Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girls or its characters.
Chapter 10: Desperation
Chuck left Blair's feeling sick. Not just sick but angry. At first he had thought that Blair was using the useless Humphrey to make him jealous, which it almost did, but then to see it there in her eyes. To see that she didn't love him anymore was sickening. And what topped it off was that she actually had feelings for Dan Humphrey. Not if Chuck had any say in it. Blair would be his again. It would only be a matter of time. He bent forward to address his driver.
"Change of course Albert. We're going to Brooklyn."
It wasn't long until Chuck's limo pulled up in front of the Humphrey loft. Chuck got out and surveyed his surroundings. He felt dirty from just standing on the side walk and breathing in the Brooklyn air.
He calmly walked up Dan's front steps and entered the building, and slowly climbed the stairs. He knew Dan was probably sleeping, but his visit wouldn't take long.
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As soon as Blair had left Dan had felt a strong desire to write. He ordered a pizza and opened a beer and got to work. He felt really good. He hadn't felt this good in a long time. His head was clear and he felt like there was nothing stopping him from being happy. Now that he knew Blair returned his feelings nothing else seemed to matter, and whatever would come they could face.
Hours went by in what Dan felt were minutes and he heard a soft pounding on the loft door. He turned surprised and checked the clock. It was almost midnight. He shrugged and stood up stretching slightly before heading to the door. He knew better than to just open the door at this time of night.
"Who is it?" Dan yelled through the door.
"Charles Bass."
Dan felt a slight rise of panic. He could tell Chuck was pissed by his tone. He tried to play it cool.
"And what do I owe this pleasure Chuck?" Dan asked mockingly.
"I believe you know why I'm here Humphrey. Open the door. I have a proposition for you."
Dan rolled his eyes. Yep that sounds like him. Dan unlatched the door and unbolted it, slowly opening the door. Chuck calmly strided through taking his gloves off. He looked Dan up and down. Chuck thought Humphrey looked disheveled and exhausted.
"What can I do for you Chuck?" Dan asked sounding half amused and half annoyed. Chuck glared but answered.
"It has come to my attention that you and Blair…"
"Chuck." Dan cut him off. "This is not going to happen. Blair's love life is not your concern."
Chuck hated being cut off and took a couple threatening steps toward Dan.
"I would watch what I say if I were you Humphrey..."
"Chuck. This is ridiculous."
"I have some information about Vanessa and your lovely sister. Information that if it got out it would make sure they never returned to New York, and would turn everyone against them, maybe even you."
Dan glared at that. He couldn't help wonder what Chuck was talking about but he wasn't going to let Chuck do this anymore. He couldn't let him plays these games and affect everyone's life like he was some kind of god.
"And let me guess, in exchange for this information to stay under wraps, you want me to stay away from Blair?"
A sly smile appeared on Chucks face.
"Of course. Indefinitely."
Dan nodded and took a deep breath. This was over. All the games and all the manipulations. Whatever Chuck was going to expose it would find its way out sooner or later and he wouldn't let Chuck control his relationship with Blair. Chuck and Blair were the past. He and Blair were the future.
"Chuck." Dan started firmly. "I am only going to say this one time. Never threaten the people I care about or me. You affect everyone's life when you play these stupid games and it never ends well. Look at my sister!"
Dan hit a nerve. Chuck swallowed and his face grew harder but he didn't speak. Dan continued.
"I don't know where you got this notion that you can mess with people's lives but this is where it stops. Your threats and schemes will not affect me or the people I care about—and that includes Blair."
At the mention of Blair's name Chuck seemed to regain his composure.
"Vanessa and Jenny helped Juliette that night in framing Serena." Chuck said with a grin. "I wonder what Blair will want to do as soon as she finds out? If it's the Blair I know, she will get revenge on our dear Vanessa."
Dan was pissed. Not only at Chuck but at the thought of Vanessa and Jenny having anything to do with hurting Serena. He wanted to talk to them and understand why.
"Vanessa is not here Chuck. She left."
"And why do you think that is Humphrey?" Chuck snarled slyly.
"This doesn't change anything. My sister and Vanessa made their own decisions so if it comes out it comes out. You can try to persuade me, manipulate me, or threaten me but I care about Blair too much Chuck."
Chuck straightened himself and started putting on his gloves, moving towards the door.
"Blair and I have a connection Humphrey. I give you two a week. Blair will get bored with you and be in my bed by Sunday." Chuck scoffed walking behind Dan. Dan fought the urge to punch him, and got a better idea instead.
"You know Chuck I should really be thanking you." Dan started. Chuck turned from the door with a confusing glare.
"Excuse me?" He growled softly.
"If you wouldn't have broken Blair's heart I don't think I would have gotten the opportunity to know her." He started looking at his feet, but then he raised his head and looked Chuck right in the eye. He wanted Chuck to hear this last part. "It started small with us both hurting and we found small comfort in going to movies and catching shows. From there I helped her with her resume and papers for school. Then it grew to where we could talk without insulting the other, to where we actually talked. I comforted her when she cried over you. She rescued me when I was drowning in Serena."
He took another step closer to Chuck.
"Chuck. You may have a 'connection' with Blair, but so do I."
Chuck for once was speechless and that only made his glare intensify. He looked Dan up and down.
"May the best man win."
And with that Chuck disappeared out the loft door leaving Dan wondering what the hell that meant.
Chuck was furious. He left Dan's loft and jumped into his limo and gave his driver instructions to go to the airport without another thought. He knew it might come down to this but now he was desperate. Normally Chuck didn't let anything bother him, but since Blair he had changed and he refused to call it softening, but that's what he felt it was. Chuck found himself thinking back to when he and Blair were together. He had never read anything of Blair's let alone knew that she wrote. He knew that she cared for old movies but hated that Dan was able to share that with her.
Chuck knew that he and Blair had a strong chemistry, a strong physical connection that held them captive to one another, but what Dan had described was an emotional connection. That had always been Chuck's weak point. He had never been able to fully hand himself over emotionally and it scared him that Blair had formed this connection with Humphrey, and what scarred him even more was the possibility of it being stronger than his connection with her. Chuck felt panic flutter in his stomach but he crushed it with anger. Dan had no right to take what was his. He would just have to show Blair that she belonged with him.
The limo pulled up to the plane that was fueled and ready for Mr. Bass. He got out of the limo and greeted the pilot, shaking his hand.
"Where off to Mr. Bass?" the man in uniform asked.
"Paris, Arthur." Chuck smiled slyly. "There is someone I need to do business with."
The pilot nodded and set course. Chuck made himself comfortable once he was in the plane. He hoped he could count on Serena and Ben to be dating within the next couple of days. He would need that as fuel to recruit the only other schemer that had out schemed Blair Waldolf, Serena van der Woodsen, and Jenny Humphrey.
Juliet Sharp.
I thought since we really hadn't heard much from Chuck's perspective that I needed to do a little something with him. Don't worry! Dan and Blair are very cozy in the next chapter! I hope you like the direction its taking. Things are about to get more complicated for our characters ;)
Thank you everyone for reading and commenting! You make me want to keep writing!