I'll Be Seeing You

Rated: T

Title taken from "I'll Be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday

Chapter title taken from "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" by Ella Fitzgerald

Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl, etc. You know the drill

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"Are you the mother of Blair Waldorf?" he asks Eleanor solemnly.

The group falls silent as their eyes focus intently on the doctor. Eleanor nods.

"Well Mrs. Waldorf, Blair suffered an epidural hematoma as a result of the accident. What that is, is basically bleeding between the skull and the brain." He pauses as Eleanor's expression turns to that of shock. "We were able to diagnose and treat it right away, however. The blood was aspirated - removed - and she is now in recovery. The surgery went remarkably well, actually."

Eleanor lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh my god," she says, happy that her daughter will be okay. Lily laughs and wraps her arms around Eleanor. Serena winks at Chuck with a small grin as she walks back to her seat next to Nate.

Nate pats Serena on the back and says happily, "Told you it'd be okay. Blair's a fighter."

The doctor clears his throat and the chatter subsides. "Miss Waldorf has sustained other injuries, however. She's got several broken ribs and a broken leg. Obviously she has many cuts and contusions, and additional damage may be observed after she wakes up."

Chuck's head snaps up and he eyes the doctor suspiciously. "And what are you insinuating?"

"Well with brain injuries, memory loss or aphasia may occur. We won't know if Blair is suffering from either until she wakes up."

Chuck chest tightens again at the sound of her name. "When can I see her?"

Nate eyes Chuck from his place near Serena. "He means, when can I see her? I'm her boyfriend."

Chuck turns his head to glare at Nate, who is furiously returning the stare. Nate's fingers dig into the cushion of the chair. Just who does Chuck think he is? Nate muses. Serena senses the tension between the two and clears the uncomfortable silence, laughing nervously, "What they both meant to say is, when can Serena see her?"

The doctor clears his throat again and looks at Serena. "You, Miss, can see Blair whenever you'd like. Within visiting hours, of course. She's resting in the ICU, room 302. Are there any additional questions?" Everyone shakes their heads and the doctor leaves.

Eleanor gets up. "I'm going to see my daughter," she announces. Lily embraces Eleanor once more and picks up her purse.

"And I'm going to a late dinner with Rufus." Lily waves goodbye to the group and leaves.

After Lily's and Eleanor's departure, Serena stands up and puts her hands on her hips. "Chuck, Nate, what the hell was that? Can you guys not be civil to one another anymore?" she scolds them.

"Seems someone is a little insecure here," Chuck answers, gesturing towards Nate. Serena shakes her head knowingly, as if to say "Yeah, you!"

Nate stands up and says furiously, "You know what Chuck, you've done nothing but try to ruin what Blair and I have! I gave you the chance to tell her you wanted to be with her, and you didn't, so I don't know what else you want me to do! I'm not going to sit around and watch you destroy our relationship! I'm just not!"

Chuck rolls his eyes and smirks. "Actually, Nathaniel, I could have Blair in the back of my limo again any time I want and you know that. The only reason you two are together is because I don't want her. I told her that this afternoon." Chuck doesn't mean to say that but the words just keep coming out. Venomous speech is his only defense mechanism (other than fleeing to Bangkok, of course). "I would comfort you and say second choice isn't that bad, but I've never been anything less than first."

Nate's voice is calm now, controlled. "Really, Chuck? You don't want her? Then tell me why your fist collided with a mirror after you found out about the accident? Tell me why I heard you crying like a fucking baby with the water running?" Nate doesn't pretend to know why Chuck keeps lying to him. "Typical Chuck Bass," he continues, "says one thing and does another. You don't tell her you love her but you're acting on the contrary, dude. Quit denying what everyone already knows. This is the last time I will tell you this: If you don't want to man up and actually be with her, then stay the hell away, because what Blair and I have is perfect."

So Nate had heard him earlier today. Chuck's mind races for answers. He settles for stating the obvious. "Perfect?" he snorts, "What you two have is anything but perfect. You like the manufactured Blair, the person Blair pretends to be to make you happy. You don't know the first thing about the real her, Nathaniel."

Oh, Chuck knows the real Blair, alright. He knows every very last inch of her. He knows that she snores when she sleeps. Does Nate know that? No, Blair is embarrassed and won't lay in bed with him long enough to find out. Chuck also knows that she paints her toenails according to her mood. He found that out the night he found her purging in her bathroom.

He stands outside of her door, listening to her retch. "Open the door Blair," he threatens, "or I will bust it down." Still, the retching sound persists. So he takes a few steps back and lunges against the door with his shoulders, again and again until the door opens. The tiny brunette stands in front of him with her head held high.

She crosses her arms and says defiantly, "I'm fine, you know." Her watering eyes tell a different story.

Chuck eyes Blair. He knows exactly what she needs. "Come here." He holds his arms open and she hesitates before throwing herself into them, her tears drenching his new silk shirt. He doesn't care. She opens her mouth to speak and he shushes her, saying, "No need to explain. But you are beautiful Blair. I want you to see what I see." He guides her to her soft, queen-sized bed and lays her down.

He kneels at the foot of the bed and grasping Blair's small feet, rains sweet kisses over her silver-painted toes. "You." Kiss. "Are." Kiss. "Perfect." Kiss. He loves worshiping her like the goddess she is. It feels natural to him.

A giggle springs from Blair's lips as she sniffles the last few tears away. "Want to hear something funny? My toes are silver today because I've been feeling invisible lately. But tomorrow I think I'm going to paint them Tiffany box blue."

Chuck looks up, amused. "Why Tiffany box blue?"

"Because Tiffany's makes me happy and... so do you." Blair smiles warmly, before pausing and saying quite seriously,"If you tell anyone what I just said, I'll have to kill you."

Chuck replies, "My lips are sealed." He pauses, and smirks. "Yours, on the other hand -"


"Don't say another word if you treasure your life!" Blair shrieks, hitting him over the head with a pillow.

Chuck is shaken out of his thoughts by a smack on the back of his head courtesy of his step-sister. "You guys, please, calm down! This is a hospital, we can't get kicked out before we get to see Blair!" Serena squeals, hitting Nate in a similar fashion.

"Chuck isn't seeing anyone tonight." Nate remarks sullenly. If looks could kill, Chuck would have the dark blond dead on the hospital floor.

Just now, Eleanor comes into the waiting room. Her eyes are red as if she had been crying. As she picks up her purse and departs, she tells the teenagers that it's okay for them to go visit Blair now. Serena stands up. "Alright I'm going to see my best friend. When you guys decide to quit acting like children, you should join me." Turning on the heels of her Manolos, she makes towards room 302.

Nate and Chuck are left alone to face one another. The tension is thick in the air as Nate coughs and gets up. "Uh... Listen, Chuck," Nate runs his hands through his hair, "I'm going to see Blair. I'd rather you don't come with me."

"Wasn't planning to." Chuck snaps.

Chuck starts walking towards the hospital doors. He shoots Nate one final, biting glare and exits the hospital. When his limo arrives in the parking lot, Chuck gets in, opens his flask, and swallows its contents. Scotch always did make him feel better. Resting his head on the back of the seat, he says to the driver, "Park somewhere. We aren't leaving until I get to see Blair."

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Wow, longest chapter yet! By the way guys, let me know if you guys think the story is moving too slow or if you like it at this pace. I'm on the fence as to whether I want to speed it up or not =/

xoxogg4lifexoxo: Ah! I'm so glad that you're able to get wrapped up in my story. I feel like I need to crank out chapters faster knowing that readers like you enjoy it so much!

laxer77: I would be awfully cruel if I had killed her off. Wouldn't make for much of a story!

LetMeIn1812: Wishful thinking? Wishes come true you know!

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UP NEXT: Visits and visions.