Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Gossip Girl. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer, Stephanie Savage, and Josh Schwartz. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: I thought I would put up a second chapter today, because I just couldn't wait. Have fun with this one. *smiles* Hope everyone is doing well! Don't forget to follow, favorite and review! I'll see everyone at chapter 9! Cheers!

[January 6th: Back to School]

The winter break was over and with that, came school. Despite the snow on the ground, kids in New York, still had to attend school. Bella spent a lot of time over the break at the Palace with Chuck and Jasper. Now that school was back in session, she actually had to see her parents. She would never understand her mother, so she decided she was just going to ignore her.

Bella's town car dropped her off perusal, and she walked up the concrete steps towards the front of the school. Her ring shone bright on her finger. She hardly took it off, it was just too much of a hassle to keep up with otherwise.

Blair approached, and Bella inwardly groaned. It was nice to barely see Blair over the break, but she was about to be reminded at how annoying Blair could be.

"Good morning, Blair." Bella said mechanically.

"Hmm. I can't quite tell." Blair said, doing a circle around her.

Bella raised a brow. "What?"

"I knew there had to be a reason why Chuck Bass…. Chuck…of all people would have to get married. Makes complete sense now."

Bella frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about." She muttered, and then she realized there were a lot of eyes on her now, whispering going around.

Chuck walked up, grabbing Bella's hand, and tugging her away. "Excuse us for a moment." He said, and guided her away, walking down the steps and around the corner. "Nope, keep walking, we're being followed." He said, his hands laced with hers, until they ducked down in his town car.

"What the fuck Chuck?" Bella asked once they were in the car.

Chuck reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, and pulled up the news article of them. "This."

Bella took his phone and read it.

Bella Dwyer and Chuck Bass made engagement arrangements right before Christmas. The famous, Gossip Girls, has let it spill that it's possibly because Bella Dwyer is pregnant with the new Bass Heir.

There was a picture of her, slightly bloated after the funeral, when her and Serena were trying on dresses. She frowned. She wasn't showing at all. She had no bump, but the pictures were altered to look that way.

"Chuck, I'm not pregnant." Bella said and looked up at him.

Chuck studied her. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure. Chuck, I have the IUD. I got it last year. They last for 5 years. It's never failed before. I would know if I were pregnant. Trust me." Bella said.

Chuck nodded. "Okay, these pictures are obviously altered. I know your body, very well."

"You do. Why the hell would Gossip Girl start something like this?"

"Because she's Gossip Girl." Chuck said and sighed. "Alright, we'll-"Chuck's phone rang. He sighed and answered. "Yes?"

"Son, I've seen the article. I want you to take Bella to the doctor, get her checked out. We want to get in front of this thing. A baby is fast, but- "

"Dad, relax. Bella isn't pregnant." Chuck sighed.

"The article…"

"Fake. People love to stir the pot, you know this." Chuck said, pinching the bridge of his nose when he felt a headache coming on.

Bart was quiet a moment. "Alright. I'll make an announcement, clear this up." He said and hung up.

Chuck looked at Bella. "I'm sorry."

"You keep apologizing to me more lately." Bella said with a smile. "Nothing to be sorry about, comes with the territory. I'm okay." She said and then she did something she normally didn't do when in private unless they were having sex. She leaned in and kissed him. It surprised Chuck for her to kiss him like this. Her mouth was soft and gentle over his, and he kissed her back, his lips parting for her to delve in deeper, her tongue sliding over his. She pulled back after a few moments. "We're going to be late to class. Come on." She said, and took his hand, and got out of the car.

By lunch, people had already asked Bella and Chuck, or had commented on the article that came out, about her being pregnant. When Jasper sat down with Chuck and Bella at the table, Chuck held a hand up.

"No. Rumor isn't true." Chuck said and took a bite of his food.

"Didn't think it was." Jasper said. "I was going to say, I've noticed today that there's someone following me." He said.

Chuck sighed. "Of fucking course." He said, setting his fork down. "It's my dad. He's hired someone to follow you around because he thinks that Bella is being unfaithful to me." He said and looked over at her, seeing her frown. "The night of our engagement, he came to the hotel, brought pictures of you and Jasper from the funeral. He's reading into it more. Fortunately, it's not abnormal for Jasper to be at the hotel with me." He said. "Since we're best friends."

"Besties, huh." Jasper said with a smirk. "Either way, maybe I shouldn't come by so often."

"As long as you're not spotted alone with Bella, I don't think my dad has any reason to doubt my statement." Chuck said.

Bella shook her head. "This is getting stupid. Your father is starting to piss me off."

"Starting to?" Chuck asked, raising a brow.

Serena and Dan sat down at the table, Nate right behind them. "Guys."

"Not true." Bella and Chuck said at the same time.

"So, you truly love each other enough to get married?" Serena asked, still shocked that they had gotten engaged.

Chuck smiled at Bella. "I do actually." He said and winked at Bella, smiling wide.

Bella smiled back. "Seems odd, but it's true." She said and looked at Serena. "So, I need you to practice being a maid of honor."

Serena's mouth dropped open. "Are you serious? That's amazing!" She said, squeaking a little.

Edward sat down at the table, his phone up to his ear. "Te l'ho già detto. No." (I told you already. No.) He was speaking Italian. He shook his head. "Non c'è bisogno." (There's no need.) He sighed. "Per favore lascia perdere." (Please drop it.) He nodded after a moment. "Ciao." He hung up sighing again.

Bella frowned. "Cosa c'è che non va?" (What's wrong?)

Edward looked up at Bella. "Mio padre. Vuole che cambi scuola." (My father. He wants me to change schools.)

"Che cosa? Come mai?" Bella asked still frowning. (What? Why?)

He sighed. "Il collegio dovrebbe essere un'opzione migliore. Secondo lui." (Boarding school is supposed to be a better option. According to him.)

Bella shook head. "Hai diciotto anni. Non può obbligarti ad andare, vero?" (You're eighteen. He can't force you to go, can he?)

Edward shook his head. "No. Mia madre sta al mio fianco. Alice sta partendo per andare." (No. My mother is sticking to my side. Alice is leaving to go.)

"Bene, va bene vero?" She asked. (Well, that's good right?)

Edward nodded. "Solo frustrante a volte. Grazie." (Just frustrating sometimes. Thank you)

Bella offered a smile, nodding. "Certo." (Of course.) She glanced over seeing several sets of eyes staring at her. "What?"

"You speak another language." Chuck pointed out, a little stunned that she knew another language.

Bella nodded. "Yeah, my dad is Italian." She said frowning. "Was."

Chuck reached a hand over and placed it on her hand, brushing the back of it with his thumb. "Impressive." He said, offering a smile.

Edward sighed. "No one else speaks Italian at this school. It was a pleasant surprise." He admitted.

Bella smiled. "Infatti." (Indeed) She finished eating, and then her phone rang, and she looked at it, and answered.

"Bella, I just saw the article, you're not- "

"I'm not." Bella answered quickly, cutting her mother off. "I'm at school. I'll talk to you later." She said, and just hung up. "Next one to ask about the article, I'm going to smack them."

By the end of the day, Bella was just exhausted, dodging people, and the whispers, but she just kept pushing through the day. She walked outside, going towards her town car, but a window rolled down, and it was Bart. He motioned for her to come join him, and she sighed, going over, and getting in the car. Bart had the drive pull away.

"What can I do for you Mr. Bass?"

"I've announced that at this time, that the pictures circulating of you and this Gossip Girl column holds no merit, and that my daughter-in-law to be is not pregnant with the next Bass Heir." He said simply.

"Okay, you could have told Chuck this, and he would have told me." Bella said, and then looked around. "Where are we going?"

"To my home Bella." Bart said, and the town car pulled up outside a building. He got out, and Bella followed him. They went inside, catching the elevator, and went up to the tenth floor. The apartment was large and spacious, expensive.

"Okay. I'm here." Bella said, walking with Bart inside.

Bart walked over to a liquor cabinet and poured a drink, one for himself, and one for her, and brought it to her. He put a hand in his pocket as he took a drink. "My son is a lot of things." He started. "I know that he was with another woman the day I came and questioned him about the validity of your relationship with my son."

Bella raised a brow. "I don't understand where you're going with this."

"Chuck believes that I'm naïve. Or naïve enough to fall for whatever little ploy it is you two are carrying on." Bart said, taking another drink.

Bella had yet to take a drink of the drink. She set it down. "There's no ploy Mr. Bass. I intend to marry your son."

"How much money are you after exactly?" Bart asked.

"I'm not after money Mr. Bass. I told Chuck I would sign a prenup." Bella said. "I don't want any of your money."

Bart studied her. "You strike me as a smart girl."

"I am smart."

"You don't really love Chuck. I know you're doing this as some strange way to help him with whatever it is you think he's gotten himself into. The truth is, he's a disappointment. He's not the heir that I wanted." He said.

Bella raised a brow. "Have you ever thought that maybe it's because he lacked a father figure in his life?"

"Perhaps I wasn't there often enough. I am a busy man." Bart said. "Which is why I had hoped your mother would be swayed." He said and then finished his drink. "I do want an heir that can one day take over Bass Industries. Chuck is too immature for it."

"He's eighteen. Still has time to grow up."

"I doubt he ever will." Bart said. "I need an heir."

"There are likely plenty of women that will be able to give you that." Bella said.

Bart smiled a little. "Your ferocity and strength is desirable Bella. There aren't many women that have those same qualities."

Bella narrowed her eyes. "What are you getting at Mr. Bass."

"You're sure you want to marry my son? Even if I disinherit him?"

"Wait, you said that he had to get married. That we were meant to be engaged, and you wouldn't do that."

Bart shrugged. "Well, I find that it's just a smokescreen."

"What do you want Bart." Bella said it, a little coolly.

"I want…a better heir."

Bella was quiet. "You want me to be pregnant." She said, realizing that's what he was going for.

"Oh, I do, but not with Chuck's child."

Bella was stunned a little. "He's your son. How could you even sug-"

"I won't disinherit him if you do this." Bart said. "I'll let him keep his inheritance. All you have to do, is carry a child for me." He said and then unfastened his cuff links.

"You want us to have sex. Right now?" Bella said, a little baffled.

"Of course." Bart said with a nod.

Bella shook her head. "I have the IUD Bart; I can't get pregnant." She said.

He stopped. "Okay." He pulled his phone out, sending a text, and then waited a moment, and then he nodded. "Okay. You're set up with an appointment in thirty minutes. We'll have it removed, and then we'll pick the right time to do this."

Bella opened her mouth and then closed it. Her heart was slamming hard in her chest. "You won't disinherit Chuck?"

"I won't."

"I want that in writing." Bella said.

"Done." Bart said. "My driver will take you to your appointment." He said and dismissed Bella.

[Later that Evening: The Palace Hotel]

Bella went back to the Palace Hotel; she was reeling from what happened earlier. She couldn't tell Chuck, Bart told her that if she did, he would know. She used her key card and walked into the room. Jasper and Chuck looked up at her.

"There you are. You disappeared after school, and didn't answer your phone." Chuck said, frowning.

"Yeah, I was detained by…my mom." She said lamely.

Chuck nodded. "Alright." He said. "You look tired."

"I am." She murmured, rubbing a hand over her face. "I think I'm just going to take a shower and lay down." She said and walked past Chuck and left him there with Jasper.

Jasper frowned. "Something is wrong."

Chuck nodded. "I think so too. She's not herself."

"Want me to check?" Jasper asked.

Chuck sighed. "Yeah. She's more open with you than with me." He said and poured himself more bourbon, and took a drink.

Jasper got up, and went to the bathroom, finding Bella in the shower, crying. "Darling?"

Bella glanced up and sighed. "I'm sorry." She said.

Jasper closed the door behind him and walked over to the shower. "Why are you sorry? Babe, if you're upset about something, then you can talk about it. I'm always here to listen."

Bella turned in the shower, resting her head on the shower wall, trying not to look at Jasper.

Jasper sighed, and pulled his shirt off, and pulled his pants off, and then walked into the shower, his arms coming around her from behind. "Talk to me." He murmured, kissing her neck gently.

"I can't." Bella said and turned and looked up at him. "Jasper, this is something I absolutely can't talk about. If I do…then…" she thought about the repercussions. "I can't talk about it."

Jasper brushed wet hair out of her face, and looked down at her. "Okay." He murmured, and leaned down and kissed her. She kissed him back, her hands moving up his chest, but she managed to pull away.

"Um. Thank you. For checking on me." She murmured, and then she stepped out of the shower, grabbing the robe and pulling it around her before leaving the bathroom, and going to the bedroom, shutting the door.

Chuck frowned, getting up and going to the bathroom. Jasper was just standing in the shower, confused looking. "She's not okay." He said it as a statement.

"She's not." Jasper said sighing, brushing his hair back that was wet. He shut off the water, standing there a moment, before Chuck brought him a towel. "I think it's me." He said. "Something has changed." He said, looking at Chuck. "I'm going to uh…get dressed and leave. Let you two…"

"What? Jasper no. That's probably not it. I know for a fact she cares about you more than me."

Jasper shook his head. "No, you didn't see her face, after…she pushed me away Chuck. What we've been doing, it has to end. That's the fact." He said. "And that's okay. I'm okay with that. You two, are getting married."

The door opened and closed, and Chuck and Jasper walked out, finding that Bella had left.

"I don't think it's you." Chuck murmured, running a hand through his hair.

[1 week Later]

Bella had been scarce, only seeing Chuck and Jasper at school. She played the role, smiling at Chuck, and holding his hand, but she disappeared after school, usually going home so she would refrain from having sex with Jasper and Chuck. It was in the contract that was signed with Bart. Now she was at Bart's apartment, after the doctor who told her she was ovulating, and conception needed to happen now. She went up the elevator, her nerves jittering all over the place. She felt her chest constricting, her anxiety trying to take over, but she took some deeper breaths, hoping to keep the anxiety at bay for as long as she could.

Bart opened the door, his tie was loose already, and he ushered her inside. "You came."

"It's in the contract. The doctor said that today is the day. So. Let's get this over with." Bella muttered, unbuttoning her shirt, pulling it open.

Bart watched her undress. It was arousing to see such a beautiful woman in front of him. Bella was a beautiful specimen. He unbuttoned his own shirt after taking his tie off. He wasn't unattractive, and he was in great shape still. His blue eyes were different from Chuck's. He was what people would consider a silver fox. He walked towards her, his hands going to her hips.

"This isn't sex Bart. This is fucking, don't kiss me." She said, coolly.

Bart nodded, his hands going to unfasten her bra, popping it free, her breasts on full display now. He led her to his bed, and had her lay down, spreading her legs. He freed himself of his pants, and he looked down at her. She was disinterested, as he thrust into her tight cavity. She wasn't turned on, so it was a little rough for her, but with each stroke it got easier. He moved her legs, hooking them over his shoulders as he drove into her, sweat forming on him, until he felt himself release, spraying her insides. His hands gripped her hips a little tight, bruising her slightly, but she remained quiet. She felt him ooze out inside her, and she just swallowed, her heart thundering hard in her chest. When he was finished, he pulled away, pulling his pants up, fastening them.

Bella lay like that for a few moments like the doctor instructed, she closed her eyes, feeling like time was passing by slowly.

"If this isn't a success, then we'll hav-"

"I know." Bella said and sat up, gathering her clothes in the living room, and pulled them on. "I'll let you know." She said and then she was gone. She called her town car, and it picked her up and she left, going to the Palace Hotel. She had to wash Bart off her.

[The Palace Hotel]

Bella got to the hotel and went to Chuck's room, dropping her bag by the door. Jasper and Chuck were there, playing cards from what it looked like. They both looked up at her surprised.

"I didn't think you were coming over." Chuck murmured.

"Well, it's been a tiring day. I don't feel like going home."

Chuck and Jasper exchanged a look. "Okay. Are you okay? You've been missing for a week." Chuck said.

Bella sighed. "Yeah, just tired. I'm going to shower." She said and left to the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, the bruises on her hips, and there was some bruising on the inside of her legs, where Bart had been rough at first. She closed her eyes, and then got in the shower, letting the heat of the shower take over.

Chuck shook his head. "No, something is definitely up. For as long as I've been doing this with Bella, she's never gone an entire fucking week without fucking." He got up, brushing his hand through his hair. "She's seeing someone else." He said, looking at Jasper.

Jasper frowned. "Who?"

"I don't know. Her clothes were not straight. Her buttons on her uniform were not in the right spot." Chuck said and looked at Jasper.

"It's not me. Trust me, I'd tell you if Bella and I were doing something on the side, and that hasn't even happened, at all. Swear to you."

"I know, I'm just concerned. She's tired…this all started after the Gossip Girl article." Chuck said and sighed. "I'm going to check on her." He murmured and went to the bathroom.

Bella looked up at Chuck. "Chuck- "

"Something is wrong. You're never like this." Chuck said.

"I'm just tired lately." Bella said, her back still to him.

Chuck nodded. "Okay. The article. You said it wasn't true, but is it? If you're pregnant, and avoiding me- "

"I'm not pregnant." Bella said, cutting him off.

"Then why are you acting strange? Are you sleeping with someone else?" Chuck asked. "It's okay to tell me. I'm not going to be upset." He lied.

Bella didn't say anything, just sighed, looking away from Chuck.

Chuck shook his head. "You are…I was just guessing…" He wasn't sure what to think. "Who is it?"

"Chuck."

"No, seriously Bella. This is sort of fucked up, don't you think? I thought-"

"I'm not. Jesus." She said, defensively.

Chuck shook his head. "No. You're acting strange, and shutting me out, and Jasper. Something is going on with you, and I need you to tell me what's going on."

Bella closed her eyes, forcing back tears. She shook her head. "Please leave so I can finish my shower."

"No. I'm not going to walk away from this. What other reason could there be? You haven't touched me, or Jasper in a week and you're tired. If you're on your period or something then just tell us, we're not monsters Bella."

"I'm not." Bella sighed. "I would tell you that. I'm not shy about that." She said, not looking at him.

"Bella, look at me." Chuck said, when she didn't turn to face him. He reached out, his hand on her shoulder, and she turned to look at him. He looked down at her face, seeing the redness in her eyes, and the tears she struggled to keep back. "What's wrong?" He asked softly, seeing her like this made his stomach hurt.

Bella shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm just tired. Please. I can't do this."

Chuck looked down at her, his eyes combing over her body, and seeing bruising on her hips. "Bella…"

"Chuck."

"What happened? Did someone- "

"No. No one assaulted me." Bella sighed, her head starting to hurt. "I'm okay. Just…"

Chuck leaned in, kissing her, not caring that he was wearing clothes still. "Talk to me." He murmured against her lips.

"I can't." Bella said, putting a hand on his chest, and pushing him away. "After my shower then…we can go to bed." She murmured, turning away from him.

Chuck studied her, trying to figure out what the hell was happening. He left the bathroom, his clothes wet, so he took his shirt off.

Jasper frowned. "You get kicked out?"

"Yeah…" He muttered. "She has bruises on her hips." He said and looked at Jasper. "We're not that rough? Are we?"

Jasper shook his head. "No."

Chuck heard Bella's phone ding in her bag. He walked over to it, taking her phone out and looking at it. "My dad is texting her." He muttered.

Jasper looked over Chuck's shoulder. "Odd?"

"Yeah." Chuck said, and looked towards the bathroom. He put in Bella's passcode.

"How do you know her code?"

Chuck raised a brow. "She knows mine too." He said and then clicked the message.

[Bart:] Remember what we discussed. Not a word.

Chuck frowned. "What the fuck did they discuss?" He said and looked at Jasper. Another message popped up.

[Bart:] Come to me tomorrow, just to increase the odds.

"Odds of what?" Jasper asked.

Chuck shook his head, tossing her phone in her bag again, hearing the water cut off. "I don't know…what any of it means." He said and then ran his hands over his face. "My dad is up to something, and he's the reason she's acting strange."

Bella walked out of the bathroom, towel around her. She looked over at Chuck and Jasper. "If you want to join in the bedroom, you two. You can." She said and walked into the bedroom.

Jasper and Chuck looked at each other. "Dude, I'm out this time. I think you two need to have some time together to figure out what the hell is going on." Jasper said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Text me." He said and then he left Chuck there with Bella.

Chuck sighed and went into the bedroom, and leaned against the doorframe. "You're not okay."

"Okay, I'm not, but I just want to not stress out for a change. There are things in my life I don't share with you. I need you to understand that." Bella said.

Chuck shook his head. "We're going to be getting married. We should be honest with each other."

Bella nodded. "Sometimes, I can't talk about things because I'm being forced not to. Just know, that I care about you, and I care about Jasper. I would never go and fuck someone random."

"Then someone we all know?" Chuck asked, raising a brow. "Who is it that was rough with you." He said with a nod. "I see the bruises, Bella."

Bella shook her head. "I don't want to talk about that."

"If you were raped Bella, we- "

"I wasn't raped Chuck." Bella sighed, and sat up. She was completely naked. "I did this willingly." She said. "It's no something I'm going to talk about with you."

Chuck nodded. "Okay." He said.

"You've fucked other women too, why is this suddenly a big deal?"

"Because we're engaged to be married, and since then, you're the only woman I have fucked Bella." Chuck said.

Bella nodded, looking away. She knew that. He spent a lot of time with her and Jasper. "I'm sorry."

Chuck swallowed. "I'm not adequate enough for you." He said simply. "If there's something you want from me Bella, just tell me. I'll try and-"

"You're perfect." Bella cut him off. "What we have…it's perfect. Us and Jasper. I like what we're doing. These bruises are just a coincidence."

Chuck was quiet, thinking about things. "Okay, do I know the guy?"

"Yes."

"But you're not going to tell me." Chuck said and sighed. "God, it's Edward, isn't it?"

"God no. Edward and I are just friends Chuck." Bella said, blowing out a breath. "I don't even like this guy, it was just…convenience. I don't want to talk about it." She said, and then lay back on the bed.

Chuck shook his head. "I can't." He said and turned and walked out of the room, feeling strange. He didn't like this feeling. Bella sleeping with another guy that wasn't him or Jasper. He went straight for the bourbon, pouring himself a large drink.

Bella closed her eyes, and sighed, getting up, and pulling the robe on, and walking out. "Chuck."

"No. I don't want to talk about it anymore either."

"You're really upset about this…Chuck, we're not…you're not…"

Chuck looked at her. "I care about you Bella; I'm just worried about you."

"You don't have to worry about me. I know how to handle myself." She said, and she heard her phone ding. She sighed, and walked over to her bag, grabbing her phone.

[Bart:] Come to my apartment in the morning.

Bella read the other messages, and sighed. She sent a text back.

[Bella:] Fine.

She dropped her phone in her bag and looked at Chuck. "Come to bed. Please." She said, and walked over to him.

Chuck closed his eyes, downing the rest of the bourbon, and shook his head. "I can't." He said, sitting down on the couch.

Bella moved to him, and then straddled him, her hands going up his bare chest. "Chuck…" she murmured.

"Bella, I'm having some conflicting feelings right now. I don't want to hurt you."

"You're angry then." Bella said, and then she leaned down, her mouth moving over his. At first, he was resistant, but then he gave in, melting under her. His hands moved over her robe, untying it, letting it fall from her shoulders, her breast free. Her hands moved under her to his pants, unfastening them, springing his cock free. He was semi-hard, getting there, and so she stroked him, as she kissed him, her tongue moving over his.

Chuck pulled away, to look up at her. "Bella…"

Bella looked down at him. "Please." She murmured.

Chuck swallowed, nodding, before kissing her. She rose up, sliding over his cock. She winced a little and Chuck took notice. "Bella stop." He said, and she did. "You're really hurt." He said. "We can't…you should- "

"I'm fine." Bella said, and kissed him. "You make me feel better."

Chuck studied her dark eyes. "This isn't right." He murmured, and lifted her up off him carefully. "Come on, I'll take care of you." He murmured, and brought her to the bedroom, laying her out on the bed.

[The Next Morning]

Bella woke up, Chuck's arms around her, spooning her from behind. Last night, he pleasured her, sending her spiraling, like he always did, but he wouldn't fuck her. He just held her, which was an oddity for him. She didn't realize he cared so much. She slid out of bed, hearing her phone in the other room. She went and answered it. "Hello?"

"Be at my apartment in twenty minutes." Bart said.

"Bart, I'm at the Palace. It'll take me longer than that to get there in morning traffic, and I have to call my car."

"My car will be waiting for you." Bart said and hung up.

Bella sighed, dropping her phone in her bag, and running her hands over her face.

"What does my dad want so early in the morning?" Chuck asked from the doorway of the bedroom.

Bella looked at him. "Just a meeting." She said and moved towards the bathroom, gathering clothes, and pulling them on, brushing her teeth, and brushing her brush through her hair. Chuck was waiting for her when she got out of the bathroom.

"He's up to something. Bella, what is he having you do?"

"Something with the company." Bella said, trying not to lie too much.

"That's bullshit." Chuck said.

Bella sighed. "I signed an NDA." She said and looked at Chuck. "I legally can't tell you anything."

Chuck shook his head. "Bella. That's shit, and you know it."

"I've got to go." She said and grabbed her bag, and she left.

Chuck felt angry. His father was having Bella lie to him about something, and he intended to find out what it was.

[Bart's Apartment]

Bella went up to the apartment, like she had the previous day. Bart let her in.

"I don't have a lot of time before getting to the office. The Doctor said that this would increase the odds." He said, unfastening his pants.

Bella sighed, and then hiked her skirt up, and then Bart pinned her to the door, hoisting her up, sliding her panties to the side, as he drove up into her. It was rough like before, but Bella didn't make a sound. She clung to him, so it would be easier. She felt him swell and release, and then he was letting her down. She adjusted herself, straightening the skirt. "I've got to get to school." She said, and then she opened the door, and left, taking the elevator down. She closed her eyes, trying not to cry, but she let a tear escape. She walked down the street, ignoring Bart's car. She felt her heart constrict in her chest, but she kept walking, fighting the anxiety, until she found herself at a pharmacy. She went in, beelining to the feminine aisle, finding Plan B, and buying it and a bottle of water. She ran into Jasper on the street, and it startled her, and she dropped the box.

Jasper picked it up, and frowned. "Bella?"

"God, you're the last person I needed to see me like this." Bella said, taking the box from him and shoving it in her pocket.

"Chuck said..."

"We can't be seen on the street together." She said quickly, and started walking fast. Jasper followed behind her, until Bella's town car came to a stop on the sidewalk, and she ducked in, Jasper with her.

"Chuck said you slept with someone else. Is this why you're…"

"Yes." Bella said, sighing. "Uh, antibiotics at the same time, and I just need to be sure. Um…"

Jasper sighed, leaning back in the seat. "Bella, why didn't you just say something? We've both been worried about you. You don't have to pull away. If there's something you need, you just have to tell me."

"Please don't tell Chuck about this." Bella murmured, as she took the box from her pocket, and opened it.

Jasper sighed again, opening the water for her, and handed it to her. She took the tiny pill and then just leaned her head back. "Chuck said that you have bruises. Are you sure you're, okay?"

"Yeah." Bella said, looking over at Jasper. "I'm fine. Just…I'm sorry this happened. I'm plenty happy with you and Chuck, I'm just an idiot." She offered a smile. She leaned forward, kissing Jasper, catching him off guard. He kissed her back, and then pulled back to look at her. He smoothed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. "Jasper…" she murmured, staring at him. "I'm not a bad person…right?"

"No, you're not." Jasper shook his head. "Babe, you're not perfect, but none of us are. Even when this world likes to think that we're supposed to be." He said and then leaned forward and kissed her again. His phone rang, and be pulled back to answer. "Hey, yeah, she's with me." He said, nodding. "Alright." He said, and looked to Bella. "Swing by and get Chuck?"

Bella nodded. "Yeah." She said.

"See you in a few." He said, and hung up. "He's really worried about you, you know."

Bella looked out the window. "Well, I wish he wouldn't. It's not like we're actually in love." She said.

"But you both obviously care about each other." Jasper said.

Bella didn't say anything. It was true. She was doing all this with Bart, to help Chuck. She cared a lot about Chuck, she admitted to herself.

The car pulled up at the Palace, and Chuck got in, sliding next to Bella on the other side.

Chuck glanced to Jasper, and then to Bella. "So, meeting go, okay?"

Bella sighed. "I can't talk about it. I told you that this morning."

"Rushing off to see my dad in the morning for business related issues and you've signed an NDA." Chuck shook his head.

Jasper frowned, looking at Bella. The morning after pill was starting to make sense. He was quiet though, looking out the window.

"I'm not going to argue with you over this." Bella said. "Drop it."

Chuck put his hands up. "Fine." He muttered, looking out the window.

Jasper's phone dinged, and he looked at it. "Rose is sick today. But I'm sure that's just code for the visit to the plastic surgeon today." He muttered.

"Rose looks fine." Bella said, frowning.

Jasper shrugged. "I don't know anymore. She's on a different planet than me sometimes." He said and then the town car stopped at the school. He got out, then Bella and Chuck. Chuck slipped his hand over hers lacing his fingers with her. Another day of keeping up appearances.