Title: Bass Family Brood

Chapter 12: Zero

Author: Ellibells

Summary: Post season 3; Bass brood growing up which is based upon my original fic Mr Chuck and Mrs Blair Bass. Chair are married with a full brood of children including Teddy and Evie who are original characters from my Mr Chuck and Mrs Blair Bass: Part 2. Bass Brood central with NJBC… Fluffy, humour, protective Daddy's, fluff, more babies and pure Bass family fun! "And where do you think you are going dressed like that, Evie Grace Bass?"

A/N: :') *Blushes, cries* Wow! I'm not gunna go on for ages about how much I love you all because I think it's clear that I love everyone who read and reviews my stories, you truly do make this worth while! Thank you.

voiletgirl-What do I think about Blair's baby Daddy? All what you said are good arguments between your friends but I honestly think Chuck is the father or I'm hoping/wishing he is because just from the promo and Louis' reaction over finding the paternity test and the fact B hid it in the first place tells me I think it's Chuck's. I think this would be something they can all come back from, although Chuck may be mad for being lied to, I think in the end, if the baby is Chuck's, they will all be thankful, even Louis, that the truth came out. May I add, before this last episode, I was happy that B was happy because Louis was such a nice man, but now, I hate him and what he's doing to our Chuckie. :( Hope you enjoy this chapter and I love hearing from you :)

This & Wake Me Upby Ed Sheeran– is a great listen for this chapter folks :)

For those of my lovely followers who read Mr and Mrs Bass, I apologise for my shoddy updates and lack of but at the moment I am concentrating my efforts on my college work and this story so updates will be slow, sorry.

Enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl unfortunately! But I do own Ed Westwick…true fact! ;)

"Hey guys. What was so important it couldn't wait til I finished work?" Nate asked, feeling the tension as he walked into Chuck's office to find Blair pacing slightly while Chuck stood by the tall drinks cabinet, pouring himself a drink.

"Where's Vanessa?" Blair asked bluntly.

"She's on her way…why do you two look so serious?" he replied curiously at the expression he was presented with.

"We think it's better if we wait until Vanessa gets here. Drink?" Chuck said as he presented Nate with a glass of scotch.

Chuck had cut down vastly on his alcohol intake not only for himself but for his family and although it was early afternoon, Chuck needed something to help him through the pending conversation.

"I'm fine. Bit early don't you think?" He declined as Chuck claimed the glass instead.

"You may need it after what is about to be said…" Chuck replied under his breath as he walked back to the window.

Turning to the attention of the door, Chuck receptionist opened the door and presented the trio with a flushed looking Vanessa as she strolled in.

"I'm here. Get on with whatever you have to say, I didn't rush out of an art seminar for nothing." Vanessa shot blatantly as she eyed Blair who just frowned distastefully.

"You may want to sit down…" Chuck encouraged as he gestured towards two seats in front of his desk, only for Vanessa to shake her head while Nate took the invitation.

"I'll stand. This won't take long, will it?"

"Chuck? Dude, don't leave us waiting. Say what it is you wanted to say." Nate started as he looked to Blair for support, only for her to look away from him quickly.

"Do you know where Benjamin went after Cotillion?" Chuck asked, gulping down his last sip of liquid.

"No. He came home with a black eye and a bloody nose. He said he'd gotten in a fight?..." Nate said with a furrow of his eyebrows as Vanessa listened on.

"Zach Baizen-" Blair took over but as soon as she did, Vanessa cut her off.

"I knew it! I told you Nate. I told you that our son should not be hanging around with Carter's son. And now look what happened!" She announced in annoyance, shooting a glare at Nate.

"We can't dictate who Ben is friends with Vanessa! God! If I was a teenage boy again and my mother told me I couldn't hang round with Chuck, it would have only made me rebel and go against her!" He defended, standing up from his seat as Vanessa looked ready to argue back.

"Will you both shut up for a second so I can finish my sentence. Did your mother never teach you to listen when someone else is talking, Vanessa!" Bair burst.

Nate and Vanessa not quite sure what to say at Blair's sudden outburst.

"I'm not five-" Vanessa started but this time was interrupted by Chuck.

"Shut up Vanessa and listen. Zach didn't just attack Ben for the fun of it, he had reason. He was protecting our daughter." Chuck shot bitterly.

"Then why did he come home battered to a pulp? And what could your daughter possibly need protecting from. I'm surprised she doesn't have a body guard at this age anyway!" Vanessa told sarcastically.

"You're seriously judging our parenting skills when you have no idea what your son has done." Blair spat, moving closer to Chuck, knowing if she was to do anything rash, he would pull her back.

"Tell us then!" Nate erupted this time.

"Your golden boy forced himself on Evie! He took her up to a hotel room and tried to rape our daughter!" Blair yelled, eyeing Vanessa as she did so while hoping the whole building hadn't just heard her.

Stunned, Vanessa stood in silence.

"Benjamin would never do such a thing- he couldn't! You've got this all wrong, Chuck-" Nate protested as he pinched his nose.

"We've got nothing wrong. Zach found Evie in the bathroom in a mess and the reason Ben came home beaten was because he was escorted to a taxi after Zach had to fight his way in to get to Evie", Chuck corrected, pouring himself another glass.

"My son is not a monster!" Vanessa bawled, pacing the wide room as she put the information together.

"Do you have evidence? This could all be Evie making up lies, scheming just like her parents used to-"

"What sort of person lies about this sort of thing? Are you listening to yourself! What happened in high school has had no influence on how we raised our children! If you are so adamant that our daughter is to blame for your son forcing himself on her, please take a look at the security video and tell us why Zach Baizen had to carry our collapsed daughter out of a hotel room with red marks covering her poor body and her dress in pieces!" Blair shouted, restraining herself from launching herself across the room and onto Vanessa. Instead letting a small tears escape before being wiped away quickly as Chuck pulled her to his side.

"Why would- this is so messed up-" Nate stuttered, not able to think as he stepped back towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Vanessa shot quickly as she realised what was happening as Nate edged towards the door.

"I need to think…this can't be happening! I can't be here with all this, I-" He protested as he turned and left the room with Chuck objecting as he fled.

"Nathanial- this is not the time to-" he tried but he was gone before anyone could stop him as Vanessa stood numbly in the middle of the room.

"Vanessa, we need to talk about what happens to-" Chuck began only for her to raise her hand, not looking at him.

"Nate and I will decide what happens to ourson when we've spoken to him." She suggested or more told Chuck what would happen.

"Don't you think Blair and I should have a say in what his punishment is? Our daughter was involved and I won't let him get away with this, even if he is my best friend's son. No one treats my daughter like a piece of dirt and gets away with it." Chuck clenched his jaw as he thought of Ben all over his daughter.

"Put the 'Big Bad Bass' act away, Chuck. Look after your own family and I'll do the same for mine. As of now you are no longer involved in what happens to Benjamin." Vanessa cut him up as she left the room, leaving Blair recovering from her sobs and Chuck with wrapped fists.

"I can't let him get away with this, Blair. I just can't…" Chuck muttered as he took Blair in a deeper hug and kissed her forehead as she calmed down before pulling out of his embrace and looking up to him.

"Vanessa is right. We don't have the authority to tell them how to punish their child but I think it's time you talked to Nate..." B suggested as she smoothed over his tie before letting her head rest against his heaving chest.

xoxo

"Evieee!" Penny announced as she pushed her sister's door open to find her sat in the middle of her bed watching something on her TV.

"Hey, twinkles…" Evie replied with a tired smile as she gestured her four year old sister to come and sit with her on her bed.

Taking the invitation, Penny toddled towards the bed with a little run so she could make it up onto the mattress in one go.

When she finally scooped herself up with the help of Evie's last tug, she came to sit in her sister's lap as she looked up to her.

"Who's that boy who just left?" Penny asked innocently as she watched Evie's face move into a warm smile, knowing from just that look that she should like him.

"That's Zach, why?" Evie asked optimistically as she began to play with Penny's curly, long, brown locks.

"He said I should give you lots of hugs!" she announced with glee as she jumped from Evie's lap so her arms looped her neck.

"Did he now? And what else did he say?" The older Bass asked playfully as she tickled Penny which elicited little squeals, making Evie warm.

"Bye-bye!" She echoed as she rolled onto the bed, laughing as Evie continued to torture her with tickles.

Falling by her side, Evie laughed along with their game as Penny came to sit on her sister's stomach again, pushing her little cupid lips to Evie's cheek, leaving a wet raspberry as Evie shrieked.

"Ew!" she screamed as she jumped up from lying and grabbed a pillow.

"You are gunna wish you hadn't done that, Twinkles!" She playfully threatened as Penny cried is laughter and began to scramble from the bed.

Penny had been dancing since she could walk. When she persisted to ask for ballerina themed Christmas and birthday presents, Blair took the hint that it might be nice for Penny to start ballet.

Every since her first day, she was hooked and would come home in a flurry of pink dancing for her siblings which left her with the nickname Twinkle Toes from Evie; the rest of the children quickly following lead.

Lullah was at the age of living her annoying, melodramatic teen years which ticked Evie right off being such a calm and composed person unlike her loud sister. When Penny was born, Evie had always shown interest in looking after her sister but as she got a little older, she found she could just do anything with Penny and the pair could enjoy each other's company without having to make a big fuss while Lullah tended to like being with her own friends, blaring music from her iPod speakers.

Chasing her from the bed, Evie went for a wide birth as she swung and hit her little sister straight in the waist, eliciting a scream and an exaggerated tumble which left Penny in a heap of bean bags next to Evie's study desk.

Grabbing a smaller pillow next to the beans bags, Penny prepared herself as Evie approached with a huge, cheeky grin as she began hitting her sister again until they both ending up in a mound giggling.

"I win! I win!" Penny echoed as she shuffled from Evie's hold until she was once again sat on her lap, waving her pillow in the air in victory as her older sister laughed in amusement from underneath.

"I'd call that a draw! I got the first big hit in! You just ran like a little baby!" Evie teased as she began to tickle her.

"Did not! And I am not a baby!" She announced with confidence. "Mommy says I am a big girl!" She added as she stuck her tongue out only for Evie to cup her chubby, baby face with her palms and leave a big sloppy kiss against her nose.

With a yelp, Penny fell against her sister with a fit of giggles.

Eventually wiping her face dry, she sat up and looked to her sister as she began to play with her matching brown hair.

"Eve?"

"Uhuh?" Evie replied sweetly, her full attention on the picture perfect little girl in front of her.

"Are you not friends with Ben anymore?" she asked kindly with a little wariness in her voice, knowing she probably shouldn't be asking her sister something she had heard her mommy and daddy talking about earlier that day, in private.

"Erm…what makes you ask that?" She swallowed hard, trying to keep composed as she smiled simply.

"I heard Daddy and Mommy arguing…" Pen stated as she dropped her eyes, waiting for an answer and hoping she wouldn't be shouted at.

Coughing a little to find her voice, Evie blinked away the remnants building in her eyes as she remembering the shouting coming down the hallway the previous night.

"No…we erm- we're not friends anymore…"

"Is Zach your new friend?" She asked optimistically, sensing a change in Evie's emotions, shuffling herself closer to her sister so her head was now against her chest and her hands still playing with the ends of her soft, chocolate locks.

"Yeah…" she replied with a nod as she hugged the little figure against her tightly.

"Well I don't like Ben cos he upset you. I like Zach, he's funny", Penny assured.

Wiping the shed tears from her cheek, she laughed lightly at the innocence of her little sister, glad to have her there. Glad to have someone to hold that wouldn't judge or understand, just someone who was on her side without knowing any of the implications and not caring.

"Me too…" she whispered against her hair, falling back against the softness of the beanbags as they just sat there, saying nothing. Penny just understanding that her big sister needed her.

xoxo

"Could have guessed I'd find you here…" Nate heard from behind him as he turned to see Chuck shrug with a slight turn of his lips.

Chuck had been around the whole city and further looking for his best friend. From Brooklyn to Anne's house and back before his last attempt to look for him in central park where they used to hand out and smoke weed as teens.

Originally it was Chuck's intent to find Nate and hopefully force him into a punishment for Ben which would only just suffice for what he had done to Evie but now, standing next to his best friend, he saw the look on his face and knew that's not what truly needed to happen.

"Wish you hadn't", Nate said honestly, looking back down to the ground as he felt Chuck step closer.

"So do I, but we are not kids anymore, Nathanial…" Chuck admitted, knowing he had never wanted this confrontation and the whole time he was looking, he was just hoping he didn't find his best friend and he wouldn't have to say what came next.

"I've always been so scared about them growing up. I was too busy worrying about protecting Lila that I didn't see what was happening with Ben…that I didn't see what he was capable of…what any males is capable of…" he confessed, kicking some stones at his feet, still not looking at Chuck.

Chuck didn't say a word as he listened and watch his distraught friend continue.

"What sort of father am I not to recognise my son's attitude…I thought I'd raised him with respect, good manners…"

"A better father than you know. Bart was a shit father at times and look at the things I did!" Chuck laughed bitterly.

"Just because you raise your children a certain way doesn't mean you're responsible for their actions, shouldn't we know that better than anyone?"

"How can you stand there and be so calm? He attacked Evie! My best friend's daughter, my niece…" he shook his head, shooting Chuck a sorrowful look of question.

"I can't put into words how much I hate him for what he did to my little girl and how much I want to cause him the pain he caused her but I also know what it's like to do what he did or tried to…" he breathed deeply before continuing.

"I know that as much as I hated my father and didn't care of the consequences of my reckless actions as a teen, I would have been thankful if Bart would have stood up or anyone, and punished me for all my wrongdoings- maybe not in the short term, but in the long term, possibly..."

"I've failed…" Nate told solemnly, wiping at his face quickly before he looked off into the distance.

"You've only failed your son if you stop trying; if you turn your back on him and the things he's done. God knows if Bart hadn't turned a blind eye to all my actions, my existence, I wouldn't have resented, hated him for so long….as bad as any punishment would have been, I still would have known he cared about me enough to keep trying, keep attempting to fix the mess I was in", Chuck admitted sadly as he clenched his hand on Nate's shoulder, stepping closer to his best friend.

"Don't make the same mistake our parent's did…don't turn your back on what's going on because believe me, Benjamin will end up resenting himself and you. I was lucky enough to have someone like Blair scrape me up from the ground when I'd reached zero. No one should have to take that risk, not when they can do something about it."

With that, Chuck squeezed his shoulder a moment longer before walking away, leaving Nate in a trance with his thoughts, with what Chuck had just said.

There was a lot more to be said but Chuck couldn't quite bring himself to push more of his feelings onto how Nate should raise his children. Like Vanessa said, he needed to look after his family.

A/N:Tadah! Thoughts and feelings about the confrontations and interactions in this chapter would be much appreciated and may I say I am super excited for tomorrows ep! Yeah! :D You know what to do…!