Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this.

A Brief Moment

A few days later

Vanessa walked into her and Nathaniel's room surprised to see her husband sitting on the bed. "Nathaniel?"

Looking up she saw that he was lost. Without another thought she moved over and sat next to him on the bed, "Vanessa."

"Nate, whatever is the matter?"

"Everything is going…it's all wrong."

She touched his arm, "Tell me."

"It's…it's about Blair. And Eleanor. And Chuck."

Frowning Vanessa asked, "What about them?"

"You know how Chuck had taken Blair to the Underworld?" He looked at her in question even though everyone knew that he had done it, so she simply nodded allowing him to continue, "She ate some seeds. Now she can't just stay with Eleanor."

"She was tricked into eating some seeds?"

He shook his head, "It's not that. I think…I think he loves her. And besides Eric told me that she did it on her own."

Vanessa was completely surprised by her husband's thoughts on the God of the Underworld. She was far from being Charles biggest enthusiast; he had taken too many of her virgins and caused them to be utterly useless. She wasn't going to bring up her thoughts on that, "Does she love him?"

He shrugged, "That's not really the issue. Vanessa look at what Eleanor did last time, when she finds out…how am I supposed to break that to her?"

"I'm sure she will have to just understand."

"Understand? Not with how she was acting. I don't see how I'm going to be able to pass this off. Besides I'm not exactly someone she would be thrilled to speak too anyways."

"I'm sure we can find a way through this."

He snorted, "Really? I don't think there is any way out of this."

She could see why he was distraught. Eleanor had reacted very poorly last time, though to be honest she didn't blame her, but still considering her last reaction..."Nathaniel, is there something you're not telling me about Blair's abduction?"

He was quiet for only a minute before he told her about Charles and him talking at one of the festivals, the first that Blair attended, and the suggestion Charles had made in order to help Nathaniel with Eleanor. She wasn't thrilled to see that it was only so he could get to Blair with permission.

Permission.

That was it. The silver lining.

"Nathaniel, you gave Charles permission."

"What?"

"You are…Blair's Father is gone, you act in the stead of him. Nathaniel do you not see?"

"See what?"

"You essentially married them."

His mouth dropped open, "So Blair and Chuck are married?"

"Yes. And Eleanor could not attack that."

Nathaniel gave her a look, "Yes she could."

"Alright, so maybe, however that can be what we go off of."

"We?"

"Do not be silly Nathaniel; I will be there with you."

And for the first time in a long time a smile graced his face. One that reminded her of how much she loved him. She leaned in and the two kissed.

Chuck stared out across the Underworld. It had been a few days since he had seen Blair. He wasn't too happy about it but he wasn't sure what he could do without putting Blair into the position he had released her from. He did just want to take her, however if he did that not only was there the potential that Blair wouldn't be happy with him but Eleanor would freeze the earth and then Nathaniel would have all those problems again.

He had realized that though Blair had eaten the seeds she wouldn't need to be down here right away. So even though it had been a bit he knew that Blair was going to be fine.

Shaking his head he turned away from the view that he was used to. Looking around the room his eyes fell on the couch that sat in the middle. Frowning he recalled when Blair had been about to sit down on it to talk with him. Before she could he had moved her away from it.

That couch was where he had taken all of those females. Not once had any even entered his room. Blair was the only one. Would be the only one; that he knew for a fact. There was no denying that he wouldn't be able to continue what he had been doing before. Already the thought felt wrong.

He wasn't sure if he liked that but if it allowed him to be with Blair more then he would take it. Snapping his fingers a few of his attendants appeared, "I want this gone. Get another one."

He walked out the door knowing that it would be taken care of. Though he didn't care that he had slept with others, he didn't want Blair to be associated with them, she was…much more…a much higher being.

Chuck found that he wasn't much interested in the affairs down here, however he knew that he couldn't just go up to Blair while she was at her Mother's. Although…

Before he got much further on his thought he realized that Eric was there. Intrigued he slowly made his way down to the throne room.

Just as he was coming down the last steps Eric came through the door, "Chuck!"

"Eric? Has Nathaniel sent you to check up on me?"

The messenger god shook his head, "I do come bearing a message from Nathaniel however it isn't in regards with checking up on you. Is there something that he should be checking on?"

Chuck moved and sat on his throne. Looking at Eric he watched as he moved closer. Chuck shrugged, "In regards with Eleanor."

"I see."

"Do you?"

A slight frown appeared on Eric's face but after a few seconds he turned it neutral and looked at Chuck, "Nathaniel wishes to see you."

"Then perhaps he should come down here. I'm sure I could find a chair somewhere for him to sit on."

"He did not tell me of what this was in regards to."

Chuck stood up and looked down at Eric, "If he did not tell you how could you know that it was not about checking on me?"

"Chuck, I am not trying to conspire against you. I only come with a message."

"What is this about?"

He stared hard at Eric who after a few minutes shrugged, "All I know is that next I am to deliver a message to Eleanor, so I assume it has to do with Blair eating the seeds."

"So Eleanor and I are to both meet with Nathaniel?"

"Yes."

If Eleanor was to be at the meeting then Blair would be alone. The only problem was that he had to be there too. Though surely even just a small amount of time…

"Alright, I shall be up. I have a few things to finish attending to and then I will be there. But make sure you get Eleanor right away."

"Chuck you're not thinking of taking Blair are you?"

"Eric, I think it's best if you continue passing on your messages."

And with that Chuck watched as Eric slowly turned and headed out leaving Chuck alone. He was going to get Eleanor which meant a soon to be alone Blair.

Blair woke up to a knock on her door. She listened as her Mother told her that it was time to get up. She sat slowly in bed as she remembered the dream she had just been having. She was quite happy that her Mother would never see her dreams, for the thought of them brought a blush to her cheeks.

The dream, as it had been the past few days, was of Chuck. More specifically the two of them in the Underworld. It started off…innocent; they would be discussing something or just idly conversing about different things. Then for whatever reason it would change to them kissing. One of his hands would begin to move up her leg, she would pull him closer…

Blair shook her head and brought herself out of those dreams. She touched her throat and once more chided herself for falling into those dreams again. It was not a good idea to fall into those thoughts, not when it had been five days and she had heard nothing from him.

And like the previous days she found herself frowning as she realized that that thought made it seem like she was clingy to him. And she didn't want that. She wasn't that kind of a person.

She got up and got dressed in one of the chitons that her Mother had gotten her. It was a lilac and it came just below her knees. She looked over to her table where she had placed her necklace. After a few minutes of debating she figured it would be best to leave it here. Besides she didn't need to wear it all the time.

By the time she got out to the breakfast table her Mother was just finishing eating. She looked up as Blair sat down, "Good morning. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to get up."

"I would not stay in bed all day sleeping. Besides I had wanted to go for a walk today."

"Another one?"

"I don't see why not. We don't have anything else that we need to be doing at the moment. And besides I assumed you would be busy, as you have these past days since we last talked." After that last discussion Blair would wake to find Eleanor go and she would be in bed before Eleanor returned. Even though her Mother seemed to be absent it hadn't meant Blair was ever alone. The nymphs followed her everywhere, or stayed near the house if she did not leave.

Eleanor frowned, "Is this going to be one of those two day walks?"

Blair picked up a grape and ate it, "That was once. I only did it once. I do not see a reason to continue that do you Mother?"

Blair locked eyes with her Mother, after another few minutes her Mother shook her head, "I see what you are saying. I just don't want you to wander away too far."

Blair nodded as her Mother stood up, "When shall you return?"

"I will return later; we have much to do."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I will see you then."

"Of course. Where else would I be?"

Before her Mother reached the door there was a light knock. Blair heard her Mother speaking quietly for a few minutes and then the door shut. She briefly wondered if one of the nymphs had come to get her Mother but then she walked back in. "It turns out I have another errand to run. Worry not though my dear, I will return when I am all done."

Instead of answering her Mother Blair just nodded before picking up another grape and eating it. When she turned around again her Mother had already left. Blair ate a bit more before standing up and heading out the door herself.

The sun was shining brightly and she wondered if Serena was with Dan or if she had gone to one of her other admirers. Perhaps she could go and see Serena, if she was free. All thoughts of wondering alone today were gone as Hazel materialized quickly by Blair's side as she moved further from the house. Blair frowned; she knew this was her Mother's doing and it only irritated her that her Mother was only tightening her hold on Blair.

"Good morning Blair."

"Hazel. How are things with you?"

"Wonderful of course. The sun is shining ever so brightly and the wind is moving and causing the branches to move with more grace."

She gave Hazel a look and saw that she was looking off into the distance. Without another word Blair moved off in the other direction and began to make her way through the forest. The only hope she had on being alone was if she was able to get further before Hazel noticed.

"Blair!"

She grimaced as she realized that Hazel hadn't been too distracted. Turning around she smiled at Hazel, "I apologize, I thought you were still with me."

"You lost me for but a moment."

"I am relieved."

Blair continued walking quietly through the forest until they reached a field that had bright beautiful flowers scattered throughout it. She stood for a few minutes just to see the beauty of the flowers. She loved the way they melded together so perfectly. As she stood looking at the flowers she felt something…no someone. She didn't look behind but she was fairly certain that Chuck was there.

After she smiled Hazel spoke up alerting her to the nymphs presence, "They are beautiful."

As she realized her presence she knew that she wanted to get Hazel far from her, "Hazel, I think we should pick some flowers. But they must be perfect. I don't want ones that are not completely developed, and the color it must be perfect."

"What color?"

"All colors; but make sure they do not clash when you are holding them."

"Are you not going to pick some?"

"Of course I am, but I think you should start on that side and I will begin with these right here."

Blair watched as Hazel moved away from her. After about twenty feet the nymph turned and looked at Blair, "Perhaps we should stay together to gather the flowers."

Blair raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to infer that I cannot gather on my own?"

Hazel's eyes widened as she shook her head, "No, of course not. I just...I thought we could stay together throughout your walk."

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes Blair continued staying at Hazel. "Do not be ridiculous. We are on my walk together."

Hazel was at a loss for words for a few minutes before she spoke again, "Please, we should stay together."

"Hazel, I do not see the danger that you see in this meadow. We are on my Mother's land, and you are here with me. Do not fear my safety for I will be fine. I only wish to have a better choice of flowers in the end. Besides I could always explain to my Mother about that one time you were supposed to accompany me to the garden behind the house and you choose to go after that silly mortal." Hazel's shocked look told Blair that she had gotten to the point, now she only needed to send it to her core, "I do realize that was before I was taken, however I don't see my Mother allowing that distinction." She shrugged, "Whatever you choose."

Hazel slowly turned and continued over to the other side of the meadow.

Once Blair was sure that Hazel was engrossed in picking the flowers she had told her to she turned and looked into the trees. Frowning as she looked into the darkness she wondered whether she had been imaging the feeling and that Chuck wasn't there.

Instead of standing there and looking foolishly into the trees she looked down at the blossoms surrounding her. They really were all so beautiful she wasn't sure which one to first pick.

As she stood there she felt a lock of her hair being tucked behind her ear, "What are you searching for?"

Resisting a smile she shrugged, "A flower that will go with the rest of the ones I choose."

Blair turned towards Chuck who stepped back to the trees. His eyes flickered to Hazel and then back to Blair, "Your baby sitter is preoccupied with your request."

She too glanced at Hazel before taking a step towards Chuck, "As she should be." Cocking her head she examined him, "Not that I'm complaining, but what are you doing here?"

He touched her cheek and then let his hand drop, "I only came to see you but for a minute."

"A minute? Is that all the time I'm worth to you?"

A flicker of emotion raced across his face before a look of amuzement settled on it, "That's hardly a question is it? After all you should know the answer."

"If I had known the answer why would I have asked the question?" She took a step closer to him and tentatively reached out and touched his hand, "Considering that my Mother would not be happy to see you here I do wonder what it is you think you can gain by coming here. Do you wish to anger her further?"

"Eleanor is not here."

"How are you so sure?"

"I know everything."

She let go of the contact between them and instead moved to rest against one of the trees, "I'm sure."

This time Chuck stepped closer to her and touched her hair, "You don't believe me."

"I know a lot of things that you don't know."

Chuck pressed his finger lightly against her lips, "Perhaps that is true."

She wasn't quite sure as to his intentions but for now she didn't much mind. He was there with her as she had wanted him to be these past five days. Seeing him again, having him touch her…it was perfect. She felt more at peace. She wasn't sure how he knew about her Mother and to be honest she didn't much care at the moment. Not when his finger was tracing her jaw. Sighing she shrugged, "How goes things in the Underworld?"

"Do you miss attending those judgments?"

A small smile crossed her face, "They were intriguing." She gestured to the field where Hazel had moved only a little, "This is my use of entertainment. Though I do still love all of it, there is something different in those judgments."

Blair placed her hand lightly on his chest as he stepped closer. He placed his hand on her waist, "There's always a place for you there. Come any time you wish."

She smiled, "I'm sure my Mother will love to hear me say that."

"I'd love to see that interaction. Though for now that will have to wait, I do have another stop I must make."

Blair frowned and looked away. So he only came by because it was convenient? That did not make her happy. She didn't think that what he did would affect her, perhaps that was because she was in love but she didn't know his feelings...at least he hadn't spoken them.

Before she could move she felt him touch under her chin and move her back to face him, "What?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

She looked Chuck in the eye, "I am not a stop along the way to something else you desire."

He smirked, "Who said that what I desire is where I am going? I do not wish to do what I will do next but it is something that must be done. I wanted to see you," He moved one of her curls behind her ear, "before I must endure something else."

Pursing her lips she considered that statement, there was something he didn't want to do and if he was stopping to see her? Did that mean that he was coming to see her because he wanted to? For a moment she felt as she had before when she was with him in his bed. All was perfect and right. But that was before her Mother put the thought in her mind that there were others before her (though her Mother did not know what had happened between her and Chuck) and might be after her. She did not like it, but surely if he was to go and be with another female he wouldn't to be seeing her now.

"Fine. You must leave. I understand."

Instead of turning and leaving he leaned in and gently kissed her. It was different and yet it made the fire still race through her. She gripped his toga where her hand still rested on his chest. The kiss was shorter than she would have liked. And as he pulled slightly away she saw a look of frustration on his face. "I must."

He still hadn't moved after a minute. She smiled at him and stepped closer to the sun. Though she felt the loss of his body and the heat she felt with him she stepped all the way into the sun causing a different warmth to embrace her. Looking slightly over her shoulder she smiled at Chuck and turned back to regard the flowers again.