AN: Wow, the response to this has been so fantastic. I just wanted to thank everyone who read and reviewed. Writers often say this, but it really does mean a lot. I love hearing what you like, and also what you don't like, because I can sometimes have tunnel vision with my creations. Anyway here's chapter two. I really wanted to start from the beginning in this world so things are slowly building right now, I think after this chapter and the next it's really going to pick up. Yay, for that. -Whit
Fake Empire
Chapter Two.
Cause there is a light
In your eyes, in your eyes
And there is a lie
In your eyes, in your eyes
Blair met Chuck for the second time, just months later at her mother's annual holiday party in December. He arrived in the middle of hors d'oeuvres with a file that his father wanted Harold to go over. Eleanor was her usual pushy self and insisted that Charles at least stay for a bit, "you'll disappoint me if you don't," she cooed in her authoritative manner, and Chuck had no choice but to relent. It was clear to Blair that he was dressed for plans of his own, but no one dared to insult Eleanor Waldorf in her own home, so he was stuck. There were two seats at the table open, one beside Harold at the head of the table where a senator had been seated before he'd been called away on some political emergency, and one right beside Blair that had never been occupied. Chuck didn't hesitate. He slid in right beside Blair.
The next hour felt like an eternity as Blair sat beside the object of her desires without saying one word to him. She wondered if he even remembered her from that night at his penthouse. It wasn't like she'd done anything to make an impression, except being a complete mute. Blair decided that being who he was, Chuck Bass probably had a lot of females lose their voice around him. So she wouldn't even be special in that manner. He'd barely glanced at her at all during the main course, instead he'd mostly kept up with the business conversation at the table, and responded to whatever inane questions Eleanor had asked him. Blair felt like she was invisible, and she absolutely hated that feeling. So she leaned back in her chair, and slid her shoes off, letting her feet dance around on the hardwood floor beneath her. It felt cool against her toes, and she amused herself by tracing naughty words against it, smiling every once in a while when she decided upon a deliciously revolting phrase that would make Serena cackle with glee, and her mother run from the room in shame.
Blair had just traced a particularly raunchy word, and was smiling like a Cheshire cat when Chuck finally turned in her direction. He was sipping at the desert brandy that Dorota had just served, and watching her through his lowered lashes. It took her a moment to recover, and stop what she was doing under the table. Her own desert laid untouched before her, and he looked between it and her for a moment before Eleanor called out to him again, and he looked away. Blair let out a relieved breath when she was finally out of his thrall, and searched around for her shoes beneath the table. It was time for her to retire to her room with some feigned illness. She couldn't watch her mother badger him any longer. It was just too embarrassing. He would remember her tonight for sure, as that poor unfortunate girl who's mother was such a beast. Not exactly how you wanted Chuck Bass to think of you.
"Oh Charles, I just realized. You and Blair haven't met before, have you?"
Eleanor's voice rang throughout the room like a death knell. Blair stopped fumbling her foot beneath the table, and jerked her head around. She wanted to melt into her seat. He either remembered her, and she got into hot water with her mother when he relayed that, or he didn't and she'd realize she was as utterly forgettable as she always feared. She knew without a doubt if Eleanor had asked him about Serena he would have remembered her. No one forgot Serena.
Chuck turned in his chair again, and met Blair's panicked gaze head on. He took his time in answering, swallowing another sip of brandy as he continued to appraise Blair. Blair saw recognition in his eyes, and wondered if it had always been there. She smiled unable to stop herself, and he smirked back at her. He did remember her. She no longer cared if he ratted her out to her mother, something momentous had happened tonight. She somehow mattered more because Chuck Bass knew her. He remembered their shared chair of silence. Red tinted Blair's cheeks, and she forced herself to look down demurely. People would begin whispering if they kept staring like that.
"We've run into each other before." That was all he offered, and before Eleanor could press further. He set his empty brandy glass down, and stood up from his seat. "I'm afraid I must be going." He turned to Eleanor as he spoke, realizing she wore the pants in that family. "The dinner was lovely. Thank you for allowing me to share it. Mr. Waldorf." He nodded at Harold, and then turned to find Dorota eagerly waiting with his coat. He took it from her with a charming smile, and turned towards the outer room where he could finally escape.
Before he left he leaned down towards Blair, turning his back to the rest of the room and shielding their conversation from prying eyes. "Good evening, Miss Waldorf." He smirked at her, and she smiled back, because there was nothing she wanted to do more. Then he pulled something out of his pocket and discreetly dropped it into her lap without anyone being the wiser.
"Good evening." She whispered back, clutching the fallen key card in her hands. He disappeared out of the room, and she forced herself not to watch him go. When she looked down at the card in her hands she recognized it right away. It was to his penthouse. An invitation. A little thrill shot through her body, and when she looked up again she found her mother watching her with a suspicious scowl. "He's interesting." She said, addressing the whole table, and hoping the conversation got carried away before her mother could grill her.
"Mmm." Eleanor nodded, and then turned towards Harold and started up another line of conversation. It didn't matter though. The rest of the party was spent with whispers about the young Bass heir, and how handsome he had become. Blair wanted to laugh at them. Chuck hadn't become anything. He always had been, and they all knew it. They feared him though, she could feel it in the room. He was a little too much like his father, all hard edges and mysterious eyes. They wanted to be close to him, to the power he emanated from his very being, but there was something about him that repulsed them as well. Perhaps some survival instinct that Blair did not yet possess.
The party had dispersed by ten o'clock, and Blair was still clutching the key card in her hand. She was sure by now she would have permanent dents in her palm, but she simply didn't care. She wasn't sure why he'd given it to her, or when she was supposed to use it. Was he having another party tonight? Is that what Eleanor had held him up from, and was she now invited? And not just invited, but she'd been given a key. It felt sacred in some way, and she hated the thought of having to return it to him. She wanted to lock it away and savor it's meaning. He remembered her. He wanted her company. She wanted to call Serena and ask her what it all meant, but she hadn't shared her infatuation yet, and she didn't feel like now was the time. This was still new, still all Blair's.
"Blair," Eleanor appeared behind her in the foyer, stopping her from ascending the stairs to her room as she wished to. Blair turned around slowly, forcing her expression to be neutral. Her mother was a shrewd woman, and she knew Blair better than almost anyone. "Lovely evening, don't you think? Better than expected." Eleanor waited, and watched.
"Yes." Blair nodded agreeably, and tried to head for the stairs again. Eleanor reached out and physically stopped her then. "Is there something else?" She asked in her coolest tone, hoping to discourage further conversation. Blair had enough on her mind without her mother's ceaseless meddling.
"I didn't realize you'd met the young Bass before…" Eleanor left that leading statement, and continued to scrutinize Blair's every expression.
Blair remained calm, and allowed a small smile to slide across her stiff lips. Her mother was playing with her now. "Just once. At The Palace. I was with daddy, I believe." Blair's father would just assume this was true if Eleanor ever asked him. "He's nice enough, I guess." Blair shrugged, and then carefully removed her arm from her mother's grip. "I'm tired. I'm going to call Serena, and see if she wants to sleep over tonight."
Eleanor nodded. "Goodnight, darling." She dropped a quick kiss on Blair's forehead before disappearing into another room, most likely in search of Harold so she could grill him about Blair's supposed encounter.
Blair took the stairs two at a time, and hurried down the hall until she was locked safely away in her room, the key still firmly implanted in her palm. She opened her hand to look at it again, and then very carefully placed it on her dresser while she headed to her closet. She would call Serena and tell her she'd heard of another party tonight. Serena was always up for that. Then they would head to The Palace, and Blair would casually mention that Chuck Bass came to their holiday party and handed her this key. The elevator would arrive before Serena could grill her further, and then when the alcohol began flowing Serena would forget all together. It was the perfect plan, and Blair felt like her entire body was filled with all this energy she'd never felt before. She wanted to run around the street and scream out loud. She could just imagine how scandalized her mother would be if she did that, but she didn't care too much. She didn't care if everyone on the Upper East Side saw her entering The Palace and headed to the Bass suite. She was going, consequences be damned.
She searched through her closet for something to wear, but decided nothing she had would do. She wanted to be daring. She wanted to show Chuck Bass that he hadn't been wrong to invite her. She wasn't just a good little society girl who always towed the line. She was crossing the line tonight just by going to his penthouse. She'd lied to her mother, she was lying to Serena. This felt like the craziest thing she'd ever done before, and she liked it. She wanted more of it.
Blair made the phone call to Serena, and as always her friend was up for it. Twenty minutes later Blair was in the van der Woodsen penthouse with a big smile on her face. Serena gave her an odd look but didn't comment, and dragged Blair right into her closet.
"Okay," Blair sucked in a deep breath. "Find me something-"
Serena interrupted her before she could finish. "I know, I know. Not too much. Don't worry Blair bear. I'm just excited you're so jazzed to do this. Where is this party anyway?" Serena asked casually as she flipped through the racks of her clothing. She pulled out a few dresses that Blair shook her head at and kept looking.
"The Palace." Blair responded just as casually, hoping Serena didn't start an inquisition yet. Her plan depended on Serena staying in the dark until the very last minute. Thankfully Blair spotted the perfect dress before Serena could ask more. "That one!" She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling like the fool she felt. "It's perfect." She ran her fingers across the soft material with reverence. She was sure she'd never seen Serena in this dress before, and she was glad. The comparisons couldn't be too damning then.
Serena frowned. "My mom bought it for me, you can have it." Serena pulled it down with a careless yank and held it out for Blair. Blair took it quickly and walked into the other room to change. Serena was still in the closet searching for herself. "So, The Palace?" Serena called out.
Blair didn't respond, and instead busied herself with undressing, and pulling the dress on. It clung to her in all the right places, and when she looked into the mirror she couldn't really believe it was her. Her mother would gasp and say she looked indecent, but she didn't really care what her mother thought. She was way more interested in what Chuck Bass would say when he saw her tonight. She hoped he liked it. She hoped this was a night she would never forget.
Serena walked out a minute later, a shorter, more provocative dress on, but Blair didn't care. Chuck Bass gave her his key card, not Serena. This was her night to shine, and for once she didn't feel so inferior to her best friend. Sure, Serena looked beautiful as always, but Blair did too. And for once she felt like she was – felt like she could do anything she set her mind to tonight. Her mind, as always, was on Chuck Bass. And perhaps she'd manage to keep his mind on her as well. The thought made her smile.
"What has you so happy?" Serena asked as they headed for the door.
Blair shrugged, "It's a beautiful night out, don't you think?"
Serena watched her closely for a moment, before nodding. They didn't speak another word until they arrived at The Palace and headed for the elevator banks. It was show time, and Blair was prepared.
When Blair pulled out the key card and slid it in, Serena didn't say a word. She even managed to stay silent when it dinged, and the doors slid open to the Bass penthouse. But when Chuck Bass himself nodded at Blair from across the room of his smoky den, Serena could no longer hold her silence, and pulled Blair away from the other party goers.
"What is going on, Blair!" Serena's voice was loud, and her face was pinched. Blair almost laughed, it was one of the only times Serena hadn't looked absolutely perfect. "B…?" Serena waited impatiently.
"Chuck Bass came to my mother's holiday party. Some business thing with my father. He invited me to come over afterward to this little… gathering." Blair decided that sounded better than party, and really since there were only about 10 other people there it couldn't be considered a party anyway.
"Chuck Bass just invited you to his penthouse… gave you a key?" Serena stared at her incredulously.
"What?" Blair snapped. "Guys only give you keys to this penthouse. Don't be such a bitch, Serena." Blair started to walk past her friend into the other room, but a contrite Serena pulled her back quickly.
"That isn't what I mean, B." Serena sighed, and raked her fingers through her already messy hair. "It's just… this isn't your usual crowd. Do you even know any of these people?" Serena motioned to the other room, where girls and guys of their acquaintance were lighting up, and drinking like their lives depended on it. In truth, Blair recognized almost every face in there, but she didn't exactly run in that circle and Serena knew it.
"So, maybe I want a change, Serena." Blair pulled Serena back further so they couldn't be overheard. "Maybe I need a change." She implored Serena to just understand, like Blair had always tried to do for her. "I'm sick and tired of holiday parties with my parents, and mixers with our classmates. If you didn't notice they're all boring little lemmings. And I've been the same. I've always followed the rules. And I'm sick of it…" Blair let out a defeated breath, her mood was already souring. "I thought you of all people would understand." She whispered softly, and tried to fight off the stinging behind her eyes. She could not cry in Chuck Bass's penthouse.
Serena's face immediately softened, and she put her arm around Blair's slight shoulders. "I do understand, B… I guess I'm just surprised. Doing wild and crazy things is my deal." Serena laughed at herself, and Blair cracked a tiny smile. "I'm behind you one hundred percent. You want to go crazy?" Serena smiled devilishly. "Then let's do it." She grabbed Blair's hand and yanked her into the other room before Blair could even protest.
Not that she was going to anyway.
Serena spotted Nate and Carter right away (and Blair idly wondered if they ever detached from Chuck Bass). Serena dragged them both over, and Blair was hit with the tangy smell of pot. She coached herself not to grimace or cough, and after introductions (again) she finally had a handle on her gag reflexes. This is what crazy people did apparently, and Blair was all in.
"How's the birthday girl doing?" Carter purred at her, and Blair smiled back. He was a complete sleaze and she knew it, but wild Blair was going to flirt back.
"It's not my birthday anymore." She made sure to use her most alluring pout. Carter smirked back at her, and she reached out to snag his glass. It tasted foul, but she took a big sip before handing it back.
He smiled impressed, and Serena raised her eyebrows in surprise. Nate just continued smoking, and Blair wondered if he ever did anything else. Perhaps if she smoked, she too would be as mellow and relaxed as Nate Archibald. She considered asking for a puff, but then rethought it. She had to have a little control tonight.
"That's a shame," Carter returned, and sidled up to her, slipping his arm around her waist, and fitting his hand to her hip like it belonged there. She decided she would let it stand for now. Chuck was across the room with that same red head from her birthday, and they looked quite occupied.
Blair frowned.
"Something wrong?" Carter leaned in and whispered in her ear, so Nate and Serena couldn't hear them. Blair looked at her friend across from her, and she was already taking a hit from Nate's joint. Fabulous.
"Nothing," Blair assured him with a sugary smile, and grabbed for his drink again. She would need a little more liquid courage it seemed. She intended to talk to Chuck Bass tonight, and if she had to throw that red head off the balcony so be it.
"You're not like I thought you'd be." Carter continued to whisper into her ear, even though there was no need. Blair supposed this was part of his regular game and played along. He smelled good, and there was no harm in flirting.
"What did you think I'd be?" Blair returned, meeting his gaze head on. The blue of his eyes were murky, and she had the feeling that he saw a lot more than she wanted him to.
He just smiled and downed the rest of his drink. When he finished he let go of her waist and turned in the other direction. Blair thought he was just going to leave her there, but at the last minute he reached back for her hand, and mumbled "come on" before pulling her across the room to the boy she'd been thinking about all night long, and the red head attached to his lips.
"Bass." Carter interrupted, and Blair had to swallow the bile in her throat. That red head was Georgina Sparks, and while Blair tried her very best not to hate, she hated Georgie. That girl was a complete psychopath, and everyone knew it. She guessed Chuck didn't mind, and that irritated her more than it should have. Blair Waldorf didn't do jealousy, especially with Georgina Sparks. There was class, and then there was trash. Blair knew where she stood.
"Baizen." Chuck greeted him lazily, and shoved Georgina off his lap. Georgie's face fell for a moment, before she pulled it together, whispered something in his ear and stood up. She stopped when she saw Blair, and Blair waited for something nasty to come out of her mouth. Surprisingly, she just smirked in her usual taunting way and sauntered off.
"A friend of yours?" Carter asked, seeing the obvious tension.
"Hardly." Blair scoffed, and wished she'd had another drink in her hand. Here she was standing in front of Chuck Bass again, and she'd yet to say a word to him. Unfortunately, nothing witty came to mind, so she just waited to see how it all played out.
"Interesting." Carter smirked again, and Blair was growing annoyed with that knowing look. "I'm going down to Victrola. Waldorf is coming with me. You in?" Carter said this all very matter of fact, and Blair wanted to smack him. There was no way she was leaving the Bass penthouse, that Chuck Bass himself invited her to, to go anywhere with Carter Baizen. She was just about to say this when Chuck answered.
"Five minutes. I'll call the limo around." Carter nodded, and walked off towards Nate and Serena, leaving Chuck and Blair alone for the first time since her birthday. She knew she had to speak now, or forever look like that dimwitted mute girl his father's lawyer spawned.
"Thanks for the invite." She tried to sound cool and unaffected like Serena always did, but the look on his face told her she fell flat. He wasn't laughing though, thank God.
He nodded, and reached for the bottle of tequila that was currently sitting on the table before him. He raised it to his mouth and took a swig. Blair noticed a tiny trail slipped past his lips, and dribbled down his chin. She wondered what he would do if she went completely crazy and licked it off. When she met his eyes again, they were darker than before, and a chill ran through her body. If Carter saw things she didn't want him to, it was like Chuck saw all the way through her.
Blair sat down beside him without being invited, and reached for the bottle of tequila he was holding. He didn't loosen his grip, and soon both their hands were wrapped around the bottle. A kind of silent war she didn't even understand. Isn't this what people did around him, drink, do drugs, be crazy. She was trying to fit in, but she was already failing miserably. Chuck finally released his hold on the bottle, and sat back again. His eyes stayed on her though, and she was determined not to fail at whatever test he was giving her. She brought the bottle to her lips just like he did, and she managed to swallow a gulp without spitting it out. That was truly a feat though, because it tasted disgusting, and Blair wanted mouth wash more than anything.
Chuck took the bottle back from her and placed it on the table out of her reach. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn't have thought that purposeful, but something about Chuck told her every move he made was carefully planned out. He didn't want her drinking anymore of his Tequila, and she wasn't going to push it.
"Do you know what Victrola is?" He asked her, his voice low and seductive, but there was also amusement hiding in its depths tonight.
"A club." She guessed, and his smirk told her she wasn't right. "Not a club?"
A real smile cracked over Chuck's lips then, and she was even sure he'd actually laughed beneath his breath before responding. "I guess it's a club. Probably not your kind of club though."
"How would you know what my kind of club is?" She returned quickly before she lost her nerve. They were actually having a conversation, and she didn't want it to end. She could have told him that she didn't have a type of club, because she'd only been to one or two and liked neither. The loud music, the grinding sweaty bodies. It was too uncontrolled, too wild. She liked things her way, and things never were at places like that.
"Perhaps I don't." He looked away from her then, and closed his eyes. Blair felt like a complete failure. She couldn't even keep his attention for five minutes. "Do you like Carter?" The question shocked her, and she was silent for a minute too long, because he opened his eyes again and speared her with his dark gaze. She would swear on a stack of bibles that there was no one on the entire planet with eyes as black as his.
"Carter?" She repeated his name dumbly. She didn't even know Carter. He seemed amusing, but he was for Serena. Blair's fantasies only starred one dastardly prince, and his name wasn't Carter Baizen. She didn't think that was the appropriate response though. "He's interesting." She allowed, trying to seem more mysterious than she felt.
"He likes you." Chuck told her matter of factly, and she wished that he sounded like he cared even a little bit, but he didn't. There was no emotion behind his words, no warning even that Carter was a bad guy. He acted as if they were talking about what their favorite colors were.
"Does he?" Blair shrugged, and glanced around the room for Serena. She was nowhere to be found though, and Blair was getting antsy.
Chuck's phone buzzed in his pocket, and she was close enough to feel it. He pulled it out, read something that displeased him, and then excused himself to the other room, leaving Blair all by herself. This evening was not going as planned. Not only was Chuck not paying attention to her, but it seemed he was trying to foist her off on Carter. She needed her silk La Perla nightgown, and her favorite chocolate covered cherries.
The seat dipped beside her again, and she looked back hoping to find Chuck. Her misfortune continued though when she found Georgie there instead. That evil viper was eying her like she was breakfast and Blair began to feel queasy. She shouldn't have drank that Tequila.
"Can I help you?" Blair snapped, going on the defensive immediately. She couldn't give Georgie an inch, or who knew what would happen. Blair had nightmares of hair pulling, and shoe throwing – broken nails, and torn dresses. Georgina was just crazy enough to do that here, in front of all these people.
"You don't belong here, Blair. Look around you, you don't fit in." Georgina's eyes were alight with evil glee, and Blair really did want to slap her. She didn't need Georgie to put voice to every single insecurity running through her head right then. Where was Serena? Hell, where was Carter.
"Run along now, Georgina. I don't have time for your little games. I'm sure there are plenty of willing victims around here who haven't figured out just how vile you truly are." Blair tried to stand up then, but Georgie grabbed her with a vice like grip and pulled her back down hard.
"Do not walk away from me little girl." Georgie had violence in her eyes, and Blair felt her own anger rising. She yanked her arm away, and rubbed at the red imprint left behind. "I know why you're here. It's pathetically obvious, and you're not going to get what you want this time."
"Stop being delusional, Georgina." Blair chided her, and prayed her heart would calm down. Georgina couldn't know why she was there, or who she was there for, but Blair was beginning to panic. Georgie was just the evil kind of bitch who would use that against her and ruin her reputation. She could just hear the ladies from her mother's teas talking about that pathetic little Waldorf girl, panting after the Bass heir. She would not be the butt of anyone's joke… ever.
"He's out of your league." Georgie shot right back. Fear flared in Blair's eyes, and Georgie spotted it right away. A triumphant smile broke out across her mouth, and she leaned in extra close to Blair's face. "How sad and pathetic you are, Waldorf. You're just a little girl, and he's a man. You'd have no clue what to do with him." Georgie cackled, and Blair's face was white as a ghost. She wanted to puke right there on Chuck's expensive couch, and she would have had he not appeared at that moment.
"What's this?" He addressed his question to Georgina, and Georgie blanched but didn't respond. "I asked you a question." There was a warning in his voice that Blair didn't miss, and neither did Georgina.
An innocent expression overtook her features, and she stood up, getting as close to Chuck as she could. Blair looked away, but she could still hear them.
"Just a friendly little chat. Blair and I go way back." Georgina was a skilled liar, and Blair held herself back from calling her a deceitful bitch.
Chuck didn't.
"I doubt there was anything friendly about what I walked in on." Blair turned back, and watched the storm brewing in Chuck's eyes. He looked furious with Georgina, and Blair wanted to cheer. "The evening is at its end. I'll see you later." Chuck dismissed Georgie as if she was nothing, and though she huffed a little, she didn't fight him. She sent one last nasty look back at Blair before flouncing out of the room.
"Is the limo ready?" Blair wanted to forget that entire conversation, but she couldn't. Georgina knew her secret. Somehow she'd figured it out, and if she had what if others could tell as well. What if Chuck had just invited her here out of pity. She met his eyes once more, the solid blackness, that almost made him look soulless, and realized this man did nothing out of pity. He was working some angle with her. She just wasn't sure what.
"Did Georgina upset you?" He put out his hand to her, and Blair tentatively reached ouy for it and let him pull her up. He noticed the red impression on her arm, and pulled it up for his inspection. His cool fingers traced her heated flesh, and her pulse picked up again. This time he couldn't miss it, but he didn't comment. "I apologize."
"I'm not a child. I can take care of myself." Blair snapped, and jerked her arm away. She wasn't sure where it came from, but she regretted it the minute it came out. His eyes would go stormy with her now, and he'd order their evening to an end just like he did with Georgina. But when she met his gaze again, she didn't see reproach. She wasn't sure what she saw there, but it was different. Something a little wild and frightening, but exciting as well.
"I know." He held her gaze for a moment longer, and Blair took a small step closer to him. She couldn't help herself. He was a magnet, and everything inside of her was screaming to get closer, and closer. Hold on, and don't let go. He lifted his hand, and fingered a lock of her loose hair. She still couldn't look away from him, and he didn't seem to mind. The moment was consuming her. He was consuming her, and she yearned for him to do something, anything to make her feel even more alive than she already did.
Kiss me, she wanted to say, but didn't. She couldn't… yet. The moment was broken when Carter came up behind Chuck, that Humphrey boy right beside him. Neither seemed to notice that the world was changing right in front of their faces, or that Blair Waldorf had just fallen in love with the worst possible boy she ever could have loved. Even Blair didn't totally realize that. Chuck probably did, he had a knack for seeing through things, but he was too self destructive to say it out loud. He dropped his hand from her hair, and turned to his friends with an expectant look.
"Humphrey is coming along. His friend's going to get us the usual room with our favorite dancers." Carter chuckled, and Dan Humphrey shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably.
"Dancers?" Blair's voice was soft and far away. She was still in her own little world, with her own dark prince. But that much she did catch.
Chuck grinned, almost imperceptibly, but she caught it. Carter smirked, and stepped towards her and slid his arm around her waist again. She wanted to remove it promptly, but when she glanced at Chuck to see his reaction, he didn't have one. Her spirits deflated once more. She was creating an entire fairytale romance in her head, and her prince didn't even care that Carter Baizen was pawing at her right in front of him. She needed to get a grip and fast. Georgina had been right, she didn't fit in. But she could. Blair Waldorf could do anything she put her mind to.
"Victrola has a special kind of entertainment, sweetheart. I'm sure you'll love it." The mischievous look in Carter's eyes told Blair that he believed the exact opposite, and was just bringing her to amuse himself.
"I'm sure I will." She responded coolly, and stepped out of his reach. She turned towards Dan Humphrey and greeted him as if they were old friends, and not acquaintances who didn't really like one another. "How are you doing, Humphrey?"
"Alright." He answered back, and glanced between she, Carter and Chuck with confusion. Chuck hadn't said another word since Carter arrived, and she chanced a glance at him as well. He was frowning. When she looked back at Carter, he didn't look very pleased either. "Are we going?" Dan asked abruptly, stopping whatever silent pissing contest that was currently taking place. "Vanessa said she'd set us up, but she's off in an hour."
"The limo is out front." Chuck responded, and then walked ahead of the other three out of the door.
Carter had his arm around Blair's shoulders this time, and was pulling her along. She looked around once more for Serena, but didn't find her anywhere. Carter noticed what she was doing, and motioned for Dan to go ahead.
"Serena didn't want to come, she's on the balcony if you want to say goodbye. I'll see you downstairs… unless you decide not to come." He left it as a challenge to her, and she scowled in return. He was still laughing when he got onto the elevator, and she found Serena on the balcony talking to Nate and some other guys.
"Hey." Blair greeted her friend, and Serena disentangled from her fan club to talk to Blair. "You're not coming?" Blair couldn't hide the panic in her voice. "I thought you'd come."
Serena sighed, and a world weary smile crept over her features. Blair hated her for a minute before she remembered that was her best friend. "I've been to Victrola. I'm not in the mood. I promised Nate I would hang out with him and the guys… you could stay too. I think you should, Blair." Serena told her seriously.
Blair resented the concerned look on Serena's face, as if Blair couldn't handle herself at this club. Blair was not a child. She was the same age as Serena. Maybe they were worlds apart in experience, but Blair was tired of being held back. Tonight might not be perfect, but it was a step. She'd faced Georgina down, and won. Chuck was speaking to her. Carter was… well she knew him now. This was all going towards what she wanted. If she stayed here with Serena, she'd never grow up. She'd always be that child Blair Waldorf, or that prim and proper lady Blair Waldorf. She'd never just be Blair, and she needed that. She needed her own identity separate from everyone else.
"I'm going." She decided, and actually felt confident in her choice for once. Serena opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it. Instead, she leaned in and kissed Blair's cheek instead. "I'll be fine." Blair whispered, because she knew Serena worried.
"I know." Serena whispered back. "Go crazy." She giggled, and Blair laughed right along with her. Then Serena pushed her towards the door, with one final warning. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
Blair nodded, that worked for her. There wasn't a lot Serena van der Woodsen wouldn't do. And tonight, Blair was going to be the same way. She was going to break out of her shell. She was going to prove Georgina Sparks wrong. She was going to make Chuck Bass notice her, really notice her.
The driver held open the limo door for Blair, and she slid in beside Dan Humphrey. Carter and Chuck were on the other side, both glaring out the windows. Blair looked to Dan for some explanation, but he just shrugged and pulled out a dingy little notebook.
"What's that?" Blair asked, trying to make conversation. She didn't particularly care what made Dan Humphrey tick, but he'd managed to befriend two of the most powerful boys in the UES and she supposed that said something. There might just be more beneath the surface of his ill chosen clothes, and bad haircut.
"His journal." Carter chortled from the other side of the limo before Dan could respond. Blair squinted her eyes at him, and it did the trick because he stopped laughing. "He's a boy genius. Actually works for a living. He likes to write stories of all our glorious debauchery, and publish it in his column. We let him because it amuses us."
Blair paled. She did not intend to be written up in the society section and gossiped about. She turned to Dan with a hard glare. "I'll sue you if you write one word about me." She told him matter of factly. And as an afterthought, "My father is a lawyer… a very good one."
"That he is." Chuck agreed. "But Daniel's columns are anonymous. He gives us creative little pseudonyms so our parents can't yank our trust funds for bad behavior." Chuck and Blair's gazes once again met, a silent promise passing between them. "Don't worry." He said more softly, and Blair actually believed him.
"Alright, I guess." She didn't say another word for the rest of the trip. She just watched the city pass her by, and marveled at the fact that she was in her current company, headed to some shady club her mother would never approve of. She felt like sleeping beauty, finally waking up from her long slumber.
The car stopped, and Dan and Carter slid out first, no doubt in search of the infamous Vanessa. Chuck stayed behind with her, and motioned for his driver to shut the door on them. Blair sat frozen in her seat, wondering what was coming next. If he kissed her, she'd let him.
"You're sure?" He asked, and it was a real question. She realized then that if she backed out, he would take her home. He wouldn't laugh about it either. She wasn't sure how she knew, she just did. He was different from any other boy she'd ever met. Another astonishing realization came to her then. Not only did she want to be around him, practically need to be around him, but she felt safe around him. She knew he wouldn't bring her somewhere that would cause her harm. So without another thought to it, she smiled and nodded. He returned the gesture, and the door magically opened for them.
He held out his hand to her, and helped her out of the limo onto the street. The door opened for them, and they walked into a dark and smoky club. Just the kind of place people always got into trouble at in Blair's old movies. A thrill shot through her, and she gripped Chuck's hand even harder. He'd yet to let her go, and she wasn't going to be the one to pull away. She felt his thumb smooth over the back of her hand, in a comforting manner, and the smile on her face got even brighter. She should have hated this place, but she didn't.
"I love it." She breathed, and was surprised by her own voice.
Chuck turned to her, surprise evident on his face, before he covered it again with that familiar blank expression she was getting used to. "Do you?" She could tell he genuinely wanted to know.
"I do." She nodded. She let her eyes caress the entire room, taking in the lavish details. It was like stepping back in time. There were a few things she would change. Little details that were a bit off, and took her out of the fantastic dream the entire club presented, but overall it was stunning. She was glad she came, she wasn't sure she ever wanted to leave.
Chuck leaned in close then, and her entire body froze. If you asked her right then, she would have sworn even her heart stood still. He was so close she could smell his cologne, his own special mix she was sure. His hair brushed against her cheek, and she shivered. He had to feel it, but he didn't move back again. Instead he leaned in as close as possible, until she could almost feel his lips against her ear.
"I'm going to buy this place." He imparted this like a long held secret, and she sucked in a breath. He leaned away from her again, but still held her arm and pulled her over to the bar where the others were standing.
She looked around once more, and smiled. Yes, this was all Chuck Bass. The detail. The mystery. The beauty. It already belonged to him, she could feel it. And it belonged to her in a way too, because it was his secret and he'd given it to her. She felt as if she was walking on air, and nothing could knock her off tonight. He had her hand, and she cherished the feeling of his skin sliding against hers as they walked. He had some calluses, not many, but enough to make her curious. She dreamed of asking him about them, and of hearing one of his fabulous stories that only got whispered about in her mother's parlor.
At the bar, beside Carter and Dan, was a girl with black curly hair, and an outfit that left very little to the imagination. This must be Vanessa, Blair thought, and stiffened up. This girl was everything Blair wasn't, and that made her uncomfortable. She glanced at Chuck, but he was barely paying attention, and she relaxed.
"Bass." Vanessa greeted him with a snarl. Chuck rolled his eyes, and said nothing in return. No one else seemed to blink at this interaction so Blair assumed it must be normal. This made her smile. "And who's your cute little friend?" She turned to Blair with a probing look.
Blair's smile faded into a frown. She didn't appreciate being referenced as cute or little. Vanessa was sizing her up, there was no doubt about it. Blair returned the favor. Cheap make up, that this girl somehow made look good. Too tight dress, fishnet stockings, obviously a costume for the job. Her eyes were deep, an intensity in them that scared Blair a little. She wasn't the bimbo ditz Blair had expected. She wasn't someone Blair liked either.
"Blair Waldorf." Blair answered her haughtily, squaring her shoulders and meeting Vanessa's gaze directly. "And you'd be?" She turned the tables quickly, and she saw Vanessa do a double take, before she recovered and answered as well.
"Vanessa. We don't usually see girls like you around here." She emphasized the word 'girls', and Blair felt her nails sharpening. "Or keeping company with the likes of these guys." She nodded her head towards Carter and Chuck.
"Interesting," Blair returned. "You're exactly the kind of girl I thought I'd find here." Tension crackled all around them, and Dan began fidgeting beside Vanessa. Blair could tell he was warring between defending his friend, and just letting her handle it. If Blair could tell anything about Vanessa, it was that she could handle herself just fine. Humphrey was wise to stay silent. Carter began laughing right away, and whispered something into Chuck's ear that made him smile for a brief moment.
"Interesting, indeed." Vanessa backed off for the moment, but Blair didn't like the knowing gleam in her eyes. Vanessa was perceptive, and she was working out a very clear picture of Blair. "Alright, come to the back. I had Tabby set up your usual show, since you don't like mixing with the masses, Bass."
Blair wanted to inquire what the regular show was, but wisely kept silent. Chuck finally released her hand, and walked ahead of her and Dan to catch up with Carter and Vanessa. Blair watched the three of them bantering back and forth, and felt her chest tighten. This was out of her depth.
"What's wrong?" Humphrey's voice shocked her out of her fantasies of doom, and she snapped her eyes back up to his. He didn't look concerned so much as curious. That bastard was probably trying to get material for his little column. She would have to research it tomorrow morning, and try to figure out who everyone was in his little stories. Then she'd have to look out for herself as well. That thought almost made her smile. "Gonna back out?" He was teasing her then, and she scowled at him. It didn't ruffle him like it did others, though. "Wouldn't blame you. Never thought I would see Blair Waldorf at a place like this. Not your style is it?"
"And it's yours Humphrey?" Dan said nothing. "I didn't think so. Come along now." She looped her arm through his and pulled him into the private room with her. She could play this cool. She could prove them all wrong, even herself.
The room they walked into was almost as elaborate as the one they'd just left. It was decorated with fabulous drapes, and the couches were covered with fine, rich fabric. And there in the middle of the room was a small little stage. Blair eyed it warily, and wondered what would come next. Dan had already walked away from her, and perched himself on a singular chair near the side of the stage. He had his trusty notebook out, and he was already jotting something down. No doubt he was going to regale his readers about the seedy club underworld that Blair Waldorf had willingly walked into.
Carter came up behind her, and placed his hands on her hips as he guided her towards the couch. She was quickly becoming tired of this touchy feely crap from him, but saying so would cause a scene, so she refrained. She settled for giving him a withering glare, and it did the trick because he removed his grasp on her, and moved to the other side of Chuck. Chuck was sitting down in the middle of the sofa that was directly in front of the stage. Blair slid down beside him, careful to keep a respectable amount of space, but not so much so that she couldn't feel the warmth from his body.
He turned to her while Carter and Vanessa argued about who would be performing. "Something to drink?" He asked solicitously. His eye lashes were so thick they could have been found on a girl. They were beautiful on his face though, making him look exotic up close like that. "Champagne?" He offered when she didn't respond.
"Yes," she agreed. Champagne sounded perfect. This was to be a celebration. She was spending the evening at a scandalous club with Chuck Bass. She laughed softly to herself. When she turned back to him, she found him watching. "What?" She asked, suddenly self conscious.
"You're a surprise." He said cryptically, and then motioned for Vanessa to come over. She did with a scowl, and scoffed at his order of champagne and strawberries. She however took his more than generous tip when he handed it to her. Blair frowned at her as she walked away. "You have to get used to her." Chuck shrugged, and then lounged back further against the cushions, preparing for the show.
Blair sat up stiffly, and once again took in the room. Dan at his notepad, jotting away. Carter flirting with a recently arrived blonde in barely there clothes. Chuck with that same inscrutable look on his face, that was quickly driving Blair crazy. Vanessa came back with the champagne and strawberries, and Blair poured herself a glass before anyone else could reach for it. She promptly swigged it down, and poured herself some more. Carter gave her an odd look, but Chuck was too busy flirting with the blonde to even notice. She grabbed for a strawberry and turned to find Dan Humphrey watching her with an intent look on his face. She stared back until his cheeks turned a bit pink, and he looked back down. She wasn't sure what that was all about, and she didn't care.
"More?" Carter held the champagne bottle out to her. It was another challenge. She could feel it. Blair said nothing, and just held her glass out to him. He filled it to the very top, and smiled very pleased with himself. "Much better. Sit back and relax, Waldorf. The show's about to begin."
The blonde was on the stage now, with another blonde, a brunette, and a girl with long black hair, and a peculiar looking face. Blair leaned back against the couch like Carter and Chuck were, and sipped on her champagne. The music was bluesy number that swirled around the room, and made everything feel more dangerous. Expectation crackled in the air, and Blair closed her eyes for a moment to soak it all in.
When she opened them, she turned her head and found Chuck's intense black eyes. She held his gaze with more confidence than she had before, and tipped back the rest of her champagne. He held a strawberry up to her lips when she finished, and she watched him as she took a tiny bite. The juice still spilled over her lips, and dribbled along her chin. Chuck's gaze followed the liquid, before Blair couldn't stand it anymore and wiped it away. She couldn't bare his gaze any longer either without doing something ill advised, so she turned away from him and back to the stage where the women from earlier were moving around to a beat of their own. The champagne swirled in her veins, and the music overtook her. She was living, truly living. The show continued, and sometime during the first number she felt Chuck's arm come out and rest on the back of the couch behind her. His fingers tickled her shoulder, drawing things she couldn't begin to decipher. Then just as the music hit it's crescendo, and the dance truly turned into something beautiful she felt his fingers tangling through her hair.
His hand didn't move for the rest of the show, or even the encore. She felt her freedom like it was a tangible thing, and after they dipped into their second bottle of champagne she found herself kicking off her heels, and draping her bare legs over his lap, her feet landing on Carter's knees. Carter didn't seem to notice, and if Chuck minded himself he didn't show it. Chuck adjusted to her new position easily, and the hand that had been wrapped so securely around her hair, found its way to her bare knee where it stayed for the remainder of the evening.
The music eventually died down, and Vanessa (who was apparently still on duty) came back into the room. She said something to Dan, and then helped another server pick up the empty champagne glasses, and bowl of remaining strawberries. Her eyes locked with Blair's, and took in the very interesting situation Blair found herself in. Blair wasn't sure what the look on Vanessa's face meant. If she thought Blair was too wanton, or wished she was in her place. It didn't matter. Blair no longer cared. She just smirked at her. Vanessa nodded, and left the room without another word.
Carter dropped some bills onto the table, and Blair carefully slid her legs off Chuck's lap. She found her heels on the floor, and slipped her feet into them. Chuck was standing when she finished, and put his hand out to help her stand. She took it, and when they walked out of Victrola, it was with his arm around her waist. She wasn't sure if he wanted to be close to her, or if he was simply concerned she would topple over with all the alcohol she had drank. She didn't care. He was holding her close, and she let herself cuddle into his side, taking in the hard planes of his body. It felt wonderful, and she burrowed in even closer. She gripped his shirt when they made it outside, and ducked her head. He helped her into the limo first, and she leaned back into him the moment he got in beside her.
She couldn't focus very much on the ride back. Carter and Chuck exchanged a few words. Dan Humphrey mumbled, and continued to scribble in his pad. Blair glared at him as best she could, but she was too content curled up beside Chuck to muster up that much annoyance with him.
She did get one thing very clear as they made their way through the city. "Don't give me a dumb name… I'll sue." She murmured. Dan nodded, and went back to his notebook. The arm Chuck had curled around her shoulders pulled her even closer, and she leaned in resting her face against his chest. Her eyes closed next, and then oblivion.
Sometime later, it could have been an hour, it could have been five minutes. She awoke to Chuck brushing a piece of hair back from her face.
"Come on, Cinderella." Carter intruded on their moment, and she was tempted to spit in his face but kept herself in check. He pulled her out of the limo, and steadied her on her feet, before he started back for the limo.
"Wait," Dan Humphrey was the one to protest. "You're just going to leave her?"
Blair felt just as incredulous, but then she was quite certain she was drunk and couldn't make the necessary protests. She spotted her doorman Henry out of the corner of her eye, and the man was doing his best to make sure she didn't fall flat on her face. Her heels were making her wobble, and the pavement kept moving beneath her.
"Her doorman will make sure she gets in. Come on, Humphrey. We want to hit up that new club Gabriel just invested in. He's having a private party tonight." Carter stepped back into the limo, and held the door impatiently for Dan. Dan looked between Carter and Blair, and frowned. "Coming?"
Dan shook his head. Carter laughed at him and called him a "good little boy" before shutting the door. Dan and Blair stood with the doorman at two am in the morning and watched Chuck Bass's limo disappear down the street. Her magical evening had most definitely come to an end.
"Come on." Dan took her arm, and Henry followed behind them into the building. "Any way I can get her up there without you telling her parents?" Dan asked hopefully. Henry nodded, and Dan pulled Blair towards the elevator.
She kept herself mostly upright while they went, but when they finally got to her apartment she had to lean on Dan to get up the stairs. She pointed him into her room, and he deposited her onto one of her chairs before heading for the exit.
"Humphrey?" Blair called out to him, and he stopped, but didn't turn around to face her. "Thanks I guess." She whispered, before kicking her shoes off and crawling onto her bed. She heard her door open and then click shut again before she let darkness completely take her over.
She dreamt of him that night, but these dreams were different from any others she'd ever had. He was no longer her knight in shining armor. He was something darker, much more dangerous. His black eyes gleamed, and Blair shivered in her sleep. He was haunting her now, and the scariest part was she didn't mind at all. She liked this version even better than the fairytale.