A/N: Sorry guys, I know it's been a long time and this is later than it was promised, but please blame my profs for this and not me, since it's exam month right now. Anyway I hope you like this chapter, I added the time to each section to prevent any confusion…and it kinda works. So hope you enjoy! And I promise to update asap when my exams are over :o)
XXX
(4:07 am)
It was still dark. Blair awakened to cold. Chilled breezes entered the room through her open window as did the occasional droplet from the rain that pounded outside. Blair's whole body had trembled in her sleep and now lay limp and exhausted, unable to combat the iced air that surrounded.
Agony. That was it; she was in complete and utter agony. It took too much to venture over to the opened window. Too much to search for warm covers. And even more, she decided watching the unconscious form to her side, to burrow heat.
And she remained. Trembling still, seeing her breath with every sigh.
"Blair…"
She said nothing. Her eyes were shut tight and she lay in pretense of sleep. It took too much to respond to him. Too much, when he sounded like that. But his husky voice had sent her to a visible shudder, her shoulders lifting from the mattress for a fraction of a second...long enough to betray her.
Chuck said no more. He merely detangled from himself the blankets he had so selfishly stolen in slumber and pulled them around her. Devouring her into a cocoon of warmth. Blair shuddered again.
They lay like that. Her gripping at the blankets in desperation, her eyes squeezed tight in feigned slumber. And him watching her. She was colder than ever and he, the ever more hot. He wanted to reach out to her, bring her into his heated chasm. But it was her call.
"Blair," he muttered again and this time his hot breath had reached her.
And finally her eyes fluttered open, watching him. They blinked in unison and her hands reached for him. Tracing his jaw line with a finger, feeling his soft lips with her thumb...her hand had reached his neck when she lost all will and slithered her body into him. They lay tangled for just a moment, before with a slight brush of their lips her hips met his, ready. He sunk into her, inch by inch, smothering her cries between his parted lips. And they made love again.
It was still so dark.
XXX
(7:03 am)
When Blair would awake, this time morning with sunlight blazing through, he would be gone. And she would be relieved.
XXX
(7:04 am)
Chuck showed up back home in crumbled clothes though his face, glowing and pink, looked of a different entity than his garments. He walked in like a model in a potato sack.
Serena was first to see him. She had on only a silk pink robe and her gold main was disheveled. She had clearly just gotten up. One look at his wrinkly wear and she knew. She stared at him irritably and they walked together to their dining room.
"No need to tell me where you've been."
"I was at Nate's."
She stopped in her tracks and snorted.
"And he couldn't offer a change of clothes?"
Chuck rolled his eyes at her, and she at him.
"What's gotten your pearlers in a bunch?"
Serena glared at him for a moment longer before letting out a heavy sigh. She fiddled with her robe ties as she spoke next; a habit she had when she was greatly agitated. It was perhaps a way to stop her hands from giving into action that was of momentary motivation. The sort of habit both Blair and Chuck would do well to pick up.
"I have to attend Kathryn Valmont's tea-party this fucking afternoon."
"Well aren't you excited."
She glared again and dropped miserably onto nearby furniture.
"The girl is a nasty little bitch…"
"I like nasty little bitches."
"Yeah, I know you do Bass. I walked in on you liking her last July."
Chuck grinned and plopped down on a furniture opposite her. He closed his eyes for a moment to savor that last memory…Kathryn was a nasty bitch. And boy did he like it. Serena made a gagging noise seeing the look on his face.
"Well, the last thing I wanna do is sit around with all the losers that worship her and pretend she is the cat's meow. If it weren't for our South Hampton Summer Pact everyone would know what a dirty little whore she is."
"I rather they don't. There something so satisfying about having everyone's favorite good girl bent over with her tights pushed down to her knees…"
Serena shuddered, trying not to think back to that faithful incident.
"…there is nothing so delicious as fucking the whore out of a good girl."
Then there was silence. A cold hard moment in which Serena and Chuck's eyes would meet in a cold hard gaze.
"Is that it Chuck? Is that how Blair—"
"Yes sis. That's exactly how it is."
They sat there frozen in place, Serena with white cheeks and Chuck sporting an ugly grimace. And before it could change Lily had entered. Dressed herself in an elegant white cashmere sweater-dress and subtle diamond accessories, she blinked heavily at them. It was expected that they, even if present in their nightwear, always looked elegant and fashionable around the van der Bass house. At the moment both teenagers failed to meet above expectations. They failed miserably.
"Will you two be joining the rest of the family in the dining hall? Breakfast is getting cold and you know how Bart and I feel about sitting every meal as a family, a whole family."
Chuck and Serena stood immediately and followed her through and settled about the table. Bart's eyes did a quick, grey-eyed check over of the teenagers' appearance, but he said nothing. Eric just grinned up at them, so very clearly in a good mood.
"Charles, where did you spend the night?"
"Nathaniel's," Chuck responded without so much as missing a beat.
The father and son shared a look, ice blue to deep hazel…and that was it.
"Serena?"
Bart passed his step-daughter the dish he had been holding.
Thanking her step-father Serena took the dish and helped herself to a scoop or two too much, resulting in awkward glances all around the table. She uttered something about a big day ahead in a rapid mutter and dug in, her cheeks afire.
"Was Daniel over…" Chuck spoke in a hushed voice, leaning into her personal space at the table. "Or did you work up a sweat all on your own? Thinking about me perhaps…"
"I was thinking about you, Chuck…" Serena turned so she was facing him, her baby blues afire,"…about strangling you half to death."
His smirk widened.
"Whatever turns you on…" And he leaned closer.
"I like freaky girls."
"And I like you…" She said, trailing a hand up his thigh. "I like you Chuck, I like you gone."
And she pinched him as hard as she could.
Chuck let out an audible cry, drawing the attention of the table. He gave a quick grin, a small wink for Lily, and declared all was good.
"Anything wrong Charles?"
"It was only a leg cramp. Hardly anything to worry yourself over."
He gave Lily his most charming smile and she returned the favor her cheeks the slightest bit flushed. Serena nearly spit out her food at the sight.
She had barely moved to a fruit dish when Chuck, in pretense of serving himself some had leaned over her, his lips purred into her ear.
"I love it when you play rough."
Serena ignored him, and he sat back with laughter in his eyes. God was he never gonna get sick of torturing her. At the very least Serena was glad the incest Cruel Intentions gossip had tuned down about them, though it was hardly thanks to Chuck who never missed an opportunity to publicly sleaze her.
"Does anyone have definite plans next week?"
A pair of shrugs, a "no father", and a "None darling" from Lily was followed by a satisfactory smile by Bart.
"Good. I was thinking that it is time perhaps that we make our university visits. In a short while all three of you kids will be bombarded with assignments and soon to follow examinations. And of course Lily and I will meet a vicious tide of social events. It's ideal that we take the jet and hopefully be back as quickly as possible. Are there any—"
A cry of "Yale" by Chuck was made simultaneous by Serena's "Brown". Bart smiled at Serena.
"Brown is the first destination point it seems, followed by Yale."
Chuck grimaced into his orange juice, but said nothing.
Eric gave him a sympathetic look before his own attention was averted by Bart.
"Any suggestions Eric?"
"None."
Bart nodded at his family and returned to his newspaper, or he had been about to when Serena spoke up.
"How bout we extend the favors to say…Waldorfs? With Harold living in France and Eleanor there for business I think they'd be most grateful if we take Blair with us. May I invite her?"
Bart gave her a small nod and almost a smile.
"Daniel as well?"
"Oh no. They have their own traditions, with his dad and sister…"
Serena herself had hoped to join them, but she had to admit in despite of herself that traveling by the Bass jet had aces on any rented car of the Humphreys. It was a thing she would never outwardly admit or acknowledge of course. In any case once mommy and daddy Bass decided on a family trip, there was no avoiding.
"Charles, Eric?"
It was Lily that answered however.
"I'm sure Anne would too be grateful if we take Nate with us. That dear woman has so much resting on her shoulders these days. Poor darling."
"Capital idea. And Nathaniel and I have always planned to do the visits together. He inspects the Lacrosse team and I their cheerleaders."
Chuck and Eric shared a grin…and as expected Bart was less than amused.
"How bout you both vouch instead to check out the academics. I'm sure Howard wants Nathaniel to take note of the law programs present and I know I want you to focus on where you want to get yourself that MBA."
"Yes sir."
"Eric?"
"No uh, I'm fine Bart. I'll just bask in the joy of my siblings company."
"Are you sure darling?" Lily asked watching him with concerned eyes.
It was the one expression lil E hated most….like he was about to break any second. Fragile…hmph. But Eric caught Chuck's eyes and his lips curled into a grin. Lily was a mother and a guilty one at that. She continued to watch him closely until—something caught her eyes."
"Is that—is that a bruise on your chest?"
Eric looked petrified. He shook his head quickly and covered up the mark.
"Darling…did you get into a fight?"
Eric shook his head again, but there was no stopping Lily. Setting propriety aside, the blond fumbled with her son's Polo, trying to get a better look at the 'bruise'. When she had however, she drew back. A blush had overtaken her usually pale features.
Serena and Chuck had also taken note. They snorted into their breakfast, Serena squirting a bit of milk out of her left nostril.
Bart of course pretended not to notice any of this, and Lily calmly resumed eating her croissant. Her features still burned red. However, it was no match for Eric's rich tomato shade.
Breakfast at the van der Bass House; it was a beautiful thing.
XXX
(7:36 am)
"Lily."
Lily turned around to see her stepson behind her.
"May I have a word?"
She covered a surprise with a slow smile. She turned to occupy a nearby piece of furniture. Chuck occupied another, opposite to her.
"What's on your mind?"
Chuck looked hesitant for a second, but a too-friendly smile appeared and he spoke at ease.
"Howard is coming home Friday night and things are rather troublesome with him and Anne…and mostly Nate."
Lily gave him a sympathetic smile. He really was a precious boy, worrying so much about his bff. Lily could hardly understand Bart's trouble with the boy.
"I was wondering if they could dine here instead?"
"Charles, we're dining at the York—"
"Yes, I know. I just—Nate needs me. I know him and Anne are in a really bad place…" and he drew forward in his seat, placing a hand over Lily's knee. "I know how improper and impossible canceling on the Yorks would be. And I know that father would freak. But will you anyway? Just this once…Lily please?"
Lily didn't know what to say. Canceling on the Yorks? And so late at that? But there were some things that had to be put ahead of society, right? Looking into Charles guarded eyes she had her answer.
Lily leaned forth and covered his hand with her own.
"Invite the Archibalds over. I'll deal with the Yorks…and your father. I'm not sure which is worst."
The shared a laugh and Chuck sat drew away, his face lit like a Christmas tree. Despite himself, he could not help but offer Lily his most grateful smile. He could swear that he'd never been gladder to have family around, and most especially her.
"And don't bother thanking me Charles. It's your charm you owe this to. If you were any less charming, then I'm not sure I would have agreed."
Once she had gotten up however he hugged her. It was very brief and surprisingly enough not in the least bit awkward. He left her with a kiss on the cheek and a whispered thanks.
Lily smiled as she went on to her room, her mind deep on purchasing that Burberry scarf she had spotted the previous day.
XXX
(12:00 pm)
It was an unusually quiet lunch on the steps that day. Quiet in terms of the heavy silence that resided between Serena and Blair, that is. The old people and the bitches were their usual selves, loud, annoying, and grating on Blair's nerves. Nevertheless she sat there, working through her fat-free yogurt as Serena, in similar discomfort, sipped at her caffeinated drink.
As it was; Blair knew that Serena knew, and Serena knew that Blair knew that she knew…and normally all this would be the subject put up for discussion, but today was not that day. Frankly, Serena could not bring herself to care about Blair's sex life when the devil's offspring was running around in town and in her own life. As for Blair, the video footage recorded on her phone had more than a foot worth of conquered territory on her mind. And thus this was perhaps the quietest most disengaged lunch shared between the girls in quite a—
"So how bout that afternoon delight?"
The low purr in Blair's ear made her start and her to make Serena jump, spilling still-hot coffee on her school skirt.
"Damn it Chuck." She growled a string of swear worlds digging through her giant leather purse, looking for napkins. She came up empty handed and swore some more.
Chuck only laughed, completely unperturbed. He pulled out a napkin from his own man purse and dabbed her short skirt affectionately…too affectionately. Serena slapped his hand away and scolded him some more before, with an apologetic smile for Blair, she sprinted off and away from the two pasty brunettes within the blink of an eye.
Blair sighed and shuffled unconsciously with her yogurt. Chuck's lips were curled into a smirk, with no doubt thinking of last night…and early morning—ugh. Blair didn't know what she was thinking. But she could guess why he was there. She locked eyes with him and offered her coldest most resolute look.
"If you want the footage Bass, you can forget about it."
Chuck held her gaze for a little longer, the look on his face unchanged. He then turned his head, watching a figure to the far right. It was Nate; him and one of his Lacrosse teammates. Chuck's gaze returned to her and he had on a hint of a different kind of smirk.
"So tell him. He is right there…"
"And you don't think I will?"
Her own lips now hinted at a smile. Chuck blinked, slowly and deliberately. His hand had reached her, his fingers tracing circles on her white-tights knee.
"I know you wont." And he bared his teeth, "I know you Blair."
Blair snuffled a giggle and snapped his hand away. But she didn't say anything. Conflicted could hardly describe her state of mind. She was however decided on one thing, it was imperative to wipe that smirk off of Chuck's face. Meanwhile Nate had taken notice, waving at the both of them with a too-wide smile.
Chuck waved back and turned to Blair again. This time snatching her forsaken yogurt. He spoke again after he emptied the carton.
"So what will it be Waldorf? Will you tell dear Nathaniel of your false allegations and annihilate that innocent puppy-dog smile forever?"
Do or die Queen B—ex-Queen B.
And Blair made her choice. Dusting off her navy skirt, Blair sauntered over to where Nate stood. She shooed off the blond Lacrosse player and began a conversation unheard by Chuck. What he could see however was Blair falling into an embrace with his floppy haired friend; a very cozy embrace. Blair locked eyes with Chuck offering him her sweetest most cavity-inducing smile and let her hands roam along her ex-boyfriend's back as her head snuggled up to his neck.
Chuck worked hard at keeping his smirk, and leaned back on the steps, refusing to be the one who broke their gaze. Blair was not fool. Indifferent he may act but she knew Chuck, she knew that he was a jealous beast. She muffled a gleeful giggled and pulled away, giving the Nate a languorous kiss on the cheek and an 'accidental' butt graze.
And she was off.
No last look for Chuck.
XXX
(1:38 pm)
By her first class after lunch Blair would come to regret what had passed lunch, well a little. It seemed that Hazel had done some handy work with that camera phone of hers and snagged Gossip Girl a whole bunch of juicy pictures. There was one of Chuck's fingers on her knee another one of his sharing her saliva…and a whole bunch on her and Nate. There was the hug, the kiss, and of course…the butt graze. The whole damn school was buzzing.
Still Blair did not regret getting one over Chuck. Getting harassed by the student body was hardly anything new. In any case her day had not improved much. Not when she still had no freaking idea as to what to do.
She had sat motionless through every class that day, and despite her best efforts, was completely unable to pay attention. Here was Chuck Bass ruining another aspect of her life. Her boyfriend, friends, and social life wasn't enough…now it was her golden education on target. Mere thoughts of him and her sparkling academics were put to halt. And truthfully she hated him more for it. But not enough to show Nate the clip—or was it? Ugh!
Her phone had been feeling heavy in her purse all day. She knew she had to make a decision and soon. On the other hand however, nicking the Chuck Bass armor was a long held desire she could now relish in. But then there was his reaction…gawd he had scared her. Seeing him of all people frightened of anything blew apart her world view. And Blair could not stand that. It was a thing so horrifying and alien to herself that thus far had put pause on her seeking vengeance. It was however only a pause on action, for it wheeled through and lay heavily on her mind.
By her last class Blair had finally come to one conclusion. She had to see Anne Archibald.
XXX
(3:13 pm)
"Well well, aren't you two a darling bunch as siblings."
Serena, Chuck, and Eric had just entered the palace lobby to find an expectant visitor.
Serena had paled at her very sight…and she laughed.
"Don't worry S, I'm here to see Bass. You're off the hook…for now."
Serena sent a shadow of a glare and clasped onto Eric's shoulders trying to usher him away, and Eric sent Chuck an exasperated look. To little E's surprise however Chuck did not take his side and instead offered a quick nod to Serena who steered a bewildered Eric out and away.
And then there were two.
Chuck smirked at Georgina. He had to admit, the girl look abso-fucking-luty hot.
"I was wondering when you'd come by. Given our history, I just figured you'd come a good couple of hours later. You know how Bart gets if he hears us—"
"I'm not here to fuck..." But she seemed to take back those words, seeing how good Chuck Bass looked at the moment. Boy had she gone for too long. "…yet. I think we should talk first."
"You talk? I do apologize Georgina but I would much rather have your mouth be put to better use. "
Her wide blue eyes flickered to his crotch and back up. She sent him her semi-crooked trademark grin.
"We'll see about that. But first there are more important matters at hand."
"I see."
Chuck smirked and led the way to the hotel lobby.
"Do talk."He ordered when they were both seated.
"I saw her in Santorini."
It was instantaneous. Chuck's face turned hard and his manners were all altered at once. No freaking way.
"What do you want Georgy?"
She laughed, tossing back a lock of dark hair over her shoulder. It was a habit he had once found interesting in a 15 years old pre-shaving way.
"I want money."
"Money? Your dad is an oil mogul."
Georgina rolled her eyes. Flipping back another lock and pouting almost.
"Yes well daddy sent me to rehab."
"And you want to blackmail me some?"
She nodded still wearing that uncharacteristic pout.
"You're the richest person I know Chuckles…"
Chuck laughed. Two years ago maybe, but now he wasn't into any of this. He had found a bigger more interesting bitch to fall for. In any case, he had hardly thought about Georgina in the past year.
"I'll tell you what. You can't blackmail me G, but for say 10 grand, you can run a couple of errands. You game?"
"Errands? What kind of errands?" Georgina's hands slid up his thigh.
"Amoral and just slightly diabolic. Starting first with a sly act of theft, I know that's just your kind of thing."
They matched smirks and shook hands. Evil she may be, but Chuck Bass knew that everybody had their own use.
XXX
(9:02 pm)
Blair plopped down on her bed holding a white box in her hands. She felt up the edges, deep in thought.
After school she had paid Anne a visit.
It was about 3:30 when Blair had found herself sitting across the familiar figure of her ex-boyfriend's mother. The conversation about Nate's whereabouts and Blair's desire to see Anne and not him, had thus far put the two women in the living parlor and locked them into a most uncomfortable silence.
An inquiry about Eleanor and another (slightly more awkward) inquiry of Harold was a starter made by Anne. It was answered most enthusiastically and elaborately by Blair. But then again the two women sat at silence. Blair almost wished she hadn't come here. But there was no backing out now.
It was moments like this when Blair amazed herself. She figured she had more testicles than Nate and his father combined.
"Mrs. Archibald, Anne, I heard you and Chuck in his room on Wednesday night—"
"Excuse me?"
Anne had lost all color and her hands clutched awkwardly at her linen skirt, but her face was stubbornly indifferent. She acted completely unaffected and unaware.
"I uh, was using his bathroom. I heard everything by accident; I didn't mean to…it was a bit of an embarrassing situation actually…"
Anne's expression had not changed and she declared that she simply had no idea what it was that Blair spoke of.
Blair grimaced. Well if Anne was going to act this way then she too had to toughen up.
"I suppose you are having an affair with Chuck Bass and that someone knows and plans to out you tomorrow night. Perhaps I could help you Mrs. Archibald? This needs not to ever get—"
"How dare you. How dare you—you little—"
Tramp? Whore? Skank? She would never know because Anne would never utter. As soon as little had left her mouth the wispy blond clapped her lips shut, along with her eyelids. And spoke again, only when she had cooled.
"Do you think Blair that I don't know? Do you think that the parents don't hear the rumors the filth that you bunch get into? Do you not know that you kids are an item of discussion in every dinner party?"
Blair blinked nonchalantly and Anne offered a scary smile.
"Blair darling we all know about your indiscretion with Chuck. And within two days, or so I've heard..."
Blair blinked back tears of shock and anger. For so long she had been conscious of Anne Archibald's approval that this was a blow, perhaps one of the most painful ones of her life since the scandal had gone public. But she was Blair Waldorf and she knew that whatever she had done, that at least it would never be as bad or as shameful as Anne, and so she smoothed away a fringe of hair from her face and turned to face Anne.
"Then from one culprit to the next, Anne are you sleeping with Chuck B—"
"Blair."
There was warning in Anne's tone, but Blair ignored it and offered instead a shaky smile.
"I love Chuck, Anne. There would be no other reason; there was no other reason for my indiscretion in regards to Nate. I—I need to know, please Anne, I love him and I need to know that he—"
"He didn't."
Anne bit her lip for this outburst, but catching Blair's dark eyes again, she smiled sadly.
"Charles is only helping me on behalf of his mother. There is nothing between us. His association in my affairs is purely by relations, nothing direct. I assure you."
Something in Blair's stomach had fluttered. She didn't even have to fake the grateful smile.
Blair laughed to herself now. Anne though cold on exterior, was a sentimental woman really. She married Howard after all, despite his new money status and his er more than a few inadequacies. Though Blair had heard that he was quite the looker in his twenties. In any case Blair's 'confession of love' had worked like a charm. Anne had fallen to its power and assured her in truth. And so finally Blair had her decision.
It was just a shame that Chuck's decision had no faith in hers.
That afternoon Blair had joined Serena for dinner. And in came Georgina. She had bought them a round of drinks and herself a place at their table. She forced herself on the two girls for a good fifteen minutes or so and disappeared after a trip to the bathroom. And so had Blair's cell phone.
Serena had suggested that it was probably bait for drug money, but Blair knew better. She almost laughed, and she actually did now, still tracing the edges of the white box with her finger tips.
She hadn't wanted Chuck to know. Not really. But it didn't matter anymore. Besides she could gloat over the money lost in his getting Georgina to get her phone, only to find that the footage, what he seek to remove, was already gone.
Blair laughed again.
And she finally removed the ribbon and pulled out her phone, caressing it almost affectionately. Her fingers now worked over to the discarded ribbon. It was a hair ribbon, cleverly used to bow the box.
Blair smiled and felt the rich silk with her finger tips. It was perhaps the most beautiful ribbon she had seen. It was a deep champagne silk, with exquisite embroidery. It was Chuck Bass' way of thanks.
Pulling back her waves, Blair worked the beautiful material into her hair. Ribboned and tight. She winked at her own reflection.
Serena's Friday night invite to the Basses was going to be interesting.
