The Thorpes

A/N: I know its been a long wait, so here you go. Hope you enjoy

Disclaimer: I only own Darcy

Darcy sat in the car on the way back to the Empire from the airport. She was on the phone with her dad.

"Are you happy to be back in the city?" he asked.

"As much as I enjoy California and a part of it will always be in my heart. It just didn't have the thing I wanted."

"I'm sure he missed you too"

"Oh I know he did" she smiled.

"How was the rest of your trip after the wedding?"

"Well I hung out with TJ. Made him take shots for me" she said. "Thanks again for going with me."

"Well I've seen Brooke grow up it was only fair"

"I'm happy for them. Even if it was weird"

"As you should be" he said. "They're happy for you"

"Thanks"

"So who are you doing your internship with?"

"Well I sat down with Dean Ruether before break and I explained how I owned my own hotel and since I have a 3.8 GPA she agreed. Plus she's a secret Olivia Ellis fan so I sent her a copy of mom's whole collection"

"Bribery"

"I was taught well" she said. "I just have to write a paper on my experience"

"Well you will exceed"

"Thank you" she said as she pulled up in front of the Empire "Well I am home and by that I mean the Empire so I will call you later"

"Give Chuck my best"

"Bye Dad"

"Love you"

"You too" she said and hung up. She walked up to the Penthouse to see it in a mess

"Darcy" Nate said.

"Hey" she said looking around.

"Um sorry about the mess" he said.

"Um yeah. Bass mentioned that the Captain is out on parole"

"Uh yeah" he said.

"I see you two have been having fun?" she asked picking up a WII remote.

"Yeah" he said.

"But?" she asked setting it back down.

"Darcy Ellis always know"

"It's a special quality of mine" she smiled. "Where's Bass"

"He's…" he started as her phone rang.

"Hey" she said knowing who it was

"I missed you beautiful" Chuck said.

"As I you" she replied.

"Sorry I'm not home yet. With Jack being out of the country when I was there I had to think of other sources"

"And what did you find?" she asked.

"Russel Thorpe"

"Who's that?"

"He's an old friend of my fathers. I'm gonna see what I can get from him"

"Well I wish you luck" she replied.

"With you in my corner I don't need it" he said and she smiled. "I'm here. Talk later. He's having a party this afternoon. Be my date."

"Of course"

"I admire you"

"I admire you too" she said and hung up.

"Well I guess he just answered your question" Nate said.

"So your Dad issue"

"He needs to get a job and he hasn't found one"

"Talk to him"

"Darc"

"You guys use to run right?" she asked. "Take him running and just casually bring it up"

"I don't think that will work"

"When I wanted to talk to my dad sometimes I would bring up doctor stuff"

"Or wreck his car"

"That's different." She laughed "Go talk to your dad Archibald"

She went over to the apartment to grab a dress she had left there. She walked in and spotted her uncle.

"Hey" she replied hugging him.

"Hey I was wondering when I was gonna see you"

"Dad told you"

"Moving in with the boyfriend. That's a big Darcy step. Is the L word involved?"

"No but with him, I don't know. I think it could be one day."

"You're pretty serious about him"

"Very serious" she said.

"I'm happy for you"

She arrived at the party Chuck had told her about.

"Belle of the ball" she heard behind her. She turned and spotted her boyfriend.

"Well if it isn't my boyfriend. I've missed him" she said.

"The California sun did wonders. You're 10times more beautiful than before you left"

"With that comment you might get lucky" she said and he handed her a drink and then kissed her.

"I've missed you" he said and put a hand on the small of her back leading her through the crowd.

"Mr. Bass looking dapper" a women said making them stop.

"Thank you" Chuck replied giving the women a curious look.

"Raina. Someone wanted to say hello" she said and they turned to see another man.

"Mr. Thorpe" Chuck said taking his hand off of Darcy's back and reaching it out to shake Russell's "It's a pleasure to finally meet you sir"

"Call me Russell. I see you've met my daughter"

"Raina Thorpe" Chuck said

"Wharton Grad. Thorpe Enterprise Vice President and most trusted advisor to her proud and aging papa"

"You said you were his assistant"

"You said that" Raina said then looked at Darcy. "Is this your partner?"

"Darcy Ellis, his girlfriend and business partner" Darcy said

"The Darcy Ellis?"

"The one and only" she smiled then took a sip of her cider.

"I know its premature Russell but, uh I came here to shake the hand of the man who's buying Bass Industries" Chuck said.

"What's that?" Russell asked and Darcy gave him a weird look.

"I understand you need discretion and while I wasn't happy the company was being sold I was heartened to learn that it would be my father's old friend at the helm"

"Son uh I'm not the buyer" Russell said. "And I was good friends with you father until he kicked me out of every deal and pushed me out of New York. If I'd known in time that his company was going up for sale I would've bought it cheap, dismantled it for parts and hosted a fire sale."

Russell walked away with his daughter leaving Darcy and Chuck there.

"You okay Bass?" Darcy asked grabbing his hand.

"I need to find Lily" he said and walked away letting go of her hand.

"Bass!" she shouted but he kept walking. She walked over to the bar and sat down frustrated and flagged a bartender "Sparkling Cider please"

He nodded and walked away

"Sparkling Cider?" she heard someone ask. She turned to see Raina. "Is there something wrong with the Champagne?"

"18 months sober"

"Congrats" she replied "I didn't know Darcy Ellis was an alcoholic. How does Chuck feel about that?"

"He's very supportive" she smiled grabbing the cider "Now I'm gonna go find my man"

She walked around looking for him when she finally saw him sitting with Lily. She headed up to them.

"Over a family squabble?" Chuck said.

"All he had to do was hear that you and I were in a standoff. And now he's concerned that there would be problems."

"What's going on?" Darcy asked.

"My father's life work is heading to the auction block" Chuck said and she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Pray it goes to someone who doesn't chop it up"

"So basically let's hope Russell doesn't get a hold of it?" Darcy said and they heard glass clinking. Chuck stood up and grabbed Darcy's hand and kissed it. Russell clinked his glass and everyone turned their attention to them.

"Thank you, all, for coming, and, uh, a special thanks to the folks who came in from Chicago, Uh, where we've enjoyed a great run. But a wise man once told me, "If you stay in one place long enough, you'll never go anywhere. Which is why my daughter and I are very pleased to announce that Thorpe Enterprises is packing up and moving east to New York City. I was planning to get settled before I dove into business, but I'm a restless man. So I've decided to set my sights high on a company that has just this minute come back up on the block- my dear departed friend's Bass Industries. So Cheers to new friends and inevitable enemies."

Later that evening they sat in the bedroom. Chuck laying with his head in Darcy's lap. She played with his hair. She truly missed him over break.

"You'll get it back Bass. I promise" she said and he sat up.

"Lily and I are at odds"

"You don't need Lily Van der Woodsen Bass Humphrey. Do you know why?"

"Because I have you"

"Exactly and before you and I were you and I. We were friends, each others go to's, business partners, and partners in crime. I always have your back Bass. And that's because I have real feelings for you"

"Me too" he said kissing her. He kissed her pushing her down on to the bed. She had missed this.