Okay guys here's the deal. I know that if I'm on your author alert and that's why you are reading this that it isn't what you were expecting. I'm sure you were anticipating another update of The Games We Play but after last night's episode, I couldn't help but write this. I have no clue how long it will be, I just sat down and started writing (I can guarantee it will be nothing like as long as The Games We Play which I am of course still working on). So if you want to read it, go for it, but I make no promises.

This will definitely contain spoilers through In the Realm of the Basses and Gone With The Will.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its characters

Rated: T mostly for language. Possibly M later.

Blair was nervous as she waited in the lawyer's office while the will was being read. This was big, really big. Chuck was obviously about to become the richest kid in New York City but the real question was the fate of Bass Industries. Everyone knew Chuck's history with his father, full of animosity; but would that animosity cause Bart to leave someone else in charge. OR would he entrust the company to his son who as much as Blair hated to admit it, was in no place to take charge of a company right now.

The lawyer was droning on and on about assets being divided amongst three shares as Blair sat there watching the beneficiaries, Chuck, his uncle Jack, and Lily, wait for the news that really had them all on the edge of their seats. Then the lawyer hit the reason they had all even bothered to show up and not just sent lawyers to represent them, the company.

"As for the company, the board will continue to control 20% and Bart has left 21% to Lily Van der Woodsen."

Blair knew what this meant; this meant that controlling interest in the company was still at stake. Someone was still going to be making all the decisions, and that someone was going to be either Chuck or Jack. Blair didn't want to even think about Jack, about what happened on New Year's Eve. Chuck was finally starting to cope a little and let her in and now was not the time to let New Years come between them, so Blair pushed the thought from her mind and braced herself for what the lawyer would say next.

The lawyer paused and in that pause Chuck looked back towards Blair, a silent plea in his eyes. He needed her and she was determined to be there for him, so Blair walked forward and placed her hands on Chuck's shoulders. He then reached up with one of his hands and took a hold of one of hers.

The lawyer picked up an envelope, "All that's left in my instructions is to give you this Charles."

Chuck took the envelope, he couldn't read it though. His father's true opinion of him lay within this envelope and he couldn't possibly bring himself to read that. Not when it was likely to say that Bart had hoped that Chuck might one day be someone worthy of being CEO of Bass Enterprise, but he wasn't. So Chuck squeezed Blair's hand, the one person who had been there for him through all of this and turned his head to her. "Will you read it?"

Blair bit her lip and nodded, accepting the letter from Chuck. "Do you want me to read it out loud, or to myself and then tell you what it says?"

"Out loud."

She opened it, her hands were shaking, this could mean so many things, but she had to be strong for Chuck. She loved him and she could do this. So Blair opened the letter and started to read. "Dated, November 27, 2008. Charles, If you are reading this right now, then I'm dead. In which case, I'm sorry for leaving you so soon. I have watched you your entire life. I've watched as you have squandered my money, partied constantly, drank your youth away, and slept with half the city." Chuck clutched Blair's hand not holding the letter, tighter. Blair didn't want to keep reading, this was too difficult. "Chuck, do you want me to stop?"

"No, keep reading." Chuck said. His voice was raw, obviously he was hurt by the words his father had written.

"Okay," Blair said continuing. "I watched your irresponsibility become worse and worse over the years when it should have been improving. I could never leave my company, a company that is my life's work, in such hands. My company needs to be in the hands of someone with entrepreneurial vision, someone with an eye for business, someone who is responsible, mature, and ready to take over the company. Until the day I was married I never thought that that someone could be you. But you have surprised me, exceeded my expectations. Victrola was a step in the right direction but I saw at my wedding how much you had really changed. The past few months with you have been a gift. Believe me when I say that I wish I could have been there for you more before this; but, I have had the opportunity to see what kind of man, my son has turned into. I know that I am leaving my company in capable hands, by leaving it with you. As important as the company is don't let running it consume you as I let it do me because the people in your life are what really matters." Blair smiled as she read the next line. "As far as people go, you've been pretty lucky, Nate is a wonderful friend and Blair Waldorf is quite the catch and I would advise you to hold onto them both. I love you son. Bartholomew Bass." Blair turned to look at the speechless room. "That's all." She said handing the letter back to Chuck who read it over himself.

"I'm CEO of Bass Enterprises." Chuck said in awe, while Jack simply sat there gaping. Neither one of them seemed able to believe it.

Jack sighed to himself, after everything that he and Bart had discussed he probably shouldn't have been surprised.

The small crowd slowly began to dwindle as people made polite conversation with one another until it was only Blair, Chuck, and Jack left in the room. Even the lawyer had left for his lunch break.

Jack was obviously disappointed but he didn't seem too angry. Chuck turned to him. "I'm sorry, Jack, really I don't quite know what my father was thinking."

Jack looked at Chuck. "It's fine, really, I actually thought he was going to do something crazy like leave the company to Eric. Now what do you say we get going." Jack then smirked up at Blair who glared back. "Now Blair, you are more than welcome to join us. As Chuck's legal guardian, I thought I would extend an invitation, our house is open to you any time." He said with a lustful look at Blair.

Chuck stood, just then noticing that he was still holding onto Blair's hand. He knew that he should let go but he didn't want to. "Do you maybe want to go somewhere and talk?" Chuck asked quietly.

Jack who was then behind Chuck and directly in Blair's line of vision continued smirking at her.

"Sure." Blair said lacing her fingers through his before saying to Jack. "Do you mind taking a cab home Jack, Chuck and I are going to be needing the limo?" That should be enough to get rid of him, she thought to herself.

"Actually Blair, if you two could just drop me off by the hotel, that would be great." Jack said, this time giving Blair a wink. He knew that she had been trying to avoid his company but he wasn't going to let her off that easily.

"No problem, Uncle," Chuck said. "I'm going to step outside to call the limo, service in here is awful."

Blair didn't want to be away from Chuck but more than that she didn't want to be left alone with Jack. "I'll go with you Chuck."

Jack jumped in. "That would be stupid Blair. It's freezing outside." After a pause he added. "Don't worry, I don't bite, hard."

Chuck chuckled as he left the room and Jack moved to face Blair once more, brushing his hand across her back until he was in front of her with a hand stroking her shoulder. "Well Blair, if I didn't know better I would say that you didn't want to be alone with me."

Blair shook his hand away, moving a couple of steps back. "Jack, what happened on New Year's Eve was a mistake, and like I said before, Chuck can't know, not yet. It would destroy him. So you're right, I don't want to be alone with you."

Jack took a few steps toward her. "Blair, it was completely innocent. You were grieving, more than a little intoxicated, and all alone for the Holidays because everyone had abandoned you. I was simply there for you in your time of need." He explained with a smug smile.

"No, if you had been there for me, you would have put me in a limo and sent me home." Blair snapped ready to back away from the monster before her at a moments notice.

"I see why Chuck fell for you. You are gorgeous and wicked all at the same time. It's not often you find that in the same package and what a delightful package it is, if I remember correctly." Jack said looking her up and down.

Jack's look screamed that he was undressing her with his eyes. "You're disgusting. I only have flashes of that night. Blurry flashes and your word on what happened." Blair spat. "And you, you are exactly like a Chuck Bass who never grew up."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "But you were the catalyst for that now weren't you? Maybe you'll have the same effect on me." Jack said brushing a hand along Blair's cheek. "What do you say Waldorf? Do you want to help me grow up?" He was tempted to lean down and kiss her right there where Chuck could walk in at any moment.

"Keep your hands off me Jack. If you touch me again. . ." Blair warned

"You'll . . . You'll what Blair? Call Chuck in here?" Jack questioned smirking once more. Blair knew where Chuck got that from now. "No, you won't because then I would tell him why I think I have a right to touch you. I would tell him exactly how much I know about Blair Waldorf. How much I've seen."

"You wouldn't." Blair said defiant. "You are in the same position Chuck was a year ago. You won't tell Chuck because you don't want him to hate you and he will. He will hate you and destroy himself. I am the only one left in his life that he gives a damn about and I am not about to lose him because of something I allegedly did while I was drunk." Blair said, standing her ground. She had been here before but it had been Nate that she was trying desperately not to lose back then. Either way it was familiar ground and she wouldn't make the same mistakes twice, Chuck wasn't going to find out.

"Oh you did it Blair and you are forgetting something else other than New Year's Eve. I am not some little high school boy that cares about who likes who. I'm an adult and whether or not my nephew likes me really isn't something I trouble myself with. But, we will keep this between us . . . for now." Jack said walking out the office door.

Blair stood there a minute longer before Chuck came in. "Ready?" He asked as he looked at the girl who had promised to stand by him through anything.

"Ready." Blair said, once more reaching for his hand which he allowed her to take.

A/N: This fanfic, however long it is, is solely a C/B fic. Since I was writing it anyway, I thought that I would share.
ETA: What I meant by this statement is that unlike my previous fanfic the story line will only involve Chuck and Blair from the main cast meaning, Serena, Nate, Jenny, and Dan may make appearances but are not fixtures in the story.

Reviews are always appreciated.

xoxo
kate