A/N: I was going to add another section (containing a Chuck/Dan confrontation) to the end of this, but just as I was finishing it, I decided to save it for next chapter along with a flashback. So, sorry for the delay, but be excited because that means the next chapter is already half-written!

…

"Hey, Kid," CJ said, walking into Fitz's hospital room, "How are you doing?"

Fitz looked over at him and shrugged, "Okay."

"Are you ready for the transplant this weekend?"

That was why CJ and his wife, Lauren, were in town. It had turned out that Ricky was the best match for Fitz, so in just two days all of the Bass boys would be donating their marrow.

Fitz nodded, "Yeah. I'm ready to go home for a bit."

CJ raised an eyebrow, "You mean forever, right?"

There was a moment of silence before Fitz shrugged again, "Hopefully."

His attitude worried CJ, but he decided to ignore it, instead choosing to pick up the laptop that was sitting nearby, "Hey, do you mind showing some of your pictures? I've been dying to see them."

Fitz brightened up a bit, "Sure. Bring that over here."

CJ brought the computer to his brother before he pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat down.

"So these are all portraits, right?" CJ asked.

Fitz nodded, "Yes, people and their expressions are so fascinating. But pretty much all of these are candids. I don't want to stage an emotion. I just try to capture them in the moment."

Fitz fired up the computer and opened up some of his latest photos. The first one he pulled up was of Blair. She was sitting completely poised and proper with a slight smile on her face as she was looking over some paper work in the living room of their penthouse. Over her shoulder, Chuck could be seen looking at her from the doorway with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Oh Mom," CJ grinned, "She's always perfect, isn't she?" Fitz laughed and CJ explained, "When I was growing up, I thought eventually I'd find her flaws, but even once I knew about some of her less finer points, I still can't help but see her as completely faultless."

Fitz nodded in agreement, "Yeah, she is great. I don't think I can imagine a better mom."

"And Dad just hanging out in the background is pretty perfect." CJ pointed out, "If he can't be right next to her, he is always lingering nearby like that."

Fitz grinned, "It kind of just worked out perfectly. I think he was actually looking at me and the camera and the whole situation, but it looks like he is staring right at her."

"I like it. It really fits them." CJ said, "Let's go to the next one."

Fitz clicked through to the next picture, which had been taken in his hospital room only a few weeks earlier. In the photo, Ricky was standing by the window with a devilish smirk on his face, looking quite proud with himself.

"Well, if that isn't the picture of trouble I don't know what is." CJ said with a chuckle.

"But you see," Fitz was quick to point out, "the way the light hits him give him an air of innocence and kind of lessens the wickedness of his expression."

CJ shook his head, "You're right, but he still looks too conniving for someone who is barely fourteen."

Fitz smirked, "This was when he came to tell me he had finally lost his virginity. To Allison Archibald."

"Of course," CJ sighed, "Though I can't really say that I am surprised. He can charm Ally into doing just about anything. He is going to break that poor girl's heart some day."

"Or she'll break his."

CJ just stared at his brother for a moment in awe of his perception. He hadn't even thought of the possibility that Ricky's feelings for the Archibald girl could be just as strong as hers were, but after Fitz pointed it out, he realized it very well could be true. He looked at the photo again and then back at his brother, "You're really good at reading people, aren't you?"

Fitz shrugged, "I guess."

"I mean, your photos somehow always manage to capture the essence of each person's character."

"Only for the given instant that I caught them," Fitz clarified. "People are way too complex for a single picture to show every facet of their personality. All I show is one single aspect at one moment in time."

"Okay, okay, Mr. Serious Photographer," CJ laughed, "Show me another."

The next picture came up and the air of playfulness instantly disappeared. The room was similar to the one they were currently in, but instead in the bed was a pale, thin girl with dark circles under her eyes and not a single hair on her head. She was obviously very sick, but there was a huge smile on her face and joy seemed to be radiating from her.

Finally, CJ managed to come up with some sort of response to the image before him, "She-, uh, she's not doing so well, is she Fitz?"

"She has good days and bad days. But, I mean, she knows it's not going to get better."

CJ's eyes widened, "The doctors told her that?"

"No, not really. But she knows the treatment isn't working like they had hoped. Plus, when you have gone through this as long as she has, you can tell when you are not getting any better."

CJ frowned, "But you-, you don't feel that way, right? You have the transplant coming up, and your chemo has been going well. Right?"

Fitz tried not to sound to exasperated with his brother's concern, "Yes, Rainer and I are in completely different situations. She is still putting up a fight and everything, mostly for the sake of her parents, but she knows it's not-, it's not looking good."

"I'm sorry, Bud," CJ said, "You, uh, you really care about her, don't you?" When Fitz nodded, CJ continued cautiously, "But you're-, you're being careful around her, right? I mean, with her father and all. You know Dad talked to her right?"

"Yeah, I know," Fitz answered bitterly, "I don't know why he has to be so paranoid. Just because her dad is a writer doesn't mean he is going to-"

"He has written about them before; Mom, Dad, even Grandpa Bart. He has written about them all. As far as Dad is concerned, any time Dan Humphrey tries to get close to his family it is for the purpose of getting some sort of story out of it."

"Well even if her dad would, Rainer wouldn't do that."

"Not on purpose," CJ said, "Like any reporter, Mr. Humphrey is a snoop. He doesn't exactly let people know he is using them as a source." He squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly, "Look, no one has anything against Rainer. She seems like a really nice girl; even Mom and Dad think so, despite who her parents are. They are just trying to protect you. They don't want your whole life splattered across the internet like theirs was."

Fitz sighed, "I know, you're right." He chuckled, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they would hold a grudge against someone who would try to tell the whole world all about the inner workings of their relationship, huh?"

CJ's lips quirked upwards slightly, "You know it." His expression became more serious, "But it's more than that. Mr. Humphrey used them. He exposed all of their most embarrassing and painful memories simply for his own profit. Can you blame Dad for not wanting that to happen again?"

"No," Fitz shook his head, "I really can't."

…

Lauren was waiting out in the hall while her husband spoke with his brother. She was leaning against a wall, giving her husband as much time as he needed when someone approached her.

"Excuse me?"

She turned around, "Yes, can I help you?"

"Are you-, are with the Basses?" The man asked.

"I am…" Lauren answered tentatively.

The shook his head and smiled, "I'm sorry, I just-, well, I know them rather well, and I don't recognize you." Lauren's brow knit together and the man quickly continued, "You must not be from the Upper Eastside."

Lauren shook her head, "Nope. I'm from Vermont."

"Oh really? My wife's family lives in Vermont."

Lauren sighed, "Let's drop the façade, Mr. Humphrey." The man looked taken back, and Lauren smiled with a hint of condescension (Blair had taught her well), "You really didn't think I was unaware of who are you, did you? I may not be from this world, but I'm not stupid. My husband and his family have done their best to make sure I understand how the Upper Eastside works. Are you really surprised that they warned me about you?"

Dan's eyes were wide as he stuttered, "I-, uh, I don't know what you're-, I'm not-"

Lauren rolled her eyes just as CJ emerged from Fitz's room and came over. "Hey Babe," He said before he kissed Lauren on the cheek and turned to look at who was with her, "Dan Humphrey. What are you doing here?"

Dan pointed behind him, "My daughter, she's here-, well, she's getting-"

"I know," CJ interrupted his stuttering explanation, "But why are you here, in this part of the wing, especially after my father spoke with you?"

Dan's jaw clenched, "I know your dad is used to throwing his money around in order to make people do what he wants, but contrary to what he believes, he does not own this hospital."

"Or so it seems," CJ smirked, "Look, Mr. Humphrey, I see what you were trying to do here. Target the one person in our family who wasn't born and raised in Manhattan's inner circle. Smart, but misguided. You would have been better off trying to get information from my naïve little sister." Seeing the slight raise of Dan's eyebrows, CJ quickly added, "But don't even think about attempting that. My father will have you deported for even looking at Lexie."

Dan shook his head, "I wasn't trying to-"

CJ's eyes narrowed, "Come on, Mr. Humphrey. You think you are being slick, but we all know what is going on here. Although, I must admit I am rather surprised. I thought you would know better than to ignore my father's threats."

Dan scowled, "I haven't had anything published in months. I'm here in New York, completely dependent on my little sister financially. What could Chuck possibly do to 'destroy me'?"

CJ ticked things off on his fingers, "He could make sure you, and your wife, never get work again. He could take your home. He could have your daughter transferred out of this hospital."

"Even he wouldn't do that." Dan said, though there was a hint of fear in his voice.

CJ shrugged, "No, probably not, but only because my brother has taken a liking to your daughter and my father feels that she can be trusted. However, if she were to betray that trust, he wouldn't hesitate to have her transferred, to the second best hospital of course."

The fear in Dan's eyes was growing. He knew his daughter wasn't in great shape and if there was any hope for her, she needed to remain in the care of Dr. Scott, "Look, my daughter hasn't done anything-"

"I know," CJ said, "But you have, or you are trying to. If my father knew, he would have you banned from this hospital so fast-"

"Please-"

CJ held up his hand to quiet Dan, "But I'm not going tell him. This time. Right now your daughter needs her parents. And if I so much as catch a glimpse of you anywhere near anyone in my family again, I will make sure my father handles it before you even have a chance to scurry back to your daughter's room."

Dan nodded, "Thank you."

"Good-bye, Mr. Humphrey. I don't expect to speak with you again."