Chapter IX
Would You Answer the Call of Duty?
Lilly breezed into the dining room. As she expected Bart was already sitting there, having a meagre breakfast and reading the paper. The children weren't up yet, as Lilly had hoped, so it gave her some time to talk to Bart privately. Ever since he'd gotten back from his business trip he'd been working late, coming home when Lilly had already dropped to sleep. But Lilly was determined that he would make time to talk about their 'family', especially Charles, who she noted hadn't come home again last night, his bed unslept in.
"Hello darling," Lilly proclaimed, preparing herself for battle. She bent over Bart's chair and pecked him on the cheek.
"Good morning," he said, sparing her a small smile as she sat down and picked up a strawberry which was a part of the fruit spread on the table.
"I'm glad I caught you before you left," Lilly stated sweetly, she might as well plunge in, Bart was already checking his watch. "There's been something I've been meaning to talk to you about..."
"Is there something wrong?" he asked, immediately turning his sharp blue eyes to her, part concern, part interrogatory.
"Nothing serious, no," Lilly amended, alleviating his tense shoulders slightly. "I just...I wonder if perhaps we could do something more to make the children feel a part of this family..."
"Are Serena and Eric having trouble?" Bart asked, his drop in tone indicating concern. He put down his paper now, his full attention on Lilly.
"Not just them...actually, I was thinking of Charles in particular..." she resisted the urge to fiddle with her wedding ring nervously, Bart's jaw tensed, an unconscious reaction whenever his son was mentioned. "I think perhaps we got so caught up in the wedding, and then merging our households financially and aesthetically, that we haven't ensured the children actually feel and realise that this is a family... For example, I hardly ever see Charles sleep in his room. I'm afraid perhaps he doesn't feel included, what with both Serena and Eric being my children. Heaven knows I love her but I know Serena can be a bit overbearing sometimes..."
She trailed off, Bart was frowning slightly now, considering her words. Then he suddenly rose, buttoning his dark suit jacket.
"I've been meaning to tell you, I have to go to Japan again this week, but as soon as I get back I'll talk to Charles about actually using his room," he noted, settling his collar and smiling stiffly at Lilly. "And perhaps we can talk over other ways of making this family work. You know I'm serious about this Lilly, don't you?" he almost looked anxious, but then the moment was gone and he was composed once more with a blink of an eye, bending down and placing his lips on her forehead as a farewell.
"Of course," Lilly said quietly, "It would just be nice if on occasion you could be serious about it here."
Bart straightened, looking at her with an unreadable expression.
"I'll try my best," he finally said. "I'll see you tonight, before I leave."
"Have a good day," Lilly supplied, but he had already turned and headed for the elevator. Sighing Lilly picked up the full champagne flute and sipped at it. Unconsciously she took her phone from her pocket, scrolling through her contacts, her thumb pausing over one name. When she heard the elevator doors slide shut she made her decision, and pressed her thumb on the phone icon, pressing the phone to her ear.
"Rufus, hello, I know what you said about me living my life and letting you live yours, and I am trying to do that. But I was hoping you were free to talk, as friends...?"
"Hey man," Nate said, catching up with Chuck in the quad after the lunch bell had rung. "What happened to you?" he queried as he took in Chuck's dishelved appearance. Chuck's eyes were bleary and red, his hair was sticking up at all angles, and his scarf was unevenly placed on his neck.
"Didn't get much sleep," Chuck muttered, pulling his satchel up on his shoulder. He'd gotten about half an hours sleep to be specific. After giving over his credit card to Bart he'd fumed in 1812, drinking scotch. Eventually when he found sleep was not forthcoming he'd tried to start on his essay. He hadn't even got one word down, and he was beginning to wonder if maybe Blair had been right, maybe he was going to lose this. It didn't put him in the best of moods.
"Why wasn't I invited to the party?" Nate asked, grinning slightly and assuming Chuck had just been up to his usual occupation.
"It was a private affair, just me and a few maids," Chuck managed to drawl out, though his heart wasn't really in it. He was glancing around the quad preoccupied, his eyes scanning the crowd lazily.
"You looking for someone?" Nate queried.
Just as Chuck opened his mouth, he seemed to spot something of interest. He lengthened his stride and Nate quickly jogged to keep up. Surprisingly it was to Serena Chuck walked up to, she was standing near the school staircase, Damien was beside her a coffee in hand.
"Hello sis," Chuck drawled, ignoring Damien completely he came to stand in front of Serena between them, leaning closer to her. "You haven't perchance seen a delightful brunette have you?"
"Even if I had I wouldn't tell you," Serena snapped, icy cold. "Now will you get out of my face Chuck."
"Why, I thought that's exactly where you like me," Chuck drawled, reaching up a hand to brush her hair with his finger tips.
"Pig," Serena enraged shoved Chuck away. "When people say they want you to leave them alone, they mean it!"
"The family that play's together..." Chuck smirked, unconcerned with her physical violence. "But if you just tell me where I can find your BFF I might be persuaded to leave you alone."
"When are you going to get it, she's not interested in you?" Serena snapped, aiming her barb where she knew it would hurt him the most. "She's too good for you anyway."
Chuck's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening dangerously. He turned to glance at Damien, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"Really, that's funny, because last time I recalled prep boys weren't interested in girls who kill..."
"Chuck," Nate quickly intervened, snapping out of his suspended state he quickly grabbed his best friends jacket, pulling him away from Serena. "That's enough man."
Serena had gone pale, she quickly turned on her heels and almost fled, Nate watched helplessly as Damien followed her, as he was left holding onto his friends arm.
"Let me go Nathaniel," Chuck snapped, annoyed. Nate quickly relinquished his hold.
"Don't you think you were going a bit far there Chuck?" Nate faced him angrily.
"Please Nathaniel, just because you hold Serena on a virginal pedestal doesn't mean the rest of us can't see her for exactly what she is," Chuck sneered.
"What are you talking about?" Nate snapped, annoyed he immediately bristled.
"You were never known for you subtlety," Chuck scoffed. "Half the school can see it, but I'm telling you as your friend that you have got to stop."
"Stop what?" Nate growled now, his shoulders tensing, barely repressing his urge to shove Chuck a lot harder then Serena had.
"Stop mooning over her man. Yesterday I caught her yearning for Humphrey, today that new boy. It's never you, it's never going to be you. It's time to let her go..."
"Just because Serena was right about Blair doesn't mean you should start projecting your shit on me man," Nate pointed out, voice rising slightly.
"At least I know what I want, and I'm willing to fight for it," Chuck snapped now, his voice going dangerously cold.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nate demanded in a low snarl, leaning closer to Chuck aggressively. Students were watching them, but he didn't even notice.
"You have a supposed girlfriend in Brooklyn, and you seemed pretty happy with her until Serena got a new boy toy." Chuck pointed out, holding Nate's eyes with his own dark ones. "It's like Blair and Serena all over again, you can never decide what you want Nathaniel, and it's driving me crazy to have my best friend always whinging about some girl or other. Make up your mind already, for all our sakes."
"Yeah... well you won't have to worry about me whinging to you anymore," Nate said, grinding his teeth he settled his backpack on his shoulder and turned storming away.
"Nathaniel," Chuck called after him penitently after a second's hesitation.
"You know what, its fine man," Nate snapped, turning around and raising his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry for inconveniencing you all these years. I'm done."
"Look I didn't..." Chuck began, but Nate just shook his head angrily and turned, proceeded to march off.
Chuck looked after his friend, immediately regretful of his harsh words. Noticing the students watching him he gave them a dirty look and stalked towards the main school doors, swinging them open furiously and parting a group of sophomores just about to exit with a viscous glare. Obviously this whole week was going to hell, just like his life apparently.
Trouble in paradise C and N? It looks like there are two vacancies to be filled for a full time bromance. Any takers? xoxo GG
"Serena wait," Damien caught up to her just as she reached the end of the school steps, catching her hand in his own. She turned automatically at his touch, glancing at him with wide blue eyes.
"Look...I really...I..." she trailed off, unsure of what she was doing, biting her lip.
"So that's Chuck Bass huh? He's a real jerk," Damien noted. "Do you want me to go back there and punch him in the face?"
"No, no," Serena said quickly, reminded of Dan, "It's not him...I mean it is him but..." she trailed off again. "It's just since boarding school...I've changed Damien..."
"I know," he said, smiling slightly, confused.
"It's just, recently with you here, talking about the old days, I've been so confused about whether that was a good thing or not, and then with all the other stuff..." she was looking at her hands while saying all this, tearing at her lip with her teeth.
"Hey, it's okay," Damien said, taking her hand. "I understand...you know when I met you here I could see immediately you'd changed. And though you were pretty amazing before Serena, I think I kind of like the new you..."
Serena laughed slightly, nervously, looking up at him.
"I know I must seem like I have split personality recently... But I've just been remembering how...how I treated you back then..." feelings of guilt assuaged her, remembering flirting with Damien just so he would do her homework while she did tequila shots with more attractive boys.
"It's okay," Damien said, holding up his hand, looking into her eyes. "Actually, there was something I've been meaning to tell you, I never had the courage back then, but I think now..." with each soft word he'd been leaning forward, and Serena stood stock still, confused and conflicted as his lips eventually touched hers.
Finally he pulled away from her, smiling, his eyes wide.
"Wow I just kissed Serena van der Woodsen," he said quietly.
Serena's still stood there, even more confused. Suddenly her phone sounded and with relief she frantically grabbed it out of her bag and checked it.
"I have to go," she said quickly, over bright. "I'll see you later."
Before Damien could blink she rushed up the stairs along with a group of students, completely blind to everything but the tumult of guilt and emotions she was feeling. She couldn't shake the feeling that when Damien had kissed her his lips hadn't been the one's she was thinking about.
Nate watched Serena rush away, then glanced back at Damien who was standing on the steps, also watching Serena's retreat. He'd come in search of Serena only to catch her and Damien locked in a kiss. He felt like such an idiot. Without even thinking he pulled his blue phone from his pocket and snapped it open, pressing the fourth number on his speed dial. She picked up on the third ring.
"Hey Vaness, I was wondering if you wanted to catch lunch together? "
"Yeah sure," Vanessa laughed on the other end, surprised.
"Great, I'll see you at the art gallery," Nate stipulated. "I can't wait."
He ended the call quickly and headed down the stairs, ensuring he was far away from Damien. Though he didn't want to admit it Chuck had been partly right, he did need to make a decision, and he just had.
"You rang," Serena said, giving Eric a forced sunny smile.
"I just asked you if you wanted to have lunch together?" Eric said, slightly stunned Serena had actually shown up. He was sitting at one of the tables and chairs in the corner in the inner courtyard. Other students were milling around the tables, in cliques, Eric was sitting alone however.
"Of course I do," Serena said, sliding into the bench seat opposite Eric and plopping a full yoghurt down in front of her. "Would I ever stand up my little brother? I was expecting a larger group however, where's Jenny and Jonathon?"
"Jenny's absent...I think she's sick or something," Eric said evasively. He did not think it was a good idea to spill about the fact Jenny had decided to work at Eleanor's rather than go to school, without her father's knowledge. "And Jonathon...well..." he trailed off now, unable to come up with a lie for that one.
"Is there something wrong?" Serena asked, concerned she picked up on Eric's despondent look as he stabbed at his chicken salad.
"We just had a fight yesterday..." Eric supplied. "I think he..." before he could finish his sentence some jocks passed by the table on their way to the other side of the courtyard.
"Hey E," the lead one said, slapping Eric lightly on the back of the head roughly.
The other jocks guffawed and followed to do the same.
"Hey," Serena snapped, standing up, her eyes flashing. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Leave it alone Serena," Eric quickly muttered.
"We're just greeting Chuck's little buddy here," the lead jock said, blonde and blue eyed. He ruffled Eric's hair this time, smiling at Serena confidently.
"Yeah well..." Serena began, angry.
"Serena, please," Eric begged with his eyes, his voice holding a tone of desperation. Serena glanced at him, torn between saying something more or giving into the obviously distressed Eric's plea. Eventually she relented, sitting down. The jock's smiles grew wider and they snickered as they strutted away.
"What was that about, and I'm not taking nothing as an answer," Serena interrogated Eric, looking at him with sharp blue eyes.
Eric stayed silent, examining his salad closely.
"Did Chuck do something?" Serena asked, reaching the obvious conclusion and getting fired up. "Is that what happened, this is exactly like him to have the repercussions of his stupid schemes fall on innocent people."
"Serena..." Eric began, quickly looking up worried, but before he could say anything further the bell rang.
"Look I have to get to class Eric, I have a test, but I will handle this," Serena said, fury in her eyes as she rose and grabbed her uneaten yoghurt. When it came to Chuck lately, she was deaf to reason, especially after this morning events. " Chuck cannot get away with this, I won't let him."
"Serena," Eric said helplessly, but she'd already turned around and stalked off on her heels, waving negligently behind her. Eric sighed, and grabbing the rest of his salad threw it in the nearby bin. So much for a quiet lunch with his sister.
"Serena?" Blair answered her phone at 4:30. She had three missed calls. She'd decided not to go into school today, she had a headache and had used her time to start on her English paper. She refused to even think that she was using it as an excuse to avoid a certain Basshole. The fact all she'd managed to write under the essay topic was variations on Chuck's name, such as Mother Chucker, and her favourite Basstard, was not a good sign however.
"B, there you are. Are you feeling any better, I really need your help," Serena gushed out all in one breath as soon as she heard Blair's voice.
"Slow down, as Mom would say you're going to get wrinkles," Blair said, amused slightly. "What's wrong?"
"It's Chuck," Serena pronounced, Blair's heart sunk slightly. How was she meant to get him out of her mind when even her best friend wouldn't let the topic go? "I just found out he did something that has now made Eric collateral damage. He has got to pay..."
"Are you sure S," she began hesitantly, "As much as I'm loathe to say this, that doesn't really sound like Chuck. He seems to actually like Eric...well as much as a soulless jerk can like someone..." she amended at the end.
"Exactly, he's a soulless jerk. And because of him now Eric is copping flack, I need your help to give him some payback, that is unless..."
"Unless what?" Blair snapped.
"Unless you don't want to hurt him because..."
"There is absolutely no reason why I wouldn't want to hurt Chuck," Blair said, her eyes flashing, gripping the phone tighter. Serena's words were too close to the doubts creeping in her mind."On the contrary, I absolutely adore hurting Chuck. What were you thinking?"
"Great," Serena said, and Blair could almost hear her wide smile. "Well first I have to find him..."
Blair picked up her laptop, minimizing her essay screen, which was dishearteningly blank of anything useful, she immediately clicked onto Gossip Girl, going to the spotted section of the site.
"He's downstairs," she said, interrupting whatever silly scheme Serena was beginning to try and explain to Blair.
"No, he's not anywhere in the suite, I checked," Serena huffed, obviously her first instinct was to go for the direct slap in the face or hard shove.
"S you live in a hotel remember, he's on the ground floor at the Palace bar," Blair explained, over patiently. "It says it right here on Gossip Girl, apparently he's trying to make a play on some twins." She tried to keep her voice tightly controlled as she said that, glancing at the photo's of Chuck at the bar, sitting between blonde and blonder. She couldn't help the small ball of rage from growing in her stomach however, betraying her. There was only one thing for it, she had to prove, not only to herself, but to the world that she did not care about Chuck Bass. "I know the perfect payback S," she said, a small duplicitous smile curving her lips. It served Serena's purpose as well as Blair's. Blair's purpose of showing she was completely dissociated with any feelings for Chuck of course, it had absolutely nothing to do with the twins he was flirting with. "Do you remember Penelope's two timing boyfriend in freshman year?"
Chuck sat at the Palace bar, a scotch glass in hand and two very fine looking twins on either side of him. He'd found out Bart was planning to leave for Japan, and tried his luck by ringing Arthur. As per usual Bart had left no instructions with his limo driver to maintain the ban, so his driver dutifully picked him up from the school gates. He'd spotted Nate outside, and called out to him, offering him a ride in return for the ones Nate had given him in his town car for the past few days, but the blonde had just ignored him and kept on walking.
Chuck had contemplated staying in 1812 as soon as he got to the hotel, but he decided against it. He was tired of skulking, Bart was out of town, and though his gold card was in his Father's possession, which meant he was barred from some high class delights, that didn't mean he couldn't play the field. It had been too long since he'd tested his skills after all. So he changed into a pastel green suit, put his favourite cologne on, and headed for the Palace bar. He'd immediately zeroed in on the two blondes at the bar, taking the seat between them he'd bought them each a drink and was having a stimulated conversation full of innuendos. He was actually beginning to not feel miserable for the first time in the week, what with the hazy tone a few drinks had provided for him, and the flirtatious smiles the girls were giving him. That was until a black haired girl stalked into the bar in a very short red dress and with a look of vengeance on her face.
"There you are," she shrieked loudly, walking right up to Chuck. He glanced up at her with lazy confusion, raising his eyebrows as she glared at him with flashing green eyes. He'd never seen her in his life, but he was sure she was a cheap call girl, he usually had an eye for these things. The twins looked at her with small frowns on their faces, then at Chuck. Just as Chuck was about to open his mouth and deliver a disparaging comment to get rid of her, the woman beat him to it.
"You gave me Chlamydia you jerk," she shouted loudly, eliciting shocked looks from the other patrons. Grabbing one of the girl's cocktail glasses she threw its pink contents right in Chuck's face. Chuck spluttered shocked as it trickled down his face and onto his suit.
"What the hell," he shouted, infuriated as he wiped his eyes with the pastel blue handkerchief in his pocket, "This is vintage you bit..." but the girl had already stalked out again promptly, a satisfied look on her face. The twins shared a simultaneous look, then quickly picked up their shiny black clutches in unison.
"We have to go," they said and quickly slipping off the stool they headed for the exit.
"I don't even know her," Chuck called after them, annoyed, but they didn't look back. Aggravated Chuck got up, leaving the drinks for his sizeable tab. He ignored the looks and whispers of the other patrons, stalking out of the bar. Once in the lobby he glanced around, intent on vengeance, that's when he spotted the fake black hair, and right next to her was a familiar natural blonde, handing over a wad of cash near the door. Chuck saw sparks, heading straight for Serena, who was smiling widely as she watched the woman exit the hotel.
"What the hell was that?" he snarled, stopping short of her.
"As if you didn't know," Serena said coolly. "You can't just mess with people Chuck and expect them to lie down and take it, especially not with Eric..."
"What are you talking about?" Chuck asked, contemptuous. "I don't know..."
"Spare it Chuck," she snapped before he could say anything further, brushing past him roughly. "I'm not interested in your excuses. That stunt was less then you deserve, so be grateful and deal with it, because we are by no means even."
Chuck ground his teeth, watching as she walked away, struck dumb by anger. Serena had just messed with the wrong person this week.
We hear Chuck is packing, Chlamydia that is. Although why does the little scene in the Palace bar feel a little staged to me? Word is out that Serena was behind it, and Chuck is looking for vengeance. My suggestion, run for cover boys and girls, this means war, and we all know no one does it better then siblings. xoxo GG.
A/N: Just thought I'd put this on a timeline. It's consistent up to and including the Ex Files. The rest is my story with inspiration and inclusion of some scenes from the show, but hopefully with my own storyline too.
Thanks to svenjen, ellibells, tvrox12, Jay and Temp02, Curious Blonde for reviewing so fast and most of you regularly = ). I'm glad you guys didn't think it was OOC and are enjoying reading. = ). I have some time so I'll reply to my wonderful reviewers = ).
Svenjen: Thanks a bunch, I'm glad you didn't think it was OOC I was a bit worried because I wrote it in a hurry, thanks for reviewing = )
Ellibells: Lol, C and B can't get together without making some kind of competition. Glad you liked, thanks for reviewing = ).
Tvrox12: Thank you, thanks for reviewing = ).
Jay: I too like stories that don't just concentrate on B and C, though they are my favourites. I like them interacting with other characters too, especially the sibling like quality between Serena, Eric and Chuck which was present in the first and second season but then appeared to almost die = ( (besides Serena kind of standing up for Chuck recently to Blair). I'm glad you like it and think it's refreshing, thanks for reviewing = ).
Temp02: I'm glad you don't think it was OOC. I miss season 2 too, which is why I wrote this lol. Though I know the characters have to grow up I wish they could've kept some more of their sparkle, like Chuck's scarf and Blair and Chuck's squabbles (which they could've done more of as a couple) or the NJBC scheming more. More Dan/Chuck scenes to come up hopefully, and who knows about the A, with the way Blair is going maybe they'll both lose, I'm not sure yet = P. Thanks for reviewing = ).
Curios Blonde: Thanks for the advice = ). I was planning to amp up the drama a bit in the next few chapters and I'll try and keep that in mind as I write. What type of drama were you thinking, angsty stuff? Or just more scandals? Thanks for reviewing = ).
Inspiration picture of the chapter: Google "Serena and Chuck 1x12. School Lies" It's the first pic which has the back of Chuck's head in it.
Inspirational song: For some reason Michael Buble's Hollywood was playing through my head lol, so I thought I would mention it.
More dramatic chapter coming up, sibling war muhahahaha!
Please anyone who is READING REVIEW! Pretty please sugar on top don't just add to story alert reviews motivate me to update faster/more regularly, wink, wink, nudge, nudge = P! (I've written 3 chapters after this one already, so proud of myself. POTC4 comes out today in Australia = D!)
SPOILER Season 4 Finale Babble: I knew Chuck would let her go, it still broke my heart though, even though I know they will get together = (. It seemed like a real goodbye, but it was titled the WRONG goodbye, so I know they will find their way together again. I still felt pretty sad = (. Though did anyone else laugh aloud at the Bar mitzvah scene? The moments before they started making out just seemed really awkward and funny to me, Chuck and Blair have never been like that and I can't imagine them being so undignified, it was kind of OOC. But maybe it was to highlight that they could be happy together when they put everything else away and are just with each other. I think it's Blair's pregnancy test, but I really don't want her to have a baby! I think it will force Chuck and Blair together, and they'll both feel trapped, rather then it happening because they realise they love each other and can be happy. I can't believe about the Dan book, that was pretty interesting, I'd love to hear some excerpts from it about each NJBC character lol, and their reactions, especially Chuck, Blair and Serena lol. Anyway I just had to express myself about that haha, gah GG has driven me crazy these last two years hopefully season 5 will put everything to rights. Chair FTW hahaha.