A/N: Yay! Another chapter for you all. This is a pretty big chapter for our leading lady so hope you enjoy,

Disclaimer: I only own Darcy, and a few characters you will see this chapter (Brooklyn's family)

A Tough Day.

Darcy walked into the Church with Carter by her side. As much as she felt she needed to be there she desperately wanted to be home with Chuck celebrating their win over Russell. She had spent the morning watching him on Gossip Girl and was so proud of him.

"You okay?" Carter asked her.

"I really just want to be home"

"With Bass?"

"Carter" she said turning to him.

"If you're happy then I'm happy for you"

"I'm really happy Carter" she said "The happiest I've ever been"

"Darcy?" she heard a woman say and she turned to see Brandy Wyatt. Brooke's mom.

"Brandy" she said hugging her.

"Austin and I are so glad you could make it. He mentioned you've been busy"

"Darcy owns a hotel" Carter said.

"Your dad mentioned that at the wedding" Brandy replied.

"Um yeah" she said "Were gonna find our seats"

"Seems very sudden for the funeral. Didn't she just die a day ago or so?" Carter mentioned.

"She's always been a planner." Brandy said then walked away.

Darcy looked toward the door. She wanted to leave so bad. She didn't feel like she belonged.

"Darcy" Austin said and she turned to him.

"Austin" Carter said sticking out his hand "I'm so sorry for your loss"

"Thank you" Austin replied. That was the first and probably last time Darcy would ever see those two being civilized.

"How long?" Darcy asked and Austin turned his attention back to her.

"How long what?" he asked.

"Don't play dumb with me Aust. How long as she been abusing again?"

"Darc."

"Austin!" she said. "How long?"

"We found out that we couldn't get pregnant. She started being weird and coming home late and I confronted her."

"When did she OD?"

"Darc"

"Austin. When did she OD?"

"She was omitted to the hospital 5 days ago. Everything seemed fine. I didn't want to worry you. I thought she'd pull through."

"You wait till she dies to call me. I didn't get to say goodbye! Are you serious?!"

"I'm sorry."

"I need air" she said and walked away heading for outside. She felt someone behind her.

"Darc" Carter said and she stopped.

"Carter I can't be here."

"Yes you can." He said and found a seat in the back. He grabbed her hand and they sat down. She could feel the walls coming in on her. She couldn't breathe and she really wanted a drink. After the funeral they walked outside and toward the rental car. She spotted Autumn Wyatt. Brooklyn's big sister.

"Oh no" she replied and Carter looked where she was looking.

"What?"

"I need to call Bass" she said getting out her phone. She dialed his number and he picked up.

"Hey beautiful. How's everything?"

"I needed to hear your voice,"

"Room coming in on you?"

"How'd you know?" she smiled.

"I know you" he replied. "Take a few deep breaths. Remember that I admire you and soon you will be home where you belong. With me and our Empire."

She took a deep breath then smiled.

"I admire you too" she replied. They hung up and she put her phone away.

"Wow I think my little sister is in love" Carter said and she glanced at him and smiled.

"Possibly" she replied. "Were gonna go to their house. Say hi and bye and then off to New York."

"Sounds good" he said.

They arrived at the Wyatt's and walked in. She looked around at all the people there. She said hi to a few people and they asked her about her life. She just responded that it was good and went on to the next person trying to get out of their as soon as possible to make it back in time for the party. She said hi to everyone she needed and they were headed out when she heard her name.

"Darcy Ellis. You look all grown up." Autumn said. Darcy didn't want Autumn to see her. She was the whole reason that Darcy got into drinking and probably how Brooklyn had gotten into drugs. She was their influence and now that Darcy had been clean for almost two years she finally realized just how bad an influence the girl was.

Autumn walked up to her and handed her a glass a wine.

"I thought we could do a toast" Autumn said and raised her glass. Darcy looked at the glass. Just staring at it.

"Darc" Carter said and she looked at him then back at the drink. She spotted a sink and walked over and poured it down the drain.

"What the hell Darc!" Autumn yelled and Darcy turned to her setting the glass down on the counter.

"I can't be here. Hell I don't even belong here anymore. Brooke knew that. That's why she didn't call me when she felt like she was slipping. California isn't who I am anymore" Darcy said getting ready to walk out but she stopped again and turned to Autumn "Your sister died of an overdose. A problem that she and everyone who cared about her knew she had. I may have hated my dad at first for moving me across the country but I stand here now and look at how much everything has changed and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. You see you may not know this but I too have a problem. I'm an alcoholic. And this amazing man that I bailed on to come here has been my rock through it all. Because of him and my new found family. I'm alive today. So I suggest Autumn that you get yourself some help before you follow your sister into the grave.

Darcy walked out of the house Carter on her trail.

"Maybe it's time to get you back to your man" Carter said putting an arm around her shoulder.

They arrived back in New York. Darcy had changed on the plane knowing that she was gonna be late to the party which she was. Extremely late. She walked in to see Chuck walking away from Lily and she walked over to him.

"I missed you" he said and greeted her with a kiss.

"I know I needed to go out there Bass but I so wish I would have stayed here with you" she said. "I felt like such a stranger out there."

"And you have to return for your movie soon?"

"Not now" she smiled "So how is everything going?"

"Yes, I need to fill you in on the business front."

"Business talk" she smiled "I'm home."

"Russell is trying to blackmail us. Raina is hiding in the kitchen to hear. I want you there."

"Hiding?" she said.

"No. By my side."

"Of course" she said and kissed him. She was so glad to be home.

They headed upstairs to their penthouse with Russell moments later.

"So is this quiet enough for you?" Russell asked.

They sat down.

"Well you called this meeting" Chuck said.

"Well I don't see why your girlfriend has to be here"

"Well considering it is my hotel and you are in my home. I think I have every right to be. And I've had a hard day. So don't push me" she replied then faked a smile "Scotch anyone?"

"That won't be necessary" Russell replied then turned to Lily. "You didn't wanna wear that gift I sent you this morning. Orange is your color"

"We have guest downstairs" Chuck said.

"And I have the nail for your coffin" Russell said taking a note out his pocket "It's just a copy of course. Perjury, obstruction of justice. Bribery of public officials"

"Why don't we cut right to it?"

"That I can do. You sign over Bass Industries once and for all, or I'll destroy you and your entire family" Russel said and then there was a moment of silence "I'm surprised you even have to think it over."

"I wasn't thinking. I was waiting." Chuck said.

"For what?"

"For me." Raina said coming through the door Nate behind her "He was right about you. This whole time. He was right."

Raina took off Nate behind her. Darcy looked at where they were and then back to Chuck and Russell

"I'd follow her if I were you." Chuck said.

"No he signs over the company right now, or you're going to jail." Russel said looking at Lily.

"Maybe, but not because of you or anyone else. I called the D.A. ten minutes ago. Rufus is waiting in the car to take me downtown."

"Lily you can't" Chuck said.

"Once I go on record with the truth no one can hold this against us anymore. Just promise me one thing Charles, Before Thorpe leaves here tonight, tell that son of a bitch where he can stick it."

"Thank you for saving his legacy."

"Bass Industries isn't his legacy, Charles. You are." Lily said then turned to Darcy. Darcy grabbed her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"I'll walk you out" Darcy said then kissed Chuck's cheek and followed Lily down stairs. She got down to the party when her phone rang. She walked over to a quiet area. "Hello"

"Hey sweetheart" she heard and she smiled hearing her dad's voice.

"Hi daddy" she said almost wanting to cry.

"I heard that you made quite the speech at the Wyatt's"

"Um yeah" she replied. "Hey Dad you should probably come home."

"Why?"

"Lily turned herself in for what she did to Ben."

"I'm already on my way" he said "How are you besides that"

"It's been a very rough day. Between the funeral, my speech, and now this."

"Well how about we get some ice cream and The Princess Bride when I get there."

"Sounds like the perfect night" she smiled.

"See you soon sweetheart" he said and they hung up then headed over to the bar. Walking over she saw a weird exchange between Dan and Blair but shook it off. She got to the bar and flagged down the bartender.

"Scotch please" she said.

"Miss Ellis?" the bartender said concerned.

"It's for Bass" she replied "I also need a sparkling cider"

The bartender handed her the drinks and she stared at the scotch. She so badly wanted to take a sip of it. She picked it up and twirled it. She felt it being taken out of her hand and she turned to see Chuck. She could see that he was just told something bad.

"What's wrong?" she asked as he sat down

"Russell told me something" he replied turning to her.

"About?" she asked and signaled the bartender for another drink.
"Raina's mother"

"What about her" she asked not really sure she wanted to know the answer now.

"She's dead"

"Oh my god!" she said then thought of Raina "Does Raina know?"
"No." he said and he slammed the second drink the bartender had sat down. "My father is responsible"

"How?"

"A fire" he said and she grabbed his hand. "Can we not talk about it?"

She smiled and nodded.

"You wanna go back upstairs?" she asked and he nodded.

"Anywhere with you" he replied.

She stood up and grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the elevator. All she wanted and needed right in that moment was him and she was pretty sure all he needed was her. Nothing in that moment mattered.

*William and Rufus*

William walked into the courthouse.

"Rufus" William said "Hello"

"Will. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Cece called me. Told me about Lily's situation. Darcy told me as well"

"Cece called you?"

"That's right. And I jumped in a helicopter as soon as I heard"

"Well I suggest you leave"

"I don't know if you know this but I do have another reason to be in town. Darcy lost her best friend."

"I'm very sorry to hear about her friend" Rufus said "But I still think you should leave."

"I'll have Cece explain everything."