AN: And another one down! Thank you times a million. Someone asked how long I planned this to be, and I don't expect it to be a super long epic. Chuck and Blair are already moving toward the ultimate end goal, though of course there will be some pretty big bumps along the way. If I had to guess I would say no more than 25 chapters, but I can't be positive.
Chapter 11.
SURVIVAL
"All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange,
sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel
of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive."
- Yann Martel
Chuck awoke from a mostly peaceful sleep to be bombarded by an irritating clanging sound he couldn't quite place. It took him a minute to clear his mind, before he shot out of bed and rushed downstairs to make sure Parker was all right. He'd given Mrs. Bainbridge off until later that morning which meant his son was probably taking full advantage. Parker was obsessed with breakfast in bed, and thought he was just as capable as an Iron Chef was. Chuck didn't mind the mess, but he feared Parker might become extra adventurous and try out the stove. Last time Chuck had caught him he'd been pushing a chair toward the over so he could reach the power knobs. It had led to one of the worst arguments Chuck had ever had with his son, and in the end, Parker had run away crying while Chuck had felt like shit, but safety was one compromise he wouldn't make.
"Parker!" Chuck yelled as he nearly skidded into the kitchen on bare feet. He usually found walking around without slippers or shoes quite crass, but this posed a special occasion. "Parker, I told you-"
Chuck stopped short when he got his first full view of the kitchen. Parker was indeed wearing his favorite chef's hat, but he wasn't alone. Blair, looking a bit bedraggled from the early hour, was standing beside Parker and trying to help him whisk what looked like eggs. Chuck wasn't sure which was more comical, his small son cooking breakfast or Blair standing there pretending she knew how to help. Chuck was pretty damn sure Blair was one of the least culinary people he knew, maybe only slightly above him in skill.
"Hi Daddy." Parker waved to him while holding the whisk in his hand. Egg batter splattered all over the countertop, some even landing on Blair's face. Chuck expected her to freak out, but she merely winced and brushed it away. She wasn't the girl he remembered from before.
Blair smiled ruefully at Chuck. "He woke me up thirty minutes ago, and insisted we make you a thank you breakfast in bed. He assured me you would love it… I've been conned haven't I?" Blair looked down at a delighted Parker, and her smile turned full.
Chuck laughed then. He couldn't help himself. Blair had only fallen prey to the best little con Chuck had ever known. Parker was all about sweet smiles, assuring promises, and when all else failed he turned to sad eyes and pouty lips. Chuck had yet to see anyone actually stand up against the force. Chuck himself always knew it was a con, but still conceded. There was something about Parker's happiness that was addictive.
"I adore breakfast in bed when Parker has help." Chuck eyed Parker sternly, making sure his son got the point, before refocusing on Blair. "However, you don't seem like the perfect sous-chef."
Blair conceded easily. "He's been teaching me. He assures me practice will help, and of course, once I get a real chef's hat. That's on my shopping list today."
Chuck nodded. This felt so natural, so real. It was a hallmark card, a Norman Rockwell painting, an old time family movie, and it scared Chuck. He could easily get used to this. Parker's happiness. Blair smiling. Joking in the early morning, just the three of them. It was as close to perfect as his life had been in a while, and he was worried he'd start relying on it. He'd start believing on Blair again, and then she'd disappear. He had to be cautious.
These thoughts turned his expression grim, and his stance stiff. He walked back out of the kitchen without another word, and decided he'd head into the office early. He'd promised Parker a day with his mother, and he felt it best he didn't interfere. Blair would be more at ease without him there, and Parker would adjust to having his mother one on one. They all needed this, but it still made Chuck nervous.
"Chuck?" Blair was right behind him on the staircase, a concerned look on her face. "Did I do something wrong? I didn't think it would be a big deal, and Parker seemed so excited. He wanted to thank you for letting me move in."
Chuck's heart constricted. Parker was working overtime to make sure this didn't fall apart, and Chuck hated that he was carrying that on his little shoulders. Hopefully Parker would become accustomed to this new situation, and grow confident in it sticking. It might still fall apart, but Chuck didn't want Parker living from day to day with constant worry.
Chuck forced his expression to be neutral, and bad sure to control his tone. "Everything's fine. I just need to head into the office early. A maid comes in every afternoon at noon. Leave the mess for her."
Chuck started up the stairs again, and was almost behind the safety of his bedroom doors when Blair reached out and stopped him again. They were hanging in the middle of the doorway, and Chuck watched as Blair realized this and quickly stepped back. There was a haunted look in her eyes that worried him. No matter how many times she promised him she was better he still worried she'd relapse in the end. When Parker was a baby Chuck could protect him. There would be no protecting him now. He'd feel every disappoint Blair doled them if she lost it again.
"What?" Chuck snapped, expecting her to recoil. She didn't move though. She just kept staring into the bedroom behind him, almost like she'd seen a ghost. Chuck started to become concerned, and stepped toward her. "Blair," his voice was softer, "what?"
Blair's eyes were glassy and unfocused, and she couldn't meet his when she answered. "I haven't been back in that room since…" She took a deep breath, and forced herself back together. This would not look good to Chuck. "Well, never mind. I'll let you get ready for work."
She started to turn away, but he reached out for her hand and pulled her back to him. He didn't release her until she was standing right in the middle of the doorway, and she went stock still. Everything she'd been running from lived in that room. All the happiness and all the misery. It started to choke her, and she tried to back up, but Chuck reached out again and held her in place.
"It's just a room," he whispered. There was caring and sympathy in his voice. Two things she'd missed so desperately. She wanted to reach out to him, hold on tight and never let go. She wanted to let him hold her up, and if Parker hadn't chosen that moment to come rushing up she probably would have.
"Breakfast is ready!" He announced triumphantly and handed Chuck a bowl of microwaved eggs and burnt toast. "Yours is still cooking, Mommy."
Blair tried to smile at him, but she was still in the thrall of that room. Parker seemed oblivious, but Chuck was watching her intently.
"Parker," Chuck looked down at his son, "why don't you go set the table, and your mother and I will join you. Remember what you're not allowed to touch." Chuck reminded Parker, before Parker skidded away as quickly as he'd come.
Without another word Chuck pulled Blair into the room she was so afraid of. She resisted at first, digging in her heels like a child, nearly begging him to stop, but he wouldn't release her. He insisted, and very slowly she edged into the room. Once inside he shut the door, closing off all exits, and she felt her breathing pick up. She was going to panic. She could feel it coming on, and she knew it would be a sure sign to Chuck that she was still a basket case. He released her arm, and she huddled against the wall, looking anywhere but at the spot it happened. She wondered if her blood still stained the hardwood or if he'd had it replaced. She couldn't bear to look.
"Please don't do this to me." She begged, sounding like a small child herself. The room was closing in on her. Chuck was closing in on her. She needed to get out.
"Blair." His voice was surprisingly soothing, and when she opened her eyes he was standing right in front of her. He hesitated for a moment, before reaching out and framing her face with his hands. He used to do that all the time, like he was memorizing her, worshipping her. She'd felt so whole in those moments, so loved and safe. She'd known that no one would ever love her the way he did. Protect her the way he promised he would. For him to do it now nearly undid her. "Listen to me. Can you listen?" He was using the same patient voice she'd heard him use with Parker. Where she expected condemnation he was showing her consideration.
"Is the stain still there?" She wasn't sure why that was so important, but she had to know. She had to know if the greatest mistake of her life still tainted this room.
"Blair…" His reluctance made the answer clear.
"I want to see." Blair grabbed his hands, and slowly pulled them from her face. He squeezed her fingers in return, a silent pleading for her to stop, but she couldn't. She moved around him quickly before he could stop her, and dropped to her knees on the floor at the end of the bed. There was a beautiful oriental rug there, and Blair would have admired it if she didn't know the ugly secret it hid.
She took a moment to run her fingers over the fabric. It felt soft and rough at the same time. The small reprieve passed, and she started to roll it back. Before she could get to the spot she needed to see Chuck was kneeling down beside her, stilling her hands.
"It won't help you." He seemed so sure of that, so steady.
"I know." She whispered, and then rolled it over quickly.
There beneath the beautiful oriental rug was a dark stain ingrained into the wood. Her hands were trembling when she reached out to trace it. Chuck tried to yank her hand back, but she brushed him aside and finally laid her palm against the cold hard word. For a moment she went back. Parker crying so loud, always crying, always wanting. Chuck working and worrying and looking at her like she was someone he didn't know. The blade, rough but smooth, an escape. Her back ached against the floor, her head felt a rush, and the slow flow of her blood coated her body from beneath her. She stared at the beautiful ceiling she'd designed and wished for oblivion.
"Enough." Chuck practically growled, and forced the rug back down. He stood up quickly, and practically yanked her up with him. "What do you think this will accomplish? Are you trying to lose your mind again?" He seemed angry, beyond volatile in his current mood.
"If I don't face it I'll never be strong enough." Blair was still shaking a little, her entire body overwhelmed by the memories she'd been bombarded with. She'd been so close to death that day, and if Chuck hadn't come home early she would have met it.
"This isn't the way." Chuck assured her. He turned his back on her then, and she thought their conversation was through. It wasn't though. "You're not the only one who has to live with that day, Blair. I've lived with it for years, and it isn't easy. It took me months before I could walk back into this room, and see anything besides your lifeless body lying on that floor. Sometimes I still see you. I still hear you in my ear saying goodbye as Parker screamed next to me."
"I'm so sorry." Blair choked out the words as a sob built in her throat.
"I'm not asking for your apologies!" He exploded. "I'm asking you to let it go, and move on. Don't go back to that place. Parker can't handle it and neither can I." Chuck stormed away from her then, and slammed into his bathroom.
Blair stood there for another minute, wishing he would return to her, but he didn't. She was greeted with pure silence, and she knew that was her que. They'd gone as deep as they could that morning. Chuck had to retreat, and she knew she should as well. After pulling herself together she rejoined Parker downstairs, and had the best and most awful breakfast of her life.
Chuck left for work after taking a few bites of breakfast and kissing Parker goodbye. He warned them it would probably be a late night, and Parker took this in stride. Blair hoped that was because she was there. It made her feel special, needed. Chuck merely nodded at her, before telling her Mrs. Bainbridge was in the living room and would go over the schedule. Blair didn't mind the babysitter for now, but she hoped Chuck would eventually allow her un-chaperoned time with Parker. Once again it all came down to trust.
Blair, Parker and Mrs. Bainbridge were just getting ready to head out for the park when there was a loud ruckus outside the door, and a harried looking guard stepped in. He looked from Mrs. Bainbridge to Blair, and finally addressed Blair.
"Uh… Mam, well…" He glanced around nervously. "Miss Sparks insists on coming in, and I can't reach Mr. Bass to get permission…"
Blair stared back at him, too stunned to speak at first. Georgina. Blair couldn't say she was exactly eager for this show down, but she'd been anticipating it. It didn't have to be today though. Blair knew the guard would show Georgina out if she gave the words, and that gave her a certain headiness. Already she was reclaiming her territory and all Georgina could do was wait in the hall.
"Alright, give me just a few minutes and then send her in."
The guard nodded gratefully and shut the door behind him.
"Mrs. Bainbridge," Blair turned to the kindly nanny, "why don't you and Parker head onto the park now, and I'll catch up with you once I handle this business."
Mrs. Bainbridge nodded eagerly, and started to hustle Parker toward the door.
Parker protested quickly. "She's not a nice lady, Mommy. Come with us. Daddy will make her leave."
Blair crouched down in front of Parker, and hugged him quickly. "I'll be quick I promise." She popped a kiss on his nose, and he giggled before Mrs. Bainbridge began shuffling him toward the door again.
Before they could make it out Georgina stormed in, a malicious look in her eyes.
"Pack your things and get out right now." Georgina demanded without ceremony.
Blair opened her mouth to respond in kind, but Parker beat her to it.
"You get out! You get out! My Daddy will make you leave! Call my Daddy!" Parker became a wild thing screaming so loud he had tears running down his face as he stared Georgina down. Blair had never seen her sweet child so furious, and it scared her. She'd hoped he'd escaped the volatility she and Chuck so easily turned to.
"Parker." Blair rushed over to him, and tried to pull him into her arms, but all he kept screaming was to call his father, and before Blair could even turn to Mrs. Bainbridge the woman was dialing Chuck. Blair continued to try and console Parker, while for once Georgina mercifully stayed quiet. "Parker listen to me, everything is okay. Mrs. Bainbridge is calling your father, but there's nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere."
Georgina scoffed in the background, and Parker unleashed another torrent of shouts directed at her. Blair didn't know what to do, but she knew she wanted to throttle Georgina for causing Parker this pain. His emotional stability was already shaky with all the changes happening.
Mrs. Bainbridge hung up the phone, and addressed Blair. "Mr. Bass is on his way right now."
Blair sucked in a relieved breath, and refocused on Parker. "Parker, Mrs. Bainbridge is going to take you into the kitchen to get some milk and cookies. Wait in there with her until your Daddy gets home okay?"
Parker shook his head. "No. She has to leave. Make her leave." Parker stared Georgina down like she was the devil incarnate, and Blair would have cheered if it didn't scare her so much. "She's bad." Parker whispered to Blair.
Blair nodded, unable to help herself. "She doesn't scare me. I'm going to talk with her until your father comes home. Please just go get some milk and cookies. You'll feel better. I promise." Blair pulled him into a hug, and Parker squeezed her back, whispering one more time that Georgina was bad.
Once Mrs. Bainbridge had successfully led Parker away Blair turned all her fury on Georgina. She advanced on the vicious redhead quickly, and nearly slapped her. It was only her last minute self preservation and decorum kicking in that stopped her. Still, if Georgina pressed her luck Blair was willing to get violent. After Parker's outburst even Chuck wouldn't blame her.
"What right do you have coming in here and upsetting my son like that?" Blair was so angry she was speaking through her teeth.
"I am Chuck's fiancé. I'll be Parker's stepmother. You were just a useless egg donor, and it's time you remembered that. I don't know what you did to convince Chuck to allow this, but I won't. Pack your things and get the hell out of her before I throw you out."
Blair couldn't help herself, she laughed. "How long do you think you'll be Chuck's fiancé when he finds out how upset you made Parker today?" Georgina flinched. "I'm not going anywhere Georgina. In fact, I intend to stay for a very long time. I am Parker's mother, and you… well, you're nothing to him. You even step close to him again, and I'll make you regret it."
Georgina scoffed, and walked around Blair so she was standing in the middle of the living room. She clearly wanted to look like she belonged, but Blair saw nothing but an intruder.
"Oh, Blair, I'm terrified. You're such a mental case. Do you really think you can just waltz back in here, and reclaim Chuck?" Georgina let out a pitying laugh. "Pathetic. Chuck tossed you out like the bitch you are years ago, and whatever bout of temporary insanity he's going through, I'll fix. You'll be out of her by nightfall."
Blair hated how insecure Georgina made her, but she refused to show any sign of weakness.
"Delusional. You always have been, Georgina. You see, I am the real Mrs. Bass. I was before, and I will be again. Chuck and I created a family together, a beautiful son who we love more than anything. There's nothing you can do to fight that. You were a distraction while I was away, but I'm back now. I'm taking what is mine, and if you get in my way I'll just run you over. Go find another rich husband, and back the hell off mine." Blair was practically steaming when she finished.
The door creaked behind them, and both women turned to find Chuck walking in. He had a curious expression on his face as he appraised them in their face-off.
"Interesting." He met Blair's eyes for a moment, before turning toward Georgina and frowning. "I thought you were in Aspen."
Georgina's attitude immediately changed. She started pouting, and sauntered right over to Chuck leaching herself to him. The only thing that consoled Blair was the fact that she knew Chuck hated clinging. Whatever Georgina thought she was accomplishing with that display, she was failing. Chuck proved Blair right when he immediately removed Georgina's arms from around him, and forced her out of his personal space.
Georgina continued to pout. "Well, I heard from a friend of a friend that you'd lost your mind so I raced right back to help you. I was hoping it was just nasty gossip to disparage you, but then I came in here and found this bitch in our home. What is going on Chuck?" Georgina went for doe-eyed, but failed.
Chuck stared at her like she'd lost her mind. "Our home? Last time I checked you didn't live here Georgina."
Georgina gritted her teeth, clearly upset to be set down while Blair was watching, but she still didn't give up. "It will be soon when we're married. I accept a lot of things Chuck, but I won't accept your ex-wife living here. It's disrespectful, and frankly fucking crazy."
Chuck continued to look disinterested in the entire tableau. "Where's my son? Mrs. Bainbridge said he was upset." Chuck looked toward Blair, ignoring Georgina completely. "Is he alright?"
Blair nodded. "I sent him to the kitchen to eat some cookies. He got really upset when Georgina barged in. He kept demanding to see you when Georgina wouldn't leave." Blair nearly smirked at Georgina, but held herself back.
Chuck turned to Georgina with a glare so fierce even Blair felt the ice. "What's the number one rule, Georgina?"
Georgina quailed. "Chuck, I obviously didn't mean to-"
Chuck cut her off. "The number one rule is you never do anything to upset my son."
Georgina balked. "How was I supposed to know coming over here would set him off like that? Honestly he seemed a little unstable."
Blair couldn't take it anymore. "You lying vicious bitch. He got upset because you stormed in here yelling at me to leave. I'm his mother. What did you think he would do? And I warned you Georgina, don't you dare screw with my son."
Blair started to advance on Georgina then, at the end of her rope, but Chuck stepped in front of her, and put a restraining arm around her waist, pulling her back against him. Georgina's face got so red Blair decided it was better than the violence she'd originally wanted to dole out.
"Blair," Chuck turned Blair around and focused solely on her. "Why don't you take Parker on whatever activity you had planned before Georgina arrived. I'll handle this. By the time you arrive home there won't be any more problems."
Blair nodded, eager to get back to her son and away from Georgina. "He'll want to see you before we leave."
Chuck agreed, and Blair hurried to collect Parker, and make a brief goodbye. It only took a few minutes to get him cleaned up, before he was racing out to greet his father. Parker flew right past Georgina like she didn't exist, and Mrs. Bainbridge and Blair shared a look. Blair liked the nanny more and more.
"Make her leave Daddy." Parker demanded the minute Chuck picked him up. "She was mean to Mommy and tried to make her leave, but Mommy is staying forever. You both promised." Parker's sole focus was on Chuck, and he was making sure his father was focusing on him. There went those face-framing hands again.
Georgina looked apoplectic in the background. "Forever!" She screeched, unable to help herself.
Chuck cut her a severe look that quieted her before he refocused on Parker. "A promise is a promise. Your mother isn't going anywhere. Georgina was confused, and she's deeply sorry for upsetting the both of you." Parker did not look mollified. Chuck called out to Georgina then. "Please apologize to my son and his mother for your behavior."
"You're not serious?" Georgina looked on the verge of collapse. "Chuck, I… I can't. You can't be… I can't!" Her voice just kept getting higher and higher. Chuck finally looked around Parker and met Georgina's eyes. There was something so hard and frightening emanating from him that everyone in the room had the presence of mind to be wary except for Parker.
Georgina took a moment to compose herself, looking away once, before giving back into Chuck's glare. It was enough to turn her around. "Alright." She started to walk toward Parker, but Blair stepped forward shooting her a warning look that stopped her where she stood. "I apologize for upsetting you Parker. Of course it was just the shock."
Chuck nodded. "And Blair…"
Georgina nearly choked, but slowly she turned to look at Blair. Pure hatred shined in her eyes, and Blair knew Georgina was contemplating all the ways she wanted to kill her.
"Blair too. Sorry." Georgina looked away quickly, and after a brief scowl Chuck let it go.
Chuck waited until Blair, Parker and Mrs. Bainbridge had safely exited before turning his rage on Georgina. He'd been in an important conference when Mrs. Bainbridge had called saying Parker was panicked, and Georgina wouldn't leave. He'd raced there as quick as possible, sure he'd walk in on bloodshed when he arrived. Georgina might have been vicious, but Blair was more skilled in the art of war. He'd put his money on her any day. Still, Parker didn't need to witness any of that.
"You should have stayed in Aspen, Georgina." Chuck wasn't in the mood to play games with her today.
She seemed to be of the same mind, because she lost her usual pout. "If I had I probably would have come home to you newly married to your ex-wife. Really, Chuck, are you fucking insane? Or are you playing some head game with her? I really hope it's the latter."
Chuck walked around Georgina to pour himself a drink, and sipped it slowly before deigning to respond. She hated being ignored, but she deserved it today. She'd been taking way too many liberties in his life, and he was over it.
"I don't play games where my son is concerned. Blair is his mother. I decided it was in his best interest that his mother live with him. End of story. Don't question me again." Chuck swigged back the rest of his drink, and poured more. He knew Georgina wouldn't be done anytime soon.
"We are engaged. I'm going to be your wife. Do you expect me to live here with her in residence? One happy family? Tell me the plan, Chuck. I really need to know, or I just might do something crazy and handle it myself."
Chuck turned toward her menacingly. "Handle it? Is that a threat?" Georgina gulped, realizing she'd made an extreme error. "If you don't like the situation Georgina you can keep the ring and get the hell out. I run my life how I see fit."
Georgina nearly screamed in frustration. "I'm not threatening you! I'm trying to get some answers. I come home to Blair living with you. What should I think? Are you getting back together? Have I just wasted my time with you?" She was unraveling quickly.
Chuck poured her a drink and handed it to her. "I haven't decided on any future plans as of yet. Our wedding isn't for months. I suppose we will see how everything goes." Chuck didn't feel the least bit bad watching her squirm. It was becoming more and more clear to him that even a marriage of convenience wouldn't work with her. She was once supposed to be a stabilizing force in case of future custody battles, but she looked more like a liability now. If worst came to worst and Blair was out of the picture again Chuck could find another solution.
"Excuse me!" She nearly dropped the drink in her hand. "You expect me to wait around while you decide if you're going to go through with our marriage or not? I'm not some piece of trash you can just throw away. I've been there for you Chuck. Don't forget what she did to you-"
"Enough about Blair. You keep going on and on about her, and it's become irritating. She's not the one ruining this relationship, you are. I warned you that I wouldn't proceed with anything that negatively affected Parker. I could accept your mutual disinterest in one another, but I will not accept you upsetting him."
Georgina paled. She knew Parker was something she couldn't fight against. "Well, maybe if I spent time with him, bonded. I'm willing to try Chuck, but I can't do that with Blair always hovering around. She doesn't belong."
Chuck nearly rolled his eyes. "She's his mother."
"She was his mother. You told me she didn't exist. She gave up her right when she tried to kill herself with him in the room. You said that. How can you just forget all that now. Parker may think he wants her, but he's a child. She's a phase for him. I'm your future, and I'd like to be Parker's. I could be a good mother if you just let me show you."
Chuck couldn't hide the disgust on his face. "You were never going to be Parker's mother. I thought we understood each other on that score. You were to fill a role for me, like I would be for you, but I didn't ask you to marry me for your maternal instincts. And I think I told you to drop the Blair issue."
"NO!" Georgina exploded. "Blair, Blair, Blair, fucking Blair! You think the fact that she popped you out some kid makes her so all important, but it doesn't. You've raised him fine on your own. Kick her out Chuck, and lets continue with our future."
Georgina's arguments had grown tedious, and Chuck was bored. He needed to return to work, and he wanted Georgina long gone before Parker returned.
"I've decided we're going to put our engagement on hold. For now, I won't announce it to the press. You can go around wearing the ring, continuing on with wedding planning as you have, and I won't tell anyone anything has changed. But things have changed. I need to reevaluate where this is headed." Chuck was cool and in control, treating Georgina like an employee.
"And I'm just supposed to be humiliated by you playing house with Blair? Everyone will know soon enough." Georgina looked nauseous.
Chuck shrugged. "Of course, you can announce you've dumped me. Like I said the ring is yours to do with what you please. I'll go along with whatever you like, but if you want this to continue then these are my terms."
Georgina was shocked, and couldn't speak at all for a few minutes. Chuck stared at his watch, anxious to get this over with. There'd already been too much drama in his day.
"So, I just wait?" Georgina was incredulous.
"If you want." Chuck returned, and then began gathering his things. "I need to get back to the office, and you need to leave here. Don't show up here again unless I invite you. I don't want a repeat of today."
Georgina numbly walked toward the door, but turned around at the last minute. She grabbed Chuck and tried to pull him into a kiss. He allowed it for a second, but then extricated himself from her completely.
"I'll call you then?" He asked as they waited at the elevator bank.
She just nodded.
Once Georgina was gone, Chuck took out his phone to take care of one last problem.
"Carter here." His smarmy voice answered.
"Meet me at The Palace in twenty minutes." Chuck hung up without waiting for a response, and advised his driver to get there as quickly as possible. Once this meeting was over with Chuck would never have to think about Carter Baizen again.
Good riddance.