A/N: Dearly beloved readers, I'm sorry for this long hiatus. I was brimming with ideas, wrote them down and file got deleted (LITERALLY FOR FIVE TIMES ALREADY, I AM SO ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED) . After small angry pause or ten, I've set down to write again, but my life suddenly turned upside down. I moved to London, most elite part of it and everything was painfully resembling to this fictional story. Now, I'm still in London, but it takes a lot of psychological force to exert myself from characters and dip into the story as I imagined it to be. Thank you for not letting this fandom die.

Chapter Seven

Sailing To Nowhere

Last night

Sea of faces; some old, some new. Some beautiful, some grotesque. Some laughing, some crying.

Only none of them did belong to her.

Where was she? What was she doing in this late hour? Chuck sensed the incoming wave of strange force that never touched him before he met her. He repressed it, feeling it didn't belong with him, feeling it was like a lost zephyr of higher being that wondered into his palm of hand.

He took a long sip of scotch. Serena moved seductively on dance floor, ever so often throwing glances towards him. Nate twirled her, drunk on laughs he evoked from her. Chuck watched them dance together. His eyes flickered to empty seat next to him and felt sudden sharp stab.

As if something was missing. Someone.

Impossible. Chuck Bass never needed anything. He wished for things. Not need.

A pair of long tanned legs blocked his view. Short flashy dress, full lips, long lashes, deep cleavage.

Fake. Pretentious. Clingy.

''Hailey,'' He nodded as the girl sat next to him uninvited.

''Chuck Bass,'' She purred. ''Did you miss me?''

One shag or two and they already think themselves entitled. ''How's Milan? Still modelling?''

''Boring without you. I'm thinking about moving back here. Let's get away, like we used to.'' Her perfume settled around him like venom in a blood system. It spread around, poisoning everything it touched.

In a flash, Serena showed up at their booth, dragging Nate behind.

''Hailey,'' she smiled tightly, fire in her eyes. ''Still chasing what you can't get?''

''Serena, still single among these handsome boys?''

Chuck got up suddenly and fixed his bow. ''Let's go, Hailey.''

Model looked around triumphantly, not just at Serena, but at everyone in club; for it was the only club with people who meant something in New York. Whispers followed them, talks about Prince of Darkness coming back after short slumber. Crowd parted before them, letting them do what Prince was best at.

Chuck walked out, inhaling deeply the fresh night air. Cold breeze rustled his scarf and he hissed few lines to valet stationed at the front doors. Valet looked dumbfounded and did as young mister told him to do.

''Quick, babe,'' Hailey cooed. Her claws stuck on his shoulders. He carefully took them down. ''I can't wait to get my hands on you when we get home.''

He ushered her in the awaiting cab. Chuck waved at her lazily, smiling acidly, and slammed the doors without getting in. Car sped off immediately, taking Hailey far away from him.

Chuck got into his limo that rolled behind and ordered the driver to go home. It was still early to flee the party, but he realized he had never been this bored in his life. Same people. Same music. Same stuff. He felt annoyed and tired of it. Taking his phone out of the pocket, his finger hovered over certain number.

Blair's.

After what felt like an eternity, he turned the phone off with a sigh.

Days at home were as stormy as ever. Dan was trying to find new job, since he got fired from last one. Unfortunately for everyone, nobody wanted to employ a thief. Dad was angry, mother was grief stricken. Blair busied herself with homework.

When her head wasn't buried in books, she endeavored to avoid the IT group at all costs, especially Chuck Bass. It hurt too much to even think about him. Blair would often dream perfect scenarios of their reconcilition, but reality was a severe judge and brought her painfully down to Earth too many times. As the fate would have it to punish her, she would often run into him or see him looking in her direction from far away. He never made an effort to approach or talk to her.

She thought she would be relieved, but instead felt extremely bothered.

One day, she rounded the corner during one of classes she had free. Upon perceiving Chuck and Nate, she quickly drew back. Something greater than instinct rooted her to hidden spot where she could hear all they were saying.

''Don't worry, I'll support you in everything,'' Chuck drawled, patting him on the back. ''Even in something as pointless as a TV project. Honestly, Nathaniel. Your grandfather would have a good laugh.''

''Nobody has to know about this,'' Nate responded, slightly panic stricken. ''Especially not my grandad. I just wanted to take a little break from management. Besides, like you're any better. You, my friend, are defeated.''

''Let's not jump to conclusions. There is something about Blair that wildly attracts me. '' His hand passed through hair in frustration. ''And tires me at the same time.''

Oh, God - they were talking about her. There was no way she would miss on this opportunity. She leaned further into shadows and strained her ears to hear whatever they were about to say.

''And that's why you cure your loneliness in Hailey's plush bed?''

''What Hailey?'' Chuck asked with obvious confusion on his face.

''You know. That Hailey'' Nate winked, shaping an hourglass figure with his hands. ''From Milan.''

Blair already heard this story. There was a sick feeling rolling in her stomach. That girl was the last person she wanted to hear about. She turned around to go when Chuck's words stopped her.

''I got her a cab and sent her home last night. Alone.''

''No!'' His best friend covered his face with hands and exclaimed. ''First of all, you ditched us. Us! And then you left the club with Hailey and her boobs. Then you hailed taxi and sent her away?''

''Exactly.''

After some contemplation, Nate whispered half-joking. ''Shame on you, man. Really,you're embarrassing us.''

Blair couldn't keep a smile off her face. She silently retreated and almost screamed from happiness. Georgina called her for 4th time that day, but as each previous time, they couldn't talk because Blair's class was starting. She felt bad for her friend, but also encouraged her to employ more time in studying so they can finally attend the same school, as they always planned. With some feeling of uneasiness did Blair note Georgina's increased fascination with Chuck. They never even met, but she would talk as if they had been lovers for some time. However unwilling to admit it, it did bother Blair.

Penelope was distracted all day. She kept receiving texts and claiming they were nothing. Blair knew she was lying because she could see how excited they made her friend feel.

''Penelope,'' Blair called out and the end of the class. ''Penelope, I'm talking to you.''

''What?'' She got off from her seat startled, as if only just now noticing students getting out of classroom.

''What is wrong with you?''

''Are you the only one that is allowed to be bit mysterious?''

Blair shrugged away such comment. ''Do you want to get some coffee before next class?''

''No, I'm skipping this one. I have some stuff to do. At home.''

''How selfish of you.''

They walked out, passing Nate in their stride. The handsome boy raised his arms with comically innocent look.

''I'm spoiled,'' He bellowed at Blair. ''I'm rich, but I'm not carrying any guns.''

Penelope laughed, bit too loud for anyone's ears. Blair couldn't help to roll her eyes. Just as they walked away, Serena and Chuck passed them to join Nate. The blond girl threw them icy glance while her friend adamantly stared straight ahead. Blair's heart was about to burst out of her ribs.

''What are we waiting for?'' Serena asked impatiently as they all gathered. ''Let's go.''

''Nothing,'' Nate scratched his head. ''We'll go in a minute.''

He was looking around suspiciously and upon noticing what he was waiting for, reverted his eyes towards Chuck. He then nodded his head frantically and winked with right eye several times. Serena observed everything with air of a person completely familiar with schemers and their types of schemes.

''What are you two up to?''

''What?'' Nate blurted out, wide eyes too innocent. ''What do you mean?''

''See you guys later,'' Chuck waved them off and disappeared, leaving them without a glance.

''Where is he going?'' Serena huffed, obviously displeased by the reduction of the company.

''Oh, it's nothing.''

Blond girl didn't take her eyes off retreating figure. Like a spy following state enemy, she wasn't lost on a single detail. So that bill that Chuck slipped into janitor's hand was obvious to her as the sun was to people outside.

''What are you up to?'' She demanded with hands on her hips. It wasn't like them to leave her out of the stuff like this. Whatever they did, they did it together. They were inseparable trio; trio fantastico. Her posture relaxed and she smiled.

''It's okay, you'll tell me all about it at tea at Page's this afternoon.'' It was a tea party indeed. They not only served milk and water with it, but absurd amounts of vodka and whiskey. Also, scones.

''Well... I can't come. I have some stuff to do. At home.''

Blair was almost out of the school gates when her phone rang.

''Yes, Penelope?'' She sighed, fetching her bus pass out of the pocket.

''Blair!'' Her voice sounded urgent and words rushed. ''Did you get out yet?''

''Just about to. Why?''

''Oh, thank God! Listen, I've accidentally left my necklace in last class. Can you please get it for me?''

Blair exhaled deeply, rolling her eyes. She looked at the watch, seeing she had half an hour more before dad started making a fuss.

''Please please please! It was my dad's gift, it's so precious to me. Please B, I beg you-''

''Ugh, fine. But you owe me lunch.''

''Of'course! Thank you so so much!''

She went back to empty building, her heels echoing with a creepy, desolate sound. It took her a while to get to auditorium that hid Penelope's necklace. Blair entered the room, completely oblivious to eyes carefully watching her. She found the spot where they sat and looked around the floor and on all seats. It was nowhere to be found. She puffed in frustration when husky voice astounded her.

''Looking for this?'' He asked with a cheeky smile on his face. In his hands was necklace Penelope wore today.

She bit inside of her cheek and her heart sped up. Very slowly, she descended the stairs and approached the table he was sitting at. Her pale hands leaned on the surface.

''Precisely,'' She smiled tightly. ''Bass, hand it over.''

Chuck said nothing. His hand was still in the air, slightly swinging the necklace as if taunting her. His eyes burned with strange fire, luring her to come closer. ''Say please.''

Leaning towards him, she but half pretended to fall under his charms. Coming close enough, she tried to snatch the jewelry away, but he was quicker. His smug smile grew, finding this all too very amusing and pleasing.

He slowly got up and rounded the table, coming to stand close to her as one can. He offered her the necklace and she gingerly took it, waiting for him to pull back and at the same time relishing in the brief touch of their fingers.

''You know you're not here by accident,'' He lazily leaned on the desk, smirking.

She tried to fight the smile of her lips, but unsuccessfully. Of'course she knew. This was Chuck Bass. And she was Blair.

''Penelope?'' She guessed, crossing her arms. ''Betrayed by one of my own.''

Chuck just shrugged.

''This is nonsense,'' She tried to sound stern, but her voice was rebelling and came off as amused. ''I mean, what's the point of all of this?''

He straightened his back and lavished the most charming look Chuck Bass had in his possession. ''I just wanted to talk. You gave me no other choice.''

She could feel herself being lifted of the ground and carried away to some far away spheres. One look from him was all it took for her heart to drum against her rib cage violently. As all waves sear tall and mighty through the sea, they fall with a crash on burning sand and disappear as nothing but foam. That's how Blair's elevation was brought down to crude stones with names carved in it. Names of her family members.

Impossibility. Not just impossibility, but danger and shame.

She stuffed the necklace into her bag and fled away from him. She was step away from doors when desperation laced with anger in his voice stopped her.

''Blair,'' He called out, frown on his face. ''Why do you keep pushing me away?''

She felt her heart dropping to floor, like a ball of steel dragging down the drowning man to the depths of freezing river.

''Just answer me that. No excuses. Right now,'' He demanded, taking advantage of her pause. He took a step closer, his voice now softer, his eyes penetrating. ''Tell me, why?''

She rubbed her neck in panic, her imagination fancied there was a rope around it. It was merely his voice, tone she never heard him use before, a tone that may have belonged to Cupid himself, that drew her to doubt. She doubted herself and her decisions. Did her lies mean more than she thought them to be? Were they to be her ruin? Were they to be her guillotine, leaving her deprived of all the treasures she came to find in this school; acceptance, friends, maybe even - maybe even love.

''The truth?'' Blair croaked out, willing herself to gather courage and to look him straight in the eyes. The moment came, now or never. She shall either doom herself or secure his affection forever.

''The truth.''

''I...'' She began, nervous shudder passing through her body. All of a sudden, doors of auditorium that were opened -shut down. Sound of key locking them in echoed around. They were frozen with shock but soon jumped to the doors, banging and shouting, ''Let us out! We're still in here! Open the door!''

Whoever closed it, ignored them and their footsteps, first loud, slowly died out.

Blair was furious. She looked at him with look worthy of Medusa and he raised his arms in defense. ''This has nothing to do with me.''

She hastily threw her bag and coat on floor and fished out her phone. As it was the case whenever was Chuck around, she lost track of time and was already late to get home. This was her first day back in school and she already blew it.

''No signal,'' She growled, feeling more desperate than angry with each passing moment.

''There's no signal here,'' Chuck informed her loudly from other end of the room.

''I know!'' Blair barked, irritated at his lazy attitude.

''Blair,'' He said what he thought was comforting way, but only served to infuriate her further. ''Calm down.''

''How am I supposed to calm down? I'm late because of your idiocy! And now we're locked in!''

Chuck turned away from her, pinching the bridge of his nose. ''I'm sorry for my idiocy, okay?'' he said, vividly angry. ''If I knew it would be all for nothing, I wouldn't even try.''

Blair seemed to pay no thought to this rather painful comment, but she turned around and continued to scream for help, shouting at closed doors. After her voice was spent, she passed every square meter of auditorium, with her phone in the air hoping to catch the signal. Fear was creeping up her spine, evoking worst scenarios that awaited her home. She was doomed, father would never let her go back to college after today.

Maybe he would send her to village. He probably will. This was quiet possibly her last day in civilization.

She caught Chuck's eye. All this time, he casually sat in one of the chairs carefully watching her. A cloud settled itself on his brow and refused to leave. Blair slid on the floor whispering ''I'm finished...''

''Look Blair,'' He drawled carelessly. ''If you think this all part of my plan and that I'll get the key out my pocket - you're overreacting.''

She buried her head in hands, her anger boiling at every word he said.

''I'm sorry,'' He continued dramatically. ''But I don't have the key.''

''How nice,'' She seethed, glaring at him. ''We're here because of you and I'm the one overreacting!''

Chuck shot out of his seat and narrowed his eyes. ''Why do you have to be this annoying?''

''Annoying?'' she repeated, bewildered and slightly surprised by the way they talked, even fought, freely. She secretly admitted, there was small dose of pleasure in it. ''What is so weird in the fact that I don't want to be home late? It may be completely irrelevant for you people, but it's important to us.''

''What are you talking about? Who is that us people and who is we?''

''You don't understand,'' She brushed him off, repressing her anger and sadness. This was the most honest conversation she had with him. And it made her feel bitter. ''Nor do others! It's like I'm the only person in this school that answers to her parents!''

''Do you not hear yourself? They will worry. I can't stay. I can't go. '' Chuck furrowed his brow. ''The last time I heard someone speak like that was in elementary school.''

He approached her closer and lowered his voice. ''Why are you so afraid of them? Why are you so scared of your own family?''

She looked at him, brokenhearted. It seemed like he could understand. She wished to tell him everything. Would she lose him if she did?

''I'm not scared of them,'' She started, her voice somewhat more tranquil and sad at the same time. ''I just don't want them to worry.''

Chuck slid next to her, their knees almost touching. ''It's nice to have someone at home that worries about you when you don't come.''

She shook her head, ''They worry so much. Especially my father.''

''Are you one of those daddy's princesses?'' He asked with smile. They both laughed.

''Hardly,'' She rolled her eyes, present worries put aside from her mind.

In the midst of their laughter, Chuck took his phone out of the pocket and turned on the camera.

''What are you doing?'' Blair exclaimed hiding her face, still laughing. She tried to grab the phone playfully, but he evaded it with skill. ''Don't you dare!''

''Oh, but I do dare. No, you won't, let go of my phone, you little provoker!'' He chuckled and directed camera towards her. She turned her head away to hide the blushing of her cheeks. ''I want to take a picture of you. I want to remember this day.''

She was stupefied at first. The gesture seemed intimate and private. What was so special about this day that he wanted to remember it? Why did he want to take picture of her, of all people? Probably out of the same reason Blair felt undeniable attraction to him, something akin to an instinct that pulled her to him.

With delicacy he didn't fail to admire, she slowly fixed her headband and turned towards him to flash a smile. It took him a moment or two longer to remember what did he want to do with the phone in the first place.

''Let me see,'' She eagerly ordered after hearing the click. They scooted over together, completely closing the space between them. ''If it's bad you have to delete it. This lightning is all wrong-''

Blair rather felt than saw him staring at her. Holding her breath, she gingerly looked back at him. His lips were parted, his eyes fixed on her mouth. What did his lips taste like, she secretly wondered. They look delicious, inviting and sweet. Her own eyes closed, but still she saw his image. Just as their tips of their noses touched, something strongly pushed Blair from behind. Somebody was trying to open the doors.

It was Nate and Penelope, both looking distracted and agitated. Blair quickly grabbed her stuff, remembering the events of today. She shoved the necklace to Penelope's hand without looking at her.

''B...'' She pleaded, casting glances towards Nate who promptly avoided them.

''I'll take Blair home,'' Chuck said to his friend.

''Chuck, I've got no idea how-'' Nate explained apologetically.

''It's fine.''

Blair finally arrived home, her heart filled with dread and affection at the same time. She entered the little apartment with mixed feelings and into the deadly silence. Everyone was sitting on the couch, their faces somber and devoid of any emotion.

''Good evening'' she whispered hoarsely, fearing what awaits her. Mother avoided looking at Blair. For the first time in forever, she saw her mother lower head in defeat.

''Kid, you've arrived,'' Her father pronounced these words as a weatherman pronounces forecast.

''I did,'' Her voice started to tremble. She would rather yells and screams awaited her than this intense silence.

''You should be careful with buses, the night is coming early. If you miss the bus, let us know.''

''Okay, dad.'' She was feeling more and more suspicious, especially because she would have to miss around forty buses to come this late and her father knew it. Blair in the meantime took off her coat and washed her hands. Now she approached the table to eat cold supper. As she got closer, she perceived two tickets. Two bus tickets to village. If thunderstorm struck at her feet, she couldn't have been more shocked, more terrified.