Chapter 26 - That's where you are wrong

Chuck knew he should have left sooner but the reality was he needed to deal with Jack before he left. He didn't want Blair to have to return and face whatever Jack had plotted if he didn't get his own way. He didn't even have to go looking for him, his assistant had just given him the heads up that he was already on the way to his office. He heard the door open. "What do you want Jack?" Chuck refused to look up from his desk as Jack entered his office.

"I think you are in my seat." Jack made his way to stand in front of Chuck.

"That's where you are wrong. This will always be my seat, Jack. I know you share the Bass name but my father left his company to me." Chuck gestured from him to sit in the chair in front of him but Jack refused and walked over to pour himself a drink from the bar instead.

"How does Blair feel that you are choosing another company over her?" He took a swig of the scotch he had just poured. He was annoyed that Chuck thought he had the upper hand and tried to use the only thing he knew that would cause a reaction out of him.

"It was Blair's idea. You don't think I would make this decision without her, did you?" Chuck smirked at Jack.

"We've all seen she's fled New York and you expect me to believe that she was onboard with this decision?" Jack didn't believe Chuck. There was no way after what Chuck had done to Blair that she would choose him over having the world know her little secret.

"Call her and ask her yourself if you don't believe me." Chuck didn't really want Jack to contact Blair but he knew he needed to try and convince him that Blair was aware of Jack's proposition. He needed Jack to see that this outcome had been Blair's suggestion and indication that it wasn't meant that Jack would find some pleasure in trying to torture them further.

"I might just do that. See if she wants to reminisce for old times' sake." Jack smirked at Chuck.

"I feel sorry for you." Chuck was tired of this. He knew he needed to make Jack see that he wasn't going to play this game anymore.

"What?" Jack couldn't hide the shock from his voice.

"You think love is a weakness but what do you have Jack? You are trying to manipulate family to get what you want and you are trying to use the pain that Blair has been through to try and get it. Don't you get it? Even when you tried to do that Blair chose me. She is willing to face that pain to make sure you don't get what you want. What do you have? Nothing. What's the point in trying to manipulate running a company if you have no one to share it with? Even dear old Bart had more than you. He had Lily and he had me. You'll always have no one. Now if you don't mind, you can leave."

Before Jack even had an opportunity to respond there was a knock on Chuck's office door.

"Come in." Chuck wasn't interested in what Jack had to say and was happy for the welcome intrusion. What he didn't expect was who entered.

"Chuck, just the person I was looking for." Georgina's eye then caught Jack's. She looked him up and down and pointed at him. "Who is this?"

"Actually, this is perfect, Georgina this is my uncle Jack, I'm sure he would be more than happy to help you with whatever plot you are currently trying to make me get involved in." He picked up the papers on his desk as he didn't want Jack to see what he was working on and left.

"You leaving? We were just about to ask you if you wanted to join us for dinner?" Nate asked.

"Thanks for the offer Nathaniel but I have a flight to catch." Chuck stood up and walked towards Nate and Serena to leave the suite.

"About time." Nate gave a knowing look to Serena. He hadn't really asked her if she knew why Blair left but from Chuck's reaction the other day, he knew they both needed to sort it out and they couldn't do that while they were in two different cities.

Chuck stopped in his tracks to look at both Serena and Nate. "What?"

"Sorry but I'm guessing Jack has had some involvement in this again. What did he want this time?" They all knew what Jack's motivations were and there was no way he had come to New York just to see his nephew. His motivations were always blackmailing and business.

"It doesn't matter he isn't going to get what he wants." Chuck knew they would want to know more but he wasn't sure how much Blair would want them to know and without talking to her first he didn't really feel comfortable talking about Jack.

"Blair?" Serena asked. She knew Jack had some weird obsession with Blair.

"Was never an option unless she wanted it to be." Chuck answered truthfully. He had put Blair sleeping with Jack in the past but if she decided Jack was who she wanted that was her choice.

"So, the Empire?" Nate questioned. He knew Chuck wasn't going to be forthcoming about what happened but wouldn't ignore their questions.

"He already tried that once." Chuck responded.

"So, Bass Industries?" Serena raised her eyebrows. She couldn't believe Jack would stoop so low as to try and take another company from Chuck, well, she could but she couldn't believe he would try to use Blair to do it again.

"He failed this time. I'll never make the same mistake I did with the Empire so this time I did what Blair asked me to do."

"So why did she flee to Paris?" Nate wanted to know why Blair left if Chuck hadn't shut her out with his decision to face Jack.

"Jack threatened to release the information about the baby to the media." Chuck didn't know when it was going to get any easier talking about the baby that he lost with Blair. Every time he used the word baby he had to try and hide his discomfort.

"Nate is right, it's about time. I know she's my best friend Chuck but she's been miserable since she flew to Paris. She's done her best to try and hide it but I'm glad you are going to get her. I don't know what happened but I know Jack is in town and he isn't worth letting him come between you two again. You were finally getting somewhere. I once told Blair that you two were the most self-centred and damaged people I know but somehow you made a twisted right. The thing is you are not self-centred when it comes to each other and you are working on the damaged part but she's just scared. You need to prove to her that she has nothing to be afraid of so go get her and bring her home." Serena placed her hand on Chuck's shoulder.

Chuck didn't really know what to say. He was expecting Serena to defend Blair and make him feel like he had done something wrong, that he wasn't worthy of Blair. He nodded at Serena, "thanks sis." He walked towards the elevator as he knew Arthur was already waiting for him.

Chuck knocked on the apartment door in front of him. A few seconds later the door opened to reveal Eleanor stood in front of him.

Eleanor looked down at the pink peonies Chuck was holding. She couldn't help but admit that even with the small gesture of flowers he knew her daughter as he made sure to pick her favourite. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to come. Follow me."

Chuck followed Eleanor inside and when he sat down on the chair next to the sofa Eleanor sat down. He looked at her and said, "I'm sorry Mrs Waldorf. I know I should have called first, is Blair here?"

"Chuck it is fine. She popped out with Cyrus but shouldn't be long."

Chuck was confused by her reaction. He had expected the frosty reception he usually received from her but he was pretty sure she had almost smiled at him. "How has she been?"

"Look, I know I haven't exactly been the most welcoming to you but I'm hoping you are going to prove me wrong. Despite everything my daughter clearly loves you." Eleanor knew that she had been trying to protect Blair but seeing her since Chuck had returned and then when she arrived in Paris, she couldn't deny her daughter was happier with Chuck. All she wanted to ensure was that Chuck deserved her. She wanted her daughter to experience the same happiness she now had with Cyrus.

"Erm..." Chuck was actually rendered speechless.

"I don't want to make this harder for either one of you. Just make sure my daughter doesn't lose her identity and continue making her happy." Eleanor smiled at Chuck.

"I would never want Blair to be anyone but herself and I will do everything to make sure I don't stand in the way of her happiness again."

Both Eleanor and Chuck heard the door close as Blair and Cyrus returned.

"Chuck?" Blair asked surprised to see not only Chuck in Paris but her mother looking like she was happy to see him here.

"We'll give you two the room." Eleanor made sure Cyrus left with her.

"Look, I know you asked for some space and if you want me to leave Paris without you I will. I just wanted to tell you in person that I listened. I told Jack that if he wanted to tell the world about our baby then he could but he would never have Bass Industries."

"Chuck." Blair was conflicted. She couldn't believe he had decided to come to Paris. She felt guilty that she hadn't called him so they could talk about why she left.

"I know you wanted space to breathe and I know this isn't quite giving you what you asked for but I also want you to know that I want this to work. I'll be at the Four Seasons; so, if you would do me the honour of allowing me to take you out tonight, I will have a car collect you for 7?" Chuck was hoping Blair would be receptive to the idea of him taking her for a romantic evening in Paris even if she didn't want to leave with him.

"You should go."

"Blair."

"I have a date to get ready for Bass and I wouldn't want to be late." Blair could feel the butterflies and smiled at him. She knew they still had a lot of things to discuss, she promised herself that she would talk to him but she would leave that until tonight. Now she just wanted to get ready and enjoy the excitement she felt at the idea of another date with him.

A/N: I know I kind of promised the moment but I felt it was important that Jack was dealt with and Chuck had the opportunity to realise that everyone that matters to them were rooting for Chuck and Blair despite what they had been through. I knew with this story we weren't going to get the moment where Eleanor went to Chuck on Blair's wedding day to tell him he was the one who made her happy.