I was fine tuning this so it would be the best it could be.

I want to get to 220 replies so I need at least 11 people to reply to this chapter.

Speaking of replies, this chapter is for Krazy4Spike as she was my 200th reply. Thanks sweetie!

My beta is awesome.

One week 'til new GG. Yes!

And Kendall? I love Carmine's too.

Ch 22

Blair tucked her hair behind her ear as she adjusted one of the place settings again, as the perfectionist in her was not happy with the arrangement.

"Blair, stop it. The table looks perfect," Eric told her as he came into the dining room. "I'm beginning to wish Chuck had stayed. Maybe then you wouldn't be this nervous."

"I'm not nervous," Blair protested and then sighed at Eric's look. "Okay, fine. I'm nervous. Your sister, my best friend, is going to be here soon, and we have to tell her that you've been living here, we've been lying to her, and that her step-father is basically a ticking time bomb who is living alone with your mom who is in the line of fire."

"All the more reason for you to calm down," Eric advised. "Besides, this is a great spread. You should be able to enjoy it since you made it."

Blair smiled faintly at the praise and then looked at the food on the table.

"So, what's this in our bowls again," Eric asked as he took a seat and eyed the unusual looking concoction before him.

"It's called Cinnamon-Maple Quinoa," Blair told him. "It's an alternative to oatmeal."

"Looks good," Eric nodded, though his voice wasn't nearly as convincing as his words were meant to be. "And we've got muffins and cinnamon buns, right?"

"Right and for our hot entrée we have Bacon and Egg Cups. They're made with whole wheat tortillas," Blair checked her watch. "They'll be coming out of the oven the same time Serena walks out of the elevator, assuming she's on time."

"Blair, what time did you get up this morning," Eric asked.

"Four-thirty," Blair admitted with a sheepish grin.

"Sit," Eric ordered.

"I am not a dog, Eric," Blair frowned at him.

"Sit down anyway," Eric commanded. "You are unnecessarily overexerting yourself."

"I am not," Blair grumbled as she sat down.

"B, just listen to me for a second, okay?"

Blair nodded.

"You're my sister as much as Serena is, and I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Good. So, please know that since I love you I have no desire to see you end up back in the cardiac unit of the hospital. I realize that everything you're doing now and everything you did last night was because you wanted to see things go smoothly, but you need to let us help you," Eric told her.

"So, I should've woken you up and asked for your help?"

"Yes or you could've gone back to sleep and just ordered room service this morning," Eric reminded her.

"I did order something."

"What?" he inquired as he looked at the spread, not believing her.

"I asked Arthur to go the nearest twenty-four hour market and get me a watermelon."

"And that's for," Eric asked as he looked around for what could possibly contain the fruit she had mentioned.

"Watermelon punch," Blair smiled.

"I'm having Chuck tie you to the bed tonight."

"You can't do that," Blair frowned.

"Why not?"

"He'd enjoy it way too much," Blair snickered.

"Bad, bad images in my head," Eric groaned as he leaned forward and rested his forehead on the table while Blair giggled.

"What do you expect, Little E, this is Chuck we're talking about," Blair continued laughing. "You're just lucky I'm on medical restriction, or you'd most likely have a lot more than mental images to try to remove from your head."

"Which reminds me to find a new place to stay when those restrictions are lifted," Eric grumbled, "Do you think Chuck could spare a room downstairs?"

"For you, he'd probably spare a suite," Blair assured him. "But hopefully, you'll be going home long before that happens."

"I hope so," Eric frowned. "As grateful as I am to you and Chuck, I miss home. I miss my bed. I miss coming home to Mom's hugs. I miss Rufus' waffles."

"I know, E," Blair reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"What am I missing," Serena inquired as her clicking heels broke through the somber tone she'd walked in on.

"Rough morning," Blair smiled sadly as she squeezed Eric's hand again before she rose up to hug Serena.

"Start explaining," Serena demanded as she hugged her brother.

"I don't feel safe at home anymore," Eric admitted as the trio took seats at the table.

"How long has this been going on," Serena asked gently.

"His mood swings started just after Jenny died. It was understandable. He'd just lost his daughter, and he was grieving so I ignored it at first. Then he began drinking, a lot more than was normal for him, at breakfast, when he was home for lunch, at dinner. I even found a few cheap liquor bottles in the garbage at his gallery. I was asleep one night when I heard a sudden crash. I found Rufus in the living room standing over the broken vase with his head in his hands. Upon seeing the wild look in his eyes, I returned to my room and locked the door as he advanced towards me."

"You should have told Mom," Serena chimed in, "Not run here."

"I did," Eric responded quickly. "I told her about the vase and his drinking, and when he put his fist through a wall instead of through me. I told her every time his behavior escalated. She waved it off as him grieving. She kept saying that he just needed a little more time, but I couldn't wait any longer. I knew that if I stayed it would only be a matter of time before that fist connected with me and not the wall, and I was not going to allow myself to become a human punching bag."

"Eric," Serena gasped as she got off her chair and ran to hug him.

"Please don't be mad at Blair and Chuck," Eric replied tearfully. "They were only trying to help."

"If it makes you feel better, I felt really guilty about not telling you," Blair said. "And I kept it from Chuck too."

"But . . ." Serena looked at her in confusion. It was obvious from the previous evening that he knew what was going on before Rufus entered the penthouse.

"I told him," Eric explained, "He took me out for a night on the town, Chuck Bass style, and it just came out."

"Chuck Bass style?" Serena asked for clarification.

"Strip club," Eric admitted, "But with a twist . . . a male strip club."

"Only Chuck Bass," Serena rolled her eyes.

"He said they make a good chicken marsala," Blair smiled.

Serena laughed, "Of course they do."

"Serena, I don't know what happens now but I have a feeling Chuck might go talk to Mom."

"Last night he was out of control," Blair added as her mind flashed back to the previous evening. Her hands began to quiver at the memories it stirred.

Eric automatically reached out and gave Blair's hand with a squeeze.

She smiled slightly as she squeezed back, giving him a silent thank you of support.

"We need to do something," Serena chimed in.

"Maybe you should let Lily know that you know," Blair suggested. "And maybe we should tell Dan."

"You haven't told Dan? It's his father," Serena looked surprised.

"How do we tell Dan that his father is one drink away from hitting his own wife?" Blair inquired.

"Quickly," Eric answered.

Serena and Blair nodded in agreement.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Chuck walked into the van der Humphrey apartment and looked around. There was no sign of Rufus but also no sign of Lily.

"Hello," he called.

"Charles, is that you?" Lily inquired as she ambled down the staircase.

"Are you alone," he asked as she came into view.

"Yes, Rufus is at the gallery," Lily nodded as she hugged him in greeting, "Is something the matter? Is it Blair?"

"Not directly but she's involved. We had a dinner party last night with Serena, Nate, Eric, and Elliot because Elliot wanted to meet more of Eric's family. About halfway through Rufus showed up and he was drunk."

"That's impossible," Lily frowned, "He was at the gallery until very late working on a new exhibit."

"Why would I make this up?" Chuck responded.

"I'm not saying you would but why would he go to your apartment?"

"To collect Eric," Chuck said. "He apparently has become tired of his childishness and wants him to move home. When we refused, first he tried to move past me to get to him, then he threw a vase and missed Serena by an inch, and finally he tried to go after Blair.

"Lily, I can't allow Rufus anywhere near my family, not like this. He woke my children. He frightened the love of my life. Blair was so upset that she was trembling. She was flashing back to the shooting.

"If he's ready to go after Blair, how long until you're next?"

"Oh my God," Lily managed as she sat down on the sofa. "Is Serena alright?"

"She's fine. He missed her. But Lily, if she'd entered a moment sooner," Chuck shook his head as he allowed himself to realize that Rufus could've killed or seriously injured his step-sister.

"I have to call Dan," Lily realized.

"Yes, and you need to get him some help. It's time for the rock n roll star to start living up to the rock n roll life and enter rehab."

"Did you have security hold him," Lily asked.

"No, I had him tossed out of the hotel," Chuck said. "But if you want I can have charges pressed against him so that he can be held somewhere."

"No," Lily responded quickly, "It's best for everyone to keep this out of the papers. If he's at the gallery, I can confront him there and get him help."

"I'm coming with you," Chuck told her.

"Charles," Lily shook her head. She was touched by his offer, but she didn't think it was necessary.

"If you think I'm letting you go alone you're crazy."

"We're all going," Serena chimed in as she, Eric, and Blair came into the room to hear the tail end of the conversation.

"And since I drew the short straw," Eric said, "I called Dan."

"No, Eric," Lily shook her head.

"He needed to know," Serena told her.

"And I'm the one that should have told him," Lily replied.

"You're a little late, Lily," Blair replied. "Dan's leaving the cafe in the capable hands of our employees and coming on the next train. Nate's picking him up. He'll be here within the hour."

"I should have done something when this first started," Lily groaned as she put her head in her hands. "It should never have gotten this bad."

"It'll get better, Mom," Serena put a hand on Lily's shoulder. "If Rufus refuses to get help, you're coming home with me to the Waldorf's."

"Refusal isn't an option," Lily responded, "Either he gets help or he's out of here. I've put you and Eric through enough over the years."

"But for now, we wait for Nate to call," Blair said as she went to Chuck's side. "The twins are with Dorota."

Chuck leaned over and kissed Blair's cheek softly and whispered into her ear, "Did breakfast go okay without me?"

"Yes," Blair nodded. "Serena actually liked the Quinoa."

"You're kidding," Chuck stared.

"It was good," Serena defended herself.

"You always had a different palate," Chuck shrugged his shoulders.

"You said you liked it when I made it for you," Blair tapped his shoulder lightly.

"I did," he responded defensively.

"I don't believe you anymore," Blair pouted.

"I swear," he whispered into her ear as he nibbled lightly.

"Hey impressionable youth in the room," Eric reminded them. "Knock it off."

"You should be taking notes," Chuck paused for a moment, "Both of you should. This is how you romance a significant other."

"By mauling her in front of your family?" Serena inquired.

Blair laughed at Serena's question and the slightly disgusted expression on Eric's face, "I think we better behave, Chuck. I wouldn't make out with your in front of Daddy or Mom. Lily deserves the same consideration."

"Thank you, Blair," Lily shook her head.

Blair heard Chuck's low growl of disappointment as he put a safe distance between them.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise," she told him as she stroked his chin lightly.

"I have no doubts about that," he smiled at her.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"How did you not think to tell me about this sooner," Dan asked of Nate.

"Hey, don't yell at me. I didn't know until last night," Nate defended himself as the cab came to a stop in front of the gallery. He paid the guy, and they got out. Chuck's limo pulled up behind them.

"I cannot believe it's as bad as everyone says it is," Dan shook his head. He believed what Nate told him about the previous evening, but surely he would have know if things were as bad as he was being led to believe. This was his father.

Blair got out in time to hear Dan's statement, "He was ready to come at me last night just to get to Eric, Humphrey. He threw a vase and just missed hitting Serena square in the face. We could be having this conversation in a hospital waiting room."

"I believe you," Dan assured her, "But I should have seen this. I should have been here to help him through this."

"You have your own life to worry about. Did Dorota meet you at the station?"

"Yes, and she took Jonathan back to your-to the Waldorf's," Nate said.

"Are you ready for this?" Serena inquired as she put her arm around her ex-boyfriend to comfort him.

"No," he admitted, "But it needs to be done."

"Remember, it's an intervention," Lily reminded everyone, "Under no circumstances do we allow him to leave, unless he's agreed to treatment."

"Dan," Eric motioned to him.

"I have them," Dan held up the keys. "If he tries to leave, we're locking the door."

"Stand behind me," Chuck said to Blair.

"I'll stand behind Dan. You stand in front of Lily," Blair said before she kissed him.

"No, you stand behind me," he repeated. Though he didn't think Dan would let his father harm anyone, but he couldn't be sure.

"Okay," Blair nodded before she slid her hand down his arm to take his hand with hers. "I'm here and I'm with you, okay?"

"I love you," he told her as he brought her hand to his lips.

"I love you, too."

Slowly everyone began descending towards the building.

Blair took Eric's arm and pulled him closer to her, "You stay with me, okay?"

"Aren't I supposed to protect you? I am the guy."

"I'm playing big sister," Blair told him.

"And you're a very good big sister," he smiled.

"Thank you," Blair smiled before she sobered up when they all entered the main room of the gallery. Rufus was at the counter.

"Rufus," Lily said to call his attention.

"Lily," he responded in surprise, the word slurred by the alcohol he had consumed.

"Rufus, it's not even eleven o'clock yet," Lily said. "And in case you haven't noticed, I'm not alone."

"What is everyone doing here?" Rufus inquired as he came around the counter and attempted to stand before them all, though he had to use the counter to keep his balance.

"We're here to get you help," Dan stated as he stepped towards him.

"Help with what?" Rufus inquired, "If it's here at the gallery, I'm going to decline. I'm not so sure I could use any help that any of you could offer." He began chuckling at the joke he thought he'd made.

"Dad, your drinking is out of control," Dan responded as he recoiled at the smell of his father's breath.

"So, I drink a little bit more than I used to. So what," Rufus waved it off.

"Have you been sober in the last month," Serena asked. "Or have you been drunk the entire time?"

"What difference does it make," Rufus shrugged.

"The difference is you put your fist through a wall instead of hitting my little brother," Serena hissed.

"It makes a difference to me," Lily said, almost in tears. "I've loved you since we were teenagers, Rufus. I hate seeing you do this to yourself."

"The difference is you almost broke your step-daughter's face with a vase," Nate added.

"The difference is you went after Blair last night," Chuck chimed in.

"The difference is I'm afraid of you," Eric added softly.

Blair put her arm around Eric and pulled him close.

"The difference is, I don't want my son having a drunk for a grandfather," Dan said. "You're better than that."

"The difference is, we all care about you, and want you to get help," Lily replied, "We know you're grieving Jenny's death, but the drinking and lashing out is not helping. It needs to stop."

"You have no idea what I'm going through," Rufus yelled as he advanced towards her. Both Nate and Dan stepped in to keep him away from his wife. "You have no idea what it's like to lose a child!"

Chuck reached forward and pulled Serena back behind him as Rufus got closer. His brotherly instincts kicked in immediately.

"You think Jenny would want this for you," Blair asked. "You may not want to hear it from me, but I'm telling you anyway. I've never lost a child, but I recently lost a parent and it happened in a way that could've been prevented had I done something differently. If I'd come here instead of her visiting me there, or if I'd come home sooner, or if I'd never left at all. I live with that guilt every day, Rufus and it would be so easy just to let my life go to hell around me, but my mom wouldn't want that for me and Jenny wouldn't want this for you."

"You are the last person who could tell me anything about what my daughter wanted. If it wasn't for you, she still would have been here in New York. She wouldn't have been anywhere near that explosion," he yelled, "If it wasn't for that asshole who couldn't keep it in his pants, I'd still have my daughter!"

"She made her own decisions that night," Serena defended Chuck.

"He forced her into his bed," Rufus scoffed.

"Jenny had every chance to walk away," Chuck assured them all. "She could have walked away at any time. I was almost begging her to."

Rufus made a move towards Chuck.

"Rufus, if you touch him, not only will I call the police, but our marriage will be over."

"How can you stand here and disgrace my daughter," Rufus growled as he got into Chuck's face, but not close enough to force Lily to make good on her threat.

"I'm telling you the truth," Chuck didn't even flinch. "Whether you want to believe it or not, Jenny's decision was her decision. I'm not proud of it. It cost me the most important thing in my life, and too many months with my own children, but it happened. I'm not going to apologize to you for it. The only person I need to apologize to, I have, and she's accepted my apology. Blaming me is going to change nothing. Jenny's gone. It was a horrible tragedy, but it's happened. As horrible as it is, we have to move on. You have to move on.

"The drinking isn't going to make the pain go away. It's still there when the alcohol evaporates."

"What do you know about what I'm feeling?" Rufus hissed.

"I've been there," Chuck told him, "I was in your place when my father died. The only difference is, you know Jenny loved you when she died. I don't know if my father loved me ever."

"Rufus," Lily pulled him around to face her, "Jenny loved you and she knew that you loved her. Yes you were angry at each other and things weren't perfect when she died but things are never perfect and we always have regrets when someone we love leaves us. But we can't let our lives fall apart."

"You need help, Dad," Dan added.

"I don't need help," Rufus shook his head, "I just need my family, what I have left."

"We can't help you," Lily replied, "Not right now. We'll support you, and be with you every step of the way, but we can't fix this for you. Only you can help yourself."

"Dad, I want you in my son's life but not like this."

"My mom's gone. Chuck's birth mother is gone. Lily's the only grandma they have and I won't let them visit her at your house until you get help," Blair said.

"They're amazing children, Rufus," Eric stated, "They'll love you."

"But I want them to know you. The you that raised Dan and Jenny. The you that makes waffles on Sundays. The you that Lily fell in love with when she was a teenager."

"And this isn't him," Lily told him as she rubbed his shoulder softly.

Rufus flinched at her touch. The motion brought tears to both their eyes. They'd fought so long and gone through so much to be together. His drinking was tearing them apart.

"I'll do it," Rufus conceded finally, "Whatever I need to do, I'll do it.

"I need my family."

"The Ostroff Center is willing to take you immediately," Lily said quietly. "I brought a bag for you."

Rufus nodded as he wrapped his arms around her. They both cried softly.

"I'm sorry, Lil," he whispered.

Blair reached out and touched Nate's shoulder. He looked at her.

"Call a cab," she mouthed.

Nate nodded as he stepped out of the room to make the call.

"Dan, we'll meet you back at my mom's house, okay," Blair said, knowing he'd want to stay with his dad as long as he could.

Dan nodded as Blair took Chuck's hand and motioned for Eric to follow them out. This was a time for Lily, Dan and Rufus. Everyone else needed to step back. They'd done their job.

"The cab will be here in about fifteen minutes," Nate told them once they joined him on the sidewalk. "What happens now?"

"Rufus gets help and hopefully he comes out on the other side of this okay," Blair said. "But right now, I want to go to my mom's and hold my children."

Chuck nodded as he opened the limo door for her. "That is the best idea you've had all day."

"You guys coming," Blair asked of Nate, Serena, and Eric.

"I'm gonna go catch up with Elliot," Eric said. "He wanted me to call him after everything was over."

"And Nate and I need to talk," Serena responded, wanting to give Blair and Chuck time to themselves.

"Call me later," Blair told Serena. "Eric, you want a ride?"

"I'm gonna walk," Eric said.

"Be careful," Chuck told him.

"Yes, Dad," Eric rolled his eyes.

Chuck shot a glare at his brother before he followed Blair into the limo, closing the door behind him.

Blair leaned back against the seat and looked at the passing scenery of the city as she played with the charm around her neck. As she dropped it and rested her hand over her heart she felt the lace of the camisole she'd put on that morning under her sweater. She thought of another time she'd worn something lacy in this limo and couldn't help but say, "Thanks for the lift."

"You were amazing up there," he couldn't resist the urge to add.

Blair giggled, "That's one memory I keep very close to my heart."

"Show me," he challenged her as he pulled her flush against him, his ear to her chest to hear the pulsing beating of her heart.

"You did really good in there," Blair said quietly as she traced a line down along Chuck's jaw.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all of that...again," he sighed.

"It's behind us," she assured him, "But it doesn't mean it's in the past for everyone else."

"I am very sorry," he responded.

"It's behind us," she repeated as she put her fingers to his lips. "I meant it when I said I'd never bring it up again."

"You're being too easy on me," he sighed.

"No, I'm not," Blair shook her head. "Lily and Rufus weren't the only ones in that room who fell in love when they were teenagers. I think I loved you before I even knew it. I know I loved you before I ever admitted it to myself or you. If you had died in that alleyway last summer, I don't know that I'd be that much better off than Rufus is right now."

"Yes, you would," he assured her, "You are the strongest woman I know. You can get through anything."

"We were so screwed up when we were shot," Blair sighed as she rested her head on top of his. "You thought I never wanted to see you again, and I was afraid to see you again."

"But it's behind us now, right?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Good," Chuck smiled against her skin. "God, what I wouldn't give for a time machine right now."

"Why?"

"I'd go back and tell myself not to let you go home alone that night."

"I have a better idea, how about we go ahead in time to after my restrictions get lifted," she teased, "I think it's time we stopped looking at our past and look towards our future."

"Good point," Chuck nodded. "But I think we should take it easy the first time after you get the green light. I don't want to damage you."

Blair pulled back and smiled at him, "Chuck Bass is protective. Who knew?"

"Now, you do," he grinned.

-x-x-x-x-

"Dennis Quaid," Chuck stared. "Seriously?"

"I like this movie," Blair said as she made herself comfortable on the couch. "I must have watched it like ten times while I was pregnant."

"Really," he asked.

"Yes," Blair frowned at him. "Now are you going to stand there or come sit with me?"

Chuck took a seat on the couch next to her and was happy when she snuggled in next to him.

"I actually think you have a lot in common with Dennis' character," she said about ten minutes into the movie.

"Excuse me? I am not a motorcycle riding, Elvis loving, firefighter."

"No, but you are not in love with Donna Reed either."

"Okay, but I will take you and Chinese take-out over her any day," Chuck teased.

"If you start singing, I'm going to kill you."

"Elvis really isn't my thing."

"Nah, you're more the Johnny Cash type," Blair smiled at him. "Dark, brooding, handsome."

"Thanks," Chuck smirked.

They turned their attention back to the movie and Chuck looked at Blair surprised, when she paused it.

"Blair?"

"No guns," she shook her head.

"Excuse me?"

"No guns," she repeated. "I know that the Captain and William took you, Nate, and Tripp hunting a few times over the years but I never want a gun in our house."

"I never knew you were anti-gun," Chuck responded as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"I was shot in the chest at close range by some deranged lunatic that had no business possessing a gun in the first place. This request really shouldn't be too much of a leap," she reminded him.

Chuck moved his hand to where he knew her scar was and lightly traced it through her sweater, "No, I suppose not."

Blair caught his hand in hers, "You know I catch you staring at it sometimes, right? Just like you catch me staring at yours."

"It's a new piece of you to love," he told her.

"People have scars in all sorts of unexpected places," Blair said quietly as her eyes glanced towards his hip as her was able to visualize his recently acquired scar. She decided to shift their conversation towards their original topic. "Did you inherit any firearms from Bart?"

"Yes," he nodded, "And I'll have them removed first thing tomorrow morning."

"Donate them to a museum or hand them in to the local police station," Blair said. "I'm sure Bart's collection has some antique pieces in it."

"I don't remember," he sighed, "It's been years since I remember actually looking at them."

"I just don't want our children ever thinking that guns are something that they should have in their home. Even though I know my mom grew up with them in her house. I can remember an old hunting rifle hanging above the fireplace at my grandmother's house. It was my grandmother's Grandfather's."

"A relic from a war long ago?"

"Probably," Blair nodded.

"If you don't want guns in our home, then there will be no guns," Chuck promised. "To be honest they don't thrill me either. I kept them because they were my father's."

"You know, thinking back, you never looked all that thrilled when Nate would remind you of the annual hunting trip that he'd managed to get Howard and William to agree to let you go on," Blair recalled as she looked up at him.

"Enjoying the outdoors and physical activities not including anything horizontal isn't really my cup of tea."

"That is one thing we never tried," Blair smiled as she snuggled in closer.

"What's that," Chuck asked curiously.

"Noisy sex in a public place," she smirked.

"Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day."

"Maybe later," Blair unpaused the movie and they went back to watching it.

Chuck reached over to grab the remote. While he knew she was enjoying the movie, he couldn't focus enough to appreciate it with her. "Perhaps we give Dennis Quaid another evening of our life."

"What do you have in mind?" Blair inquired as he turned off the movie while she turned towards him.

"How about we go cuddle up with our children for a while longer," he suggested. "And then perhaps later, cuddle up with each other."

"They're down for the evening," she reminded him. "And I still have those pesky restrictions."

"I said cuddle," he repeated, "There are ways to cuddle without it progressing to sex. We managed for this long already."

"But for how much longer," she thought out loud, not really intending on him answering her.

"For as long as it's necessary," he told her as he turned her gaze so she could see the seriousness in his eyes.

"Do you promise not to wake the children?" she demanded.

"Yes," he nodded.

"Then let's go," she replied as she stood up swiftly and pulled him along as they went in to be with their children.

Chuck went immediately to Sabrina's crib to pick her up as Blair dashed over to Sebastian. After such a long and exhausting day, it was so wonderful being able to come home to these two angels. It made the world's problems seem less so.