Disclaimer: Don't own.

Chapter 2

As soon as she had locked eyes with him, she knew she was in trouble. She had heard Serena screaming her name, clearly intoxicated, and as Blair turned her head to great her drunk best friend, her mask settling into place, she instead locked eyes with him. Immediately, she could see in his eyes that he had seen her. Not the face she put on for everyone, no. He had seen her. Her misery. His eyes, warm and brown, clearly studying her. Warm brown eyes full of worry.

She did her best to ignore him, hoping that maybe he hadn't seen her face before the mask was all the way intact. She was fooling herself, though, she knew. He knew her better than she knew herself. She wasn't even surprised when she felt her phone vibrate. B, what's wrong? Talk to me. Louis was busy greeting some of the other guests so she quickly sent a reply, barely looking at the keys on her phone. This was dangerous and she knew it, Louis was standing right next to her, his arm looped through hers'. Please stop texting me, Chuck. Please, she screamed in her head, willing him to hear her.

He didn't. The texts kept coming, and she kept responding. Why couldn't she just ignore him? She didn't know, but she did know she was playing with fire. Louis led her away from the groups of people, and she realized just how tightly he was gripping her arm. She felt the color drain from her face.

Louis bent forward, and his mouth lingered near her ear. To anyone else, they looked like a happily engaged couple. Blair knew better. "Who is texting you so much, darling?" He whispered into her ear. The ice in his question sent shivers down her back, as if her spine was suddenly made of icicles.

"Just Serena," she whispered. She knew it was a bad lie.

Louis reached for her purse. "Let me carry this for you, darling," he said as he forced it from her hands, and opening the clasp of her bag he pulled out her phone. "What did Serena have to say, my love?" He questioned.

No no no no no. Blair closed her eyes and prayed that she would wake up from this nightmare.

Louis looked at the latest text she had received from Chuck, she saw his nostrils flare, his pupils dilate. His eyes slowly rose to look at her, and what she saw in them was scarier than anything she had ever seen from him before. Pure, unadulterated, hatred. Tonight was going to be worse than the rest, she knew it.

"Serena, huh, Blair?" He scoffed. She saw him type a short text on her phone, no doubt to Chuck. He hit send and threw the phone in her bag before he grabbed her hand so hard she swore he was trying to break her fingers. He probably is, she thought bitterly.

She had to get away. She had to run. "Louis, darling, I have to use the restroom," she said as calmly as possible."

"Fucking hold it," he said quietly. "You've been rude and disrespectful the entire time we've been here. Aren't these your friends?" He asked with utter disgust.

"Darling, please…It's… it's that time of the month," she answered quickly. "Please, I need to use the restroom."

Louis' lips curled in disgust and he shoved her bag into her hands, "You're disgusting. Go, take care of it. Quickly," he added.

Blair nodded, and walked away quickly, hoping she could find the nearest bathroom before Louis could realize what she had just pulled. She found one quickly, and upon the realization that it was empty, she locked herself inside before slumping against the door and down to the floor. She quickly pulled out her phone and texted Chuck back. I'm still here. But I don't know for how much longer. You know where I am. Blair hoped he understood what she said. She was really, truly scared. Tonight was different. She had taken the brunt of many of Louis' rages before, but she had never seen that cold, calculated look in his eyes before. The look that made her afraid that he might actually kill her.

I can't do this, Blair screamed at him in her head.

Her phone vibrated again. Baby, you're scaring me. It was the second time he had called her "baby" tonight. She had never been one for pet names, and neither was Chuck, but she loved the rare occasions when he called her that. It had always been reserved for when they were alone, during or after they had made love, or after they had had an argument. Chuck always knew when to employ "baby" to his advantage, he knew it make her let him in.

I'm scared he's going to kill me, Chuck. She finally realized the words for what they were, concrete, and a total possibility. She hit send and immediately fled to a stall where she locked the door and proceeded to purge herself of all the food she had eaten today.

Xoxo.

She leaned against the wall of the stall, trying to compose herself. She had been gone too long, she knew. Louis would be suspicious, if he wasn't already. She had thrown up everything she had eaten today, but she still felt nauseous. From where she sat on the floor in the stall, she saw her phone abandoned on the floor. She slowly gathered herself up, unlocking the stall door to retrieve her phone.

Four texts from Chuck.

I love you, Blair. I'll do anything. And you know I mean anything.

Rooftop. 30 minutes.

Where are you, B?

Waldorf?

And one from Louis.

Where the hell are you? Get back here this instant.

Her blood ran cold at Louis' text. She had to go back now. She glanced at the mirror, and realized that her makeup was still intact, but there was nothing she could do about her bloodshot eyes. She took a few deep breaths and forced a smile onto her face. Chuck would see right through that bullshit, she thought. She sent one more text Chuck, Not coming. Stop texting me. Please. –B And promptly deleted all of his messages from her phone.

Smile intact, she unlocked the bathroom door and went to meet her fiancée. Her prince.

Xoxo.

She found Louis entertaining a group of men she recognized from many other society galas she had attended in the past. His smile was radiant, and the group was enchanted with him. They laughed wholeheartedly while he was telling them whatever story he was telling them – Blair understood that his words were English, but they didn't make sense to her ears at all. The smile, his charm, they made her remember why she fell in love with him in the first place.

Part of her did still love him, albeit it was small piece. She wasn't with him for love though, not anymore. She was with him out of pure necessity, for survival. That isn't love! the thought came to her, shouting. He doesn't love you, you idiot. He HURTS you.

But you're going to be a Princess, a softer, smaller voice inside her head said.

Blair shook her head, needing to be free from her thoughts. She looped her arm through Louis' who looked at her, dazzling smile still on his face, but she still saw the anger in his eyes. She smiled up at him, hoping he wouldn't see her fear.

"Ah, gentlemen. My beautiful fiancée has returned, and I must bid you all adieu. It is growing late and it is time for us to return home," he said, looking pointedly at Blair as he said the word "home."

Blair gulped, but politely smiled at the men, "I'm sorry to be stealing my fiancée away, but he is right, it is growing late." She wondered what she was in for tonight. It's ok it's ok it's ok, she told herself. As she left with Louis' arm tight and rigid against her own, her own mantra repeating in her head, she didn't feel Chuck's gaze on her and Louis.

Xoxo.

Blair awoke the next morning to the feeling of cold tile against her face. Why the hell do you spend so much time in the bathroom? She asked herself. She pulled herself into a sitting position. Her head hurt. Her jaw hurt. Her neck hurt. Everything hurt. She briefly remembered last night – Louis had been so angry, his fists coming at her from every angle, so punches landing, others falling short – before she finally ran from him and locked herself in the bathroom. Great idea, she said to herself.

The night was over, though. He was usually much calmer in the morning. She braced herself and quietly unlocked the bathroom door, and walked out into their room, expecting to find him still sleeping. Instead she was greeted by several suitcases, their room in disarray. Louis didn't even notice her as he emptied a drawer into a suitcase, not even bothering to fold the clothes. Instead he just shoved them in before slamming the lid down on the full case and tugging the zipper to close it before throwing it unceremoniously onto the floor. "Louis.." she said softly, "what are you doing?"

"Packing," he said shortly, coldly.

Blair gulped. "For what?" She asked softly.

"We're leaving today. Tonight. I'm taking you to Monaco. I'm tired of New York. It's not good for you. It's not good for us. This world is toxic, Blair. Don't you realize?" He asked

"Monaco?" Monaco. Far away from New York. Far away.

"Yes, Monaco, Blair," he sneered. "Don't act stupid. We're leaving this place at once."

Far away. Where no one could help. "No," she said softly, so softly she wasn't even sure the word even slipped out of her mouth.

But Louis heard her. "No?" He challenged.

Louder this time, Blair returned, "No."

Louis grabbed her wrists, crushing them, hurting her. "How dare you challenge me. We are going to Monaco. Tonight. The end."

Blair yanked her wrists from his grasp, not even noticing the pain. "NO, Louis. I am not going to Monaco. The END!" She yelled.

Louis paused, and turned to face her, slowly. "What did you just say to me?" he asked softly.

"I said no, Louis," she responded. "I am not going to Monaco."

Before she even realized what was happening, he slapped her across the face, hard. She felt tears well in her eyes, but they didn't fall. Louis turned from her slowly, "I don't know why you make me do this, Blair."

With him turned away from her, Blair saw her bag from last night a few feet away from her, having been thrown onto the floor. Without a second thought, she grabbed it and ran from the room. She ran, in pajamas and with no shoes, into the lobby of the building, onto the street, and into a cab she stole from someone else. She looked insane, and she didn't care. She had to get away. Now. She let out a shaky breath as the cab drove further away from the building, from the apartment she shared with Louis, and she pulled out her phone.

Where are you?

Xoxo.

He stood in front of one of the windows of his penthouse, staring down at the city below, a glass of scotch in hand. It was early - too early - for scotch, but he didn't care. The thoughts inside his head were too much, he had to numb them, drown them, make them be quiet – just for a little while. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. I just need to be numb for a little bit longer. He took another sip of his scotch and heard his phone ping from across the room. He assumed it was from Serena or Nathaniel, checking up on him. But he only wanted to hear from one person, everyone else be damned. What if it is her? He asked himself. Fuck, it could be her. He turned around quickly, almost losing his balance. It's 9am and you're hammered. What would Bart think? He thought bitterly. Fuck. No. Blair. Think about Blair.

He stumbled to his phone, and saw her text. Where are you?

He typed back as fast as his drunken fingers could move, Empire. Where are you?

She texted back almost immediately, I'll be there in 15.

Suddenly he was sober. His heart drummed in his chest, his body felt warm. She was coming to see him. He was still in his pajamas, so he decided he needed to at least wash his face and get dressed, at least be somewhat presentable. He dressed quickly, and just as he was finishing he heard the knock at the door. He had to stop himself from running to open it, to see her.

Opening the door, he was shocked at what he saw. She was in a negligee and a robe. She had no shoes, her hair was in disarray and her eyes were bloodshot. "Blair…"

"Can I come in?" Her voice broke as she asked.

"Yes, come in. What's…"

She cut him off. "Lock the door," she demanded.

He moved past her and locked the door, and dead-bolted it for good measure. "Do you want me to call security, too?" He saw her wince. "I'm not teasing, Blair. Should I call security, too? You know I will," he said honestly.

She looked up at him and her eyes broke his heart. "Please," she pleaded.

His eyes never left her face as he picked up the phone. "Chuck Bass," he said into the phone coolly, "Louis Grimaldi is not allowed into the Empire under any circumstances, understood? If he enters this building there will be consequences - you will all lose your jobs, Clear? Ok, Good." He said before hanging up the phone.

Placing the phone back on its receiver, he moved closer towards her, "Blair," he murmured, "Why are you here? Talk to me. Please," he begged.

Her eyes met his, looking deep into his deep brown orbs. "Chuck….?"

"Yes?" he asked, moving even closer to her. He wanted to hold her. To kiss her. Hold her hand. Just feel her skin under his. But something told him touching her right now was a bad idea, so he just waited for her to speak.

"Am I unlovable?" She asked, without meeting his eyes. It was the question that had been running through her head for days, weeks even. Was she unlovable? Was she horrible? Do I deserve this? Is what she really wanted to ask. But she couldn't ask.

Against his better judgement, he had to touch her after she asked him if she was unlovable. He loved her. He needed her to feel that he loved her. He gently grabbed her wrists to in his hands, "Blair," he said softly.

She flinched at his hands on her wrists and pulled them away, wrapping her arms around her body. His eyes went to her face, and he noticed that her cheek was slightly purple and swollen. He stomach dropped. Finally, it all clicked in his mind. Louis hurt her. Louis hit her. Regularly. Daily, maybe. He felt sick. "How long has this been going on, Blair?" he asked quietly.

"You didn't answer my question, Bass," she replied.

He looked into her eyes. "Blair Waldorf, you are not unlovable. I love you. I always have and I always will. Now answer my question. How long has this been going on?"

"How long has what been going on?" she asked him, in a voice barely above a whisper.

"How long has Louis been hurting you?" he replied.

She clenched her eyes shut, again wishing she would wake up. "Since the night of the bar mitzvah," she finally replied.

His heart clenched. Louis knew. He knew they had slept together. This was his fault. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "If it hadn't been for Russell, and…"

She took a step closer to him. "No. It's not your fault. He could've left me. He didn't. Instead he hits me. That isn't your fault, Chuck. It's his. It's mine."

"How is it your fault?" he asked.

"I make him angry."

Chuck couldn't help but chuckle at that. He saw her flinch and explained, "Blair, you have made me angry every single day I've known you…I would never…I could never…" He trailed off.

"I know," she said softly.

"Can I hold you? You had me so scared last night. I just...I need to feel you in my arms, baby. Can I?" he asked.

Baby. There it was again. She nodded at him and immediately she felt his strong arms around her body. He wasn't pawing at her, trying to strip her, and he certainly wasn't trying to hurt her. She felt safe. At peace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her. "Chuck, I messed up," she said softly.

"How did you mess, up, baby?" He asked, gently kissing her forehead.

"It's the same thing as me and Nate. I wanted the fairy tale. I wanted to be a princess. Serena was right…the only one watching the movie of my perfect life is me….and I don't even see that movie anymore. It's more like a horror movie. You don't even know the half of it, Chuck. Every part of my body hurts and I want to die." The words were spilling freely now, everything she had been thinking to herself for months.

"Don't say that, Blair," he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

"Say what?" she replied.

"That you want to die. Don't ever say that to me."

"Chuck…."

"No. don't you ever say that to me. Remember what you said to me on the roof of Victrola? Same goes for me. I couldn't bear it."

She nodded. "I don't want to die, Chuck…I'm just so unhappy. I'm afraid always. And last night after he found out I was texting you...I honestly thought he'd kill me. I've never seen that look in his eyes before…Last night was worse than most. And then he told me we were going Monaco."

"Monaco?"

"That's exactly what I said. So here I am. I can't go, Chuck. He's trying to get me away from my friends, my family, my home…But mostly, you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Chuck."

Suddenly she felt all the tears that had refused to fall brimming in her eyes, threatening to fall. It had been months since she had cried.

"Why me?" he asked.

"You're a threat…Honestly any man who lays eyes on me is a threat. They all want me. And I've fucked them all, according to him. If I make eye contact with another man, it basically confirms I've cheated on him…I feel dirty, Chuck. And I don't know why," she whispered.

"Why are you even with him, Blair?" he asked. "When he hurts you?"

Tears welled in her eyes and her stomach clenched. "I was going to leave him the night it started – for you! I wanted to be with you. You let me go, remember? I settled. And it was a mistake. A mistake I couldn't run away from."

"I didn't know…"

"That he was like this? Yeah, me neither. I wish you would have let me tell him it was over that night."

"I did what I thought was best for you, Blair...I'm sorry."

She suddenly realized that Louis probably knew exactly where she had gone. There wasn't much time left. "Chuck, shut up," she said softly. "You called security, right?"

"You asked me to, so of course."

"I don't think I'm safe, Chuck," she whispered.

"He's not allowed in no matter what, Blair, you are safe here," he answered softly, his eyes looking to hers, but she wouldn't meet his gaze.

"I don't think I'll ever be safe again, Chuck. He's a prince. I'm…"

"You're Blair Waldorf," he interrupted, intertwining his fingers with hers. Their eyes locked, and he moved his face closer to hers. Her scent of her skin, her hair intoxicated him. He could feel her breath on his lips, and he leaned in, capturing her lips softly. He felt the fire that had laid dormant inside of him for so long ignite again. "Kiss me, Blair," he whispered.

"I can't," she whispered. "I have to go home."

"To him? Blair, really?"

"I've been gone too long..."

"So don't go back. Stay here, with me. Forever. Forget about him," he pleaded.

"I've been gone too long. I have to go back soon. Hopefully he's calm now," she smiled halfheartedly at him.

"Why, Blair? Why are you with him?" he asked softly. Why aren't you with me?

"I loved him once…Sometimes I think I still love him, maybe. But he scares me."

"He hurts you, Blair," he said quietly.

"I'm aware, thank you," she seethed.

"Blair.."

Her eyes met his, and she couldn't quite read his expression.

"Please don't go back to him. Stay with me," Chuck whispered.

"I want to. But I can't. I –I shouldn't have even come here tonight, Chuck. He's going to be furious. I ran away from him in my pajamas and with no shoes. He's going to be so angry." Thinking about what she had done impulsively, she felt the panic rise inside of her. If she thought Louis was angry before, he was certainly angry now.

"You're shaking," Chuck whispered, his hand clenching down on their intertwined fingers.

"I'm fine."

"But you're not, Blair."

The shift in her mood happened so quickly he was in awe, even though he knew better than anyone how fake it was. "I'm fine, Chuck, really," she smiled brightly. "I just overreacted a bit and now I have to go home to my fiancée. He'll be worried."

Her smile was so wide Chuck's face physically hurt looking at wide it was. Are you lying to me or yourself? He didn't dare ask. "Blair, don't…"

"I have to go, Chuck, I'm really sorry for disturbing you," she interrupted, smile still plastered to her face. Her eyes were empty. Her hand quickly disentangled from his own and she moved away from him so quickly that he could only sit their dumbly. "Goodbye, Chuck."

Before he could comprehend what had just happened, she was gone, the door softly closing behind her. Blair was afraid Louis would kill her, she had run to him in terror, and now she was acting as if everything was fine. Chuck was baffled. What the actual fuck?

"At least borrow a pair of shoes…." He said lamely, he said to no one. It was already too late.

She was gone.

Reviews are appreciated - I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I'm a little dark and twisted. *shrugs*