Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I apologize with the delay. I had most of this chapter done last Friday, but the ending…I spent three days just working on that end…I hope you enjoy this.

An Important Realization

Blair wasn't sure how much time had passed since she had been down here. It was amazing that the time seemed to move much quicker down here…although she partly wondered if that was due to the fact that she could not see the sun. Perhaps that's why she did not really seem to mind about laying here next to Chuck. She felt his finger once more trace a line on her exposed skin. Sighing she looked over at him.

"Is something the matter?"

"I just…it's nice and quiet down here. My Mother would have never let me stay so long in bed." At that thought she realized that she didn't know at all how long she had been in the Underworld. Sitting straight up she gasped, "My Mother."

Chuck sat up as well, "She is not here."

Turning towards him she rolled her eyes, "I am aware of that. I just…I told my Mother I would be back shortly."

As soon as she said that she saw his jaw tighten, "You're leaving me."

It was not a question and Blair wasn't sure exactly how she felt about that. Instead she turned to him just a bit more, "I am leaving for now. I cannot let my Mother go through what she went through before. She…it wouldn't be good for her if she had to go through it. She only knows that I am on a walk, this is not fair to her."

His face became blank, unreadable. She didn't like that; there wasn't even a hint of an emotion in his eyes. Pulling herself closer to him she hoped he wouldn't pull away from her. He didn't pull himself from her, but he didn't hold her either. It wasn't until after she kissed his jaw that he replied, "Then go."

"Chuck, I am not leaving you. I just need to be elsewhere right now."

When there was no response from him she nodded and moved off the bed quickly dressing. She glanced back at the bed and saw that he remained there. Sighing she turned and quickly left the room. Blair knew that she needed to get back to her Mother but as she was leaving she could feel a part of her staying as well. How had she come to love him when this relationship was not the most conventional one? He had kidnapped her, but she did not hold that against him.

Though she did love him, perhaps he didn't love her back?

He had not said anything, but then again neither had she. But he didn't even look at her when she left. She paused at the top of the stairs, she wasn't sure what she was expecting, but when there was nothing she was disappointed. Perhaps he had her and that was enough for him. Sure it had been absolutely perfect for her, but maybe he found it less then satisfactory.

Shaking her head she realized that she needed to refocus her thoughts and get back to her Mother. If he did not want her…she was not going to lower herself in order to get him to come to her. She was not going to beg him to be with her.

Before she reached the door she heard something that she didn't think she would ever hear, at least not from that voice, "Blair."

Turning she watched as he moved down the stairs and in front of her, "You're leaving."

Puzzled she nodded, "I thought we had established that?"

"I have my Kingdom down here. This is mine. Your Mother's is the Earth. Where you belong…I let you go before because it was what you wanted and it was right for you. Leave if that's what you need to do."

Startled she felt her mouth open slightly. Before she could say or do anything else Chuck kissed her moving against the wall by the door. Returning the kiss she moved one of her hands through his hair and pulled him closer. As soon as one of his hands started moving down her body she put her hand on top of it. He slightly pulled away from her, "Go."

She reached up to touch his face but before her hand could make contact with his cheek he stepped back. "Chuck."

"You need to return to your Mother."

She opened the door and then turned back to him, "I am not leaving you, I just have to go; it is not the same thing. Worry not."

Without another thought Blair moved away from Chuck and followed the path back to Charon. As she moved across the water she pondered his last response. He let her go yet again; it was not something she would think she'd get used to. And yet…he seemed quite sincere and defeated. Considering everything that she had heard about him not one thing even mentioned the complexity of emotions he seemed to embody. She had spent all that time with him when she was his prisoner and then just now and no one mentioned anything about this.

It wasn't as though he wore his emotions where everyone could see them. In fact she was sure that she had noticed it when she first came in contact with him, at least not like she was sure she knew now. He did not show all of his emotions often. Some were on his face regularly. The emotions that she wasn't used to seeing would sometimes only be a flash, but it was still there.

Shaking her head she realized that she needed to concentrate on getting home. She wasn't entirely positive on how long she had been down there with Chuck, but she had to come up with something for her Mother. Though she didn't want to out right lie to her Mother she did not think that speaking the truth would be a good idea at this time.

As she moved closer to her home she saw many wild flowers. After quickly deciding she moved to them and picked them as many as she could in just a few minutes. Then she hurried to her house. As she came into view of the front door she saw her Mother leaving, "Mother?"

Her Mother looked over at her and quickly hurried to her side, "Blair! What are you doing here?"

"I told you I needed air and a walk."

"For that long?"

"It wasn't really that long."

"The last time I saw you go into your room was yesterday."

Blair had to work hard not to show surprise on her face, "I apologize Mother, the time slipped away from me."

She began to move towards the house. She knew her Mother was following when she heard her speak, "And the setting of the sun or seeing the moon or the rise of the sun did not make you understand the lateness of the hour?"

Turning around to face her Mother she shrugged her shoulders before replying, "I was without those simple joys for quite some time. Are you suggesting that I should be denied those because you think Chuck will kidnap me again?"

Her Mother was silent for a few minutes and then nodded, "I suppose you're right. I just…if he did it once he'll do it again."

"He's not going to. He knows that it was…after everything that happened, I just know that he's not going to kidnap me again."

Blair watched her Mother closely hoping that her Mother would listen to her but even as she nodded Blair knew that her Mother still did not trust Chuck.

In her Mother's defense she could understand the hesitancy that she had in trusting Chuck…not so much trusting him but realizing that Chuck wouldn't kidnap her again. That thought alone brought a smile to her face because she realized that even if her Mother did not trust Chuck she did. She knew that he wouldn't do something like that again.

As they walked into the house her Mother spoke, "We shall sit and talk."

Nodding Blair followed her Mother to one of the many rooms. The flowers in there were red roses; the chair and sofa were a matching red. She had to keep the memories of that first dress she wore that Chuck had put in her closet away from the forefront of her mind. "I am sorry that I worried you. I am back now though."

"I know. I just, I wasn't sure if there was something else that you wished to speak about. Perhaps something that you are confused on?"

"Confused on? Such as what Mother?"

"You do realize how dangerous Charles is?"

Suppressing her urge to roll her eyes Blair nodded, "Mother may I remind you that you had that idea installed in my mind since I was a little girl. I learned about all the different Gods and Goddesses from you before I even met them."

"And I have ever steered you wrong?"

"Of course not.

"Have we not talked, spent much time together? Have I not given you much of everything I could?"

Everything but what Chuck gave her, but she didn't think that voicing that would be a good idea in the present situation, "Of course Mother. We have talked much, and we have spent much time together here in this house."

Her Mothers' eyebrow rose when she heard 'this house' instead of 'our house'. But Blair did not change it for that would show her that there was significance to it. Blair did not want to hide her feelings from Chuck, however telling her Mother did not seem like an option. But instead of bringing up the word change her Mother continued onward, "Will you tell me exactly what happened down there?"

"I told you what happened."

"The only thing you have spoken of to me was that he let you go which I am still in much doubt of."

"What do you want to know?"

"Blair, tell me. I have let you go on with keeping it to yourself long enough. I had hoped you would tell me on your own; however since that is apparently not working you must tell me know."

Not knowing what else to do Blair nodded and shrugged, "There was nothing much that happened. He brought me down to his palace and placed me in a room. He was telling me many things but I refused to listen knowing that you would come for me. Every meal he would have me sit with him. He would eat and offer me food, but I refused. Every time he offered me food I refused to take even one small bite. Then before I knew it he told me I could leave."

Eleanor frowned and Blair could tell that she was not sure on the story. Instead of commenting on the story she said something Blair wasn't counting on, "Where did you get that necklace?"

"What?"

"That necklace."

Blair's hand reached up and touched the necklace that Chuck had given her. Inside she could feel the butterflies as her mind refocused on the time with him. Shaking herself of those thoughts Blair looked at her Mother, "It is a beautiful necklace. It seemed most appropriate to wear it don't you think?"

"I was not speaking about if you were wearing it or not and whether it is or is not appropriate."

"I know."

Eleanor's eyes narrowed. Blair was sure she was going to ask if Chuck had given it to her but instead she asked, "You disappeared and only just now came back?"

She really didn't want to have this conversation again. Sighing Blair stood up, "Mother I am tired and it seems as though regardless of what I say you will not believe me. Please just consider what I have said and I will speak to you in the morning?"

"I see. So you do not feel the need to listen to me anymore?"

"It is not that at all, it is merely the fact that I wish to be alone to think. Is that too much to ask?"

"Were you not alone all this time on your walk?"

"Mother, I do not mean that I do not wish to talk to you however we continuously go back to when I was with Chuck."

Nodding once Eleanor stood next to Blair, "Then answer me this one thing, did he violate you?"

She looked into her Mother's eyes, "No, he did not violate me."

"Good." Eleanor allowed Blair to walk towards her room but just as she got to the door she spoke again, "Just remember that if you are hiding that fact you are only hurting yourself. It has been shown that he does not care for anything from a female save one thing. If he got that do not delude yourself into thinking that he will be back."

Blair turned around, "If he had violated me I would hardly think that was romance. When he held me captive down there I did not lay with him. Whether you believe that or not is up to you."

And before another word was spoken Blair went into her room and shut the door. As she retreated into her room she quickly sat on her bed. She did love her Mother but at the moment she wanted to be with Chuck.

Telling her Mother what had happened brought back when she was completely angry at him, she had hated him. She only remembered being frightened a few different times that she was down there. And to be honest she couldn't quite decide when it was that her feelings for him changed. She knew when she realized what her feelings were for him, however from that first time that he dragged her down there to when he let her go…she just wasn't sure.

Perhaps it was a gradual thing?

Or maybe over time she got to know him better. She knew that she was in a prison when she was first down there, but he had opened the door and she had been free. Once more he did it on his own, no forced hand.

He was quite an interesting individual, there was much more to him then most people saw.

Her mind shifted to what her Mother had spoken right before she had entered her room. Since they had been together did that mean that Chuck would leave her and continue into a pursuit with another female?

Not only did that thought fill her with dread she found herself scowling at the idea of him with another.

Jealousy.

He now had brought out a jealousy in her that was quite fierce. Shaking her head she knew that she couldn't just waltz back down to the Underworld. She tried to focus on rational thought.

If he had indeed forsaken her, then she didn't need him. If she was being honest with herself she knew that it wasn't that simple. She only wished that those thoughts had not entered her mind for now she was wondering if he really was done with her.

Sighing Blair lay down on her bed, for now she would do nothing. Knowing her Mother was just on the other side of the door she closed her eyes and hoped to be able to sleep.

Chuck watched as Blair moved further from him and closer to her Mother. He still didn't want to let her go but he knew that was the best thing to do. He was still surprised that she had returned to him. And already she was gone. He frowned as he felt the loss and he shut the door and retreated back up the stairs.

Sitting down in the seat across from her room he remembered that she had the necklace on and had left with it. He had to admit that he was surprised when he saw her with it on. Of course he was surprised that she had shown up at all. As he gazed around the room his eyes fell upon one of the bowl of fruits that he had set out quite a while before. Though he hadn't given much thought to it he had thought about if she had eaten of it.

And she had.

Blair had eaten the seeds.

She had eaten the seeds and had assumed that she alone knew that fact. His lips tilted down at what could have happened if she was the only one who had known. To be honest he wasn't sure what his reaction would have been had he come upon the news after the devastating effects of the food from the Underworld. Yet she knew. She knew that she was not to eat the food. Though he still marveled and worried about her eating the seeds his mind turned to another question.

Why?

Why she had done it? Though she had originally said that she didn't know why she had eaten them she also told him that she wanted to be with him. So perhaps if she wanted to be with him there was more...

Someone was crossing the river. Standing up Chuck made his way slowly to his throne room. He wasn't sure what he was going to say to this visitor. She was definitely not the Goddess he wanted to walk through the doors, but right now there didn't seem to be an option.

As he walked past the table that held the fruit on it that Blair had eaten the door opened and Serena walked in. Most found her the most beautiful of all females, mortal and immortal. In truth he had agreed in a way, she was beautiful. However that had been before he had seen Blair. After Blair he doubted anyone could hold up against her; not only in her beauty but her wit and her intelligence.

Her eyes looked around the spacious room until she saw him, "Chuck!"

He rolled his eyes at her indignant tone. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to have done to her, he didn't even think he had seen her since the first time he had seen Blair. "Serena, to what do I owe this visit?"

Chuck moved over and sat on his seat. As soon as he was situated he turned his attention to her. Her lips were pursed as she glared at him. "What did you do?"

"I have done a lot of things. Inform me as to what specific event you are speaking of."

"You know what."

He raised an eyebrow, "Do I?"

"Blair."

His eyes narrowed; what did Serena know about Blair and him? "Blair is home."

"I know she is home, where she should be. And in that regards you should not have taken her in the first place. I knew you were going to do something absolutely horrid."

"You knew?" He was sure it was when she had seen him talking to Blair at the festival all those months ago but he would wait until she said so.

"I saw you speaking with her at Nate's festival. I cannot believe you kidnapped her! Thank goodness she was able to escape down here."

"Serena, is there a point to your little outburst?"

He watched as she frowned, unhappy by his choice of words no doubt. Instead of going on about that she stated, "She is different."

"Different? When she left me she was not all that different." Save for something that now bound the two of them.

"I…it is not important as to how she was different." He could tell that Serena was holding something back from him, though he wasn't sure what.

"How can I help explain how she is different, according to you, if I am not even sure how she is different?"

"It's…something you would not know." Chuck merely continued to look at Serena until she spoke again, though this time her voice was softer, "Did you hurt her?"

Fury came over Chuck and he saw red. He stood up and walked a few steps closer to Serena, "Do not overstep your place here. It would do well for you to remember where you are."

Serena was quiet for a minute but continued to stare at Chuck. If it wasn't for the step back she had taken Chuck would have been worried about the fact that she did not look away from him, "Listen I just want my friend to be okay and you…you do not seem to care."

He clenched his jaw, "Do not speak of what you do not know. Now I think it would be best if you leave."

He began to walk towards the door. The next time Serena spoke it was softer, "Chuck, I just…she's my friend, almost like a sister."

He exhaled. Though Blair had not brought Serena up all the time she had spoken of her a few times. Each time that Blair spoke of Serena he could easily tell that she cared for this flighty Goddess. "Consider yourself lucky Serena. No harm came to Blair when she was down here."

Before Serena spoke again Chuck found himself walking out of his own palace. He didn't want to deal with Serena anymore. He quickly left the Underworld and returned to Nathaniel's palace.

Though it was not the place he wanted to be at it would do. Anything was better than being near Serena and her thoughts.

As he walked towards the door he looked off over to the side and saw Dan with a slight frown on his face. Ignoring the Sun God Chuck continued on, he figured Serena told him her ideas about what Chuck might have done to Blair. Even if they did think that he didn't care what they said.

He quickly entered the throne room and saw Nate on his way out a door. Before he got too far he spoke up, "Nathaniel, where are you going? Did you find yet another female you wish to have?"

The King of the Gods quickly turned around, "Chuck! What are you doing here?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Is there a problem?"

"No, I just…I wasn't expecting you."

"When are you ever expecting me?" Chuck closed the space between the two Gods, "I needed to ask you something."

"What?"

"Did you tell Eleanor about what Blair did?"

"What Blair did?" Nathaniel paused for a moment before he spoke again, "No, I have said nothing to anyone. I still search for the best way to explain this to her." He folded his arms, "I do not understand why you had to complicate things."

"I do not find it complicated."

"It is. Eleanor is going to be upset and everything could end up out of balance again. Was having Blair really worth all of that?"

Chuck realized that he didn't even have to think for his answer, "Even more."

He hadn't realized he had spoken aloud until he realized Nate was giving him an odd look, "You care about Blair." Chuck could see that Nate was remembering something before he spoke again, "You…you love her?"

Chuck tried to scoff and instead turned away from Nate, "When are you planning on telling Eleanor?"

The King of the Gods placed his hand on Chuck's shoulder, "You do love her."

Turning back to Nathaniel he glared at him, "I asked a question."

With a grin Nate nodded, "You are, aren't you?"

"Shall I tell Vanessa about that indiscretion from just a few days ago?"

The smile on Nate's face vanished and was replaced by a scowl, "That isn't worth anything."

"Vanessa already found out?"

"Vanessa already found out about what?"

The two Gods turned to the Queen who was standing further down the hall with her hands on her hips, "Vanessa."

Ignoring Chuck she looked intently at Nathaniel, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

Chuck saw Nate look nervously at Chuck before swallowing and speaking quickly, "Of course not. There is nothing you need to worry yourself with. It was something that Chuck and I were merely discussing. Business, that is all."

She eyed him speculatively before turning and disappearing into one of the doors. Nate turned and glared at Chuck, "Thank you for that."

"I said nothing. Perhaps you'll do the same."

He watched as the idea rolled around in his head before Nate shrugged and moved back to his throne, "It is a mess to do with. Eleanor. She does not want to loose her daughter. Since you took Blair now she will. Explain how I am to tell that to her."

"I did not force the seeds into Blair's mouth, so perhaps that conversation you could have with her and not me."

He shrugged, "I suppose it matters not, save for how to prevent another freezing of the Earth."

"You already have the answer of what needs to be done."

"Of course I do. I know exactly what needs to be done. Doing it is something else entirely." Nate looked curiously at Chuck. "Why are you here? You don't usually come up."

This time Chuck shrugged, "I felt I needed a bit of a time away from there. Nothing wrong with that."

"Do not tell me you are planning on taking something that is not yours."

Chuck thought about that statement. Blair and he were married and so would it not mean that they belonged to each other? He smirked, "I will touch nothing that is not mine."

He watched as relief spread over Nathaniel's features, "Thanks Chuck."

"I'll do what I can. And you better figure out what you're going to say to Eleanor, the longer this goes on the worse it will be for Blair."

"Of course."

Chuck frowned when he saw the same foolish grin that was on Nate's face just a minute ago. Deciding he couldn't take any more of that he turned and strode out of the throne room. He only hoped Serena would be gone, he wasn't quite sure if he wanted another run in with her.

Right now he needed to take care of some business in the Underworld. Though he wanted to go and visit Blair he decided not to at the moment. He paused as he considered what direction he could take that would get him to her. It wouldn't take long to get there. Though Eleanor could be there.

It was odd that he still wanted to see Blair, still wanted to be with her. He wasn't sure if it was something he would come accustomed to. He hadn't been sure of anything when he let her go. He had done so because he didn't want to keep her in a cage, though he still wanted her for himself. And he was sure that he would never see her again. Then without any warning there she was.

She had returned.

Blair had come back to him. After that night he wasn't sure what was going to happen. He did know that he wanted her to stay, but she left again. This time she had left on her own. He let her.

Shaking his head he realized that he was different since taking Blair. The person then wouldn't be standing here wondering about seeing someone he'd already slept with. Would he?

It didn't matter either way because he wasn't him anymore. He had changed, not completely, but he still had.

And even though he had already had her a few times, he still wanted her. That probably had to do with the fact that he didn't just want her delicious body. He wanted her enticing mind. Her dark and light humor. Everything.

Not now.

It was not the time for that. Other things needed attending, and perhaps Blair needed sometime alone?

Chuck turned away and started back to the Underworld. He did want to see Blair but it would have to wait for just a bit. He still had a job to do and there were some things that he had let go long enough. First he would take care of them and then he could focus his attention on Blair. With that thought Chuck returned to the Underworld.