AN:

Before I begin I have to say a great thank you to everyone that has favorited, alerted, reviewed and read the story so far. The amount of feedback had been incredible. My phone had been constantly alerting me of emails from fanfiction and it really pushed me to update this faster. So a million and one thank-yous, and I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

I apologize for it being short, but I needed it to focus on a crucial point. Also, Warning of Mature content


Dr. Kan's Office

"I had a bad dream," Chuck began. He was stretched out on the couch, studying the ceiling, with nothing but that haunting laughter echoing through his mind. "I was scared, and I wasn't even sure why"

"Was it about Blair?" She asked, but he shook his head no.

"It may have been my father, or..." he remembered those ice blue eyes, and hated the thought the second it crossed his mind, but it was still a possibility, "Nate".

"You're afraid of your best friend?"

"I'm afraid that my best friend is the only man capable of taking Blair away from me"


The Empire

"Nate," Blair greeted the blond once she exited Chuck's room, fully dressed for the day. "Did Chuck go to his session already?"

They were up all last night talking about the past. He would ask her about their time together, the endless games; and she would answer with as much detail as she could muster. She was more than happy to remember how good they were together, and let him know exactly how she felt; especially when he rewarded her with his genuine smile. But it wasn't easy whenever her mind wandered to the negatives she kept powering through.

"Yeah, he told me not to wake you," Nate smiled, excited at the prospect of seeing Blair around as often as before. With Serena leaving tomorrow for Brown, and classes about to start, it would be just the three of them left in the city. This current living arrangement couldn't last though. "Coffee?"

"Please," she took a seat at the bar, placed her bag on the marble top, and allowed her facade of cheer to finally crumble. She was happy with Chuck, but it was still, difficult.

"Bad night?"

"We just ended up talking about last summer... or at least I did," she accepted the mug. "He still doesn't remember a thing" she stated sadly.

"I was talking to him the other day, and he said something about your birthday party... but that was the extent of it." Nate admitted, taking the seat next to her. "I tried to see if he remembered anything else since, but..."

"He's never going to get better is he?" Blair finally asked the dreaded question. The worst case scenario had come true. He may care for her, greatly, but he had yet to even admit to those feelings. He hadn't yet expressed any, and at some level she hated that she hadn't forced it out of him. They did go through a lot to get to this stage of love and care, but Chuck forgot. He's lost those experiences, and at some level Blair felt it belittle their relationship.

For now, they were comfortable in their bubble. Everything was perfect, but they couldn't live like that forever. The bubble would burst at some point. Chuck had to run a business, which Nate, of all people; has been overseeing. The blond hadn't the slightest idea about hotel management, but he stood as an authoritative figure, at least while Lilly tended to Bass industries. Blair considered stepping in, but she had studies, and unlike Nate, she intended on a degree that required more from her than to excel at sports.

Their phones rang at the instance; hers chimed in her bag, as his vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the gossip girl blast. It wasn't pleasant, and when he passed it to Blair she was just as shocked.

"I'll take care of it," Nate took his phone back. He knew how this could affect Chuck, and there was no way Blair could handle this. "I'll make sure he's nowhere near Chuck." He was about to leave but Blair held him back.

"I'll come with you," she insisted. He only managed a nod, before helping her off the stall, and picking up her bag to be on their way.

The last they needed was an enemy on the island. With a prick, their bubble was bound to burst much too soon.


Outside Dr. Kan's Office

"Hello nephew," Chuck walked up to the man leaning against the limo. "Missed me?"

"Jack," he nodded as a civil greeting. He only recalled a few memories with the man, and they hadn't necessarily been bad. It was hard to believe his uncle could have been as manipulative as his friends had said, but he was a Bass after all.

"My my, how you've grown," he started to circle Chuck, a predator about to pounce. "Too bad your head's not in the game". Chuck only glared at the older man, suspecting nothing less than the worst.

"I know enough," he defended.

"So the Doctor was telling the truth," Jack smirked and finally stood close enough to stare down at Chuck. "Tell me... How did it feel when you heard that my dear brother had passed on?"

"Get to the point Jack," he practically spat, looking up at the man, detesting how he towered over him by a couple of inches.

"I just want to help you Chuck," he smiled, and backed up a little before placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I've been keeping an eye on you, making sure you were progressing well." He spoke with fake concern, "but when you fired Dr. Hughes, you left me no choice but to fly over and make sure you were alright"

"I know what you did. I know about The Empire, my mother-"

"Evelyn? Or... well she prefers Elizabeth now..."

"I know about Blair" Chuck concluded.

"Which encounter are you referring to exactly?" Jack fished, and by the look on Chuck's face he knew he caught himself a Bass. "Oh dear, has she neglected to tell you," he shook his head, amused by the ways he managed to affect Chuck. "I see that your friends haven't been as honest with you as you think".

"Leave," Chuck practically barked. His blood boiled as he considered Jacks words.

"I'll see you around Chuck," he patted his shoulder a few more times before turning back to his car. "One more thing," he stopped and smirked just as he looked into the car he almost climbed in, "your mother says hello".


The Empire

Blair and Nate finally returned. They had hoped to find Jack, but after trying the hotel he'd been spotted at, and every other possible hotel he could have checked in, they gave up. Blair only suggested the idea that: Jack was staying in a place he'd recently bought. It that was the case, then their best shot was to locate Chuck's P.I. and have him investigate.

"You're back," Chuck's voice echoed throughout the unlit penthouse. Nate shot Blair a wary glance, but she merely prepared herself for the worst.

"Hey man," Nate was the first to speak, and reached for the light. The sun was already beginning to set, and with the blinds pulled down, Chuck was barely visible where he sat.

Chuck beat him to it, and switched on the lamp at his side, halting his friend's movements entirely.

"Tell me," he stood up, having drank a fair amount of alcohol by now. "What have you two been keeping from me?" He smirked and looked at Blair who was in obvious defense mode.

Neither replied as he sauntered towards them.

"I called Mike," he smiled meticulously. "He said you two were enjoying quite the summer together in Paris, and... Cannes was it," it wasn't a question as he traced the faint tan line along Blair's shoulder.

"That wasn't-"

"Please," Chuck intervened, not really interested in listening to Nate's attempt at an explanation. "You don't have to explain. I was dead after all," he mocked before walking around them and back to the bar. "Whom else have you been screwing?" Chuck was staring at Blair, and Nate only stood there looking between the two.

"Where exactly have you been getting your information from?" Blair challenged. To say the accusation was annoying would be an understatement. Even Nate doubted her for that split second when Chuck asked and she hated it.

"From me," Jack entered from the kitchen entrance, behind where the two stood, and walked over to where his nephew leaned against the bar, picking up the second glass that sat beside Chuck's. "I thought Chuck deserved to hear about our New Years together... It brought you back a second time after all"

"There was never a second time," she snarled, and looked over to Chuck. "Chuck,"

"Stop," he held up a hand and looked away. "I should have suspected nothing less when Blair Waldorf professed feelings for anyone other than Nate Archibald"

"She doesn't have feelings for me Chuck!" Nate finally spoke up, trying to get through to his friend who barely even looked at them. "Chuck," he called again, hoping he'd get his attention, "that man practically raped Lilly, he hired a woman to pretend to be your mom to get your hotel,"

"You mean Elizabeth?" Jack asked, but Chuck was the one to give the final answer.

"Elizabeth is my mother... she just doesn't want anything to do with me" Chuck snickered into his glass before drinking down the remaining contents. "Now, if you're done-"

"You heard the man," Jack interrupted, hoping to wrap it up before anything else could be said.

"Jack," he warned the older man, but once he realized he needn't the man's presence anymore, he merely dismissed him. "You can leave now"

Chuck knew better than to trust his uncle, but he still listened to what he had to say earlier. He'd asked Mike all about the information, and within a few moments he'd already extracted them from his files and provided Chuck with all he needed to know; including Nate and Blair's summer relationship. He apparently asked Mike to keep an eye on Blair before he left for the summer. He was thankful to hear, that, despite losing contact, the man still stuck with his job. All other details have been past events and facts that he easily proved true to Jack's word.

"Fine," Jack didn't like that Chuck sent him away so easily, but he'd control himself, for now. He walked towards Nate and Blair, and smiled menacingly once he stopped in front of the brunette.

Nate tried to come between them, but Blair held him in place. Nate jumping in would just lead Chuck into another conclusion all together. She knew Jack's game, and she knew he wouldn't dare start a scene, other than to prove a non existing point. Besides, if anyone was supposed to be protecting her, it was Chuck.

Jack took her hand in his, and pulled it up to give it a kiss. "I'll keep in touch," he finally left.

Chuck had realized that he'd always been jealous of Nate, but seeing his uncle that close to Blair enraged him to a new level.

"Chuck, what the hell?" Nate finally asked, taking a step forward.

"Nate, you can see yourself out..." he turned to retrieve a new bottle of scotch."I need to speak with Blair, alone"

"Like hell-"

"Nate," Blair held his arm again. She knew Chuck wasn't currently in his right mind, and it was probably dangerous to be alone with him right now. Nate had every reason to worry, but Chuck was right; they had to speak alone. She had to find out what kind of lies Jack planted in his head, and with Nate there she knew it would only aggravate him more. "Please"

He looked down into her pleading eyes and huffed in defeat. He didn't say a word as he retreated, tempted to go find Jack and start introducing him to his fist.

The elevator bell chimed behind her, but she remained focused on Chuck. He walked over to her with a new glass. He offered her the drink and stood a mere inch away from her.

She accepted it, barely gracing his fingers with hers, and took a sip.

"You know," he almost laughed, "I knew there was something wrong when you said you loved me," he drank the rest of his glass.

"I do love y-"

"Stop lying to me!" He yelled, sending the glass he just emptied hurtling towards the far end of the room.

Blair couldn't help but flinch once the glass shattered across the wall it collided against. "Chuck," she tried again, barely faltering as he returned with an angry scowl.

He was blinded by hate, rage, he was furious. He wanted to destroy her, make her crumble, plea and beg for no one else. He'd make her cry out his name, and he would pleasure himself with the idea that she had feelings for him. Because no matter how much she hurt him, she always managed to look luscious enough to ravish endlessly.

His hands moved quick, grabbing her waist and neck simultaneously. They moved backwards, until she hit the elevator doors. He finally forced his lips on hers, but she only struggled against him and pushed him away, instinctively slapping him when she had the chance.

She was panting, hurt, scared, unaware of what just transpired. She'd dropped her glass earlier, but barely heard it shatter as her ears rung with the beating of her heart. He seemed to calm down from the sudden hysterical thoughts, and looked disappointed before looking back at her.

"Blair," he pleaded through clenched teeth.

"No," she held her hand up; "I don't want to talk to you" she finally managed.

"Good," the anger returned, but this time he was in control, as he held her face and kissed her. It was completely different this time. His lips moved against hers, and it felt more than just an unwanted pressure. This kiss was filled with passion, and despite her best judgment she reciprocated.

The way they kissed was far from loving. It was hungry, animalistic, and he bit on her bottom lip to draw out a cry that made this all the more wild.

She dragged her nails across his scalp, and allowed him to force her against the elevator doors again. He grinded his hips against hers, and she moaned in the mixture of pleasure and pain. Her nails dug into the back of his neck, holding on for dear life as he assaulted her mouth. He winced, but only pushed against her harder, before finally picking her up.

She intuitively wrapped her legs around his waist as he guided them back to his bedroom. He dropped her on the bed, and stood in front of her, pulling at her clothes as she began to rip his. Her dress and his shirt came off with as much damage as possible, and his pants were forced down once she undid the belt.

He climbed on top of her, forcing her to back into the bed. He began to kiss her neck, before pulling her bra apart to reveal her breasts. He went to work on her well rounded mounds, biting and licking, drawing out moans and screams that wouldn't come close to what else he'd planned to hear from her.

Her hands were in his hair again, and moved down to grasp his shoulders. Her nails dug into his back, and she tore at his skin. She wanted to hurt him, needed to inflict a pain that equaled hers, but nothing sufficed. She finally caved into tainting him, marking his very skin, biting into the base of his neck with enough force to draw the slightest bit of blood.

He relished the pain she was currently punishing him with, enjoying the drive it built to continue. He sat up and pulled down his boxers enough to reveal his throbbing erection. His hands want to her sides, and began peeling off her underwear, smirking at how effectively turned on and ready she was. He didn't bother with prior administration to her needs, he wanted to take her now, and without much warning he drove into her. She screamed and he groaned at the familiarity of it all.

"Say it," he ordered breathlessly, his head resting on the pillow, beside hers. "Three words, say them!" his voice rasped against her ear.

"No," she challenged. She wasn't going to give in to his sick and twisted desires, so long as they don't comply with her own. She was livid. He'd just filled her in with one thrust, and had refused to continue. But she would power through, she'd pleasure herself if she had to, so long as she didn't have to admit to feelings she didn't feel right now.

"You should hate me," Chuck offered as he fought his instinct to keep thrusting. "I left you in Tuscany," he whispered against her ear; "I sold you out for a hotel," he added. "I slept with Jenny Humphrey" he concluded with an evil smirk.

She was in shock. She didn't know what to say, her heart hurt much more than it had a few moments, again, and her being throbbed with the need for him to begin fucking. She hated what he did to her, how he was being now. This Chuck, at this instant, she hated.

"Say it," he ordered again.

"I can't," it was barely a whisper, as she admitted it to herself. Despite how much she wanted to scream and yell at him, she couldn't. Her nails dug into his back harder, wishing nothing more than to grab his heart, and make it bleed.

"You're weak," Chuck finally gave into thrusting against her. He bit into her shoulder, and she cried out his name. She'd reached her peak, once, twice, three times... But he dragged it on. He forced this to last as long as he wanted, he didn't dare stop. He was fighting against his best instincts, controlling his body from giving in to a euphoric climax. His heart was aching in his chest, everything hurt, his mind was conflicting with memories he barely recognized, but she continued screaming, and he continued thrusting.

She finally asked him to stop before he hurt himself, but he barely heard her. She unclenched her hold on his shoulder and began to massage them in hopes he would relax, and stop over exerting himself. She knew this was dangerous, that it shouldn't go on, that he was beginning to hurt. Her arms held on to his upper torso, and within moments he final ended it. She winced at the sharper bite he took, realizing the fact he'd probably marked her as deep as she had him.

His muscles finally gave into exhaustion, causing him to collapse on top of her. They stayed like that for a few more moments. She held onto him, as he laid his head against her shoulder. It was a loving gesture that conflicted entirely with the hatred that flowed within each of them.

When he finally began to shift, she released him, and prepared to face hell all over again.

"I'm done with you," he finally bit out before retracting himself from inside of her. She was about to respond but he stopped her. "No one-" he couldn't finish the sentence as his mind went to the sight of her with Nate, or worse, his uncle. Regardless, he knew he had to hurt her, be it actions or words; "I've fucked your hard,-"

"But you're putting me away wet" she reiterated the words he spoke to her years ago. She gave him her best scowl as he readjusted his underwear.

"Exactly," he seethed, hating how well she knew his exact thoughts. He went to the closet, pulled on the first pair of trousers and shirt, slipped on the shoes he kicked off earlier and went to the door. "Good bye Blair"

"Chuck,"

He stopped before entering the elevator. He decided against walking back into the room, but stilled in his spot and anticipated her next words.

"You remembered."