded, doing her best Draco Malfoy impression.
"What did you call me?" questioned Carina. A look of utter confusion expressed on her face. "Not you too?"
Zondra simply shrugged her shoulders in response. At that point, Bentley chimed in. "My nieces and nephews love Harry Potter." Bentley shared, much to Carina's dismay.
After a brief period of Sarah, Zondra, and Bentley sharing their mutual Harry Potter connection, the focus returned to the subject matter at hand. Carina was very thankful because she found the 3 women bonding over movies and books not only tortuous, but boring as well.
"Anyways," Sarah uttered. "I knew the silent treatment was working with Carina because it was the longest, she had gone without saying anything or not getting any sort of attention." she amusingly shared. "I was about to say something when she said something that I didn't believe at first."
6 Months Ago
Wednesday Late Afternoon
Hospital Courtyard
"I'm sorry."
"You don't mean that," Sarah retorted, shaking her head. She didn't even turn to look at Carina knowing the times she apologized in the past weren't actually sincere.
"I really am," insisted Carina. "I mean it." she firmly reiterated.
After a brief moment of silence, Sarah finally turned and faced Carina sitting next to her. "Your track record proves otherwise."
Both women stared at each for a moment before Sarah faced forward once again letting those letting 5 words sink in for Carina knowing full well it was true. Speaking of Carina, she took a moment to actually think about what her blonde bestie said to her before she responded.
"I know I don't take things seriously," the redhead admitted. "All I want is just to have fun." She paused before she continued on. "I've flaked out on plans to go on dates with guys and enjoyed taking guys that you like." Carina shook her head after she faced Sarah. "You can stop me at any time."
"I'm good," responded Sarah. "I'm having fun sitting here listening to you dig yourself out of the enormous hole you've made for yourself." She turned to face Carina expressing an amused smile.
Carina responded with an amused smile of her own. "I deserve that," she nodded. "I know you're mad."
"I'm not mad." Sarah quickly retorted back.
"Yes," chimed in Carina. "You are."
"I'm not, Carina!" she firmly snapped back. Sarah locked eyes with the red headed vixen. "I'm tired." she breathed out. "I'm tired," Sarah stopped mid-sentence and briefly looked around the courtyard. "I'm tired of making excuses and taking the heat for your screw ups." The sound of frustration was clearly expressed in her voice.
"What are you trying to say?" wondered Carina.
"Did you know Chief Sofer is a member of the Board of the Directors?" Carina stared blankly at Sarah. Afterwards, the beleaguered blonde shook her head. "No, you didn't. After that whole mess on the 5th floor, my job was put on the line because of you if it happens again." she revealed.
Afterwards, she shook her head and pushed herself up into a standing position. She took a few seconds pacing back and forth in the front of the blue courtyard bench Carina was sitting in. It wasn't long before she stopped and looked directly at the woman who chaotically adjusted her life not just personally, but professionally as well.
"When my engagement with Cole broke up, I thought my whole world fell apart," Sarah shared. "I lost myself and it took years to find my true self again," she uttered, expressing an emotional smile. "All thanks to Chuck. He became my world."
"I know," nodded Carina.
"I don't think you do, Carina," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "I nearly lost my world and I thank God Chuck's alive. The thing is I don't know if he'll be able to walk. None of us do." The blonde abruptly stopped because she was getting emotionally worked up. Afterwards, she took a deep breath and composed herself before she resumed speaking. "What if your reckless actions seriously jeopardize any success of Chuck being back on his feet again? Did you think about that?" Carina was dead silent. "No, you didn't. That's something that I've thought about and so much more," she shared, pointing to herself. "The what ifs. What if he ends up paralyzed? What if he has to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life?"
At that point, Carina stood up not realizing she was actually crying herself. "Sarah…"
"We were looking forward to getting married this weekend!" screamed Sarah, cutting Carina off. The tears that formed in her eyes were sliding down her cheeks as the emotions came pouring out of her. "I'm trying to be strong and hold myself together, but I'm just exhausted and tired. I…"
Sarah didn't get to finish what she was about to say because Carina enveloped her in a much-needed hug. A hug that Sarah fought off at first but ended up collapsing into it. Fortunately, Carina was able to carefully maneuver her way and placed her blonde counterpart down on the same bench they were sitting on without dropping her. After she did, she kept a tight hold on the hug she had on Sarah and cried along with her sitting on the blue courtyard bench.
XXX
The Present
Carina sat awkwardly silent in her seat in between Sarah and Carina who were sitting in awkward silence as well. Although it had been 6 months since that particular moment happened, the feelings and emotions still resonated between the two women. For Zondra, she was finally filled in during the interview with Bentley since the only thing she knew concerning what happened after going to the courtyard to check on the both of them was that Carina was not only holding Sarah tightly in her arms, but the two of them were crying. As much as the dark-haired brunette wanted to know what happened at the time, she felt it was something special, heartfelt, and poignant, which was a moment best kept for themselves. In any case, the awkward silence was subsequently broken by Sarah.
"We sat, talked, and cried some more on that bench," shared Sarah, briefly glancing over at Carina. "It was a heart-to-heart therapy session and I felt better knowing she actually cared instead of acting like she cared." she added, describing the moment between the two of them.
Bentley nodded. "Carina," She briefly paused and directed her full attention to the red head. "How does it feel to actually step up and actually be there for someone who truly needed it the most?" she added, keenly interested in Carina's answer.
"Horrible," groaned Carina, exuding a pouty lipped expression. A few seconds later, the pouty lipped expression on her face gradually faded and was replaced with what looked like a seemingly genuine smile of sincerity. "But I'm glad I got to make it up to Sarah after all the times she's taken the heat for me."
"I took some of that heat too, you know."
Carina turned her head to the woman who was seated to her left. It was Zondra. "I'm sorry," she conveyed, expressing an apologetic smile. "I should be a better friend to you," Her attention turned from Zondra to Sarah. "The both of you." she firmly reiterated, turning back to Zondra. Carina reached out to both women on either side of her and held their hands. It was truly a bonding moment for all 3 women.
Zondra smiled back and gave an acknowledging nod toward her red headed counterpart. Afterwards, she immediately turned her attention to Bentley. "Did you get that? I want a copy of this exact interview because this moment will probably never happen again."
"I'd like one too please." Sarah requested, with her right finger raised.
As for Carina, a look of confusion mixed with surprise and shock was expressed on her face. "What the…"
At that point, the interview with all 3 women quickly cut to a close up of Bentley in the studio sitting behind the glass table.
"A truly interesting friendship don't you think?" Bentley amusingly quipped. "It's time to switch gears and get right back into Detective Lau's investigation of Lizzie Shafai. Plus," Bentley turned and faced a different camera before she continued on. "What did Chuck mean when he mentioned how he became not only his own worst enemy, but how Sarah didn't deserve any of it? What might that be? Stay tuned and find out when we return."
XXX
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