Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or its Characters.

Chapter 19: Blind Spots

"It's dark and it's desperate." Chuck smirked standing at the bar in his penthouse apartment at The Empire. "I like it better than you're last plan. You're sure about the wire?"

Juliet nodded from across the living room.

"It wasn't in my room before. Blair now has the evidence she needs to expose me to Ben and Serena."

"Perfect." Chuck glared before taking another sip of his scotch. "Now we just wait."

XXXXX

Dan sat on Blair's bed dumbfounded at what he had just heard. Blair had been right all along. Juliet and Chuck were scheming against him and Blair. He looked up at her and shook his head in disbelief.

"We have to show this to Ben and Serena." He finally spoke.

"I've already set up at dinner date with them. I told them we would meet them at the loft." Blair smiled joining Dan on her bed.

"You were right on." Dan smiled taking Blair into his arms, laying them back against her pillows.

"I do know a thing or two about schemes, and this time I was ready for Juliet. I also know Chuck." Blair answered.

"Even if Juliet and Chuck would have thrown things our way, I still believe we would be okay." Dan smiled brushing a curl behind Blair's ear.

"You think?" Blair asked sounding doubtful.

"Blair. We are always honest and open with each other. We communicate and I know you love me as much as I love you. I have no doubts that we would have shocked Chuck and Juliet." Dan answered softly looking down at her. She felt her eyes water and held back her tears.

Blair didn't realize until now just how much she needed Dan to say that. Ever since hearing the recording the night before, she had worried what the outcome would have meant for her and Dan if she hadn't discovered Juliet's scheme sooner. She and Chuck hadn't been strong enough, so what made Dan and her so special. But the fact the Dan calmed her fears without even knowing they were her fears, gave her new hope. He knew her on a level that Chuck had never even breeched.

"You always know what to say." She sighed softly pulling him into a gentle kiss. She felt his grip around her waist tighten and pull her closer as she kissed him a second time letting her mouth slightly open, hoping he would deepen the kiss, which he did. She loved the way he would capture her mouth. Every time he did her head would spin and she felt herself getting lost in the dizziness. Dan finally pulled away, both of them panting.

"I can't keep going on like this. If we didn't have to meet Ben and Serena…"

"I know! I just don't want our first time to be rushed and in the moment. I want it to be special without any time limit." She grinned playfully at Dan. His eye's widened at the time limit comment.

"How about Friday?" Dan asked with a clever grin.

"What about Friday?" Blair asked curiously sitting up a little.

"Blair Waldorf? Will you have dinner with me Friday night?"

Blair grinned knowingly at Dan.

"I would love to have dinner with you." She beamed. "At the loft?"

"No actually at a surprise location." He answered slyly.

"What? Where?" Blair asked in excitement.

"Can't tell. I'll text you an hour before so you don't go snooping."

Blair flopped down beside him in a disappointed huff that made Dan laugh.

"You are lucky I love you Dan Humphrey."

XXXXX

Ben just looked at Serena. Serena could see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes. Blair and Dan had just played the recording for them of Juliet recording Dan and Blair, then talking to Chuck. Serena was surprised that Blair hadn't shot an 'I told you so' yet, and was happy to see that Dan did have some positive effect on her best friend in that way.

"Ben?" Serena started. "We should talk to Juliet. There has to be a reason why she would help Chuck."

"Exactly what I thought S." Blair started. "Chuck could be black mailing Juliet or helping her with money. There could be some truth to what she told you about her money problems."

Ben just looked at Blair in disbelief.

"Why are you pretending to care Blair?" Ben said coldly making Dan and Serena brace themselves for Blair's reaction.

Blair simply stared at Ben, and then took a deep breath.

"I know your upset Ben. Even though I expected this from Juliet, I am sorry that I was right. I know what Chuck's dark side is like and I wouldn't wish that on anyone to be involved."

Ben nodded hesitantly in thanks to Blair.

Dan just looked in wonder at his girlfriend that she hadn't exploded. Blair turned at smiled at him, taking his hand under the table, which he squeezed reassuringly. Serena couldn't help but smile at her best friends. She couldn't help but admit at the moment that Dan was good for Blair, and that Blair looked happier than she had ever been.

"Serena." Ben started making her turn her attention back to him. "I have to find Jules. If she is being black mailed or is in trouble then…"

"I understand. I'll come with you." Serena nodded reassuringly jumping off her stool and joining Ben at the front door grabbing there coats.

Suddenly Juliet walked into the loft. Everyone froze. Juliet looked around at everyone in confusion.

"What's going on?" She asked hesitantly.

"Jules…" Ben started.

Juliet's gaze shot to Blair and Dan, and then the laptop behind them. Everyone watched her face go from confused to panic. She turned immediately and dashed out the loft door.

"Juliet!" Ben and Serena both yelled running after her. Dan and Blair both followed.

Juliet ran out the front door and down the sidewalk, with Ben and Serena close behind. Juliet got to the end of the block, when a black van pulled up front of her, causing her to freeze and back away. Two large men emerged and pulled her into the van.

"BEN!" Juliet screamed.

"JULIET!" Ben yelled desperately. He tried running faster leaving Serena behind but he was too late. The van closed the door and took off with his sister, her screams fading away in the distance. Ben fell down on his knees on the side walk and began to sob. Serena caught up with Ben and dropped down next to him, in effort to comfort him. Dan and Blair finally caught up. They were all in shock.

"What the hell just happened?" Blair finally said.

Ben looked up at Blair.

"I recognized the man in the front seat. He is part of the Russian mob. We served together in prison. He got out about a year ago?"

"But why would the Russian mob take Juliet?" Serena asked in disbelief.

"I have no idea!" Ben sobbed again. "She must owe them money."

Serena looked up at Dan and Blair in shock.

"Chuck must have promised her money to help her get out of trouble." Blair spoke softly turning to Dan. Dan nodded agreeing with Blair. He could tell that Blair felt some guilt as he did. Maybe if they would have looked deeper into why Juliet did what she did, they might have been able to help her instead. Dan knelt down to Ben.

"Ben we will help you get Juliet back."

Ben looked up at Dan.

"How?"

"Chuck." Blair said softly. "Unfortunately his connections run good and bad at Bass Industries."

"No I don't want to involve him!" Ben shook his head. "I have old contacts and friends from prison that could lead us…"

"Lead us where Ben?" Serena finally spoke up. "No. I won't have you go back into that life style. The people you're talking about are real criminals."

"Who could help." Ben said desperately looking at Serena. "She is my sister Serena. Don't tell me you wouldn't go above and beyond for Eric."

Tears flooded Serena's eyes and she nodded.

"Why don't we just go to Chuck and see what he can do." Dan offered.

"If he will do anything." Blair frowned.

"And if he won't help, then you can do what you want Ben." Dan finished.

Ben seemed to think about this for a moment.

"Fine."

XXXXX

"This is a surprise." Chuck glared walking into his living lounge to find Blair, Dan, Serena, and Ben. "And a special one at that to see you Blair."

Blair glared and moved closer to Dan, who put an arm around her, with a warning glace at Chuck. Chuck seemed to enjoy that and laughed as he walked over to his bar and poured himself some scotch.

"Don't flatter yourself Chuck. This is a business visit." Blair shot coldly.

Chuck turned and gave Blair and heated stare. Serena jumped up before Chuck and Blair could start another fight.

"Chuck we know you brought Juliet back to mess with Dan and Blair."

Chuck paused and took a sip of his scotch.

"And what brought you to assume this?"

"Chuck we have a recording of Juliet talking to you." Serena sighed annoyed. Ben shifted uncomfortably next to Serena.

"You have to admit it was inspired. Calling in the only girl who was able to out scheme you and Blair, but desperate times called for desperate measures." Chuck reasoned staring at Blair and Dan. Dan was trying to keep his temper at bay but Chuck was making that difficult.

"Well, you failed." Dan said from across the room. Blair looked at him concerned. She could hear the slight anger in Dan's voice and she lifted her hand up against his cheek soothingly. Dan turned and looked at Blair, a smile appearing. It made Chuck sick.

"What deal did you make with Juliet?" Ben suddenly spoke up. Chuck turned seeming to see him for the first time.

"Ah. You would be Ben?" Chuck smirked.

"What did you offer Juliet?" Ben asked again impatiently. Serena stepped closer seeing Ben losing his cool.

"Your sister acted of her own free will, but money of course. Everyone has a price." Chuck replied dryly taking another sip of his scotch.

"Did you blackmail her? Use anything against her?" Ben asked stepping closer to Chuck. Chuck looked Ben up and down as if trying to decide if he was a threat.

"Even if I did, why would I tell you?" Chuck sneered. Ben started to shake. Blair shot up from Dan's embrace.

"Chuck! This has gone far enough! Juliet is in real danger and you are going to tell us what you know!"

Chuck looked Blair up and down impressed but annoyed at her outburst.

"Humphrey has really softened you hasn't he? Caring about Juliet's wellbeing? Who knew Blair?" Chuck replied calmly.

"It's called having a heart Chuck." Dan said standing up next to Blair, wrapping his arm around her waist. Blair selfishly loved that Dan was being that possessive in front of Chuck.

"I have one, but only a select few get to see that…and more. Isn't that right Blair?" Chuck replied back. The last part of his statement hinting around seductive. Blair felt Dan tense. Serena stepped in.

"Enough Chuck. Do you know about Juliet having anything to do with the Russian mob, or anyone from the Russian mob?"

Chuck's eyebrows shot up in surprise and his glare softened.

"I just knew she was desperate for money Serena, and I used that to my advantage. As far as who she owed it to, I assumed it was for school, but then I guess I was wrong." Chuck paused a second looking at Blair. "Now if you excuse me, I have some company awaiting me."

Chuck walked off towards his bedroom without looking back, and Blair found herself instantly disgusted.

"I'll contact a friend in the morning." Ben spoke up after Chuck exited.

"I was wishing you didn't have to." Serena frowned turning around and hugging Ben.

"Chuck is lying." Blair said glaring at Chuck's bedroom door. "I know him and he knows more about Juliet."

"Even if he does, he isn't going to tell us. He has made that clear." Dan sighed pulling Blair into a hug which she gladly accepted.

"I could make him talk." Blair said looking up at Dan. "You know I could."

"Blair I am thankful that you want to help, but Chuck isn't interested in helping, and I'd rather have people who were involved." Ben answered softly.

"But I could get information at least." Blair tried to reason.

"No." Dan shook his head.

"Don't you trust me?" Blair asked shocked pulling away a little from Dan.

"Of course I trust you Blair, but Chuck is too desperate right now and it's him I don't trust. I don't want you anywhere near him." Dan answered softly but pulled Blair possessively closer to him. She wasn't going to lie, she loved this new side of Dan that was protective and possessive but in her gut she knew that Chuck was lying and knew more. More importantly she knew he was hiding something and it was eating at her.

"Okay." She sighed leaning up and kissing Dan. She would let him win for now, but if she could help bring Juliet back for Ben and Serena, she wasn't about to give up that opportunity. She felt a little responsible for not looking a little deeper into why Juliet was working for Chuck and just assumed the worst. She owed it to Ben and Serena to help bring Juliet back. If Chuck did know something, she would be the only person to get it out of him. Little did she know, that was what Chuck was banking on.

So what do you think Chuck is hiding? Do you think Juliet really owed money to the mob and is in danger or is continuing a scheme? What if she is in real danger? Is Chuck trying to lure Blair in? And if yes then what does he have up his sleeve? Thank you for all the awesome comments for last chapter! It truly does make me want to write more! Comments welcomed!