Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. They belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.

I know it's been awhile, but I do intend to finish this story.

Enjoy!

"Daddy," the children all exclaimed as they burst out of the elevator and into their father's arms. Aiden and Brice were picked up as Charlotte threw her arms around her father's waist, somehow managing to avoid all her brothers' limbs.

"I'd say you were missed," Lily chuckled as she stepped in to give her son a kiss to his cheek.

"Thank you as always for taking them for the evening," Chuck replied.

"We had fun," Lily smiled as Charlotte released her father and went to hug Lily around the waist, "Didn't we, Charlee?"

Charlotte nodded as Lily ran her hands through Charlotte's hair.

"Are you still tired, Daddy?" Aiden asked.

"Not as tired as I was yesterday, Buddy," Chuck replied as his son burrowed his head into his father's shoulder. Chuck was much more rested, but it was pretty clear that Aiden hadn't slept well the previous evening. He was nearly asleep. "They didn't keep you and Rufus awake all night, did they?"

"Not all night," Lily shook her head, "But they were definitely up past their bedtime, especially Aiden."

"I'll put him down," Blair came in and offered to take Aiden off her husband's hands.

"Hi, Sweetheart," Lily greeted her daughter-in-law with a hug.

"Hi, Lily," Blair pulled Aiden off her husband, his tiny arms wrapped tight around her shoulders.

"Is Serena here?" Lily inquired.

"She's asleep in the guest bedroom," Blair ran her hands along Aiden's back in a soothing manner as he was nearly asleep.

"Dan came to see us last night," Lily replied.

"How much did he tell you?" Blair inquired.

"Jack Bass," Lily spit out.

"So all of it," Blair concluded.

"What is that girl thinking?" Lily replied.

"Is Aunt Serena in trouble?" Charlotte inquired, "Humphrey was really mad at her last night."

"It's complicated, Princess," Chuck replied.

"All grown up things are complicated," she threw up her hand in exasperation, "I never want to grow up. I just want to ride my horse and read my books."

"Daddy would love it if that happened," Blair laughed and pulled at one of Charlotte's pigtails, "Come on, Princess, let's bring your things to Dorota so she can wash them."

"Brice, go with Mommy," Chuck set his son down.

"Okay," Brice waved goodbye to his grandmother and followed along.

"I'm worried, Charles," Lily told her son once they were alone, "She's been stuck in quite the depression for months, and I don't blame her for it. If this is really true, Serena is in way over her head. Jack Bass always has an agenda."

"Did you know he left Bass?" Chuck asked.

"No," Lily shook her head in surprise.

"I didn't either. Serena told me he's working with a venture capital firm," Chuck replied.

"Is Bass at risk?" Lily inquired.

"I doubt it," he chuckled, "Nobody has enough capital for such an endeavor."

"Your father never trusted him, and I don't either," Lily replied, "And after what he pulled a few years ago."

"We bested him," Chuck reminded her.

"So, what do we do about him now?" Lily inquired.

Chuck was about to speak, but Serena chimed in before he had a chance.

"There isn't anything that needs to be done," Serena entered the room and took up a defensive posture with her hands on her hips, "It was a choice that I made. I'll thank you to stay out of my business, both of you."

"Sweetheart, you're upset, you're vulnerable," Lily began, "It's completely understandable

given what you've gone through in the past year and a half, but I'm concerned."

"Sure, now you're concerned," Serena snapped at her, "Where has that concerned parent been most of my life…I know, off with one husband after another. You've never been there when I needed you most growing up. I learned to take care of myself. I certainly don't need any help from you now."

"Serena," Lily tried to scold her.

"I think you lost the right to scold me decades ago," Serena stared her mother down.

"Serena, you're throwing away your marriage for Jack Bass," Lily replied, "Yes, Dan is hurt, but you two can work through this. He still loves you."

"I can't handle this right now," Serena stated as she pushed the elevator call button, "Chuck, please thank Blair for letting me to stay here last night."

"Serena, don't leave," Lily pleaded with her.

Serena refused to listen any further as she stepped onto the elevator without further comment.

"Charles, we have to do something," Lily pleaded with her adopted son.

"I'll call my private investigator," Chuck offered, "We need to see what Jack is up to. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything."

"Oh my god, what a mess," Lily began rubbing her forehead as she felt a headache forming.

"We'll get to the bottom of this, Lily," Chuck assured her when the elevator arrived to take her down.

"How bad is this?" Blair inquired when she joined her husband in the entryway, her arms wrapping around his waist as she hugged him from behind.

"I don't even know how bad," Chuck nodded, "Jack was supposed to stay in Australia. He must have realized the statute of limitation on embezzlement has expired. I have nothing I can hold over him now."

"So what do we do?" Blair asked.

"We figure out what his agenda is," Chuck replied, "Bass would never take him back. The statute of limitations may have expired, but the card I have to play with the board is still legitimate. They'd never take the risk. The CEO controls access to all the corporation's accounts. That's not a temptation you want to give to the man that has already embezzled from you once."

"Whatever you need me to do," Blair stated, "I'm behind you all the way."

"I'm not getting you involved this time. Your hands are going to stay pristine on this one," he took each of her hands and kissing the inside of her palms lightly.

"It seems wrong for you to scheme without me, but I just don't think I have it in me anymore," Blair replied.

"I'm not scheming," Chuck responded, "I'm protecting my family. What have we always said about Mama Bear and Papa Bear protecting their cubs? While Serena may not be one of our cubs, she's family. I will stop at nothing to protect our family, all of our family."

"Jack's not going to know what hit him," Blair smiled.

"That's the hope," he nodded.

"Protect Serena," Blair requested, "The fall out is going to be bad enough, so whatever you do, try not to hurt her more."

"I'll do my best," he replied.

"She's not going to be able to save her marriage, is she?" Blair frowned when Chuck turned towards her.

"I don't know," he ran his hands down her bare arms, "She and Dan have gone through a lot in the past few years. They found their way back to each other once."

"But infidelity," Blair winced, "Isn't that a deal breaker?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly, "If it was you, I might be able to get over it, but it would be hard, especially if romantic feelings were involved."

"Could you honestly forgive me for something like that?" she asked.

"It would be a struggle," he replied, "I'm certainly not giving you the green light to go out and jump into bed with the next man you meet, but I also wouldn't just throw in the towel and demand a divorce before we even attempted to work things out."

"Serena must be devastated," Blair stated.

"Dan must be devastated," Chuck corrected her, "Serena was the one that cheated."

"She's still going to be upset," Blair pointed out, "Last night is just the tip of the iceberg I think. She's going to start spiraling again."

"It's inevitable," he agreed, "But let's deal with one crisis at a time. Where are the children?"

"Aiden went right down for a nap. Charlotte went to her room to read, but I think it's only a matter of time before she falls asleep as well. Brice was playing with Barty in the media room," Blair replied.

"At least the Bass household is consistent," he sighed, "I have to call my PI, but I don't want this day to be all about Jack Bass. Let's think of a family oriented activity for today. The children had their day to pick. This weekend, Mom and Dad should decide."

"I have an idea," Blair smiled, "We could take in an early performance of 'The Lion King'. Even the boys would love it."

"Do you really see Aiden sitting still long enough to enjoy it?" he chuckled.

"If he's entertained enough, he will," Blair nodded.

"It's worth a shot," he replied.

"I'll get tickets," she gave him a radiant smile as she went about her task.


"I want to be Simba," Aiden proclaimed when they made their way out of the theater after the performance.

"You can't be Simba," Charlotte laughed while she took a hold of his hand and played the role of big sister more so than she normally would. The protectiveness she felt after his accident had yet to wear off, "Simba is a lion, silly."

"Can too," Aiden shot back as he freed himself from Charlotte's grip, "Can't I, Mommy?"

"You can be whatever you want to be," Blair lifted him into her arms and carried him the rest of the way.

"But Mom," Charlotte chimed in.

"Charlotte, an imagination can take you anywhere," Blair explained, "You've been reading 'Anne of Green Gables'. That is one of the most basic beliefs that she had. Aiden can be a lion cub, Brice can be a baseball player, and you can be an Olympic champion equestrian all by looking inside yourself."

"But none of it is real," Charlotte pointed out.

"It is for as long as the imagination allows it to be real," Blair replied, "So if Aiden says he wants to be a lion cub, he can be a lion cub."

"Yay!" Aiden cheered before he let out his best growl to prove it.

"Look at the happy little family," a familiar sarcastic voice called out.

"Who's that, Dad?" Brice inquired when Chuck kept the family on the same heading, grabbing Brice and Charlotte's hands to pick up the pace with the limo in sight.

"Keep walking, Buddy," Chuck kept his children moving as he and Blair traded nervous looks.

"Get in the car, Princess," Chuck urged her in as they reached the limo. Blair had already slipped inside with Aiden sitting on her lap. "You too, Brice."

"Aw, Nephew, what a beautiful family," Jack approached them just as Brice hopped in. Chuck quickly closed the door before turning around to address his manipulative uncle. "Aren't you going to introduce me to my grandniece and nephews?"

"Doesn't look like it, does it?" Chuck responded, keeping his voice as calm as he could.

"The boy looks just like you did at that age," Jack responded, "A chip off the old 'Chuck' if you will. Guess a paternity test would have been a waste of money after all. I was sure Blair would be running around on you by now. She was such a temptress after all."

"What do you want, Jack?" Chuck asked, trying to keep his temper in check as his hand reflexively began to close and unclose. He desperately wanted to punch his uncle, but he knew the repercussions were too great to follow through on the desire. His uncle would likely press charges, and he'd spend time in jail.

"To catch up," he responded, "I've missed a lot during my exile. You're a married man now and a father to boot. I think we have a lot to talk about."

"I heard you left Bass," Chuck replied.

"There was just no future in it for me anymore," he shrugged, "I was constantly being passed up for promotions. I found someone that appreciates the talents that I possess."

"You have talent?" Chuck repeated in surprise, "Aside from embezzling, you mean? Working a ponzi scheme, are you?"

"My work is completely legit," he laughed.

"I doubt that," Chuck snorted, "But I see you've added adultery to your arsenal."

"Serena never mentioned she was married," Jack defended himself, "And since you exiled me to Australia, how was I supposed to know?"

"End it now," Chuck growled, "She may have a chance to save her marriage, but you have to stay away."

"I believe that is her choice, not yours," Jack responded with a confident grin that Chuck ached to wipe away.

"End it now," Chuck repeated, "Serena claims that you're a changed man. Prove it. Walk away."

"Only if she tells me to," Jack replied.

"What's your real agenda? Is it to get under my skin because I banished you to Australia? Is it to try and take over Bass again? Let's just lay all the cards on the table like adults," Chuck replied.

"Bass Industries and all those headaches you get with being the man on top doesn't interest me anymore," Jack replied, "What I do now is far more enjoyable, and getting under your skin, though fun, doesn't interest me either. You and the little Mrs. are boring. You pop out a few kids, quit your job, and do what? Ferry them around to all their boring little activities?" Jack yawned to emphasize his point. "You were much more fun when you were doing lines of coke on your father's desk with strippers hanging all over you."

"So the agenda?" Chuck pressed.

"Doesn't involve you," Jack replied, "We've gone a few rounds. I lost. I got over it. You should try it, Nephew."

"Stay away from Bass and stay away from my family," Chuck growled through clenched teeth, "If you hurt them, I will end you."

"Easy, Nephew, that is the furthest thing from my mind," Jack chuckled.

Chuck stared him down for a few moments before he turned towards the limo.


"Who was that, Daddy?" Charlotte inquired when Chuck slid into the limo. She and her brothers had been watching the interaction with fascination despite Blair's attempt to distract them with talk of the musical they'd just seen.

"That was nobody, Princess," Chuck smiled as she climbed into his lap.

"He kind of looked like pictures of Grandpa Bart," his daughter added, "But a lot younger. He's not Grandpa Bart, is he?"

"No, Sweetheart," Chuck replied as he kissed her forehead, "Grandpa Bart died many years ago."

"Then who was that man?" she insisted on a satisfactory answer.

Chuck sighed in resignation, knowing that his only option was to give a truthful answer. "That is my uncle, Jack."

"Who is that?" Brice chimed in. This was the first time that any of them had ever heard the name.

"He is not a nice man," Blair chimed in, "So if you ever see him again, you need to tell me or Daddy right away. No matter what, you are not to talk to him. Is that understood?"

Brice and Charlotte began bobbing their heads. Poor Aiden didn't truly understand what was happening, but he joined in on the head bobbing after a few moments.

"How come you were arguing with him, Daddy?" Charlotte inquired.

"It's grown up things, complicated things," Chuck explained, "I know the three of you are curious, but you have to trust me when I say that you will not understand."

"Okay," Charlotte replied.

Chuck waited for the inevitable question from his son, but it didn't come.

"How about we all get some ice cream?" Blair chimed in to cut through the somber mood of the limo.

The three children cheered in reply. Chuck relayed their destination to their driver as they rode along.


"Is he after Bass?" Blair inquired as she and Chuck undressed for bed later that evening.

"He says he's not," Chuck replied as he undid his cufflinks.

"Do you believe him?" she pressed.

"I never take what he says at full face value, but something about what he said makes me believe we aren't the targets of his latest ploy," Chuck explained, "Naturally he couldn't pass up a chance to needle me, but…"

"If he was after you or Bass, there are many more direct approaches to take," Blair chimed in, "This dalliance with Serena feels targeted."

"Agreed," he nodded, "The smugness in which he refused to end his relationship with her leads me to believe she's the key to his ploy."

"Serena had nothing to do with any of our past dealings with Jack," Blair replied.

"Lily was," Chuck replied, "She kept Jack from becoming the CEO initially after my father died. When she signed the papers to legally adopt me, she took control of Bart's share of the company and his board seat. She made sure that the board wouldn't let Jack get anywhere close to the top. It was her that decided when I was ready to take over. She still has enormous pull with the board."

"So he's targeting Lily," Blair eyed him skeptically, "That seems a little farfetched. All of that happened over a decade ago."

"My father's distain for him went a lot longer," Chuck pointed out, "Bass men are very good at holding grudges."

"But why now?" Blair inquired, "Why would he bother now when he's had over ten years?"

"Opportunity," Chuck theorized, "His relationship with Serena probably started by pure chance. She said they met while she was out with Eric and Magnus. Anyone can see how vulnerable Serena is right now. Give her a few drinks, and she's pouring her heart out. With her inhibitions lowered…"

"No, Serena's not that naïve," Blair shook her head.

"I wish that were true," he sighed, "But how many times as she been pulled in the wrong direction by men over the years? Does Carter Baizen ring any bells?"

Blair cringed in reply. "We were both suckered by him," she added.

"You were both suckered by Jack too," he pointed out, "The difference is that both of your interludes were limited engagements."

"Then we just need to get Serena to realize that she'd a pawn in Jack's game against Lily," she concluded.

"That's going to be easier said than done," Chuck replied.

"You should have put Jack in jail when you had the chance," she groaned.

"Hindsight is twenty-twenty," he nodded, "But you know why I couldn't do that back then. I couldn't make you or our children targets."

"Enough Jack Bass talk for the evening," Blair replied as she began unbuttoning his shirt, "I say we make a rule. No Jack Bass talk in the bedroom."

"That's a good rule," he chuckled, "He does have a knack for killing the mood."

"And we can't allow that to happen," she smiled as she peeled his shirt away, "Because I have needs, many, many needs."

TBC…