A/N: Next chapter. (Yay.) So I haven't submitted in awhile but I've been trying not to be so preoccuppied with spoilers and such and I do have other fics going on. So here it is.

Summary: "It just confounds me that I have come to this place and completely forgotten how I have come to be here." "I think that is what they call love."

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.

It was brewing beneath the surface. He could feel it. He was not quite sure what he had expected that night but she was looking at him in the way that made him think that he disgusted her as well as that night had never happened.

This was something that should never have happened. It was something that he had tried to convince himself he had it within him to do. To keep her safe. Provoking Jack was not something he wished to do.

And letting his tongue breach the mouth of his uncle's future wife.

But the way she treated him made him feel as though a poker was whirling around in his intestines. He had no idea what this was. It was just as unfamiliar as the nausea he still was unable to shake whenever she was near.

That was gone.

"Blair."

It was always soft. It was always distant. It was always in the dark where no one would see them.

"You almost had me fooled, Mr. Bass," she said quietly.

The bitterness seeped through her voice with disdain at the last words he heard directly from her lips.

Jack's cold blue eyes continued to burn heart wrenching holes through him.

"When you kill her," Chuck said deadly, "do not presume that I will lie down and roll over."

"As if I would kill my own wife."

"You already have," Chuck replied sharply.

The last thing he wished to do was to attract attention. He did not know a time when his sister's kind yet oblivious eyes followed him strangely. That did not mean he was not a lonely person. And that was why he wished he could detest Blair. She made him feel as though he were not the only man in the world. And yet, he was the only man in the world. The way she looked upon him was utterly unique.

He was not accustomed to this feeling of true affection and when she danced around him flirtatiously, he knew he was truly not alone.

It made him feel uncomfortable.

Fortunately for him, there would be no more of that. Now she would brush him off with the simplest of cold looks and snide remarks. It was nothing that he couldn't handle but he could not bear to speak back to her. It was clear what Jack had done and what was left of what little existed between him and his future aunt.

Maybe it was better than that. Like his father stated plainly. And his father did know him. He had a lifetime of experience.

He still wished he could hate her. He would dally with the other ladies of the court if only to hold his boredom at bay while he would watch his sister and her best friend laughingly dance with the other gentlemen. Jack would almost never join her. He never seemed to have that insidious jealousy that Chuck was cursed with.

This only meant that he found Chuck as a threat. But then again, Jack took care of that. He was sure that never again would Blair look upon him with that fleeting desire he was sure reflected in her eyes.

So he would sit, playing with his food while observing them under Jack's watchful eyes until they would retire. He was sure.

Never again would she look upon him with anything other but betrayal.

"My brother seems to be quite fond of you," Serena could not help but mention as they readied for bed. Blair stilled her measured movements before beginning to dress.

"I have no knowledge of that," Blair said very convincingly.

"Oh, no?" Serena asked. "His eyes were on you all night."

"Then I fear he will be utterly heartbroken," Blair said. "It is no secret that I am to be married to your uncle."

"You know that was not my meaning at all."

"Then what was it?" Blair asked. "You cannot possibly be aware of the very inappropriate things that have transpired between your brother and I."

"Blair," Serena gasped with horror. "Surely you have not--"

"Do not worry yourself," Blair said. "And you insult me. I would never sully my name or yours by letting your brother's advances seduce me into bed with him."

"Then whatever did you mean?"

"I mean that it was not for lack of trying," Blair sneered. "Your brother is as treacherous as a snake. I am sure you are aware of this."

"It is different on this occasion."

"Different from all of the other society girls he has taken to his bed?" Blair asked skeptically. "I am aware of your brother's despicable reputation. And the lies he spews with the Devil's ease to lull me into a false sense of security. Pretending I am any different than any other. It is--"

"Despicable," Serena stated dryly.

"Why do you appear so crestfallen?" Blair asked. "You should not be encouraging this at all."

"I truly thought that he saw you differently than all of those others."

"As did I," Blair said. "But this is better. Now I may marry without any more interference. And none from me as well."

"I understand," Serena murmured.

"You need not be such a romantic," Blair said. "It will end up breaking your heart."

"My brother had no right," Serena said.

"Facts I have already gathered for myself," Blair replied. "Now there will be no more thoughts on the subject."

"Of course," Serena smiled, though that was not to say she could stop thinking of such betrayal. "But if you would not mind enlightening me to what inappropriateness transpired between the two of you..."

"Embarrassment that need not leave this room," Blair warned.

"Of course."

"He fooled me," Blair replied. "Something that is not easily done. And in the darkness of the carriage I was manipulated by his silken words and my mistake such as Absinthe."

"Absinthe?" Serena asked.

"Now you understand my plight," Blair replied. "I am relieved that it was only kissing him that I make the mistake of doing. And I wish to forget it."

"And we shall," Serena promised.

She made no such promise to that despicable brother of hers, however.

"I am embarrassed to even share the same estate with you," Serena announced. Again, her brother was brooding in the library.

"Enlighten me as to how this is different from your usual proclamations," Chuck drawled.

"How could you do this to her?"

"I see," Chuck said, disposing of the book he was enraptured with.

"I was under the impression your pursuit of Blair was different than the rest."

"And I was under the impression you did not approve of my pursuit of her at all," Chuck replied coolly.

"Your deliberate cruelty towards her will only incur her wrath," Serena said. "You know nothing about her. She is not like me or anyone else here. She will not simply... lie down and roll over."

Chuck flinched but put on a tight smile of true yet slight victory.

"It was not my intention to be deliberately cruel. You must know that I know Blair better than even you, dear Sister," he spat bitterly.

"You have not enough sense to know her," Serena said. "And I dearly hope it still not your intent to know her like you have the rest of the ladies."

"I would never disrespect her in such a manner," Chuck said lowly, but unable to meet Serena's eyes.

"What causes you to make such a statement?" Serena asked. "Blair made it very clear that your attentions are not genuine. It is not as though..."

Serena studied as he avoid her eyes uncomfortably.

"You cannot possibly..." Serena tried again.

Serena stared at his stubborn eyes.

"Your attentions," Serena said softly. "You do love her... It is true."

"Speak of this to anyone," Chuck snapped, getting to his feet, "and you will regret it."

"If your affections for her are truly genuine," Serena said instead of ceasing, "why is she under the impression that she is just like all of the others?"

"If I knew that," Chuck said smoothly, "I would be rectifying the situation immediately."

"So you do wish to please her," Serena said. She was familiar with that glint in his eyes.

"In more way than one."

"There is no need to be crude," Serena said delicately.

"My apologies," Chuck said. "I seemed to forget after your forceful presence that you are a mere lady."

"And how do you speak to Blair?" Serena asked.

"As an equal."

"And yet she proclaims of what manipulative cad you are."

"That I have no problem with agreeing with," Chuck said. "I can honestly admit I have no idea what happened since our last meeting."

"Since the carriage?" Serena tested. She watched Chuck's face contort almost unnoticeable. "So it is true."

"It is something that should not be repeated unless you wish to tarnish her reputation."

"And you do not wish that?"

"I would never," Chuck said seriously.

"I should not be encouraging this."

"No," Chuck agreed. "This would be highly inappropriate considering she is engaged."

"She is sure you manipulated her."

"And what do you know of manipulation?" Chuck asked. "Other than that of our darling uncle."

"Does that not give the answer you need?" Serena asked. Chuck hesitated.

"Yes," he said in realization. "I daresay it does."

Serena let him brush past her in poorly concealed excitement. It was not excitement, she knew, that would lead him back to Blair. He was not heading towards Blair. Not yet. She knew her brother and she knew revenge was a pastime he enjoyed thoroughly.

In the same way that her best friend did.

It was Jack that he wished to punish for his misfortunes. Serena knew the deep and obviously cresting passion Blair had for Chuck would do that just fine. When Chuck finished with Jack, this would be accomplished.

"I would be impressed if it was not at my expense," Chuck said darkly, finding Jack in his quarters. It made him ill to look at the similarities between this and those Chuck inhabited. There were the same bottles of alcohol and dark demeanor.

"So you have discovered it," Jack said, unmoved by his nephew's anger.

"Do you even deny it?" Chuck demanded.

"Never," Jack laughed jovially. "What is more satisfying than watching her tentative love for you get crushed beneath my heel?"

"Love," Chuck stated. "What do you know of the word?"

"More than you."

"Love of alcohol and common prostitutes," Chuck sneered.

"The same as you, I suppose," Jack said.

"You know nothing but unrequited obsession," Chuck said with a smirk. "Mark my words when I tell you that I know the affection of your wife-to-be. Affection that you will never be blessed enough to feel. Especially in the back of my carriage."

Jack leaped to his feet in anger but Chuck was backing out of the door.

"A good day to you."

Anger was still churning within him. The smugness of his victory burned quickly out of his system as he made his way to his sister's quarters.

He knew that Serena would not be there. She was most likely still in the library, wondering the difference between prose and verses.

Hardly able to contain the emotion searing his veins, he took hold of the brass handle of the familiar door and thrust it open.

Like a vision, there she sat in the most virginal white he had ever seen. Her dark curls spilled down her curved back as she studied her reflection. At the sound of the door hitting the wall she spun around in surprise, trying to cover her indecency.

When she recognized the identity of her intruder, her eyes darkened perceptibly and rose to her feet, fury fueled from her very pores. Her thinly veiled chest was heaving with something he could only consider anger, but the very way that his own adrenaline was spiking, he was sure that could not be the only thing.

"Do not presume," Blair spat, striding towards him, indifferent to his eyes all over her, "to merely walk in here, Mr. Bass--"

Chuck never let her finish. His hand gripped her waist passionately while the other slid to the back of her neck fiercely and pressed his mouth to hers. He felt stiff resistance beneath his hands before he felt heat flow from her body. He felt her nails digging into his shoulders and he couldn't help but sigh into her mouth.

She was clinging to him in the manner that he sought in that carriage.

He shoved her lightly away. She leaned against her vanity, trying to catch her breath. The flimsy white gown she was donning at slipped off of her pale shoulder.

He wished he could taste it.

It would be so easy. So easy to take her like he had taken all of those other women. But as she clutched her hand to her chest, he knew there was no one more beautiful. More perfect. More meant for him. So he took her roughly by the shoulders and gave her another rough kiss.

"I would highly recommend not letting my uncle manipulate you again," he warned before taking his leave, triumphant that he was leaving her breathless.

"What have you done, brother?"

Chuck sat as nonchalantly as he was able in the dining room while the guests milled around. He was waiting. It was only a matter of time before she graced them with her presence. Chuck desperately needed to see her reaction and desperately wished she understood his rash actions as merely passionate and not forceful. His eyes flicked casually to those of Eric's.

"I am not sure I understand your meaning," Chuck replied with a slight smirk.

"And that you are sure of?" Eric asked. "Because Lady Blair just walked in."

Eric looked on with victory as Chuck flinched, scouring the room. He turned his eyes back to the dark head of the smaller man.

"I have trained you well, brother," Chuck replied, knowing that Blair had yet to grace the room with her presence.

"Then you do not mind my inquiries?" Eric asked.

"If you are so curious as to inquire," Chuck said, "then your assumptions must be correct."

"I will not be the hundredth one to warn you of your rash actions," Eric replied.

"You were always the sensible one."

"And you know of Jack's wrath."

"Always."

"So let me ask you something else."

"I will not stop you," Chuck gestured for him to continue.

"Is it worth it?"

This was not something Chuck had to admit that he had been expecting. Of course he knew his clever brother would not be like all the others, thinking he was dense enough to actually let Jack make a victim out of him. And Blair. Eric always did get to the root of it.

"Yes," Chuck said determinedly, catching Eric's eye. "Every moment."

"Than I cannot come in the way of that."

"That is because you know you are doing activities that are... unsavory as well."

"And only you know if that," Eric said. "Because I trust you."

"A wise decision," Chuck said. "And I trust you not to speak of this conversation or its components to anyone."

"If there is anyone, you know you can trust me," Eric replied.

"For that," Chuck grinned, "I am grateful."

"Splendid," Eric said. "Because your lady comes."

"Truly?" Chuck had to ask. Eric smiled slightly.

"Truly."

Eric stood to take his leave before he paused.

"Yes?" Chuck asked curiously.

"Do you truly think my actions are unsavory?" Eric asked.

"In comparison to who?" Chuck asked. "Me?"

"It is only a question."

"No," Chuck answered. "I do not think it is unsavory. But I would not recommend telling anyone else in our society. They would not understand the pull of something that is inevitable."

"And suddenly I am hoping Blair will not take your assault of her in her bedroom too harshly."

"So you do know," Chuck said slyly. "It was not assault."

"Always," Eric replied taking his leave of the table, knowing the entire time that Chuck's eyes were on something else entirely. He walked across the floor to see Jack leading Blair who had the appearance of being quite dazed. It was true he certainly did wish Chuck received what he wanted. Because if it was not for the matter that they were obviously a better match than she and Jack; when Chuck did not receive what he wanted, it got messy to say the least.

"Uncle," Eric greeted warmly. He turned to Blair, taking her hand to kiss it as was dictated by society. "My lady."

"Eric," Jack greeted, but looking at Blair with disapproval. There was something off and Jack could tell. "Where is that other charming nephew of mine?"

Eric felt it. Her hand still encased in his flinched and he could feel the subtlety of her perspiration.

"I cannot say," Eric said, letting Blair's hand fall gently to her side. "He is everywhere and he is nowhere." Eric looked away from Jack to see Blair staring across the room.

She had found him before anyone else did. Eric cast a quick glance that Jack could not catch over his shoulder. Chuck had raised his glass to Blair, knocking it back, never taking his scorching eyes off her.

It was her flinching that caused Eric to look back. Jack's hand had wrapped firmly around her upper arm, jerking her from dark eyes and dark intentions.

"My dear?" he asked darkly. "Are you sure that there is nothing the matter?"

"Nothing," Blair said, the first thing she had that night. But he could hear it at the back of her throat. The hesitation. The uncertainty. She was confused. This did bode well for Chuck. He could always corrupt the ones that were led astray. Except this time, Eric knew it was different.

"Then if would not mind," Jack said, leaving her side. "I have business to attend to."

"Not at all," Blair said, confidence gaining at his retreating form.

"And you seemed so subdued before," Eric said thoughtfully.

"And I do not presume that you know nothing," Blair responded. "You are his brother."

"The only brother that I have is the polite Charles," Eric teased. "And you cannot possibly be speaking of him."

"Charles has trained you well," she sneered. "Do you have any warning for me such as the likes of your sister?"

"Only to not get caught," Eric said.

"You insult me," Blair replied. "Do you really think I am the type to be caught in such vulgar actions?"

"And I suppose you would actually have to partake in such actions to be caught," Eric mused. Her eyes hardened and he wondered what was truly beneath the surface.

"You needn't fear my brother."

"You think that is it?" Blair asked. "I am not afraid. Strangely, I am not afraid. It just confounds me that I have come to this place and completely forgotten how I have come to be here."

"I think that is what they call love," Eric said. Her eyes glowered at him before she turned away.

"I have absolutely no idea what you are speaking of."

Chuck saw him coming a mile away. It was not a thing to truly miss when you were lusting after his wife to be. If only he knew it was more than that.

"We need to speak."

"Really?" Chuck asked. "It seems to me that we have exchanged all the words that are necessary."

"Then your instincts have failed you," Jack snarled.

"What have I done to incur your ire, Uncle?" Chuck asked innocently. His blood ran suddenly cold at Jack's even colder smile.

"I do not assume we need to discuss what has already been decided."

"You think I will fall victim to the mind games you play on the floozies of society?" Chuck smirked. "You underestimate me. I created mind games."

"That is where you are wrong."

"I think not," Chuck replied. "You would not even bother threatening me if you did not consider that it was me that was the threat."

"We shall see," Jack said. "We shall see what my beautiful fiancé's reaction will be to this little predicament of ours."

Chuck stopped short, but his uncle had already disappeared into the crowd. He saw coarse hands over pliant and virginal flesh that should belong to him, not his uncle. Blair was pulled from the room so abruptly, she had no chance of stopping it.

But the war had not ceased. It had only just commenced.

Blair struggled. It was the only thing she could think of doing as her soon to be husband trapped her in the empty corridor leading to the outside. His rough hands pinned her to the wall as his harsh breath singed her painfully. She squealed with protest but it just encouraged him. She could feel the tears coursing down her face.

"Jack," she said weakly, afraid this was the time. This was the time she was dreading and it was not even her wedding night.

"Yes, lovely?"

And then it happened. It something she had never felt in the presence of her mother or the girls who were tutored with her. It was only just something she had experienced when she gazed into the eyes of the dark prince with slanting and exotic features.

Power. She was powerful.

Detestation was thrumming through her and power. He had no right to call her such things of beauty when she was nothing but ugly when she was with him.

When she was beautiful when she was in the back of someone else's carriage.

It was easy enough. She hated this man so much that it was hard to breathe. Her hate gave her power.

It was easy enough.

Jack stumbled back as she hit him across the face with as much force as she could muster. She had not thought she had such power in her but he stumbled back several paces. She had no time to gloat over he victory. Already she was running until she felt the grass beneath her feat, carrying her towards the outside gardens that she had found so much comfort in the past.

She hesitated at the hedges, attempting to catch her breath.

She did not even have time to accomplish that. She was already on her knees as she vomited. His rancor scent of cigars and nauseating cologne made her stomach rebel and she was heaving violently as more tears cascaded down her face.

Her make up was surely ruined.

She never heard him as her body convulsed, gentle and soothing hands on her.

She was not afraid. She knew exactly who it was.

He swept her dark hair from her neck, uttering soft whispers of comfort. She finished wiping her mouth, but he just held her against him.

"I am so sorry," he whispered darkly. "I should have... I should have known."

"It is not your fault," she said, clinging closer to him. She did not see his satisfied smile pressed into her hair.

"I should not have provoked him," Chuck said admittedly, afraid she would truly hate him now. Instead, she just turned to gaze at him and something struck him in that very moment.

Trust. She trusted him. It was frightening but there was something else. He felt special. There was no one that she trusted more than he. He felt prized. She was giving him something she had not given anyone else. Even if it was not the only thing that would be given. And she was the only one who had ever trusted him. That was something even his uncle could not possess of hers.

"Thank you," she whispered like it was some secret.

"My actions tonight," Chuck cleared her throat. "As rash as they were, I cannot bring myself to take them back. I do not wish you to take them negatively. I only wished that you understand..."

"You think I do not understand."

And that was all that was said on the matter.

He was softly pulling her to her feet and leading her back inside, even to her reluctance. If they were both away for too long, society would begin to talk. And that was not something that she needed.

"Charles," Lily greeted as he re-entered the room. She was only relieved he was not bedding the maids anymore. Blair felt her soon to be sister in law's eyes on her and she suddenly felt extremely naked.

"Lily," Chuck said. "If you do not mind, I think it would be best if Blair be excused for the night."

Lily took in Blair's pale pallor. "Oh no, dear. Are you ill?"

"Quite," Chuck interjected. "She has had a bout of food poisoning and I am sure the physician would agree with my deduction that she should be bed ridden for the rest of the night."

"If you are sure, dear," Lily said, taking Blair's opinion into account. Blair only nodded slightly.

"Serena should escort her to their chambers at once," Chuck interrupted again. Lily took looked upon her son with suspicion. Chuck had not a care. He would not risk Jack accosting Blair again. He would not have it.

"Of course," Lily said, leading Blair away. Chuck was relieved when Jack come up to him again, and not the woman he had just violated.

"If you think I am stupid enough to think your actions in following her were completely innocent--" Jack said threateningly again. Chuck cut him off with a lazy wave of his hand.

"Save your breath," Chuck said. "You cannot even succeed in securing your own bride. Do not blame it on me."

Jack scowled and turned his back only to have Chuck call to him again. He knew this was exactly the sort of thing that had consequences for Blair before, but he could not help himself. He would protect Blair. And Jack needed to know that he was not afraid.

"I must admit however," Chuck said coolly, "how pathetic it is."

He watched Jack slowly pivot, hostility radiating off of him in waves. He waited for Chuck to continue.

"Your failed attempts at wooing her only sent her into the arms of your much younger and better looking nephew," Chuck smirked. He watched Jack tighten with rage. "How she curled up against me in that garden-- I can tell when a woman remains to be satisfied. And trust me when I tell you that it will not be you."

"You dare to concede to--"

"You have no grounds for threats anymore, Uncle," Chuck sighed. "If you have yet to notice, I have won this battle. And I will resume to win the war. Because I have something that you do not. Her affection. In addition to her trust. You are nothing to her but a decaying man whose money she can sink her fangs into. And trust me when I tell you: it will only be a matter of time before it is me between her thighs and not you."

Chuck smirked victoriously before taking his leave.

Jack glared after him, knowing that his cockiness would not last forever. He knew that he was not the only one on his own side. He had what really mattered. Because it mattered not where Blair's true feelings did in fact lie. He was the one she would end up marrying. And it was his marriage bed that she would end up being deflowered in.

Her mother had made sure of it.

"Eleanor," Jack greeted, feeling her beside him as they both watched Chuck retreat into the crowd.

"That is him," Eleanor said darkly.

"It is."

"I know the mind of a lecher such as your nephew," Eleanor said. "You must keep him away from my daughter. I have already seen the seeds of his seduction planted in her mind."

"Not to worry," Jack replied. "I am working on it."