Sorry it's taken a bit longer to get this chapter up, I had it all written and ready to post earlier this week but life got in the way. Thank you for the reviews and the new follows/favourites - I love hearing what you think and it has given me some great inspiration.
Chapter 12
Blair disappeared out of her office without saying a word. Chuck followed and found her in the kitchen staring at a large glass of wine. The memories of her drug-induced hangover were still too raw, and she couldn't face drinking it, so she hurled it at the wall in anger. Chuck didn't flinch, instead he took Blair by the hand and led her to the elevator.
"Where are you taking me, Bass?" Blair asked aggressively.
"We're going to get some fresh air." Chuck calmly replied.
"I'm not in the mood for walking."
"We're not walking anywhere."
Blair reluctantly followed as Chuck placed his hand on the small of her back and pushed her out of the entrance to her building. Once they were outside, Chuck pulled out another packet of cigarettes, lit one up and passed it to Blair. Blair's reaction surprised Chuck, she laughed. Soon Chuck was laughing with her.
"You claim to be this womanising man-whore, but it's all just an act Chuck Bass." Blair smiled as she watched the cigarette burn away.
"Don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold." Chuck smirked back at her.
"My lips are sealed. For now." Blair passed the cigarette back to Chuck, expecting him to finish smoking it but he threw it on the ground and stamped it out.
"I have enough addictions as it is, I don't think adding smoking to the list is wise." Chuck explained, noticing Blair's raised eyebrow as he threw the cigarette away.
"Sensible as well. I'm beginning to think the Chuck Bass I knew was completely fictitious."
"I was young and immature, I've grown up somewhat since then. And you saw glimpses of the real me, I just made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes I regret to this day." Chuck stared into Blair's eyes. His biggest regrets were all related to Blair, he regretted playing so many games when they were younger, he regretted not declaring his love for her when she asked him to, and he regretted letting her walk away and not fighting for her back in college.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Bass. It's how you deal with it afterwards that matters."
Blair considered closing the gap between her and Chuck, the invitation was there, and she had urges that she desperately wanted to satisfy, but now didn't feel like the right time. It had only been three days since the charity ball, although it felt like a lifetime to Blair, and now she was going ahead with pressing charges, she knew this was only the beginning. She didn't have the head space to deal with her feelings for Chuck as well. She cleared her throat and changed the subject.
"Did you watch the rest of the CCTV?" Blair asked. Chuck understood her unspoken reply, their relationship would have to wait.
"Yes. There's footage from outside the venue too."
"I guess I should watch it if this is all going to end up in court." Blair conceded and headed back inside; Chuck followed behind.
…
Chuck took hold of Blair's hand as he pressed play on the CCTV footage. They watched as Blair finished the glass of champagne Steve had given her and ordered another from the barman. It took a mere fifteen minutes for the drugs to have a visible effect on Blair, she reached for her drink but misjudged the distance and knocked it over, a full glass of Dom spilling over the bar and her dress. She stood up to avoid the spillage but stumbled to one side and dropped her purse on the floor.
"I vaguely remember this." Blair spoke out as the silent footage continued. "I was suddenly really drunk; I couldn't believe I'd spilled champagne all over that Alexander McQueen dress."
Chuck reached out to wipe away a stray tear from Blair's cheek.
"I'll buy you a new dress."
Blair tried to smile but Chuck could tell it was forced. On the footage, Blair tripped again as she bent down to pick up her purse and had to grab the bar stool to help her to stand up. Blair appeared to pause for a moment then stumbled out of view of the CCTV camera. Chuck hit pause on the footage once she'd disappeared off the screen.
"You… You said there were videos from outside?"
"Yes." Chuck replied. "You don't have to watch it."
"No, it's okay. I… erm… I need to do this." Blair hesitated but pressed play on the next video.
The footage was grainier than the images from inside and the lack of lighting made it difficult to make out everyone's faces. The camera was pointed across the entrance to the building, they could see taxis waiting outside and various party-goers drunkenly making their way home. They watched as Blair stumbled down the steps and propped herself against the wall underneath the camera. She pulled out her phone and it looked like she tried to make a call but fumbled and dropped it on the ground. That's when the mystery man from the taxi appeared, it was Steve. He picked up Blair's phone and slid his arm around her waist. Blair shivered as she watched.
"He said I called him." Blair mumbled, rubbing her temples to try and soothe the ache behind her eyes.
"He waited for you. He watched you from the back of the hall and followed you out." Chuck tried to remain calm, but his speech was clipped, and his eyes were dark as they continued to watch the screen.
Blair tried to manoeuvre out of Steve's grip but tripped again, allowing Steve to pull her in closer. As the effect of the drugs progressed, Blair seemed to struggle to stand, her head rolled as she tried to look around. A doorman stepped over, probably to ask if everything was okay, Steve said something then kissed Blair on the cheek, then her neck, and then put her arm around his shoulder and walked her to a nearby taxi.
Blair couldn't watch anymore; she knew what happened next from the flashbacks she kept reliving. She pushed her chair away from the desk and ran from the office. Chuck quickly followed as Blair knelt in front of the toilet and vomited. Chuck held her hair away from her face and rubbed her back as she retched. When she finally stopped Blair collapsed into Chuck's arms. Chuck moved to sit on the tiled floor and pulled Blair into his lap, her head resting on his chest as he rocked her gently, trying to calm her heaving sobs.
"How could I have been so stupid!" Blair said between sobs. Chuck stilled his movements and lifted Blair's chin so her eyes met his.
"Listen to me, Blair. None of this was your fault. None of it. You should be allowed to go out, to enjoy yourself, and to make it home safely. You are allowed to argue or end a relationship without someone drugging you as a result. And you deserve to be with someone who loves you and wants to protect you. He is the only person at fault, and he will pay for what he's done to you."
Before Chuck could register what was happening, Blair closed the space between them and kissed him. It was soft and gentle, at first Chuck didn't respond and Blair pulled back slightly. The loss of contact suddenly registered, and Chuck pressed his lips against hers again, lacing his hand in her hair, wanting to pull her closer into him. Chuck traced his tongue across Blair's lip, he could taste her tears, and she opened her mouth to grant him access to deepen their kiss, but Chuck pulled away.
"Not like this." He said as he rested his forehead against hers. Blair simply nodded in agreement. Chuck kissed her cheek then stood up, with Blair still in his arms. "Let me take you to dinner."
…
Blair woke up the next morning in Chuck's arms. The heat from his body keeping her warm, comforting her, and she smiled at the familiarity. Chuck chose a quiet restaurant for dinner and paid the staff a large sum of money not to let anyone else in, Blair had wanted to stay at home, but he promised it would be a simple meal, a change of scenery, a few hours of normality. Arthur drove them home and Blair insisted that she would be fine on her own, but Chuck refused to leave, he would sleep in the spare room of course, but he would not be going back to his penthouse.
Blair was thankful that Chuck had ignored her request. The flashbacks had flooded her dreams and she woke up screaming at 1am, Chuck was at her side in an instance, calming her as the panic attack took over. He held her until she fell asleep, promising to stay with her all night.
"Miss Blair! Miss Blair!" Dorota's shouting grew louder as she hurried up the stairs, and before Blair had chance to tell her not to come in, she flung the door open and stood in the doorway with her eyes wide and mouth agape. Chuck stirred as Blair sat up and frowned at Dorota.
"Dorota! Maids who wish to stay in employment usually make a fist, use that fist to knock on the door and wait for an answer before they come barging into a private room! Out! Now!" Blair shouted and picked up a pillow, ready to launch it in Dorota's direction.
"Miss Blair, so sorry! But erm…" Dorota stammered as she looked between Blair and Chuck. "Police officer here to speak to you."
"Oh." Blair dropped the pillow back onto the bed. Chuck noticed the slight hunch in Blair's shoulders at the mention of the police. "I'll be down in a minute." Blair finished and Dorota swiftly closed the door.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Chuck asked as Blair climbed out of bed to get ready.
"I'm not sure why they're here." Blair stated, it wasn't a straight answer to his question, but he understood her nerves to mean she didn't want to be alone.
…
The visitor was Blair's specialist support officer, Jane. She'd been with Blair at the police unit and Blair had spoken to her yesterday to inform her that she wanted to press charges.
"Hi Blair, sorry to drop in unannounced. I wanted to give you an update in person." Jane extended her hand to shake Blair's and Blair indicated for her to take a seat.
"Is it okay if Chuck stays?" Jane nodded as Blair sat down opposite her and Chuck perched on the arm of the sofa.
"We have filed your statement and officially launched an investigation into what happened to you. We sent officers to bring Mr Carter in for interview but, unfortunately, we've been unable to locate him." Jane explained.
"What?!" Chuck erupted. "You can't find him?! How is that possible!"
"Mr Bass, I understand how difficult this is, but I can assure you that we have officers looking for Mr Carter as we speak, and he will be brought in for questioning as soon as we find him." Jane tried to reassure Chuck. "I have another update from the tests we took at the unit. Your urine sample tested positive for flunitrazepam, more commonly known as rohypnol, a drug often used in date-rape crimes."
Jane paused to allow Blair and Chuck to process her words.
"Although the levels fall quickly within 48 hours of taking it, the levels detected in your sample would account for your amnesia of events that night. Often this evidence is circumstantial and proving who administered the drugs can be difficult, but we received new evidence last night that may help your case."
Blair looked to Chuck as Jane finished talking.
"You've already sent the CCTV footage?" Blair asked.
"Mmhmm. I sent it over to the police last night, before we went for dinner. I didn't want to cause any delays." Chuck gently squeezed Blair's shoulder.
"Yes, Mr Bass here has been extremely helpful. We've also located the drug dealer you identified, and he is being interviewed at the station this morning. I will update you as soon as there is more information, but these are positive developments."
"Thank you, Jane." Blair smiled gratefully.
"Blair, I'm also here to support you in whatever way I can. How have things been?" Jane asked.
"Erm, okay." Blair said. She didn't want to expand any more than that, but Chuck squeezed her shoulder again and nodded at her. "I'm having flashbacks, nightmares. I can feel him, smell him." Blair paused, hoping Jane would start speaking but she remained silent and looked at Blair. "I've had some panic attacks as well."
Blair's eyes welled up as she spoke, and her voice broke. Chuck moved to sit down next to Blair and took hold of her hands, bringing one up to kiss it lightly.
"Thank you for telling me, Blair. It's not unexpected to relive traumatic events, particularly when we're asleep. It can also be difficult to manage the flashbacks and panic attacks on your own. We have therapists that specialise in these sorts of experiences, would it be okay if I arrange some sessions for you?" Jane spoke softly.
"Erm, I don't know. I'm…" Blair stuttered.
"Get the best therapist in New York, money no object." Chuck interjected. Jane nodded and scribbled down some notes before saying goodbye. Chuck showed Jane out of the apartment then returned to join Blair on the sofa.
"Thank you, Chuck. For everything."
"That's what friends are for Waldorf." Chuck pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "I need to go into the office today, will you be okay?"
"Yes, go. I've got a new line to finish designing and a workforce to whip into shape. No doubt they've been slacking during my absence. Dinner tonight?"
"It's a date." Chuck winked. "Call me, at any time, for anything." And Chuck left the for work.
To be continued...