A/N: Yay for a slightly longer chapter and a much quicker update! This chapter was pretty intense to write, especially the ending. Enjoy lovelies.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GOSSIP GIRL
Rated: T mostly for language.
Shoutout to all my reviewers: ana-12, tvrox12, odyjha, ijk*, xoxogossipgirl4lifexoxo, EZ11, joliane, CarolinaGirl21, smartin555, broadwaybaby4205, and ggfanfic-fan
I write for me but I post for you guys, so it's great to know that you are enjoying it :)
She was moving as fast as her feet would carry her, out of the kitchen and into the guest filled entrance hall. She came to a sudden halt as she saw her father nearby. "Daddy, we have to find Chuck." She said as she hurried to him. Her voice conveying the urgency of the situation. "Marcus is on his way here, right now."
These streets
Turn me inside out
Harold didn't ask his daughter why Marcus was coming or even how she knew this, he simply jumped into action. He reached out for Roman's arm as his lover was passing. "Roman, have you seen Chuck?"
Roman shook his head and looked between the petrified faces of the two Waldorf's in front of him. "No, but we'll find him."
And suddenly the three were combing the party, searching for Chuck, with little success. Blair looked back to where she had left him and came up empty once more. Everything was blurring together, the people, the voices, and Chuck was nowhere to be seen. Damn it, where the hell had he gone? Thought Blair as she maneuvered in and around the party guests. A few tried to stop her to talk but she shrugged them off with apologies and assurances of later conversations.
Everything shines
But leaves me empty still
Blair craned her neck to see over the crowd. Why did she have to be so f'ing short? If only she were taller, she might see him. Height became her new mission as she raced towards the stairs, climbing until she reached the first landing. This was perfect; she now had a view of the entire party. Below her she could see the party guests milling around, conversing with one another, and her father, Roman, and now Roland meandering through. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't spot Chuck.
The feeling of arms wrapping around her from behind, both startled and soothed her; it was Chuck.
"There you are, I was beginning to think you'd run off on me." Chuck said into her ear.
And I'll, burn this lonely house down
If you run with me
If you run with me
But Blair was only half listening as she wiggled out of his embrace and pulled him up the stairs.
"What's going on Blair?" Chuck asked, suddenly alarmed. He had seen the look in her eyes; it was one of a deer caught in headlights. Something had gone dreadfully wrong.
Blair didn't stop, she just keep walking, dragging Chuck behind her until they reached her old bedroom. "You wanted to run, let's go, right now!" She said flipping around to face Chuck.
I'll stay with you
The walls will fall before we do
"Now?" Chuck asked anxiously, noting the distress in her voice. "As in right this minute?"
Blair ran to the closet, finding that thankfully some of her clothes had never been moved over. "Yes." She said getting to work on packing everything left in the closet into one of her suitcases that remained behind.
Chuck rushed over to her quickly, grabbing hold of one of her arms and turning her to face him. "Blair, tell me what's going on." He said calmly.
Take my hand now
We'll run forever
Blair sighed, exasperated, couldn't he see that it was important that they go immediately. "Marcus, will be here any minute. Jenny just got through on the phone line. Now go to your room, pack whatever is left, and run with me. As soon as we are out of here, will contact Carter and get fake passports, we'll clean out our bank accounts and we'll hide. We will hide so far away from here that no one will ever find us."
It didn't take longer than five seconds but to each of them it felt like hours of looking into one another's eyes, of coming to the same unspoken conclusion. It was time to run.
I can feel the storm inside you
I'll stay with you
Jenny turned to Nate and whispered so that the driver couldn't hear. "We need to buy them time, we are closing in on the house and I don't think Blair could have possibly gotten Chuck out. Any ideas?"
Nate just gave her a confused look. He was never good in these situations, Chuck and Blair were the plotters and after that Jenny was the only one halfway decent at lying, scheming, and manipulating.
Seeing that her boyfriend was indeed useless in these matters, Jenny turned to Eric. "How about you?"
Eric's eyebrows knit together instantly and within the minute he smiled. "Weren't you saying that you always get carsick after eating airplane food?" He said suggestively inclining his head.
Nate's confusion just increased. "What are you talking about Eric? Jenny doesn't get carsick."
With a quick look a Nate to silence the peanut gallery, Jenny turned her attention back to Eric. He was the smartest one of the bunch and they all knew it. "Eric you're a genius."
"I know." He said smiling. "Now do your thing."
As Jenny leaned toward the front seat to talk to the driver, Nate leaned over to Eric. "Man, what's she doing?"
"Stalling." Eric said, before leaning back. "Now let's just hope it's enough."
"Excuse me, sir." Jenny said, tapping on the driver's shoulder. When he turned his head she continued. "I'm not feeling so well, could you pull over." As luck would have it, they were in the front car so if she could just get him to pull over, it would at very least stall Marcus for a few minutes.
"We're almost there Miss." The driver said as he turned his head back towards the road.
Jenny wasn't taking no for an answer and kept tapping his shoulder. "I know, but I don't think I'm going to make it. I think I'm going to be sick all over these nice leather seats." She whined before making a gagging type of sound.
At the mention of the leather seats being ruined the driver jerked the car to the curb and Jenny opened the door.
What the hell? Thought Marcus as the hired car in front jerked off the side of the road and his own car followed suit. "What's the meaning of this?" Marcus called out as the car came to a stop. The driver in the front seat shrugged. And Marcus glared bullets at him before swinging open his door.
Jenny saw Marcus approaching and knew that she was going to have to make this as real as possible so she slammed her fingers down her throat and relaxed her throat muscles. She ignored the burning painful sensation as all of the contents of her stomach began to empty into the grass. With one heave she was able to remove her fingers. She had always been a sympathetic puker and sight of vomit on the ground was enough to keep her throwing up. She quickly wiped her fingers on the grassy roadside to ensure that Marcus didn't see what she'd done.
"What's wrong with her?" Marcus asked approaching the vehicle. The girl was his least favorite of Blair's friends if one didn't take Chuck into consideration. She always seemed to be sticking her nose where it didn't belong and meddling.
Seeing as how Jenny was in no condition to answer and Nate would only muddle things up, Eric took point on this one. "Car sick." He said, forcing his voice to sound apologetic. "Airplane food and curvy French roads don't mix."
Marcus nodded curtly. "Well, tell her to hurry it up. I'm anxious to see Blair." As he walked back to his car and shut the door, he couldn't help but think about how true his first statement was. He was very anxious to see Blair. Anxious because had missed her terribly over the Holidays and anxious because he had a fear deep in his gut that there was something wrong. And if something was off with them, he was most certainly going to find out what it was.
Fooled by my own desires
I twist my fate
Chuck rushed back into the room, to see Blair quickly scribbling a note on a pad next to the dresser. "What are you writing?" He asked, not knowing what she could possibly say about their future actions. After all, in all actuality, this could be the last words she ever left to her father.
Blair looked up, tears were starting to fall down her cheeks, she wanted to be with Chuck but the price was so high. Unfortunately, she knew that it was a price that she was going to have to pay one way or the other. Either lose Chuck or lose everyone else that was important to her.
Just to feel you
But you, turn me toward the light
Chuck moved over and pulled her to him. He knew that they didn't have much time but he couldn't stand to see her in this kind of pain; not ever. "We don't have another choice now." He whispered into her ear.
"I know." She quietly responded, handing him the note.
He read quickly over it, not taking more than a moment to glance at the words, knowing that they were pressed for time.
And you're one with me
Will you run with me?
Roman was right, I'm running.
All my love,
Blair
Chuck nodded his head at the note, it sounded just like her. It was clear that she had left everything in the first person in the case that Marcus found the note first; it was best to avoid giving him the knowledge that Blair was with him. "We need to go." He said softly, knowing just leaving this room would cause her pain. She was leaving her past behind, leaving it behind for him.
I'll stay with you
The walls will fall before we do
Blair looked wistfully around the room, this was likely the last time she would step foot inside these four walls. The last time she would be in her father and Roman's Chateau. The last time she would ever see them again. She inhaled deeply, stifling a sob in the process. "What if he finds us anyway? What if we give up everything and he still wins?"
Chuck wiped another tear from her cheek. "He won't, we'll run forever if we have to. He's not going to find us Blair; I swear to you." This was one promise that he was whole-heartedly committed to. No matter the cost, Marcus would never find them, never be able to hurt them again. He had done enough damaged already; Chuck refused to let him do any more.
Take my hand now
We'll run forever
After seeing her nod ascent at his words, he motioned for her to follow. He knew that it had to have been longer than five minutes; Jenny or one of the others must be stalling, he thought as he took Blair's hand, leading her out of the room.
They descended the staircase and Blair squeezed his hand, but she stayed strong. They were doing this, they were running; they just had to get out before causing any real attention to be drawn to themselves.
I can feel the storm inside you
I'll stay with you
As they walked through the throng of people Blair spotted Roland and they locked eyes. He nodded at her, letting her know that he understood and she smiled a small smile of thanks, knowing that Roland would lose his job over this.
Just as they were about to reach the door her father appeared by her side. "Blairbear?" He asked the question in his eyes answered by the sadness reflected in hers.
Now come in from this storm
I taste you sweet and warm
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "Goodbye Daddy. I love you." She tried to keep the tears from making a return appearance.
"I love you too Blairbear." He turned his head to Chuck, still holding her tightly. "Take good care of my daughter."
Chuck gave a slight nod and did his best to provide an encouraging smile. "Always."
At that Roman walked up. "Harold, you must let them go. Jenny's just called back; she's stalled as long as she can."
Take what you need
Take what you need
From me
With those words, the hugging ceased, kisses were blown, and Chuck and Blair were out the door. They rushed towards the car. Her father had given it to her for Christmas saying that she needed something to drive when visiting because they were so far out into the country. It had also proved useful for transporting them to and from the guest house.
As they started down the road Blair grabbed Chuck's hand, positioned on the clutch. "We need to stop by the guest house." She said, in a command rather than a question or even a statement.
Wake up this world
Wake up tonight
Chuck looked at her incredulously but he could see the resolve seated firmly in Blair's eyes. Whatever she wanted from the guest house was important enough that she was willing to risk everything. As he looked at her strapless dress he noticed that there was no chain. "Blair, we can get another."
"No." She said resolutely. "There is no other." And that was the final word on the subject as Chuck accelerated quickly towards the guest house.
And run with me
Run to me now
"Let's do this quickly." He said jumping out of the car and helping her out in turn. They didn't have time for hesitation, they didn't have time for mistakes; they had to do this as quickly as possible.
Harold answered the knock on the door already knowing who it was and was unsurprised to see Marcus standing in front of him. The surprise lay in the fact that Jenny, Dan, Serena, Nate, and Eric were just behind. He had known Jenny was with Marcus but had possessed no knowledge of the rest of the guests. "Hello everyone." He said in his best attempt at surprise. "Do come in. I know that Blair will be ecstatic to see you all." As he said this he looked at everyone other than Marcus, knowing full well that if he did look at the evil Prince, he would punch him in the face for what he was doing to his daughter.
"Where is Blair?" Marcus asked, stepping into the Chateau for the first time since the prior summer. It was full of people; the party looked simply enchanting.
Harold knew that he needed to stall as well; give them as much time as possible to make their escape. "I know she wasn't feeling well so if you can't find her down here I would try upstairs."
Marcus nodded and looked around the room, not spotting her chestnut curls anywhere. So he made his way up the stairs, remembering the way to Blair's room. When he reached it, the first thing he thought was that the room was a mess; very un-Blair-like. The second thing he noticed was the note.
What was the meaning of this? Why was Blair running and from what? At that he started back down the stairs. The part of him that had thought that something fishy was going on felt somehow validated as he returned to Blair's father, note in hand.
As soon as Marcus had left Jenny leaned over to Blair's Dad. "Did she get Chuck hidden?"
Harold shook his head. "They ran."
At that, Jenny smiled. Chuck and Blair would finally be together. Just as she had had the pleasant thought, Marcus reappeared brandishing a piece of paper.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked, swinging the paper in Harold's face.
That's when Harold realized that his daughter must have left him a note in case she didn't see him on her way out. He quickly read the note before making a nonchalant suggestion. "Well I believe that Blair has been a little tense the past couple of days. Roman suggested she take an evening run out to the guest house to clear her mind and spend the night out there. I suppose that she has taken him up on the suggestion." Harold said with a shrug.
Marcus glared at the man before him, not really believing the words that he was saying but hoping desperately that they were true. With that he stormed out of the house and walked over to one of the hired cars, still there waiting to unload the luggage and be paid. Marcus held out his hand. "KEYS. NOW!" He said barbarically and the driver didn't have the nerve to resist.
Soon enough, Marcus was taking the best short cut he knew out to the guest house, going at least 95 or 100 mph. He needed to know if Blair was there or not; he needed to know, right now.
Blair looked around the room quickly. She had already grabbed the ring and was looking desperately around to see if there was anything else that was necessary.
Suddenly Chuck appeared in the doorway. "Come on, we've got to get out of here, I saw car lights up at the house from the third floor." He had grabbed a few things to add to his bag and so had Blair but she still seemed to be looking around as though she was missing something.
Half-reluctantly Blair walked forward, thinking that perhaps she did have everything. Just as she reached the door and took Chuck's hand, she realized just what it was that she had forgotten; her Erickson Beamon jewelry.
Blair pulled herself from Chuck's hold and rushed toward the vanity, throwing open her jewelry box and snatching the necklace off its hook before opening the drawer and pulling out the matching earrings.
I'll stay with you
The walls will fall before we do
"Just grab the whole box." Chuck said frustrated. They didn't have time for this when Marcus was so close to them. If they didn't get out now, they wouldn't make it.
Blair complied and grabbed the entire thing before joining Chuck at the doorway. They both took one last look at the room that they had shared before turning and exiting for the last time.
They flew through the hallway and went down the stairs as quickly as they could manage; free hand's clutching one another's tightly. Their breathing was accelerated. They were both feeling so many emotions running through their body; fear being chief amongst them, but accompanied by love, excitement, and trepidation.
Take my hand now
We'll run forever
It was as they reached the bottom of the staircase that Blair spotted the rapidly approaching lights in the distance. "Chuck take this stuff, run upstairs and hide."
"No!" Chuck whisper-shouted. "We're getting out of here." With that he pulled her back up the stairs and they returned to their bedroom. Chuck ripped the sheet off their bed and made quick work of roping in and tying it to the window seal before flipping himself over. "I'll be waiting at the bottom and when he goes in the house, we'll get in the car and go."
Blair nodded; but as she did, she heard Marcus's voice downstairs; calling her name. Warning her that he was on his way upstairs. She looked back to Chuck, the look in her eyes telling him everything as he hung over the ledge. "Chuck, get out of here before he see's you."
"I'm not leaving you Blair." Chuck hissed reaching for her hand. "I love you."
I can feel the storm inside you
I'll stay with you
She grabbed his outstretched hand and squeezed. "I love you too." Then suddenly she let go and moved towards the door. She heard Marcus's footsteps quickly approaching and knew that there was no possibility of them escaping, none at all. With that knowledge at the forefront of her mind, she opened the door and stepped into the hallway, shutting it behind her and moving towards the stairs, where Marcus was just reaching the top.
Chuck climbed back over the window seal. He could hear her in the hallway, hear her with him and he wanted nothing more than to go and push Marcus down the stairs. He would have if he hadn't suddenly been assaulted by the weight of their failure. It was crashing in on him like a tidal wave, causing him to gasp for air. He reached for the closet door and slid inside; shutting the door behind him. He couldn't let himself get caught. But as he did shut the door, the pain completely overwhelmed him, causing him to collapse onto the floor with pain racking his body.
A/N: I know sad chapter :( Sorry about that. I still love you guys and I'm not trying to be mean, I swear. I only had a couple of choices over what to do and I seriously considered letting them run successfully but I plotted it out and that would have caused the story to end in only five chapters and I have some stuff written for later in the story that wouldn't have fit in anymore and it's good stuff. So bare with me here.
Song: Stay With You: The Goo Goo Dolls
Reviews are always appreciated :)
xoxo
kate