The Small Moments That Led to Chuck and Blair

A/N: Today is my birthday and as a birthday tradition, I either update a fic I'm writing or I write something completely new (both if possible). Since I'm having trouble coming up with the next part to the other stories, I figured no one would be upset if another Small Moments chapter came up. Thanks as always to Dawn for beta-ing and

Chapter 8: Complications and The Vanishing Act

Blair had fallen asleep for only an hour before laughter woke her up. At first, she thought that she had already given birth and everyone was celebrating. The instant pain in her side told her otherwise. No, Serena was definitely planning another surprise baby shower. The laughter was from the guests. Normally, she would have been cranky but it was fine today. She needed a party and some laughter. All she had done was stress out and worry for the baby.

She could hear Dorota and Vanya's son running down the halls, laughing as he skidded across the polished floor. Then she heard Dorota scolding him in Polish and he would stop. It was a good thing that the maid had given birth all those years ago. She and Chuck needed someone who was experienced with this. Since her mother was in Paris and Lily was traveling a lot these days, Dorota had to be the one to teach her how to be a mother. While she would be there to take care of the majority of baby duties, she insisted that Blair learn them as well.

"Dorota not always going to be around," she reminded her. "Dorota old. Dorota have family. So Miss Blair need to learn to take care of own family."

The first couple of months were easy. The baby wasn't being a problem and she could have quiet time with Chuck. As the days went on, quiet time went away. She began feeling sicker and crankier. Her back ached. She was tired from morning to night. The doctors told her this was normal and that everything would be fine. Until the last appointment, everything was be fine.

Then they mentioned the complications. There was a chance that either the baby wouldn't survive or she wouldn't. It angered her and she demanded to know why they hadn't caught this sooner. Apparently, she had been doing so well, they hadn't noticed it before. The latest test showed the problems. Their baby was going to leave the womb early whether she was ready for it or not. After the delivery, they had to play a waiting game to see if it would live.

Chuck didn't know. It hurt to keep this from him but it was for the better. If he learned the truth, there was no telling how he would react. He had been through this ordeal with his father and the last thing she wanted was for him to act like Bart Bass. Besides, there was also that small chance that they would both live. Then he would be worrying for nothing. She hated seeing him on edge because it put her on edge too. For her sake and the baby's, she had to stay calm.

Tired of lying around, she decided to get up. She could still pretend that she knew nothing about the surprise party. She could act shocked. Pregnancy had changed a lot but it hadn't changed her ability to act. She'd be surprised, take in all the new gifts, and act like she needed them all. In reality, she would be returning more than half of them. Since when did she need twenty pacifiers?

Getting up would be one of her biggest mistakes. As soon as she stood up, she went down. It was hard to say how it happened because she hadn't tripped on anything. She just went down like she had been shot. Her head was spinning and she lay on the ground, still cradling her stomach. The baby. No matter what happened to her, she had to protect the baby.

"Chuck...." She managed to get out and then the world disappeared before her.

~ ~ ~

Age 11 cont, Ballroom Party

All those lessons were finally paying off. Blair had gotten used to dancing with Chuck even if it did make her jealous of Nate and Serena. The other two were The Vulture's golden students. It didn't matter if they tripped, she just told them that everyone made mistakes. Everyone else got glares and scoldings. Despite all this, the students tried hard and their first big performance had come up. Tonight they were going to dance for their parents. They had to show what they had learned in the past couple of weeks. It left everyone excited and nervous. Those who had gotten better couldn't wait to dance while those who still struggled wanted the night to be over.

Blair could still remember this moment. She remembered getting inside the room and taking off her coat. She remembered walking into the room where everyone else was sitting around anxiously. Serena and Nate were busy playing cards on the floor, laughing and making fun of each other. They were accusing each other of cheating but neither seemed that angry. Watching them smile made her a little jealous. Those two could get away with playing cards yet she and Chuck were yelled at when they did the same. The Vulture only got more heinous as the lessons continued. She was always giving them evil looks like she was daring them to misbehave. Wherever they went, her beady eyes followed them until they were out of her sight. It was annoying. She had once called them a married couple that could not get out of their marriage. Not that she or Chuck knew what that was supposed to mean, but Blair did not want to be married to Chuck even in a fictional world.

These days, they weren't the only ones who got in trouble. Serena's brother hated every lesson because he didn't like his bird-man teacher. Next to Chuck and Blair, The Vulture loved torturing Eric. No matter what he did or how hard he tried, he couldn't please her. The only reason he hadn't run out of the ballroom crying was because of Chuck Bass' imitation of The Vulture. Anytime he saw Eric looking upset, he did the imitation and the younger boy's spirits were lifted. As much as Blair hated to admit it, Chuck was just what Eric needed to get through the dance lessons.

"Play with us!" Serena exclaimed. "Nate's cheating but..."

"You're cheating!" Nate laughed. Then he whispered to Blair, "she really is cheating."

"I heard that! Come on, B! We can play a game before Chuck gets here."

"No, thanks. The Vulture is going to hang me upside-down if she sees me playing cards again." Still, she sat down with them and watched the game. "Chuck's not here yet? Go figure. He's probably checking out the girls in the dressing room."

"Well, his dad's not here either so..." Nate trailed off, trying to get a peek at Serena's cards. She swatted at him. "I'm not trying to cheat!"

"You're lying!"

This went on for the next half hour. Serena and Nate never managed to finish a game; eventually, they threw the cards in the air and started laughing. Blair tried to get in the mess but it was hard. Her head kept turning to the door, hoping to see the fourth member of their little club. Where was that Chuck Basstard? It wasn't a nice thing to call him but she only did it in secret. He really was a Basstard half the time. The other half of the time, he was a Basshole. Normally, she didn't care for his whereabouts but tonight, she needed him. He was her partner for the majority of these dances. If he didn't show, The Vulture would give him one her lectures later on and humiliate him in front of everyone. That was something Chuck Bass would never live down. He had to come.

"Where is he?" she muttered.

"Where's who?" Nate asked.

"Your best friend! He's supposed to be here too!"

"Maybe he's running late?"

"Doing what? Chasing some girl? He's supposed to be with me!"

"Since when are you so worried about Chuck?" Serena asked.

"I'm not! I mean I am... but I'm not worried in that way." Blair was flustered now. What did she mean she was not worried in that way? She didn't have feelings for Chuck Bass. No, she loved Nate. She wanted to be with Nate. Her future was to go to Yale, graduate from there, and become Mrs. Nathaniel Archibald. Chuck Bass was not part of that future. Falling in love with him would not happen. As long as she was alive, she wouldn't be anything more than his friend.

"Never mind," she finally grumbled. "He just better show up. That's all."

At that moment, Eric joined the three of them. From the look on his face, The Vulture had scolded him again. This would have been a good time for a Vulture imitation. Unfortunately, no one but Chuck could do that imitation.

"What happened?" Serena asked. "Was it The Vulture again?"

"No. I was just wondering where Chuck was."

"You too?" Blair wanted to know. "If you see him, tell him to get here. The party is about to start and I'm without my date!"

"He's not with you guys?"

"No. We haven't seen him," Nate said. This did not make the worry leave Eric's face. "Why? Do you need him for something?"

"No, it's just...I heard a bunch of parents talking and asking where he was. They haven't seen him."

"So why don't they just ask his father?" Blair wanted to know.

"That's just it. His father doesn't know where he is either."

And for the first time in her life, whether she liked it or not, Blair Waldorf began to worry about Chuck Bass in that way.

TBC...

~ ~ ~

A/N: I'm sorry it took me forever to update anything. I've been dealing with a family death and I wasn't around much to do any updating. Also, the hiatus is not helping me very much. I am aware that there is a severe lack of Chuck in this chapter but he comes back in the next one. More romance coming too. This was one of those chapters that was hard to get out but now it's out! My next stop will be to try and update Postcards and my EL fanfic on livejournal. Hopefully, watching old CB clips will help the muses there. As always, read, review, all the good stuff.