A/N: So I was working on this chapter when I saw the preview for next week's episode. I was so inspired by a seemingly similar idea to the one that started this fanfic that I couldn't not finish this chapter and get it posted. Sorry it wasn't beta'd I just really wanted to get it out there. I hope you enjoy it. There will be considerable Chuck/Blair interaction in the following chapter, we'll see just where they go (and where Jack/Blair goes) from here.

To my awesome reviewers: SimplyShelbySJL, Krazy4Spike, lily, BrittyKay247, chelle2911, Lalai, CarolinaGirl21, SouthernBelle88, Fiee23, Alisa Depp, TGPfuturewriter, LitPrincess2787, Sw33tHeart21, GGfanficfan09, ggff-fan, odyjha, BigCityDreams4ever, annablake, and nostalgiakills you guys make my day on a regular basis.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or the Characters, only the plot.

Rated: T once more :)


"What?" Dan asked, his mouth falling open as he stared at Chuck in pure shock. "You can't be serious?"

Chuck sneered. "Do you think I'd be here if I wasn't?" This was taking far too long. Why was Humphrey not simply doing as he asked to begin with?

Dan shook his head backing away. "No, Chuck. I won't do that. This is some kind of trick, I know it. As soon as I do this the two of you will be on me and have me destroyed. You would never really do this to Blair."

Dan's words struck Chuck as he stared at the boy. "It's no trick." He finally replied. "Blair betrayed me in a way that was unforgivable so now I am going to do the same. You'll be doing me a service; you have nothing to fear from me. In fact, if you choose not to see this deal as mutually beneficial, see it as a thank you for my information on your half brother. When Blair comes after you, blame me and she'll leave you alone."

Dan continued shaking his head as he mulled over the situation. He couldn't prevent the nagging in his gut that this could be THE career move for him. It would put him back in the good graces of Noah Shapiro among others; not to mention the money might just be enough that Yale would once more be a possibility. Against his better judgment, the money and potential success as an author won out over his morals and Dan heard himself sigh. "Fine I'll do it."

Chuck nodded. "I knew you'd see things my way sooner or later. Don't worry Humphrey you are making the right choice."

Dan grimaced, he wasn't so sure about that last statement yet suddenly there was a certain curiosity over taking him. For there to be a story Chuck had to actually have something damaging on Blair and he was going to need proof. Doubt swept through his conscious as he realized that there was no way Blair Waldorf had done something to create a "killer story" as Chuck had so generously stated. "I will not write a story that could be considered libelous." Dan spoke firmly as he felt his body relax. Surely that would be the end of this and he wouldn't have the burden of the choice he had made still upon him.

Chuck smirked, now things were finally getting interesting. After shutting his emotions and feelings for the back stabbing bitch aside, Chuck was able to look at this as any other vengeful plot. He had been wronged and now he was getting even. "That's a non-issue. I assure you that everything I ask you to write will be factual."

Dan's eyes widened as Chuck spoke, as he finished Dan was seriously mystified as to just what Chuck knew that was going to cause such a stir. "What do you have on her?" He finally asked; his voice, not full of judgment but with wonder.

"I'll start with the title." Chuck said still smirking as he elaborately swashed his hand through the air indicating the grandness of his title as he spoke. "Sleeping Her Way to the Top: Blair Waldorf's Rise to CEO of Bass Industries."

Dan shook his head. "Chuck you can't prove that . . ." He began.

However Chuck interrupted. "I have pictures, photographs of her clearly in a relationship with each of us; I mean Uncle Jack and myself. The Gossip Girl blast caused well over 100 reputable people to overhear a conversation concerning a possible pregnancy along with the fact that if she had been pregnant we wouldn't have any idea who the baby's father was." The pictures had come from various locations, some from gossip girl, some from ones he and Blair had made, and the ones of Jack and Blair that Jack had had taken while he was blackmailing Blair (those had taken serious PI work to acquire). The photos along with the gossip girl blasts themselves and his word would surely be enough evidence.

At this Dan shrugged allowing his journalistic instincts to take over. "So what? Where's the story here? You said she had sex with you and your uncle that's hardly sleeping her way to the top. That's not something that any respectable magazine or newspaper is going to pick up as a headliner story."

"It's sleeping her way to the top in the sense that only a week or so after she slept with Jack he gave her 29 shares of the company. As for the other 29, they were a gift from my father, left to Blair in his will." Chuck added with spite.

Dan shook his head slightly. "You can't be . . . I mean you're not implying that Blair was sleeping with your father, are you?" Disbelief colored Dan's voice as he stuttered and stumbled to get the words out of his mouth.

Chuck sneered; it was such an ugly twist to his usual smirk. "I didn't say that although if you wanted to imply such in your story it wouldn't be libel as long as you stuck to the facts."

Dan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Chuck was pressuring him to write a story that would leave the supposed love of Chuck's life labeled as a common whore. "So give me the story's facts like you want it to read. I mean, I get that you want everyone to think that she's some kind of slut that doesn't deserve to be in-charge of Bass Industries but what is the storyline."

Chuck grimaced this was the part he wasn't looking forward to but he figured with a few emissions on the story it would be a bit more bearable. "Blair Waldorf appeared to be my loving girlfriend yet as it turns out, while I was mourning my lost father, she had been having an affair with my uncle dating as far back as New Year's Eve. This affair continued right under my nose as it took place in my own hotel. When one morning I visited Jack and caught her, I ended things between us only to have Jack use this difficult time to manipulate me into signing over the company." Chuck paused for a moment, pondering the possibility that had suddenly struck him. "In fact it could be said that Jack and Blair worked together to steal the company from me, a company which she proceeded to sweet talk away from Jack. Only for us all to discover that she had had another 29 shares all along; left to her by my father, Bart Bass. Who knows what she did to get those shares?" Chuck spoke, insinuation filling his voice as he got into the role. "So she played me, she played Jack, and she might very well have played my father to move up the corporate ladder to CEO. Not to mention a pregnancy scare in which she admitted that if she was pregnant she would have no idea of the paternity."

"So you, the mourning victim of this tale, gets screwed and used by the black widow as she manipulates her way from Bass bed to Bass bed, picking up company shares until she was CEO? And what of Jack? Was he co-conspirator turned victim?" Dan asked as the story began to form within the confines of his head until it was itching to escape through his fingers and get out on paper.

Chuck nodded. "Sure, why not? This really isn't about Jack so I couldn't care any less."

Dan was unable to believe what he was about to say but he knew in his gut that it was the truth; as there was a tingling shooting through his finger tips and up his hands as he ached to write. "Chuck, I think we've got a story."


Jack was pacing the floor of Blair's office, waiting on her to return from the bathroom. Just like yesterday she had been in the middle of doing something before suddenly fleeing for the restroom. It had been strange enough yesterday when she left after quickly closing the board meeting but today she had ended a conference call with Hojimoto to go. He was worried. Only moments later he watched as Blair tore out of the bathroom, walking rapidly down the hallway. Jack stepped out of her office blocking her way down the hall.

Blair looked up at Jack in disgust. She was in danger of being late for her consultation after her little episode and she didn't have time to deal with Jack. It was annoying enough that she had had to change her plans. They were supposed to have the consultation at her house but Dorota returned from Paris ahead of schedule and she couldn't allow anyone to find out what was going on. So now they were picking her up at the office and going to their offices for the consultation. "Move, you're in my way and I'm late for an appointment."

Jack shook his head slightly. "Blair we need to talk about what I just heard you doing." He knew he was taking a risk being so forward about her condition but he couldn't help it, he was worried about her. If she was upset about Chuck or she needed space that was something he could respect but he wasn't going to stand by and let her do something so destructive and awful for her body.

Blair narrowed her eyes. How dare he bring something like that up? "No we really don't." She said trying to side step him. Shit, he had heard her getting sick. If he suspected she was pregnant this whole thing was game over. There was no way Jack would stand by and let her abort his baby. Surprisingly over the past couple of months, she had come to know Jack perhaps better than he knew himself; or at very least she knew things about him that he didn't know. He wanted to be a father, she could see it in him, especially in the way that he cared for her and the way that he had searched for Chuck. He was ready to be a father but she was nowhere near ready to be a mom.

But Jack was faster as he took hold of her arm and pulled her into the office. "Yes we really do. You forget I already know about your 'condition' Blair. I've been there for you before. Let me be there for you now." He didn't want to push her away, but he wasn't going to let her do this.

Surprise, shook Blair. Jack hadn't even considered the possibility that she could be pregnant, he was only thinking that she was suffering from bulimia. She felt relieved even as she reacted angrily, jerking her arm from his grasp. "I have a virus, nothing more. You know my life would be much simpler if everyone would just mind their own business. I mean seriously, were you listening at the door while I puked?"

Jack looked away almost guiltily before looking back. "I was worried about you. The way you fled from the meeting wasn't normal; it most certainly wasn't like you. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."

Blair felt her heart soften slightly at Jack's words but she kept her exterior angry and defensive. She couldn't let Jack in, not now, not ever. "You can stop now okay?" She looked down at her watch, something the old Blair Waldorf would have never worn. "Shit, Jack get out of my way, I'm already behind schedule and I need to go talk to Fleming before I leave the office." Jack still didn't move but Blair rolled her eyes and slipped around him, moving quickly towards the exit; not stopping even when Jack shouted her name.

Jack slammed a hand on her desk in frustration. He didn't know what to do. Something inside of him was screaming that he was missing something. Blair's strange behavior just wasn't adding up to a simple virus; there had to be more. As he lifted his hand from the desk, he noticed her planner sitting there. She must have left it behind as she fled the room. It was already opened to today's date as he walked around her desk and lifted it to his hands. Blair had an appointment of some kind today at three in red ink, the rest of the planner was in black. On further observation he noticed another appointment in the same red ink exactly two weeks from the date. What was she doing that was so important that she would write it in red?

Something was off; Jack could feel it like a hint of déjà vu creeping up his spine. He moved a couple of the folders around on the desk looking to see if there was anything else suspicious. He cursed as a folder fell off the desk onto the floor, scattering papers everywhere. As he looked over the desk to assess the damage he noticed something in the trash can. A small box that looked eerily familiar. Jack reached down, withdrawing the box as his hands began to shake. Why did she have a pregnancy test in her office? They had found out over two weeks ago that she wasn't pregnant.

Jack could feel his heart palpitating as he strode purposefully from her office into the CEO's bathroom. Immediately, he checked the trash can under the sink. The thudding in his heart became louder as he noticed the small white contraption. He almost couldn't bear to look as he withdrew it from the trash can. Flipping over the item in his hands he saw the positive sign and everything clicked into place. Blair's condition wasn't back but she didn't have a virus either. She was pregnant.

Holy. Fucking. Shit. All of the pieces were coming together at the same time. How could she have kept this from? He asked himself over and over as he paced the room, but at the same time he knew. Deep in his gut he knew that she hadn't told him because she didn't trust him; which meant that she was getting this taken care of in a way that he didn't approve. He looked back at her calendar; he would place money that this appointments had something to do with her version of 'taking care of the situation.' He knew Blair well enough to know that she would have an abortion and that was something that he wasn't going to let happen, not in a million years.

Jack looked down at his watch. She couldn't have left five minutes ago and she had to stop by Fleming's office so she probably hadn't even left the building. He snapped open his phone calling for his car to be brought around front. Rapidly stalking down the hallway, spotting Blair seemingly finishing a conversation with Mr. Fleming as he passed by, Jack grinned to himself, making certain that he was alone in the elevator and she didn't spot him, slipping into his limo before she reached the street where he noticed she also had a car waiting. "Follow her." Were his only words to his driver before they pulled away.

Jack was unsurprised as they made their way across the Upper West Side, across Central Park, over to the Upper East Side. However he was surprised as they came to a stop at a nondescript townhouse and Blair accompanied by a woman who appeared to be in her mid thirties walked inside. Jack noted the address and called his best PI. "Alex, I need you to tell me what kind of establishment is located at a certain address and I know it's not simply a residence." After giving the PI the address and instructions that this was not a situation with which taking ones time was acceptable, he snapped his phone shut. He was going to find out just what Blair was doing and if it was in any way linked to a possible abortion he was going to find a way to stop it even if it involved tailing her 24/7.


Blair sighed as she walked into the office after a board meeting, she could feel the morning sickness coming on. Honestly, she didn't know why they called it morning sickness when it lasted all the fucking time. It had been a week and a half since her consultation and now the appointment was only three days away. For once she felt as though relief might outweigh any other emotion she was feeling about the procedure simply because once it was over she might actually be able to keep down her food.

Returning from the bathroom she was unsurprised to find Jack perched on the side of her desk. She had come to expect him to be there with food in hand. Today it appeared to be sushi and a bowl of fruit. At first she had refused to eat the food he brought her but he always seemed to know just what she was craving and eventually she gave in. Now she was to the point that if he didn't bring her food she would have been disappointed. "Hey." She said simply before taking the food and sitting down at her desk. "This is exactly what I needed today; I've got no idea why I've been so hungry lately."

Jack smiled in response; doing his best to keep his smile light but he could feel its tightness. He wanted nothing more than to shout that she was eating for two but knew that if he showed his cards now that would ruin everything. He had to play this right or everything was going to fall apart. He bent over, placing his elbows on her desk. "What do you say we get out of town for the weekend? I know you've been stressed lately and the Hojimoto deal should be finished up. We can leave on Thursday after the meeting is over . . ." Jack trailed off as Blair held up her hand.

Blair looked up at Jack curious to find that she had been seriously considering his offer until she realized that her appointment for the procedure wasn't until Friday at three. So she used the first excuse that came to her mind. "Jack, someday you are going to have to quit asking me out."

"I'll quit the day you say yes." He replied smoothly. "So I take it that's a no?" He continued as he stood up from his position.

Blair simply couldn't explain her current feelings. The look of disappointment on Jack's face hurt her more than she was used to but she knew that she couldn't drop the charade now. "It's always going to be a no Jack." She said, keeping her face neutral. However she couldn't hold his gaze as long as she normally would and found herself looking away.

Jack was intrigued to say the least. It seemed as though he was making progress breaking down Blair's walls that she had built to protect herself. But it wasn't enough, not soon enough at least. He had to stop her from getting this abortion and right now all he was doing was taking baby steps. He was about to say more when the phone rang.

Blair immediately answered, putting on her sickly sweet voice that made all adults melt. "Hello, Blair Waldorf speaking. Oh hi Mr. Morrison. Yes I've had a wonderful week. You still want a quote?" She asked with a pause.

Jack cocked his head curiously. "Who is it?" Who wanted a quote from Blair? In his experience it was never a good thing when the media was involving themselves in the lives of CEOs.

"The New York Post." Blair mouthed before returning to her conversation. "Oh all right. You can quote that 'Despite age and qualifications I am learning quickly and Bass Industries is in good hands with me.'" Blair paused for a moment listening to Mr. Morrison's response. "About how I became CEO so quickly? Hmm, well I suppose I would say that while this was unexpected and moved very rapidly, I believe that I have done what is necessary and will continue to do such to be a successful CEO.'"

Only a short time after Blair's comment she wrapped up the conversation and turned her attention back to Jack who seemed about to burst with questions. "Go ahead." She gestured with a smile.

Jack looked at her warily as he began to question just what Blair had been doing talking to the Post, which was the first question he asked. "Why were you talking to the New York Post?"

"They are doing an article at CEO's under forty and of course as the resident 18 year old CEO I was an ideal subject." Blair answered immediately.

Jack shrugged slightly agitated at her naivety; Blair should know better. "And you gave them a quote just like that?"

Blair smiled slightly even though she was aggravated by his apparent lack of faith in her. "No Jack, not just like that. When Morrison first contacted me, I was hesitant and said that I wasn't interested in being a part of the article. He had since notified me that they were going ahead with the article regardless of whether or not I gave a quote; still I chose not to comment. However, apparently I'm now the only subject who hasn't given a quote and the last thing I need is to stand out even more from the others. So I gave him a quote." Blair said with a shrug, she really didn't see the big deal.

Jack felt his shoulders relax ever so slightly as Blair explained her reasoning. It was true it would have looked bad if she had been the only one not to comment. So Jack smiled at her in return. "Okay." He spoke before taking a seat on the edge of her desk and stealing a piece of sushi.

Blair swatted his hands with her chopsticks and gave her best angry expression but it was obvious to both of them that she wasn't mad at Jack for stealing her sushi and eventually she pushed the abundant container towards him. "Help yourself."

Jack smiled and took another piece. Yes he was definitely making headway, he just didn't know how he was going to speed this up in time to stop Blair from what she was about to do.


Dan didn't know what to think as he hung up the phone with Mr. Morrison. He had half been hoping that Blair would continue to refuse to make a statement and the story would get cut. She had been holding strong all week but Morrison had cracked her tonight. He not only feared Blair's wrath once the story was run, he still feared Chuck's once he realized what a mistake he had made. But it was too late to do anything about it now. Morrison loved the story, he loved the entire concept. There was no way he'd pull the story now that he had what might be a further incriminating quote from Blair Waldorf herself.

The anxiety out of the way, Dan allowed the happier sentiments in regards to the article take over. He was about to have a serious, legitimate article posted in the New York Post. He was being thrust into the world of journalism, on the cusp of a major breakthrough. The story would be first page news, no one in Manhattan wouldn't read it and likely the entire country would have a hold of it before long. It was such an incendiary piece it was certain to spread like wildfire and he Dan Humphrey, lowly Brooklynite, would become a household name; the journalist who destroyed CEO Blair Waldorf, tearing her career to shreds.

Even though the last thought had brought back a slight tinge of regret, Dan trudged on. He had a very important phone call to make. He opened his phone and dialed a number he never thought he would have memorized.

After two rings, Chuck answered the phone. "Humphrey this better be good news." In his voice was a very definite warning, he was tired of waiting around on this article. Chuck Bass was not a patient man and he had wanted this published a week ago.

When Dan spoke it was with victory in his voice. "Don't worry, it is."

"Well . . ." Chuck spoke impatiently. Why was Humphrey holding out on him?

Dan couldn't help but widen his smile at Chuck's obvious impatience, so he continued to goad him. "Blair gave a quote to Morrison today."

"And. . ." Chuck lead again. He wanted to hear this from him not simply infer it.

Dan tried to make his voice as casual as possible. "And they are running the story tomorrow."

Chuck felt a smirk appear on his lips. He was about to vindicated and Blair's career was about to be completely destroyed. The name Waldorf would be synonymous with the word slut once more, only on a very public scale. Revenge had never been sweeter, or so he thought.

"That's not all." Dan said interrupting Chuck's ideas of tasting the sweet nectar of vengeance.

After a moment, when Humphrey didn't say more Chuck took it upon himself to lead once more. "Well . . .?"

Dan was smiling so broadly at this point that it physically hurt. "They are running it front page. It's THE cover story."

Chuck didn't have words. This was even better than he had imagined. Blair was going to be completely humiliated. If this didn't ruin her nothing would. After relishing in his success a moment longer Chuck spoke words he never expected to speak. "Good work Humphrey, good work."


Blair woke up the same as she did every morning now; completely nauseous. So much so this morning that she didn't notice a particularly large sized envelope sitting on her vanity with her usual breakfast until she was sitting down to brush her hair. Immediately eyeing the symbol on the front, Blair's breath caught in the front. The package looked large; the crisp envelope appeared to be stuffed. The blue emblem on the front was raised, official. She allowed her fingers to run over it as well as her name printed on the front. This was it; this was the letter she had been waiting for as long as she could remember. Somehow over the past few weeks she had forgotten it even existed; college had been the furthest thing from her mind as she struggled to run a company.

For a moment she let thoughts of the following year fill her mind. There was so much she was going to have to figure out. If she continued to run Bass Industries, Yale wouldn't even be a possibility. Commuting from New Haven would be ridiculous. She could install an interim CEO in her absence, perhaps Jack could do it. As though the thought of Jack startled her, Blair pushed all thoughts of next year from her mind. She hadn't even opened the envelope yet.

What if she hadn't gotten in? This thick envelope could just be a trick, who knew what might really be inside it. It could be a really large condolence package. After all, her grades had been less than stellar second semester, not slipping to a B but getting dangerously close.

Finally she determined that the only thing to do was to open the envelope and find out for sure. So she ran her fingers under the seal, tugging gently at the paper. If she was accepted she was going to want to keep this envelope for forever. Her fingers began to shake as she carefully removed the contents staring down at the words as they began to blur. Even in her current state she could make out the opening line. "Congratulations, we are pleased to extend to you a spot in Yale's Class of 2013." Her heart soured as she read the rest of the letter, hungrily devouring each and every word. She had been accepted at Yale!

The rest of the morning getting ready flew as she felt as though she was literally walking on sunshine. She had never felt so good in her entire life. It was as though her every dream had suddenly come true. No matter how hectic her life was at that moment, the ultimate goal was still intact; she was going to Yale. She walked into the office as though she was floating on a cloud, not even allowing the secretary's strange behavior or the passing employees' strange whispers to bring her down. Who cared about office drama when she was going to Yale?

Blair was in such a good mood that she beamed at Jack as he walked determinedly into the room. "Isn't it a beautiful morning?"

Jack had been coming to consol Blair yet he knew immediately that there was no way she knew. She couldn't have seen the article and still look so iridescently happy. "Blair" He began, the seriousness of the situation at hand invading his voice against his will.

Blair caught on immediately. Something had happened, something bad. "Whoa Jack, what is it? Is it the Hojimoto deal? He better not be backing out of the arrangement again. . . ." Blair said before being interrupted.

Jack knew that there was no hiding this from her, not this time. This was something that Blair needed to know. "There's something you need to see." Jack spoke, unrolling a copy of the morning's New York Post and placing it on her desk.

One look at the cover and Blair's mouth fell open. One look and she went from the happiest girl in New York to the most humiliated. What. The. Fuck.


A/N: You know I always appreciate reviews :)

Xoxo
kate