Author's Note: There's so many nice people on this site. Thank you for being so supportive. Really, it means a lot to me. I've been such a fan of all the writers here. I honestly don't know what I would do without fanfiction. I want to hug all of you, but instead of making you uncomfortable I'll leave you with chapter four!
Once the group filed out of the building, Chuck ushered Blair to the side of his limo to get a hold of herself. After she got some color back in her cheeks and took a dozen deep breaths, Chuck spoke to her and said, "Nate and Raina are giving their statements to the cops. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? Get checked out?"
He was feeling guilty about this whole catastrophe, having her involved in something that she had nothing to do with, which was a surprise- he hadn't felt this bad about offering her as a hotel exchange. Perhaps this was because Blair had been in danger; the pawn put in line of defense in order to claim the king in a fatal game of chess. He would feel internal pain for the rest of his life if she had even gotten a bruise or cut of any kind. He would feel better if he had a doctor telling him that Blair was a hundred percent perfect.
"No, I'm fine." she mumbled out quickly. "Or I will be, I just want to get out of here."
She knew her pleads would get Chuck to abide to her wishes.
"Louise is waiting for me," she implicated coldly. It was almost as if she were trying to convince herself of that fact instead of the man beside her.
"I'll drive you," Chuck insisted with a sharp nod.
Blair looked surprised at his genuine, rational response. She had expected some sort of smug rebuttal. Perhaps he had changed.
Chuck wasn't so sure himself why he was reacting so mature. Maybe after hearing what she said to Russell… it seemed that he couldn't do much to change Blair's mind about him. He had pushed her to her limit.
"Thank you," she said with a small smile. "and not only for the ride, but for you know, saving me."
"What was I supposed to do?" he joked with a casual smirk, his voice teasing. "You called."
"Only because I couldn't see my phone to dial nine-one-one." she defended, her voice soft. "I still have you on speed dial, I just had to push down the one."
At that word, Chuck gently took Blair's hand and stared down at the jewel shining off her ring finger.
"The one, huh?" he questioned in a cold voice. He managed a forceful smile, and Blair seemed to catch it. The both of them stared down at the glittering rock, but only Chuck seemed to be encased with the dreadful thoughts of "what if…?" As in, what if that had been his ring on her finger instead? None of this would've happened. They would've been married at this point…
"I'm so sorry," he said abruptly, dropping her hand.
He was apologizing for practically everything that had gone wrong between them. He could only wish that one day he can become the man she so longed for him to become.
Blair looked up at him with regretful eyes and simply replied, "I know."
"How about a drink to calm your nerves? The new can drop you off with your Prince as steady as ever?" he asked with that persuading tone in his voice that no one could resist challenging.
Blair didn't seem to think much about it. It sounded almost as if she were answering him out of pure instinct as she said, "Okay. One drink."
Chuck nodded kindly before escorting her to give their regards to Nate and Raina who had been great help to them this evening.
...