A/N: I got to typing some chapter so I got really excited to post some. Were almost done with Part 4. I hope you enjoy, this is a difficult chapter for our leading lady.
Disclaimer: I only own Darcy.
Eric's Party.
Darcy walked into the living room getting ready to head over to help set up Eric's 18th birthday. Her phone rang and she answered it.
"Good Morning" she said.
"Morning Sweetheart" she heard her dad say.
"Is this you calling to say you won't be making it to Eric's birthday?"
"I'm trying but I can't make any promises"
"And you wonder why the kid has issues with you?"
"I know and I will forever be making it up to him" he said. "Have you and Chuck discussed the movie yet?"
"It's on the list of things to discuss but right now were worried more about his father's company"
"Which if were being honest, will probably be half yours one day?"
"Premature dad." she said
"Just stating how I see it."
"Har Har!"
"Well give him my best and tell your brother 'Happy Birthday'"
"I will"
"Love you sweetheart"
"You too Dad" she said and hung up. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed coffee.
"Russell tricked me to look like a monster with Lily, so Raina would end our friendship and I'd lose the one advocate within his company."
"As you've said more than a couple of times" Nate said as the two walked in.
"Morning Beautiful" Chuck said kissing her.
"Is Raina not talking to you either?" Nate asked.
"Oh no, we're still friends. Just business is off topic. As is Bass" she replied.
"So nothing to talk about really?" Nate asked.
"Har har Archibald"
"That's where you come in" Chuck said to Nate "I need you to bump into her while she's meeting your mother about the Girls Inc. Then distract her for a while"
"I'm pretty sure a business women like Raina has plans for the day, and what do I talk to her about anyway?"
"That Archibald charm" Darcy replied. "Use it. I mean every girl falls for it."
"Just change the sweater" Chuck said "I'll see you later"
Chuck kissed her then headed out. Nate turned to her.
"What's wrong with my sweater?"
"Gotta go" she said kissing his cheek "Little brothers 18th birthday"
She headed toward the elevator.
"Love you too Darc" he shouted and she smirked.
While in the elevator a text came in.
Eric: No party
After getting the text she went to the apartment to grab some mail. Mostly her newest chip. She was so proud for how far she had come. 21 months sober. She was beyond excited that she was about to hit 2 years.
She headed over to the Van der Woodsen's thinking she could still stop by and see her brother for his birthday. She got there and spotted a cater, Lily and Chuck.
"Eric told me the party was cancelled" Darcy said as Chuck put a hand on her back.
"I guess he changed his mind" Lily said.
"Do you know where he's at?"
"No I don't"
"Well I will let you two discuss our next plan and go find him" she said then kissed Chuck and left.
She headed back to the Empire. She got in the elevator to go up when she got a phone call.
"Hello" she answered
"Darc! It's Austin!" he said. She could here sadness in his voice.
"What's wrong?" she asked so many fears running through her head.
"It's Brooke" he replied. "She's…hospital"
"Oh my god Aust. Why?"
"She relapsed. Possibly OD. Darc…they don't think she's gonna make it. I need you"
"I don't know if…"
"Darc its Brooke"
"I know Aust. It's just my brother's 18th birthday and my dad…"
"Brooke came before him"
"I will try my best Austin" she said then hung up. She stepped off the elevator then sank to the floor crying.
"Darcy oh my god" Raina said.
"Hey" Nate said helping her up "You okay?"
She looked at him then turned around.
"Darc?" Nate said.
"I need to find Bass" she said facing him and wiping her tears.
Nate grabbed her hand.
"What's going on Darc? Talk to me."
"Brooke" she replied. "Nate I need to find Bass"
"Okay" he nodded and she left.
She got back to the Van der Woodsen's. Party full swing. She looked around for Chuck finding him with Lily and Rufus.
"Would Kidd consider backing us instead" Lily asked.
"That's why I invited him tonight to convince him it's a better business move" Chuck said,
"Good spying" Rufus said.
"Thank you" Chuck said and spotted his girlfriend walking toward him "Hey beautiful"
"Hi, can I borrow Bass for a second" she said.
He noticed the tear stains beneath her eyes.
"Excuse us" he said to Lily and Rufus.
He grabbed her hand and they walked toward Serena's old room.
"I'm gonna need to go to California for a few days" she said trying to keep her cool.
"Why?" he asked wiping a tear that had escaped. "Ellis, what's wrong"
"It's Brooke" she began to cry and he pulled her close soothing her hair. She pulled away and wiped her face. "She relapsed Bass."
"Then yes California is exactly where you should be" he said as her phone rang.
"Hello" she said into the phone.
"It's Austin again." He said and she could just hear it in his voice. She dropped the phone and sank to the floor. Chuck picked it up and answered.
*Chuck on Phone.
"Hey Austin it's Chuck Bass"
"She knows doesn't she?"
"I believe so" he said looking at his girlfriend. He walked out of the room and into the hallway.
"We're already talking funeral arrangements. Darc needs to be out here."
"I'll have her out first thing in the morning"
"Chuck"
"Yeah" he responded.
"She can't come alone. It will break her."
"She won't be" he replied and they hung up. Chuck went through Darcy's contacts and found the one he needed and hit dial.
"Hey sis, what's up" Carter said,
"Baizen" Chuck said.
"Bass? Why are you on Darcy's phone? Wait is everything okay? Is she okay"
"Ellis is fine. For now. Unfortunately her best friend from California just died of an overdose. She needs to be in California and I would love to join her but I can't. Hence the phone call."
"You want me to go with her"
"Yes. If you would please"
"Why can't you? And why would you?"
"Just meet her at JFK tomorrow morning," Chuck said then hung up.
Darcy sat by the wall just watching the party. Chuck came over and sat down next to her handing her the phone back. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.
"Carter is meeting you at the airport tomorrow morning."
"Carter?" she asked him confused.
"I may hate the guy but we do have one thing in common. We both care about you and you need that in California. I wish I could go"
"You're so close to getting it back Bass. You worry about the company. Let Carter worry about me" she replied. "I'm gonna go say happy birthday to Eric and head home. No rush"
They both stood up and he kissed her.
"I love you"
"I know" she smiled "You too. FYI. Thorpe just walked in"
"Have a safe trip" he said and kissed her forehead and walked away.
She smiled. She went to the bathroom to clear her face up. After collecting herself she left the room and then went looking for Eric. She finally located both him and Serena in her bedroom. Walking in right behind Lily.
"$100,000! Eric what is the meaning of this?" Lily asked. Darcy spotted Damien.
"$100,000 worth of drugs!" Darcy yelled. This could seriously not be happening.
"You promised you were done with all of this"
"Mom, it's not what it looks like" Serena said.
"Looks like you Van der Woodsen's have a whole lot of discussing to do" Damien said and left.
"Drugs Eric!" Darcy shouted.
"Darcy!" Serena said.
"Your sister has the right to react that way"
"It's not what you all think"
"That's what they all say"
"Damien is blackmailing Eric" Serena said.
"What!" Darcy shouted. Today was just way too much. "I'm gonna go"
Darcy walked out of the room and found a wall and sat down against it. She could really use a drink. She kept glancing at the cater waiters carrying the drink trays. She really wanted one right now.
The party died down and she joined her siblings by the couch. Chuck sat down next to her and kissed her temple.
"You holding up okay Ellis?" he asked putting his hand on her back.
"Not really but I'm here with Family. That counts for something" she replied and leaned into him.
"What's going on Darcy?" Rufus asked.
"I don't want to depress you all on Eric's birthday" she said taking a bite of the cake.
"You're family. So your problems are our" Serena said and Eric nodded in agreence.
Darcy looked at Chuck. He could tell that she didn't want to say it but she nodded at him to do it. He turned his attention to the family.
"Ellis's childhood best friend Brooke died this evening of an overdose."
"Oh my god Darcy" Serena said reaching over and grabbing her hand.
"That explains the freak out on me." Eric said. "I'm sorry Darc. That I added more to your evening."
"Can we not talk about it" she said and looked at Chuck. "How did your plan work?"
"Well Rufus accused Russell of sleeping with Lily. It was fantastic."
"Rufus did play the jealous husband brilliantly"
"I'm so sorry I missed all of this. Did anyone else see Vanessa or am I having Ether flashbacks"
"It's probably the latter although I did notice Blair wearing two different shoes."
"Blair with two different shoes?" Darcy asked. "Poor thing must be tired from the W"
"Did Darcy have any of that Ether because she's feeling sorry for Blair" Eric joked.
Darcy leaned back into Chuck. Glad her family was getting her to laugh. Tomorrow was another day.
A/N: I really hope you liked this chapter. Chuck and Darcy though are so amazing. I will admit this story started as a Nate/OC but I just fell in love with Darcy and Chuck and the dynamic I gave them.