Disclaimer:Not mine. If it was mine the freaking episodes would've been better written than the crap we've been having the last 3 episodes.
A/n: okay so the reviews are freaking awesome! You readers make my day. Seriously you people ROCK. CB love passed around!
Warning: Oh by the way, you guys must be thinking, CB?! CAMPING? Omfg wtf?! Well good luck at reading this. I wanted to try something new and OUT of the city. It's VERY long. FORGIVE ME for the length! But I hope you get a freaking kick out of it. I know I did! R&R CBers!
Thanks soooo much to my lovely superwoman beta, Neyney (Jencourt81) because without her my fiction would come out every language but English! She's amazing!!!
~*~*~*~*~
Chuck and Blair going Camping
"Chuck, I need to talk to you. I believe I have the perfect opportunity for you, son. A way to take a break from things…the fast pace of the city and prove yourself. Hone those survival skills."
His son glanced up from the business magazine that held his attention. "Prove myself? I was just thinking about that and I've got a few ideas that I've wanted to run by you." Chuck said. He wasn't sure what his father meant by survival skills but if the old man wanted to give him the opportunity to further prove his worth to Bass Industries, Chuck had no intentions of passing up the chance. Still he asked, "So survival skills?"
"Yes. It's the company trip." Bart settled back against the chair facing his son. He loosened his tie and studied Chuck with that fathomless expression, offering neither approval, nor disapproval for his evident excitement. After a moment Bart said, "I"ll be needing you to head up the trip in my steed."
Chuck perked up even more. A business trip? Anything to do with Bass Industries won his immediate attention, especially if it meant impressing his father with all that he'd learned. A company trip. What better venue and his father was asking him along. In the past he was never allowed to tag along, since it was deemed the arena for grownups rather than teenage boys. The fact that his father was asking him to take the lead on this trip, spoke volumes.
"I'm still not fully recovered enough to make this particular trip. It's a four day outdoor event." He narrowed his eyes at Chuck, "You're not an outdoor person, so this will be a challenge-,"
Outdoor, huh? What kind of trip was this exactly? Chuck shrugged it off, leaning forward. "Father. When it comes to the company and closing a deal, I can be whatever I need to be." He said, determination in the hard line of his jaw and set of his shoulders.
Bart hid the smile that wanted to break out at his son's reaction. He'd succeeded. Instead of showing his approval for Chuck's reaction, he offered his sternest expression. "Glad to hear it. The next few days will certainly test your resolve. I expect you to carry yourself in the manner befitting the Bass name. You're going in my place and I expect you to act accordingly."
"Of course." Chuck said. Standing slowly, he clasped his hands together, "I'll go pack."
"Do you have even an inkling what you'll need to bring along for this trip?" Bart asked.
"God, no purple…but father I've been dressing myself for years. I think I know what to wear to a board meeting or business dinner or whatever I'll be doing…where am I going again."
Bart cleared his throat, "You definitely won't be attending very many meetings. I did say 'outdoor event' if you recall, Chuck. It's the company's annual camping trip."
Chuck blinked at his father. Staring blankly because his father's words weren't quite sinking in. "I'm sorry?" He finally said.
"It's a trail trip. It's supposed to be motivational and offer bonding opportunities for the execs of Bass Industries." Bart explained.
"Well… alright." Chuck said shifting from where he was to look directly at his father. "So it's me and a bunch of execs. Not a problem. Motivational bonding? I do both flawlessly." Chuck said, motioning with his hands, letting the old man know that he had everything under control. Or he would. "So what we just hand out and talk business over cigars and…."
"Camping, Chuck. You know…hiking, fishing, and the like." His father said, squeeze the bridge of his nose to stave off the migraine that he felt coming.
Chuck gaped at his father. "Sorry? I'm fairly certain that I misheard you…did you?"
His father shook his head, laughing despite himself, headache forgotten in the face of his son's horrified expression. "No, you heard me just fine. It's a camping trip. What part of that aren't you getting?"
"…So it's the DIY makeshift tent and making fire from loose sticks…and sitting around with a bunch of other men…in the dirt?"
Chuck couldn't help his incredulous words. As if at any moment his father would just starting laughing his ass off and tell him that it was just a very, very bad joke. However, the way his father was looking at him now, as if Chuck were a fool or idiot, sent his hopes plummeting.
Okay. He could do this. He was Chuck Bass. He could handle just about anything thrown his way. A plan. Yes that was what the situation called for. He blinked a few times, opening his mouth every once and again to say something before thinking better of it. Suddenly a new thought came to mind and before he could censor himself, Chouck found himself demanding, "Can I at least bring Bridgitta?"
Bart rubbed at his temples, "No, Chuck. You may not take the maid…or any of the other servants on this trip."
That didn't sound good. Not good at all. "So… what do I do?"
"Cook for yourself. And you won't exactly need dry-cleaning where you're going so clothing should be basic. Very simple. I won't take any of your suits. You won't need them. Jeans and t-shirts should be good enough. And nothing too colorful, you wouldn't want to spook any of the local wildlife."
He stared at his father. The man couldn't be serious. "You're joking, right. This is just some huge practical joke…" His father's unsmiling face was answer enough to that query. "Of course not. Bart Bass has no time for jokes." Chuck muttered.
"Is this going to be a problem for you?"
He sighed and shook his head, "Of course not. I can handle this, Father."
"I'd be disappointed if you couldn't. You've enjoyed far too much privilege with putting in the work for it. You're spoiled and that's my fault. I think this trip will do you good, Chuck." Bart said, "So try not to look so tragic. It's only four days and you like company trips, remember. Still business. Just a different setting. I've been doing this for years."
The word, "disappointment" in any context when it came to his father was more than enough incentive for Chuck to do this. Show his father that he could handle being thrown into any situation. Even one such as this. Stupid-effing camping trip. The closest he'd ever come to going to anything like that was done from the comfort of a five-star chalet and with countless servants underfoot.
No electricity. Cooking over an open fire. It's was fucking archaic.
"This is not a problem. I just needed more information about the conditions of the trip." Chuck assured his dad and walked upstairs, mentally inventorying all that he'd need to pack. Scotch. Yes. Scotch would very necessary on this trip.
~*~*~*~*~
"Chuck Bass doesn't do manual labor!" Chuck's lips curled in distaste. He'd called Blair the minute he stepped inside his bedroom, explaining the entire debacle in exasperation. And no small amount of panic.
Before he could get more than the basics out, his girlfriend's laughter came across the line. She laughed for a good minute, audibly trying to catch her breath and speak and failing each time. Chuck rolled his eyes, interrupting "Just let me know you're done. I think I'll tap a nap for 'bout an hour or so…you think that'll give you enough time to regain control of yourself."
That only made her laugh even harder. "Okay. I'll stop." She didn't. Usually he loved the sound of her laughter, the way it wrapped around him, but she was having far too much fun at his expense. It was moments before she calmed down, swiping the tears from her eyes and turning back to the magazine lying abandoned and nail polish that she'd almost smeared across her comforter. "Maybe it won't be that bad. You've to be exaggerating some of this."
Blair sighed, listening to Chuck explain the rest. Complaining. God. Her boyfriend. Chuck. Chuck Bass was actually calling to complain like a normal boyfriend. The thought was insane but it made her giddy. She was…happy. "Maybe you'll have fun."
"Fun? Blair, have you ever been camping before." Chuck asked.
"Well…"
"And before you say anything." He cut her off, "I'm not talking about what passed for camping during those trips in Australia, Aspen and Germany."
"How is that not camping? We hiked through muddy trails and saw those disgusting bugs! There were trees and ice everywhere." She said.
"Yes, but I wouldn't exactly call it roughing it. We were in a five-star resort for godsakes…with room service. Not a tent or stick of firewood insight."
"There was a fireplace, Bass." Blair defended. "Remember the s'mores?"
"You wouldn't eat them."
"They were messy. And for your information I've had them since then…highly overrated."
"It doesn't matter. What I want to know is how the fuck you're suppose to cook using firewood, anyway?!"
Blair frowned, then giggled, "Oh wow. That is a dilemma"
"And what do you pack for a camping trip?" Chuck asked. "We're backpacking Blair… Backfuckingpacking!"
Blair couldn't stop laughing but she opened her computer and googled it. "Well Google recommends bringing camping gear."
"As in?" Chuck rolled his eyes, but still smiled as she tried to help, "Come on, Blair. How about something less obvious, like actual details."
"Well, since you're feeling so bitchy about it…then maybe I should just hang up and let you figure this one out on your own." Blair said grumpily.
He chuckled, "And do what? Go back to painting your nails and reading a magazine?" Blair was shocked and looked around the room. Was he spying on her?!
"Well I'll have you know I'm doing none of those." She told him. "Just continue packing and google for yourself."
He chuckled, "Want to help me pack?"
"What?" Blair was taken off guard on this.
"Help me pack. You google. I pack. It make things pass more quickly." He told her. Blair blinked as her heart swelled. "Come on, B. You know you want to…" Chuck whispered, letting her know that he had other things on the agenda once they got a handle on this packing situation.
"Well, I suppose. It's what any good girlfriend would be expected to do."
"Of course." He grinned. "Come on. You'd better finish the rest of those nails first though." Chuck added before putting the phone down.
~*~*~*~*~
Bart was working on proposals when the maid let Blair Waldorf in not long after her phone conversation with Chuck.
"Blair, nice to see you here." Bart greeted.
She smiled, spotting the older Bass. "Good evening, Mr. Bass. I thought I'd stop by and help Chuck pack for his trip."
She'd had lunch with Bart Bass at least three times already. He still intimidated her but she actually found herself enjoying spending time with the old guy. He was way more interesting to talk to and not quite the monster that everyone seem to think him. At least when he wasn't stressing about something. That first lunch had been entirely awkward but then they'd found common ground. Surprisingly, a lot of common ground.
The number one thing among those was none other than Chuck. She got along with Bart, and that's what she wanted. Approval from Chucks only living parent, and by the looks of it Bart seemed to approve of her more than he does his own son.
Bart quirked a brow. They were at the 'packing together' stage now, were they? To his knowledge they've had only a two weeks together as a couple, right? Bart liked Blair, he was happy that his son seemed to have left off with the whores and settled down with one of the UES' pampered princesses. Prim and proper, Blair Waldorf. She would be good for him. Granted, he knew the girl was no saint but she was still good. Perfect partner to save his son from becoming a complete degenerate. Besides, he'd seen the way they looked at one another. He wasn't as cold and emotionless as everyone credited him to be. Bart had felt the euphoria and pitfalls of being in love before and he recognized the strong bond Chuck and this girl had already forged.
"Blair." Chuck started down the steps and caught sight of her in conversation with his father. His gaze slid over his father and settled on Blair's face.
His son's entire demeanor beamed. And so did Blair's changed as well, seeming to light up from the inside out. He might have just left the room as they both stared intently at one another. His son's eyes softened and his mouth curved into a small smile…one that quickly became a knowing smirk when he noticed her reaction. Yes Bart Bass knew love when he saw it.
He'd worn such a look once upon a time.
"Excuse us, Mr. Bass." Blair tossed a smile over her shoulder as she all but skipped up the stairs, deliberating and yet seemingly innocently brushing past Chuck, wearing her own smirk. She walked on, leaving him to follow as she made her way to his room.
"Chuck." Bart called out, and for a while Chuck wondered if his father was going to say something like 'keep it down' or 'not while I'm here' or wildly parental and therefore un-Bart-like. Chuck sincerely that his father didn't go there cause he had a very crystal clear idea of how he would be spending the remainder of the evening.
"Yes?"
Bart didn't even look up from the proposals that had re-claimed his attention and Chuck could almost swear that the old man was smiling when he said, "Just thought I'd better let you know some additional information about the trip. You're allowed to bring a plus one."
Chuck went still, staring at his father in awe.
"Just as long as it doesn't interfere with the true purposes of the trip." Bart added.
"Of course, Father." Chuck smirked. He turned, walking back to his room and finding Blair waiting for him, sitting on his bed. Perfect. Except she had his laptop open and seemed intent on whatever she was doing.
"We need to make a list, Bass. Grab a pen and paper." She ordered, not bothering to look up, "You're going to need to get a tent, a sleeping bag, and cookware…HA. They've got portable stove things that you can buy too so you don't have to worry about cooking and firewood…well except to keep warm. Have you even used a kitchen stove before, by the way—What are you…" Blair turned on Chuck with narrowed eyes as he grabbed the laptop away from her, setting it to the side and crashed his mouth into hers before she could say another word.
She knew that she should push him away and keep him focused on his camping trip and all the stuff they needed to do, but then his body was pressing hers into the mattress. The mouth tasting and nipping at hers drove all other thoughts away and she was lost. Or found. Yes. Right where she wanted to be. Needed to be. She moaned into his mouth as his hands stroked down the length of her body, tugging at her clothes until she wore nothing more than her Le Perlas.
His lips left hers only long enough for him to survey his handiwork and then her fingers were in his hair, pulling him back for another taste. She groaned in protest as he gently pulled away but this time it was to dip his head down and kiss a path of butterfly kisses down her soft, pale flesh. His lips skimmed down the valley of her breasts, resting over the thunderbeat of her racing heart. He smiled.
"Chuck," She gasped out as his hands tugged at straps of silk and lace, tearing. He promised to replace them. She was beyond caring, especially the moment when his fingers stroked sensitive flesh. Gently cupping her naked breasts, stroking. But just as with his kisses he left her wanting again, sliding down her naked form. The rasp and silk of his clothes a different kind of caress against electrified skin and nerveendings.
.
"Want to come with me?" Chuck asked as his hands found the strap of lace curving her hip. This he didn't tear away, but plucked aside just enough to slip his hands inside. Just enough to touch her.
Blair in a dazed, lifted the heavy weight of her head to meet his eyes. "Like…come… as in… come? Because I'm sure that's a distinct possibility if you'd just carry if with what you're doing down there." She offered in a husky tone.
Chuck laughed softly. He loved her. Especially when she was like this. All soft and sexually intoxicated and having absolutely no clue what was coming.
"For once that wasn't what I meant by…come." He said, pulling himself back up and covering her. Warming her shivering form. He kissed her neck, nipping gently at delicate flesh, swirling his tongue at her pulse, her gasping breath flush against his cheek and her hand in his hair again. Chuck whispered in her ear, "I mean come with me to the trip."
"What?" Blair's eyes snapped open and she blinked up at him. Visibly trying to steady herself. "Come with you?"
"Yes, I can bring someone along and I'd like nothing better than that someone to be you." He grinned as his fingers trailed up her body.
Forget that she'd been teasing Chuck about this coming camping trip from hell earlier and couldn't begin to imagine him out in the middle of nowhere with a sleeping bag and accoutrements. She forgot all over that and basked in the very idea that he wanted her along. He wanted her to be with him like that. She beamed. Damn, she loved this man. At times it felt like too effing much but she loved him. God, she must to even entertain the idea of camping.
Chuck wondered aloud, challenging, "Unless Blair Waldorf thinks she can't handle a jaunt in the woods. Fresh air. Without your precious Louboutins."
"Ha! I can handle anything you can, Bass." She shot back, wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him down for another wild kiss.
"Touché." Chuck murmured against her lips before kissing her. "Um. B?"
"Hmm?"
"The La Perlas. Pack your La Perlas." He said and then nothing else as they lost themselves.
~*~*~*~*~
"Chuck…"
"Blair…?"
"Are you sure we're in the right place? This is where we're supposed to be?"
"Pretty sure. The workers sure appear to recognize the place." He pointed at the few backpack wearing Execs that were wandering into the clearing. Both men wore Ray-Bans.
"Are you sure Bass Industries organized this?"
"Pretty sure."
"Beaver Meadow Wilderness?! Seriously"
"What did you expect?"
Blair stabbed at him with the one broken nail. "I expected Lake Tahoe! Or Yosemite… or even the Grand damn Canyon! But no…what do I get. I get Beaver friggin Meadows Wilderness. What the hell is that anyway? Why is this place called Beaver Meadow Wilderness?!" She asked him wildly, glaring at him.
Chuck couldn't help the laughter that erupted. He captured her ands between his own before she could hit him. His favorite little vixen. Glaring daggers and stomping her feet in mid-tantrum. God, but she looked delectable. Shorts showing off those amazing legs and her white designer tee with a light sports jacket hiding the bounty so hard when he saw his little vixen throwing a tantrum. She looked amazing in her shorts, white designer t-shirt and sports jacket over it. She'd even managed to class-up the meager selection they'd found on their shopping trip for camping gear and clothes.
"Wait till you hear our campground name." He couldn't help himself.
She rolled her eyes skyward. "I don't even want to know. Is it too late to back out?"
"Yes."
"Fine. What's the stupid campground called."
Poor thing. He almost felt bad for adding fuel to the fire but said it anyway. He cleared his throat, "Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park"
Blair tried not to twitch but she glared at him profusely, "Whoever planned this outing needs to be fired." Sighing, she pulled away and snatched the brochure from his hand before taking the brochure from his hands. She squealed in genuine excitement, "Chuck, look. We're saved. There's a Skyline Resort. Just the word 'resort' is comforting. Can't we just stay there instead?"
"To answer your first question. My father organized this."
"Oh."
"And he picked the worse place possible because he wanted to torture the execs. Roughing it, you know?" Chuck shrugged.
"With good intentions I'm sure." Blair muttered. She adored Chuck's father but this was too much! "I'm to need to soak in a nice hot bath for a solid week after this."
"'Sounds good to me. Come on, Waldorf. Don't get your La Perlas in a bunch." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "…you did bring them…didn't you?"
"I don't think you'll be finding out…Bass." She started to shrug him off.
"You love torturing me."
"Fine. Yes, I brought them. I never leave home without them." As if he didn't know, the bastard.
"Well, I hope you brought plenty. No wash machines. No showers."
Blair froze. "What do you mean no showers? BASS?!"
~*~*~*~*~
"You really don't listen to me when I speak, do you?" Chuck shook his head, smirking as he pulled his tent out. "What part of DIY Makeshift tent, backpacking, cooking without a stove Or maid didn't you get? No amenities, Waldorf…where do you think they'd have installed the fully-loaded bathroom or laundry room…in that tree over there?"
"But… but at least… something! Like a… showerhead…?"
"I'm sure we can hookup a machine to the trees and put a showerhead in the middle of nowhere. That'd work." He mocked her. "For someone so incredibly smart, you're very…" he debated whether or not to say something that would end in his demise.
"Very what?" Blair shot him the death glare. "Say it, Bass, and you won't have a reason to pee behind those trees."
"But you do." He laughed. Blair groaned. She had to pee behind trees! Oh god! She was going to die! She took out her phone from her pocket and saw that the bar was 0. How the fuck were they going to communicate with each other then?!
"Blair, relax, please." Chuck asked, "Now help me…grab the end of that tent."
Blair looked at the green flat thing on the ground. She frowned. "Chuck."
"What?"
"Are you sure it's a tent? It looks like a piece of… cheap plastic to me." She said refusing to touch it.
"You googled it with me. This is how a makeshift tent looks like." He told her, annoyance creeping in.
"It was.. standing up! Like a tepee!" She told him making a shape of a teepee with her hands.
"How the hell do you think it got that way?" He laughed, exhaling a long breath.
"…You've got to be kidding me" She looked at him.
"Unfortunately, Princess. As much as I really wish that I was…that'd be a 'no.'" he took out the manual book and saw how thick it was. "No fucking way. Are they serious?" He groaned. He never had to deal with this crap. He hired people for shit like this.
They both glanced around at the other people, assembling tents without a hitch in their movements. In fact, they did it so expertly that within 10 minutes, everyone else basically had theirs assembled, while Blair and Chuck stood watching in awe. They really should've been paying attention and taking note, but the teenagers stood around with the green plastic surrounding them.
Blair threw up her hands, "Why don't you ask them to do it?".
"Because they're executives" He reminded her. "I can't just up to these guys and ask them to do something so simply. If I cant put together a fucking tent, then how as I expected to run a billionaire company…besides that it's insulting."
"Um, but they work for you." She stared at him in disbelief. "It's like a maid really or think of them like Arthur…or Ben. You remember Ben don't you?" She prodded, his disbelief turning to remembered hostility when he thought of the former BI employee he'd had fired because of even the implied flirtation with Blair that previous summer. "Fine. Forget Ben. But come on. Ask them for help."
"You're supposed to be helping me."
She arched one dark brow, "Oh, please."
"… I should've brought Dorota as my plus one." Chuck muttered, stepping back and back and hearing a loud crunch as his shoe landed on something. God that didn't sound good. He really hoped that wasn't a part of the tent. .
Blair gasped at the sight of her brand new RayBans crushed beyond repair. One frustration too many, she snatched them up and ended up throwing them at Chuck's head. Before he could duck or move they were bouncing off the side of his head.
"Blair!"
"You own me a new pair." She hissed.
"Fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Seriously." He pulled her close, placing a smacking kiss against her downy soft cheek. "Really. If I wanted to bring Dorota I wouldn't have asked you." He chuckled, before ducking a hit from Blair. He caught her around the waist and gave her another kiss, this time on her lips. Then let her go before they ended up putting on a show for his father's execs. He doubted his father would appreciate it.
Blair tried to glare at him and hold on to her annoyance but his playfulness and those kisses made her forgetful as usual when it came to his misdeeds." You're lucky I dumped a little something extra in your bag." She left him and wandered over to his back. She'd tossed the majority of her things in with his when they'd been packing. Making his bag much heavier by default.
"Did you pack Dorota in there? For our sanity I hope you did."
Blair rolled her eyes and pulled out something that resembled a packed up sleeping bag. She pulled it out from its packaging, and Chuck just stared at her. What is that? She looked at it, unplugged something then threw it.
Just like that it popped up into a tent.
Chuck stared at in and grinned, "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because you're not Dorota." Blair grinned, her expression smug. She'd told Dorota about the trip and that lovely nanny of hers wouldn't let her go off without supplies provided by Dorota herself. She'd given Blair strict instructions. Blair was sure that she'd fine a note detailing instructions, somewhere in with the rest of the supplies. "Dorota told me to just remember to open the cap and throw it. As easy as that." She said, mimicking her beloved maid, "Open the cap, Miss Blair and throw it. It become big like tent but nicer." They both laughed, incredibly relieved not to have to bother with the plastic green tent and that they wouldn't have to sleep out in the open. "Dorota uses google more than anyone I've ever met."
"This is why I lo---- love your stellar survival skills." Phew. Great save there Bass. He just quickly kissed her lips and turned around to get more stuff out of his backpack. Blair caught on to it but she pretended to ignore it. She was disappointed when he didn't follow through with the words he'd almost spoken. Fine. Maybe not right now. But he'd say them one day soon. She was sure of it.
~*~*~*~*~
The rest of the day was filled with hectic activity. The others around them went from one activity to the next with ease while the two pampered teens struggled with each task. To be honest, it was Chuck doing all of the heavy lifting and manual labor, while Blair stood around directing his movements. She mentioned more than once that she'd done the hard put…putting a tent over their heads. He grumbled, foraging for firewood and heavy stones to go around their fire. Thank god he'd packed matches. Once the sleeping bags were settled inside the tent, he lifted his heavy bag and her much lighter one to set them inside.
"Blair would you just stop standing around and help me with this!" Chuck told her as he gathered branches and kindling.
"And break another nail?" she asked him.
"Blair." He looked at her. He was sweaty, he hated it, he looked miserable and he wanted her help. "Please."
"All you had to do was ask, Bass." Blair said as she bent down to help him.
"Thank you." He smiled as she walked up to him, holding up her meager offering of sticks and twigs, not seeming to notice or mind the dirt smudging her palms. She'd notice in a moment and stick it to him, for now he kissed her, brushing his mouth softly across hers.
"No. Thank you." She said as before she dumped the sticks in Chucks already stick full arms.
The next thing on their list was water.
"Is there a tap somewhere?" Blair asked Chuck.
"Right." He rolled his eyes. "We also have Bendels just around the bend there if you wanted to stop for to grab anything."
"Bendels?"
"Yeah, just beyond that tree. Don't you see it?" He teased.
Blair smacked his arm, "You could've just said No, you Basstard."
"The others are bringing water from somewhere." Chuck said watching some of the other campers returning with buckets.
"… Chuck… where are they getting those?" Blair asked Chuck.
Chuck sighed. He knew where. He had to brace his ears again.
~*~*~*~*~
"You have officially lost you mind, Charles Bartholomew Bass. Quite officially and thoroughly taken leave of your senses!" Blair nearly screeched. Chuck and Blair followed the trail the other campers were taking to get water.
Both she and Chuck had a bucket cradled in their arms. She was this close to try smacking him with hers. Again. But that hadn't solved anything the first time. Though she'd felt just the least bit better. Still the other campers were starting to watch them as if to see what they would do next and Blair Waldorf served as the source of entertainment for no man…well maybe one and that was an equally enjoyable experience on both sides. Whether it was sparring or making love. Or hitting him with buckets.
"I am supposed to drink from this water AND bathe in it? CHUCK. That's disgusting." she looked at him in disbelief, "You're lying right?"
Even though Chuck himself was distressed over the whole inhumane activity they call camping, he enjoyed watching Blair freak. It was hilarious. It made his crappy day that much more enjoyable.
Before he could open his mouth, Blair saw a couple of people from across the river taking a bucket and dousing it all over themselves. And Blair screeched again.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chuck had to carry two big full buckets of water back to their campsite because Blair was still trying to calm herself down. Once back at the campsite he had to rub Blair's back a couple of times so she could calm down. She couldn't take the fact that you have to drink from the same water people and fishes swim in. Of course they'd been boiling it to purify it and using those filters that Dorota had packed but still it was disgusting. He tried not to shudder himself at the idea of it but didn't want to get Blair started again.
Why had he taken those damn water bottles out of his bag? They'd been heavy as hell but he still should've left them in there. No way was he telling Blair what he'd done. No friggin' way. Sure they wouldn't have lasted the entire four days of the trip. Or maybe they would've lasted Blair. Why else would Dorota have included them in her little camping care package.
They'd be fine. He'd boil the fucking water and use the filters and they'd be fine.
Who in their right mind found camping to be the least bit relaxing? It was fucking torturing. He was sure that his father was back home, laughing his ass off. His only solace was that once he made it back, his father would be proud of the fact that Chuck had muddled his way through.
"It's not that bad Blair." He told her as he piled the kindling they'd collected and setting up the stones in just the way he'd noticed the others setting up their fire pits.. "Think about it, when everyone's asleep we can finally indulge in some nature friendly activities" He grinned, waggling his brows, but she wasn't impressed…looking supremely miserable. "B, four days. It's only four days." He added, "If we can survive four days of this…I think we can do pretty much anything. We can survive anything."
She sighed but still didn't speak.
He glanced at his watch, "Look, just 12 more hours and it'll be 3 days. Come on, B"
Blair tried cracking a smile for him but failed.
Chuck grabbed the lighter from his bag and turned back to the waiting kindling.
"You were planning to smoke here?" Blair asked.
"Yeah…why not.?" He asked. "But I'm not smoking now. After I light the damn wood I think I'll take a stroll…maybe smoke the whole effing pack." Chuck told her, flicking open his lighter and holding it to one stick. The damn thing wouldn't take. What the fuck. This was supposed to be easier with the lighter. He tried again and failed epically.
"What's wrong? Why isn't it doing it?"
"I have no fucking idea." Chuck said, clearly irritated. "Enough's enough already. Why doesn't everything have to be such a fucking trial?
"Let me check Dorota's list." Blair rummaged through their bag and took out a canister. "Maybe it's what oil is for?" Blair said, her tone and manner was matter-of-fact as she handed Chuck the canister.
Chuck took it. "Oh. Didn't see that." He admitted, if this was anyone except Chuck she'd have called his expression…almost sheepish.
She grinned, "Sure you didn't."
Sure enough he tipped a small amount of the oil on the firewood and flicked the lighter open. The flame caught immediately. As soon as they got back, he was taking Dorota to dinner. The woman deserved some serious pampering and a raise. If he thought she might come, he seriously considered stealing her away from Blair. But B would murder him and the maid would never desert her beloved mistress.
The first night was tiring. By the time they got to dinner, both of them were too beat to even bother with anything to do with food. After their trip organizer (who was named Bill) told them their agenda for tomorrow, Chuck and Blair just crawled into their colorful tent and slept next to each other without thinking about anything else.
`~*~*~*~*~
Blair and Chuck woke up earlier than anyone else since they fell asleep before 9pm. Chuck didn't wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested. No he woke up up to his girlfriend kicking him.
"Blair! What! Nothing starts before 8am!" he hissed, his eyes still closed.
"Chuck. I don't want to bathe alone. And I stink I need to bathe. NOW." She told him.
"Go to the river." He muttered.
"It's freezing."
"Then put on the heater."
"Chuck!"
He sighed and got up. They brought their toiletries and a bucket with them to the river and thank god it was empty. It was barely 7am.
"I thought these places had communal bathrooms with showers and actual toilets."
Chuck cleared his throat, looking away from her.
She reached out and pinched him, "Chuck?"
"Fine there's one but it's like on the other side of the campground…like four hours away. Like I said. My dad chose this part because he wanted his people to rough it." He told her.
"Your father hates me. He hates me. Why else would he tell you to bring me along?" Blair crowded close to him as a small animal scurried across the path, a few feet up ahead.
"For the last time, B. He doesn't hate you. And believe me you wouldn't want to use the communal bathrooms anyway. I have it on good authority that they're disgusting and vermin-ridden. Ask Dorota when we get back if you want." Chuck said.
Blair nodded after a moment. Once they reached the water's edge she wondered aloud, "So, Bass. How are we going to do this?"
"Uh, the usual method I suppose. Strip down and wash." He laughed.
"Out in the open? Anyone could see me?"
"No one's up besides us, Waldorf. I've seen all you've got and I'm sure the animals won't mind getting an eyeful. Just think of it as swimming without your clothes. We've been skinny dipping before."
"In a pool…without fish and animals and God…well without animals watching." She said, "This is gross. Turn around."
"Blair."
"Turn your back, Basshole. You can keep watch…no the other way."
Chuck rolled his eyes, "Fine" he walked away but she screamed for him to stop.
"DON'T GO! Just turn your back until I'm done!" she told him.
He heard clothes dropping and splashing water. It took everything in him not turn, especially when she squealed the moment her skin meet with the cool water.
"It's cold" Blair shivered.
"I could warm you up." Chuck drawled and he could practically see Blair rolling her eyes.
"I'm sure you could." she muttered. Minutes ticked by. Fuck it, he thought and started to turn, fully prepared to enjoyed a little Adam and Eve moment with his lover. Blair's scream ran through him, jarring nerves and bringing his head all the way around.
"Blair, what the hell!" he said. Looking for the threat. The danger but all he saw was Blair's slick, wet body coming at him…before he could fully appreciate the sight she was tackling him. He tried to grab hold of her arms. "What the hell? What's wrong?"
"I saw something. I saw it." Blair declared, sounding on the verge of tears.
"Where?"
"In my bucket."
"What?" he walked closer to the bucket with Blair sticking close behind him, gripping his shirt. He peered into the bucket and saw a fish thrashing in the shallow water in the bucket. He chuckled and picked the bucket up throwing the fish to the side.
"Chuck! Throw it back into the river!"
"We have dinner at least."
"I'm NOT eating that." She told him.
"Fine starve.."
"I brought food idiot. Dorota packed it."
"Oh okay then. But I'm not touching the fish." He turned around and looked at her wet naked form and it got him hard. "But I'm going to touch you." His arm snaked around her waist.
"Chuck, I can't bathe or kiss you with that poor fish floundering over there. Save him. Please before he dies." She said.
Fine. If she was happy then he could get really happy. Stomping down on the grossness of it all, especially once his fingers made contact with the slippery thing, he picked it up and tossed it back into the river.
"Now, you want to try your bath again. Guarantee it'll be warmer and more enjoyable with a second party." He suggested, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. She nodded; smiling against his neck as he rubbed her back, trying to help get get warm again.
"Good idea, Bass."
~*~*~*~*~
After they were clean and… well satisfied they came back to find everyone just waking up. They had food Dorota packed for them. It was perishables, so it didn't go bad, and thank god Chuck carried the cooler. So that morning they were eating cereal and Blair had her yogurt. Then at 8pm the motivational bonding crap started. Blair got to tag along just because she didn't want to be bored and alone in the tent and, she was the boss' son's girlfriend so she had rights to attend. It amused her because she got front view to Chuck doing the flying fox and got wobbly legged at the end, rock climbing and slipping a couple of times, doing obstacle courses and looking pathetic at the end of it.
It honestly gave her great pleasure sitting down and watching Chuck go through all that torture. Now she knew what else could make Chuck panting
On the third day it was something similar as the second day. Chuck had to go through all the obstacle crap. And then they had some 'trust your peers' crap which Chuck looked miserable going through, as much as he did the obstacle courses. It was some bonding crap he had to go through with the execs.
~*~*~*~*~
The made it. The second day passed without trauma. The third day was quite possibly their favorite because they knew without a doubt that on day four they'd be released permanently from that hellhole…never ever to return.
Feeling more cheerful they participated in some of the group games and activties. They both drew the line though when it got darker and the group indulged in a game of follow the leader in the middle of the friggin woods and in the dark. At first they were both dead set against it but then Blair didn't want to be left behind completely by the others at the campsite. Despite Chuck's insistence that they'd find other activities to occupy their time and blessed privacy.
So they tagged along with the others. Chuck tried concentrating on those in front of him, but they slowly began falling behind. And Blair didn't help matters, chattering about everything from her minions to Serena and the birds and effing bees…or at least she could've gone there. Chuck stopped paying attention after a point. Unfortunately, it didn't take Blair long to catch on to this.
"BASS, you're not listening."
"You think?" he answered.
She fumed. "I've hated you more in these last 3 days than I ever did in my entire life."
Chuck grinned, "Now I know you're just lying. Just a few hours ago this morning, we took a pretty hot bath together. And you loved it. I know because you cam—"
"Chuck." She started.
"Let me finish. So hard that you-"
"NO. Chuck." She gripped his arm.
"Blair, what?"
"Are we supposed to be alone?" She asked him.
"No. Why?" he turned around to see no one behind them. It was only Blair. There was no one behind him. "What the…" he walked to retrace back their trail but he found no one behind them. "What the fuck?"
"Chuck… do you know where you're going?" Blair asked.
"Uh… Yes…" he lied.
"…. No you don't!" she said and panicked. "Oh my god you don't!"
"Blair calm down." He told her calmly.
"CALM DOWN? CHUCK we only have one flashlight and we don't know the way back! And I'm HUNGRY. Why don't YOU calm down?!" she shouted.
At that time they heard something howling. Something… like a wolf that could tear you up howl. Blair jumped and gripped Chuck's arm so hard he thought he lost blood circulation.
"Do you think they can smell us?" she asked.
"Relax, it won't smell us. I think wolves eat berries." He said sarcastically.
Blair smacked his arm so hard Chuck yelped.
She shouldn't cry. But they were lost. Lost as lost comes. She didn't know where to go and unfortunately neither did her smartass boyfriend. He looked so calmed she wanted to slap him. "We might potentially die! As that thing out there that howled ill come here and eat us. Fucking eat us, Chuck! I'm not edible!"
"… I disagree entirely on that point, Waldorf. You are very edible."
"CHUCK this is not FUNNY!" she screamed.
"Blair." Chuck started.
"Why did I even agree to come here with you?!" she continued.
"Blair!"
"I could be at home in my bathtub! With water! Clean water that I don't share with...with fishes!" Blair didn't want to cry, she didn't. But Chuck looked like he didn't care!
"BLAIR!" He cradled her face between his palms and looked into her eyes. Boring into them, making sure that Chocolate brown eyes met eyes the color of the finest scotch. She began to calm down. His eyes assuring her she was safe.
"Trust me, Waldorf. Trust me." he told her. "I won't let anything. Anything ever happen to you if it's the last thing I fucking do. You hear me?" he asked her.
Blair just stared at him, her eyes wanting to spill tears, not because they were lost… but because Chuck said things she wanted to hear. She felt like she was in one of her romantic movies. She loved him so much!
"You hear me?" he asked her again. His eyes searching hers, and she nodded. He kissed her there and then, with so much of passion, Blair thought she was going to combust from the touch of his lips.
He nuzzled her neck, before biting down softly on it, emitting a whimper from her. Blair didn't even care if they were lost. She only cared that Chuck was with her. She didn't care if someone did come looking for them either and found them in a less than… decent position either. He undressed them both slowly, making a bed of their clothes. He laid down on the makeshift palate and pulled his lover close. They came together, fast and hard. Their mouth fused and his expert hands stroking delicate flesh, while she grabbed at his hair, scrapping her nails down his back. Finding their rhythm with ease.
Essentially, Blair Waldorf rode Chuck Bass all night.
"Chuck… I hate to say this." They were both now cuddled together. Chuck's back was against a tree, it was hurting but he put his shirt on so it was less uncomfortable. But uncomfortable nevertheless. Blair rested her head against his chest.
"Even though, I essentially hate you for even asking me on this stupid trip. Where it has enforced my belief that camping is inhumane and it should be abolished, and made me do manual labor…. I did, however, love every second of it." She admitted. Blair turned her forehead as Chuck kissed her bare shoulder. He looked at her with his soft brown eyes with that singular look that was reserved for her and her alone. He gave that look that just about melted everything she had inside of her and kissed her. One long, sweet pull that went on forever.
"What would I do without you, Waldorf?" he murmured against her sweet mouth.
"Sleep out in the cold…no fire. Probably die from exposure." She said with a grin before snuggling against his chest.
He took his jacket and made her wear it, not wanting her to get cold.
Once Blair fell asleep in his arms, Chuck kissed her forehead and lay like that for a while. Chuck tightened his grip on Blair when she shivered, hoping to make her warm.
Truly satisfied, he held her a little while longer before reaching into his jacket pocket.
He took out the GPS that Dorota's note insisted on never wandering off without. Guess Blair hadn't seen that one. Oops. He smirked as he activated the GPS. It shouldn't take those people more than oh, about an hour or so to find them. He could take a catnap till then.
~*~*~*~*~
Upon their return to civilization, Bart was given a full report by his execs on his son's progress at the campground. Despite Blair's presence or maybe due in part to her being there, he was told her Chuck handled himself well enough. The young couple had worked together, muddling through the alien world of camping.
It made Bart proud to know that Chuck could handle Blair and work. And he was pleased to know Blair was being supportive, and not distracting him when he's supposed to be 'bonding and motivational' with other Execs. He was right to approve of Blair. She was everything Chuck wanted, and everything that Bart approved of and wanted for the boy.
So after office hours and getting the report, he decided to go see Chuck in his room, as he missed his son coming back.
"Son, how was the trip?" Bart opened the door and quickly quieted down when he saw Blair and Chuck on the bed covered in a little bit of dirt, and still in their camping attire. Chuck was sleeping behind Blair, his face in her hair and his hands around her waist. And Blair was comfortably tucked in his embrace.
"They look terrible." Bart said to a passing maid. Then he smiled at the two of them sleeping for just a millisecond. It was so quick the maid thought she imagined it. Then Bart's expression was back as he looked at her.
"When they wake up tend to them. Put out fresh clothes for my son and see that Miss Waldorf has something clean to wear. They'll be starving as well I'm sure." He told her. "But for the meantime, they're not to be bothered.
"Yes, sir." The woman nodded and hurried off as he glanced away.
Bart looked back at the couple cuddled together on the bed. Then at the picture next to Chuck's bed. The picture of a beautiful lovely woman, who looked so much like their sleeping son.. He smiled slightly, before closing the door to let them rest.
~*~*~*~*~
Chuck and Blair holding hands Check.
Chuck and Blair going to the movies Check
Chuck and Blair taking pictures Check
Chuck and Blair going shopping. Check
Chuck and Blair celebrating thanksgiving (and meeting the father) Check.
Chuck and Blair spending Christmas together. Check
Chuck and Blair missing each other. Check
Chuck and Blair….finally? Check
Chuck and Blair having dinner with Big Bad Bart. Check
Chuck and Blair going.. Camping?! . Check
Next on to do list.
Chuck and Blair spending Valentines Day… Together.