Chuck vs. The Courtyard Bench
Well, here's what happened in the previous chapter: Chuck is concerned that his time rehabbing/physical therapy with Hannah isn't showing any significant results. However, Ellie basically tells her younger brother that a Bartowski never quits. Also, its during physical therapy with Hannah that Chuck reveals his fears that he may never walk again. Hannah responded by sharing what previous patients have basically shared the same fear of how they weren't the same person as before. It left some of her patients contemplating taking their own life. After talking with Hannah a bit more, it gave Chuck the resolve to keep going with physical therapy. Chuck also revealed that he became his own worst enemy, which left Bentley wanting to know why? So, what happens in this chapter? Here are the who, what, where, when, why, how's? Who is the new prosecuting attorney that took over for Hartley and Vivian? What did Sarah say to Chuck if he started to feel uneasy in the courtroom? Where was Justin taking his line of questioning involving Lizzie exact whereabouts relating to Zamir stating it was mere coincidence that she was in the same vicinity as Chuck? When did Chuck suddenly suffer his anxiety attack? Why did Sarah have to the go to Westside Medical Center? How did Hartley and Vivian react when Chuck shared his thoughts on how he was going to protect Sarah? 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.
Details Matter
XXX
Westside Medical Center
Courtyard
Present
Chuck took a moment and gathered himself before he was going to reveal not only to Sarah, but to Bentley about him quitting. As he momentarily sat there, he clearly noted the looks of genuine curiosity and concern on both women's faces, especially on Sarah's face. Speaking of beautiful blonde, she believed her nerdy husband didn't quit and was truly proud of him for that. However, Chuck thought otherwise, and it seemed like he deeply regretted what happened at that particular moment in time to the point where he needed to get it off his chest.
"Sarah," Chuck faced his wife and spoke directly to her. "Do you remember when we went to court, and we ended up having to face Pita Girl?"
"Lizzie Shafai," Bentley uttered, chiming in. "Correct?"
There was a brief silence before Chuck responded with a nod. He returned his attention back to his wife. When he did, he repeated the question back to her."
"Do you remember…"
Sarah held up her right hand and stopped her husband. "I heard you," Afterwards, she nodded to confirm the question he asked. She arched her right brow and leaned forward a bit towards her husband. "What I remember was that she tried to attack me."
After Sarah revealed that, Bentley instantly pounced on that particular piece of information. "In what way Sarah?" questioned Bentley, interjecting herself into the conversation. The question she asked caused Chuck and Sarah to turn their attention to the award-winning documentarian. "A verbal or physical attack?" she further added.
The sudden outburst by Bentley's interest in Lizzie trying to attack him at the courthouse wasn't taken too kindly by Sarah. It sounded a bit aggressive to the Chief Operating Officer of Westside Medical Center and she didn't appreciate that. As much as she wanted to snap back at Bentley, she restrained herself from doing just that. Instead, she took a deep breath and began recalling that unfortunate event.
"Well, before I share that," stated Sarah. Her attention on Bentley returned to her nerdy husband. "I'll share the conversation you and I had in the hallway outside the courtroom." she shared. Sarah noticed the quizzical expression on Chuck's face telling her that he quite possibly forgot about it. At that point, she helped jog his memory about it. "It was the 2nd day of her trial and actually the first time you were outside hospital grounds and…"
XXX
Los Angeles Superior Court - Outside Hallway
A Month and Half Later
Day 2
"I can't believe Hartley and Vi aren't able to prosecute Lizzie for her near fatal attack on you." Sarah uttered, shaking her head in disappointment.
Sarah was sitting on a bench outside the courtroom with Chuck sitting right beside her in his wheelchair. The nerdy married couple were in court because the both of them were going to give their testimony regarding the brutal attack that happened 2 months ago in the courtyard of Westside Medical Center. Of course, neither of them didn't want to recall or talk about the horrifying event because it was considered absolutely traumatizing. However, in order to truly move on they would have to come face to face with the person responsible that scarred the both of them. For Sarah, it was mental and emotional. As for Chuck, it was mental, emotional, and most definitely physical.
"I get it," responded Chuck, shrugging his shoulders. "They had no choice but to recuse themselves from the case because of the close, personal relationship they shared with us. I'm no Jack McCoy but I've watched enough Law and Order to know that Lizzie's defense attorney was going to zero in on that to have motioned for the both of them to step down from the case." the nerd added, shaking his head.
There was a brief moment of silence before Chuck and Sarah heard two very familiar voices.
"Total bollocks if you ask me!"
"Calm down and not so loud, Father."
Chuck and Sarah's attention turned to the source of the familiar voice. It was Hartley with Vi by his side who now stood in front of them after maneuvering their way through a somewhat busy hallway corridor. They weren't alone as another individual was seen behind the both of them. He was sporting a rather snazzy and expensive looking suit and dress shoes to match. A dark brown hair briefcase was clutched in his right hand. He exuded some ruggedly chiseled facial features that expressed absolute seriousness. In Chuck's mind, he was a cross between Josh Gates from Destination Truth, Nathan Drake from the video game Uncharted, and a hint of Jason Bourne. Fortunately, his curiosity concerning the identity of the individual in question was going to be answered after Sarah stood up from sitting down beside him on the bench.
"Are the rest inside the courtroom?" wondered Hartley.
Sarah nodded. "They just wanted to let Chuck and I have some time alone for a bit before we head inside."
"Understandable. And you," Vi's attention went from Sarah to Chuck. "Are you ready for this?"
"Is anyone ever ready to face the person who brutally attacked you?"
In that instance, Sarah kneeled down in front of Chuck and locked eyes with her nerdy beau. "Remember," she softly emphasized, squeezing both of Chuck's hands. "You're not alone in this and if you feel a panic attack coming on…"
"Close my eyes and the 3-3-3 rule."
Afterwards, Sarah squeezed Chuck's hands with supportive reassurance. In her mind, she knew it was going to be challenging for not only him, but everyone who witnessed or was involved in saving Chuck's life on that horrific afternoon. In any case, the significantly poignant moment between the nerdy couple was unfortunately broken up by the sound of someone clearing their throat. The couple turned to the source. It was Hartley.
As Sarah stood up, Chuck's foster father took a step back and introduced the man that Chuck was so curious about when he initially arrived. "This is Justin Sullivan. He will be the lead prosecuting attorney in the case against Lizzie Shafai. And yes," The highly skilled and veteran attorney not only gave a confident nod, but reached up with his left hand and gave a supportive pat on Justin's right shoulder. "He has the credentials to take on this case on your behalf. I taught him everything he knows."
"You're his protege," Chuck pointed out, expressing his trademark toothy smile. "Batman to his Robin or Iron Man/Tony Stark to his Jarvis or…"
At that point, Sarah interjected before her nerdy fiancé ended up going down an endless road of superhero dynamic duos.
"We're very grateful to meet you, Mr. Sullivan." Sarah extended her hand towards Justin for a handshake, which was reciprocated by Justin.
"Please, call me Justin," he insisted, expressing a courteous smile." We're all family here, right?" Justin took a step forward and bent down a bit to shake Chuck's hand.
After hearing that, the nervous tension Chuck felt being in court started to ease up a bit. It also caused him to gradually relax to the point where he ended up saying the first thing that popped in his mind.
"Like Dominic Toretto's family in the Fast and Furious movies."
When Chuck said that all 4 individuals stared at him leading to a very awkward silence for the nerd. Thankfully for him, Vi broke the awkward silence when she spoke up.
"Justin is like his second son to him if you ask me," she jokingly remarked, expressing a humorous grin. Afterwards, the only daughter to Hartley Winterbottom briefly leaned over and gave a slight shoulder bump to her other adoptive brother.
"Am I sensing some sibling rivalry?" questioned Sarah, expressing a small grin.
Vi smirked. "You could say that."
Justin's attention on Vi focused back on Chuck and Sarah. However, he mainly focused on the nerd who was not only brutally attacked in a horrific way, but nearly lost his life in the process as well.
"You don't have to worry because I'll make sure all the charges against Lizzie stick and we'll get a conviction." firmly assured Hartley's protege. "Whatever arguments her defense attorney tries to pull in negating the facts of the case won't hold up since we have Chief Sofer's patient notes on the severity of your injuries, a litany of incriminating evidence, eyewitness testimony, and video proof of the horrific assault." he further declared, sounding absolutely confident.
The overall tone in Justin's voice and in his attitude were enough to convince the nerdy couple that Hartley chose the right man for the job. After Chuck and Sarah exchanged smiles, the beautiful blonde
"We believe you." softly responded Sarah.
Hartley proudly nodded knowing Chuck's case is in good hands. "Splendid to hear," Afterwards, he checked his watch and spoke up. "Let's all head inside shall we."
Westside Medical Center
Courtyard
Present
XXX
"Looking back," Bentley glanced over at Hartley's star protege who was sitting on his right. His daughter Vivian was seated to his left. "Why did you choose Mr. Miller to take over Chuck's case?"
"Other than my own daughter," Hartley briefly turned to and winked at Vivian before he focused his attention on Justin. "Justin was the person I completely trusted knowing what was at stake."
Bentley turned her focus from Hartley to Justin. "What's your response when you hear that?"
"Honored," responded Justin. "Especially knowing how personal the case is for not only Hartley, but for Vivian as well."
At that point, Vivian spoke up expressing a smile on her face. "He did a spectacular job and made us both proud."
Justin took a moment letting Hartley and Vivian's words sink in. A few seconds later, he spoke up. "What I remember most was that my opposing counsel didn't make it easy for me," he recalled. "But I was certainly up for the challenge."
XXX
Los Angeles Superior Court
Judge Clarence Stanfield Courtroom
Day 2
Mohammad Zamir was standing in front of the witness stand where Detective Lau was sitting behind. She was giving her testimony while Judge Clarence Standfield was seated behind the bench presiding over the entire courtroom like a military general. Of course, Standfield announced before the court proceedings even started that any sort of nonsense wasn't going to be tolerated, especially since most of the people sitting in the audience of his courtroom were the Bartowski Brigade supporting Chuck. Speaking of the Bartowski Brigade, they were not only known to be an intensely passionate group, but were also there because they wanted nothing more than to see justice served for what Lizzie did to Chuck.
It was that same intense passion in which Judge Standfield actually threatened to kick out or throw anyone in jail if they disrupted not only court proceedings, but the jury's decision on the case itself against Lizzie. Speaking of the defendant, she sat eerily silent as her defense attorney, Mohammed Zamir, was trying to poke holes in the veteran LAPD Detective's testimony she was giving on the witness stand. When it came to Lizzie's parents, they were seated behind her exp
"Detective Lau," Zamir took a momentary pause before he resumed speaking. "As the lead detective in this case, has there ever been a point in your investigation that you made a mistake and missed an important piece of information or clue?" the defense attorney speculated.
"No." responded Lau, shaking her head. "I was absolutely thorough and in my line of work details matter." she firmly emphasized.
"I see," Lizzie's defense attorney turned around and walked over to the defense table where his client was seated. After he took a moment to check his notes, he lifted his head and directed his attention to Detective Lau seated on the witness stand. "You said details matter, correct?"
"Correct." answered Lau.
"The court watched the video earlier of my client supposedly incriminating herself in which you theorized in your detailed report that she knew Mr. Bartowski was going to get his haircut."
"Objection," called out Justin. "Basis of foundation?"
"Counselor," stated Standfield, looking directly at Zamir.
"I'm simply asking Detective Lau if the video the court watched revealed any actual context behind it other than a fan being incredibly supportive?" questioned Zamir. "Does she still stand by the details of her report?" she further inquired.
Judge Standfield sat there for a moment deliberating what Zamir conveyed. A few seconds later, he directed his attention to Detective Lau. "Please answer the question."
"I do," nodded Lau. "In that video where Mr. Grimes is talking with Ms. Shafai, she mentioned how it took her breath away when Mr. Bartowski looked when he stepped out from getting his haircut. Chuck didn't tell anybody that he was going to get a haircut." she confidently stated.
"Mr. Bartowski could have shared it on social media and forgot to mention it."
"He didn't." the veteran LAPD detective insisted.
"How sure are you?" questioned Zamir.
"His social media was thoroughly checked," Lau retorted. "Not once did he check in or reveal his exact whereabouts on that Friday. The only two people that knew about his exact whereabouts were Hartley and Vivian Winterbottom. Why? They met him there to get it done. Again, details matter."
Zamir's attempt in trying to find any cracks to damage Detective Lau's credibility that concerned her thoroughly detailed investigation was clearly evident, especially to Chuck and Sarah. The nerdy couple was sitting just off to the left with Chuck situated in the aisle with Sarah seated in the same room Casey, Ellie, Devon, and Morgan. They were just some of the witnesses who were called to testify on the witness stand by Hartley's protege on Chuck's behalf. Speaking of those 4 individuals, they made sure to shield Chuck every time Lizzie directed her uncomfortably unsettling gaze over to him, which the nerd was truly thankful for. What he was also thankful for was the fact Hartley and Vivian were sitting in the same row just behind the lead prosecuting attorney, as well as his foster father's protege.
As the nerd sat there next to his blonde fiancé, Chuck could help but sit there and imagine the Code Red scene between Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise from the movie A Few Good Men. The intensity was certainly felt and growing between the veteran detective and the defense attorney knowing full well the defense attorney was intentionally rattling Detective Lau's cage. Fortunately, the LAPD veteran was cool under pressure as she came under fire, in a manner of speaking, from the barrage of questions that came out directly at her from Lizzie's defense attorney. It was the same questions that Justin objected to each time to the point where the lead prosecuting attorney requested a brief sidebar with Judge Standfield.
Although the sidebar at Judge Standfield's bench with the prosecuting and defense attorney was brief, the message seemed to get across to both attorneys to move the proceedings along. As Justin took his seat, Zamir stood behind the podium with his notes after briefly checking them he placed his hands on either side of the podium. Lizzie's defense attorney lifted his head and resumed speaking to Detective Lau.
"Detective Lau, you mentioned before details matter concerning the investigation involving my client." Zamir briefly glanced over at an eerily quiet Lizzie who was seated to his left. "What I fail to believe is you didn't get all the details correct because it was mere coincidence that she was at that same location where Chuck was getting his haircut at the barber shop"
"Objection!"
"Mr. Zamir…"
"No further questions." stated Zamir. The prosecuting attorney expressed a smug look on his face as he sat down next to his client.
Zamir's line of questioning caused a disturbance amongst the Bartowski Brigade, which caused Judge Standfield to quickly respond.
"Order," The ornery judge hit his gavel several times. "Order in the court!" It took a moment before the courtroom settled down. It eventually did. Afterwards, Judge Standfield directed his attention to the defense attorney. "Watch yourself, Counselor." A moment later, Standfield turned his attention to the prosecuting attorney. "Mr. Sullivan."
"Thank you, Your Honor." After he buttoned his suit coat, Justin stepped over and stood behind the podium that his counterpart was just standing behind a few seconds ago. "Detective Lau, details truly matter, and I think your track record has proven that as a seasoned detective. However, one of those details concerning where Mr. Bartowski had his haircut needs to be clarified." Justin pointed out. "According to Mr. Zamir, the haircut he got was at a Barber shop."
Zamir immediately stood up. "Your honor, where is this leading to?"
"Mr. Sullivan, your line of question better be leading somewhere."
"It is your honor."
"Proceed."
After Zamir took a seat, his counterpart continued with his line of questioning for Detective Lau.
"Detective," Justin stuck his left hand in his pocket and gestured with his right hand. "In what area of Los Angeles was the location of where Mr. Bartowski got his haircut?"
"Beverly Hills." answered Lau.
"Are there any barber shops located in Beverly Hill?"
Lau shook her head. "Mostly stylists."
"Objection, "At that point, Zamir stood up. "Relevance?"
"Your honor, I'm getting to how it's all relevant." Justin retorted.
Judge Standfield sat silent for a moment before he made his decision. "Proceed Mr. Sullivan.
"Just to clarify, was the type of place Mr. Bartowski visited a stylist?"
"Yes," nodded Lau. "A place called Vincent's."
"Around what time did the meeting take place with Hartley and Vivian Winterbottom?" Justin inquired.
"Between 9 and 10 a.m."
"Is Vincent's normally open during that time?"
"No," Lau replied, shaking her head. "Special request that was made by Vivian Winterbottom."
"I see," responded Justin. At that point, he turned around and walked towards his table. As he did, he locked eyes with Hartley and one of the individuals that noticed was Chuck. As he leaned forward sitting in his wheelchair and the nerd clearly saw the smirk, he was expressing over towards his protege. His focus on Hartley was suddenly broken when he heard Justin's voice again. "So, Detective Lau, do you agree that it was a mere coincidence that Ms. Shafai was at the exact same location where Chuck was getting his haircut?"
"I don't."
"Why is that?"
"The video evidence from her laptop showed the dates, times, and locations provided concrete proof it wasn't just mere coincidence." answered Lau.
"One of those videos I enter in as People's Exhibit #13…"
Westside Medical Center
Courtyard
Present
Mr. Zamir's attempt at discrediting the facts of the case subsequently fell apart when the video evidence retrieved from Ms. Shafai's residence after being granted a search warrant." Justin stated, reflecting back on that particular moment of the case.
Bentley nodded. "Mr. Sullivan, did you feel like Mr. Zamir underestimated you? Also, were you fully prepared knowing there was a tremendous amount of pressure placed on your shoulders.
Justin was momentarily silent before he answered Bentley's question. Afterwards, he nodded and spoke up. "I did, However," That one word caused the award-winning documentarian's eyebrows to furrow causing her to become more focused on what the lead prosecuting attorney on the Lizzie Shafai case was going to say. "No amount of preparation could have prepared for what happened in the courtroom that caught all of us completely off guard." The sound of disbelief expressed in his voice.
XXX
Los Angeles Superior Court
Judge Clarence Stanfield Courtroom
Day 2
"Mr. Bartowski," Justin took a step back from the witness stand and continued speaking. "In what way has life changed since the horrifyingly brutal attack, which could have nearly cost you your life?
"Objection," Zamir calmly responded, seated behind the defense desk. "Leading the witness," he firmly stated.
"Sustained," stated Judge Standfield.
Fortunately, Justin wasn't fazed by Zamir's response and continued on. "Let me rephrase." He took a moment before he directed his question for Chuck to answer. "How has your life changed since you were attacked?"
"I'm unable to walk for one thing," answered Chuck. Afterwards, he was briefly silent for a moment before he continued on. "And because of that I feel like I was robbed from being able to stand face to face with Sarah on our wedding day." His attention averted from the lead prosecuting attorney to the beautiful blonde seated next to his sister. After a momentary heartfelt exchange, the youngest Bartowski sibling lowered his head a bit and briefly shook it. "Plus, so many other things that are usually taken for granted and now that I'm experiencing it firsthand, I feel like I'm disappointing everybody."
Justin furrowed his eyebrows after he heard that. "Could you elaborate further on why you feel that way?"
Chuck took a moment and gathered his thoughts on the witness stand before he elaborated further concerning how his perspective has changed. "I'm the type of person who always gives 110% in everything I do and leaves it all on the stage. However, after getting attacked it left a big question mark."
"What kind of question mark?" wondered Justin.
After a few seconds of sitting silently on the witness stand, Chuck responded. "Whether or not I'll be the same person who I was before." He took a moment and breathed in deeply before speaking up again. "That trauma will always stick with me and become a distraction to the point where I'm unable to focus."
"Are you able to identify the reason for the trauma you suffered in the courtroom today?"
"Yes," nodded Chuck. "Lizzie Shafai." he pointed out. The nerd made a point not to make eye contact with the woman who stabbed him.
"I didn't mean to!" blurted out Lizzie.
Lizzie's sudden outburst rattled Chuck causing him to flinch. Meanwhile, the sound of Judge Standfield's banging his gavel echoed within the courtroom. Speaking of the judge, he directed his attention to Zamir. "Control your client, Counselor."
"Sorry, your Honor," responded Zamir. Afterwards, he leaned in and had a serious sidebar with his own client.
At that point within chaos that erupted, Chuck suddenly felt the signs of an anxiety attack about to hit. His heart was beating faster, and he felt his pulse racing. As for his breathing, it was becoming erratic. Fortunately, he remembered what Sarah told him out in the hallway and immediately closed his eyes. Speaking of Sarah, she instantly knew why Chuck closed his eyes and did her best in encouraging him from where she was sitting.
"3-3-3 rule, baby." Sarah breathed out.
At that moment, Ellie reached over and placed her right hand on top of her future sister-in-law's hands. Both women acknowledged each other without even saying a word. Their attention returned to Chuck after they heard Judge Standfield's voice.
"Mr. Bartowski, are you okay?
After the 3rd time being asked, Chuck finally opened his eyes and responded knowing what he was doing was causing some concern in the courtroom. After awkwardly looking around, he locked eyes with Sarah and nodded over to her. It signaled to the woman he loved he was actually fine, which was comforting for her to know that. A few seconds later, Chuck's focus on his nerdy fiance returned to Judge Standfield.
"I'm fine," Chuck's attention went from the judge to the lead prosecuting attorney. "I'm fine," he repeated.
A few seconds later, Judge Standfield banged his gavel again and directed his attention to the lead prosecuting attorney for the case against Lizzie Shafai.
"Proceed, Mr. Sullivan."
"Thank you, your Honor." After Justin rubbed his hands together, he directed his focus on Chuck sitting on the witness stand. "One last question, Mr. Bartowski, has your perception of people changed?
"Chuck sat there on the witness stand and thought about the question for a moment before he responded. "My friends and family have said I give people the benefit of the doubt when others are either cautious or highly suspicious."
"Did you agree with them?"
"Yes and no," answered Chuck. "I can see how I can be considered a pushover and somehow not clearly see the warning signs that were totally flashing, especially with Lizzie," he further added.
Chuck briefly turned his attention to the woman responsible for putting him in a wheelchair. She was seated eerily silent next to her defense attorney with a smile on her face that caused him to feel incredibly uncomfortable. It was not only her smile, but her overall demeanor that creeped him out. Although it didn't in the past his eyes were fully opened after he learned who Lizzie Shafai really was. For the nerd, she had that whole Kathy Bates character from that movie Misery vibe where she exuded a seemingly gentle, polite and well-mannered young woman. However, that persona quickly changed to someone who was absolutely dangerous and living in their own fantasized reality.
In Chuck's mind, Lizzie was physically able to leave a lasting impact. A similar impact to that of how Bates' character used a sledgehammer and broke James Caan's character's ankles to keep him from escaping. Granted, what happened to him was completely different in the movie because he was stabbed in his lower back. However, the both of them ended up confined to a wheelchair, which was a considerably ironic detail even though what happened to Caan's character was purely fictional.
"I try to see the good in people even if I end up getting burned because of it. Unfortunately, I did get burned in a major way and that's disappointing."
"Why?"
"I've established an awesome bond with the Bartowski Brigade," After Chuck expressed his trademark toothy smile, it gradually faded along with his whole demeanor. "And I'm not blaming them as a whole. All it takes is one. You can't judge the many by the actions of the few."
"William Buckley," Justin noted, concerning the quote.
"Indeed," acknowledged Chuck. "However, when that one fan or person intended to someone I loved, it impacted me in a serious way. When I saw Sarah was in danger, I reacted the only way I knew how."
"Thank you, Mr. Bartowski," nodded Justin.
After Justin returned to his prosecution table, Judge Standfield directed his attention to Lizzie's defense attorney.
"Mr. Zamir, do you have any questions?"
"Nothing further, your Honor."
"Mr. Bartowski, you may step down from the witness stand," Judge Standfield stated, before focusing on Justin. "Mr. Sullivan, call your next witness."
At that point, Justin stood up and announced the next person called up to the witness stand. "The people call Sarah Walker to the stand."
Westside Medical Center
Courtyard
Present
"Unfortunately," stated Justin. "Sarah wasn't able to make it to the witness stand because she was attacked and ended up being knocked unconscious. The person responsible for the attack was Lizzie." the prosecuting attorney revealed.
"I was able to obtain the courtroom footage on that particular moment you're speaking of." Bentley revealed. "It happened during the transition of Chuck being wheeled off from the witness by the courtroom bailiff to Sarah getting on."
The courtroom footage showed Lizzie sliding underneath the defense just as Sarah was making her way to the witness stand. A few seconds later, Sarah was shown on screen falling in front of the defense table and then completely disappeared out of camera view. Another camera angle that focused in front of the defense table, showed an intense struggle between Sarah and Lizzie.
A few seconds later, a number of individuals were shown swarming the area and quickly removed Sarah from danger, which included Justin. As for Lizzie, she was seen being immediately subdued, cuffed, and dragged out of the courtroom after disappearing out of camera view.
"It was like the rug was pulled out from under me. The next thing I know Lizzie is on top of me and choking me out. She also kept repeating the same words over and over again." Sarah recalled, shaking her head.
Chuck, Sarah, Bentley and Justin watched the courtroom footage when the award-winning documentarian was curious about something.
"It sounded like Lizzie was repeating something over and over."
"I heard that too?" Chuck chimed in.
In all the chaos, I was too preoccupied with helping in any way I could." Justin shared.
"You don't deserve him." Chuck, Bentley and Justin turned their attention to Sarah. "She repeated over and over that I didn't deserve Chuck. At least that's what I remember because when I initially fell, I hit my head on the floor." she revealed.
"And I felt helpless not being able to do anything." responded Chuck, reflecting back on that moment.
Bentley took notice of Chuck's reaction after he mentioned how he felt helpless during and after the chaos involving Lizzi's courtroom attack on Sarah.
"Chuck, did the fact you felt helpless not being there for Sarah was one of the main factors in not only becoming your worst enemy?" questioned Bentley. Chuck nodded. That nod caused everyone seated in the front of the blue courtyard bench to listen closely including Sarah. Afterwards, the award winning documentarian pressed forward. "And was quitting on Sarah initially the start of it?"
Chuck nodded. "As always Sarah was stubborn and didn't want to get checked out. She did anyway back at Westside. While she was being thoroughly checked out by Ellie and Devon, I was having a serious conversation with Hartley and Vivian."
XXX
Westside Medical Center
The Trenches
Emergency Room Waiting Room
"Are you out of your bloody mind!" Hartley growled. He shot up into a standing position after hearing what Chuck just said. All 3 individuals were in the Trench's waiting room because Chuck asked to speak privately with the two of them
"Lower your voice, Father." whispered Vivian, briefly peering up at him.
The only daughter of Hartley Winterbottom took a moment and checked if anyone outside of the waiting room heard her father's outburst. Fortunately for them, it seemed that her father's outburst didn't alert anyone outside. Once Viviam knew the coast was clear, she pulled him down on the same chair he was sitting in before he suddenly stood up. It took a bit of convincing to calm him down knowing her father's ability to get completely riled up, especially after what Chuck revealed. Afterwards, she returned her attention to Chuck and did something that took her foster brother completely by surprise. She reached out and gave a Leroy Jethro Gibbs slap to the side of Chuck's head.
"Hey," responded a wide eyed Chuck. "What was that for?" questioned the nerd.
Vivian looked Chuck in the eyes. "He's right," Vivian answered back. "What are you even trying to accomplish? That's utter lunacy!"
"You don't understand," retorted Chuck, shaking his head. "I'm trying to keep Sarah safe," he insisted.
Hartley was trying to comprehend what Chuck revealed to the both of them earlier. "By breaking up with her?"
"I need for you to have this make sense, Chuck," Vivian gleaned over at her father before she returned her focus back to her foster brother. "For the both of us. Don't leave out any details on how you ended up coming to that conclusion because they absolutely matter." She paused for a moment and shook her head. "Back at the courtroom, you said under oath on the witness stand that when you saw Sarah was in danger you reacted the only way you knew how."
"She's right," Hartley chimed in. "Your quick instinct to protect Sarah by placing yourself in harm's way was very gallant of you, my boy. It shows how much you truly love her."
"That's the point of why I'm doing this," Chuck snapped back, causing a surprised expression on Hartley and Vivian's faces. "It's because I love her that I want to protect her in the only way I know how." he further added. After a few moments of sitting in his wheelchair in silence, he continued speaking. "I couldn't do anything when Sarah got attacked by Lizzie in the courtroom," shared Chuck. "I was stuck in this damn wheelchair."
"It's not your fault, son," insisted Hartley.
"It actually is," Chuck responded. A hint of anger and regret in his voice. "What if someone out there is another Lizzie, and it happens again. That or something far worse. I wouldn't be able to live with myself." he further added.
"That's a dreadful thought," Vivian softly replied. "Just be thankful you and Sarah are alive." she noted.
Silence blanketed the waiting room despite the muffled sounds of a somewhat busy emergency going on outside of the waiting room. That silence was subsequently broken by Chuck.
"I know I'm spiraling, but," Chuck stopped. Instead of finishing his thought, he shook his head. "Do you know what today made me realize?"
"What's that, son?" wondered Hartley. A look of concern expressed not only his face, but on Vivian's as well.
"It made me realize, her safety matters more to me than the air I'm breathing right now."
After Hartley and Vivian heard that, they briefly looked at each other. A few seconds later, Vivian reached out and took Chuck's hands into hers.
"It's very noble of you that you're looking out for Sarah's best interest. Falling down on your own sword and all," she stated, expressing a soft smile towards Chuck. "But nobody could have predicted what Lizzie was going to do earlier in that courtroom. It was an act of lunacy by a woman who perpetuated a distorted reality of a shared relationship that never actually existed. Her actions certainly added more to the long list of charges that will have her going away preferably for a long time." she pointed out, squeezing his hands.
Chuck sat in his wheelchair as if he was letting all that was said to him sink in. It wasn't long before Hartley leaned forward and placed his left hand on his foster son's right shoulder.
"I hope you reconsider this rash decision you're making," insisted Hartley. "You don't want to end up making the biggest mistake of your life because your emotions outweighed common sense." He lifted his left hand and moved it down the side of his upper right hand. Afterwards, he gave a brief squeeze of encouragement.
"Listen to him, Chuck," urged Vivian, chiming in. "You and Sarah are like two adorably cute peas in a pod." she amusingly remarked. "Take some time to think about it and you'll come to your senses that the thought of breaking up with Sarah was truly preposterous."
What Vivian said caused Chuck to crack a smile. At that point, Hartley lightly slapped his lap and stood up. He made his way around and grabbed the handles of Chuck's wheelchair. "Let's go check on Sarah shall we. She's probably wondering where the three of us trotted off to." he uttered, pushing Chuck towards the main door of the waiting room. The main door where Vivian stood and held the door open for both men.
XXX
Westside Medical Center
Courtyard
Present
"I never knew that." softly breathed out Sarah. The sound of surprised disbelief in her voice. "I'm glad you listened to Hartley and Vi."
"Unfortunately," responded Chuck. He turned his attention from Sarah to Bentley. "I headed down a road where my intention to keep Sarah safe became my purpose."
"It sounded more like an obsession. "Bentley commented. Fortunately for her, Chuck didn't disagree with the comment she made. "It's the reason you became your own worst enemy."
Chuck nodded. "My obsession made me think about doing something I never thought I would ever do."
"And that is?" inquired Bentley.
"Buy a gun." answered Chuck.
XXX
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