Disclaimer: I own nothing except a great love for CB and the many inhabitants of the UES

A/N: Not as long as the last. And I even slipped a little something extra in with the story. Thought it fit perfectly. You'll see what I mean soon enough. You guys are love and so amazing. Thanks for the continued words and show of support. Things are getting harder…timewise…there's just not enough time in the world but still loving writing this and sharing it with you. Hugs all around to my fellow CBers, fanforum buddies, and reviewers. Lynnie sweetie, you rock as always. Miss you miss you miss you and can't wait till you get back :kisses:

Chapter 9

Okay so the night hadn't quite turned out as boring he'd feared. Only once or twice had he been seized by the sudden urge to sneak from the darkened auditorium for a smoke. Or just the open air. He didn't leave, of course. There were the simple facts that he'd have to climb over Eleanor and company to get out, and that but for rare occasions, he'd pretty much kicked the habit. Or Dorota had kicked it for him after she'd caught the twins mummified in his scarves and ties, trying to eat the damn things.

Once the curtain fell on the final act, the stage grew crowded as all of the children took their turns offering a final curtsey and bow to their audience. Chuck headed backstage, bringing along Harold and an increasingly nervous Eleanor with him.

"Grandpa!" The twins bumped their father out of the way to get to Harold. A smile playing at his mouth and shaking his head, Chuck stepped back to allow the older man his due. He went to stand beside Eleanor to wait for his turn and watch the two children with their beloved Grandpa Harold.

"My girls!" Harold scooped them both up in his arms, covering their cheeks with smacking kisses.

Kat grinned, "Did you see? Did you see us?"

"You bet I did and I must say…brava, ladies. Brava." Harold said, "I will of course be expecting a repeat performance later. And again tomorrow for Grandpa Roman, no?"

They nodded. Evie pecked his cheek with a quick kiss, before looking around to see her father standing with Eleanor. Seeing them, the little girl elbowed her sister, winning a scowl and Evie's undivided attention.

Harold set them down, his smile growing wider as they contemplated their grandmother with curiosity and then shy smiles.

Chuck watched them. They didn't give her the same welcome as Harold had received. Which was to be expected, but their manner was far more polite and bordering on restrained than he'd expected. Shy and restrained didn't last long around his daughters, especially not around his little Evie. He waited but none of the three females appeared apt to do more than stand their and stare at one another. Kat peeked around at him, her eyes nervous and beckoning. Then she went back to staring at Eleanor.

Telling himself that he'd done the right thing. Chuck stepped forward claiming the attention of the wary threesome. The girls turned to him, relaxing immediately and offering him ready smiles. He handed Kat and Evie, both, one single pink rose that was in full bloom. Both Lily and Serena had applauded his choice, saying the girls would adore the idea of receiving the blooms after their performance. According to Lily he'd chosen well in hue as well for it signified elegance, tender love and grace.

Ofcourse, Chuck hadn't been considering any of that when he'd had his secretary order the things. These days, the twins were suddenly obsessed with all things pink after a years of considering it too 'girly' and 'overdone' for their tastes. But he a part of him loved Lily's assessment. It was befitting of them both. "For you, Evie. And my Kat. A little something for your command performance."

"Thank you."

"Thanks, Daddy."

They took his offering, grinning, but soon enough their eyes darted back to the woman at his back. Reaching out for their free hands, he led them over to Blair's mother. "Girls, allow me to introduce you to Eleanor Waldorf-Rose. Your grandmother."

Slowly, the girls moved closer to the woman, their small bodies becoming less rigid the more Eleanor herself seemed to relax. Their smiles were less nervous and they released their death grip on Chuck's hands to allow themselves to be pulled into that first quick hug from Blair's mother. Eleanor complimented their performances and began regaling them with secondhand tales of Blair's exploits and recitals throughout grade school. She might not have made them all but pictures and video from Dorota and Harold's actual presence at Blair's performances filled the gaps. And finally the connection sparked. Another person who'd known their mother. The mystery woman, their mommy. The sleeping woman who reminded them of the princesses from Dorota's bedtime stories.

As Blair's mother spoke of the plays and dance recitals, Chuck's mind reeled to another night…another stage, where she'd danced for herself. And for him. An unconscious smile curved his lips.

Harold's cell phone buzzed to life, bringing Chuck back to himself and where he was . He shifted, uncomfortably. And was grateful when Blair's father stepped back a few steps reaching for his phone.

"That's probably Roman. Wanting details." Harold smiled, turning away.

Chuck shoved his hands in his pockets, giving the appearance of indolence and complete relaxation as he leaned against a pillar. Forcing his body to behave and his mind back to the byplay between grandmother and granddaughters. The thought of Eleanor and their unsteady truce did the trick.

The three seemed to have found their footing. Eleanor still left him worried. He didn't think that he'd ever be able to completely drop his guard after what she'd done, but watching them Chuck once again felt as if he'd done the right thing. Even if it left him nervous as fuck.

"Can we call you Granny?" This from Evie, of course. And she back.

Eleanor made a face at this idea, lips pursed. She said, "Don't think I look like the 'Granny' type? What's wrong with grandma? Or grandmother?" She frowned at that, as well. Blair's mother looked at Chuck but her next words were without their usual bite. "Granny, Charles really."

"This is Harold Waldorf. How can I...when?" Something in the older man's voice pulled Chuck's attention back. Phone at his ear, Blair's usually robust and affable father was deathly still. His face ashen and expression nothing less than grim. "Fine. No, of course…I'll be there."

Chuck caught the older man's eye, quirking one questioning brow. All the while his stomach felt as if it were ready to drop away. He knew that face. He'd heard that tone before.

"No, don't bother. They're actually both here with me. I'll relay the news." He was saying into the phone.

"Blair." Chuck said quietly, as Harold disconnected his words too quiet to reach the trio only a few feet away.

Harold nodded quickly before pasting a stiff smile on his face, "Eleanor, I'm sure Lily and the others are anxiously awaiting us and our little stars. Come, you'll have time to talk more later.

The woman looked up, her expression one fully prepared to argue until she caught the tight, wary expressions on Chuck and Harold's faces. "Of course. Come along, girls." She ushered them forward, looking at Harold with questioning eyes as the excited girls started to the front without them. Once the girls were out of earshot, she didn't waste time demanding, "What's going on?"

"It's Blair. She's been rushed to St. Vincent's." Harold told them, gripping his ex-wife's hand in support.

"What happened?" Chuck asked.

"They think it was a myocardial infarction." Harold told them.

"A heart attack?" Eleanor questioned, looking to be on the verge of one herself.

Harold nodded solemnly. "We need to go."

"Charles? Charles…" Eleanor's call pierced the roar in his ears, making him realize that he'd stopped following them. His feet firmly, planted where he stood.

She wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead. He needed her. Blair couldn't go. Not like this.

For my sweetheart, the melancholic

You have crossed the River Styx

And the waves have taken you away

~ஐ~

Georgina tried McCarty's phone again and still received no answer. Where had that little bastard disappeared to? She was feeling much less bloodthirsty now. He'd warned of the possible side effects that came along with his little project. And she'd just witnessed proof enough of it with own eyes.

She'd been seconds from putting B out of her misery and ramping up Chuck's, when the monitors had started going crazy. Blair's entire body started spasming and the other woman's eyelids flickered and fluttered as if she were preparing to awaken. She hadn't though. Georgina had been debating just what course of action to take when the other nurse scheduled for the evening had come rushing inside, alerted by all the bells and whistles from B's monitors.

Georgina haul tailed it out of there when the others started pouring in, alerted by those same alarms. No way did Georgina want to hang around for any questions that were sure to follow when they called it. McCarty had assured her that no trace of the drug should be found during surface testing but an autopsy might be something else entirely.

She figured that it would be a good idea to lay low and watch the fallout before the time came for the next phase in her plan. "S, don't think I've forgotten you. Not at all." Smiling, she turned up the music and floored it, getting the hell out of New York. Chuck would be sight to behold from afar…very, very far…when his beloved Blair was truly and permanently beyond his reach.

~ஐ~

As I lay my head on your chest

I can hear it in your veins

Wake me up when you come to bed.

So toughen up,

Biko, toughen up, Biko toughen up

The world isn't kind to little things

They arrived at the hospital. Blair's parents, Chuck, and Serena, while Lily and the others returned to Chuck's for the night with the twins. They figured Eric and Cyrus could create enough of a distraction between them to keep the twins from noticing their father and newfound grandmother's sudden absence. Part of this was accomplished by the pile of gifts Eleanor and Cyrus arrived with. Eight not so small gifts, signifying the eight days of Chanukah, enough to whet their taste for the coming morning, to make them forget for a while just who was missing at home.

Eleanor began badgering the doctors and nurses the moment they hit the floor, demanding an immediate rundown of her daughter's condition. Harold took up the slack trying to smooth over tempers and ruffled feathers. Meanwhile, Chuck sat back. He was quiet and gazed from the window, hands out of sight and fisted in his pockets.

Hours had passed. At one point the primary cardiologist, Dr. Reeves, came out to talk to them to confirm that Blair had indeed suffered a cardiopulmonary infarction. They were assessing damage to her heart and lungs but so far it appeared minor in nature. They were also attempting to find out what might have set it off. There were no immediately apparent blockages to the organ, but they wanted to run further tests before offering a firmer diagnosis. He left them with that.

Serena glanced at her watch and saw that it was just after midnight and more than an hour after Harold finally convinced his ex-wife to let the doctors do their work without interruption. She cast a worried glance in her stepbrother's direction. She didn't think that he'd moved once since Reeves first came out to talk to the family.

She started to call Nate before remembering that he was still on shift. He and his partner were on some crazy-ass stakeout. She'd called him with news of Blair before remembering. Now she was worried about them all. The last thing that any of them needed was for Nate to get distracted enough that he ended up getting shot. Again.

Chuck had tried talking him into taking a job at Bass Industries after the shooting. Or something with his grandfather. But Nate would not be deterred. He loved being a cop. Helping people. Righting wrongs. Serena sorely wished there was a way that he could do that without having a gun riding his hip.

"Hey, mind if I sit down." Serena looked up to find Dan standing a few feet away.

"Dan. Hi, you…you didn't have to come." She said, happy despite her words that he had come. "But…yeah…of course. Sit down."

"Thanks." He handed her a cup of coffee, "Thought you might appreciate this…brought enough for everyone else, but they all look… pretty wired already."

"Thank you." She looked around the almost empty waiting room again. On one-side, Eleanor alternated between pacing and moving from one chair to another, shifting uncomfortably, every few seconds. Harold seemed to be watching some black and white movie, but kept checking his watch every few minutes. And Chuck still hadn't moved away from that damn window. He didn't make any nervous movements or actions but his shoulders were tense, and his expression seem carved from granite.

"Any news?" Dan asked, softly, leaning close so that his mouth was bare inches from her ear.

Not the place, she told herself, pushing down the quick thrill that shot through her at his closeness. Serena quickly gave him a rundown of the information they'd gotten earlier from the doctor, which was basically only repetition of what she'd told him over the phone, her voice small and worried to his ears, the more she spoke. She'd tried putting on a brave front but he'd heard the cracks even through the phone line.

"How are you holding up?" He asked her now.

She looked in Chuck's direction again, "Do you remember? After Bart's death. Do you remember how he was?"

Dan followed her gaze, nodding slowly, his tone dry. "Search and destroy mode. Healthy appetite for self-destruction. Yeah, I think can remember the highlights." He reached out to squeeze her arm, "I was thinking about you, though."

"So was I," She laughed, mirthlessly. "I'm scared of what will happen, if B doesn't pull through this. He barely made it through Bart's death but if he loses Blair…" She shook her head, dread in her eyes.

Chuck heard them, despite their attempts and hushed whispers, over the sound of Harold's movie, their words reached him. He understood, Serena's fear. He was worried himself. Chuck could already feel himself slipping. If it hadn't meant that he'd have to leave the hospital to get it, he'd be halfway through a quart of scotch. Anything to start numbing himself…he didn't want to feel it when the doctors spoke the words. He didn't want to feel that emptiness that had taken him over after he'd found out about his father's accident. After he'd seen his father, dead on some metal slab, covered by nothing but a white sheet.

Not Blair, he closed his eyes, trying to picture her face. Not comatose, but as she'd been the night of the Snowflake Ball, in the limo. Trading verbal jabs with him. Making love to him. Her eyes light and happy, content that though neither of them had yet to say those words, that it was there. That they were in love.

"Mr. and Mrs. Waldorf." The doctor's voice claimed everyone's attention.

"Here. Here." Eleanor hurried over, not bothering to correct him. Chuck walked over slowly, not even aware of his hands curling into fists until Serena reached out, covering one with an open palm.

He nodded at her, expression never softening as he waited.

"Okay, well we're still not sure what brought on the heart attack. We ran a few tests and so far things are inconclusive. There other labs we'll be sending out, might give us better answers but not for days at least." Dr. Reeves told them. "There is good news. The damage to the heart was minimal and there doesn't, at this time, appear to be any lasting effects."

"Thank God." Eleanor said, hugging Harold and then reaching for the shocked doctor. "Thank you. When can we see her? I want to see my daughter."

The man blinked at her quickly the woman's gratitude disappeared, her expression becoming fierce and demanding. "Of course. We've moved her into a private room. Only two of you can go at a time, though."

Eleanor and Harold immediately started out of the room ready to follow the doctor, but stopped to glance back at Chuck.

He nodded, wordlessly. Privately grateful to delay the inevitable. Allow time for the reality of the doctor's words to sink in and for the darkness that had been closing in on him to recede. To let it to seep into the background where it had been hovering, threatening to descend since he came back to New York, five years before.

His reprieve lasted all of ten minutes before, Serena convinced him to sneak past the nurses and doctors. Though he wouldn't exactly call it sneaking. They walked purposefully down white hallways, looking through anyone who might question them, putting on the air of belonging. Neither Eleanor, nor Harold appeared particularly surprised when he and Serena slipped inside the private room.

Chuck took a breath seeing white sheets and the beeping monitor. Then Harold moved aside and there she was.

Unaware of anything, anyone else, Chuck waited for that twinge of disappointed that always hit when he found her still fast asleep, like some fairytale princess who'd forgotten the part she was suppose to play. He'd played his part, bestowing the promised kiss but she never woke up. Maybe he wasn't her prince after all. None of that matter to him right now.

He smiled a little, swallowing past the lump in his throat. She hadn't left him. She hadn't let go. The darkness inside faded even faster, granting gentle reprieve.

Sitting down at her side, Chuck took her hand and sighed out his shaky relief.

~ஐ~

After Serena disappeared with Chuck, he started to leave the hospital but found himself back in the Burn Unit for the third time that day. She was awake. Just as he'd thought she'd be. The television playing, but her attention was on the white gauze and bandages covering her right arm. Her right hand. The sheet covered the other bandages swathing part of her back and thigh.

"Had a feeling that you'd still be up." He closed the door gently behind him.

"What are you doing back here, Dan?" Jenny asked, quietly. She didn't look up.

He sat down, "I thought you could use the company."

"You thought wrong."

"Jen. Tomorrow's Christmas." He said, "I don't want you to be alone tonight. I want to hang out with my little sister…if that's okay with you."

She was quiet, still staring at her hand. "What if…"

"What Jenny? You can say it."

She shook her head. Looking up at the TV. "Do you remember this one? Is this the one where she gets arrested for passing counterfeit money and Ricky has to talk through all those different translators?"

"No. I think this is the one at the vineyard." He sat back against the chair, watching her smile a little as she watched the old rerun.

"I like that one." She almost smiled, "I hope they show the one with the cough syrup. Can't believe Lucy got plastered with that stuff. You love that one."

"Crack up every time." Dan nodded.

They sat quietly, watching one episode after another. Forgetting themselves and laughing softly. He saw her start to drop off.

"You can go now, if you're tired." She told him.

"No way. They still haven't shown my episode yet. You go ahead to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Okay." She yawned suddenly, reminding him even more of the little girl she'd been.

"I'm not going anywhere." He told her again, but she was already out.

~ஐ~

Was my love not strong enough to

Bring you back from the dead?

If I could eat your cancer I would, but I can't

Chuck didn't remember falling asleep, but knew that he must be sleeping. He was having that damn dream again. That Blair was somehow awake but continually slipping away from him. No matter how much he called out for her. Begged her. It didn't matter.

"Charles." He felt himself being shaken from his sleep. Again. Instead of the anger and embarrassment he'd felt with Humphrey, he felt only gratitude when he looked up at Harold. "Hello."

"Hey." Chuck glanced around the room to see Eleanor curled up in the chair across from him. He didn't see his stepsister anywhere.

"I sent Serena home a few hours ago. Now it's your turn, young man." Harold said forestalling Chuck's coming protest with a lift of the hand, "Yes. It's after five. Dawn will be here soon and my granddaughters will be expecting their father's presence when they wake up. It's Christmas Morning, after all."

He'd actually forgotten. Chuck glanced at his timepiece to see the truth of the older man's words. Realizing that even in sleep he'd still been gripping Blair's hand tightly, holding her close even while he rested. After a moment Chuck forced himself to let her go. "Merry Christmas, Waldorf."

"What are you going to tell them? About Blair? They won't be expecting her…to be here."

"I'll figure something out." Chuck shrugged into his overcoat. He said his goodbyes. Casting one last look at B before heading out. He didn't even realize that it had started snowing until he was outside and the tiny flakes began collecting in his hair.

The ride home passed in a blur of time. Dawn's fingers had yet to lighten the sky into the realm of day. Only on the elevator ride upstairs did he remember the veritable mountain of wrapped gifts that he'd hidden away. Putting them away from overly curious eyes until it was time for them to go under the tree.

"Fuck." Cursing his thoughtlessness. He tried figuring how much time he had before Kat and Evie came careening at him, eager to see what Santa had left in his wake. Not nearly enough.

Hurrying off the elevator, he was already starting for the pantry when he caught sight of the gifts in question already surrounding the tree, ready and waiting for the little girls sleeping upstairs. Dorota. The woman was efficient. He'd have to up this year's bonus.

"Oh, you're kidding me, right." He shook his head, catching sight of the pyramid of giant, pink and brown stuffed puppies sitting off to the side. Damn things were as big as the twins. Cyrus hadn't been kidding about Eleanor going crazy, shopping for Kat and Evie.

Chuck scooped up the smallest from the top of the puppy pyramid and sank down in the closest armchair. His lids slid shut again, heavy and insistent before he even realized that sleep was upon him again. Just a few more minutes. He had a feeling that he'd need every one of them.

~ஐ~

So I keep writing these songs for you

To steal you from your grave

We can dance in a front room again

She heard the beeping first and still the darkness was upon her but not as heavy and clinging. She waited for the pain, but it remained at bay, just at the edge. She wanted to laugh, so happy that the pain had gone but the laughter clogged in her throat.

Blair coughed softly, her eyes fluttering up. The darkness seeming to fade completely as blurred colors came to her again. She blinked trying to make her eyes focus and ever so slowly they did.

The darkness was gone and her eyes were open and staring at the rosy pink ceiling but her body still felt heavy. She frowned as she commanded her arms and legs to move but they refused. Blair tried wiggling her toes but couldn't work up the energy to lift her head to see if she'd been successful. Her panic started to grow as she tried to move again.

"What's wrong with me?" The hoarse, paper-thin whisper sounded rusty to her own ears. Was that her?

Her heart thundering now in her own ears and that damn beeping coming fast and hard, Blair tried to move her arms and legs again. Relief surged in her as her body finally obeyed her commands, shifting and lifting. It was slight and she was weak as hell but she could move.

What was wrong with her? She wanted her mom. She wanted Dorota.

Blair tried calling out again and started coughing, her body heaving. "Mom?" the soft whisper came out.

~ஐ~

Every tear you shed is cleansing

Taking the pain away from you

I left blueberries in the fridge

The little things that I can do

Chuck was showering while the girls inventoried their haul of loot. Convincing Dorota to help them name their new dolls and for the third time that morning they re-decorated each and every room in their new dollhouse. They'd played dress-up in the expensive scarves and ties that he'd bought just for that purpose. Fake crowns and jewelry adorning their small bodies.

He hadn't said a word to them about their mother. He still hadn't figured out quite what to tell them. Neither Serena, nor Lily had been much help either when he'd called earlier.

Chuck stepped out of the shower and had just wrapped a towel around his hips when Dorota came bursting in the door. Expression deadpan and going on autopilot, he murmured. "Dorota, my dear. I thought we'd settled on your Christmas bonus already."

"Sorry, Mr. Chuck. Phone for you." Her round face was full of light and smiles. "It's Miss Blair's papa for you. Could not wait. Sorry."

He took the phone without thought. Chuck wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't the words heard from Harold two seconds later. "Chuck Bass."

"Charles, it's Harold. You need get back here. You need to get back here right now."

Was the old man smiling? "What's going on, Harold?" Chuck asked, every passing moment feeling more surreal than the last.

"She's awake, Charles. Blair's awake!"

Don't you know that when you stand

You stand up for both of us?

Remember that when the darkness looms

(You're not doing this alone)

…………

I need you to be strong for us

TBC

A/N: And there you have it. And this time I promise it's for real. Queen B is back however this doesn't mark an end to the trials and troubles plaguing CB and those around them. There's much more in store so stick close. Again the song is not mine….it's Biko by Bloc Party. It's been living in my head for days along with this story. Reminding me endlessly of these moments and how much I wanted to write though cruel fate kept me away from my laptop...damn work anyway, lol. Hope you guys liked this. As always let me know what you're thinking. And I'll update as soon as possible.

Courtney