Your Halo Has A Screw Loose, Angel

Summary: Blair whips out her claws and Chuck worries a little...

Ch. 4: Careful What You Wish For, B

Blair walked confidently through the Van der Woodsen-Bass apartment and strode up to the imposing door that led to Bart's office. Her delight at hearing what Chuck had done to Serena was a little unnatural perhaps, but it's not like she expected anything else from him. She was just pleased to finally have something concrete against him, and she was going to waste no time in using it. Maybe this wasn't her normal way of combating, but Chuck had evaded the blows she dealt him at school long enough. If she wasn't able to take him out of the Upper East Side social scene, she'd just have to settle for making his new home life hell. She pulled out her eye drops and made sure she looked suitably distraught before walking into what might be her greatest triumph yet.

Bart was deeply concentrated in his work, looking over a certain business proposal he was almost sure he would reject. He was counting down the hours before he'd be leaving on a jet plane to St. Thomas with his darling ladylove. Lily had been hoping to leave immediately after the wedding (She's in such a hurry to be alone with me, he thought, ever so pleased with himself), but Bart had had to disappoint his queen by informing her he just had one more thing to take care of before they could go off into their world of bliss. He looked up briefly to check the time and found himself face-to-face with a terrified-looking Blair Waldorf. Uncomfortably, he cleared his throat and looked inquiringly at the young lady before him.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt your work, Mr. Bass, and I know that you're in a hurry, but I think there's something you should know," Blair began breathlessly.

Bart was justifiably nonplussed. What could this girl, whom he had only ever exchanged vague pleasantries with, possibly have to say to him? But she was Serena's friend, after all, and he was determined to make a good impression on everyone connected to his new family. "No worries, Blair. Please continue."

"You might think that Serena has been acting a little less than enthusiastic about your marriage to Mrs. Van der Woodsen…"

Already Bart didn't like where this was heading. He had, of course, noticed than Serena's receptions to his fatherly advances were a little less than welcoming and far nearer to cold than he'd anticipated, but he had tried to avoid thinking about it as much as he could.

"The thing is, she really admires you and both of us think you're perfect for her mom. Which is why I, too, found it strange that she seemed so down all the time. When I finally confronted her about it last night, she confessed something horrible to me," Blair paused for dramatic effect, making sure that she was leaving her audience on the edge of their seats.

Bart felt himself growing impatient. What in the world was going on? "Well, tell me before I get too old," he chuckled in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

"It's Chuck!" She nearly squeaked out, "He tried to force himself on Serena last year, when she got back from boarding school. Ever since then, she's felt really uncomfortable around him, obviously. And it's been haunting her. Oh, Mr. Bass, you should have seen her face when she was telling me last night. It was just awful,"

Bart Bass almost literally turned to stone in his very seat. Unable to believe his ears or even move a muscle, he struggled to get out a simple, "Are you sure about this?"

Blair nodded very seriously and continued, "I know it's not really Chuck's fault. He just gets carried away sometimes, I'm sure."

Bart had never been so shocked in his life. He knew his son was basically a good-for-nothing troublemaker, and he never tired of reminding him of that very fact, but he couldn't understand how it had ever come to this. "Tell Serena she'll never have to worry about something like that again," he finally choked out. Regaining his composure, he simply stated, "Please, ask Charles to come see me on your way out. I'll take care of this."


Chuck sat staring at the walls of his new bedroom in wonder. It was a concept he didn't know if he would ever get used to. His father had definitively told him no more sleepovers at the Palace Hotel suite. He was now to come home every weeknight, at least, have dinner with "the family", and sleep in his own bed. Even more horrifying, Chuck would be sharing the room with Erik Van der Woodsen. Obviously, this was a move by his beloved father to ensure he wouldn't be able to have any "guests" over. Not that he had even been in the mood to indulge in his womanizing ways lately. "It's not like there isn't enough space for me to have my own room," he had whined, but his father had remained firm, even after some slight protests from Lily (and, of course, more vehement ones from Erik). There was a knock at the door, and Chuck said, "Come in," without really caring who it was or what they wanted.

"I'd say it was good to see you, Bass, but you know how much I hate liars," Blair was standing in his doorway, smiling in that eerily pleasant way she had perfected over the years. So that you could never tell if she was about to kiss you or kill you.

Chuck felt his heartbeat speed up and silently tried to calm himself down. What could she be doing here? She was obviously here to see Serena, but then why had she specifically come to his room? With all the thoughts flying around his head, he had forgotten to respond to her greeting. Quickly, and without thinking, he broke into his infamous smirk and raised his eyebrows at her. "Come to grovel, have we, Waldorf?" Immediately, he wanted to kick himself.What the hell is wrong with you? Like that's going to make her want you. Why was it he could never say the right thing when she was around? It was like he had contracted foot-in-the-mouth disease or something.

Blair's beautiful smile morphed into a malicious one as she spitefully replied, "I just had a little talk with your father, and he would like to see you right now." Then she practically skipped out of his room.

The blood drained from Chuck's face and he was suddenly overcome with fear. He knew he had to go see his father, but he felt rooted to the spot. He had no idea what Blair might have said, but he did know nothing good could come of it. When he finally forced his feet to walk in the direction of Bart Bass' office, he was nothing more than a prisoner being led to his execution.