Storybook Ending
Note to the Legal Department: Thanks to the Gossip Girl writers, Fitzgerald and all the greats who have inspired this story. I don't own the characters in this tale; I am writing strictly for the entertainment of others.
"After that I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe-Paris, Venice, Rome-collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little, things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had happened to me long ago."-Jay Gatsby
Blair stood under the dripping lilac tree looking up at his house.
Over the years, the storied mansion had become the stuff of legends. When the days started to become longer, and the warm summer breeze blew over the Atlantic, the parade of cars would begin. On Saturday nights, everyone in the know came from far and wide to partake in the extravagance that only Chuck Bass could provide. Ladies dressed in sequins and feathers slipped behind rose bushes with their tuxedo clad gentlemen. The liquor flowed freely as jazz played long into the night. Laughter mixed with hushed gossip creating a buzz that made his garden parties seem all together magical. There, in that enchanted compound on the edge of East Hampton, romance bloomed nightly. It was hard not to fall in love in a setting where moonlight danced on the small capped waves of the ocean and jasmine permeated the air. And it was there, amidst the merriment, the dapper Bass stood on his steps like a marble statue. From a distance, he seemed to have the world by a string. Scotch in hand, he oversaw the festivities with a gentle smirk and an air of sadness. To see this sadness, one would have to look closely, but no one ever did.
The rain was coming down in buckets and Blair was completely drenched. Her silk dress stuck to her body highlighting the lovely figure she still had. She should have gone in sooner, but she hadn't the nerve. It had been five years since she had seen him. Brushing back the hair from her face, she slowly made her way up the marble steps. Come what may, she needed closure. The mansion was even more imposing close up. Without a party, the house seemed cold and at the same time hauntingly beautiful. She paused before knocking. A clap of thunder jolted her memories and she thought about him and that lovely scarf he used to be so fond of. She smiled gaining a touch of confidence and began rapping at the door. A moment passed and a butler appeared. He stood for a time with an odd expression on his face.
"Hello Albert," Blair said blushing slightly.
"Good God," exclaimed the old man "it has been ages!"
"Is Mr. Bass in," she inquired swiftly, trying to avoid any intrusive questions.
"Why yes, he's up in his study. Shall I get him for you?"
Blair shook her head. "If you don't mind, I'd like to go see him alone."
Albert was somewhat perplexed by her request, but agreed.
She made her way up the large, Gone with the Wind inspired staircase thinking about Scarlett and Rhett. What a legendary pair those two had been, not unlike her and that fellow she had parted ways with long ago. Palm trees in gilded vases lined the hall leading to the study. The space was barren save for the greenery and a lone armoire with a single framed picture. The photograph caught her attention, immediately drawing her in. There in a ruby encrusted frame were her and Chuck at the white party staring into each other's eyes. Blair smiled and shook her head. Naturally, she thought. As she got closer, her heart began to pound. She walked toward the closed door trying to breathe. She paused in an attempt to stall as much as she could. She shook her wet hair and wrung out her dress. She looked down at her sandals and examined her pale pink nails. She breathed in again, her heart now beating out of her chest. The suspense was killing her. She couldn't take it anymore. She took one last breath and flung open the door without so much as a knock.
And there he was sitting in a leather chair looking out at the sea.
"Waldorf," he said trying to feign boredom.
"Bass," she whispered astonished by how good he looked in his smoking jacket.
Slowing bringing the glass to his lips, he took a sip of scotch and began to laugh. "I knew you'd come back."
Blair was jolted out of her fantasy and scowled. "Arrogant as always, I see."
"But isn't that why you love me?" He asked with a smirk.
"Who says I love you?"
"If you didn't love me, you wouldn't be here."
"I hate you and I came to tell you so, least you forget."
"Well then," he said standing up. "If that's the case I believe I can pencil you in for some hate sex right between smoking jacket hour and my supper."
She blushed, momentarily considering the prospect.
He crossed the room coming to a stop inches from her face. The room was quiet save for their beating hearts. He took her hands in his and for the first time in five years they felt what it was like to be alive.
They stood there suspended in time waiting for the other to speak. Finally, it was Chuck who broke the spell.
"You know Waldorf, legend has it that if you take a girl's virginity in the back of a limo, you are entitled to a life time pass of free rides, if you will."
"I won't!" She yelled pulling her hands out of his.
"I've come to tell you that I hate you. Always have, always will. Now that I have that off my chest, we should be all set for the next few millennia," she said turning to leave. "Chuck Bass, if I never see you again it will be too soon." And with that, she ran out of the study tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. In her haste she ran past the picture in the hallway. When she was half way down the stairs it occurred to her what needed to be done. Red faced and out of breath, she charged back up the stairs to where the picture sat. She held it up for a moment and then through it against the wall causing the glass to shatter in a thousand pieces. And just as she thought she could make a clean getaway, from out of the study arose the vile sound of Chuck's laughter.
He walked over to his window and watched her cross the well manicured lawn. He smiled to himself thinking about their brief albeit magical encounter that was five years overdue. She looked back at the house and their eyes met. He remained cold. And why shouldn't he? She had almost married that ridiculous prince. And as for the Humphrey affair, well, that was something he would never get over for as long as he lived.
A/N: Tune in next time to see what's to become of Chuck and Blair.
