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)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sticks and Stones/Skulls and Bones: Chapter Four

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl. I am just a dreamer, who wishes that Chair would happily get together.

Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews! I have changed the Latin phrasing, in the prior chapter, thanks to Charity89. Also, for the sake of the story, Uncle Jack never made an appearance. Instead, Lily accepted guardianship of his, following the funeral.

I must confess that I have a great fondness for Brooklyn; some of my happiest memories have been made there. In answer to your questions, there really is an establishment in Brooklyn called Monkeytown.

If you like this storyline or even if you don't, send me a review.

It seemed like it took the taxi an eternity to arrive at Chuck's destination, Monkeytown. Chuck rarely took taxis, let alone mass transit. However, there was something to be said for the anonymity that one found when traveling in Brooklyn. Generally, "gossip girl" and her minions did not travel over the bridge. Anyone here with a camera was either a fashion insider shooting what they considered to be the next big thing or a tourist who wanted to preserve their memories of local hipsters.

Monkeytown was located in what used to be a crumbling warehouse district. Across the street, there was an ironically placed motorcycle biker bar. Monkeytown was fairly nondescript; passersby could probably not determine whether it was a storefront, gallery, or bar. However, it appeared to be a restaurant with somewhat posh seating and futuristic décor. Once inside, Chuck spotted Blair, sitting at the bar. Although, she was overdressed for this particular establishment, no one seemed to be staring. Since the area was gentrified, locals had become accustomed to seeing the occasional slumming celebrity or socialite.

Blair was sipping the bar's signature martini, "the dirty banana". She was curious to find out how Chuck's night had played out and relieved that he wasn't spending the rest of it with some harlot. Even though neither one of them would be described as nice people, most of their friends and families wished to see them work out their relationship. When she had last talked to her father about Chuck, he seemed disappointed that the two of them were no longer an item. This was a unique contrast to the undisguised disgust her mother normally expressed whenever they would talk about him.

Blair felt someone staring at her. She turned around to find the aforementioned Chuck Bass in the doorway of the restaurant. She gave a little wave and turned her attention back to her drink.

"What brings a girl like you to these parts of New York?", Chuck asked, jokingly.

Blair smiled and said, "The same thing that brings you here. The fact that neither one of us has to worry about gossip girl. I do believe that is why we were sent here".

Chuck nodded in agreement. "There is something blissfully calming about being able to walk on empty streets without being followed by some camera phone wielding brat", he said.

"Besides, we wouldn't have the same experience that you can get here. This place seems straight out of The Clockwork Orange", she commented.

Chuck was puzzled by her comment, so he asked, "What do you mean by that? This looks like any bar we could find in the Lower East Side."

"Have you seen the hallway, here? Or the film screening room, in the back?", Blair asked.

His interest piqued, Chuck decided that they should check out the screening room. He grabbed Blair's hand and led her down a strangely lit corridor. At the door of the room, there was a man with a clipboard posted. On the clipboard, there appeared to be a list of instructions.

"May I have your names?", he asked.

Chuck looked at Blair, then stated, "I am Mr. Charles Bass and this is my friend, Ms. Blair Waldorf".

Apparently, their names were on the list, because the man checked them off and stepped aside. Once they were inside the room, they found four ceiling to floor movie screens. There was ample seating on white leather couches with small white end tables, that were strategically positioned throughout the space. In the back corner, wearing a fetishistic serving costume, was a blond girl who appeared to be in her mid-twenties. She had on five inch patent leather stilettos, patterned tights, and a short French maid uniform.

"If only she was a brunette", Chuck thought, to himself. Lately, he seemed to have a thing for brunettes.

The girl stepped forward, carrying a silver serving tray that appeared to have a note on it.

She said, "Hi, my name is Una. I am here to serve you, tonight. I was told to give you this note, prior to showing the movie. Tonight, we will be screening the movie, My Fair Lady. Here is a menu; if there is nothing there to your liking, I will attempt to find an alternative". After handing the note to Chuck, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

"I love My Fair Lady! Sometimes feel like I am Eliza Doolittle trapped in a world of people much more refined", Blair said, enthusiastically.

While Blair sat, anxiously waiting for the movie to begin, Chuck read the note Una gave to him. The note said:

Dear Charles,

This is a chance to redeem yourself. Show her that you care, like you never have before. In this movie, there are lessons to be learned.

Yours,

Harold

After reading the note, Chuck placed it into his jacket pocket. He had seen My Fair Lady, before, on one of the numerous occasions that Blair had turned to him for comfort, after Nate did something to upset her. In the past, he had thought she liked the movie because Audrey Hepburn portrayed a bumbling girl with a cockney accent. He always found it ironic that the professor continued to mistreat Eliza, even though it was obvious that she had the potential to be beautiful girl. In many contemporary interpretations, Eliza Doolittle was portrayed as a feisty girl who did not stand for the professor's intolerance.

As Blair continued to watch the numerous screens, mesmerized by a story she had seen countless times, Chuck continued to ponder Harold's note. Perhaps, his lesson was to realize that Blair identified herself with the unworthy flower girl more so than the refined British socialites. In Chuck's prior treatment of Blair, he had reinforced that she wasn't good enough for someone like him. The fact that her ex-boyfriend Nate tended to treat her in a similar manner, probably added insult to injury.

No wonder she was outwardly vicious; one of the only men who treated her with respect was her father. Women would probably disregard her in a similar manner, but she had solidified her position as the most powerful girl in the pack, by behaving in such a cutthroat fashion. The girls at Constance, as well as other women in the Upper East Side, had learned that mistreating Blair led either to social or character destruction. On a few occasions, her victims experienced both. Her unspoken motto was respect or be disrespected.

All of her plotting and backstabbing really seemed to be a cry for affection. If she were as well liked as Serena, she would never have to stoop to such lows. Even her mother seemed to value Serena more than she did her own daughter. Chuck could relate to this dynamic, since he and Blair were similar in many ways. Perhaps, if he had received the same positive reinforcement Nate had as a child, his life would be different. Instead, he had grown into a guy who often chose to disappoint his loved ones, rather than receive no attention at all.

Chuck was shaken from his revelry by a knock at the door. "It is probably Una", he said. These were the first words he had said in quite some time.

Before Una could reach them, Blair turned away from the screen to look at him. "Are you alright? You seem a bit distant", she asked.

"I have never been better. That note helped me to realize something I should have thought about much sooner", he thought.

Standing before them, Una asked, "have you two thought of what you would like to order?"

Chuck answered, before could with the words,"Surprise us".

With that, Una turned back towards the door and left them with their thoughts. Blair was curious as to Chuck's statement. She had been so focused on the movie, which she loved,that she had not asked about the content of the note. When Chuck had initially requested her help in the translating his invitation, she had been reluctant to help. To Blair, his invitation to join the society had meant sordid activities, not a night of watching Audrey Hepburn. Perhaps, her preconceived notions regarding the group and its members had been incorrect.

Rather than using his prior tactics of seduction, Chuck wondered what he could do to convince Blair that he truly cared about her. She seemed immune to his flowers or jewelry. On prior occasions, he had promised her a European vacation, but that had fell through. Perhaps, the key to establishing a working relationship with her was to focus on the things she was truly interested in. Besides her love of Audrey Hepburn movies and certain clothing designers, there were certain details about Blair that had remained unspoken between them.

She was an intelligent girl; Chuck was sure that her reading extended beyond the high fashion magazines she was fond of. Otherwise, Blair could not have been in academic competition with Dan Humphrey and Nellie Yuki. As long they had known one another, their relationship had revolved around superficial conversations and plotting. As the nature of their friendship grew more sexual, they were both more focused on where and when their next hook up would be.

For them to work, they needed to move beyond the fact that they were attracted to one another. Chuck realized that they needed to actually get to know one another. He had never been adept at learning what women liked, beyond the bedroom. It was why he never had a steady girlfriend. It was much easier for him to pay women or bribe them, then to actually get to know them.

Perhaps, he needed Harold's help, more than he had initially realized. Harold was one of Blair's favorite people. She would do anything to make her father happy. During his brief affair, last year, Chuck wished that she would gaze upon him with the same adoration that she showed her father, if not more.

After a short period of time, Una arrived with a large serving platter. On the platter, there was an assortment of cheeses, breads, a bottle of vintage cabernet sauvignon, and two red wine glasses. Chuck had not eaten for hours, so he began to attack the snacks, voraciously.

Blair, however, picked up a piece of bread and started to nibble on it. He eyed her with concern, wondering if he should bring up the question that was most obvious.

Grasping for an ice breaker, Chuck started with, "Blair, I have a question for you. I am proposing renovations that should help improve business at The Palace. Do you think we should install a new gym and spa facility?"

Blair considered his question, then answered, "It would definitely attract new residents, if not also bring in more guests. Serena and I would definitely use the facilities, whenever we are in the city".

Chuck was relieved that she had provided the perfect segue for him. "Blair, I think it would be great if you came to the gym, with me. I wanted to start a new routine and it could carry over while I am at college. We could start off by going once a day, if you'd like", he said.

It was one of the few ways he knew for him to express concern for the fact that he hoped her eating disorder had not resurfaced, without mentioning eating or going off to rehab.

After a few moments she said, "I would like that, actually. It will help me get accustomed to the fact that, in a few months, Serena will not be around for everything I do".

Relieved that the conversation was going better than he thought it would, Chuck decided to ask Blair more questions about her plans for the upcoming months. As they picked on the cheese and bread, he continued to learn more facts about her that he previously did not know. In the past, if one had asked him how much he knew about her, he would have answered "everything". However, there was a lot to be discovered about a person, when both you and that person are open to sharing.

The time slowly passed on, before Una returned to collect their plates and the remainders of the appetizer. They were slowly making progress with the bottle of wine, but had not finished it. Blair felt herself growing warmer by each glass, but was not at the point of being tipsy. Between the ambiance and the movie, she grew happier with the idea of being out with Chuck. During their past encounters, they had never actually been on a date.

Even though, this was not officially a date, it certainly felt like one. Serena and the rest of their friends were not around; they were not here because some tragedy brought them together. This was not a society event and their parents or guardians were nowhere in sight. Throughout the night, he had remained a gentleman, without one lewd comment. Onlookers probably thought they were two lovers who had been dating for quite some time. Never one to give compliments freely, Blair decided to tell Chuck how much she enjoyed being with him.

"Chuck, thank you for calling me, tonight. If you hadn't needed help, we wouldn't be enjoying this time together. This has probably been the most enjoyable night I have had, in a long time", she said. When she had started to speak, she noticed that he had started to tense up. Upon finishing her sentence, he visibly exhaled. It was obvious that he had been expected for her to say something insulting.

Chuck wished that could take credit for the way that the night had progressed, but he knew that he had Harold to thank. However, he could not tell her that her father was involved.

So, Chuck thought of the best reply he could come up with. He said, "Skip class with me, tomorrow".

"It wouldn't exactly be skipping class for you, would it? I have been meaning to ask how you have been avoiding the halls of St. Jude", she said, while not answering his request.

"After my marijuana incident with Dean Queller, Lily realized that I was not in any shape to be in school. It has been a huge help, having her as my guardian. She actually cares,"he said, sadly.

"Does that mean your graduation will be delayed? I asked Serena, but she has grown tired to telling details about you", Blair said.

Chuck knew they were about to embark on a conversation about Yale. However, he did not know whether or not it was the best time to tell Blair about his conversation with the Dean of Admissions. On the other hand, if he kept his actions from her and she found out, he would have hell to pay. In keeping with his decision to rehabilitate his life, he decided to tell her the truth.

Chuck hesitated then said, "I will be graduating with you, in the spring. However, there is something I need to tell you. It concerns Yale. I wasn't going to tell you at first, but things are going well, right now".

In the back of her mind, she knew there was something suspicious about the fact that Chuck knew he was accepted to Yale. She knew that Dan and Serena were initially accepted. However, Serena declined her early acceptance. Was Chuck Bass the reason she was wait listed? She had worked so hard, over the years. This was how she received repayment, for that work? With restraint, she said, "Are you the reason why Yale wait listed me?"

Chuck shook his head vehemently, knowing that if she thought he was the obstacle holding her back, things between them may never improve. "No, Blair, I am not the reason why you were wait listed. I am, however, the reason why you should arrive home to find your letter of acceptance on you bureau".

Blair didn't know whether to be furious or elated. "I have dedicated enough of my time to working on improving my transcript to know that I do not need your help to get into Yale. Chuck Bass, what did you do?", she asked.

Bracing himself for her backlash he stated, "I did what you would have done for me. I pulled a few strings, made a few phone calls. I was sick of sitting at home, hearing from gossip girl, about the way in which that bitch of a teacher was destroying everything you had ever worked for". Chuck deliberately left out the fact that he had made their acceptance a package deal, one that proved to be attractive to the admissions board.

"You helped me, for no reason at all? Your motivation was the fact that you were tired of hearing about all the crap that was happening to me?", she questioned.

Chuck slowly nodded, waiting for the inevitable onslaught of nasty words that was about to come. Those words, however, did not come. Blair quickly leaned over and started to kiss him. What was intended to be a quick peck on the lips, slowly evolved into a lengthy kiss. As their lips continued to move and their tongues made a gentle foray into the other's mouth, Chuck realized how much he had missed this. The feelings he was experiencing could only be explained by one word, love.