Charlie in Real Life
It's been so long, I know, so here's a refresher:
Chuck and Blair have been married for 12 years and have three kids, Charlie (16), Luke (11), and Matthew (5)
Dan and Serena are married and have two kids Sophie (11), and Will (6)
Gabriel Knight (17) is Charlie's boyfriend, his parents are Adam and Grace Knight but his biological father is Carter Baizen. He really cares for Charlie but Carter has been using him.
Carter has a vendetta against CB because Chuck was responsible for him going to jail for years though he was guilty of the crimes. He drugged Blair and made it look like they'd slept together in pictures and sent them to Chuck. Chuck went ballistic and argued with Blair and it was so bad Blair said she wanted a divorce and took off her ring. Chuck found out the truth but before he did, he kissed a random woman inside CB's limo and Blair believed he cheated. He let her believe it since he felt horrible for all the terrible things he said to her. He wants to let her go because he feels he'll only bring her more pain.
Charlie is upset with her parents because she just found out about their past, she didn't know how they were as teens and she resents them for that, for wanting her to be a certain way when they hadn't been.
Allison Sparks (16) is the thorn in Charlie's side. She's Georgina's daughter and has been helping Carter with his vendetta. She doesn't know who her father is and desperately wants to and her mother won't tell her. Carter knows who it is but is stringing her along. She's just dethroned Charlie. She sent a blast to Gossip Girl about Charlie not having her father's last name until she was four. (that is the original story "For Charlie's Sake") and in the blast basically questioning if Chuck is really Charlie's father at all.
Other tidbits: Zachary Logan (18) is one of Charlie's oldest friends, but he'd like to be more. Evie Montgomery (16) is Charlie's best friend and confidant. Les Monroe (11) is Luke's best friend and Janie Kendall (10) is Sophie's. All four of them are close when they aren't arguing over something which is often. David Reed (11) is from Brooklyn and is Sophie's close friend and thorn in Luke's side.
Previously on CIRL:
Blair met with Carter at a Café and found out that Carter is Gabriel's biological father. She automatically assumed that Gabe played Charlie and her and Chuck and she's angry and worried since Charlie ran away from home and no one knows of her whereabouts. Meanwhile Chuck saw Carter and Blair together at the café and because of the lying pictures believed she was going to see Baizen again for another tryst. Chuck, beside himself in anger and anguish took a random woman with him in the limo and kissed her but couldn't make himself betray Blair and pushed her away. Luke was worried not knowing what was going on with his parents, he knew it was something beyond Charlie missing and finding out about the past and he wanted to find out what that was, but he pushed Sophie away and told her he'd figure it out on his own since she told him being friends with David is easier and Sophie got upset when Luke pushed her away. Blair went home and called the police worried sick about Charlie and saw when Chuck arrived and saw the woman in the back of the limo. Blair was devastated and argued with Chuck and told him Gabriel Knight was Carter's son and told him how Carter had drugged her because Chuck had sent him to prison and Chuck felt sick inside for all that he'd done and said. Charlie meanwhile was in the Hamptons at an inn with Gabe, they were closer than ever and made love and took pictures. The next day Luke talked to Blair and she told him that Chuck believed she did something she didn't do but didn't elaborate. Luke left, knowing he had to get to the bottom of this. Lily found Chuck and tried to talk some sense into him but Chuck lied to her and told her he cheated since he feels he doesn't deserve Blair. He gave Lily his wedding ring to give to Blair and told Lily to tell her how sorry he is. Luke found the sordid pictures of Blair and Carter and since he knew Carter was Gabe's father, knew he had to go to Charlie and Gabe and get some answers. He is the only one who knew where Charlie was. When Luke arrived at the inn, Gabe was out buying coffee. He showed Charlie the pictures and Luke told her they weren't what they seem and that Gabe has to explain and Charlie didn't want to believe that Gabe had any part in it. Luke didn't want to take any chances and had Charlie forcibly removed so they could both go back to the city and figure this out together. The chapter ended with Carter Baizen going to the inn in search of Charlie and Gabe, but found the room empty. He did find Gabe's camera and took it, with picture after picture of Charlie in various states of undress.
Chapter 36
They were on the highway almost home. Charlie had been silent for the entire ride, quietly stewing in her anger. She glanced at her brother who looked completely at ease and she finally snapped, breaking the silence, "I can't believe you just did that," Charlie said, shifting in her seat, wearing Gabe's pajama shirt.
"You gave me no other choice," Luke said dryly and Charlie pursed her lips and wacked him in the back of the head.
"Ow!" Luke protested then glared at his sister, "What the hell is your problem?"
"What the hell is yours?" Charlie countered, "I told you I'd deal with it. I just needed some time to talk to Gabe. I know all this doesn't make any sense, but I know there's got to be an explan—"
"Do you realize how many times, you just uttered the word 'I'?" Luke cut in impatiently, "I know this may come as a monumental shock to your system, Charlotte, but this isn't only about you. It's about our mother and our father, and until we get some answers, everyone outside our family is suspect."
Charlie looked down, her eyes landing on the awful pictures next to her, sobering her with the gravity, "Is—is Mom really not wearing her wedding ring?" she asked, her throat growing thick.
Luke nodded quickly, barely able to vocalize a reply, "It's bad, Charlie," he said and Charlie's face seemed to crumple, but she hardened her features before her brother could notice, "Stop the car."
He turned to her, "So that you can escape? Not likely."
"Luke, I just need some air," she said and he rolled his eyes and told the driver to pull over.
Charlie got out, not waiting for the door to be opened for her. She took a few deep breaths, not caring if the cars passing by saw her in her bare feet and pajama shirt that barely reached her thighs.
She never wanted this to happen, and now it was. Was it all her fault?
She shook her head and swiped under her eyes. Her parents couldn't split up. She wouldn't let it happen.
"Charlie, get back into the limo before the cops come along and mistake you for a streetwalker."
Charlie glanced down at herself again and gave an eye roll of her own then turned around, returning to the limo, "Better?" she asked once they were on the move again.
"Yes, I can rest assured I won't be pulled over for soliciting."
Charlie frowned, "You're eleven," she told him.
"The driver then," he said and Charlie could see her brother was just trying to divert and avoid any more talk of their parents which made her feel terrible, "You were right, Luke," she reassured him, "Do you hear me?" she said, making her brother look at her, "We're going to fix it," she told him, "I promise you we are."
Luke smirked, slightly sadly, "You know, one Bass is trouble."
She grinned a bit tremulously, "Two is chaos."
"But what a party."
XOXOXOXO
"Get up."
Chuck rubbed the grogginess out of his eyes and tried to squint up unsuccessfully, "Nate?" he said, and was helped up in the seat in his limo, "What—what are you doing here?" he said, then pressed the button to lower the privacy divider, "Where's Arthur? I told him to just keep driving."
"Lucky for you, Arthur knows better," Nate replied and Chuck sighed, reaching for a half empty bottle of scotch, but was intercepted, "What do you want?" he grated, narrowing his bloodshot eyes at his friend, "You should be with Blair, not here. I'm sure she—she needs you right now. I don't."
"You do," Nate insisted, "Your suit is ready for the trash, you need a shave, and to be honest, you smell."
Chuck smirked harshly, "It's the faint whiff of my tragic demise. You should get used to it," he suggested dryly, "It'll be my signature from now until, oh…I'd say the next fifty years or so, that is, if I don't drink myself into an early grave," he interjected, "Which would actually be a resounding relief."
"Chuck—"
Chuck turned away, shaking his head, "What are you doing here Nathaniel? Do you realize what I've done?"
"Yes," Nate said, turning to him, "Lily gave me the memo after you left her at Victrola earlier then I called Serena and she filled in the gaps."
Chuck huffed, trying to sound indignant, but failed. It came out more as a deep wrenched sigh, "Then why," he repeated slowly, "Are you here?"
"You were a bastard to one of my best friends, to one of the women I love most, to your wife, the mother of your three children," Nate accused, mincing nothing and his words hit Chuck one by one, making him want to cover his ears like a desperate child, but he didn't. He sat there and took it because it was all true.
He tried to swallow away the taste of stale scotch off his tongue, but he couldn't manage it. His eyes burned and his gaze blurred remembering Blair's face, the things he'd said to her, horrible things, things he didn't mean then he recalled Charlie's face, her tears, her devastated disappointment. He'd done it all, his boys, Matty's cries, Luke's look gazing back at him as if he were a stranger.
"I know what I did," he said slightly unsteadily, "It was unforgivable," he cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes, "I'll never be able to make amends."
Nate leaned forward and nodded slightly, "I know what you did too, but I also know what you didn't."
Chuck frowned straightening, "What—"
"You're talking to me, man, so drop the act," Nate retorted, "All the things you said to Blair? Yeah, I believe it. You love her so much you'd go blind to reason, but cheat on her? You're not capable."
Chuck only shrugged, but Nate kept prodding, "So why'd you lie? Why'd you make it that much worse?"
Chuck rubbed his brow then scratched his stubble, "I knew if she thought I cheated, she'd never forgive me. I need her not to forgive me. She'd be better off in the long run," he admitted, the strain on his vocal cords making his voice gritty, "If I'm not with her, I can't hurt her anymore."
Nate shook his head incredulously, "Are you an idiot? Haven't we been through this before?"
Chuck gave a low curse, "Yes, we have, too many times. Therein lies the problem. It's exactly why I need to stop it. I keep screwing everything up. I don't deserve another chance. I don't want one."
"Come on, Chuck—"
"No," Chuck said, pulling away when Nate reached out a hand, "I messed up more than I ever have in the past."
"You thought that before too, remember? When you found out Blair was pregnant with Luke? You thought it was over then too, but you didn't give up, you can't give up now."
"I'm not giving up," Chuck said, leaning over Nate and opening the limo door, "I'm simply resigning myself to what is, and what is? Is that it's over," he said then nodded to the gaping door, "Thanks for the undeserved pep talk, now get out."
XOXOXOXO
"And you don't know where they took her?" Gabe demanded, stuffing all of his things into his bag and cramming all of Charlie's into her Louis Vuitton duffle.
"No," the man nervously replied, having been forcibly pulled away from the front desk at the inn, "But—uh, your dad was here after," he offered up with a shrug.
"My—," Gabe frowned, his hands stilling, "My father?"
"Yeah, late thirties, dark hair, grey eyes. Don't you know your own father?"
Gabe's eyes narrowed, "Carter," he muttered, zipping the bags closed with more force than was needed. Why had he been there? How had he found them? It didn't make sense. Carter had helped him get here.
His stomach turned in the worse way. He didn't know what was going on, but he had a sick feeling he'd just been played.
"What did he want?" Gabe asked, turning on the guy and the man's eyes widened, "I—I don't know. He was looking for you, then I let him in here and I don't know. He left shortly after."
"Did he say anything else?" he asked, then his eyes darted around wildly, "Did he take anything?"
"I—"
"Did he?" Gabe cut in bitingly and the man stepped back, "I—yeah, yes," the man stuttered, "Camera, he—he took a camera."
Gabe stilled then clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He couldn't—he couldn't have…
Gabe rushed, bending forward and ripping his bag open and turning it over, dumping all of his things out, but the camera was missing. It wasn't there.
His insides twisted to the point of nausea, "Fuck!" he bit out, his eyes burning with unchecked anger. He'd been so stupid, so fucking naïve.
"Um, sir?"
"Get the hell out of my way," Gabe said, quickly collecting his stuff and exiting the room then the inn itself.
XOXOXOXO
"Serena, I can't take any more of this," Blair said, running a trembling hand through her hair.
"Mommy?" Matty said looking up worriedly and Blair flashed him a reassuring smile, "Why don't you go find Will and play, okay?"
"Go on, Matty," Serena ushered, motioning past her foyer, "He's in his room."
"You just want me to leave so you can talk," he said, his sad blue eyes looking up at them accusingly, "I want to see Daddy," the little boy said then turned around and did as he was asked.
Blair swallowed hard as she watched her son walk away, "He's been inconsolable and I—I don't know what to do, Serena," her eyes filled, "I don't know what to do," she breathed, not caring if she admitted weakness. She thought she could handle it, but she felt like she was drowning, going under and under, hoping to hit the ocean floor to push herself up again, but it was always beyond reach.
Her lungs protested and burned as if she were really submerged, gasping for breath.
"Come on," Serena said, putting an arm around Blair and leading her to the sofa, "I told you I would help you. It's going to be okay," she said but Blair shook her head, "It's not, I'm not naïve," she said, huffing out a trembling breath then straightening, blinking back her tears, "But I'm not here for a pity party," she said, her voice assured, acting as she had in high school, pulling her emotions in and switching them off in a blink to get through what she needed to, "I'm here for Luke."
Serena frowned, "Luke? Did something else happen?" she said and Blair's face fell, "He was missing when I came out of the shower. Don't tell me he isn't here."
"Here? Why would he be—he—," she stopped, "Sophie," she said then stood up, "Sophia!"
"What's going on?" Dan said, walking into the living room and Blair rolled her eyes, "I'm sure your wife will have plenty of time to explain in detail the extent of my failure at a later date where you will no doubt judge away, but right now, I need your daughter."
Dan put his hands up in surrender, "I just wanted to help."
"Of course you did," she mocked.
"Blair—," Serena cut in and Blair shrugged, "You can't hold it against me, I'm in precarious state."
Serena shook her head then glanced at her husband, "Where's Sophie?" she asked Dan who sighed, "Don't tell me she's run off with Luke again."
"See, did you hear that? Judging."
"Blair?"
Blair turned away from Serena and arched a brow, "Humphrey?"
Dan ran a hand through his curly mop and held his tongue, "Sophie!" he called out loud.
The young girl appeared looking bewildered, "Am I in trouble?"
Dan crossed his arms, "That depends, where's Luke?"
Sophie looked around from her parents to Blair, "I—I don't know."
"Sophia—"
"I'm telling the truth, Mom," Sophie insisted, "I haven't seen him since yesterday," she said, and Blair's shoulders slumped slightly, "Do you have any idea where he could have gone?" she asked, "Sweetheart, it's important."
Sophie looked down, "I—"
"Sophie," Dan said, tipping his daughter's chin up, "We're all worried about Luke, if you know anything you need to tell us."
"I just know he wanted to know what was going on with you," she said, looking at Blair, "And Uncle Chuck."
"Oh, God," Blair said, standing up, a sinking feeling unfurling in the pit of her stomach, "I got to go."
"I'll come with you—"
"No," Blair told Serena, "I need you to stay here and watch Matty for me. I might be running around and I might—I, I might have to call Chuck and—just watch him for me, please?"
"Of course," Serena reassured her, "But call me if you need anything, alright?"
Blair nodded, "But please promise me," she begged, "You'll keep a close eye on him, I couldn't take him going missing too."
"I promise," Serena said, then Blair grabbed her bag and started walking towards the foyer, her mind racing a mile a minute.
XOXOXOXO
"Mom! Dad?"
"They aren't here," Luke said, following Charlie towards the stairs in their penthouse, "This would be the last place Dad would be and Mom is probably out searching for me already."
Charlie nodded, "Don't call Mom just yet, let me—," she said looking down at herself, "Clean myself up first."
"Make it quick," Luke replied, "I'm not calling Mom at all, at least not yet. She'll probably try to stop me and I—we," he amended, "need to figure out what's going on."
"Fine," Charlie said, "But don't do anything without me," she told him then turned around and ran up the stairs. She turned, heading towards her room, but she stopped when she noticed the study door was open.
She slowed her steps then approached the doorway, walking into the room, or what was left of it. It was trashed. She looked around in shock. There was broken glass, pictures had been pulled from the wall, and a chair was turned over. It was a mess.
She walked further into the room nervously, her bare feet stepping carefully trying to avoid the broken shards.
This was worse, way worse than she thought, worse than she feared. She'd never seen anything like it before when her parents had fought in the past.
Her breath shuddered and tears scalded her eyes. She glanced down and her blurry gaze landed on her mother's wedding ring.
She blinked and the tears slipped down her cheeks as she bent to pick it up.
It was her fault. It was. She'd done this. She gripped the ring in her palm tightly, the diamond digging into her skin then she wiped her face. She had to fix it, she had to.
She looked around the room frantically then found what she was searching for and dashed for it, reaching the phone that had been thrown off the desk.
She didn't know the number to the cell phone Gabe had, but she did know the number to the inn. She just hoped he was still there.
XOXOXOXO
Luke watched Charlie scurry up the stairs then his gaze was strayed when the phone rang. He stepped back and walked over to the end table and lifted the receiver off the dock.
His gaze narrowed when read the caller ID.
"How'd you know I was here?"
"I didn't," Sophie replied, "It was my third try after calling Les and Janie."
He leaned against the couch and adjusted the phone more securely, "So what can I do for you on this lovely afternoon?"
"Luke," Sophie said, and he could hear the pleading laced with admonishment in her voice, "Just stop, stay there. Let your mom find you. Don't do this to her now."
"I'm trying to help her," he retorted.
"I know you are, but this isn't going to help—"
"No, this here, isn't going to help," he rounded on her, "Don't you have better things do now? Easier people to be with?"
"I, Luke, what I said yesterday was—"
"The truth? Yes, I know it was. I know when you're lying and you weren't, so it begs the question why are you bothering at all?"
"Because you're my best friend!" she reproached as she had the day before and the hard line of Luke's mouth tensed further, "If that's true, I'm asking you to stay out of it."
"If that's true?!" she yelled, and he pulled the phone slightly away from his ear, "Yes, prove it. Steer clear, as I am with you, do the same for me," he said, then ended the call before she could say anything else, or before he could and say something he'd be sorry for later.
XOXOXOXO
Sophie looked down at her cell phone, wanting to fling it across her bedroom in frustration, but she ultimately stopped herself. That wouldn't solve anything and she knew she'd end up needing her phone at some point later on, she told herself, so thoughts collected, she slid off her bed and slipped on her Stella McCartney flats.
Luke was right, at least about one thing. She shouldn't have told her grandmother she wouldn't run off on her own again because she was just about to break that promise.
She pulled her door quietly open and glanced out. The hallway was deserted so she darted silently out, heading for the stairs.
She ran down them as quietly as she could then she suddenly had to rush into the hall closet when she saw one of the maids coming. She waited a few moments, heart racing, then opened the door just a crack to see the coast was clear.
She flung the door wider then headed in the direction of the elevator. She was breezing past, nearly home free when she had to stop and freeze. Her parents were several feet away from her standing in the living room.
"I just got off the phone with Nate. He's heading over here. From what he said, Chuck is…the worst former version of himself right now."
"That's not surprising considering all he's done," Dan replied and Serena shook her head, "Don't—just don't, not now."
"No, you're right," he gave in, pulling her close, "Even though I think he's brought this on himself, I won't say anything else."
"You just did," Serena said wryly then sighed, "Dan, I hate what they're going through, I hate what he did and I hate that Blair and the kids are hurting," she murmured against his shoulder.
"It'll be alright," he told her, "Chuck and Blair, no matter how morally, ethically, or humanly twisted the situation, always find a way out of it."
Sophie looked on as her lips parted and her chest tightened with the most awful feeling. Whatever was going on wasn't good and it was more than just about the past being exposed, and that thought propelled her into mobility.
She tip-toed quietly, trying not to catch their attention then she was out and in the elevator. She had to get to Luke, no matter what he'd said, she had to be there.
XOXOXOXO
"Are you about done? The limo will be leaving in five minutes whether you're in it or not."
"I'm ready," Charlie said with exasperation as she opened her bathroom door and walked out, now bathed and attired in a Badgley Mischka dress from their resort collection.
"Way to be inconspicuous," Luke said dryly, taking in the eye-catching red number.
"You're an eleven year old in a bowtie and a five thousand dollar suit," Charlie shot back and Luke shrugged, "Ten thousand, but point taken, no dallying," he said, tilting his head and Charlie followed.
They walked side by side out of her room then down the hallway and down the stairs. She'd tried to call Gabe, but she'd been told he'd already left the inn. She knew he was coming for her, he had to be, she told herself. She couldn't let herself believe he had any part in any of it.
Once they got down to the limo, Luke pulled the door open for her and she slid in. She turned, waiting to see him enter as well, but he slammed the door shut in her face.
"Hey!" she yelled, then lowered the tinted window, "What are you doing?"
"We're splitting up to cover more ground. It's a basic strategy, Charlotte."
"It's not going to happen, Lucas," Charlie pressed, "Now get in."
Luke shifted impatiently on his feet, "We're back in the city," he grated, "How long do you think we have until we're caught?"
She went to reply, but he stopped her, "The police are after you, our parents too, at most we have a few hours to get the answers we need," he told her, then went on, "To emphasize our less than ideal situation, I'm pretty sure Vanya is on the phone with Mom as we speak," he said, and she looked past him and through the glass doors where Vanya was talking agitatedly into the front desk phone.
"I can't believe Mom and Dad called the police—"
"Really? That's what you can't believe right now?" he mocked and she pursed her lips, "What do you have in mind?"
"Good, you've seen reason," he said, then rushed on before she could retort anything, "I want you to head over to Georgina Sparks's place and see if there's any sign of Carter Baizen. If not, interrogate whoever's there. I'm sure the mother or her spawn know something," he said and she frowned, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to try another lead," he told her, "We're going to circle around and meet in the middle," he said, going into his pocket, "Here," he said, handing her a cell phone, "It's disposable, I own them in bulk. It's a necessity in my day to day," he said wryly when she gave him a look, "My number's already programmed in, call if you find anything and we'll rendezvous in Central Park in an hour."
She parted her lips to argue, but Luke slapped his hand against the side of the limo and it took off, leaving her eating her last words.
XOXOXOXO
Gabe was in the back seat, glaring out the window of the car he was in while resisting the urge to bang his fist against the passenger seat. He felt helpless in every way. He couldn't do anything, not until he could get back into the city.
He hated the feeling as much he hated Carter Baizen, he thought, then thought better about it, no, he hated the man more, so much more.
This was taking too long, he was taking too long. They'd been on the road for over an hour. He needed to see Charlie, he had to find Carter. He didn't know what he was planning or why, but he had to stop him.
"Can you hurry it up, Flynn?" Gabe gritted out to the driver who he'd paid an obscene amount of money to.
"I'm already going ten miles over the speed limit," the man told him, "Relax, I'll get you where you need to be."
"Save your assurances," Gabe replied dryly, "Just get me into Manhattan in the next twenty minutes."
"But we're forty minutes out," Flynn protested, looking back at him through the rearview mirror.
"I'll give you another grand."
"Two," Flynn arched a brow with a grin.
"Five thousand if you hit the gas now," Gabe said darkly, his tone leaving no room for further negotiation.
The car revved and knocked Gabe's back to his seat.
They got a few honks as Flynn wove through car after car, but Gabe didn't care, anything to get him to Charlie.
After about ten minutes, the car slowed then stopped in traffic and Gabe cursed, "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure," Flynn replied, "Something up ahead, maybe an accident or something."
Gabe rolled down the window and leaned out, trying to assess what the problem was. He put a hand over his brows, squinting in the afternoon sun. He blinked and frowned, then blinked a few times more, trying to see if he was imagining things, but he wasn't.
He cursed again, then stepped out of the car.
"Hey!" Flynn yelled, "You haven't finished paying me."
"Can it," Gabe retorted then walked between cars to get to the approaching figure.
"What are you doing here? Where's Charlie?"
"That's none of your concern at the moment, Gabriel," Luke replied and Gabe stepped forward, nearly gripping the boy's lapels and shaking him, but he held himself back.
"You orchestrated this traffic jam, didn't you?"
"I applaud you," Luke mocked, "Now let's make this quick," he said, raising his hand and handing him a folder he'd been clutching.
"What's this?" Gabe asked, "How did you know I'd be here? Did you have me followed?"
"Again the crowd roars, two plus two," Luke wryly said, "Simple mathematics, St. Jude would be proud."
Gabe clenched his teeth then looked inside the folder. At first he didn't know what he was seeing then his eyes widened and his mind jumped to too many conclusions, "Your mother—"
"Complete that sentence and I'll have you flat on your back," Luke said, then waved his hand and two men stepped out of a car four cars down, "Don't even attempt an insinuation."
Gabe frowned and his eyes narrowed angrily, "What the hell is this? What's going on?"
"Drop the act," Luke told him harshly, "The ex-con who engendered your unfortunate existence did something to my mother, coerced her, blackmailed her, something, what those pictures say isn't true."
Gabe shrugged, confused, getting angrier and angrier by the moment, "I don't know what is going on. I don't know what these pictures are—"
"Stop lying!" Luke yelled and cars started to honk at being kept waiting, but it was all ignored, "You and your father, you used Charlie, you used my mother, why? What do you want?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Gabe shouted back, "I didn't use her and I have no idea what this is all about," Gabe said, thrusting the folder out.
"Likely story," Luke muttered, snatching the photos back, "Where's Carter Baizen?"
"I don't know that either," Gabe replied.
"Well aren't you a wealth of information," Luke countered with disdain.
"Just listen," Gabe said, his frustration reaching a peak point, "I tried calling him earlier, but it went straight to voicemail," he told him, needing to get it all out, but knowing he wouldn't be believed regardless, "Carter must have set it all up, I don't know, but I swear I'm going to find out."
"No, I am," Luke clipped the words out, "And you? You're going to stay the hell away from my sister, my mother, and my whole entire family," he told him, "Because if you don't," he warned, "I'll bring the whole Upper East Side down on you and anyone you hold in even the slightest regard," he said then left him standing there.
Gabe's hands shook and a feeling of bitter rage crept into his chest, realizing just how far Carter's deception had run.
All this time…and his father had only been using him.
He turned and with all his might slammed his fist into Flynn's window. His hand went through, shattering the glass.
Flynn was yelling, his knuckles were bloody, but he didn't see or hear or feel any of it.
The only thing in his head was Charlie and how much he was going to make Carter pay for all of this.
XOXOXOXO
Charlie walked right past a protesting maid and into Georgina Sparks's living room. She didn't care what she could be walking into. She wasn't leaving without any answers.
"I told you Ms. Sparks isn't here, neither of them are."
"And I told you, I didn't believe you," Charlie said, turning around, not letting herself be dissuaded, "Sparks, I know you're up there!" She yelled, "I can smell the gloating stench of your apparent success from here!"
"Ms. Bass," the maid pleaded, but Charlie ignored her.
"Ms—"
"That's enough, Gloria," Allison said, "You can go now," she dismissed the maid as she walked down the stairs.
"I knew you were here," Charlie said, her lips pursing with tension.
"That's right, I can never pull one over on you," she mocked, "Oh wait, I already have."
"You haven't done anything. If you think that blast—"
"Yes, let's talk about that blast," Allison said, feigning concern as she walked up to her, "How are you holding up? I noticed you weren't at school today, did you go in for a paternity test?"
Charlie's breath caught, but she forced her words out, "I didn't come here to talk about me, my family or that blast that was filled with nothing but lies," Charlie retorted.
"So your last name wasn't Waldorf until you were four and your father reappeared to legitimize you?"
"Damn it, Allison," Charlie told her roughly, "This isn't a game—"
"It's all a game," Allison cut in, "You always knew that, except now we're playing by my rules."
"All these years and I never once used you not having a father against you—"
"No, but you used everything else," Allie interrupted again, without an ounce of regret, "Should I be grateful?" she sneered, "Face it, you were weak, you couldn't make the move and I beat you."
Charlie stepped forward, all the rage and the bitterness she had at the whole situation coiled and turned in her stomach, "You haven't beat anything."
"Oh, I think I have," Allison smiled harshly, "Would you like the name of the top blood lab in the city? It's best to know either way, don't you think?"
Charlie clenched her fingers, "I think you should save it for yourself," she suggested, "You're going to need it if your mother ever remembers who your father is," she told her tightly, "Then again, I'd resign myself if I were you. Sixteen years of disappointment and shame are more than enough, don't you think?"
"Get the hell out of my house," Allie said, and the slight inflection in her voice was the only indication that she'd struck a rather raw nerve.
"Not before you tell me where Carter Baizen is," Charlie said, folding her arms to keep from lashing out.
Allison reached over and picked up the phone off the side table next to the couch, "If you don't leave, I'll call the police."
"Where is he?!" Charlie yelled, but Allie ignored her and started punching in the first two digits, leaving her no other choice, but to stalk out, leaving as frustratingly empty handed as she had walked in.
XOXOXOXO
Blair pushed herself out of the limo even before the vehicle came to a complete stop. Charlie was back, and Luke…
She slammed the door uncaringly then rushed up to then into the building, "Vanya, please tell me they're still here."
The man shifted then looked down regretfully, "I'm sorry Mrs. Bass, they left. I tried to stop them after I call you, but I couldn't."
Blair sighed and it ended up being a silent sob.
"Mrs. Bass?"
She shook her head and swallowed, clamping her teeth to keep it together, "I'm going upstairs, maybe they left something, anything to indicate where they've gone."
"But Mrs. Bass—," Vanya tried to stop her, but she waved him away, not up to anymore talk. She walked into the elevator and the short ride up to the top floor felt interminable.
When would she be able to breathe again? When would all this just stop?
The elevator door slid open and she walked out, then she turned the knob on her unlocked front door and walked inside.
Her steps faltered then she stopped, noticing she wasn't alone.
Her eyes narrowed and darkened, "What the hell are you doing in my home?"
Gabe took a step back, raising his hands in surrender but she wasn't buying it, "Answer me," she said sharply, looking up into the deceitful boy's brown eyes. He had a lot of blame in all this and she wasn't going to let him out of her sight until he explained and paid for everything he'd helped his father do.
"Mrs. Bass, I swear, I had nothing to do with—"
Her hand came out and connected with his cheek so hard Gabe's face was whipped to the side. Her hand stung, her eyes stung, but she continued to look unblinkingly at the teen, "Do you want to try that again? The truth this time?" she told him, "Have you any idea what you've done? You lied and manipulated me and more importantly my daughter and—"
"I didn't do anything!" Gabe retorted and looked at her unflinchingly, shoulders back as his eyes bore into hers, "Carter Baizen did it all—by himself," he added and Blair scoffed then paused when she noticed his bloody fingers, "Your hand—Charlie—"
"Charlie wasn't with me when it happened," he insisted, "But let me explain, that's why I came. Why else would I be here and not with him?"
Blair walked past him and threw her bag down on the couch, "You must have something else planned, where is he?" she asked, yet knowing even as the question left her lips, she wouldn't get the answer she wanted.
Gabe turned, "I don't know, I swear—I'm sorry—"
"You're sorry?" she yelled, not able to contain herself any longer, "You helped ruin my life and my daughter, once she knows about this if she doesn't already, will be devastated. How could you do that to her—how could—"
But Blair didn't get to finish her sentence, one moment Gabe was in front of her then the next he was being slammed into the console table next to the stairs.
Blair's lips parted trying to process the suddenness, trying to process Chuck, something she hadn't been prepared for.
"You made the biggest mistake coming back here," Chuck gritted out, pulling Gabe as picture frames fell from the table and crashed to the floor.
"Mr—"
Chuck turned, slamming Gabe into the wall and he groaned, coughing.
"Chuck!" Blair shouted, suddenly fearful. She wanted him to pay more than anything, but not like this. She could already tell Chuck was so far gone he'd end up putting the boy in the hospital or worse and she couldn't let that happen. Chuck could end up in jail, which was what Carter probably wanted, she realized, "Chuck, stop!" she pleaded, but she went unheard.
"Did you help Carter drug my wife?" Chuck demanded, half crazed and from what she could see more than half drunk.
"No," Gabe wheezed as he was pulled then pushed back into the wall then he gasped and tried to clutch his ribs.
"You helped that degenerate then you took advantage of my daughter—you got her to sleep with you. You're a bastard twice over," Chuck swung and punched Gabe, hitting him in the side of the face.
"Chuck, please!" Blair yelled again, rushing up to him and trying to pull him back, but Chuck shrugged her off.
Gabe held himself up, refusing buckle or back down, even as his eye started to swell shut, "I didn't help Carter Baizen. I didn't use Charlie—"
"You're lying—"
"No, I'm not, but you refuse to see the truth and it has nothing to do with what happened."
Chuck bunched the boy's shirt in his hand, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Gabe took Chuck's wrist and pushed him back, making Chuck stumble away, "You're just scared!" Gabe spat, "You hate me because I—"
"You what?" Chuck grated, shoving the boy back after he steadied himself.
Gabe's back hit the wall again with a thud, but he didn't even grimace. He looked at Chuck as squarely as he could with only having half his sight intact and told him, "You hate me because I love her too."
Chuck raised a fist again, but Blair shot out, gripping Chuck's arm with both her hands and managed to stop him this time, "Chuck, enough!"
But again, like the times before, it was like he wasn't even hearing her.
"Listen to me, you're scum, a dreg," Chuck hurled at him, "You're not fit to be the ground she walks on. You wouldn't know the first thing about love. How could you? With what you've done and the kind of father you have?"
"That didn't stop you," Gabe hurled right back, refusing to cower and Chuck's eyes widened in rage, "Yes, I know everything," Gabe said to him as the gash on the side of his temple bled, "Charlie told me, and that's what love is, it's not lying, it's not secrets, it's being able to look the person in the eyes with the truth and not run away from it."
"Like you've done, I'm sure," Chuck bristled.
"Like I'll do, I'm sure," Gabe replied right back without hesitation.
"Mrs. Bass, don't worry. I call police! They on the way."
They all turned to see Vanya standing anxiously in the foyer.
Blair's heart started pounding and as much as she didn't want to utter not a single word more to Chuck, she forced herself, "You have to let him go, before the police arrive, Chuck—"
"Find the first plane out of the city and be on it, because if I have you in front of me again, nothing, not even my wife will be able to stop me," he said and Blair flinched, her right hand automatically going to her bare left finger.
Everything was hollow.
Wife
Even the word, it had no meaning after what Chuck had done. She could blame so many things, Carter, Gabriel, the pictures, their silence, fate, circumstance, but it was all just an excuse and he had none. He'd done it, he hadn't trusted her, he'd cheated, all the bitter hateful words had come straight from him.
She stepped back, went to the couch and picked up her purse.
Chuck saw her and seemed to finally come to, releasing Gabe and turning frantically, "Blair!"
But this time it was her turn not to listen as she rushed out, leaving them all there without a backwards glance.
XOXOXOXO
Sophie stood grasping the metal pole in the bus she was in. She hadn't been able to take a taxi, the driver had asked for her parents so she'd ran away before he could ask any more questions or worse, call the cops.
She'd been to the Palace and Luke hadn't been there. Now she was on her way to the next stop, but she was starting to think she was just wasting her time. There was no air conditioning, she was sweating and getting no where for her efforts.
A lady bumped into her on her way to the back of the bus and Sophie held in a huff and glanced out the window. Her gaze wandered then suddenly stilled as her sweaty palm slipped on the pole and her eyes widened.
"Luke!" she yelled, not quite believing that she had found him so unexpectedly, "Luke!" she yelled again then ran towards the front of the bus.
"You have to let me off," she told the driver frantically.
The old man shook his head, "Get back behind the line," he said pointing to the floor, "I'm only allowed to open these doors at bus stops."
Years of getting her way with her Dad and Grandpa, and Uncle Chuck, prepared her for that very moment. Her bottom lip trembled and her eyes filled, "I have to get off," she cried, then looked out the huge windshield and pointed to a random woman walking on the sidewalk, "That's my Mommy. She got off without me, please—" she hiccupped.
The man cursed and nodded, "Alright, alright," he said, opening the doors, "But don't let this happen again!" he shouted, "Kids these days, and the parents are worse!" the man grumbled as Sophie hit the pavement and started running.
She crossed through the traffic shouting Luke's name, but Luke was already standing in wait, having observed it all from across the street.
"I found you!" she gasped, grabbing his arm as she sucked in a breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.
Luke frowned and looked down at her hand then pulled his arm away and Sophie rolled her eyes, already understanding why, "You can't catch poor," Sophie mocked.
"That's debatable," he said, handing her his handkerchief and she snatched it, making a production of wiping her hands, "Happy now?" she said, offering it back to him, but he looked warily at it, "Burn it."
She let out the huff she'd held in on the bus, "Luke—"
He stopped her, "Why were you using public transportation and what are you even doing here?"
"I was looking for you."
"Yes, by now I've gathered that," he said wryly, "What I want to know is, why?"
She frowned angrily and couldn't help herself. She smacked him on the back of his head.
"Ow!" his shoulders shrugged at the impact, "That's the second time today. What was that for?"
"That, was for asking why now and for asking why earlier too," she told him.
"Sophia," Luke's eyes narrowed, "Forgive me if I was less than pleasant on the phone with you before, but my plate is full and in dire need of clearing."
"I know it is," she replied, knowing his apology was sincere even if his tone was harsh, "And I want to help you."
"And I told you to steer clear, what part of that didn't you understand?"
"If it were me, you wouldn't."
"If it was you, I'd be throwing a party," he remarked dryly, "Tell me, would you also have the option of losing your surname along with your mother?" he mused, "Because Sophia van der Woodsen has a much better ring to it, don't you think?"
Sophie raised her hand to strike again, but he stopped her, "It was a joke," he said and she crossed her arms and tilted her head, "Okay, mostly—partly," he gave in with a smirk, "Partly a joke."
She shook her head, "Only you'd be able to joke at a time like this."
Luke seemed to catch himself and he looked away, his smile fading and she felt awful, "Luke, I didn't mean—we're going to figure this out," she reassured him and he shrugged, "Come on," he told her, "I know I won't be able rid myself of your company so let's go."
"And I'm glad I came too," she said wryly, yet again knowing what he really meant just like she knew everything else about him, "So how much trouble do you think we're going to be in this time?"
"I'd wager an obscene amount," he told her, "But I'll lay it on thick and with the sad state my family is in, I'll get you off with just a warning," he said then turned to her, "Don't worry, Humphrey, I got you."
Sophie smiled, "Is that supposed to be comforting, Bass?"
"Depends on the day," he teased, leading her into the park.
"Then everyday should be Saturday."
"Today's Tuesday."
"Exactly," she grinned and he did too, and for that moment she was happy they could smile because he might not know it, but she was scared of finding out just what exactly he was leading her into.
XOXOXOXO
Chuck cursed, his stomach turning as he watched the empty doorway Blair had just ran through. He tried to take a step, he wanted to more than anything, but he couldn't, he wouldn't. He had to let her go. He'd done way too much damage as it is.
"Mr. Bass?" Vanya said worriedly as Gabe walked past him and out the door too. Chuck didn't even try to stop him or tell him anything else. His mind was stilled on the image of Blair's face and her hastily retreating form.
"Mr. Bass, I call Mr. Archibald or Mrs. Humphrey?"
"No," he said, pulling himself out of his thoughts and forcing himself to focus, "Thank you, Vanya, that won't be necessary," he said, his voice sounding hoarse even to his ears.
After a moment he made himself start moving. He couldn't stand there a minute more, surrounded by too many memories of everything he'd lost.
He walked into the hall and had to wait for the elevator. He started pacing in front of it. He couldn't take the wait, he couldn't take the ache in his chest, he couldn't take his very self.
The doors finally opened and he rushed in, his breath coming in pants. His hands shook and his heart thudded as he banged his fist against the ground floor button. His knuckles were bruised and a couple were cut, but he didn't feel a thing.
Beads of sweat slipped down his face and he swore he was having a heart attack or a panic attack or a combination of the two.
Once the doors opened again he rushed out, straight to his limo, barking at Arthur to take him to the nearest bar. He needed another drink or ten to numb it all and numb the ache.
Through the haze of his scattered thoughts, one thing filtered through, one sacred thing, his daughter. He reached for his cell phone, cursing himself for not beating Charlie's whereabouts out of the boy.
Yet another thing he'd failed at.
His PI answered immediately, "Charlie—have you found her yet? She has to be in the city. Gabriel Knight was just in my home."
"Not yet, Mr. Bass," his PI replied regretfully, "Your wife also called me about your son, Lucas, but I'm always just a step behind them both."
"What?" he said, Luke too? He had taken off again?
"Yes, Lucas and—"
"Spare me the longwinded explanation, just find my children," he ordered him, then cut the call off just as the limo came to a stop only four or five blocks away from his home.
When he stepped out of the limo he let out a harsh expletive. Arthur had taken him to the same bar where so many years before he'd compared Blair to his father's Arabian horses then he'd proceeded to tell her he didn't want her anymore. What a lie that had been, what a bastard he'd been, but he was a worse one now.
He went in anyway, it was karma. He was certain the universe wanted him to hurt for all the pain he'd inflicted.
He sat down at the end, just as he had before and did his best to ignore the chatter of the crowd who were there for an early cocktail hour. He ordered a triple scotch, then as soon as it was placed in front of him, ordered another one, then waved his order away and asked for the bottle.
The bartender looked suspiciously at him, but obliged.
He took a couple of gulps, but he couldn't taste anything anymore so he took a couple of more. It didn't help. He just hoped he'd get drunk fast so he wouldn't be able to think.
"Is this seat taken?"
He turned to see a blonde woman in her late twenties or early thirties. He guessed she could be considered beautiful, but not to him. He'd had enough of blondes, he thought, remembering the woman he'd kissed in his limo.
The woman sat down anyway, in the seat Blair had back then without a reply from him.
"I'm not interested," he said gruffly, turning to meet her blue eyes.
"Oh, neither am I," she smiled an assurance, "My date just stood me up and I have a thing for lost causes and you most definitely have lost cause written all over you."
Chuck gave a mocking smirk and told the bartender to get her a drink which the woman accepted gratefully as she turned in the stool to face him, "So what's her name?"
Chuck laughed mirthlessly, "Names, plural," he told her, "I think I've let down every single person who's ever had the misfortune of meeting me."
The woman smiled again, "Well, that's not true, it's only been a few minutes, but you've yet to disappoint."
"Wait for it," he scoffed, "It's only a matter of time."
"I'm Olivia Donovan, by the way."
"And I'm still not interested," he told her bluntly and she laughed, "And still, neither am I."
His eyes narrowed then he told the bartender to get her another drink.
"The only name I have for you is Blair. Her name is Blair."
XOXOXOXO
Carter grinned and the self-satisfaction oozed from his smile as he walked onto the street, leaving the building he'd been in behind.
Selling those illicit photos had been easier than he'd anticipated, but then again how could he forget the sheer entity that is Chuck Bass, and by extension his family, he thought sardonically, and how very much so many, like himself would love to see him dragged through the gutter.
If he could have, he would've also sold the pictures of Blair Bass—no doubt soon to be Waldorf again, his grin widened, but he couldn't implicate himself. Those pictures had to stay out of the public. If Georgina released the tape she had of him and Blair, he'd be sent to jail again and he wouldn't be able to handle it, not again, he thought, and his palms perspired at just the mere suggestion, but he forced the thought away.
He was slowly extracting every single moment he'd spent behind bars, and this was just the beginning, he assured himself as he walked towards the awaiting town car.
Tomorrow morning the Upper East Side would be ablaze with scandal and there he'd be, standing in the sidelines, but close enough to feel the heat.
And it would be hot.
Shame always is.
A/N: Yes, I know, if anyone is still reading this, it's a miracle. I'm just horrible for making you all wait so many months and months and I don't blame you if you ditch the fic. I'm really sorry for leaving you hanging for so long, but I just—I gave up on the fic because I felt like no one was reading it and I was working on it so hard that it didn't seem worth the effort, but I was so wrong! I apologize again because even if there's one person still reading, you deserve to see how it ends and I'm going to do that for you. Phew! Now that that's out of the way, I'll say that the fic is running towards the finish line now. I think there are about five chapters left, we'll see. Please review and let me know if you're still reading this even if I'm the worst author ever.
P.S. Today is my birthday so please try not to be too hard on me in the reviews lol. Oh and before you ask, don't worry I will fix Chuck and Blair, they just need a little time apart first :)
XoXo Chrys