A/N: Not the best chapter I've written, to be honest. In my opinion, the Chuck/Blair SL is more compelling, but I hope this will get you through to when things move along. I will admit this chapter isn't very good, but it will get more intruiging later. This is just a filler to move the plot along. So please don't blame me for the utter failure that is this chapter.

Summary: She knew that she shouldn't be messing with her own daughter's relationship. But he was so... sincere. And she was sure that he would do the right thing.

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. All is GG.

late 80's.

Evelyn clenched her teeth at the sight of the needle. She may have been many things, but the sight of blood was something she could just not handle. She winced at the mere alcohol swab on her inner arm. She clenched her fingers into a fist and she felt the mild sting of the needle taking her blood.

"You can relax now," the nurse said at Evelyn's fist. Her muscles were so tight it took her a couple seconds to relax her fingers.

"We'll get the results back to you in a couple of days."

Evelyn left for the waiting room. Once again, her mother paid no attention. She had to be aware of Evelyn's fainting spells but there was really only one person who knew the entire story.

Eleanor stood from one of the chairs where she was waiting for her friend. Evelyn sighed in defeat as she walked towards her.

"How was it?" Eleanor asked.

"'How was it?'" Evelyn repeated.

"Come on, Evelyn," Eleanor sighed.

"What?" Evelyn snapped as they left the building. "You drag me to get tested just to see if my electrolytes are fine and you ask me how getting stuck with a needle was?"

"Well you mother sure as hell wasn't going to do it," Eleanor shot back. "Its always been like this, Evelyn. We've raised each other."

Evelyn hated it when Eleanor made sense. But it was true. They had to raise each other because their own mothers were too busy getting botoxed and their fathers were too busy screwing their secretaries.

"I'm fine," Evelyn said. "Really."

"You suffer in silence," Eleanor said. "You never would have said anything."

"Like you're any different," Evelyn said.

"I never said I was," she replied. "That's why we have to take care of each other."

"I know," Evelyn said. "So you didn't tell him, did you?"

"Tell who?" she asked.

"Bass saw me the other night," Evelyn confessed. "Outside the bathroom."

"Why would I tell him?" Eleanor asked.

"I don't know," Evelyn replied. "Why were you his date?"

"Were you jealous?" Elenaor asked, suddenly intrigued.

"Does it matter?" Evelyn asked suspiciously.

"Just wondering," she responded. It definitely wasn't casual enough.

"Why?"

Eleanor gave her a knowing glance. "I think the lady doth protest too much."

"Him?" she asked. "Please. He's just..."

"New money," Eleanor supplied. "Isn't that something your mother would say?"

"I know what you're doing," Evelyn said warningly. "Why are you trying to manipulate me?"

"I'm not," Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Its just what I think."

"Really?" Evelyn asked. "Because what I think was what Waldorf's impression of you was when he saw you with Bass."

"Harold was there?" Eleanor gasped. "And he saw me?"

Evelyn nodded.

"What did he say?"

"Not much," Evlyn said honestly.

"What did he look like?"

"You were just trying to make him jealous," Evelyn supplied.

"Why?" Eleanor asked. "Would it have been worse if I actually liked Bart?"

"Yes," Evelyn said. "You shouldn't get involved with a jerk like that."

"A jerk," Eleanor nodded. "Just your type. And he was such a jerk that he was worried about you going to the doctor."

"So you did tell him," Evelny snapped.

"And you're getting very worked up," Eleanor said indifferently. Evelyn hated it when she was right.

"Miss Evelyn."

Evelyn froze right in front of the elevator at the reproachful sound of her maid's voice.

"I'm just going out for a few hours," Evelyn assured her. "I'll be back in time."

Her maid just shook her head, but let her go.

"Finally," Eleanor said as Evelyn got in the limo.

"Sorry," Evelyn responded. "I couldn't shake her."

"Well its not like you wanted to come in the first place," Eleanor pointed out.

"I want to have fun," Evelyn said decisively.

"You haven't been to a bar since you were 15," Eleanor responded. "But you said you liked going there anyway."

"Any particular reason you're trying so hard?"

"Don't ask me that," Eleanor said quickly.

"Why?"

"Because then I'd have to tell you the truth."

"I hate you," Evelyn snarled as soon as they got in. "Why would you do this to me?"

Eleanor sighed. "You obviously already know."

"Well that's a horrible game plan," Evelyn snapped. "As if I'd get jealous of you and... him."

"I'm so sorry," Eleanor said. "It just worked out. I wouldn't have done it if..."

"If there wasn't something in it for you?" Evelyn asked.

"I'm sorry," Eleanor said again.

"Its alright," Evelyn said. "What we have to do is address the problem that is at hand."

And sure enough, there he was. Bart Bass was in the exact same establishment that they were. What a coincidence.

"It was part of the plan," Eleanor said begrudgingly.

"Harold isn't even here," Evelyn pointed out.

"Yeah..." Eleanor said with embarrassment. She addressed the bartender. "Gin martini."

He nodded and looked at Eleanor.

"I am actually considering a Jager bomb right about now."

"Ew," Eleanor said with disgust.

"Scotch on the rocks with a twist," Evelyn said instead. Eleanor raised her eyebrows at her.

"Don't say it," Evelyn warned her.

No matter how much she hated Eleanor at the moment, she desperately needed her. Because he was right there drinking his own scotch and it was killing her. And she had no idea why.

She was blond. Evelyn decided from right then and there that she would detest blonds forever. That slutty blond was hanging off of him like a--

"Oh no," Evelyn whispered to herself.

"What?" Eleanor asked.

"I have serious problems," Evelyn sighed in defeat. Eleanor followed her eyes as Bart shoved his tongue down the girls throat.

"Oh no," Eleanor laughed. She was already tipsy.

"It is not funny," Evelyn snapped. "We're leaving."

She didn't see Bart staring after her retreating form when she exited the bar.

present day.

"We're leaving," Blair said firmly.

"Blair," Serena sighed from her position in the waiting room. "We have to wait for your test results."

"I'm not sick, Serena," Blair said angrily.

"You are definitely sick," Serena retorted. "Of course I know there's nothing wrong with you in this room. But the way you torture yourself when it comes to him..."
"We're not talking about this."

"He saw you, Blair," Serena said.

"He told you?"

"No..." Serena replied. "Its just the way he gets when he's worried about you. You know how he gets."

Blair didn't really needed reminding.

"You don't have to take care of me, Serena," Blair said softly.

"We always have," her friend replied honestly.

"I know. That's why you can't do it."

"Do what?"

"Protect me and Chuck at the same time."

Blair winced when she heard her mother enter the room. She didn't need this. Not now.

"Is there something you need to tell me?" Eleanor asked.

Blair was about to start with her usual denial before something else occurred to her.

"Have you been talking to Chuck?"

"Blair, do not change the subject."

"You knew where I was this morning. Why do you have to ask?" Blair snapped.

"I don't want to send you to your father's," Eleanor said.

"Then don't."

"I can't be the one to watch you waste away."

"Don't worry," Blair replied snidely. "You aren't the only one."

"Yes," Eleanor sighed. "About that."

"I can't believe this," Blair said. "My own mother, betraying me."

"Of course I'm not betraying you," Eleanor said.

"You care about him more than me. I'm you're daughter and he's just... something to pass the time."

"You know that's not true," Eleanor said softly. "Of course I care about you more. But you and I both know if he was something passing, he would have been long gone after the funeral."

Ugh. Blair hated it when her mother was right. How the hell did she know Chuck Bass so well? It was infuriating.

"Is he coming tonight?" Blair asked timidly.

"Yes."

"You asked him?" Blair demanded.

Eleanor sighed.

"God, Mother, whose side are you on?"

"There aren't any sides," Eleanor protested.

"How did he know where I was?" Blair asked shrewdly.

"What?"

"He seems to know where I am at all times. Places I only tell you. Tell me you aren't helping him."

Silence.

"Why?" Blair asked.

"He misses you, darling," Eleanor said. "You know this."

"I also know how he intrudes where he shouldn't. He's completely..."

"Like you," Eleanor nodded.

"Ugh," Blair screamed, exiting the room.

Eleanor sighed. She had never known what a fiery temper Blair had until recently. She was sure that she wasn't like that before...

She knew that she shouldn't be messing with her own daughter's relationship. But he was so... sincere. And she was sure that he would do the right thing.

"I want to leave."

"This is your house," Serena laughed at her best friend's antics.

"My mother is such a traitor," Blair muttered.

"She cares about you," Serena supplied. "You said she was the one to encourage you to go after him after graduation."

"Yes, but she invited him to an exclusive dinner party. Again."

"She invited me," Serena supplied.

"Exactly," Blair said as they trailed through the penthouse. "Lily isn't even here. What the hell is he doing?"

"He's..."

Serena came to a dead stop causing Blair to almost crash into her.

"What is your prob--"

Blair cut herself off. If she continued any further, she was sure she wouldn't be able to cover up the wracking sob that was about to overtake her.

"I'm sure they're just talking," Serena said, staring down her step brother.

"Talking..." Blair murmured. "Chuck Bass doesn't just talk with women and you know it."

This was true. And sure enough, there he was, whispering seductively in some blond Amazon's ear.

"Blair..."

"Its not like I care, right?" Blair asked scathingly. But Serena already knew what was threatening to overtake Blair. "He can manipulate whatever sad slut is stupid and insane enough to grace his bed. Its not like I care."

Serena bit her lip and looked at the ground.

"I don't care," Blair said, answering her own non-question. "Its not like he was trying to win me back or anything. We're done. He can do whatever he wants."

Serena knew Blair was on the verge of a breakdown when she started repeating mantras to herself like that.

"Let's get out of here," Serena offered.

"I don't care," Blair said again, letting Serena lead her out of the room.

And she didn't care. Just like she wouldn't have cared if Chuck Bass was staring blatantly over the blond's shoulder, obviously ignoring the slut, And forever following Blair with his eyes. Which he was.