Title: Midnight in Moscow
Summary: "I have gone away for quite some time. Please don't worry about me." What if Chuck had chosen to go to Russia and had landed there safely? He made a deal with the devil to protect his loved ones, but would he later find out it was the wrong choice? 6x09 AU multi-chap.
A/N: I had this idea pop into my head a couple days ago and have been meaning to write it. So since I was home sick today, I thought I'd start it. I'm sort of an actiony person, and while I wouldn't have wanted this to play out on the show, I think it's sort of a cool AU perspective :) This is the Introduction so it's sort of shorter, but the next chapters will be longer. I don't know how long this is going to be, but probably it will be one of my longer stories. I know a lot of you are probably getting tired of the Henry stories (as much as we adore them), so I thought I'd start something a little different. Writing something not as fluffy is a start for me, so cut me a few breaks. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please drop a review to let me know if you like this idea or not! TBTD is coming to a close soon and Catalyst too I think, so stay with me on those. Sorry I have been slow to update: my sister is in and out of the hospital, I have tons of schoolwork, and my friend is going through a rough time. However, writing does wonders to clear the mind ;)
Drop me a review and hope you like it!
Dear Lily, Serena, Eric, and to whom this may concern,
I have gone away for some time. Please don't worry about me. You have given me the purest family love a broken boy could ever ask you, and I will forever be in debt to you for that. I promise wherever I roam, you will always be in my thoughts. And when I do cross your mind, know that I am okay because I know you're safe. I would climb any mountain and pay any debt to keep my mother, sister, brother, and family safe.
I will try to write to you or call, but I would like to keep my whereabouts secret as a protective measure. Please know if I don't that it's not because I'm angry or don't want to, but it's because it's the best for all of us, whether you think so or not.
As for my final advices, Serena – don't give Humphrey your heart so easily. Make him work for it. You are a beautiful person and not who he cracked you up to be in Inside. You're so much more than a dumb blonde and hopeless romantic. If he someday proves to be the man I think he can be, then please know I give you my blessing. If not, there's always a new sunrise. Lily – Be brave. You're one of the bravest women I know. I know this is going to be very hard for you, but please know I'll always be your son and you will always be my mother. Don't let my father bully you around and take what's yours. Protect yourself and your family with great dignity and never let yourself crumble. You'll always be the strongest woman on the Upper East Side, no matter what you do wrong or right. Eric – You'll always be my one and only brother. I never thought in all of my life I'd have one, but the times I've spent with you are among some of the finest family memories I'll ever have. Keep on course with your studies, something I failed to do and regret very much, but when you find the right person, make sure to fight for them. I admire your bravery on the love field and know that you won't lose your Blair Waldorf like I did. You're strong, smart, and will someday be even more successful than me. Never stop believing in that.
As for you all, I love you, stay strong, and I'll never stop thinking about you. Please know this is a very hard thing for me to do, but I know it's the right thing. Keep this letter in a safe place, away from my father, whether it is amongst the flames in the fireplace or under your pillow. I hope these words will always be with you.
Sincerely,
Charles
Dear Nathaniel,
I am going away for some time. People may tell you that by me doing this, I set you free. And while that is true, it is so much more than that. I wanted to give the people in my life the chance they deserved, you included. The determination you have shown in the last couple of years really has impressed me. I know the Spectator is going to thrive and become almost as big as my legacy, and I will keep up with it as much as I can whilst I am away. Know I am very proud of you and that I will always be with you.
Do you remember when we were juniors and were walking through Central Park and I told you happiness isn't on the menu for people like us? Well since then, I have realized that is very untrue. Happiness is very much on the menu, but only for ones who want to fight for it. Sometimes I wonder if I didn't fight enough for mine, but this is my last battle for yours. You deserve happiness more than anyone else and I know one day you're going to find it, even if I'm not there to share it with you. Know when you get to that point, I'll be smiling in approval.
Keep fighting, don't be afraid to fall in love, and above all, keep being the honest person I know you are. I'll miss you as a best friend, but the memories we've shared will sustain me. Please take care of Monkey for me, as you are his second mate, and I don't have the heart to return him.
Your friend,
Chuck
Dear Blair,
I'm going to keep this letter short as I don't know how long I can stand writing it. Maybe the shorter it is the less painful it will be. It'll be like ripping off a band-aid; short and quick and with minimum pain.
You deserve the world. You deserve even more than what the world offers you. You are strong, beautiful, inspirational, and have the biggest heart, even if you only show it to me. The factor that really helped me make this decision was you. I want you to be safe and get the chance you deserve, and you can't have that with me. Bart is always going to be a threat to you as long as I'm here and I'd rather keep you out of the danger than be selfish and stay here with you.
You're going to run Waldorf Designs one day. I know you are. Your co-workers are going to fear you not only because you are Eleanor's daughter, but because you are you. Maybe you aren't Queen B anymore, but you are Blair Waldorf. People would be lying to themselves if they said they weren't intimidated by you. You even intimidate me. I don't know what is so intimidating about you, but I think it is the strong beat of your heart. You have been the biggest inspiration in my life for as long as I have lived, and I know when I see your name up in shining lights wherever I am, I'm going to smile wider than the Pacific. Because I love you, always have, always will. I know that's your and Nate's line, but I couldn't help but to use it. Because it rings true now more than ever.
Please know wherever you are, I'll be with you. Keep the Harry Winston in memory of us, not in mourning. And that someday, I'll make my way back to you. Because for two people in love, eventually they'll find their way back. Now I don't know how long this will be: a month from now, a year, fifty years. But please know whatever decisions you make, whether it's to let a new guy into your heart or to make a critical life decision, I'll always approve. Don't let me hold you back. You're Blair Waldorf, and nobody holds Blair Waldorf back.
Please don't come looking for me. I'm going to fall off the map, and this time for good. It's for my family, my friends, and most importantly, us. I did this for us Blair. I promise you. Everything will be okay in the end only if you believe it will.
Three words, eight letters,
CB
He had made a deal with the devil. He was going to Russia, for life. It was a small price to pay to protect his loved ones. All of his life he had been the selfish one and he felt as though it was time to be selfless. Sure they'd miss him terribly, but there would come a point where that would disappear. But Blair…
He just had to rip it off like a band aid and not think about it.
She'd be better off without him. At least that's what he tells himself as he throws in the last of his socks into his suitcase. His eyes wander over to the photo album on his desk titled, The "Found" Summer. His hand trembles as he drags it onto his freshly made bed. He tells himself not to open it, that it'll be too painful, but he does anyway. No one knew about this book besides him and her, and that brought a closeness to it that was unexplainable. As his fingers trace the worn edges and tear marks, he contemplates whether to bring it or not. However as his eyes meet a picture of her curled up in silky bedsheets and his favorite smile graced on her lips, he shoves it away with great force.
He grabs his suitcase from off of his bed and hustles out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
It's easier to forget than to remember.
They all read the letters in disbelief. Nobody saw it coming. Nobody thought this is what it would become. Nobody could believe it.
All except for one person. It only takes the first paragraph to get her out the door with only her purse in hand.
What's fighting worth if there's nothing to fight for?