Sticks and Stones/Skulls and Bones
Summary: Chuck Bass discovers that he is an heir to membership in a secret society. Chuck learns that things are not all they seem within the group. As he becomes more involved, he realizes that he needs the help of his friends or he will not be able to fulfill his legacy. With Blair helping him, will Chuck emerge with his heart intact? (Chuck/Blair, Serena/Nate)
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Sticks and Stones/Skulls and Bones
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl. I am just a dreamer, who wishes that Chair would happily get together. Since we don't get a Gossip Girl Valentine's Day special from the CW, we can create our own.
If you like this storyline or even if you don't, send me a review.
Blair arrived from Constance, feeling two emotions she rarely ever felt, humiliation and fear. Today, had been the third worse day she had experienced in her teenage life. The first instance had been the day that Chuck had compared her to one of his father's Arabian horses. She didn't know what was more insulting about that statement, the fact euphemism or the fact that the particular animal in question was a horse. The second time was when she thought Chuck was going to fall from the Victrola's rooftop.
Blair was completely aware of the fact that Chuck Bass was responsible for two of the most horrifying events in her short life. However, today's events were entirely of her own creation. One woman, a schoolteacher from the Midwest, had been responsible for Blair's detention, suspension, and had almost ruined her chances to getting into Yale. Since she felt threatened, her natural reaction, was to retaliate.
Honestly, Blair was not surprised when Miss Carr continued to fight back against her. What was astounding to Blair, was the fact that Miss Rachel Carr had interloped her way into the hearts of some of the most powerful people in Manhattan. After being accused of having an affair with a student, Miss Rachel Carr was back in the classroom. That fact, alone, spoke of the fact that Blair and her family were not nearly as powerful as she wished. "This never would have happened to Chuck Bass", she thought to herself.
Just then, her cell phone began to ring. Without looking at her caller identification, she picked up the call. Blair and Serena were supposed to be attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala. This season, the Met was featuring an exhibit dedicated to Audrey Hepburn, style icon. Her sheer enthusiasm for all things Audrey, is what led her to take a call she otherwise have sent to voice mail.
She answered, "Hey, S! What are you wearing to the Gala, tonight? I was thinking of wearing the frock...".
Before she could finish her sentence, Blair was interrupted by the unmistakably smug voice of Chuck Bass. "Ah, Blair...I haven't heard you speak to me in such an enthusiastic manner in so very long. Before you hang up on me, I have a favor to ask. I really only involves translating a note for me", Chuck said.
"Why would I want to translate or do anything for you, Chuck Bass? I haven't seen you in weeks. I could have used your help against that bitch, Rachel Carr", she said angrily.
"I know that I have been absent for some time, but doesn't absence make the heart grow fonder? Translate this message for me and I will tell you what I did for you, today", he said humbly.
"What did you do for me, today? Invite Rachel back to her teaching position. From my perspective, today sucked. So unless, you are living in an alternate universe, you have done nothing for me", she stated.
"My car is downstairs, waiting. I don't have long before I need to arrive at this event. Come over to the Palace and I will tell you, everything", Chuck said.
Blair was curious as to what Chuck may have done to help her. He probably had something to do with the fact that she was no longer expelled. If that was the case, she owed it to him to do this one favor. Besides, she would be able to check up on him, without seeming like an "overly concerned wife". Blair grabbed her coat and headed out towards the elevator, to discover the truth behind Chuck's statements.
Due to Rodolpho's crafty driving, Blair arrived at the Palace within ten minutes. During her ride in the limo, she was nervously fidgeting in anticipation of seeing Chuck. The last times she had seen him he had looked like hell. Serena said he was at the last opera performance, but she had been preoccupied. If he looked like the newest member of Celebrity Rehab, she was going to leave. She could never be the Michelle Williams to his Heath Ledger.
While he was waiting for Blair, he dressed in his newest suit from the Alexander McQueen menswear line. If the presentation of the invitation were any indication, his hosts appreciated both style and quality. His interest was definitely piqued. The society he had met in the fall had been full of pretenders. They wanted to be members of the Skull and Bones, but instead settled for membership in the Kappa Alpha Society. Chuck was hopeful that this invitation was for the most prestigious of the two organizations.
Blair arrived at Chuck's suite looking splendid, in a ruffled red Zac Posen dress. She had on a red diamond studded headband, as was her signature, and gorgeous black stilettos. Chuck mentally reminded himself that he did not call her over to ravish her. he requested that she come over so that she could translate his invitation and he was going to attempt to keep his seduction to a minimum.
There was something frighteningly normal about his situation. In most cases, it would play out with the overly intellectual girl tutoring the popular, athletic guy. However, they were not normal teenagers. She was Blair Waldorf, heir to an design house, and he was Chuck Bass. This was certainly not the scene in the movie where the two overcome their differences, so that they could attend their senior prom. She was going to the Metropolitan Museum's Gala and he was about to go to the meeting for a secret society.
Blair appeared to be as much in awe of the irony of the situation, as he was. Looking in his living room mirror, they looked like the picturesque society couple. Individually, they were both attractive people; together, they were stunning. She remembered that she was not here because he was he date to tonight's exhibit opening. Instead, she was there to offer him assistance in translating what was probably some cryptic message left by a highly literate woman he had scorned.
She broke the silence by stating, "Chuck, you look very clean. I never thought I would be able to say this, but prolonged sobriety becomes you" .
"Thanks, Blair. I can always rely on you for the perfect backhanded compliment. Here is the invitation; once you translate it, I will tell you about today's events", Chuck said, while handing his invitation over to Blair.
Blair took a minute to read the invitation over, then asked, "Chuck, where did this come from? Did you find this in your father's safe?"
"I will tell you where it came from, after you tell me what it means", he said.
"The phrase is Latin, it means 'all glory and honor is his'. Traditionally, a phrase like this would probably come from Catholic mass, but being a Protestant, I wouldn't know for sure. In your case, I am sure this invitation did not come from a priesthood.", she stated.
Chuck told her, "No, it did not. I believe this invitation is from a different type of organization than the Catholic church. I think this may have come from the fabled Skull and Bones society".
Blair stared at Chuck incredulously, "Chuck Bass! Have you been holding out on me? Did you apply to Yale, when everyone thought you were having a breakdown?"
"Not exactly. I have hesitated in telling you, because I knew that you would probably be annoyed when you heard the truth. My father secured my acceptance into the major colleges of the Ivies prior to dying. Despite all of my screwing up, he wanted to ensure that I would be equipped with the knowledge he needed in order to lead Bass Industries", Chuck told her, somberly.
"You mean that you have been accepted to Yale, this entire time? I don't know whether to hug you out of happiness or yell at you in anger", she said.
Chuck told her, "I figured you might feel that way, so I decided to keep it to myself. If you were accepted, then we would have the opportunity to pal around in New Haven. If not, then I would resort to my back up schools, as well".
Blair was astounded. She asked him,"What does this all mean? We can't go back to being how we once were. Pardon the phrasing, but I will not be your booty call. You and I are both better than that".
"I agree with you. We cannot go back to where we once were. I was foolish, when I thought that other women could make me as happy as you. When I was Thailand, I filled my nights that girls who could not even hold a candle to you. I am tired of call girls and their pedestrian ways. It is time that I become the type of guy that Yale wants, the type of guy I am sure that you want", he said.
Blair couldn't believe her ears; she was probably dreaming. Dorota would be coming to wake her up, soon. However, Chuck Bass was standing across from her, with the most sincere look on his face she had ever seen. "Where do we go, from here? Do we go back to being friends or something more?", she asked, hopefully.
"Blair, there is nothing I would like to do more than tell you that we will be together from now until the end of eternity. However, I still have some more growing up to do. Let's take it slow and see where being friends can lead", Chuck said.
Blair contemplated his statement, before replying, "Okay, that is not exactly the answer I was expecting, but I will accept it. Listen, I have to go. Serena is waiting for me, over at the Met. Do you think you and your limo would be able to drop me off?"
"That would not be a problem. Let me grab my coat and the invitation. Then, we will be on our way", Chuck said.
As they were leaving the Palace, Chuck realized that he hadn't told Blair about her Yale acceptance. Their conversation had went so well, he did not want to rock the boat. Perhaps, if he allowed their relationship to grow, the right time would present itself. Now, was not that time. Not, when Blair Waldorf was sitting next to him in his limo.
She always looked beautiful in red and tonight was not an exception. The scene caused him to conjure images of the two of them, entwined on the leather seats, after that fateful night at Victrola. It would take all of his will power to remain in the car and watch her enter the museum with Serena. If he didn't know the magnitude of his invitation, he would chased after her like a child after the dessert cart at the Rainbow Room.