A/N: Sorry for yet another long delay, but finals are coming up soon so I've been busy round the clock. Anyways, I would love to thank all of those that have read, reviewed, favourited or alerted the story. It really means a lot. I would also like to thank teaandrea90 for making such a great video based on the first chapter of this story. It was really good! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
The taxi cab stopped outside of the familiar Waldorf building. Dan grabbed a few bills out of his pocket and hurriedly handed them to the cab driver. He didn't bother asking for change and simply opened the door. As he ran out, he almost forgot to close the door. Thank goodness a small moment of composure had reached his brain. He quickly walked into the building, opening the door for himself before the doorman even had a chance. As he walked to the elevator, the only sound that could be heard was of his loafers hitting the ground every half second.
Stepping in the giant transporting metal box, he pressed the button for the penthouse floor. He heard another pair of feet trying to catch up to the elevator. Like any normal person, Dan pressed the button to hold the doors open. Little did he know he would regret in just a few moments.
There he was. There was Chuck mother fucking Bass standing right there in the elevator. The elevator in Blair's building. He seemed out breath and it was apparent he hadn't changed from his party clothes. Dan stood taller and felt the anger in his eyes seep out. Chuck only ignored him and pressed the button to close the doors. He leaned against the side of the elevator and placed his hands in his pockets.
"You should leave," Dan said, breaking the silence between them.
"Last time I checked this was Blair's building. Not yours," Chuck replied.
"I don't see the point with you. Just because you blew it with her doesn't mean that you have to ruin other's chances at enjoying true love," Dan said calmly.
Chuck felt the cold of the words even before they had reached his ears. There was nothing more shameful and hurtful than the truth. He looked up and watched the lights go from floor number to floor number. In what seemed like ages, the lights for the penthouse floor finally lit up. There was a slight pause before the doors opened.
Chuck walked out the elevator. He could hear Dan's footsteps behind him, but paid no attention. As if on cue, the both of them looked up the stairs. He heard Dan set his briefcase down on a table. Chuck started up the stairs but before he moved up one more step, a firm grip was placed on his shoulders. He turned around and was met with Dan's stern expression.
"Maybe we should go at the same time," he said softly, not to wake up the rest of the household.
Chuck simply nodded and started walking up the stairs again, this time moving over to the side so Dan could walk up beside him. In what seemed like a short distance, the journey up the stairs felt as if they were climbing Mt. Everest. A million questions going through there minds. What would they say? What would she say? Would she ever want to speak to them after that? Or would she want to be with one of them? So many questions yet that answers to not even one.
They reached the top of the stairs. Dan glanced at Chuck but couldn't see a nervous bit on the young business heir. He sighed and placed his hand on the door knob, gently opening the door. The two stepped in and were astonished as to what they saw.
Now normally when one enters a bedroom at night, it is expected to see someone sound asleep. Especially after a night of partying. But this was not the case that night. Blair's bed was empty and no sign of her actually sleeping in it. But that didn't mean she wasn't there.
The two looked around the room. Chuck was ready to give up when he saw a slight glimmer from the closet. Curiously he opened the closet door. After turning on the lights, it had turned out that the glimmer he had found had been coming from a pair of heels. The exact heels that Blair had been wearing that night. Even if he had seen her for a second, he knew he would never forget the way she looked that night.
He walked into the closet, trying to find anything else that would show him where she was. But he came up short and retreated from the closet. He saw Dan looking at him.
"Anything?" he asked.
"Just the shoes she was wearing tonight. She must have come back and stayed or gone somewhere else," Chuck told his and he made his way to the bathroom.
He opened the door and looked around the marble-tiled room. He peered over the garbage can. Nothing. He looked over at the counter and saw the face wash that had been left out. He saw the face cloth beside it, complete with the washed off make-up. She was here, he thought making a mental note in his head. He walked out of the bathroom only to almost collide with Dan.
"Watch where your going, Humphrey," he said.
"I have a feeling she's downstairs. Possibly the kitchen," Dan said, ignoring Chuck's earlier comment.
"Why would she be there?"
"Because even the rich need to eat and I'd hate to be the one to tell you, but small sandwiches aren't enough to fill a stomach," Dan replied.
Chuck resisted the urge to roll his eyes but no such luck. Instead he walked past Dan and towards the door. Dan right on his heels. The two walked down the stairs, making sure they didn't make a peep. Sure enough as Dan had guessed, there was a dim light coming from the kitchen. The two men looked at each other.
"What if it's not her?" Chuck asked in a voice just above a whisper.
"It's got to be her. Who else could be?" Dan answered.
Chuck sighed and placed his hands on the handles. With on more deep breath, he opened the door. The light was coming from the corner, a candle to be exact. A bowl of strawberries were left on the island in the middle of the kitchen. He could see the silhouette of a large, plump figure a few feet near the candle. Chuck felt a smirk starting to grow on his face as he turned around and saw Dan's expression.
"Sorry to bother you, Dorota," Dan said to Dorota as she came into the light.
"It is alright, Mister Dan," Dorota replied as she went to place a layer of plastic cover over the bowl of strawberries.
"Do you know where Blair might be?" Chuck asked.
Dorota bit her lip. She pressed the plastic wraps onto the side of the bowl and made her way to the refrigerator. She opened the door and placed the bowl inside before shutting the door, leaving the only light source to be the candle once again. She turned around and had her hands behind her, intertwined with each other.
"Do you know where Blair is, Dorota?" Chuck repeated.
"I cannot tell you, Mister Chuck," Dorota said.
"Can you tell me?" Dan asked.
"Certainly not you," Dorota said sternly as she made eye contact with him.
Chuck swore he heard Dan gulp out of fear, but decided not to say anything. Instead he kept his attention on Dorota. She stood there strongly. Her eyes meant you couldn't get past her and he knew that. He walked closer, stopping when he was just a foot away from her. He made eye contact before speaking.
"Is she somewhere safe?" he asked.
Dorota nodded her head and Chuck knew that she was done talking for the night.
"Thank you," he said simply before turning and walking towards the door.
Dan stood confused but followed Chuck out, shutting the door behind him. Chuck was now standing at the elevator and the call button was lit up. Dan walked quicker until he was at his side. A moment later the doors opened and the two stepped in. It wasn't until the doors closed in front of them that conversation started.
"Where do you think she might be?" Dan asked, noticing Chuck's expression.
"Somewhere that she feels at home," he said, not making any eye contact with him.
"Home? That could be anywhere," Dan said, leaning against the side of the elevator.
"No, just where she's always felt safe."
Dan turned his head and looked at Chuck.
"Safe?"
"Yes, safe. I don't know, some people just have places where they feel the safest. It's just a place where they go to get away from it all. To clear their minds. To escape," Chuck said softly.
"Do you have a safe place?" Dan asked.
Chuck looked at him, losing his train of thought. He put his hands in his pockets and cocked his head.
"Don't be so sentimental, Humphrey. I said some people, not all people."
"It was just a question. It wouldn't hurt you to answer one once and a while," Dan responded.
"And it wouldn't hurt you grow a pair," Chuck said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Dan asked.
"It means: Grow. A. Pair."
Dan glared at him and felt his body move forward because sooner than he thought he was standing right in front of Chuck Bass and his hands ready to fight. His eyes full of hate and his jaw clenching, Dan spoke.
"Why don't you? Everyone knows you were some lost asshole the moment Blair left for Yale. And now that she's back all you do is be with her instead of spending time with the woman that you supposedly love."
"I don't love Jade and never will. Besides if I don't spend time with Blair, who will? Serena's busy with her new movie. Your sister has that fashion line going on. Dorota cooks and cleans. And what about you? You have work and that apparently comes first in your life-"
"Shut up!"
"It must be more important to you than Blair because obviously you love work and Blair is just second, just the way to you want it-"
"Shut the fuck up! Just shut the fuck up!" Dan shouted.
The elevator doors opened before either could say one more thing. Dan stalked out, while Chuck chose to saunter. He knew he had won the battle. Dan had nothing on him. But it wasn't about these stupid battles. This was supposed to be about Blair.
Blair. There was only one place he knew she would be. There was no denying it.
He walked outside and saw his limo waiting, the exact same spot it had been in just half an hour ago. He looked over and saw Dan shivering over by the side. No doubt trying to catch a cab but having no such luck. Chuck sighed. There was no point in leaving the guy outside. Besides Blair would probably want to talk to him. He was her boyfriend.
"Need a lift?" Chuck called over to him.
Dan didn't respond. He didn't need Chuck's charity. He was perfect capable of handling this himself. But it was cold. Very cold. Colder than he thought it would, but seeing as though he had been inside all day, he should have know. The limo didn't sound like such a bad idea now. In fact it seemed like the only option. He angrily sighed and walked over to Chuck.
"Just take me to Blair," he said gruffly as he slid into the limo.
"No problem, Humphrey."
The familiar sounds of Victrola were surrounding her. She knew she shouldn't be here. She should be at that party and showing the world that she was still Blair Waldorf. But something about Victrola was calling to her. Something about it felt safe and welcoming. Like she had no where else to go.
She found an empty spot at the bar and sat down. The bartender walked by and she simply ordered a scotch on the rocks. He said he would make it right away. She gave him a small showing her gratitude but didn't have the energy for it to last longer. Instead she rested her head in her hand. She felt the vibrations of phone through her purse. She grabbed her phone and looked at the caller ID.
It was Serena. She sighed and turned her phone off. That was the eleventh time she had called tonight. Maybe she should just text back and tell her that she's alright. But that would require energy and frankly she didn't have any left. She checked the time. It was only twelve thirty-four. She groaned and put the phone back in her purse.
Her eyelids felt heavier and heavier as each second passed. The bartender was still busy with her drink. Why did it have to take so long? She could just last out at him, but again that would require energy and she felt being drained out of her. Maybe if she just rested her eyes she'll be as good as new. Yeah, just resting her eyes.
"Victrola? You honestly think she would be here?" Dan asked out of anger as the limo stopped outside the burlesque club.
"Yes. She feels safe here. Now are you going to come inside and be a man or are you going to whine and complain here?" Chuck asked as a smirk grew on his lips before adding. "Like a guy who hasn't grown a pair?"
That got to him. Dan scrambled out the limo and shut the door behind him. He and Chuck stood facing the outside of the building. Dan scolded as a drag queen walked by him. He had only been to Victrola a few select times. He did have to say that he had lost faith in Chuck when the Bass man himself had told everyone about his investment in a burlesque club on the Lower East Side. Of course no one took him seriously. Why should they? He's Chuck Bass buying a slightly more classy strip club. But the club had stayed in tact and even gotten a good review in New York Magazine.
Chuck started to walk towards the door and Dan followed. As they walked into the club, they were met with the dark lights of the entrance. By the end of the long hallway, the lights and sounds of Victrola were in full swing. Performers performing on stage and the rest of the crowd cheering them on. This was definitely Victrola.
Chuck turned to Dan quickly, who seemed to be enjoying the club. Chuck lightly punched his shoulder in order to get his attention. And it worked.
"What was that for?" Dan asked.
"I'll look in the V.I.P. rooms and you check out the dance floors and bar. If either of us finds her, call the other one. Alright?" Chuck said loudly over the music.
Dan nodded in return and went in search of the bar. He was going to need a good drink before attempting to find Blair through the sea of horny New Yorkers. He looked behind him and saw Chuck walking in the opposite direction.
When he reached the bar, he quickly found the bartender and told him his drink order. He looked around for an empty seat, his legs were killing them. He saw one next to a small figure resting her head on the bar. A drink in front of her. Untouched.
The pulled out the stool next to hers and waited. But his eyes kept going back to the girl beside him. Should he do something? What if he didn't and something bad would happen to her? He cleared his throat in hoping to get her attention, but she didn't move an inch. So he patted her arm lightly.
"Miss? Miss, are you alright?" he asked softly.
The girl's head started to move, but she didn't show any signs of wanting to wake up. He sighed and turned to the bartender that was drying glasses.
"How long has she been here?" Dan asked.
"About an hour now. She ordered a drink, and well didn't drink it. Kind of on the quiet side," he replied.
Dan looked back at her. She was in a party dress. Well more like gown according to the size of it and the detail. Probably something Blair would wear. Blair.
Blair. Could it be her? It had to be her, who else could it be? And he was positive he had caught a glimpse of her dress hanging in her closet. His heart began racing faster. He had found her. He immediately put down some money from his wallet to cover the drinks and then proceeded to wake up Blair.
"Blair. Blair. Blair," he loudly whispered into her ears.
"Dan?" she asked in an equally soft voice.
Dan got up from his seat and shrugged off his coat and place it around her shoulders. She lifted her head and smiled instantly. She got up from the stool and placed her arms around him. Even though she was tired as tired as she could be, something about being with the one she loved gave her energy to stay awake.
"I'm so sorry," she said into his shirt.
"What for?" he asked, holding her tighter.
"I ruined it for them. I ruined their relationship," she said as she looked up at Dan.
Her eyes were now glistened with her tears. He felt his heart break. He rarely saw Blair this upset over anything, much less anyone. He smoothed her hair and started leading her towards the exit doors. They felt the party of Victrola behind them and soon found themselves out on the sidewalk. Sure enough, Chuck's limo was still in there. The driver immediately saw them and opened the door for them. Dan helped Blair inside first before getting his phone out.
She's with me. Meet us by the limo.
He sure hoped Chuck got his text before he too climbed into the limo. Blair was sitting on one of the seats on the side. Her eyes seemed drowsy. He moved over to sit beside her and placed her head on his shoulders. She fell asleep instantly. He heard the door open and looked over as soon as Chuck was sitting down in the limo. He looked at Blair and wave of relief washed over his face as he saw that she was safe. He told his driver something and the limo started up.
"Where did you find her?" Chuck asked as he picked imaginary lint off his coat.
"At the bar. She was fast asleep but it didn't look like anyone had been bothering her or anything like that. She didn't even have a sip of her drink," Dan informed him.
Chuck sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was getting tired and the thought of Blair being safe made him a feel a bit better on the inside.
"I don't think she wants to go home," Chuck found himself saying.
Dan whipped his head around at him. Blair's head almost fell off his shoulders, but his hand kept it placed there. He positioned his body carefully so he was looking directly at Chuck, who didn't seem to be paying any attention to him but more to the carpeting.
"Where else are we going to take her?" Dan asked, making sure his voice didn't go over a whisper.
"Maybe a hotel, I don't know. It just doesn't seem like she wanted to go home in the first place, like she couldn't stand it," Chuck replied.
"That was hours ago, she's fine. She's sleeping," Dan said as he moved a strand of her hair away from her face.
"I'm telling you, she would be much better off somewhere else. Let's take her to a hotel," Chuck said before adding. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to her."
Dan sighed before finally giving in.
"Fine," he said.
Chuck sat there and looked out the window. He didn't know why but he had a strong connection with her at this moment. Like he knew what she wanted. No, not a mind reader. Chuck Bass was no fucking psychic. But he knew that if she went home, she wouldn't be happy tomorrow morning. He just knew. He looked over at Dan and Blair.
He was looking at her with worried eyes. He kept fixing the coat he had placed on her. Chuck felt a pang of jealousy come over him. He wanted to be Dan. He wanted to be the one that had found Blair and he wanted to be the one she loved. But he knew that boat had passed and he had failed to get on in time. And that would always stick with him.
He felt the limo stopped and he peered out the window. They were outside the Palace. Fuck!, he thought. He saw his driver appear at the door and opened it.
"Sorry Gus, but just take us back to my place," he said before shutting the door.
"Your place?" Dan asked as soon as the door had shut.
"Yes. There is no party going on and Jade's not there. Besides other than the hotel, no other could compare," Chuck told him as the limo started up again.
"Sure, whatever."
"You really don't like me, do you?" Chuck said as the limo took a right turn.
"I never had a reason to like you. Within the first week of meeting you, you almost raped my sister. You've never treated me with any kind of respect and I highly doubt you ever will," Dan replied.
"I apologized to your sister in the past."
"Good for you, but I still don't see why I have to like you when I can barely stand you. You don't even want to be near me but you deal with it anyway because of Blair," Dan said.
Chuck sat there quietly. For a writer, Dan sure did a lot of talking. Maybe he should be on the radio with his own morning show or something like that. He looked out the window. No sign of the Bass building just yet. He sighed and turned to look at Dan. He was looking in the opposite direction.
"Blair's special to me," Chuck said quietly.
Before Dan could say anything, Chuck began to talk again.
"She saved me from what I could have become. She showed me what I had been missing all my life," Chuck said in a faint voice.
Dan gave him a sympathetic smile before turning his attention back to Blair. He didn't know what to feel about Chuck's comments. Maybe it was because that was the exact same way he felt about Blair.
Chuck opened the door to his penthouse. Everything was neat, no doubt work of the maids. Chuck shrugged off his coat and gave it to the nearest employee. Dan did the same as Chuck turned to one of the maids.
"Make sure you use the Egyptian's in the guest bedroom," he said as they turned away.
Dan held Blair up, but she was still fast asleep. He brought her over to the couch and gently lay her down. He turned to Chuck, who was still standing near them. His eyes on Blair.
"Do you happen to have a night gown or something like that? I'd hate for her to sleep in her party dress," Dan said.
"Yeah. I'll check Jade's stuff," he replied before unwillingly trotting up the stairs.
As he walked away, he felt his heart grow sadder. The thought of not being beside her frightened him. He had been away from her for too long and he couldn't stand it at all. He reached Jade's room and looked through her closet, which was filled with clothes he had bought her. Or so she claimed but it was obvious that she had been taking his platinum out for a spin one to many times. He looked through her night gowns. She had horrible taste since ninety percent of them were covered in a floral print.
He was about to give up when he saw a light pink one. It wasn't too short or too long. Just the way Blair liked it. He took it out of the closet and off the hanger before heading downstairs. Blair and Dan were still in the same spot. Dan looked up as Chuck approached them.
"Will this do?" Chuck asked as he held the night gown.
"Yeah," Dan replied as he got up from the couch and picked up Blair.
Chuck felt yet another piece of his heart break. Dan was holding her wedding style and something about it showed that he would never have that. He started to lead the way to the guest bedroom. The maids had set up the room the way he had asked them to. He put the night gown on the bed and turned to leave.
"Thanks," he heard Dan say as he reached the door.
Chuck stood for a moment before shutting the door behind him. He walked up the stairs and into his bedroom. The clock told him it was one fifteen am. Jade would probably be back a four or maybe just get a room at the hotel. Oh well, it's not like he cared.
As he got ready for bed, he couldn't get the image of Blair out of his head. She was staying at his house but with her boyfriend. It pained him to know, but he let that on. No, he would just keep going on with his life. And as for that talk he had wanted to have with her, it probably wouldn't happen. How could it with Dan around?
He sat down in his bed, in his silk pyjama bottoms. The lamp on his side table was still on. As much as he wanted to have nothing to do with, just so he wouldn't have to deal with all the pain that came with it, he knew he couldn't. He loved Blair Waldorf.