Chapter XIV
Some Room Only We Know
Chuck had gone up to the suite, though his instinct told him he was unlikely to find Damien and Serena up there. True to form the place was empty, save for Eric lying on the couch with his ipod plugs in his ears. The younger boy looked up at Chuck's entrance, his brow creasing at the sight of the nefarious boy who had been MIA the rest of the school day.
"Hey," he said softly, his face quizzical as he pulled one plug out of his ear and sat up. "Is something wrong?"
Chuck thought with amusement that of course Eric would immediately think something was wrong with the voluntary sight of Chuck in their family suite. He considered alerting the younger boy of the situation, leaving the whereabouts of Serena to his capable hands, but he dismissed that thought. He still felt like he owed him one, and Chuck always paid his debts.
"No," he managed to reply smoothly. "I was just looking for Lilly."
"Mom?" Eric looked speculative, raising one eyebrow.
"Yes, I feel apologies are in order. You don't happen to know where she is do you?"
"Uh…her and Bart went out for dinner or something…" Eric was still reeling at the idea of Chuck wanted to apologize to an authority figure.
"Huh," Chuck grunted absent minded, surprised his father was home. Typically Chuck was the last to know of course. "I've got things to do…I'll see you."
He didn't wait for the other boys reply, turning on his heels and pressing the elevator button whose doors immediately opened. He took out his mobile as soon as they slid shut, pressing a familiar button and placing it on his ear. The sound of Sharon, the front desk receptionist filtered through.
"This is Chuck Bass. I was just wondering if you could tell me if Damien Daalgard has rented a room tonight?"
"Mr Chuck I'm not sure if…" she hesitated, Chuck repressed the urge to roll his eyes. Whenever his father was in town the staff hesitated in fulfilling his less than ethical requests, which on other occasions they didn't seem to have a problem with.
"Would it help if I told you I found his phone at the bar and merely want to return it to him," Chuck explained smoothly, adding a hint of impatience in his tone to show her he wasn't going to be polite for much longer.
"Well…if that's the case..I'll just look it up," he smirked at her hesitant acquiesce. "He's rented out room 173," she produced a few key taps later.
"Thank you," Chuck supplied with, it always paid to be polite with useful help. He hit the engaged button, looking darkly at the phone. Obviously Damien had been hoping to get lucky tonight, and had no scruples about how sober or willing Serena was.
He pressed the button for the fifth floor, maybe harder than necessary as small shooting pain stabbed at his finger. Cursing he withdrew it, ignoring the numbness he turned to his phone, scrawling through his contacts to find a long unused number.
"Hello," a female voice sounded through the phone.
"Theresa," he intoned, trying to ignore accusing brown eyes that kept swimming to the forefront of his mind.
"Chuck…I wasn't expecting to hear from you again," she didn't sound entirely unhappy, Chuck was thankful that at least this trist had ended amicably.
"Are you working tonight?" his mind was functioning a mile a minute, trying to come up with a plan B if this one failed to produce any results.
"Yes…do you w-" she began, he didn't hear the rest, relieved this was going to be easier for him.
"Good, I need a favour," he said, getting straight to the point and showing her this was mere business. Chuck Bass never did do overs, he was strictly a one time, been there done that kind of guy. At least he used to be until a certain limo ride…But that was an isolated incident. "Do you still have that useful key card of yours?"
"I could get into a lot of trouble for that kind of favour…" she said, her voice lowering to a whisper.
"Please I'm the boss's son," he scoffed. "Besides I'll make it worth your while, I heard you wanted to get in on the club scene?"
He could tell she was contemplating it, weighing the pros and cons. He waited impatiently, tapping his foot and checking his gold watch.
"Okay, when do you need it."
"Come up to the fifth floor, room 173 right now," he said brusquely, not aware how much like his father he sounded right then.
"You're lucky I like you," she replied dryly. He didn't bother to reply, merely engaged the call and proceeded to watch the yellow light moved down each number as the elevator descended. He sure as hell hoped this wasn't all in vain and he got there in time, otherwise he'd be seriously pissed.
Theresa was waiting for him outside room 173, dressed in the Palace uniform. His eyes grazed over her automatically, but he wasn't really paying attention. He immediately zeroed in on the key card she was holding up in her smooth hand. He reached out confidently and plucked it from her fingers, she didn't resist, looking at him with curious eyes.
"Do I want to be around when you're using this?" she queried, her eyes flicking to the security camera hidden by a smooth black dome of glass in the corner of the hallway.
"Probably not," he said, smirking confidently though he was itching to enter the room. "I'll get it back to you as soon as I'm done. And I'll make sure your application to Club 30 is moved to the top of the list."
"Happy to help," she said, her lips curling up in a satisfied smile. "Maybe we can meet up sometime."
"Maybe," he muttered, completely disinterested but deciding not to give his usual cutting dismissal, not while she could call Bart about his sons suspicious behaviour. She turned and headed for the elevator, putting an extra sway in her walk that Chuck didn't even notice. When he heard the elevator slide shut he let out pent up air, quickly going to the door and sliding the key card along the lock. Without a second thought he swung the door open, entering the hotel room.
It was a generic one, smaller than his suite obviously with a little kitchenette and living area decked in neutral colours. They were both empty, some noises coming from the half closed bedroom. Chuck immediately made his way there, trying to keep quiet, it wouldn't do to warn Damien or any drugged up friends he may have, especially if it turned out Serena wasn't even here. He paused at the doorway, glancing through the crack exposed as it lay partly open. A Rolling Stones song was playing softly, Chuck tried to repress rolling his eyes, all thoughts of the clichéd soundtrack leaving his head as he saw Serena lying on the bed with her hair tangled and one of the straps of her dress fallen off her shoulder. Her eyelids were flickering, her hands moving weakly trying to feebly push away Damien who was lying next to her attacking her neck with his lips.
"No…" she groaned, hardly coherent but obviously distressed as she turned her head away as he tried to envelope her lips.
"Come on baby, don't be like that," Damien said, grabbing her hand and pressing his face to hers.
Chuck had seen enough, bile rising to his throat. He threw the door open, roughly he grabbed Damien by his shirt pulling him off Serena and toppling him onto the floor.
"What the hell," Damien yelled, looking up at Chuck with wide eyes, Chuck noticed his pupils were dilated, obviously he was high. He scrambled to his feet, his shirt buttons were undone, hanging half off his shoulder. Chuck sneered at him.
"You've got five minutes to get out of here before I call security," he said, his voice dangerously quiet as he held up his phone. He had contemplated doing it before he came, but he knew Bart would be made aware of the situation and by proxy Lilly. One rule that held between the four Upper East Siders, in war time or peace, was to never call the parents in an emergency. It's one they all strictly adhered to over the years, some having to exercise it more than others.
"What…Are you against a guy and a girl having some fun now Chuck?" a small amiable smile plastered on Damien's face as he recognised his fellow drug buddy. "You seemed all for it last weekend."
"There's a basic requirement for the girl to be conscious," Chuck drawled, trying to keep his cool. Even among Lotharions like him there were certain standards. Never pretend more then you were willing to give, never forget protection, and never partake in something with an unwilling or unconscious partner, strictly for legal reasons of course. He tried to ignore the vague memories he had of that night with Jenny Humphrey, or that time in the kitchens with the blonde girl now lying helpless on the bed. The memories along with the guilt were blurry with unusually high amounts of scotch and coke, it hadn't been a good time of year for him.
"Chuck Bass the knight in shining armour huh?" Damien scoffed, unwittingly reflecting Chuck's own thoughts. He began buttoning up his shirt, the mood was already killed. Chuck watched him, his jaw tight. "I guess I should thank you. She was a bit too out of it for my liking anyway. I'll be seeing you again Serena," he called softly to the bed, smirking in an unpleasant way as he looked at the leggy blonde curled there who had no idea what was going on.
"Come near her again, and I'll make sure you get put away," Chuck stated, his eyes darkening.
Damien didn't like this threat, his amicable smirk leaving his lips as he glared at Chuck, his mood turning. He stepped forward, his dead blue eyes trained on Chuck.
"What, do you think I'm not good enough?" he hissed, cocky. "All I need is her alone somewhere, a bit of the good stuff, and she'll be all over me. I can have that stupid whore anytime I want."
Chuck didn't know what overcame him. Maybe it was the fact he called Serena a whore, and the only person who could do that in anger was Chuck. Maybe it was the fact he made Chuck wonder uneasily if this was what he had been like that night, high with Serena, that other night drunk with Jenny, and he hated the thought. Or maybe it was just because Damien's cocky attitude pissed him off. Regardless of the reason Chuck found his fist rise in an arch hard and fast and slam into Damien's face. He heard something crack and repressed a curse, feeling the satisfaction of knowing he had done more damage to Damien then the other boy had done to him, as blood spurted from Damien's nose and he cried out, reeling back with the force and pain.
Resisting the urge to cradle his hand Chuck glared at Damien, giving him his best poker face as the other boy made to come after him.
"Try it and a sexual assault charge won't be the only thing you'll have to worry about when security gets here," he snarled.
Damien hesitated, then like a typical coward he decided better of it, settling for holding his nose and trying grabbing up his jacket which he'd left on the floor near the door.
"You're not worth it anyway," he spat, Chuck ignored the jibe, smirking as Damien kept a wary eye on Chuck as he backed through the door and then high tailed it out of the room.
As soon as the door slammed shut behind him Chuck grabbed his hand, allowing himself to feel the shooting pain go through his wrist. He hoped he hadn't broken it, tested moving it and with relief found he could with only a small amount of pain. Sprained then, which meant no unsightly cast and awkward questions would have to be addressed. With that concern out of the way he cast his eyes to Serena, who had been oddly silent through the whole volatile scene, though it was unsurprising considering how out of it she had been.
Chuck felt his stomach drop slightly as he saw Serena was lying on the bed, eyes closed, her chest barely rising and falling.
"Serena," he snapped, remembering what Blair used to do in these situations he went to her side, tapping her face sharply. "Serena wake up."
"Mhmmmm," she groaned indistinctly, weakly turning her face.
"Shit," Chuck swore, slapping her again this time slightly harder and trying to get her to open her eyes. He wondered how much Damien had put into Serena's glass, a lot by the looks of it.
Chuck kept on tapping Serena, who was responding weakly, trying to keep one eye on her while he pressed number one on his speed dial.
He resisted the urge to snap it shut impatiently at the fourth ring, waiting a while longer. His patience was rewarded as the ringing abruptly stopped.
"Drunk dialing again Bass?" Blair answered flippantly. He could hear the pounding beat of some club music through the phone, some curious girls voices in the background. Of all the nights for Blair to go out, this was not the best.
"It's an emergency," he answered her question with an urgent tone, trying to keep his cool as Serena flopped helplessly as he shook her lightly with one arm. "Serena. You need to get here right now, room 173 the Palace."
"I'll be there as soon as I can," Blair said gravely. She didn't bother to question him further for the details, or even suspected it was a ploy. They all took the word emergency seriously. Chuck continued to shake Serena with one arm, trying to keep her semi conscious as he furiously typed an sms with his other. He knew Nate wasn't going to pick up a call from him right now, but hopefully he'd read the sms. He kept it simple: Emergency, Serena. Room 173 the Palace. As soon as it sent he threw the phone carelessly onto the empty side of the bed.
He turned his full attention on Serena now.
"Serena, talk to me," he snapped, for some reason feeling annoyed at the naïve blonde who long ago should have realised not to trust people, especially men. His frustration heightened as she didn't even groan this time, her eyes rolling in the back of her head so only the whites could be seen.
He cursed again, grabbing her long limp body up now, and ignoring the pain in his wrist, he dragged her towards the bathroom. He really hoped this worked, otherwise he may have to break the golden rule of silence after all.
"What's wrong Blair," Penelope immediately interrogated her with a malicious smile and overtly curious eyes. "Is Chuck harassing you?"
Blair knew immediately that as soon as she left the news that Chuck had called her would be going straight to Gossip Girl. She couldn't do much about it right then however, writing a mental memo to herself to make sure to humiliate Penelope next chance she got.
"It's nothing," she replied negligently for now, not bothering to look at Kat, Iz or Penelope as she began to mentally chart the best possible routes through the gaps in the crowd towards the exit. "I have to go."
She saw Penelope open her mouth to barrage her with some more questions, but luckily someone bumped them both, dancing enthusiastically. Seizing her opportunity Blair waved at her minions sweetly, then quickly turned and rushed out. Immediately all thoughts of them out of her mind as she contemplated with dread what Serena had gotten into now.
"This is the third night you've invited Nate to eat with us," Rufus commented from his place on the couch. The blonde boy had made his excuse an hour earlier, Vanessa pulling him away for dessert. She would take no for an answer, despite Dan's pressing to stay longer, in the hopes he could eventually weave in an invite for Nate to sleep over.
Though Rufus was open hearted and sympathetic to Nate's situation, even he was beginning to become suspicious of Dan's great enthusiasm to play a fifth game of scrabble. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me son?"
"So? He's uh…a nice guy. I wasn't aware we were having a food shortage or something? Although chilli for a second night in a row Dad?" Dan began to babble, as he fitfully collected the dirty plates, barely taking a breath in his usual awkward demeanour.
Rufus watched him slightly bemused, as did Jenny from the kitchen counter.
"You know what I think," the younger blonde girl pronounced mischievously "I think Dan has a man crush."
"Hardy har," Dan glowered at her as he moved around the counter and allowed the dishes to clang loudly into the sink. "I'm sorry if some of us are just trying to do a good turn for a friend. I mean, the poor guy is living off microwave meals, but fine I won't invite him over it upsets you both so much."
"Hey, hey no need to get defensive," Rufus said standing up and stretching. He supposed Dan would tell him the problem soon enough, probably something about a certain blonde, he was having similar problems of his own in that general area and could empathise. "I think I'll head to bed, that third game of scrabble really took it out of your old man. Don't forget to do your homework and brush your teeth."
"Dad please," Jenny said rolling her eyes at Rufus' lame joke.
Dan just nodded his head absent -minded as he buried his hands in soapy water and scrubbed the dishes, trying to figure out how he was going to help Nate, without letting him know he was helping him. If there was one thing the socially awkward Dan was aware of, it was that guys had their pride, and on no uncertain terms were you allowed to openly off them help, as stupid as that idea was.
"I think Nate left his phone here," Jenny commented just as Dan finished putting the last plate in the draining board and turned off the taps. He turned, glancing at the sleek blue compact phone she held up in her hand. "I wonder what's on here." she looked at the screen with burning curiosity.
"Hey, hey, didn't anyone tell you snooping is rude?" Dan said, quickly wiping his wet hands on his jeans and plucking the phone from Jenny's navy blue nails. I'll give it to him tom-"
He was cut off by the buzz of the phone in his hand. Automatically he glanced down at the screen, a message had popped up. A small picture of Chuck smirking with Nate was next to a speech bubble containing small black print. Dan was going to look away and shove the phone in his jeans pocket away from temptation, but he caught the familiar letters of Serena's name. His eyes widened as he read it in full, his stomach plummeting. What did Chuck mean by emergency? Was Serena okay?
"Who's snooping now?" Jenny demanded, pouting at the injustice.
"I…I've got to go," Dan said, making the split second decision, not even hearing Jenny. He absently shoved Nate's phone into his back pocket, heading for the door.
"What? Why?" Jenny demanded, her curiosity sparked.
"If Dad asks I've gone to Vanessa's, be back soon," he said, not glancing back, grabbing his jacket from the hook along the way.
"But Dan," Jenny called after him, he was already out the door however, his heart racing with unspoken fear as he ran down the stairs.
When Blair got to the door of the room with the shiny 173 on it she sent Chuck a quick message, just two words, I'm here. The door was open a few seconds later. She paused , his usually coiffed hair was ruffled, the front of his shirt was damp. His face looked like the definition for disgruntled.
"Where is she?" Blair asked after taking in his appearance, pushing past him authoritatively.
"She was almost unconscious, I got her in the shower-"
"You didn't leave her there did you?" Blair asked, quickly heading for the bathroom. She knew Chuck would be smarter than, but it didn't hurt to check.
"No," Chuck said, his voice slightly annoyed. "After proceeding to flail around getting us both soaking wet, and ruining my silk shirt by the way, she began to vomit." His voice was slightly disgusted, Blair couldn't repress a small smile at the tone. Chuck had heaved out the contents of his stomach on a number of occasions, but someone else's was another thing entirely.
"Good," she commented as she headed for the sound of the heaving girl. "At least she's getting it out of her system."
She by passed the bedroom, noting the ruffled sheets, and paused at the bathroom door. She glanced down at Serena, who Chuck had left sprawled by the porcelain bowl with her long legs tangled under her, retching into the toilet.
"You could have tied her hair back," Blair scolded slightly, quickly bending down near Serena and holding the long locks back.
"With what?" Chuck queried, exasperated. He had been holding her hair back himself, but he was loathe to admit that to Blair.
The retching subsided and Serena's face emerged at that moment. She looked wrecked, her eyeliner was smudged, making it look like she had dark shadows. Her hair was tangled, still dripping, and her dress clung to her.
"B?" she exclaimed weakly, her voice raw as she looked at Blair in confusion.
"Hey sweety, everythings going to be okay," Blair intoned softly and soothingly, rubbing Serena's arm, immediately in best friend mode. Chuck watched her, this was one facet of Blair's character that few were ever privy to.
"Gosh, I'm so cold," Serena sighed absently, wrapping her arms around herself, a small shiver wracking her body.
"It's okay, we'll get you something dry to wear," Blair soothed, looking up at Chuck questioningly." Do you know what she took?" she didn't bother asking why yet. Serena didn't always have to have a reason to go off the rails, sometimes it just happened.
"She was roofied," he replied, waiting for the explosion.
Blair looked up at him stunned, her face frozen for a second. Before she could react however an insistent knock came from the door.
"I texted Nate" Chuck said by way of explanation, heading for the door and leaving the shivering Serena to Blair. He was appreciative that the blonde boy had put aside their argument. Of course, he thought spitefully, he didn't expect anything less of the Labrador loyal Nate, who probably would have dived off a bridge for Serena. Then again if he was honest with himself Nate probably would have done the same for Blair and him too, though he had never felt the urge to test the theory.
It was a bit of a shock when he opened the door and Dan Humphrey walked right through into the suite, his eyes raking through across the room in desperate search of Serena.
"Dan, what are you doing here?" Chuck asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. It was a testament to the experience they had shared the other night that Humptey Dumpty had turned to Dan.
"I uh…Nate left his phone at my place and…Is Serena here? Is she okay?"
"She…" Chuck in a rare moment was lost for words, unsure of what path to take. He wasn't sure whether to lie to Dan or tell him the truth.
"She's in the bathroom. You don't happen to have any spare clothes with you do you Humphrey?" Blair queried pertly, standing at the door of the bathroom with her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised.
"Spare clothes?" Dan demanded, his eyes widening, resembling saucers.
"She had to have an unexpected shower. I trust you know your way up to her suite. Go get something, make it something warm," Blair commanded like one expecting to be obeyed.
"Hey, hey wait a second, what happened? What's going on here?" Dan demanded himself, not wavering at her dark eyes.
"Clothes first, questions later. Unless you want Serena to get hypothermia," Blair snapped, eyes flashing at the question to her authority. Chuck guessed she was buying them some time, wanting to get Serena cleaned up a bit before Dan saw her. Even if they told Dan what had happened, it would be more likely that the Brooklynite would pass the calculation stage and go straight to wanting to use the responsible party as a punching bag. They didn't need a heated head right now, first they needed to take care of Serena. If Dan saw her after a quick face wash and damage control, perhaps they could have some time to evaluate the best course of action while he fussed over her.
Catching Blair's eye Chuck nodded imperceptibly, letting her know he understood she wanted Humphrey out of her hair, for Serena's sake as well as her own. He supposed that it would be advantageous to accompany Dan as well, to ensure Eric didn't get a hint of the turmoil below. The younger boy didn't need to worry unduly.
"I'll go with you. But I guess you and Serena would prefer it if you went through her closet, though if you'd rather I did…" he leered at this, making Dan's decision for him.
"Fine, but after that you'll tell me what happened," Dan stipulated, giving both Chuck and Blair searching looks.
"Fine, now go," Blair said, shooing them with her hand then quickly disappearing into the bathroom as Serena began to retch again. Dan hesitated at the noise but Chuck took him by the arm firmly, pulling him towards the door.
"Don't worry, Blair will take care of it," he assured Dan with supreme confidence as the other boy glanced back with a furrowed brow. "Now, I don't suppose you could show me where my sis keeps her delightful underwear."
Dan shook his arm out of Chuck's, mouth open slightly at the other boys smirk. In the end he decided not to deign the inappropriate comment with an answer, instead shaking his head and heading for the elevator.
By the time Dan had managed to find Serena a nightgown and dressing gown for warmth, while Chuck made inappropriate quips, it took them fifteen minutes to get back to the 173. Blair had locked the door to the bathroom, rather ominously Dan thought, and merely snaked an arm out to grab the clothes before she slammed it shut again. The sound of running water muffled any other sound within. So while Dan stood at the door anxiously, Chuck explored the room more fully, confident that if Blair needed help she would call out.
He didn't have to go far to find what he was looking for. Smirking as he spotted the rectangular piece of plastic lying on the wooden dressing table. Taking the card he picked up the plastic phone, dialling the familiar number without even having to glance at the menu. Why not have some fun while they waited?
"Hello, I'd like to order a bottle of Dom, a truffle sandwich and some mint scotch…and a plate of waffles." He added that last bit in grudgingly as Dan glanced at him. "Just charge it on the account for the room." With those clear directions he put the phone down, smirking satisfied.
"You're seriously ordering room service at a time like this?" Dan asked disbelieving. He though he had discovered an inner layer of Chuck Bass last night, but maybe he was just a shallow jerk.
"Damien left his room card here," Chuck explained over patiently, holding up the shiny piece of plastic. "Which means he didn't sign out, which means whatever we order from this room is going to be charged to his account." He thought the other night that perhaps Dan Humphrey wasn't such a loser as he'd first imagined, but maybe he should just stick with his first impressions.
"Wait, Damien from school? What does he have to do with anything?" Dan asked.
Before Chuck could formulate a vague answer the bathroom door opened. Blair was dragging a wildly swaying tall Serena out, now clothed in a dry nightgown.
"A little help here wouldn't go astray," she hissed, missing Nate who was always good with the physical labour part of things. Dan rushed forward a beat later, Chuck stayed where he was beside the dressing table, figuring that he'd give the other boy something to do. Besides now he didn't have anything to occupy him his wrist was beginning to ache again.
Between Blair and Dan they managed to get the exhausted Serena into bed, as soon as her head hit the pillow she sighed and her eyes closed, easing into a natural sleep now her body had expelled most of the toxins. Dan pulled the covers over her without Blair even having to ask, tenderly brushing some of the hair off her face. Blair watched him with an almost approving look, while Chuck looked away, trying to keep a scornful look on his face at the open display of affection, cradling his aching wrist absently.
"Are you okay?" Blair queried, her voice hushed as she looked over at Chuck and frowned slightly at the sight of his wrist.
"Fine," Chuck muttered, he hated any sign of weakness, physical or otherwise.
"No you're not," Blair hissed, coming to stand in front of him she grabbed his wrist non too gently, examining it. It was slightly swollen, one of his knuckles split from the impact with Damien's nose. "What happened?" Blair queried as Chuck winced at her probing fingers.
"I punched Damien," he said lowly.
"Again, what does Damien have to do with this?" Dan demanded, looking up.
"Shhh," Blair hissed as Serena stirred uneasily. Dan glanced down at her with worry, then looked up at the two frowning. "His wrist needs some ice, watch her." Blair commanded, grabbing Chuck's arm and dragging him out of the room, clicking the door shut behind them before Dan could protest.
"If you wanted to be alone with me that badly all you had to do was ask," Chuck smirked. Blair didn't retrieve her hand or snap at him, merely ignored the jest, turning to him with earnest eyes once they reached the kitchen.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"I thought we were here to put ice on my wrist?"
"What did he do to Serena?"It had to be something pretty bad for you to punch him."
"What makes you think I punched him for her?" Chuck sneered, knowing the right inflection wasn't in his voice. He hated how Blair assumed he was some sort of white knight like Nathaniel, didn't she know he was one of the villains? "The guy just pissed me off."
"Fine, whatever," Blair dismissed his lame excuse. "But what did he do?"
Chuck sighed, rubbing his head and feeling suddenly very tired. He was in sore need of a drink right then, he wondered how long it took for room service to get to the common man's rooms.
"No ice until you talk," Blair said, her chin set stubbornly as she glared at him.
"You're a hard bargainer Waldorf," he drawled.
"I only play with the best," she conceded.
Dan sat by the bed, alternating his glances between Serena, and to the hotel door where the soft muttering of Blair and Chuck's voices were filtering through. He contemplated bursting through the door and demanding an answer from the deviant two, half out of his chair. Just as he resolved to do so Serena moved slightly in her sleep, giving a small whimper. The pathetic sound decided Dan and he slumped back into the chair with a woosh of air, his eyes trained on the soft face of the sleeping blonde.
Serena's brow was furrowed, her eyebrows drawn in a distressed line. Without really thinking about it Dan reached out, gently brushing his fingers over her forehead as if to wipe away her distress. She moved her face towards him again, a small smile curving her lips. One hand reached up restlessly in her sleep, touching his fingers and freezing him.
"Dan," she murmured sleepily, her voice hoarse, her eyes still closed.
"Yes Serena?" he finally decided to reply.
Serena didn't respond, a smile just curved her pink lips, lighting up her face, her brow smoothing. She murmured something, now gripping his fingers with her hand lightly and pulled him towards her, her eyelids fluttering. Dan hesitated for a second, but she seemed quite insistent, and he suddenly felt exhausted. Gently and with a few pauses he lay down beside Serena on the bed, not even bothering to take off his shoes, even though the sheets were probably more expensive then his whole wardrobe.
Serena's smile grew wider, she rested her head on his chest, instinctively snuggling closer to him, curving her bodies with his. Dan unconsciously snaked his arm under her, falling into the familiar position. He glanced down at her face, smiling slightly. She looked so beautiful right then, a small satisfied smile curving her lips, her chest rising and falling in a feather light pattern of sleep.
A yawn suddenly forced Dan's jaw open, his eyes drooping slightly as the warmness of their bodies and the steady sound of breathing. His eyelids grew heavy, and he thought he'd just rest his eyes, just for a second…
By the time Chuck had explained everything, and Blair had reigned in her own temper, about half an hour had passed. Blair had gotten the ice from the fridge and surprisingly gently placed it on Chuck's wrist, and they had begun formulating plans of attack, all of which were very elaborate and somehow ended with Damien's gruesome death. Chuck was appreciative that Blair did not bring up his own misdemeanours in this area, and he tried not to think of them himself. After all they had been isolated incidences, just those two when he had been unusually high and drunk, even for him. Just two occasions, where he had stopped….eventually…The thought didn't make him feel any better. He occupied himself with immediate action, ordering as many pornos as he could to the room, then turning the volume down and the TV around so it faced the wall (out of respect for Blair). It was even better than the room service, seeing as Damien's father or better yet mother would probably get the bill.
Blair and him laughed over it as they opened a bottle of Dom and shared a drink together. He wondered if perhaps they were stalling as they shared another glass. Perhaps they didn't want to have to face Serena when she woke up, and explain to her the events of the night before, make them all think about what could have happened. He didn't really care though, he hadn't spent this much time with Blair, like this, in what seemed like forever. It was nice, and he almost wished it didn't have to end. Of course she was Serena's best friend, and after they finished the last drops of their second glass she rose, grabbing the plate of waffles.
"What are those for?" Chuck queried, watching her lazily as she headed for the still closed bedroom door.
"I just thought Humphrey might be hungry…What? It's like doing charity, he probably eats those packet waffles you get from a store," Blair protested at Chuck's raised eyebrows.
"Don't tell me he's growing on you," Chuck mock sneered.
"Please," Blair shuddered, as if the very thought was horrific. She opened the door and entered quietly, after a second Chuck got up and followed. The room was dim, the only light filtering through the open door where they stood. The rectangular crack illuminated the curled up Serena on the bed, and lying next to her, with her head resting on his chest, was Dan. Chuck moved away awkwardly after a second, feeling like he had been intruding on some sort of intimate scene. Blair followed him, closing the door quietly behind her and placing the plate of waffles carefully on a coffee table nearby.
"What's that smile for?" Chuck immediately attacked as Blair had a soft look in her eyes and a small smile curling her lips.
"I'm not smiling," she protested, quickly turning it into a scowl. "Really he could at least have taken off his shoes, he's getting Brooklyn dirt all over the sheets."
"Since when have you been so concerned about the helps work?" Chuck queried, slightly amused.
"I've always been concerned about the less fortunate," Blair sniffed. "Especially if they have to clean sheets which have Brooklyn all over them. Anyway since when have you punched people, should I be concerned you've caught Cabbitch Patch-itis?"
"Inventive," Chuck smirked, heading towards the mini bar and avoiding Blair's interrogative gaze. He tried not to examine why he had bothered in the first place, how his motivations had something to do with a year ago when he was the threat to an inebriated Serena... It wasn't worth thinking about.
He grabbed the door with his bad wrist, forgetting too late and wincing, pulling back as the small shoots of pain went through it.
"You should put the ice pack back on it," Blair scolded, coming forward and taking his wrist again. Chuck looked down at her bent head, noticing how her brown curls were loose, not as perfectly formed after struggling with Serena. She still looked beautiful however, perfect in her imperfection. His throat felt suddenly dry, he felt a familiar electric pulse running from her soft fingers up his wrist.
"What?" Blair asked, an odd awkward soft smile on her lips as her brown eyes glanced up and caught his hazel ones fixated on her.
"I…I uh…" Chuck stumbled, for once unable to think of any kind of witty remark, his throat feeling tight and his stomach lurching. Before words could escape from his lips without his leave the door to the bedroom suddenly opened, making Blair drop Chuck's hand quickly as if she had been burnt.
Dan stood in the doorway, looking bleary eyed at the two of them uncomfortably, his black hair sticking up.
"What Humphrey?" Blair snapped.
"Uh…Serena's awake," Dan said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck and feeling like he had interrupted something intimate.
Both Chuck and Blair shared a look, anxiety in both their eyes, though to Dan they looked completely composed.
"All right then," Blair finally said, her fingers reaching up to straighten a headband that wasn't there. She walked past both Chuck and Dan and headed into bedroom, Chuck followed reluctantly after a second, Dan close behind.
A/N: Sorry it took so long. I've been without internet for weeks, plus moving and uni D =. Thank you for the reviews. Review this chapter and give Chuckles a hug = ).
I've written the next two chapters so R&R please = D.