A/N: I really have been annoyed by my lack of motivation to write when I have so much inspiration. =( My last few recent fics I've started are not aching to be written right now, but I did feel the motivation when I thought about this story! =D So, here is your update. Hope you enjoy. Please review. ;p

*I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended.

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Ch.13—Impossible Escape

An expensive lawsuit followed the UESers journey home. The 'poisoner' was found sooner than expected. He was sent to a short term in prison for trying to murder the son of who was once one of the most successful billionaires in the world. The motivation was apparently based off of some sort of family matter involving healthcare. The whole situation was very quickly deal with, and hardly a month later things were settling back down to normal. At least as far as physical health went. Blair and Serena came home from Paris shortly after Chuck and the Bass-Humphreys did. Dan went to stay with Jenny and their mother for the rest of the summer, having not wanting to get anywhere close to Chuck when he was still angry. Rufus still didn't really know what had happened between the recently healed Bass boy and his baby girl, and Dan, being the 'good guy' he was, hadn't revealed the information quite yet.

Blair had ceased interacting with Chuck. It was harder when she returned to the city, but she still managed to. He didn't hunt her down either, so that made things somewhat less difficult. She felt unwanted, undesired by the action, but she knew she had been entirely too provoking in what caused it. The evening after his doctor informed them he was being poisoned, she didn't come to dinner. She found a quiet spot in the city and sat there until it was dark. Then, in the middle of the night she went to the hotel she'd been staying at with Serena, thankful that her best friend had gone to sleep at the hotel her mother, brother and step-father were staying. Blair gathered her things and boarded the first available flight to Paris. When the whole of them managed to find out where she was, it was only Serena who hunted her down and stayed with her, not asking questions, in the city of love.

It had been a month now since she'd left, three weeks since the two of them had made their way back to Manhattan. It had been torture to keep her mouth shut, but day after day Serena convinced herself that her best friend would come to her eventually, when she couldn't take it anymore. She herself had never seen Chuck and Blair tangled up in each other at the hospital in Prague, but she could feel in the subtle tension around Blair that there had been some serious investigating she should have taken before following her best friend back to Paris, or at least before coming home. Something had happened in that hospital room, something life-changing, something that might have returned Chuck and Blair from separates back into a whole again.

She was spending the day with her best friend, as she'd done so often lately, ever since they'd gotten back from New York. The truth was that she was worried about her, so very much. Something had happened in that room. She didn't want to believe it, because she knew it meant something. Blair wouldn't act on it unless she was pushed, and without knowing exactly what had happened – a confession she could probably only get from Blair herself – it would be very hard to achieve anything. Now she was sitting on Blair's bed, waiting for her best friend to come out of her very large closet where she was arranging her newly bought dresses and shirts. She sighed as she walked out amongst the fabrics.

Serena looked up at her. "Something wrong, B?" she asked, concerned. She tilted her head to the side, wondering if the excessive shopping she'd suggested day in-day out had gotten to her yet.

"No," she said, shaking her head. She slumped down onto the edge of the bed.

"You don't look particularly happy for someone who just bought out half of Manhattan's most fashionable clothing." Blair smiled slowly at the comment and the tiny giggle that followed it. She looked up at her and noticed how her best friend's eyes dimmed.

"Thank-you," she said with a sigh. Serena's brows furrowed. "You know what I'm talking about, S." She rolled her eyes. The blonde of course did have a slight inkling that she knew what her best friend was talking about, but she needed confirmation first. She wasn't about to dive headfirst into concrete pavement.

Blair stealed herself for another breath. She knew she'd waited too long to open up. It was her own fault truly but that didn't mean it hadn't hurt this whole time. She wasn't used to Serena not prying, even a little. She needed her to pry this time. She lifted her eyes to the searching blue ones of her best friend's.

"Chuck and I…we didn't exactly leave on good terms."

"What do you mean?" she asked, probably looking as if she knew a world of secrets that she wasn't telling. It wasn't the truth, but it could be taken that way, especially by the way Blair was looking at her. She sighed. "I honestly don't know, Blair. I haven't been trying to get you to open up, because everything has been so hard for you ever since we left for Paris close to three months ago. I have no idea what went on between you and Chuck in that hospital."

Blair nodded and smiled hard. "We talked a lot," she said, lazily drawing circles on her bed comforter with her finger. "And I think…" she sucked in a breath. "I think we almost made up." She looked up when Serena gasped, covering her mouth with her had.

"Oh my god, B," she reached forward to cover her hand with her own. "What happened?" she whispered. Blair closed her eyes, willing tears not to well up in her eyes.

"I left," she said simply, her voice low. Uncertainty and tension floated around them again and Blair stole her hand away, let it support her closer to her own body. "I told him I hated him, and that I couldn't forgive him, and that I loved him," she sighed. Serena bit her bottom lip, sadness taking over her. She willed herself not to open up. "Then, we kissed and we held each other, and I didn't know what to do. Stupidly, I started thinking he had actually had feelings for Jenny," she scoffed and shook her head at her self.

"B," Serena said in disbelief.

"No, I know, I know, impossible," Blair said, punishing herself again for even thinking it. Her best friend pursed her lips and forced herself into silence again. "But the possibility seemed to completely consume me. I even asked him if he hated me." She looked up at Serena and chuckled in disdain. Serena looked at her sorrowfully. She looked away again. "Then the doctor came in, and when he left, I left, and I didn't come back, and…" she sighed, chuckled hatefully to herself. "Here we are."

Serena scooted forward, feared for a second that her best friend would pull away if she tried to hug her. But, instead of fury, Blair crumpled in her best friend's arms. She fell into her and sobbed, mumbling how she loved him, how she had forgiven him, even in that hospital room. He'd hurt her so bad. She'd said she couldn't forgive him. But something had happened and she had, but she wouldn't – couldn't – let him know, and now she was breaking. Serena wanted to convince her to tell him, but in that moment she knew the only right she had was to hold her. It was late and so she did hold her. I told you so was ringing in her mind, but she didn't dare so it out loud. It would be cruel. Because she had warned Blair that her emotions would get riled up and she'd be hurt even more if she went to visit Chuck. But she hadn't listened. She'd gone. And now she was even more broken before. But the reason Serena had warned about was wrong. It wasn't because everything had gotten worse. It was because everything was nearly right and Blair was too scared to act on it. That kind of information needed serious rest and contemplation to figure out how to deal with. It clearly needed more than one night too since Blair had been unable to come to terms with a course of action in three weeks' time. So, eventually Serena just dragged Blair with her to the head of the bed and held her as she fell asleep. Hopefully the perfect solution would come to her in the morning.

….

"Eva."

She smiled at him, enthusiastic to be there. Too enthusiastic, he thought. She was hot. He had to give her that. Not who he'd usually pin down for a one-night stand, but since she was a blind date he supposed he could manage. Although, after tonight he fully intended to never allow Nate to set him up on one of these horrendous events ever again. This girl probably actually intended for him to call her again. The other girls he'd slept with in the past usually had a good grasp on the fact that all they'd have together would be hot, meaningless sex. Best intentions or not, Nathaniel had been out of his mind.

"You've got to get over her, man," he said, chuckling at the sight of his best friend staring at a glass of scotch and not drinking from it.

"Don't you have a black book to get back to?" Chuck suggested, sliding onto the bar stool in front of the glass and focusing more intently on the amber liquid. Nate shook his head, laughter brimming in his eyes. He came around to the bar and stood across from him, taking the glass away, drinking it himself and setting it underneath the bar. Chuck raised his gaze to him, glaring.

"What do you think of a blind date?"

Chuck looked at him like he'd lost his mind. He was gawking.

"Are you serious?" he asked, baffled by the question.

"I've got the perfect girl for you. She's blonde, super nice, has tons of etiquette—"

Chuck scoffed, laughed, and shook his head. "You know me too well, Nathaniel," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "Let me guess, she also wears floor length skirts and long-sleeved shirts sewn up to her neck?" He raised an eyebrow. Nate laughed, but still slid a piece of paper with the girl's number on it across to him on the bar.

"Her name's Eva. Call her."

He sighed.

"I'm not big on relationships, in case you haven't noticed," he informed him. Nate ignored the comment, though he knew very well he could throw his best friend's association with Blair Waldorf in his face.

"It's one thing you haven't tried," he told him, walking away from him across the room. Chuck smirked and held the slip of paper between two fingers. Nate was right. He'd never gone on a blind date by way of getting over a relationship, but he'd never had a relationship before Blair to begin with. Still, he had nothing to lose. He would take the risk.

"Yes?" she asked, looking up from her menu politely. He inclined his head towards the waiter standing before their table. She'd been so lost in looking at him but hoping he wouldn't notice for the last few minutes that she hadn't been aware of a single other thing happening around him. It was definitely more desperate than any other girl he'd been with. He was counting down the seconds till the date was over.

"You ready to order?" he asked, having already informed the waiter that all he was going to order was a simple scotch – and to keep them coming.

"Oh!" she said, sounding surprised – too surprised. When she turned towards the waiter to inform him of the Caesar salad she so desired to eat, Chuck rolled his eyes and looked away. He caught the eye of a different blonde at the bar, a really slutty one. Maybe she looked a little desperate, but she made it work. A one-night stand with her would keep his mind off of Blair far easier than this trying too hard Eva could any day. The only reason he wouldn't curse Nate out to hell and back when he returned to the suite would be if he landed that piece of ass playing eye-sex with him from the bar. He felt himself harden.

"Chuck?" He heard Eva beckon. Relunctantly he turned back to her and plastered on a fake smile. "Tell me where you grew up."

"In the city," he said, allowing himself to amuse her for awhile.

"Where in the city?" she inquired, taking a sip of her half-empty water glass.

"The Palace."

She smirked slowly. It was almost cute. "That's ridiculous. The Palace is a…"

"Hotel," he finished for her. Now he was actually amusing himself a little. He leaned forward on his arms across the table. "How much exactly did Nathaniel tell you?" he inquired, a smirk inevitably glued to his face. This girl had to be stupid not to know who he was.

"Nathaniel?" She looked confused. Tiny warning bells went off in his head, but he ignored them. He was having a little fun now.

"Nate?" he offered up. Her lips pursed and she shook her head a little, still confused. This girl either called Nate by a really strange name or he'd been officially screwed over by this date. For some reason his mind figured the latter was more likely. He was going to kill Nathaniel. "Who told you about coming out on this date with me?" he asked point-blank. She looked a little rattled and he wondered if his temper was shining through. He shouldn't be that worked up.

"You did," she said, as if it were obvious. He sighed, very aggravated now.

"Excuse me," he said, getting up from his chair and fishing his phone out of his pocket. Eva frowned, but didn't move from her spot, just watched him. At this point, he didn't really care.

"Uh…uh…okay," she said, confused. He'd blocked her out by then though. He moved across the room until he found a more secluded, quieter place. He was about to press the button to call Nate when he noticed the blonde from the bar staring at him seductively again. He shut his phone and slid it back into his pocket. He strode over to her, stopping a waiter along the way to tell Eva that something came up, but if she wanted anything else to eat, she was welcome to order it and it'd be paid for. The waiter accepted the duty, not an unfamiliar one coming from Chuck Bass. It wasn't too upsetting that Eva might see him flirting with some tramp, instead of discussing interesting (a.k.a. boring) topics with him in fine dining. But he had caught that she was abhorred by the very thought of a bar, so he found his chances of her finding him very unlikely.

"Ivy," the woman said, extending her hand once he was half on the bar stool. He smirked and took her hand in his own, placing a soft, lingering kiss on her knuckles. She didn't even flush, just maintained her sultry eye contact.

"Chuck Bass," he responded, settling himself on the stool. Briefly, he turned away and motioned to the bartender for another scotch. He was going to enjoy this one though, he thought.

"What are you doing here?" she asked casually. He raised his eyebrows. "Thought you'd be abroad all summer." His brows furrowed. He knew that people were quite aware of his comings and goings, but this woman sounded like a stalker almost. She seemed to catch onto his drift then because she smiled in understanding.

"My little sister reads Gossip Girl," she clarified. He lips formed an "o". "Apparently you're one of its leading roles." He smirked.

"Do you read Gossip Girl?" he asked, seduction seeping into his tone. She leaned against the bar a little more, her breasts pushing together. She didn't seem bothered in the least when his gaze drifted south for a few tantalizing moments.

"I'm more about visuals," she said, "not really fond of reading." Jackpot, he thought. This girl was either a temptress or a stripper. Either he was willing to play with.

"Interesting."

"Can you believe her? What a slut," she scoffed. His focus was momentarily diverted. Beside Ivy he noticed a gorgeous brunette, pouty lips and arms folded across her chest. He blinked, watched her as she eyed the woman up and down. He would've gotten hard by the very action if he had not been so shocked that Blair was suddenly right before him and acting like this was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Blair?" he asked, slightly baffled. She looked at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was I interrupting your little conversations with Mrs. Boobs?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. His lips parted in shock, slight mock-disgust and then an easy helpless smile. It was impossible to retract.

"I happen to like sluts," he defended. She looked she was holding back some extreme laughter.

"Oh, I'm well aware, Mr. Bass." She came around and watched Ivy as he was doing. She was leaning forward, flirting, talking to him in the most seductive manner. In fact, he was returning those heated gestures. Slower than usual, but he was still responding in his typical Chuck Bass manner. It was then that he realized he was thinking about Blair again and participating in his day dream, more than he was participating in his real life. Again.

"I had to act like one just to get your attention," she said, leaning her arm over his shoulder. He glanced at her, momentarily oblivious to what he was doing in reality.

"You knew what you were doing," he confirmed. She looked pleased by his confirmation, a sly smirk spreading across her face. It got him harder than that slut did in reality. But her face fell and he was plunged into regret and guilt for something he didn't even know he'd done. In this daydream state, it wasn't focused on current events in the least.

"But you don't want me now." She frowned. "You don't love me." Her lost eyes stared him down.

"That's not true," he insisted, his voice low and practically growling.

"It's not?" she countered, standing straight so she wasn't leaning on him and then moving in front of him to face him, stare him down. Then fight for me."

He felt a hand gripping his upper thigh and it shook him from his day dream, from his vision of Blair. He looked down at the hand and followed the arm attached to it up until he met the face of the slut he'd been flirting with for the last five minutes. He was smirking he guessed, because so was she. From the way her fingers moved tentatively up his leg, he guessed he was on the verge of inviting her up to him room and pleasuring her in another attempt to forget about Blair. It was clear to him now though that she would never get out of his head, not even if he tried to screw another woman in the process. The thoughts he'd have then would probably successfully wound his ego and his reputation. He was sure they'd be distracting enough to affect his performance.

"I'm not in the mood," he said neutrally, pushing her hand away. Her brows furrowed but she didn't make any more advances. No doubt because she was a professional, he thought. But he didn't think on it another second. He stood to his feet, took one last gulp of his drink and left the bar. His limo was outside waiting for him, as was another tantalizing non-existent vision of Blair, leaning against the vehicle. He clenched his teeth in an act of willing himself to stop thinking about her, walked right through her when he entered the limo. Of course though, she was sitting on the seat beside him, wearing next to nothing. He groaned and placed his hands over his face. Arthur did not comment.

"You're too good for her, Chuck," she said. He turned to her visage and glared. "Don't look at me like that," she said, nearly scoffing again. "That girl was bound to have an STD." She shrugged.

He looked upwards in some sort of sign for help, but was only greeted by little Blairs hanging from the ceiling. He jumped involuntarily, and then heard the 'Blair' beside him laugh. It was official. He just needed to accept it. The reason he wasn't getting laid, wasn't getting a girlfriend, was because he could not stop thinking about Blair. He wasn't over her and he didn't want to be. After all of their exchanges at the hospital, he knew it wasn't just him. Nothing about them was over. But he'd be damned if he let himself take the advice of his dream Blair.

"It's okay," he heard her say, stroking his thigh lazily. He turned his head towards her, cursed the fact that she had a cheery smile on her face when he was fighting an erection from a daydream. "I won't tell anybody." She smirked.

…

A/N: Hope you enjoyed. My motivation has been killer & nonexistent. I'm actually really surprised I even finished this today. *rolls eyes* If there was any confusion from the second part of the last scene, I was going off of the idea in Friends when Rachel is contemplating whether or not to go after Ross when she's just learned he's in love with her. She's on this date with this random guy and then sees Ross and then starts having a conversation with him, but it's obviously all in her head, because after he kisses her, she snaps back to the actual conversation she's having with her pathetic date. Lol. That's the idea I was going off of. ;p Please review! (Oh, and yes, I have Eva in here, but she's obviously way different than how she's portrayed on the show b/c I started writing this before S4 & I had a different idea of her, though this wasn't exactly it…but, well, you'll see where I'm going with this. heheh. And also, I know the poisoning SL looks kind of anticlimactic, but have faith, it's not exactly over. ;))